Thing 23

The last thing

I'm really glad that I took this class.  I admit that at the beginning, I was fearful that I didn't have the knowledge base to complete the program, but after getting my blog set up and I was able to easily import my picture, I began to relax.  It was fun and I was very happy to get a glimpse of so many different web 2.0 features that I now feel much more confident about my abilities. After viewing the last video that stated that education ranks last in technology behind coal mining, I feel that this type of class should be mandatory for all teachers.  We all know that we've been lagging behind other countries in the last 20 years but very last from all fields?  This is shameful.  They are right that we close our students off from using technology during the day and kids are craving it from all sides.  I think part of our problem stems from the fact that we are teaching into standardized tests and there is no time to develop needed creativity.  So, we need to create an atmosphere that uses technology in such a natural way that it blends into our daily teaching.  We have easily incorporated email.  This is a quick, efficient way to contact parents.  We all use video projectors and power point presentations.  We use united streaming daily to emphasize certain points.  Years ago, I worked one on one with staff to introduce those things, we have to keep trying with web 2.0 things until they, too, become second nature.  So, I'll pick and chose teachers to work with, and depending on their needs, I'll start with blogs, google docs, wikis, or pod casting.  It always starts with one person and then it grows.  With more and more people taking this class, it'll move more quickly and before you know it, we won't be ranked last for long.  

Thing 21

Your heart will be all a twitter

OK, another gadget on the web.  Well, I think this is a neat thing but I can't imagine using it on a regular basis.  I wouldn't use it at work to connect with my colleagues as we have a simple email system that we all keep up with all day long.  Perhaps I should give it a shot and see if it might keep me more informed than if I just used my regular phone, email and cell phone.  At this point, I can't imagine Twitter taking the place of my other communication devices.  Perhaps in the future, I will feel differently.  However, I'm glad to know of it.  Just today, they talked about it on the news as a local politician uses twitter to connect with his constituents.  I'll have to check his page out....

Thing 22

Online Video

I'm not a major You Tube watcher but I have seen a few videos.  On election day, my social studies classes viewed an election video posted by the Ron Clark Academy.  I had seen it the night before on the national news and it fit the criteria for showing it in the classroom.  The kids (and staff) loved it.  Have you ever seen "One semester of Spanish"?  Don't miss it!  So, You Tube is not banned in my district.  I think it has its merits as long as teachers use it wisely.  I liked looking through the Teacher Tube and School Tube.  I'll let my staff know about them and perhaps a short clip now and then would be a benefit.  

Many students would love to create their own You Tube videos.   What better way for allowing a more creative outlet?  However, it does pose problems as streaming live does not always allow for a smooth feed.  This is an issue we'd need to work on with our tech departments.  

Thing 20

Bookmarking with Del.icio.us

I will use delicious in the future and will tell my staff about it.  This is a very handy tool to organize an over cluttered life.  My delicious account is http://delicious.com/amgaglio.  

I think we all have bookmarks that we added and then completely forgotten about.  I also have bookmarks that I can no longer find.  My list of bookmarks is probably not as long as some other peoples but it definitely needs to be better organized.  After all, I have an organized background and knew there must be a better way.  Why is it that it took so long to come up with delicious?  Oh, well, it's here now.  We can all benefit from it. 

Thing 19

Introduction to social bookmarking

Tagging is a wonderful thing.  It seems to me that features in web 2.0 are using skills that librarians have been using since the beginning of time.  It's just that now, the rest of the world is catching up.  Just as we assign subjects to books in order to find what we need later on and in many different locations, tagging allows users to do the same thing.  Social bookmarking is a simple way for people to stay connected and access useful information.  I can see departments in a school setting sharing their bookmarks.  Our math and science teachers have websites with links set up for students to play games, for instance.  Those teachers could share these sites and also share links to sites that enhance their curriculum.  This is an example of using technology to ease the burden of a cumbersome task.  I for one have bookmarked many a site that even the next day I couldn't find.  I look forward to opening a delicious account and getting started.

Thing 18

Building your personal learning network

I think a personal learning network is like a blog with a shot of caffeine.  While I was setting up a ning account I felt as I was setting up just another blog.  I needed to spend time in MACUL's pln to really get the hang of it.  I see a lot of potential here for a large group.  Our school staff, for instance, may really benefit from a personal learning network.  Also, our state library group, MAME (Michigan Association for Media in Education) could benefit as well.  As with all of these tools, it would be very important to advertise the start up process and also to keep people on track throughout the year.    

