It is only the beginning

It is hard to distinguish what my favorite discovery was out of all the 23 things!  I would probably have to go with Animoto.  I could have made videos all day on this site.  This program opened me up to so many websites that I did not know existed.  I will probably use lots of these sites in my teaching, because they are so simple to use.  This program has made me want to know even more about technology.  I was surprised with how many websites that I can use every day and that I will use in my teaching.  I do not think that anything needs to be done differently, it is perfect!  What I have learned from 23 things will make me use technology in my teaching.  I planned on using technology but not for my benefit.  Keeping up with new developments in web 2.0 will be difficult for me.  I will use the Internet to research new web 2.0 tools periodically.    

Thing 23!!!

On most of the 23 Things there is a link saying where she received the information.  The link I decided to use came for thing 21.  After reading though thing 21 at the bottom it says where the information was first found.

Discovery Exercise:

1. Create an account on Animoto.
2. Create a 30 second clip or Animoto Short, by uploading at least ten pictures. Still got the Flickr account from Learning 2.0? Animoto can link directly to it.
3. Choose from one of the songs in Animoto's music library or upload your own music file to go with your clip.
4. Embed your new 30 second clip onto your blog. There is a special code just for Blogger that you can use.
5. Blog about your experience using Animoto.

(originally posted on Explore...Discover...Play: Learning 2.1 and used here under a Creative Commons license)

As you can easily tell the information is citied where this was first found.    Anyone reading the 23 things can easily click on Explore…Discover…Play: Learning 2.1.  They can then see the site where the information was first written.  It is also stated that it is used under a creative commons license. 

I will probably use Creative Commons on big projects that I make up myself.  If I make a big group project or any type of information that other teachers can use, I can put a creative commons on it.  This will allow others to see my work and receive ideas off of it.  This does not only just help them, but it makes sure that no one copies my work without giving me the credit.  I will also use creative commons to get ideas from other teachers work as well. 

Thing 22

I created three education binders.  They were about angles in math, Tennessee history, and the cell system.  In each of the binders I placed worksheets that I could use with that subject area.  The titles of my binders were Angels,Tennessee History, and Cell System.   I named each binder after what information was inside them.  I think that LiveBinders will come in handy in the classroom.  Teachers could either make a folder for each week with information that they will need.  They could also make one for each subject area like I did.  I would probably make one for each area in a subject.  If I just made one folder for math, reading and science then the information would get lost in the folders. 

Thing 21

My Facebook pics

I really liked Animoto and will use this site often.  There was a direct link to Facebook and Animoto took my pictures from there.  For some reason it would not let me upload the edited version because it still says that I am editing it.  The site did let me upload the video that was one minute long with my Facebook pages.  I really liked this site and did not know that anything like this existed.  It was very easy to upload and edit the pictures.  It was just very difficult for me to upload the edited version, and I still do not know how.  I cannot wait to make a video of my Christmas photos!

Thing 20

I feel like YouTube is a great site.  I have only ever used YouTube to watch some television shows or to watch funny videos.  I have used it some in this class when certain sites have them on their page.  I would not necessarily use YouTube a lot in my classroom.  I would just use it if I found a great video to show to them.  I like how anyone can post their videos to the site, because it makes it easier to keep up with them.  I also like how easy it is to post videos to other sites.  When choosing a video I was trying to find out that would be fun and educate the students.  I found a great video if the class was learning about the human body.  The video was like a cartoon and the students would really enjoy it.  YouTube also has some history movies or clips that could help the students learn.  I could see it being helpful to add some of the sites into the library website. 

Human Body Video

Thing 19

I am not a member of any online communities right now, besides Diigo.  I have sent my request to be a part of the TeacherPop online community.  I found Bake Space to be my favorite online community that did not have to do with education.  I am actually planning on getting some recipes from the site.  Out of the education online communities I liked the Education Networking one the best.  I liked this one the best because they gave you examples of social networking sites.  They also described what each one was used for very well.  I will probably use Bake Space tonight and the Educational Networking site later on in my career.

