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Thing 11.5 Evaluation

I'm so glad to be finished...I would get bogged down in things and play for days before writing...especially seond life. I was hoping to finish before my trip...and I just made it. YEAH!

1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey? Some of my best learning was the ITouch - I have been resisting the whole idea of ipods...and now I can't wait to get mine up and going! Another thing is was glad I had to experience was Skype....I knew I wanted to learn...but just never took the time...I'd like to do some skyping with other schools next year...that would be a great way to expand our campus.

2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals? Well...it gives me an excuse to keep playing and learning. I sometimes feel guilty when I am exploring "fun" things on the computer..but this way I am learning with a purpose. I also find myself just searching for new web 2.0 tools to see what else is out there....I've learned a lot in the past few years... I now keep up with several blogs and learn from them as well...this gives me the excuse to keep on learning.

3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? The biggest surprise was how many things I had already tried. On the 23 things...EVERYTHING was new...this time I had actually done several and had heard of others. I know I need to spend more time on several of these to be proficient enough to teach to the students (they will already know more)....these include second life and slide share...I see that I will use them...but I don't feel confident yet...but I've learned...don't wait to share until your confident...the kids will give you more tips then you need.

4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept? I love this format...I like that I can do things when I want...I do know that I have to set aside time and through this one I've learned that I need to set timers as to when to quit.

This has been most fun...between this and summer school learning...I feel like I've taken several classes!

Thing #11 Digital Citizenship

This is something that I teach every year to every grade. I feel that it is very important for students know their responsibility to being good technology users. This is one of those times that you must "teach" the students. Just like being a good citizen means taking care of your neighborhood, being a good digital citizen is knowing how to use the proper tool for the job you need to get done, and using the right resources to get the correct answers. I spend a lot of time working with students to know proper "netiquette", using the right tools and resources and being good observers - reading screens, checking the authors of websites, checking information given. We've had some good discussions when conflicting information has been found on several sites...great way to show how important it is to check the facts. We want students to take ownership of their learning, but....we need to instruct them on expectations and provide them with guidance. I especially liked the graphic with the four boxes and student in the middle...it summarizes it all...you need all four parts to be successful with the digital enviroment...once it is part of the students knowledge...then they can go forth and learn on their own....having respect/netiquett is important...as through the digital world you may send an e-mail or comment on a blog of someone you never meet in person...technology can not just be taught in a lab...it must be integrated into all subjects and more importantly into life. I don't just have one lesson on digital citizenship...I teach it all the time...as it best fits...integrated into the curriculum.

#10 - Virtual Worlds

This is a big thing for me to step out and try....thanks for all of the tips....without them and talking to others that had already experienced second life it would have been IMPOSSIBLE....I still have a long way to go to actually enjoy it.... I can see how kids would really take to this (and I saw it at summer school) ...but I am still having difficulty with using it in an elementary school with out an adult watching....I also see problems with people getting lost in time...it's very addicting....and time escapes....hours flew by like seconds....and life happened while I was totally involved with a computer screen...the other night is was 11:00 and I was still investigating....I do see how simulations would totally keep students involved...I began to look around for things that were like second life...but not quite so involved... In looking around...I've found this site that is just starting with a kind of simulation for kids...it also includes games - http://games.noaa.gov The new one that is kind of similar to a virtual world is called Waterlife - Where rivers meet the sea. I am sure that more things will be coming out for the younger children...I just hope that they are a little less time consuming...

Thing #9 SlideShare

I am really glad to see all of these choices.  I can already see how we should move in this direction as a way for students to share work, post work and finish work at home that they start at school.  As I go through the web 2.0 tools I see how software as we know it will be gone and the "freeware" available will be what we use.  What a value for school districts and businesses.

I enjoyed reading links from the links you gave and found lots of information about using the slideshare tools.  Last year I thought Google was going to take over the world with it's products...now I realize we only touched the tip of the iceberg.

