Wow!! What a journey. I've learned so much with this class. Not only about what is available out there on the web, but about me too.
Regarding myself, I have learned that I am not very successful in pacing an online class. I don't have the discipline to continually work on the assignments at a continuous pace. By my faults, I have had to cram nearly half the class assignments into 2 weeks. I really didn't like the pressure I put onto myself. I much rather prefer a physical class with person to person dialog. I always have lots of questions when learning (especially with regards to computer knowledge), and felt very isolated. But with the content I was learning, it is obvious that we are becoming a person to computer world. I did finish all Things successfully, some with quite a bit of frustration. But I did it!!!!
Regarding the 23 Things, I learned SO much. I never knew how big the web really was. I knew it connected the entire world, but never to the degree that I know now. And just by learning about these 23 Things, means that there are another 23 thousand more. Probably just as we were learning about these Things, more were being created. I am hoping that the videocast that I subscribed to will help keep me learning about all the possibilities.
I do hope to continue to use some of the Things that I learned about. I will be keeping my blog, but will most likely be making it private for my own journal use. I did enjoy journaling. I would like to keep my wiki for our classroom. I hope to learn more about it so I can make it work for our families.
I would also like to revisit the 23 Things website to further explore some of the Things that I rushed through or would like to refresh myself on the topic.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Thing 22
I created a wiki space. Here it is. I even embedded my blog into it just to see if I could. I was able to, but it didn't appear where I wanted it to. I tried to move it around but to no success. Editing my wiki was difficult for me. I need to work on that more.
I am not sure which would be better for classroom communication: a blogline or a wiki. I'm really not sure what the major differences are. The people who are allowed to add to either site can be controlled, all kinds of content can be embedded, and I think they would both serve the same purpose.
Since I have been working with my blog since the beginning of 23 Things, I am most comfortable with blogs, but would like to see my classroom have a wiki for the purposes of sharing upcoming calendar events as well as parents being able to share news and pictures of their children for others to see. I plan on exploring my wiki more to learn more. Maybe in the fall I can be the person in charge of our classroom wiki.
I am not sure which would be better for classroom communication: a blogline or a wiki. I'm really not sure what the major differences are. The people who are allowed to add to either site can be controlled, all kinds of content can be embedded, and I think they would both serve the same purpose.
Since I have been working with my blog since the beginning of 23 Things, I am most comfortable with blogs, but would like to see my classroom have a wiki for the purposes of sharing upcoming calendar events as well as parents being able to share news and pictures of their children for others to see. I plan on exploring my wiki more to learn more. Maybe in the fall I can be the person in charge of our classroom wiki.
Thing 21
I had no idea what a wiki was until now. It is so cool. Our school needs to have one of those. Right now we have a bulletin board in the lobby divided into categories (such as junior kindergarten, kindergarten, early intervention, preschool, wpsee, etc.) and spaces. Each teacher is supposed to be posting current information about what is happening in their program in their space. It's not often updated. Not to say that a wiki would be updated either, but it would be easier to update a wiki by typing and maybe uploading a picture of student work than stapling a cutsie thing on a bulletin board. Also, parents can view the wiki anytime and anyplace. Information can be added by any teacher, the principal, the PTA, etc. We should do it!
I love the wiki from the schools from different hemispheres. What a great learning tool for the students to be able to communicate all their questions and concerns with someone on the other side of the earth.
I love the wiki from the schools from different hemispheres. What a great learning tool for the students to be able to communicate all their questions and concerns with someone on the other side of the earth.
Thing 20
After learning about podcasts in Thing 19, I was curious as to where to get them. Now I know. I am surprised to find that podcasts are free. With everybody trying to make a buck, I was amazed.
I did a lot of searching for a podcast I wanted to subscribe to, which took a lot of time to hear samples of many. I subscribed to "Howcast Tech & Gadgets". It is actually a videocast that explains computer technology in a very gentle, simple way. It introduces new information regarding computers each episode. For example, it teaches how to set up an email account, how to use a flashdrive, how to set up a wireless network, how to share files betweena a PC and a Mac, etc. I figured I can continue to learn about computers even after 23 Things is over. I would like to feel more comfortable about using a computer without fearing it. Hopefully this videocast will help.