Thing 17

More Web 2.0 Winners

I searched through several of the winners including Hair mixer.  I know a lot of teenage girls who could spend hours there!  I then went over to comiqs and thought that was a lot of fun.  I'd like to find ways to keep our students engaged while still learning new concepts.  I admit to thinking that powerpoint is still cool.  Right now, I'm working with 7th graders using powerpoint and MEL to learn about Africa.  Perhaps if they created some slides using comiqs they'd have more fun, feel more creative and still accomplish the outcomes necessary to make us feel good about teaching. Perhaps throwing in some of these tools will challenge us and keep our students from falling asleep at the computer. 

Thing 16

Teach Digital

Wow.  I found both of these videos to be "eye opening".  We must all take responsibility for how we relate to our students.  But why is it that our young teachers quickly move into this old fashioned way of teaching when they have so recently been a part of the new way thinking and learning in the digital age?  At what point has their creativity been squelched.  We all know that people who become teachers are already a certain type of learner.  Perhaps the creative types don't follow in the teacher path as they feel removed from us.  Not only do we need to teach into the digital learning style, we need to work with teachers in college to foster their development more fully.  I'm wondering how many future Shakespears have roamed the halls of my middle school and were taught to give up their dreams and majored in business instead.  What a sad thought.

Thing 15

Podcasting - Part 2

I think the best place to start is using podcasts that are already out there.  Kids love their MP3 players and IPods.  We can't keep them in their lockers or hidden in their pockets.  What is it that they say?  "If you can't beat them, join them"!  We should embrace this technology instead of making these devices illegal.  So, it's a matter of finding just one teacher in the school to start having the kids listen in on a podcast.  Soon enough, our teachers will start to create classroom podcasts and everyone will be a winner.  I have a science teacher who does a weather report with her classes.  The kids video tape a weather forecast and we show it to the whole school.  Perhaps a weather podcast would be an easy place to start.  I'm going to work on this.

Thing 14

Podcasting
Wow, I like podcasting! I've never created one before but I would like to. First, I looked at Nancy Keane's quick and simple booktalks. http://nancykeane.com/booktalks/podcast_list.htm. This is a great site. Very thorough and each one is quick and simple. All kids would take a listen and choose a book based on her plot detail.  I do a lot of book talking at my school and I find that kids always choose the titles that I talk about.  It takes the scariness out of choosing a book especially when you have to read a genre that is not in your comfort zone.

I also looked at Hopkinton HS book talks.  http://www.hopkintonschools.org/hhs/library/podcast.html.  This was very professional and much more detailed about each book.

I'm going to spend more time looking at these and perhaps I could start my own book talk podcast!

Thing 13

I loved slide.com. I couldn't get into Thumbstacks but I did check out the other three and settled on slide because of the glitz. I had a little trouble following Slide's directions to add into my blog but Ron helped me by pointing out I needed to click Edit html. Maybe someone else will have that problem so use that as a guide. There are so many options out there for really cool presentations that the kids will love.

Thing 12

Productivity anywhere you have a browser

I looked through several of the Web 2.0 tools.  As soon as I saw Library Thing, I joined and started a book list.  Way cool.  I'm embarrassed to say that I keep an old fashioned book journal that I bought at the public library to record what books I read.  This is a neat tool to keep track of what I read.  I can rate the books, see the book cover and get a review.  You can catalog your own collection, too.  I'm a librarian so it's really up my alley!  It says that you can add your list to your blog so I tried to do that but I couldn't find a widget button on Blogger.  I know I have widgets on a word press blog that we're making at school so maybe I'll just put a book list on that blog.

I could use this tool at school, too, by making a list of new titles.

I also checked out Knowtes which makes up flash cards.  I'm a Spanish major so I thought that would be really cool for a language teacher.  Kids would love it and they'd be learning new vocabulary while having fun.

Thanks for the big web 2.0 tool list as I'll be checking more of them out as time goes on.

Thing 11

Online Productivity Applications

Google docs rock!  We had a collaborative meeting at school today - no kids!  The four Media Specialists sat down, opened google docs and created a document that was shared among us without any cumbersome emails.  It really worked and it was easy.  This a great tool for educators.  For example, the SI team is comprised of one person from each department.  Everyone has a different planning hour so meeting all together is a rarity.  If they created their documents on google docs they would be much more efficient.  The possibilities are quite endless.  

By the way, Lee LaFever's video tutorials are super.  I wish I worked with him.  He makes it all look so easy!