I will definitely be looking at using slideshare...both to post projects and to allow students to work at home.....

After working with the mini-dells at summer school...this could be the answer to not having access to the server....why not work from the web...then no matter what computer, what device you could work on it....I haven't tried...but could you access from an itouch?  Perhaps not to develop and create...but to view...another way to get lessons out to the students....  After watching the students at summer school using two devices at one time...perhaps the tutorial slideshow on slideshare could be accessed on the itouch while the student worked on the assignment on the mini dell.  Right now as I am having difficulty with my pc....I'm reading some things on the pc and inputing information on the mac....what you learn from students!

Thing #8 Screencast

I've explored, played with, accepted memberships and downloaded the necessities for several of the screen capture software.  I bought camtasia several years ago and used it minimally, I had great dreams...just not enough time.  I am planning to use several of these to help create lessons for my GT kids...this will make it to where they are self directed.  Once I am comfortable with the software...I'm hoping to have students create a bank of lessons.  My new group this year will be a Tech Team made up of students who will "play and explore" with the new equipment...they will learn how to use these screen capture tools to create short movies to help their classmates and teachers....I'm so glad to see all of these choices...each one of them has just a little twist in what they offer.  Check back with me in a few months to see what we have created...I'll upload the lesson that I'm working on once my dell decides to let me log on....I'm working from a MAC because I got tired of waiting for the log in screen.....I want the PC screen in the screen capture so the students can use it.

Thing #7 - Video Resources

Okay - this is one where I spent several days checking out all of the links and then the links from those links...needless to say I have watched more video in the past 4 days then I care to admit....but I really liked some of the resources...a few I was even able to cut the clip down from what they posted...that was nice...the embedded information changed as I cut the video down. I think I'll have to create a few more wiki's for classes to be able to embed and link more video. Since the students live in a video world...we might as well provide good sources for them.
When I played with TOTLOL - I was sad to see that it is possible that it will be gone...possibly on July first...I wish I could find him a sponsor... I really like the NeoK-12 - It cuts your searching time by a lot to find the videos to support curriculum....next thing...get youtube open for us in SBISD!

Let me go back to the top of the lesson - creative commons...I attended a session at TCEA and came back with the idea to share creative commons with my school in the coming school year...I think it will help the students begin to understand the importance of copyright and giving credit...etc to original sources. I know that this next school year we will begin to create and send to the various sources videos the students make...how important it will for the students to understand copyright as they select music and probably make some parodies....the video on the creative commons site is great....somewhere in my notes I have the link to a great presentation on creative commons...she gave us full rites to share and use with students.

Back to the video - found some neat things to share with students....here are two of my favorite authors that I always share...can't afford to bring them into RCE...but here's a video interview...almost as good.

Tomie dePaola

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid26961813001?bclid=26973384001&bctid=26068125001

Mo Willems
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid6904330001?bclid=6811832001&bctid=6801852001

I'm on a roll with this one! Can't wait to share some of this with my staff!

Thing #6 ITouch Apps

This is a really cool resource...I'm glad there is a whole page to refer back to as I get into this more and more. I was very fortunate to take part in a class on how to use the Itouch....very cool. At first I have been very reluctant and hesitant to use the itouch. My nephews - yes plurals - have been trying to teach me for several month....after my class I showed them a few things. Anyway...the amount of free apps is unbelievable...math, science, note taking and more...not only can these be used for research but for reteaching and "drill and kill". In the summer school program - the day we used the itouches with the students they were so excited...we had a couple of brain game apps loaded and they could have played all day trying to improve their levels (just think how much math practice they got that morning!) The students loved playing the games and didn't mind the "drill" they were getting. They also loved using google. One of my students had created an animoto...but we learned that an app had to be downloaded to be able to view...but we were successful in watching some videos...How neat to have an individual learning environment for a student...if you set it up well...you could have a student go through a learning experience just on the Itouch....set up a wiki and let him link to videos, links and more for almost a "private" individual lesson. Once I let go of my limitations...I see this as a real positive piece of equipment...not to mention the "cool" part of using one. I can't wait to get my itouches up and moving at RCE....I know that searching out good apps will be important...we'll have to share what we learn and find. This is going to be FUN!

