WOW what a journey! Thank you Carol and Jacki at Wayne RESA for pulling this together and letting me participate. This was easy to do, easy to understand, great information, great videos, and a wealth of information! There a definite tools that I will use more, a few not so much - but loved the opportunity to learn about all of them. I love Web 2.0 and the potential to inspire educators to use in the classroom, for students to experience, share, and collaborate. The classroom isn't the classroom I grew up with and with these types of tools, it shouldn't be!
I'd love to provide this 23 Things to educators in my district - is there a way to package it up and duplicate (like Moodle)?
I'll continue to seek other Web 2.0 applications through del.icio.us, Macul, conferences, colleagues, publications, etc. For the next 23 Things websites to consider: Twitter, Weebly, Protopage, Ning, Vyew, Voicethread, PictureTrail, Our Story, MyStudiyo, Animoto, 50 Story Tools (blog), Nettrekker, the many things on Google, Top 100 Tools for Learning (contribute your top 10) and the many many more...
Again, thank you for this learning experience!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Thing 22: Embed & Download Video
I chose to embed "Last Lecture Revisited" (short version) about Randy Pausch, very inspirational:
I highly recommend watching the full version.
I didn't think the embedding was working, maintenance was work going on at YouTube as I tried to finish up my Things, but after checking the preview they were there!
I uploaded a movie to YouTube that my daughter and I created (using Movie Maker) after attending Hannah Montana concert at Joe Louis in Detroit. She had a blast playing with the transitions.
I had a hard time with this Thing, I kept running into problems with my computer locking up. I've spent a huge amount of time on this Thing - Whew I'm glad it's done!
The right videos can be a great asset and tool in the classroom. Kids can create projects and share with a world wide audience - very powerful motivator!
Thing 21: Online Video
I've been a member of YouTube for awhile. My kids love to find fun or funny videos to check out (so far the tagging has been appropriate). I can see how five minutes of fame can be overpowering on judgment, ex: girls beating on another girl just to post a video on the internet (sure you've hear of it - not willing to provide a link to aid to the insanity). There are awe inspiring videos to benefit from: Last Lecture (I've used to motivate teachers, I recommend watching the full version) or Sportsmanship (other searches NCAA softball) or something for fun Two Guys (a friend of mine's daughter on a spring break trip with some really fun kids), my 7 year old daughter has it posted on her website through weebly.com (free website Web 2.0 site).
Youtube is not banned from my office, but I believe it is banned for teachers. Student safety is primary in a school building. I truly believe kids know and use this site much more than parents and educators could fathom!
I've checked out TeacherTube previously, I think it will become a great resource for educators, as they become training on using the technology available to them to use in their classroom. How do we get them to try these tools? How do we get the districts to invest in teacher training? With 23 Things available, there is not a lot of risk - just try it - this needs to become a benchmark for educators, but is administration and the state willing to support in?
Youtube is not banned from my office, but I believe it is banned for teachers. Student safety is primary in a school building. I truly believe kids know and use this site much more than parents and educators could fathom!
I've checked out TeacherTube previously, I think it will become a great resource for educators, as they become training on using the technology available to them to use in their classroom. How do we get them to try these tools? How do we get the districts to invest in teacher training? With 23 Things available, there is not a lot of risk - just try it - this needs to become a benchmark for educators, but is administration and the state willing to support in?
Thing 20: RSS Revisited
Thank you for thing 20! I haven't checked in regularly...end of the year...blah...blah...blah...
I went to add Mitch Album's feed from Detroit Free Press (one of my favorite authors) and actually forgot I had the Bloglines button on my toolbar! Yes, I did it the long way, cut and paste, yada yada yada!
It was great to reorganize and get feeds placed in folders, which will making my revisits this summer much more conducive to getting information I need (or information that I didn't know existed prior to 23 Things and bloglines).
RSS has not become a habit yet (unfortunately), I expect it to become an obsession over the summer and beyond.
