There were so many things that I learned while keeping this blog. The image generators were an entirely new things for me. I had no idea there was such a thing as 'wikis' outside of Wikipedia. LiveBinder is not for me. Pinterest (my favorite time waster) has a Teacher Hub. Animoto exists and it's quick and easy and fun. I am terrible at making flowcharts and I need to continue working on those skills. Remember the Milk is a great app.
Learning is should never be static. I have always been a non-traditional student. My first attempt at college was a miserable failure and I dropped out. My return was via a night school program while I worked fulltime. I added law school as an "older" student at 29. I worked on my first master's in an accelerated evening program while I worked full-time. Now I'm working on my second masters again in an accelerated evening program. My scenic route though education has taught me that I'm never going to be finished learning. Of course, there have been times that I was ready to throw in the towel but I've stuck it out. That idea, keep sticking it out, is the most valuable takeaway from my education.
I thought I was more tech-savvy that I really am. Now that I've been learning about all the things I don't know I am not at all tech-savvy. Between this blog and what I've learned in the 5540 class my tool chest is much expanded from where I was when the class started. In order to keep up with tech information I am starting a new board on my Pinterest account to attach links and information I come across.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Thing 23
23 Things was based off the concept of 43 Things. This is attribution was posted on APSU 23 Things with the following notice:
*Note: This project is loosely based upon the website 43Things (which allows you to set and track personal goals) and the Stephen Abram article titled 43 Things I (or You) might want to do this year (Information Outlook - Feb 2006).
I think it's important for students to understand that it's okay to use another's work (with permission) so long as credit is given. Perhaps I am a Pollyanna but I like to think most people don't do things when they know others wouldn't approve of it. On the other hand most people, myself included, are the tinist bit on the lazy side when it comes to seeking out permissions. Creative Commons makes it very easy for students to do the right thing. As a teacher I would encourage my students to use Creative Commons for the image and information searches. As a person, I would hope to lead by example.
*Note: This project is loosely based upon the website 43Things (which allows you to set and track personal goals) and the Stephen Abram article titled 43 Things I (or You) might want to do this year (Information Outlook - Feb 2006).
I think it's important for students to understand that it's okay to use another's work (with permission) so long as credit is given. Perhaps I am a Pollyanna but I like to think most people don't do things when they know others wouldn't approve of it. On the other hand most people, myself included, are the tinist bit on the lazy side when it comes to seeking out permissions. Creative Commons makes it very easy for students to do the right thing. As a teacher I would encourage my students to use Creative Commons for the image and information searches. As a person, I would hope to lead by example.
Thing 22
Unfortunately, I finally found something in this project that I detest and, I'm sorry to say, that it's LiveBinders. I found the site to be unwieldy and complicated. On the whole it seems very counter-intuitive so I was fairly frustrated trying to get it set up. I can't see a circumstance where I would use the program after completing this course. My binder can be viewed here. I prefer to organize my links through favorites, Pinterest and downloads. I think the concept is great and the purpose wonderful but I'll keep searching for different vehicle.
Thing 21
I had never heard of Animoto but I wish I had sooner. Putting the video together was super easy and fairly quick too. Here's a link: fish. The pictures are from a trip we took to the TN Aquarium in Chattanooga.
This tool could be used by students to create mash-ups of photos found, or taken, for a particular subject or discussion. It would also be a fun extra credit exercise.
This tool could be used by students to create mash-ups of photos found, or taken, for a particular subject or discussion. It would also be a fun extra credit exercise.
Thing 20
I found a good video about political parties. It's embedded below.
I think a quick video can be a wonderful jumping off point for a class discussion or to further explain a point in class. Honestly, I had quite a bit of trouble embedding the video and locating the video I wanted through the upload function. I highly suspect that it's "user error" rather than a site issue. So, while I was incredibly frustrated I fight there was clear value to its use.