Thing #5 Microblogging

I know it looks like I'm going through these things really fast...but actually...I played with them the last few days...weeks if the truth be known...but didn't take time to write in the blog...I'm finally taking the time to write in the blog...

Microblogging....I really want to get a facebook account...and this almost made me do it...but I've promised my college daughter that I won't until she's ready for me to be out there...(I think she's afraid that her friends will friend me!)...anyway...I know that facebook is the place to be...through my sisters...they have rediscovered long lost friends and relatives....my daughter keeps up with her college friends although she's here for the summer...and all of her events are scheduled through facebook. I think it's a wonderful resource...and I see how having "it all" in one location is great. I'm not so sure about twitter...the few twitters that I've actually paid attention to, sometimes gave me too much information....I'm not so sure I want to post everything that's going on in my life...but....I guess it has a place depending on what is going on. (Okay...i thought I was done...then I got lost reading more blogs...I happened upon a library blog about how they use twitter for quick announcements....perhaps I need to rethink...not a personal account...but a school library account to let the members know when new books or materials arrive....maybe a twitter for the different groups I have to remind them of our monthly meetings....just had to get out of "the box"....maybe I'll revisit twitter....)

I really do like the backchanneling....I think it adds to the depth of a meeting...my pastor has had the kids text him during a sermon for feedback...I think I need to reccommend backchanneling as a way for him to know their thoughts. I am planning to use backchanneling in some of my trainings next school year and hopefully during faculty meetings. If possible I'd like to set it up for some lessons in the library....it might help me know when students are actually getting what I say.....I think is a great way to keep up with the thoughts of people attending a meeting. Perhaps if backchanneling is going on...a meeting/training would move faster and provide more for the needs of the learner....I'm definitely going to use these.

Thanks for finding all of the readings for us...especially with twitter...I was glad to know some of the "rules" I need to pass it on to a few of my friends!

Okay...I think I'm done for the day....it's been fun!

Thing #4 Video Hosting

This time the Library 2 Play has been a lot of review for me...the video hosting is one of them. I actually learned how to do this by a student...we had made animotos at school and one of my students uploaded his animoto to YouTube....he proudly brought me the link to school and then showed me how he created the animoto and uploaded it. I thought it was great that he had done it all on his own!...and then taught me!
Then my church had a video contest....the way the videos were "graded" was to post them to YouTube...I worked with a group of 7th grade girls to take video, edit and then post...again...they taught me much more than I taught them...we used a flip video cam to take the video, edited it with movie maker and then posted...unfortunately...we DID NOT win the competition! But it was fun learning....
I think this will be a great way for students to share...and learn about copyright....one of the big discussions I had with the girls was the music to use behind the video....they just wanted to put music from a CD....we ended up creating a piece on audacity and then putting that music behind the video....
I have gotten LOST and HOOKED in watching videos....my daughter is always sending me a link...I can see that this is definitely a way for students to learn and share their work. I think this makes learning so much more fun and engaging!

Thing # 3 Like Skype

I experimented with skype...most excited to see it on the list...I had planned to check it out anyway...my daughter will be moving away soon and this is how we may keep up...depending on how far away she end up. My "outlaws" used this while their son was in Iraq...worked like a charm. I'm now set and ready to use it...I think I will try to hook up with some other schools...how much fun would it be for students to talk to each other during the day....could be a real expansion of learning...especially if across the country....it's time to locate my "teacher friends" around the world.
Loved reading all of the tips....I know this will save me in the learning curve...it was worth reading!

