Thing 23

Is it the end or just the beginning? Finally, I can say I am completing THING 23. I have learned so much about the internet that I didn't know before as well as learned how to utilize some really cool tools that I had used on a personal level but had never considered using in my classroom. Using technology is very important in the classroom. As I finish thing 23, I hear my teenager in the basement using You Tube to view skateboarding videos. As teachers why can't we encourage these techie kids to use their technology tools to create their own Podcasts, videos, and presentations. In addition, as eductors, why don't we share more of our teaching expertise through these same tools? Is it time? Money? What holds us back? As I embark on this technology journey, my hopes are to continue this Blog and add more educational technology information. I hope my collegues do to!!! Good luck! Send me your cool links! Lora

Thing 22

Michigan Learnport is an excellent way for teachers to get online professional development. I have taken some online professional development before including some during my university time. I like online classes for several reasons-- they are usually self paced. You can do them when ever you choose (ie-- this is great for night owls or early birds). There is no cost for parking, walking across a campus, or babysitter fees to pay when you take an online class.

This online class has been fun. I like that I could work on it at my own pace! I personally just set aside time each week when I wouldn't be bothered and spent a few hours wrapped up in it. The most challenging personally was the PODCAST. I hate the sound of my own voice and after three attempts I went with the best of the worst. My favorite activities were the teaching videos and the picture editors.

Thing 21

I HAD A BLAST WITH THING 21. On Teacher Tube there are so many excellent presentations (with a matching amount of boring ones!). While You Tube is blocked at my school, I will be chacking and hoping that Teacher Tube is not. Either way, I am going to be using the downloaded video featuring a book preview for the Little House books. Even though we are half way through the book, I think my students will like it. I also think we may do our own videos like it when we are done. We already used video to present some stories we wrote at the beginning of the year, but I think they will like looking at some others have created.

ps. The Pirate Videos from New Mexico State were great. My middle school son kept searching for more of them after I showed him the one I uploaded.

Teacher Tube-- Thing 21

Thing 20B

The podcast idea in the classroom was interesting. I definately will have my students listening to Podcasts in the near future. My favorite were the ones from Colonial Williamsburg. My students are reading Little House in the Big Woods right now and I am going to try to find one on frontier living.

Making a podcast was somewhat more challenging. My students have made videos this year and that was a long process. I may try this with a few students before I implement it with a whole class. Twice weekly, I do a combined class with the speech therapist. This may be something we can implement together. After all-- two teachers can get it done easier than one:)

Thing 19

Podcasts are really an excellent tool. I spent a ton of time reviewing podcasts today. Here is a review of the ones I checked out!

Grammar Girl (http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com) - Very neat one! This gives a grammar type then gives conversational examples. I think my 6th graders would benefit from listening!

Zoofari Chat- This one is in conjunction with the San Diego Zoo. I listened to the one on the Manchirian Brown Bear during their Bear Days. Kind of cool for the animal geeks!

Book Wink- Book wink was a good one. It included some vocabulary words that went with the literacy genres (example was heists). www.bookwink.com

Colonial Williamsburg- as a past employee of Greenfield Village I loved the podcasts from Colonial Williamsburg. I listened to a ton here including Chocolate, Gingerbread houses, an Irish Christmas, and Colonial Ladies Music. CHECK THESE PODCASTS OUT IF YOU ARE A HISTORY BUFF!!!!!

Thing 19

Check it Out!

Thing 15-17 WIKI's

The Wiki's are really a cool tool. I really enjoyed the ones I experienced, especially the really neat Google Earth in the classroom one. It was interesting to create my own on Colorado although I can't figure out how to reconfigure the name not to include my own (Yeah, I know, right now it is LoraColorado).

I think this would be a neat tool to use with my Lego Robotics team. They could create information and links that will help them in their competition. It would also be a communication avenue with other teams that we could use to collaborate. The biggest obstacles that I can foresee is the learning curve of implementation. I look forward to adding more information in the near future!

Kat on Film

Kat on Film
Originally uploaded by jilltuesday17

Kat at Mini- Mite Mania 2009

Thing 12

Flickr is a great service that I have used in the past. I think that educators can use this sight to brainstorm ideas (for example share your bulletin board ideas). I think it would be a way to be able to do creative lessons (Flat Stanley photos). On the downside, I would worry about my students getting inappropriate materials from this sight. As all internet tools, content is subject.

THING 10

I recently uploaded a technology survey for kids. The survey focuses on kids at home technology usage. I have opened the survey to not only my students, but also my children's friends. The purpose of the survey is to take a look at what technology are kids using at home.

Thing 11 Comments

As I post today's lesson- uploading to blogger from slideshare, I compared the process to the actual slide show I uploaded. The slideshow I chose focused on Learning and Technology. Today's students learn differently and spend their time differently than those of us who are educating them. As an educator, I feel that it is my job to adapt to their learning techniques and not force them to learn in the antiquated manner that in which I learn. So-- although the presentation is long, I feel that it focuses on what we all need to do-- look at who we are educating and find out how to reach them!

Thing 11

Keynote Digital Technology Symposium

View more presentations from Chris Sparshott.

Thing 8- is delicious!

Ok-- so for my online tech experience of the week I needed to add delicious social bookmarking. So far this is the first thing I have not really been into. I am still not sure about the added value of this piece of the puzzle. I am hoping in the near future, I will have that a-ha moment. Until then, at least I have something delicious.

Thing Five- Web 2.0/ Teaching and Learning in the 20th Century

In reviewing information about Web 2.0, I was astounded to make the parallel of the Web goals to my theory of adaptations needed in modern education. Web 2.0 is people based on "No Products Only Solutions" theory. The focus is made on a design that is based on customization, differentiation and simple solutions based on a problem solving approach (hmmm... same ideas I have for improving modern day education). The Web offers our students the ability to make connections based on their uniqueness as students in order to develop their skills. As educators, we need to let our students grasp this unique learning tool to help them develop skills they will need in their future careers. As a past Human Resource Consultant, I never asked a perspective employee the answer to an advanced calculus problem, but instead would look at their problem solving skills, their team work abilities, their unique knowledge base and how they could improve the internal work structure team. As educators, we need to look past the numbers and use tools like Web 2.0 to prepare our students to meet the needs of employers.

Thing 4- Education

Modern education is vastly different from when I was a student. Children today are tested more, pushed to higher achievements and under more stress than children in the past. Teachers today are pushed to help children achieve government success standards. These standards take the individual learning styles out of play. The tests make all children a number instead of unique individuals who learn differently and have their own personal strengths and weeknesses.

I was recently having a discussion with a friend of mine who is a master reading teacher in a center based program regarding the changes in education. We were discussing the need of rethinking the paradigm which encompasses education today. She is currently involved in a blog which is designed to give an open forum to discuss the discourse and reseeding of learning/education (see Salon_Ed blog). There is a need for a grass roots movement to reevaluate our learning and teaching structure not only to meet today's modern educational standards, but more importantly meet the students intrinsic needs as well as their educational goals. I look forward as an educator, parents and citizen to being part of this movement to enhance the learning environment for today's students.

Thing Three

So as a reader, you may be wondering what Thing Three is... I have recently decided to become more tech savvy and thus I am taking a class through the Monroe County ISD. The course is compiled of 23 things to enhance my online usage. Thing three is a reflection on the teaching blogs that I have reviewed.

I do find most educational blogs very well formatted and educationally intriguing. As a realist and a parent though I really wonder, do students really look at these blog sights?? So, I asked my teen ager what he thinks of teacher blog sites. He actually commented that he knows some of his teachers have them and use them for extra credit... cool idea.