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.

Thing 16 -- Google Docs

I completely related to the video about a person who was trying to coordinate multiple edits on one document and the confusion that ensues! As one of the teachers in my building who is willing to experiment with new technology, I find myself in the position of managing projects like this quite often. Goggle Docs could certainly make this easier. I'm excited to try this out and see how the revisions show -- As a self-proclaimed control freak, I would worry about how others would change the document and their attention to detail. I know! Completely obnoxious! At least I recognize my flaws!

With students, they could actually submit papers online to me and send them to me. I think most (if not all) students have email addresses, so that's not a concern for me. Could I do teacher conferences online and leave comments on their papers -- like the comment boxes on Microsoft Word? Do we have to have the same Word Processing program in order to share and edit documents?

Wow! Lots of questions, huh?

Thing 15 - Revisiting RSS

I'm thinking that RSS may be something that I just need to have. I guess if I were a huge ESPN or news fan, I would like to have everything sent to me on my Bloglines or Google Reader acct (I signed-up for both). But I haven't even thought to check them since I got them started -- It hasn't become a habit, definitely not an obsession. Maybe I don't use the Internet that way. As my Internet interests change, maybe I will find a need for RSS.

Thing 14 -- Delicious!

Just being able to pull up my favorites at school is going to be AWESOME! I have sites that I send kids to for different lessons and I'm always writing them on the board (reminding students to copy carefully). Without fail, one or more students make mistakes and then can't pull up the site from home.

Collaboration groups are big at my school right now. I can completely see the teachers in my group working on a project and researching independently but coming together through Delicious to share what we've found. This would also work when working on a common lesson with colleagues. I love that if I found something on the web that I thought my colleague, Erin, might find useful or interesting that I can send it to her by tagging the link as "For:herusername" -- What an easy way to send something rather than copying the URL and sending it as a link in an email.

I could also use it with students. Their homework could be to go into a site saved in my Delicious and respond to it. I'm sure there are even more possibilities than I realize. I'm off to see what others have bookmarked now. FUN! :-)

My Delicious username is marybeth.turner

Thing 13 -- Tagging and Social Bookmarking

I'm so excited about tagging and signing-up for Delicious! I have a ridiculous amount of "Favorites" at home, but when I'm at school I can access them. At work, we're not allowed to save on our computer thanks to the security system that we can Darth Vader, so I can't have websites saved on my computer at school. This process looks like it will solve a couple of issues: 1) I'll be able to access my sites from ANY computer, and 2) I'll be able to tag items and sort them into useable categories so that I can find what I want more easily.

For me, I need to remember to make tags simple by watching my punctuation (which is always an issue for English teachers who use proper punctuation even when texting). I'm thankful that I can go back in a change tags, if needed. I love that I could send a tagged site to a friend (or collaboration group member) just by using their delicious user name (for:myfriend) and it will be sent to them. Technology is so cool!

Thing 12 -- Widgets

I added a lovely pink clock to my blog (because I lose track of time while I'm here). I tried to add the Word of the Day widget; an English teacher could never resist that one. When I added it, it ended up being cut off along one side. Did I do something wrong. I was using the HTML boxes in the "Layout" options to add Widgets. Hmmm...

Relationships formed online could be as strong or a weak as the effort put into them. People who have common interests can connect in real life or online. Those online relationships are often developed around a specific common interest and could be just a meaningful, but in different ways.

MySpace and Facebook are probably popular with kids for the same reasons that adults are attracted to them: 1) These sites provide a way to stay connected to people that you may not otherwise see or stay in touch with, 2) Those sites can be personalized to reflect our personalities and, thereby, become an extension of ourselves, and 3) The sites give us a place to document our lives and respond to others. Since I've been on Facebook, I've been more connected to people who live far away that I still want to be connected to.

Thing 11 -- Connecting to my Community

I wasn't hesitant to comment online. Maybe that's because I'm a Facebook user. I feel as if I'm already experienced about thoughtful commenting, watching sarcasm, etc. I have to say that receiving my first comment made me feel as if someone else was on this journey with me. Until then, it felt like I was just doing this for me. In the end, I've realized that becoming part of a community helps me see issues that I may not have seen on my own AND it opens these topics for interesting discussion. I also realized that each of us bring our own experiences and perspective to the community and that's beneficial for everyone involved.