Thing #2 Image Generators 2

I've spent the last few nights just playing with these items....I am most familiar with wordle and animoto...use these almost weekly with my students. I could see pairing wordsift with wordle...similar, yet very different. If students were working in pairs, one did a wordle and one did the word sift, it would be interesting to see where the two would end up. I did like that photos popped up as well on word sift...helps with visualization. I had fun playing with gloster...I think it will definitely be a new choice that I offer to students. I played with bookr, however after seeing what is available on a mac...I may be more inclined to use the software on the mac. It may be down to what is available. Made my voki....I want to play with ways to use a voki...I think it may be very motivating for students....we'll just have to see how to play with it...It may be an interesting way to get students to visit a website or wiki everyday/everyweek if the voki changed with a new question...just thinking. I added a voki to my blog...

11.5 Thing #1 Inspiration and Registration

I've decided to keep the same blog, much easier to remember and I don't have to think of another name....my students did such a good job the first time around. I'm in on PDLC...so I'm ready to go.

I watched the video...I feel like a librarian would be the perfect person to be the teacher for that student. I feel like I already help students in creating the learning environment...just need to be a little more proactive on the organization and sharing...as I learn more 2.0 tools I think that will happen. Right now we're using web pages, but as students and teachers become more comfortable with wikis and social networking...this will change and we'll update things daily, hourly and possibly even sooner.

Wiki's

I have spent the last few days exploring the various common wiki's. I've come to the conclusion that each one has it's place. Before you decide on the one to use...know what you want to do....do you mainly want writing, photos, or just collaborate with others. ...how do you want to organize and how flexible are your users....right now I'm using several different wiki's for different things....organization is important for school, downloading photos for family and ease of use for users for my church group. I'm glad there are different wiki's out there to look at....and I'm glad they are similar enough for me to go back and forth between.
Take a look at some of my wikis at http://www.tallowoodacteens.wetpaint.com, http://pgpsbisd.pbwiki.com , http://rummelcreek.wikispaces.com and http://www.covenantcares.wetpaint.com. Lots of choices.....

TLA

It's been a while since I have written - too much going on....too much learning. I attended the TLA conference in Houston and now need to try a lot of new things. Michael Stephens is now someone I am reading a following on his blogs.
The hard part now is trying to keep up with daily life in the library - packing up for a renovation project and keeping up with new stuff so that I am prepared for the next school year. It seems like I am always on a big learning curve....

Just testing

Just trying to see if I can do what I learned

Create interactive meetings at Poll Everywhere

Here's a response

Build television sms voting polls at Poll Everywhere

Here's a gcast pod cast

The Flip

A new toy is now in use...the FLIP! I had attempted a while back and encountered a problem...this week, we've been taping and droping into movie maker...so much fun. This will be something we will continue to use over the coming days and weeks. A group of fifth graders made a great video about washing your hands....we showed it to the school on Friday....it was so much fun. I am looking forward to what we create next....we have created a monster!

Technology Overload

Curriculum night is over and Saturday I attended the Activboard training. I have so many ideas floating in my head right now it's about to explode. I have had many positive comments about the web 2.0 tools we are using at school....so I'm going to try to learn and pass on a few more. I learned about podcasting from an activboard...how exciting....can't wait to find time to play.

TGIF

My brain has been in overload this week trying to learn a few new websites. We're getting ready for curriculum night (next Thursday) and I'm trying to get some fresh ideas to share. Came across these in a journal article....looks like something the kids would enjoy... http://www.readwritethink.org/crossword/ (students can use a crossword or create a crossword)
http://www.tikatok.com/ - (where students can write a book/story…if you actually print and publish…a cost of about 20.00 a book. Register to use…but no cost until printing)
http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/ (create a comic strip…think of it as a way for students to write a summary of a story)

It's amazing how many new things can pop up...I can't keep up with it all. Check back next week for some new sites to try with your children. As always...I'm a bit frazzled this week.