Thing #23.5

Although I was familiar with most of the topics covered in this blog, there were some that I was not familiar. Using the tactics and strategies from other sites, it was easier to explore, navigate, and learn about new websites, tools, and ideas. Regardless of my familiarity of the topics, I learned new ways for each tool to use in a classroom setting. Some sites like Flickr, Facebook, and Youtube are generally used for personal reasons; but, through my journey with this blog, I have learned new ways to use these tools. My reflection of this lesson/blog, is that although these tools my be obsolete in a few years, because of the progressing technologies, the skills learned in this blog, can be translated easily to other sites and web tools. I feel like the tools that were selected in this blog gave a wide variety of skills that can be used universally on the web. Even if Flickr becomes less used than another image posting site, or if schools use a different blog for their classrooms, the skills learned can easily be adapted. How has this program affected your lifelong learning goals? I do plan to continue to post to this site and if I learn of new web tools to post my findings here to keep up-to-date and to share with other instructors who may not be as familiar with technology.

Thing #23

Copyright Laws, although it can be confusing, this course has explained it and the ways in which a teacher can use copyrighted materials for class instruction. A teacher can used copyrighted materials for educational purposes, but not entertainment purposes. This means, especially for History and Geography, I can use copyrighted materials if it hold educational value for my students. I plan to use many documentaries and images to supplement my lessons. Also, there is Creative Commons that would be easier and safer to use if I can find comparable materials to supplement lessons. Students can also use public domain and creative commons for assignments or presentations.

Thing #22

Historical Documentaries

Live Binders is a cool website. Being able to collect various websites and documents in an online binder can be very beneficial for class assignments. I created 3 binders; "Clarksville", "Political", and "Historical Documentaries". I embedded a link to the Documentary folder. This is something I can use to supplement my lessons. Students can go to the binder and choose a documentary that they want to evaluate and do a report on.

Thing #21

Make your own slideshow at Animoto.

Animoto is a site that I was not familiar with before this post. It was very easy to create a video using this application. Just by uploading pictures, videos, songs, and text, someone can easily create a professional looking video. This could be useful in the classroom with simple reflection projects or just to get students to be more computer literate.

Thing #20

I am an avid user of Youtube.com. I enjoy that you can search Youtube for any information you can find. It is full of documentaries, opinions, and shows. I do not like that it is saturated with videos that contain no value of knowledge or entertainment. I like that when you view a video, Youtube's servers auto-populate related and recommended videos in the right bar. This helps to find similar or other relevant videos.

Thing #19

Specific Social Networking is great to be a follower. I have many accounts on multiple sites. Recently I joined GoodReads because I have a list of books that I like, but I always have problems finding ones that I want to read. I am not much of a reader, but after joining this site, I have been introduced to books that seem interesting. The world is massive, basic social networking is just as big. By joining specific social networking sites, you are assured that content discussed will be focused on your interests. It helps to create like-mined communities. 

After joining TeacherPop, I found that it was very similar to other sites, but specific to teachers. I browsed the site and found great information, especially on Ms. Wall's page. :) I added the TeacherPop widget to this blog. 

Thing #18

Social Networking! I was wondering if APSU 23 Things was ever going to get to addressing this topic. Sites like Facebook and Twitter are being heavily used by the American public. Almost one in every two people have a Facebook account. Students use these sites heavily. Not only would it be important to include in classroom lessons, but I think the main benefit of instructors having a social networking account is to keep up-to-date on the new technology that is being used by students. Facebook came out after I graduated High School, but before that, many students had MySpace accounts. Instead of using that for instructional purposes, the instructors tried to limit the usage. Understanding that these sites are not make for instructional purpose, a teacher can effectively use them for it.

One way I think a teacher can effectively use Facebook for instruction would be creating a 'group' on the site. This will allow instructors to upload assignments, pictures, videos, or discussions with the students. Most students use social networking religiously and keeping school close to them, even at home, will possibly keep the students more engaged in the classroom. It would also help with keeping teachers to be "cool".

My Facebook

Thing #17

Social Bookmarking is something that I have never really explored before; but, the benefits are innumerable. Social bookmarking has similar benefits as many of the other web tools that we have discovered in APSU 23 Things blog. Collaboration! By collaborating favorite sites, other professionals can benefit. Why reinvent the wheel, or spend extra time trying to find sites when someone else has already found it. Also, I like the aspect that saving sites on one computer will be accessible by any other computer with internet access. My current method of bookmarking is done through Google Chrome, where I can access them on any computer with Google Chrome installed, but not every computer has this. Until recently, when I wanted to do work in the APSU library, I would not have my links that were saved at home. I like social bookmarking and will probably use it more in the future.