Thing 10

Wiki

I started out on Wikispaces and read through many of the tutorials.  I then decided to check out pbwiki.  I liked that one better.  It seemed easier to set up so I guess I have two out there now.  I can see the value of a wiki in the classroom but I need to play around with it quite a bit more to really get a handle on this.  I have hopes of using wikis with the English teachers to start so we'll see.

Thing 9

Wiki Wiki Wiki
I'm learning new things every day. I love it that a wiki wiki is Hawaiian for quick. Now I can say quick and Merry Christmas in Hawaiian!
I'm a librarian so I've been sceptical of Wiki's. I don't think we're super fans of Wikipedia due to the fact that the information is everchanging and might not be accurate. At the same time, I've used it and been happy with what I've found. Last year I took a college class through Aquinas and the whole class was built around using a wiki. I was scared at first since this was new to me but I quickly realized that it was easy to use and very apprpriate for our assignments. We often worked in groups and could each fill in our own pieces of the puzzle to creat one document. Then, we would read other projects from other groups and respond to them. The teacher could then read all of them and send our grades to us privately. It worked really well and I felt that I was a new world college student.
I looked at Roc Wiki - a site for city of Rochester New York. I thought it was well organized and informative. Like most wiki's (I think) you have to sign in in order to make changes so that would help with just any Joe editing for no reason. Then, I moved over to MAME (Michigan Association for Media in Education) at the MAME Booklist site. It wasn't very good because there just wasn't enough in there. Also, when they did give a list of books, I would have liked to click on the titles, get an annotation and maybe see a link to the author. I think the problem is that not enough people have contributed to the site. The AASL (American Association for School Librarians) was much better. Time was spent on it's content but I didn't think that it was all that clear of a site. I would have added more subject headings and lists.
I can see many uses to Wiki's in our schools. English classes could write stories and the kids could keep adding to the plot. Science teachers could have groups create a plan for labs they do weekly where the kids could make lists of needed supplies and they could enter repsonses of what they discovered. A social studies group could add similarites and differences to all the countries of Africa and add links to where they found their information. I would like to see many of our staff use a wiki to create an assignment. A couple of years ago, I created a book review blog. It wasn't required for students to write them so it just kind of fizzled out. Perhaps I could redo this as a wiki and see where it leads.
I found a Lee Lefever video on You tube and loved his camping trip example. I'm going to share that with others.

Thing 8

When I listen to a friend telling me about all the blogs they follow, I think they have way too much time on their hands.  Frankly, why would I spend any time reading someone else's opinion unless it was a subject really near and dear to my heart.  During the Olympics, I do read and watch anything I can get my hands on but I'm really looking for facts, not what someone is writing from their basement.  I spend time each year teaching students to look for web sites that are accurate and current.  I show them loony web sites that don't make sense to prove my point.  Am I unpopular because I don't praise the typical blog?  Oh, well.  I think it's nice if the weather forecaster wants to give me their opinion on the latest storm but I just want to see the forecast and move on.

I think if you do find an interesting blog, it's great to add it to your google reader and keep up with it.  Perhaps it's because there are so many blogs out there it is just too overwhelming.

I think it's important to use these RSS search engines as we can guide our students and staff towards what they need.  I do need to be informed about what technology people are using and that's why I signed up for this class.  I'm learning a lot!

Thing 7

RSS Feeds

I've learned another new thing and RSS is really great.  I didn't know what that orange symbol was and it's not even scary!  It was easy to set up, add links, and get the information that I want.  I will start to scan  through my google reader on a regular basis and look for information that I need for school.  I found several sites about young adult literature including reviews and award announcements.  Right now I have to remember to search on sites when winners are announced and now the information will be waiting for me.  I can cross more things off my to do list.

Teachers of content areas use the RSS feeds to keep updated in their fields as well but they can assign students to create RSS feed lists when researching topics for a report.  Imagine what the students will learn without even knowing it.

This would also be great for current event projects that kids do for years.  They could set up news feeds in middle school and the information will pop out at them through their senior year.  Just because no one is subscribing to the paper anymore, doesn't mean they can't get at the news quickly and easily.

Thing 6

My ramblings about technology

I remember years ago going to MACUL conferences and MAME conferences and listening to keynote address speakers talking about the future.  It all seemed so far away.  I would hear how quickly information was going to change and my head would spin.  Now my head is spinning faster and faster.  How can the human brain soak up all the new technology quickly enough to process it, learn from it and teach someone else about it?  Yet, we move through our days using technology to it's fullest when we need it.  Like everything else, we need to have a bit of background and some interest to focus on the next thing.  I never used a computer until my senior year in college.  I was scared to death that my paper would disappear if I left the room. But I was soon on my way to not being able to do without a computer.  Now I wonder how I managed to type a paper on that IBM selectric!  Perhaps this time next year I won't be able to do without flickr.  I've been using Shutterfly for the last couple of years and it's changed my life.  My photos are more organized, I make photo books to remember a trip, and share my photos with family and friends.