I did a lot of searching for a podcast I wanted to subscribe to, which took a lot of time to hear samples of many. I subscribed to "Howcast Tech & Gadgets". It is actually a videocast that explains computer technology in a very gentle, simple way. It introduces new information regarding computers each episode. For example, it teaches how to set up an email account, how to use a flashdrive, how to set up a wireless network, how to share files betweena a PC and a Mac, etc. I figured I can continue to learn about computers even after 23 Things is over. I would like to feel more comfortable about using a computer without fearing it. Hopefully this videocast will help.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Thing 19
I have heard about podcasts before, but have never listened to one. When I was taking some graduate classes, some of the professors would upload their lectures into podcasts. I had no idea what they were then. I think that podcasts are great for students especially, not only FOR them but BY them. I am looking forward to the next "Thing" to learn about how to search for podcasts and to see what kind of podcasts are out there about a variety of different subjects. I can see myself using podcasts, as long as I also learn how to download them to my ipod ( even though I know I don't need an ipod to listen ). I am also curious as to whether books are on podcasts, like "books on tape" for an ipod? I'm guessing that if there are book podcasts, that they aren't free. But I would like that too.
Thing 18
This is a really neat slide show. I really liked the content.
I wasn't impressed with Slideshare as I thought I would be. First, I thought searching for slides was difficult. I waited a VERY long time for 2 of them to download. So long that I ended the program and had to shut it down twice. Second, some of the slide shows I was checking out indicated that there was music with it, but I heard none. I checked my speakers and volumes settings and they were active. Third, I didn't find it retrieving relevant slideshows based on my searches. I liked the ZohoShow ideas much better. It seems to me, this website reverts backwards in technology compared to other "Things" we have learned about.
I wasn't impressed with Slideshare as I thought I would be. First, I thought searching for slides was difficult. I waited a VERY long time for 2 of them to download. So long that I ended the program and had to shut it down twice. Second, some of the slide shows I was checking out indicated that there was music with it, but I heard none. I checked my speakers and volumes settings and they were active. Third, I didn't find it retrieving relevant slideshows based on my searches. I liked the ZohoShow ideas much better. It seems to me, this website reverts backwards in technology compared to other "Things" we have learned about.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Thing 17
Again, as I have said before...there is so much out there! I really liked ZohoShow. My kids like it too. It will make doing projects with a partner so much easier, and it can be accessed from any computer.
Library Thing was neat. I looked up several books to check reviews from other readers. I would use this site when choosing a book to read and then comparing my thoughts with those reviewed. (Although, another reason to sit on the computer!)
Zvents site was ok. It is a site that lists local events so you can find something to do. It seems that it relies on people listing the known events though. I'm sure there is much more to do than what is listed.
My husband and kids LOVED GoAmimate. This site lets you create animated videos. You can even incorporate your own pictures into the scenes, your own voice, your own characters that you created, everything!! I'm going to be prying my younger daughter off the computer and away from this site. I never should have shown her.
I did like the Flashcarddb also. My kids will both benefit from that sight.
I did a google search for "online productivity tools" and it came up with all kinds of links. I clicked on a blog that listed over 100 tools that were broken down by category. There really is so much out there!!!
Library Thing was neat. I looked up several books to check reviews from other readers. I would use this site when choosing a book to read and then comparing my thoughts with those reviewed. (Although, another reason to sit on the computer!)
Zvents site was ok. It is a site that lists local events so you can find something to do. It seems that it relies on people listing the known events though. I'm sure there is much more to do than what is listed.
My husband and kids LOVED GoAmimate. This site lets you create animated videos. You can even incorporate your own pictures into the scenes, your own voice, your own characters that you created, everything!! I'm going to be prying my younger daughter off the computer and away from this site. I never should have shown her.
I did like the Flashcarddb also. My kids will both benefit from that sight.
I did a google search for "online productivity tools" and it came up with all kinds of links. I clicked on a blog that listed over 100 tools that were broken down by category. There really is so much out there!!!
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