Thing 18

I think that it is important for educators to know how to work social networking sights because lots of the teachers and students use them.  I have been asked over Facebook several times if I could substitute teach for a teacher.  It is an easier and faster way to communicate.  If you do not have someone’s number or email, a teacher can simply message them over Facebook. I did not gain any new information with either site since I use them every day already.  One thing I dislike on the Facebook pages is the time line.  I do not like the layout it gives each one of the pages.  I think that Facebook has more useful features.  On Facebook anyone can post pictures or write how they are feeling.  I also like how Facebook has apps that you can explore.  I personally do not use any of them, but they are helpful for some.  A teacher could also make a Facebook page for her classroom.  My APSU 1000 teacher set up a private Facebook page for all of the students to communicate easily.  We could post questions we had for her or even the class.  It was also helpful if she cancelled classes. 

http://www.facebook.com/#!/alyssa.tobin.5

Thing 17

I could not figure out how to find their comments about the different bookmarks.  I could see the different tags that people have used to go with their bookmarks.  This does not only help them remember what is in each bookmark, but it gives me an idea of what it is about.  I could definitely see the potential of this tool in the classroom.  I like how I could access my bookmarks from any computer.  One of my favorite parts was how the video showed that you can make different groups.  I would probably make a section for each class to bookmark the information.  It would be very simple for me to be able to go to the section just for math, then try to find it on my computer.  Teachers can also take advantage of this because they can share their bookmarks with other teachers.  All of the teachers could see what each other are adding to their bookmarks to help with their lesson plans.  I will definitely use this in college and when I become a teacher. 

Thing 16

I chose the Google page for my start page.  I chose this one since I already have my blogger and email set up with Google.  It is easier for me if I just stick with the same website.  I added the calendar, Facebook and to do list gadget to the page.  I will probably not use this as my home page because it is to busy. 

Online calendars can be very useful because you can access it from anywhere.  Some calendars can be transferred to your cell phone for you to always have it.  It is easier than having to carry a calendar around.  Even my work place uses calendars online for work!

I think that the to do lists were too much work.  I do use to do list every day, but they seemed like too much work for me.   I use the reminder section on my iPhone for my to do list.  I enjoy using this better because it can remind me to do whatever is on my list and then I can check it off.

When I clicked on the Top 25 Web 2.0 apps under the discovery resource I found some tools that would be useful.  Engrade is a very useful tools for schools.  I used engrade when I was in high school and it was very useful because I could check on my own grades.  I also enjoyed the tools on the home page.  I enjoyed how I could make an easy to do list and calendar.  I would recommend all of the tools above to others.

Thing 15

                Creating a post was very difficult for me.  I did not like how you had to sign up to post something.  If the program makes me sign up for it, outside of this class, I do not sign up for it.  I did not realize there were other wiki besides Wikipedia.  This was the first time that I have ever tried to post something on a wiki site.  The program is not something that I will probably use in teaching.  Some of the ways I could use wiki would be to get ideas about certain school projects.  If I had done the project differently I could also log onto the account and write in how I did the project.  It could come in handy to some people, but I just do not like wiki in general.  I find it interesting how anyone can post on the site.  I do not like how I could write on anyone’s work and that they could do the same.  I wish that wiki would allow only certain people to write on the page.  I guess that’s what we have Google docs for!  

Thing 14

           I chose to visit Gliffy to explore with the flowcharts and Bubbl.us to explore the mind map.  I really like how Gliffy had templates that I could use.   I really liked the second template because it was easier for children.  Before I visited Bubbl.us I thought I was going to like Gliffy the best.  I really liked Bubble.us, because it was very easy to use.  At first it was hard for me to figure out how to use it.  Once I found out how to use the website setting up the mind map was very easy.  I think that the flowcharts and bubble maps are similar.  I would probably use bubbl.us for a classroom activity.

Thing 13

I have never heard of Zoho until now.  I have used Google Docs in some of my classes that I have had group projects on. Setting up an account on Zoho was very simple.  The home page confused me at first because all I saw was work applications.  Once I found where I was supposed to go it was very simple.  Zoho reminded me of Google Docs a lot.  I like Google Docs better because you can access it without an account.  I also liked how Zoho let you save your documents into word.  I did not really find anything different between the two sites.  I prefer Google docs because that is the one I am already used to.  If I was not already used to the Google docs I would have not seen any differences.  It is easier in my opinion to access.

Students could use Google Docs to work on group projects.  It would be very useful if each student was working on a certain part of the project.  For example if each person in the group was creating a slide show, it would be very easy for each of them to do their slide.  Without Google Docs the students would have to email the PowerPoint back and forth, and they may end up losing some of their information.   

