Thing #23

Yes, my thinking has changed somewhat. I believe I am more courageous about using Web 2.0 for myself and in the classroom. I am willing to fumble around and see what I can create and explore. I see the effect it can have on collaboration, instead of separating students into their computer screen, it can really connect classrooms and created a free-flow of ideas and information. My biggest Ah-ha moment was in using the creative publishing and imaging tools for student work. I realized how easy they were to use and my brain immediately started matching curriculum goals with possible projects. I liked what one of the men in the last video said, about using web 2.0 with students for more bravery, creativity, synthesis, and collaboration then they would previously experience in the traditional classroom. I can truly see the value of that now. This process has taken a lot of the mystery and fear out of the web 2.0 and added a bit of wonder and excitement for me to see how it can impact my students' learning and personal development of their true potential. I anxious to get started in the trenches! Thank-you Ron, for such a fun and informative class!

Thing #22

Yes, we can't get Youtube in our school, it is blocked, but we can access Teachertube which I think is a great resource. Anytime a different voice other than mine is used, it seems to make an impression and students remember the material a little longer. I really like the TED website. If you ever need a lift or a kick in the butt, listen to one of those on a topic, they are interesting, funny, and inspiring.

Thing #21

Tweet, tweet, tweet! I can see staying in touch with friends and following certain businesses, and for that Twitter is interesting. But I find the format visually confusing and too many conversations listed out of order to make sense of some of it. Maybe it is my lateral side of the brain, but it is almost over stimulation, much like some kids magazines with word bubbles all over the place. Maybe I'm just showing my age, but twitter will take some getting used to. I would have to find some really important twitterers for me to use my Blackberry for it. Plus, I don't know what I would really want to twitter about. Who really wants to know what I am doing day to day?? I'd rather hear about your day than tweet about mine. :)

Thing #20

I really enjoyed this activity because I could make use of something I had learned about last year. Now I understand how to add tags and make use of the search using tags and using others' bookmarks on del.icio.us. My user name is ntownsen or wwwtrekker(not too original, but it was all I had at the time). I find this tool very useful. The tags make it very easy to search for those websites that other professional find useful, thereby already weeding out those other websites that are not recommended. It is like reading the movie reviews before spending the money at the theater. I am really excited to really use this tool. It is also useful in finding appropriate sites for students that are kid friendly and kid appropriate.

Thing #19

Yes! It all makes so much sense! I think about all my 1100 pictures in Photobucket and there are no tags!!! Oh what a mistake, it is hard to find any particular picture and I wondered just how do do tags in an effective way. Thank-you for these lessons. I have learned completely new things about Web 2.o, but I also learn more about places that I have dabbled in, but got lost because I needed some direction. I already have an account on del.icio.us, but didn't have a clue bout tagging and the ones I used are not efficient in finding anything. Thereby, that tool went by the wayside for a year. Now I can dust it off and reorganize using these great tips and also I'll be able to check out others' bookmarks more effectively. The tool will make finding ways to differentiate my curriculum a lot more productive.

Thing #18

I found these PLNs very intriguing and full of information. I joined Ning and MACUL and can't wait to find the time to post and explore. That is the key, finding time. I see how beneficial it is to belong to one of these PLNs. I feel like I only see the same educators with the same tired well-worn ideas. I feel very sheltered and isolated at times. This way, it is like opening the world of new ideas and fresh points of views. To be part of this and be able to breathe fresh life into my classroom, my team, and my students is a great plus. Hopefully, the team will be as open to these new ideas as much as I am. Maybe if each team member focused on topics that interested them and brought that to the table would help share the load of sifting through the mounds of information out there.

Thing #17

I had fun playing the travel game. Although I did not achieve the level that I thought I would. I think that the time limit got to me. I also tried the photo editor, Picnik, and found that really fun. I think that would be great in the classroom for students to use in illustrating their stories with their own photos. They all have their own digital cameras these days, and we have one to use in the school, so they coudl really be creative with projects. We just finished making a time-line of Michigan history. Instead of drawing, those students that are so inclined, could use edited photos to illustrate big events. Very cool.