I went to add Mitch Album's feed from Detroit Free Press (one of my favorite authors) and actually forgot I had the Bloglines button on my toolbar! Yes, I did it the long way, cut and paste, yada yada yada!
It was great to reorganize and get feeds placed in folders, which will making my revisits this summer much more conducive to getting information I need (or information that I didn't know existed prior to 23 Things and bloglines).
RSS has not become a habit yet (unfortunately), I expect it to become an obsession over the summer and beyond.
Thing 19: Bookmarking with del.icio.us
My del.icio.us site http://del.icio.us/juliemushing
I began bookmarking items I've found through taking this course, beginning with podcasting. I love that it gives you tags that others have used and also "remembers" tags that I've entered. I really see this as a powerful learning tool. I will more than likely get more than I give! I'm excited to look for other colleagues and the pages that they've bookmarked. It can be a tremendous resource for all content areas.
How powerful this tool can be in the classroom. Creating tags for students to use on research project that you can reference for years to come ~ what a benefit to other students!
I see this as a definite tool to enhance productivity. If I'm looking for an educational resource, I'll now begin here before google! I'll be able to find more specific resources, tools, ideas, and concepts much quicker and I'll get to see how many others felt it was a valuable site.
WOW - I can't believe it took me soooo... long to check into del.icio.us...it's scrumptious!
I began bookmarking items I've found through taking this course, beginning with podcasting. I love that it gives you tags that others have used and also "remembers" tags that I've entered. I really see this as a powerful learning tool. I will more than likely get more than I give! I'm excited to look for other colleagues and the pages that they've bookmarked. It can be a tremendous resource for all content areas.
How powerful this tool can be in the classroom. Creating tags for students to use on research project that you can reference for years to come ~ what a benefit to other students!
I see this as a definite tool to enhance productivity. If I'm looking for an educational resource, I'll now begin here before google! I'll be able to find more specific resources, tools, ideas, and concepts much quicker and I'll get to see how many others felt it was a valuable site.
WOW - I can't believe it took me soooo... long to check into del.icio.us...it's scrumptious!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Thing 18: Social Bookmarking
Tagging a great way to organize websites and find new resources from other peoples tags!
I began using Google notebooks to mark websites. I liked that I could access it from any computer. The problem I have is the same as adding one to my favorites in my browser - the site I want to find is in a file somewhere! Google notebooks doesn't have the tag feature, nor the social networking aspect.
I know many colleagues that talk about del.icio.us. I was curious enough to go look, but didn't have the time to truly investigate it. I'm looking forward to using this service and having all my stuff better organized by tags!
With the work I do, educational technology and diversity, there are many sites that both areas are included. For example, connecting with students from another country to learn about their culture and teach them about ours - e3Links project with MSU is such a site. I'll now be able to tag it with "diversity" and "technology"!
I began using Google notebooks to mark websites. I liked that I could access it from any computer. The problem I have is the same as adding one to my favorites in my browser - the site I want to find is in a file somewhere! Google notebooks doesn't have the tag feature, nor the social networking aspect.
I know many colleagues that talk about del.icio.us. I was curious enough to go look, but didn't have the time to truly investigate it. I'm looking forward to using this service and having all my stuff better organized by tags!
With the work I do, educational technology and diversity, there are many sites that both areas are included. For example, connecting with students from another country to learn about their culture and teach them about ours - e3Links project with MSU is such a site. I'll now be able to tag it with "diversity" and "technology"!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Thing 17: Slideshare
I've heard about slideshare and have seen presentations using slideshare. I think it can be very useful in sharing information.
I uploaded a presentation I use with high school building teams to give them an overview of the training their 9th grade students receive on diversity. Having it in slideshare would be an easy way for them to share with thier building staff.
After uploading my presentation and viewing others, I had a sudden realization - do I need to give photo or material credits on a couple of my slides? Should I add contact information at the end of the presentation?
I appreciate GBS sharing the Web 2.0 Tools for Effective Teaching site! Lots of great resources. I'm looking forward to spending some time looking for presentations on diversity and school culture.