I created a drawing on Google Docs.   I decided to create a picture because I have never used the drawing tools.  The drawing tools were very similar to the same ones in word document.  I decided to make a drawing to represent Austin Peay.

Thing 12

I explored Google calendar and Google translator.  My Google calendar and Google translator is uploaded on my profile.  Both of the tools were very simple and easy to use.  Google calendar is a great way to make weekly or monthly calendars for the parents.  Teachers can include homework assignments, quizzes, and upcoming events.  Teachers could also use Google calendar to make a lunch schedule.  Google translator is a great way to translate letters or notes if needed.  If a student is in your class and their parents do not speak English you could translate it to their language.  Another way to use this is if the parents write a letter in a different language you could translate it to English.  I plan on using Google calendar and Google translator in the classroom. 

Thing 11

I found Technorati to be the easier method for finding feeds.  Topix was a confusing search tool for me to use.   I did not like the layout of the website and I found it confusing.  I found many useful blogs that will help me with my career.  I also found useful blogs for arts and crafts!  Two other tools I found to help my with blogging was Omea Reader and Awasu Personal Edition.     In conclusion I found Technorati to be the easiest and most organized method to find newsfeed. 

Thing Ten

I like how newsreaders allow you to see all the new information without having to check every blog.  A way to look at this is if the newsreader is Facebook.  It allows you to see all of the new information being posted without clicking on each person’s account.  I also like how organized it is. It allows you to save time in your day and keep your information organized.  I would probably use newsreaders in my life to keep all my blogs in one place and remind me which ones I am following.  Teachers can take advantage of RSS by using it to keep all of their education blogs together.  It also shows you how many new posts have been made on each one of the subscriptions.  It is a really easy way to follow blogs and save you lots of time.   

Thing 9

              My first image I chose because of Halloween.  I made it on Image Chef on the Jackolantern Frame site.  I figured this picture frame would be a great present for the children to take home to their parents.  You could take a picture of each child and put their picture in the frame.  The middle image I chose because I thought it would be useful.  Teachers could use this to be on a PowerPoint as the students came into the classroom.  There is endless of options for teachers to use this program.  I found this program on Image Chef on the Sticky Note site.  The last image would be great to put on the door.  This way other students could find your room more easily and know for sure that it is your room.  I made this image on Image Chef on the Notebook site.

Thing 8

 

              I did not realize that Flickr had all of these programs.  I think that using Flickr mashups would be great to make cards or to decorate for a party.   I do not think that I would really use Flickr in the classroom.  If I was going to be a computer teacher I would definitely show the children this website.  I may show children this for them to make titles for projects or in daily life.  This program would also be great for an art teacher. 

              Flickr shows lots of peoples personal photos.  This may bother some people, but I guess they would not use this program.  It does not bother me sharing pictures online.  I love looking at my friend’s and family’s photos.  Uploading pictures online does put you at a risk for others to see them, even if they are private.  But if you take caution while posting pictures then I see nothing wrong with it.



Thing Seven

I do not think that I will use Flickr for the classroom.  If I do it would be to make stuff that had to do with photos.  I may use Flickr for my personal use, if I can figure out how to use it better.  I currently use Instragram and I like it a lot better.  It is a lot simpler to use and more of my friends use Instragram.  The two are similar because you can upload photos and follow other people.  Flickr is different because it has groups.  I like how you can edit pictures easily on Instragram also.  Another thing that is similar is that they both allow you to tag people.  Instragram does not necessarily have groups but you can use hash tags to put photos in a group.  It does not really bother me having my photos online.  Even though there is an option to make the photos private, they really are not.  Whatever is posted on the internet someone else can get to besides you.  I still do make my profile private because I like to see who is actually looking at my photos.

Thing Six

               Out of the Web 2.0 Awards I chose to explore Etsy.  I chose Etsy because I have never been on the site, but I had heard lots about it.  I really liked the tool because it was very well organized.  I also liked how most of the items are actually handmade and the money is actually going to them.  It is a great way for people to express themselves.  The site is very useful for buying stuff for the classroom or themself.  They have envelopes for students to take home, clip art, bulletin boards and lots more for school.  Etsy could be used for schools to sell shirts or even students work as a fundraiser.  This way people could order stuff whenever they wanted to or even at home. 