Thing #16

Organization is one of my weaknesses. I am always forgetting deadlines, things to do, or staying organized. I have a iGoogle (or did, think they discontinued it). When I used it, I had specific things on there that I wanted to see when I first went to my computer. Eventually I moved from that to the new "homepage" when I upgraded to Google Chrome. The new start page has a list of your favorite sites, frequently used sites, and games. I found this to be easier since my internet usage is limited. When I open my browser, the sites I need are right there. I still use Google Calendar.

Google Calendar is extremely useful mostly because of the ease of creating new events. Also with Google Calendar, collaboration is effortless. Many people, my friends, bosses, and clients use Google Calendar and their calendars can integrate into mine. Sometime is gets overwhelming, but with one click I can 'hide' specific calendars. My only problem is remembering to upload event to the calendar. It has been easier since the calendar is on my phone, as well. I am going to include a picture of my Google Calendar here. The color coding makes it easier to read.


Other organizing tools such as to-do list is something that I should use more frequently. When teaching, these tools will be invaluable and I will be convinced to use them more frequently. I can create a new calendar for school or class pertinent events and share just that calendar with students, coworkers, and parents. In addition to having a calendar in the class, students can check the Google Calendar for specific dates. This is similar to other organization tools.

Thing #15

Wikis is an interesting web tool that have been used in many forms. Creating a post to the APSU 23 Things Sandbox Wiki  was interesting for me. Usually technology comes easy for me. I went to edit the Wiki, but then found out that I had to create an account. After doing this I attempted again to edit the Wiki. After working at it for a little while, I noticed the sidebar link saying that I had to be part of the "workspace." Merely clicking that link, I was part of the work space. From then, it was simple to edit and save my portion as a page on the Wiki.

Wikis are interesting and can be very beneficial for schools. It can be used towards working collaboratively between teachers in a department or grade. Teachers can post things to the site and others can view it or edit it. Also a teacher can use it for students. Teachers can upload an assignment and have students upload a page with their responses. This is a great way to teach outside of the classroom.

Thing #14

I am a big fan of Mind Maps. Usually before I do a large paper or a specific task, I will actually create a mind map. By doing this before writing a paper, you can see how many paragraphs you will have, and how much information you have under each topic. It also helps to create good transitions. Usually I use pencil and paper, although it gets messy. I was excited to see Thing #14 post. I created a Mind Map and Flow Chart...

Although the Flow Chart seems cool, I think it would really only be useful for sequential activities. So you can tell some "Did You___? Yes, go here. No, go here." The Mind Map I think I may use in the future. It was very simple to create new idea and to build, split, and add images to ideas. It looks very clean too!

Thing #13

Online word processing, spreadsheets, and other productivity collaboration apps have become very popular. I frequently use Google Docs. I am always enjoying finding new technologies and sites like Zoho. I did test out the site. I saw many things like the CRM and Books on the site that I may look into later but I only tested the word processor. With my frequent use a of Google (Voice, Docs, Mail, App Store, and others) I find that I will probably continue using the site. IN the Thing #13 blog post, it was mentioned that products like Microsoft Office might be extinct when these online apps take over mainstream but I disagree. Although I use Google often, I find my self still preferring Microsoft Word if I know the document I am working on should be finished in one sitting. If I plan to spend a long time on the document, share it with others, or know I will need to email it to myself, I usually just start using Google Docs. One night in the library in my first year at APSU, I was typing a paper (that ended up being 14 something pages). Many class mates were in the library working on this final paper as well. It was about 1 hour before the library closed so students were rushing to finish. Suddenly, the power in the library was interrupted and all the lights and computers shut off. Every student began yelling and cussing because they know their documents were not saved. I pulled my phone out, and continued typing on my paper, within a few minutes, the lights came on along with the computers. I reaccessed the Google Drive, finished my paper and printed it. Many students lost all of their data. However. Before I print a document, I usually have to download it from Google to Microsoft Word, correct the formatting, and print it. I don't like the way documents print from Google or the way they download to Word. Personally I will continue to use Google, but would like to keep Microsoft as well to fine tune the documents.