I loved the Guide to Weblog Comments! I plan to use that article with students to create a criteria for posts since I will certainly be in a position of assessing students' post for a grade.

For students, writing online provides them with an audience beyond the teacher. I do think it makes students more careful about their posts since they know others will certainly see them and evaluate them.

Thing 10 -- Embedding a Video

I love this poem by Taylor Mali! Any English teacher (or probably any teacher) will appreciate his message.

Thing 9 -- Video Sharing

YouTube. Just like anything else, it has its good and bad qualities. This cultural movement is interesting. The community that has been created in undeniable. I love that people have this expressive outlet to vent, share, and create. My student teacher last year found some great videos on YouTube and used them as part of her classroom activities; that's something that I have never tried before. She used videos of the 1920's when she taught The Great Gatsby to help students see the time period.

Of course, the "bad" thing about YouTube is that you don't know what your going to find or to what students might be exposed. There are things on YouTube that are inappropriate for students (especially in a school setting). Like anything else that is user generated, students need to be aware that the content may not be wholly accurate and/or authentic. When need to teach students to be aware of this flaw and be cautious.

I already have one of Taylor Mali poems (the one about proofreading) linked to my Moodle site for my advanced writing course. It's not only entertaining, but it relates to my curriculum. I need to add more links and require students to view and respond to blogs, videos, etc. Right now, I just have them out there for them to see if they choose. It might also be interesting to have student publish projects on YouTube. I wonder about the copyright issues involved. I also worry about students who don't have access to the technology needed to make videos.

YouTube is restricted for students at my school. I can pull it up on my "teacher" computer. It's my understanding that students were in the library pulling up "inappropriate" content on YouTube and that resulted in blocking student access.

I actually watched An Anthopological Introduction to YouTube. I have to agree that it was interesting, entertaining, and thought-provoking. I recently heard someone say that with Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, we may see the demise of the news media as we know it. Hmmm... that's an interesting thought.

Thing 8 -- Mash-Ups and Image Generators

I tried for quite awhile to use "Spell with Flickr" and replace my heading. No luck! I don't have Photoshop or XP. I tried using Paint, but could only get one letter placed. I did get frustrated and it reminded me about the technology struggles that often happen when using technology as a teacher. Students often don't have the correct software (or reliable access to computers). Often the software at school isn't compatable with what students have at home. This can make an innovative, exciting lesson go bad quickly.

I played on these sites for well over an hour and they are fun. I can see how they would help make a website or blog more visually appealing and interesting to students (and teachers).

Thing 7 -- Share my Images

I am a fan of Shutterfly -- I store all of my photos there and can print my photos using its service. Why do I need Flickr, I thought. Well... I figured it out. Flickr is like having millions of people out there photographing images that I can use in my classroom, on my Facebook, or whatever.

At first, I searched things that interested me. Chocolate Lab images, Paris photos, Traverse City, etc. Then I realized that I could search using "Catcher in the Rye" -- I found images of the book, images that represented ideas in the book, images of people reading the book, and more! Then I realized that I could search for photos of real places, historical landmarks, anything that related to my content area (Secondary English in case you didn't figure it out).

In a previous "Thing," I mentioned the idea of putting together a slideshow for books that would help students see the book better. With Flickr, I have an army of photographers helping me obtain these images without the cost. What could be better?!

I can't think of any issues...are there any? If people put these photos out there to "share," do we need permission to use them?

Thing 6 -- Flickr

I picked these images because they all related to books that I teach every year. The first two photos are of the Salem Witch Memorial in Salem, Mass. which relates to the play, The Crucible by Arthur Miller. They do a huge Halloween event in Salem and I often talk to students about the tourism that now takes place in Salem. The third image relates to the book, Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Holden (the protagonist) mentions that he has a dream about being in a huge field of rye on top of a cliff. He imagines children running toward the cliff and him trying to prevent them from falling over the edge of the cliff. As you can see, this image is fantastic!