Thing 5

                 School 2.0 means a brand new school system that takes advantage of their electronics.  I think for School 2.0 teachers will teach children mainly off of the internet.  I can see students using iPads instead of school books or white boards in the future.  I think School 2.0 will be a great way to prepare students for the future.  Students can learn how to use electronic devices while they are in school to help them when they enter the real world.  In School 2.0 teachers will use online dictionaries, blogs for their classroom, homework online, electronic textbooks, libraries and much more.  In classrooms now students are learning about word documents, blogs, PowerPoints, excel and much more.  Students are also being taught by 2.0 by learning from PowerPoints and online programs.  I think School 2.0 is going to keep improving and is going to be great.

Thing 4 Commenting and such

                Commenting is a great way to communicate and interact with others that share a same interest.  Bloggers do not blog to give themself information, the reason they blog is to help out others or inform them.  If bloggers did not want to help others out and receive comments, then they would write in a notebook.  Commenting gives bloggers the motivation to keep posting and allows them to know that others are reading them.  On many blogs bloggers can see who else comments on similar posts as them.  This forms a sense of community for the bloggers.  They are allowed to see who else shares common interest like them. 

I found it important to make a meaningful comment.  When I do discussion boards for my classes, I get so excited when I see someone has commented on mine.  Someone saying “Great job” or “Excellent post” is really positive, but I wonder did they even read my whole post.  I really like it when someone posts on my discussion saying what they liked the best out of it, or telling me what they believe.  I think that people making meaningful comments is a great way to let the blogger know someone is reading their blog and have similarities in their post.  Not only is it great for the blogger to get feedback, it also brings attention to your own blog.  Lots of bloggers will go look at the person’s blog that commented on their blog.  Meaningful comments are also a great way to inspire other bloggers in your decision. 

I found it important to interact with comments left.  If others see that you are interacting with other comments and actually reading them it will be more likely for them to post.  If I see that none of the comments are getting feedback, then personally I will not leave a comment.  The reason I do this is because I feel like the actual blogger may not even read this.  Sometimes other bloggers may leave questions asking you how you feel about a subject.  I think that it looks rude if the blogger does not take the time to try to answer the question.  I personally plan to interact with my comments left on my blog.

                I chose to read coolcatteacher’s blog first out of all of the rest because I really liked the name.  The post was wonderful and taught me a lot about commenting.   I always have liked when other people comment on my posts, but I rarely do it myself.  Reading the blog really made me change my mind and decide to comment on other’s work I enjoy.  In my comment I told her how she changed my outlook on posting.

                I chose to read thecraftingchicks blog.  I love arts and craft and making stuff so I googled crafts blog.  This one was my favorite that I looked at.  It is very easy to navigate and look at all of the different crafts.  They also had a section for home projects such as home décor, trash to treasure, organizing and cleaning.  I left a comment on a Halloween craft telling her how I had never thought of decorating in that way before.  I thanked her for blogging about this craft and told her how I plan to do the craft but with glitter added.

                I commented on Hemingson’s 23 things, thing 2.  I chose her post because I saw her name on the side of the website.  This is how I chose to read all of my five posts by picking a name on the side.  When I got to her page I then decided to comment on thing 2 because it is my favorite.  I commented and told her what was the hardest part for me when I set up my blog, and then I told her how I chose my avatar.

                I commented on M Donahue’s 23 things, thing 8.  I chose to comment on thing 8 because I really liked her photo.  I also enjoyed reading her post and it made me excited to get to that point.  I commented on her blog and told her how I enjoyed reading it and her photo.  In my comment I also said that I really liked her saying and background.

                I commented on Ava’s 23 things at 32, thing 2.  I chose to post on her wall because of the name of her blog.  I told her how I liked how she showed her personality throughout the post and her blog.  I also told her how I felt like I was reading a professional bloggers post.

                I commented on Jessica Shaw’s 23 things, thing 7.  I chose this one to comment on because I really liked her saying and photo.  I commented and told Jessica how I was glad she liked Flickr and could use it in her everyday life.  I then told her she seemed like she would be a great inspiration to the children and I love the quote also.

            I commented on Simple Southern Girl’s blog on thing 9.  I chose thing 9 because I really liked her images she used.  I felt like they would be great to use in the classroom especially since she is going to be an art teacher.  I told her how I liked her images, the colors, and especially her blog.

