Thing #23--Ning & Other Social Networking Sites

Ning seems like it may be the new My Space or Facebook for adults who want to limit their network to their specific interest(s) and group, but still have a greater chance of expanding their group. I would think there would be a greater opportunity for the latter within a larger, well-known network such as Ning than a website, blog or wiki that is just "out there" by itself. I'm wondering whether this would be the place to consider setting up a classroom social network because of it's easy set-up & customization features, the moderate feature which allows you to review BEFORE anything is added and the apparent ease with which other web 2.0 tools and features can be added (linked, embedded, etc.). I like that individual members can still personalize & revise their own personal profile pages withing the social network--another benefit for classroom use. The fact that it can be translated in to other languages would be an excellent feature for foreign language classes.

I am definitely going to join the Classroom 2.0 and probably the Teacher 2.0 so that I can continue to refine and add to my new knowledge and skills. I've learned a lot, but I still feel there is so much more. I've already seen several groups that I would like to join and thought of one I could start--MISD Middle School B. Reading teachers. I found several new tools just from browsing through various categories on the right side bar (tools, subjects, area) in Classroom 2.0--Classmarker Online Quiz Maker for Online Testing, Contentgenerator, Popfly, Classtools, Vizu polls

One of the interesting groups I found on Classroom 2.0 was one formed to promote Literacy in a Digital Classroom while integrating technology. I also found a group for parents of special needs students that provides information on specific needs, legislative and other legal updates, and support and learning resources called eSpecialMatch. This might be something that SPED teachers, counselors or administrators could pass on to their parents.

Although I did send a message to Mary about a difficulty adding the badge to my blog, I did join and uploaded a video to the 23 Thingsters. It is waiting for approval to be viewable.

Thing #22--My Space & Facebook

I joined both My Space & Facebook. I thought both were easy to sign up for and add information to profiles. The search for friends included a couple of people from this class and I invited them as friends. The Facebook page gave me a list of possible friends that went to my college and I added one. I didn't see a whole lot of difference in using them thus far, but I do like the look of the My Space Profile page better. That system also let me pick my URL, which will make it much easier to remember and share.

I think it's important to be aware of at least these two social networking sights simply so we have some clue of what our students (and kids) are doing and talking about. For me, I could see using it to re-connect with some old high school, college or work friends, and former students, as well as keeping in closer contact and sharing photos, etc. with family. I don't see spending a lot of time there simply because I just don't have much to spare. I can definitely see the attraction though.

Thing--THE END ! (aka Summary)

I think the most important benefit for me having taken this class is that I am much more confident and willing to take a chance exploring and trying new things with technology. I will continue to enthusiastically recommend this class to colleagues and hopefully encourage those with "techno-phobia" that they too CAN DO IT ! For those considering the Intel course, I highly recommend this class be completed first, unless their computer & 2.0 skills are already well developed.

I have always enjoyed learning new things and improving my skills--this will just serve to provide a whole new (very large) frontier in which to continue. The only thing that immediately comes to mind in order to improve the course is for the district to find a way to "un-block" those parts of the program which are not accessible from within MISD OR to make the computer lab or laptops from the PDC available for use. I think a course specifically to help teachers set up their class e-learning website would be well received.

Whether through on-line research, interactive learning or collaboration tools, I have definitely come away with a greater understanding of how technology & web 2.0 internet tools can be utilized to improve student interest, motivation, learning & independence/initiative. I now also have a greater understanding of how to incorporate learning through projects involving technology in order to help students develop those 21st century skills that will be required. I look forward to finding new resources and learning even more--keeping up with new information and tools through my RSS, Delicious, etc. I'm looking forward to setting up my classroom web/blog/wiki (?). I can't wait to put my new skills into practical use !

Thing #7b---Interesting RSS Feed

From the Free Technology for Teacher feed was a link for The World Images Kiosk which is a site entirely made up of free Creative Commons Pictures which can be utilized in projects and which automatically requires the user to give proper attribution when necessary. There was also an announcement by Google about a new filter which allows a search for images by category of usage (copyright restrictions) so that, if preferred, only those images which are available on an unrestricted basis are included. Instructions were included in the announcement.

Thing #21--Other Google Tools

I set up an igoogle account and while I can't "share" that, I tried to share one of the neat gadgets that I added to it. It's a picture a day of cool things & places you should see. I did have a link to share the pictures from this gadget, but it brought up access to my gmail (in addition to the pictures), so I had to delete it. Some other neat gadgets I added include several for word of the day (one in spanish !), joke & puzzle of the day, and an on-line dictionary. Since I teach reading, the dictionary and word of the day would be (somewhat obviously) very useful. I also added a language translator which I'll test when I get back to school for possible parent communication. I also checked out Google Books and found a preview for a play for THE OUTSIDERS. After finishing the novel, this might be great practice for fluency ultimately resulting in a series of podcasts.

Thing #20--Google Docs

I enjoyed creating a vocabulary quiz for Chapter 1 of THE OUTSIDERS using Google Docs. I included several different formats for the questions--matching, multiple choice, check the box and short answer. The quiz is embedded below and the spreadsheet for those answering the quiz is saved in my "account". The only problem is that I've been unable to find the quiz and save that on my account, although obviously it exists. When e-mailing/sharing, I first e-mailed the quiz itself (and a revised version), but it would not accept the address for debbie. Then I shared/invited on the spreadsheet (I think) so I apologize for multiple possibly unnecessary copies.

This type of a quiz could be used as a pre-test, as well as a quiz to evaluate current knowledge and then determine overall student improvement. Students could also collaborate by adding new questions/vocabulary to the original quiz if needed.

Note to Self: I definitely need to go back and get more information on some of the resources on Mrs. Peek's site, including Brainpop and some of the Language Arts sections.


Please take the short vocabulary quiz (below) from chapter one of THE OUTSIDERS. Answer some questions incorrectly if you don't mind (just so the data sheets have some variety) and provide any feedback or suggestions that come to mind.

Thing #19--Voice Threads

I'm going to have to go back and watch the Web 2.0 Promises & Potential at least once more. There is so much information, it was not possible to absorb it all at once. I really like the idea of having voice narrated power point presentations--both teacher & student created. I'm assuming this idea could be expanded to brochures, newsletters, slide shows, etc. For planned absences, I like the idea of verbal instructions embedded into an accessible class website or blog. Since reading with fluency & expression is often a weakness for many students, I'm wondering whether it would be possible to post a short text and then have the students use the audio comments to read the text. Then they could listen to themselves and others, including the teacher, to evaluate and improve in this area. Finally, I'd like to investigate a classroom created narrated, interactive such as the Venn Diagram to post. I think the novelty and public nature of posting a class creation (i.e. bragging rights) would really help to increase interest, motivation, both work ethic and quality for reluctant students.