The Salem Witch Memorial

Salem, Mass. Giles Corey's

Salem Witch Memorial

Salem, Mass.

Field of Rye at the edge of a cliff

Thing 5 -- Subscribing to Blogs

RSS can be a difficult concept for some to grasp right away - what questions do you have? What didn't work or doesn't make sense? How might you use RSS in your personal or professional life? Find anything in your searching that you'd recommend to others?

My biggest question now is: How do I make myself remember to go in and check my Bloglines or Google Reader? Do I sent it up as a "Favorite" on my Internet Explorer? I guess I haven't fully wrapped my brain around this yet, but I'll keep trying.

As I mentioned in "Thing 4," I can definitely see the benefits of the sorting capability of the RSS. I'm wondering: Does the RSS tell me everytime that information is added to a website or can I only subscribe to blogs?

I can see how I could subscribe to the New York Times Bestseller Lists, iTunes Top 10, etc. I often go into iTunes to see what is popular right now -- The would save me time. I guess as I go forward on the Internet, I'll try to focus more on the websites that I visit over and over -- Then I'll subscribe to those sites.

Thing 4 -- RSS

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of blogs out there - how do you handle information overload and how do you think RSS might help with that?

There is so much information out there; I do feel overwelmed. I set-up a Bloglines account and my Google Reader. I'm wondering why use Bloglines when we're established in Google?

I can see how this could help organize information that I find on the web that I find interesting. Countless times, I have stumbled upon an amazing website with lots of information that I want to remember to visit again. I'm thinking that RSS can help by alerting me to updates on those sites. Am I getting this right?

Thing 3 -- Other Educators' Blogs

It seems as if there are many uses for blogs in the classroom. I could definitely post assingments and classroom activities on a blog for students to view when they've been absent (or have gotten home and forgotten the homework assignment). It would also be a great, green way to distribute a class newsletter (probably a little more elementary than secondary).

I spent quite a bit of time looking at some of the "sample" blogs and thought of some really interesting ideas for slideshows. As an English teacher, I'm always trying to find ways to SHOW students items, places, etc. from different time periods. For example, when we read The Catcher in the Rye, there are places in NYC and items (like a Gladstone bag and Holden's hunting hat) that students often can't imagine. I could create slideshows with these places/items to help them imagine the time period better. This could be done for any book that I teach.

My biggest concern is the time that it would take to put this together. I already use Moodle to manage my classroom; I post daily assignments/activities for students and their parents, download documents for student use (which I don't think I could do on a blog), etc. I'm wondering how many students will actually use these resources -- It seems with Moodle that some students use it effectively and often, but others rarely access the site. How do I encourage student use. I also still wonder about the students' access to this technology at home. There are students who don't have computer access at home. What about them?

Thing 1 and Thing 2 -- Web 2.0 & Creating MY Blog

23 Things came highly recommended by one of the media specialists (and tech savvy educators) at my school. That recommendation, along with the promise of 2.0 CEU's, was enough to motivate me to sign-up for the fun.

Finding interesting ways to engage my students using technology is essential as the world (and our students) become more technology driven. I know that I need to become more knowledgeable in this area in order to develop better lessons.

After completing Thing 1, I couldn't help but realize how many areas technology could be integrated in my classroom community, collaboration group, school, district, etc. Methods of communicating have evolved and I'm starting to become the dinosaur after only 15 years of teaching. Is that possible? Teacher blogs, student wikis, and podcasting have a place in education and in my classroom. I still have concerns about the reliability of the technology (especially in a classroom with only one, 8-year-old computer), protecting the security of my students on the Internet, and grading work online (which may be a strain on my already old eyes). Hopefully, this will be just the push I need to get started on this new adventure!

As a lover of writing and language, I enjoy the fact the many people may choose to read my thoughts. Afterall, it is quite similar to publishing -- but less formal. I know that research shows that students who participate in "real world" writing experiences are more concerned about their writing quality. Whether we like it or not, we are judged by our writing ability by others who have the opportunity to see our products.