I uploaded a presentation I use with high school building teams to give them an overview of the training their 9th grade students receive on diversity. Having it in slideshare would be an easy way for them to share with thier building staff.
After uploading my presentation and viewing others, I had a sudden realization - do I need to give photo or material credits on a couple of my slides? Should I add contact information at the end of the presentation?
I appreciate GBS sharing the Web 2.0 Tools for Effective Teaching site! Lots of great resources. I'm looking forward to spending some time looking for presentations on diversity and school culture.
Thing 16: Online Productivity
As stated, there are many Web 2.0 tools designed to help get organized, create things easily, and share with others. I am using Google notebook to track various Web 2.0 applications as I come across them. I hope to create a web site with list of links and brief descriptions of each application to have a one stop shop for our districts!
I played around with 30 Boxes as this was a new one for me! I like the idea of having my calendar online and easy to access. I also like the idea of creating a calendar to use with the districts I work with on specific events.
One Web 2.0 application that I like to share with people is Our Story (no one ever seems to have heard of it). It is a collaborative timeline where you can save stories, photos, and videos and share with others. You can even embed the code to your web site! Try it out and share your story.
I can see classrooms using this to share what they are learning in history and build the timeline to current days. I plan to use this to create a history of racism timeline to share with districts that I work with on a 9th Grade Diversity initative and include it on my wiki site. Families can use it to share with family and friends things they are doing in their lives - an active scrapbook!
I played around with 30 Boxes as this was a new one for me! I like the idea of having my calendar online and easy to access. I also like the idea of creating a calendar to use with the districts I work with on specific events.
One Web 2.0 application that I like to share with people is Our Story (no one ever seems to have heard of it). It is a collaborative timeline where you can save stories, photos, and videos and share with others. You can even embed the code to your web site! Try it out and share your story.
I can see classrooms using this to share what they are learning in history and build the timeline to current days. I plan to use this to create a history of racism timeline to share with districts that I work with on a 9th Grade Diversity initative and include it on my wiki site. Families can use it to share with family and friends things they are doing in their lives - an active scrapbook!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Thing 15: Google Docs
I actually use this tool frequently! I stumbled upon the spreadsheet very early - way before getting to Thing 15. I use the spreadsheet often to communicate with parent volunteers, working with colleagues on a collaborative project, and working with others to gather information. I like the way you can go back to previous version, or check to see what an individual may have contributed.
One of the newest tricks I learned using Google spreadsheet is to "Share" to create a form. This form can be sent via email to others that I am trying to collect data from as a questionnaire. The people I've sent the email to select their choices and submit. Their answers are now recorded in my Google Docs spreadsheet for comparison and analysis.
I think the biggest obstical for using Google Docs for student collaboration is that not all students have a home computer or access to the internet. Emails can be created using Google, Yahoo, etc., but how do you provide access when not at school?
One of the newest tricks I learned using Google spreadsheet is to "Share" to create a form. This form can be sent via email to others that I am trying to collect data from as a questionnaire. The people I've sent the email to select their choices and submit. Their answers are now recorded in my Google Docs spreadsheet for comparison and analysis.
I think the biggest obstical for using Google Docs for student collaboration is that not all students have a home computer or access to the internet. Emails can be created using Google, Yahoo, etc., but how do you provide access when not at school?
Thing 14: Creating Podcast
I see myself using podcasting to get updated information of topics of interest, on the go - in the car or going for a walk - even just lying on the couch
I can see that using podcast for the classrom as a way to reinforce information taught in class. What a great way for a student to get the information, if they need it. Another great use of podcasting for the classroom is the planning and production of a student podcast. There are so many great ideas of use including book cast (replacing book reports), topic research, and special projects. I could see how excited kids would be to put something together and know that they'll have a world wide audience!
I don't anticipate our distict having issues with pod casting, could be a great PD tool!