Thing Three

            When I become a teacher I will definitely use a blog to write about specific teaching units.  This will be a way to make me improve and help other teachers.  I plan to also share ideas for teaching activities or playing games.  I believe that having children interact by doing an activity helps them learn better.  I plan to share my ideas that I have for activities with others to help them, and gain information on how to improve the activities.  A blog would also be a great way to post calendars, events, homework and test.  This can also be a simpler way to communicate back and forth with parents.  Another neat thing you could do on blogger is post pictures of the class.  This way former and current students and parents can see what is going on in your classroom. It is important to remember that not all students have access to the internet, and not to make it the main place for information,

Thing Two

I decided to use my real name, Alyssa Tobin, as my posting name.  I am not good at making up anonymous names or screen names, which lead me to use the easiest one.  I am also a simple and straight to the point type of person which meant Alyssa was going to be my screen name.  Using my real name also lets me remember easier what my posting name is.  I wanted to keep the name of my blog very simple and straight to the point.  I named my blog Tobin’s 3040 Reflection.  I chose this name for me to remember what class this was for.  Another reason I chose this name was in case I decided to continue blogging I could sort out my post.    

Creating the blog itself was easier than I thought it would be.  I have never had any type of blogging account, and I was kind of nervous.  The hardest part for me was to follow along with the class instead of setting it up myself.  I think that setting it up as a class was probably easier for most, but I like to set it up the way I like it the first time.  I had to go back and redo some of my blog, such as my background and avatar, because I did not have enough time.  My overall experience setting up the blog was very simple and straight forward.    

I tried to make my avatar look as much like me as I could.  I am a simple person and wanted my avatar to resemble me.  I tried to give my avatar a personality like me.  I usually wear my bangs to the side, but the closest one was the bangs pinned straight back.  I then dressed my avatar in a skirt and top because my favorite clothing is dresses!  I did not see a dress I liked, which made me pick the skirt.  I feel like the avatar lets you show everyone your personality in an interesting way.

Thing One

                This is my very first blog ever! Please be patient with me on my first few posts as I am trying to get the hang of this.  I have never been interested in blogging before but this class has got me excited to start.  After watching the 7 and ½ habits online tutorial it was difficult for me to decide which one was the easiest and hardest for me.  After looking at all of the aspects I finally came to a decision.  The easiest 7 and ½ habits for me are to view problems as challenges.  I feel like this habit may be hard for a lot of individuals but for me it comes naturally.  When I was little I did gymnastics and cheerleading for 12 years.  In this sport I faced a lot of problems thinking that there was no way that I could accomplish them.  When I thought of the new stunt as problems I did not work as hard to accomplish them.  As soon as I started to see them as a challenge and to prove to my coaches I could do anything it became very simple.  Since that moment I have viewed many of my problems as challenges.  I love when I get the chance to build something because I always see it as a challenge.  There is not really anything I look at as being a problem anymore.  I have the mindset that makes me worker even harder if anyone doubts that I cannot finish the task.  This has also helped me see my problems as more of a challenge.

                My hardest thing to do, out of the 7 and ½ habits, would be to use technology to my advantage.  I feel like with my school work I use technology to my advantage and I use the internet on my phone to my advantage, but besides that I do not.  I am currently a substitute teacher and when I teach I use the computer to my advantage, but I do not use any of the other devices.  I would like to be a teacher that uses technology in her classroom daily.  My problem is that I do not know how to work the devices and what programs to use.  In the next few years before I become a teacher one of my goals is to learn how to use technology to my advantage.  I am a strong believer that using technology in the class room really helps the students learn and keep their attention.  I am hoping that my Education 3040 class teaches me a lot that I need to know to make this move to one of my easiest things to do.

                 I am hoping that working with the Web 2.0 tools will help me to learn more about the internet and programs.  I do not have a problem navigating the internet, but I am always up for learning more.  I do not know a lot about Web 2.0 and I am very excited to learn more about the tools and further my knowledge.  I hope this class gives me more options to use such as blogging.  I want to be able to navigate the internet better and hope to leave this class knowing all I can about Web 2.0.

                Setting up the blog was a lot easier than I thought it would be.  It was no harder than setting up an email account.  The most difficult part for me was thinking of the URL name.  I ended up deciding on Education3040 to make sure I never forgot it.  We set up our blog together as a class which confused me because I like to work on my own pace.  I like how you get to choose a background for the blog which separates you from all of the other blogs.  I personally like how you get to add an avatar to the blog, but I do not like the clothing options. I was nervous about making my first post, but it ended up being very easy because it is all about me!  I really have enjoyed blogging so far!