Thinking about blogging and flickr, I thought how I could have the English students set up blogs for their poetry unit in April.  They could add images from flickr to create visual images.  Kids would love that.  This year our science students are doing all of their tests online.  Instead of dreading the exam, they think it's cool to have a laptop in front of them.  The teacher has it easier in grading them, too.  Everyone's happier.  There's so much more we can do to creat a high interest learning environment for all of our kids.

Then, I do worry about privacy.  I have no interest in creating a facebook page.  I think it's ridiculous.  I don't need anyone to get into my private life.  I feel that they can call me!  Perhaps it's a generational thing.  

Thing 5

Olympic Diving
Originally uploaded by annemarie.gaglio

Wow, I'm really learning new things! I've never used Flickr before. There is so much there it's going to take me a while to really learn all about it. I tried several different applications but some of them were premium features and you have to pay to use them, I guess? I had trouble with the mappr feature so I gave up. Oh, well, I'm having fun so that's what it's all about.

Thing 4

Fun with Flickr

OK, I've added my first flickr image. Take a look at these Russian immigrant children in the 1910's. They all look so well behaved! I just love old pictures of libraries and this one tells a big story.

Thing 3

Explore what it means to be a lifelong learner: 7 & 1/2 Habits

The easiest habit for me is #1 - begin with the end in mind.  I grew up in a family of lifelong learners and the end result was a common discussion at the dinner table.  Every difficult school assignment was met with the same conclusion.  In order to get into college, graduate and begin a successful life, we must complete all small tasks such as a book report, algebra assignment or master's thesis.  So, as I make my own journey through life I remember that every small thing builds to a more complete ending.  When my students in school tell me they don't want to do an assignment, I have a dinner table conversation with them to hopefully instill a broader goal.

The most difficult habit for me is #3 - viewing problems as challenges.  While I can see the the broad picture, I can get frustrated with obstacles.  As I have discovered the technology world moving more quickly than I can keep up, I knew I had to do something to get me back up to speed.  I have hopes that this class is what I need for a jump start into a new realm of ideas.  I plan to keep on learning well into old age as I see my parents do every day.  My father is now 78.  He never used a computer throughout his career but now, he uses the Internet and email to stay on top of his new retirement activities.  He found it challenging at best but is reaping the rewards of his new skill.  I hope to follow in his footsteps and wonder what challenge awaits me.

Thing 2 - Part 2

Thoughts on Web 2.0

Educators are in business to prepare students for the real world.  We owe it to them and to ourselves to understand the world they live in.  If we do, we can work together to get them ready to face the future.  Every generation of kids has had different needs than their parents so this isn't any different.  However, the information age has pushed us into fast motion.  

My generation thought hard about what to study in school because we knew that we'd be in it for the long haul.  Now, students won't focus on a specific profession but how to adapt to new careers.  We are definitely in the business of teaching the act of finding the correct information quickly.  Our new generation of student has arrived.  We must adapt to their learning style to secure a bright future for all.

Thing 2

What makes a good blog?

I think a good blog is well organized and simple in format.  Blogs should be easy to read without animation that spins in your face and sound that contrasts with a users own background noise.  It's similar to the rules we teach students when doing power point presentations.  The background should reflect the information being given not detract from it.

How do blogs enhance existing web sites?

A blog can make a good web site more personal and informative.  For example, if you're shopping for a new camera, you expect to get to check a commercial web site about the specific information about what the camera can do but adding in a blog about how well it works for individuals will be the best selling point.  People want to get opinions about shopping, dieting, reading, etc.  Add in a blog to any of these web sites and people will keep coming back.

Are blogs an easier way for people to self-publish?

Absolutely!  The first time I heard about a blog was on a news program.  A woman blogged about cooking every recipe in a Julia Child cookbook.  She started out not to write a book, but just to share her experiences in the kitchen.  People responded in earnest and soon a book was born.  Julie and Julia is now a best seller.

23 Things- The First Thing

My age is creeping up on me!  Just yesterday I was on top of the world of technology; giggling about how much more savvy I was than my colleagues about computers and email and cell phones.  Now, I realize that my students speak another language than I do and I wonder where all these young teachers have come from.  Some are young enough to be my former students!  I hope this class will bring me up to speed and help me to communicate in this new world.