I can see that using podcast for the classrom as a way to reinforce information taught in class. What a great way for a student to get the information, if they need it. Another great use of podcasting for the classroom is the planning and production of a student podcast. There are so many great ideas of use including book cast (replacing book reports), topic research, and special projects. I could see how excited kids would be to put something together and know that they'll have a world wide audience!
I don't anticipate our distict having issues with pod casting, could be a great PD tool!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Thing 13: Locating and Subscribing to Podcasts
What a great way to gather information in this information technology driven world.
I chose to subscribe to NPR Education Podcast:
http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast/podcast_detail.php?siteId=17350298
I very excited to explore other podcasting resources. One that I began playing around in is PodOmatic - a website where you can create, find, and share podcasts. I'm sure there are other sources available.
I've had iTunes downloaded on my computer, but haven't played around with it until Thing 13! I am looking forward to playing with these tools more this summer.
I chose to subscribe to NPR Education Podcast:
http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast/podcast_detail.php?siteId=17350298
I very excited to explore other podcasting resources. One that I began playing around in is PodOmatic - a website where you can create, find, and share podcasts. I'm sure there are other sources available.
I've had iTunes downloaded on my computer, but haven't played around with it until Thing 13! I am looking forward to playing with these tools more this summer.
Thing 12: Learn About Podcasting
Podcasting is a great tool for the creative expression of knowledge preferred by today's students, and provides an exciting way for students and educators to explore and discover educational content. When students create a podcast for class, they not only learn the content in a creative way, they learn 21st-century communications skills at the same time.
Podcasting allows educators to take their students beyond traditional assignments by letting them use voice recordings, photos, movies, and sound effects to share their knowledge. I like many of the classroom uses; students who draft and perform scripts as a writing assignment, create a visual progress report for an ongoing project, or submit a recorded version of a science presentation.
I specifically like that podcasting is a great way for educators to deliver content to their students. They can distribute homework assignments, record book narration for beginning readers to read along with, or create foreign language lessons that students can review at their own pace. For educators and administrators, podcasting is an effective tool for professional development, as well as for communicating with parents about classroom activities and school announcements.
Podcasting allows educators to take their students beyond traditional assignments by letting them use voice recordings, photos, movies, and sound effects to share their knowledge. I like many of the classroom uses; students who draft and perform scripts as a writing assignment, create a visual progress report for an ongoing project, or submit a recorded version of a science presentation.
I specifically like that podcasting is a great way for educators to deliver content to their students. They can distribute homework assignments, record book narration for beginning readers to read along with, or create foreign language lessons that students can review at their own pace. For educators and administrators, podcasting is an effective tool for professional development, as well as for communicating with parents about classroom activities and school announcements.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Thing 11: Create a Wiki
I've been meaning to create a wiki regarding 9th Grade Diversity training, now I've got one started:
http://9thgradediversity.wikispaces.com/
I think this will be a great resource for the schools that are scheduled to participate. I want this to be a site where school leaders can go and get information. I also want them to leave their feedback on how it is going. Another page for me to add is "What_Next?" This will give schools a place to share what type of planning and activities they will do to make the training sustainable. This will be a great tool for the schools to see what other schools are doing and get ideas!
This is so much more of a collaborating tool than a blog, which is "mine" and people can comment. One of the greatest obstacles for this training has been parental consent and staff awareness. Another page in this wiki will give all participants the opportunity to edit a parental consent letter to make get the best information to parents for student participation.
I'm very eager to share this with schools that participated in the training this year, to better prepare schools participating next year!
http://9thgradediversity.wikispaces.com/
I think this will be a great resource for the schools that are scheduled to participate. I want this to be a site where school leaders can go and get information. I also want them to leave their feedback on how it is going. Another page for me to add is "What_Next?" This will give schools a place to share what type of planning and activities they will do to make the training sustainable. This will be a great tool for the schools to see what other schools are doing and get ideas!
This is so much more of a collaborating tool than a blog, which is "mine" and people can comment. One of the greatest obstacles for this training has been parental consent and staff awareness. Another page in this wiki will give all participants the opportunity to edit a parental consent letter to make get the best information to parents for student participation.
