Thing 23 -- Reflecting on the Journey -- HOORAY!

This experience has given me the push I needed to investigate some of the amazing technology that is out there. The reality is that time often allow for such investigations. My mission for the remainder of the summer is to continue learning and playing around with blogs, wikis, podcasts and to figure out how these technologies fit into what I'm already doing as a classroom teacher AND to use some of these technology adventures to create NEW lessons, tools, and assessments for my students. I'm happy that I finished this "early" (though not as early as some others) so that I have time before school starts to pursue these goals.

Since I began "Thing 1," my attitude about incorporating technology has become more positive. Although I always had the interest, I just never felt as if I had the time to fully understand how I can apply these technologies to my classroom. Yes, I still struggle with the lack of fabulous technology readily available in our schools. However, I have had time to consider how to make it work and it seems doable.

Before participating in this program, I had some ideas about how students (the next generation) use technology differently than many of us do. As a mom, I can see how my kids view (and take for granted) the conveniences that technology allows. The digital world and social networking is changing the way we learn, research, and communicate. We need to prepare our students for the implications of the technology.

Once I finish this blog entry, I plan on going back to my Moodle course that I have used for the past three years. I need to figure out how to intergrate what I learned here with Moodle. On Moodle, I can download documents and my courses are wonderfully organized. I can "hide" parts that I don't want students to view. I need to play with my new "tools" and figure out how to combine what I'm already doing with what I aspire to do. Possibly, I'll have students create blogs or wikis that I can subscribe to. I guess I'm not completely sure yet, but I know I'll do something awesome this coming year.

Thanks for a fantastic learning experience! I'm pleased that I took the time to participate (and was lucky enough to get in).

Thing 22 -- Creating a Wiki

Although I'm starting to wrap my brain around much of this, I'm still full of questions.

Things that I could do on a Wiki include:

• Lesson summaries
• Log Classroom Daily Activities
• Concept Introductions & Exploratory Projects
• Sharing classroom learning that reaches beyond the classroom (parents, community, etc.)
• Individual & Group Assessment (projects)

Can I do all of those on a blog? It seems like (but please correct me if I'm wrong) that these types of tasks would be easier to manage on a Wiki vs. a blog. My biggest concern about Wikis is that students could alter the information (because I am a control freak) -- Although I recognize that I would be able to find out who made the changes that weren't authorized. Of course, students' editing capabilities is also a huge plus for submitting projects, etc. online. In terms of organization of information, I'm thinking that a Wiki would probably work more like a webpage. It's my understanding that I can go in a add pages as I need, but can alter the order for students. For example, if I put introductory info about The Great Gatsby on my Wiki this year, but want to add a closing activity next year, I'll be able to insert that page with the other Gatsby activities. On a blog, I'm not sure how I would do that since blogs seem to sort information in the order entered. A blog seems like it would be better for journaling or recording a process (much like we did here with the 23 Things). Since, the way I understand it, the blog will order the pages as they are entered -- am I correct about that?

Can I download documents to either blogs or Wikis? I'd like to have students be able to access handouts online for a variety of reasons.

You can find my wiki at: http://turnerswakiwiki.wikispaces.com/

Thing 21 -- Learning about Wikis

I enjoyed looking at the "Hanalee Book Wiki" -- It made me think about how students could log and reflect upon reading assingments. I would really like to do a bookclub-type wiki to show students how bookclubs create a community of learners. "WikiHow" was truly fun! Anyone can post directions How-to-do something and it shows up. I was amazed at the variety of topics available.

When school was first out for the summer, I attended a district workshop about wikis with a presenter who teaches at one of our district elementary schools. This teacher was knowledgeable and had some great ideas about how to use wikis with her upper elementary kids. She took an assignment that kids did and converted it to one that they submit online using their own science wiki. It was inspired! But she only has less than 30 students -- If I were to do this with my American Lit classes, I would have at least 60 wikis to look at.

I'm still not clear about what is the difference between blogging and a wiki -- Is it just the ability for multiple editors to create the final product? I need to think about what I want to use a wiki or blog to do for me and my students; then I'll be able to determine what's best for me. I'm nervous about taking on too much technology at once. I do think that any hurdles are worth conquering -- students are more engaged in this type of learning and it will certainly have real life applications for them now and in the future.

Thing 20 -- Subscribing to Podcasts

In addition to the other podcasts that I already enjoy, I subscribed to a podcast called, "This American Life" upon the recommendation of one of my students who told me last year, "You would love this!" I look forward to listening to them and seeing how well Justin knows me.

I've had an iPod for several years and am already comfortable with searching iTunes for interesting podcasts. I did spend some time on the "Educational Podcast Network" and "Podcast Alley" -- both seem to work really well for me. My preference is probably the iTunes, but only because I already have lots of experience with it. As we all know, it's always easy to stick with what we know. Therefore, I will make an effort to try out the other search tools -- I will also download a podcast on my Google account which, I assume, I could pull-up and listen to at work on my prep hour or play for students.

I do have a question: Are all of the podcasts on iTunes also searchable on the other two sites? Also...how does one go about getting a podcast on iTunes?

Thing 19 -- Podcasts

I was already familiar with podcasts before I began Thing 19. I currently subscribe to several podcasts including Mugglecast (a Harry Potter podcast) and Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips (which I've actually used in my classroom). What I need to do is develop assignments/activities better around some of the fabulous stuff that's already out there. I learned that an iPod is not needed to subscribe to a podcast -- Who knew?! I guess I could have kids obtain Google accounts and then they could access podcasts as well. Again, I'm worried about those kids that don't have access to the technology. Even though we have computers in our library available for student use, could they be listening to Grammar Girl while others are trying to work as well? Hmmm...I'm just not sure how that will work for them. I also need to check with our local public libraries and see what rules they have for using the computers there.

Grammar Girl's Quick & Dirty Tips: grammar.quickanddirtytips.com

Mugglecast: http://www.mugglenet.com/mugglecast/

Thing 18 -- Slideshare

The slideshow that I chose is about feeling comfortable presenting in public. It includes quotes from famous comedians (Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, etc.) and Yoda. :-) I can definitely see how I could use this application in the classroom. I can introduce new information in this way and post it to my blog (or to my Moodle site). I could create review slideshows before a test. I could have "How to" slideshows (just like you use as part of the 23 Things). Students could submit slideshow presentations online using Slideshare, as well. I could preview their slideshows before they present.

I could also create slideshows of photos to share with family and friends. Technology is amazing!

Quotes & Lessons from "Comedian"

View more documents from garr.

Thing 17 -- Online Productivity Tools

I tried bubbl.us (the concept mapping) tool because I have used concepts maps to brainstorm writing assingments with students. This worked well and I love that it's accessable to anyone with an Internet connection -- We have a program available at school, but work can't be created as homework when we use it.

Knowtes -- Virtual flashcards was interesting to me, but I wasn't able to get in because the site said I needed to be "invited" to sign-up. I requested an invitation though. Students in my advanced writing course memorize 150 SAT words as part of the course (10 words per week are added to the main list). I would love for students to be able to get online and practice for their weekly vocab quizzes. I'll definitely revisit that site again later. I actually tagged it in Delicious so that I can go back to it later.

I also plan on going back to tryout the Zoho Show presentation site. Why would be bother purchasing Powerpoint on a new computer when these applications are out here and available for FREE online? Just wondering.