From other tools, I found Esfresh which allows you to collect music clips and see other peoples playlists. That could be great for adding background to scrolling presentations. I also found PopScreen which is a bookmarking site for videos. That tool could be helpful in the preparation of lesson plans when you are wanting to save news clips, videos and the like to be used at a future date.
Thing 19
I think most of social media rules should be, although they not be, common sense. Nothing good will come from friending your students on Facebook. My privacy settings are fairly high and I keep on top of updates to keep them high.
Nothing good will come from having any sort of private chat or text. It is much too easy to the situation to become uncomfortable for all parties. I love the idea of Edmodo. It provides all the good things about Facebook and Twitter while minimizing the downsides.
I am a member of both Tasty Kitchen and Yelp. I use the recipes from TK pretty often although I don't post many often. I pay close attention to Yelp reviews and occasionally add my own. I am a regular ready of IMDB since my partner is a huge move fan and I never know what he's talking about. I am also member of a few personal online groups. One is for foster and adoptive parents which is a wonderful, wonderful resource. The second is small group from a BabyCenter birth board that all had the same birth month who ended up losing our babies. There's about 20 of us that have become incredibly close and talk with each other daily. The focus is no longer our lost children but our everyday lives. It was a lifesaver then and a wonderful bonus now.
Nothing good will come from having any sort of private chat or text. It is much too easy to the situation to become uncomfortable for all parties. I love the idea of Edmodo. It provides all the good things about Facebook and Twitter while minimizing the downsides.
I am a member of both Tasty Kitchen and Yelp. I use the recipes from TK pretty often although I don't post many often. I pay close attention to Yelp reviews and occasionally add my own. I am a regular ready of IMDB since my partner is a huge move fan and I never know what he's talking about. I am also member of a few personal online groups. One is for foster and adoptive parents which is a wonderful, wonderful resource. The second is small group from a BabyCenter birth board that all had the same birth month who ended up losing our babies. There's about 20 of us that have become incredibly close and talk with each other daily. The focus is no longer our lost children but our everyday lives. It was a lifesaver then and a wonderful bonus now.
Thing 18
My twitter feed is https://twitter.com/tt_img. I set it up during the 2012 election because I'm an elections junkie. I'd say I'm following a well-balanced group of people from both the right and left. I also follow a lot of news organization and political blogs. And, it's a guilty pleasure, but I follow quite a few celebrities for the gossip too. What I don't do is really follow anyone I know personally or put out my own thoughts or original tweets. I mostly use it as a tool to get up with the news.
I did a quick search of "education" and found (and added) at least 20 new feeds to my following list. Most of the them are main-stream educational ones but several are from the reformer camp. To me, it's important to consider what out of mainstream arguments have to say. Sure, some are going to be way, way, WAY beyond anything I'm willing to go but that doesn't mean good ideas can't come from there. For example, I think the unschool-movement is completely out of left field and, under most circumstances, does a disservice to children. That said, I think their point that all too often children's interest in subjects are encouraged not nearly enough is well taken. Following that type of feed would allow to see those types of points.
As with most things discretion and common sense go long way. Certainly I'm not responsible for what other people tweet but I am for what I re-tweet. I'm so responsible for any original content and who I allow to follow my page. I think, overall, it would be a great way of communicating with students and parents but care should be used.
I did a quick search of "education" and found (and added) at least 20 new feeds to my following list. Most of the them are main-stream educational ones but several are from the reformer camp. To me, it's important to consider what out of mainstream arguments have to say. Sure, some are going to be way, way, WAY beyond anything I'm willing to go but that doesn't mean good ideas can't come from there. For example, I think the unschool-movement is completely out of left field and, under most circumstances, does a disservice to children. That said, I think their point that all too often children's interest in subjects are encouraged not nearly enough is well taken. Following that type of feed would allow to see those types of points.
As with most things discretion and common sense go long way. Certainly I'm not responsible for what other people tweet but I am for what I re-tweet. I'm so responsible for any original content and who I allow to follow my page. I think, overall, it would be a great way of communicating with students and parents but care should be used.
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