I'm very eager to share this with schools that participated in the training this year, to better prepare schools participating next year!
Thing 10: Learn about Wikis
I have seen many great wiki sites. What a great tool for collaboration. My son's class used a wiki to report on books the students were reading at school. My son, who is a reluctant reader, became totally involved in the project! He started reading more, so he could post his comments on the class wiki site. It was a complete 180! I no longer had to push and beg him to read, he was so excited to share his opinions and ideas - all I had to do was sit back and watch his excitement evolve!
I love it when presenters give you a wiki site with all their links. I recently participated in a webcast with Wesley Fryer, his wiki for the presentation Quick Victories
Another one I've booked marked from a conference in 2007 - Connecting and Collaborating
For the past year, I've been working with 16 schools on 9th grade diversity training. A wiki will be a great way for me to collaborate with the building teams and improve my communication for the next 20 schools schedule for training in 2008-09.
I love it when presenters give you a wiki site with all their links. I recently participated in a webcast with Wesley Fryer, his wiki for the presentation Quick Victories
Another one I've booked marked from a conference in 2007 - Connecting and Collaborating
For the past year, I've been working with 16 schools on 9th grade diversity training. A wiki will be a great way for me to collaborate with the building teams and improve my communication for the next 20 schools schedule for training in 2008-09.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Thing 9 - Online Line Image Generator
I tried Image Generator to create my image. I found it challenging as the directions were not very clear, but I managed to figure it out. I think student would have a great time using these generators for classroom and home projects. I could see a Mother's Day or Father's Day gift using a parents picture and adding it to a Glamour or Sport magazine cover!
The other option Big Huge Labs appeared to be easier to use with much less advertising. Students are very creative and these tools are great resources! I'll have to spend more time playing with both of these.
The photo is of my kids in a cave they "Discovered" on a hike to a waterfall. I can see them both wanting to take more pictures and play with them using these tools. I may need to buy them both digital cameras, so they won't fight over mine!
Thing 8 - Have Some Flickr Fun
These are great mashups! It was fun trying them out, I think students would feel the same way. I can see my own son having a great time with his spelling list if he could practice typing them into spelling with Flickr and printing out the images. The mashup tools are engaging and could be used to enhance student projects and reports.
I posted a comment regarding how do you find the mashups, as they are created by third party programmers. It would be smart of Flickr to offer a Mashup page with links to such great resources.
Thanks for showing these new tools to us!
I posted a comment regarding how do you find the mashups, as they are created by third party programmers. It would be smart of Flickr to offer a Mashup page with links to such great resources.
Thanks for showing these new tools to us!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Thing 7 - Share Photos Online
Uploaded and tagged photos, quite easy to do ~ kind of slow. I wonder how long it would take to load a larger group of photos?
See great use for classroom field trips, or special units on given topics. Specific photos on a subject could be given "code" tags for students to view and comment. Use Flickr for a "treasure hunt" - show pictures that student need to find and bring to class (rocks, leaves, etc.)
Also great way to connect with family and friends. I actually came across someone taking the 23 Things course that works in my district ~ now I have someone nearby to discuss.
Lots of fun.
See great use for classroom field trips, or special units on given topics. Specific photos on a subject could be given "code" tags for students to view and comment. Use Flickr for a "treasure hunt" - show pictures that student need to find and bring to class (rocks, leaves, etc.)
Also great way to connect with family and friends. I actually came across someone taking the 23 Things course that works in my district ~ now I have someone nearby to discuss.
Lots of fun.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Thing 6: Photosharing with Flickr
Photo by spauldi1's photostream
I've heard alot about Flickr, great finally to be able to go and play around with it. Many years ago, I found a company that would develop my roll of film and archive the photos on their website. I thought this was great, as I always feared loosing family memories in a fire! But Flickr has alot more benefits that include sharing.
Using the tags and searching for locations of places that I've visited, it is great to see the creativity of the beautiful photo. Typically, my photos don't turn out as nice.
The photo I chose to include in my blog is from Kitchtikipi (Big Springs), located north of Indian Lake in Manistique, Michigan. I grew up in this area and have visited this location many times with family and friends. It is beautiful and the brown trout are HUGE! I hope you all get a chance to see it sometime.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Thing 5: Subscribing to RSS Feeds
I had a little trouble as everything was being saved to my feed file in Explorer! I managed to figure it out - love the "Blogline" button to add to my tool bar! I even managed to set up a feed to my blog - not that I'm close to Wesley Fryer or Steve Dembo (yet)...
I'm so excited to check my bloglines for web articles and information relevant to my work! Pinch me - is it Christmas...I can't wait to find more out there!
I'm so excited to check my bloglines for web articles and information relevant to my work! Pinch me - is it Christmas...I can't wait to find more out there!
Thing 4: Intro to RSS
This will be a great time saver! Much like being on the best information email listservs. I spend hours on the internet, for the information to come to me...what will I do with the extra time!
I can already see how I could subscribe to too many feeds. It will be great to narrow them down to the most useful and practical. Looking forward to Thing 5.
Any good feeds for best practices?
I can already see how I could subscribe to too many feeds. It will be great to narrow them down to the most useful and practical. Looking forward to Thing 5.
Any good feeds for best practices?
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Thing 3: Blogs in Education
I believe using a blog in the classroom would engage the students. They understand the benefits of social networking. It can be empowering to all types of learners.
My biggest concern would be Anonymous comments. Standards and controls would need to be put in place and students must understand the need to be respectful and responsible.
Beyond the classroom, I see blogs as a great way to collaborate and communicate with parents, colleagues, family and friends. Ideas are limitless!
Article: Best of the Education Blog Awards - March 2006
My biggest concern would be Anonymous comments. Standards and controls would need to be put in place and students must understand the need to be respectful and responsible.
Beyond the classroom, I see blogs as a great way to collaborate and communicate with parents, colleagues, family and friends. Ideas are limitless!
Article: Best of the Education Blog Awards - March 2006
Thing 2: Become a Blogger
Blogging - What a great way to share and receive information from people around the world! What a great tool for classrooms! The use of blogs in instructional settings is limited only by your imagination.
Reasons for instructors to use blogs:
101 Steps to Becoming a Better Blogger
Top 100 Education Blogs
Keep on blogging...
Reasons for instructors to use blogs:
- Content-related blog as professional practice
- Networking and personal knowledge sharing
- Instructional tips for students
- Communication tool for parents
- Course announcements and readings
- Annotated links
- Knowledge management
Reasons for students to use blogs:
- Reflective or writing journals
- Knowledge management
- Collaboration
- Assignment submission and review
- Dialogue for groupwork
- E-portfolios
- Share course-related resources
101 Steps to Becoming a Better Blogger
Top 100 Education Blogs
Keep on blogging...
Welcome to Classroom Crafter!
class·room
klas-room – noun
1. a room, as in a school or college, in which classes are held.
2. any place where one learns or gains experience: The sea is the sailor's classroom.
craft
krāft - noun
1. Skill in doing or making something, as in the arts; proficiency.
2. An occupation or trade requiring manual dexterity or skilled artistry.
Classroom teachers are crafters, skilled in educating our youth. Teachers are skilled artist. This blog will serve as a tool and resourse to aid Classroom Crafters.
If you have a favorite web resource, please let me know so I can share.
klas-room – noun
1. a room, as in a school or college, in which classes are held.
2. any place where one learns or gains experience: The sea is the sailor's classroom.
craft
krāft - noun
1. Skill in doing or making something, as in the arts; proficiency.
2. An occupation or trade requiring manual dexterity or skilled artistry.
Classroom teachers are crafters, skilled in educating our youth. Teachers are skilled artist. This blog will serve as a tool and resourse to aid Classroom Crafters.
If you have a favorite web resource, please let me know so I can share.
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