Reflecting on "21 Things"

"21 Things" has changed my perception of technology. Before the course, I envisioned technology as a vast ocean. My perception of my own skill level was akin to floating in my dinghy (ha) and managing to navigate close to the shore. I dared not venture into deep water, because it was filled with nameless monsters. After "21 Things" I envision technology as an infinite universe. I've been shown how to navigate away from safe harbor and gently prodded into testing these skills that seem so unnatural to me. I'm excited to go on - exploring and learning.
Personally, this course has stretched my knowledge well beyond anything else in the past few years. I could not have set goals, because I honestly did not know what was possible.
My favorite things . . . how about everything?? I'm still not sure about Twitter (ha). I loved Picasa - that's where my family photos live now. Animoto allowed me to create something that greatly touched several people I love dearly. Diigo is forever on my tool bar, and I am making plans to replace hard copies of sources with Diigo for my students. Google Reader is forever a daily part of my life. I know I can incorporate blogging and Google Reader into the curriculum - again, the problem is computer access.
I absolutely loved working at my own pace in my own time. That's the only way that I could take advantage of the instruction. I equally enjoyed the face-to-face option. I always felt encouraged by just being with you all for a few minutes.
Because I don't know what's "out there," I can't possibly suggest components for a future course. I trust you, Cindy, to take us where we need to go - even if it's "where no man has gone before." (I know, corny!!)
"21 Things" has given me the ability to really explore the possibilities. You introduced us to them, guided us through them, and taught us in a truly authentic manner. Thank you!!

Wordle and Quarkbase and Writeboard, Oh my!!!

First of all . . . thank you, Cindy, for the assignment!! So far, I've spent close to six hours (over several days) exploring. I know I'm strange, but the graphic by Mindomo is one of my favorite things. I can see myself referring to that as I make my plans for second semester. If I plan well ahead of time maybe I can get some quality time for my students with computers that doesn't involve word processing!
Over the course of those hours of exploring, I've planned a Wordle, opened a Writeboard, answered several questions on Ask 500 people, explored free stuff on Teacher Tap (FREE STUFF!!!), and started a couple of Google Forms. The tool I've employed in a truly authentic manner is Quarkbase. My junior English classes are writing research papers on their chosen topics having to do with the conflict in Vietnam. That's a tough one when you consider Newsbank, EBSCO, or Gale. So we venture into the scary world of Google. The advanced search option allows us to choose the domain, but even then, some topics have very few sources. So we go to the .com, .net, and .org sites. Quarkbase allows me to take a look at a site's publication data, sponsors, internet use, etc. at a quick glance. It may not tell me all I need to know, but I feel better about allowing the use of data from sites that are frequently used and known enough to be tweeted or blogged about. Does that make sense?
The timeliness of finding Quarkbase makes me smile. I have a new tool that allows me to make a smarter judgement about the validity of an online source, and I am modeling caution and good sense in internet use, AND I am giving my students another tool for their arsenals.

Skype!

I have used Skype personally and professionally for over a year. We use Skype to visit with our son and his family in Texas. It's great to see and hear our grandsons!!
I have used Skype to "attend" meetings of the Leadership Team of Ozarks Writing Project. That saved me a drive to and from Springfield, but I still was present at the meetings. AMAZING to me as a learner in the wonderful world of technology!!
I'm thinking that the same concept would be great in the classroom - attend meetings and lectures without the cost of travel. Co-teaching (sharing expertise) via Skype would benefit our students. Giving instruction via Skype to other remote areas would allow students to "attend" class. The difficulty of homeschooling students at the high school level would decrease for students and teachers with the use of Skype. I think I could go on for an hour or more.
My students attended a live talk and question session with the author Tim O'Brien via webcast last year. It was a big deal involving the auditorium and special attention from our incredible tech, Mike Gones. It was unexpectedly an amazing eye opener for most of the students and a great motivator for the novel we were studying. With Skype, this could be a regular event without all the woo hoo!
Looking at the site Cindy provided for us listing authors who Skype, I am encouraged that this could actually happen in our classroom THIS YEAR!!!!!!

Facebook and Twitter

I have both - Facebook, since Jenny insisted I create a page at least five years ago. I love it. I have friends and family all over the country and sometimes the world. I love hearing from them and seeing them as often as I like. I'm not a rabid Facebook follower - these days only once or twice a week. I have "friended" students for several years. I find it invaluable in some cases - the tough ones - and a definite personal link to others. We discuss English, books, movies, class, homework, and Student Council issues. We also have a page for our classroom. (We thought of this public solution to Missouri's Senate Bill that prohibited technology access by teachers to students.)
- Twitter, since I was a fellow at Ozark Writing Project Summer Invitational Institute in 2008. I have spurts of appreciating it and not appreciating it. I think I was really put off by being around two people who could not communicate with those around them for tweeting. That really bothered me! I like to tweet on my computer - not my phone - and I find it would be really time consuming if I allowed it to be. After reading the articles Cindy gave us, I am amazed at how Shelly Blake-Plock uses Twitter in the classroom. I cannot see that happening at BHS this year, but maybe I'll try to get it going next year. Can anyone think of a better way to study grammar????? WOW!!!

Shelfari, Big Huge Labs, and Jing

Happy Halloween!!
I know I'm slow, but I'm surely taking time to enjoy everything! I explored and played with all three of the sites. Shelfari is by far my favorite! I would like to add friends and really get into the discussions. It's like a book club that meets any time I want it to! It will take me many more hours before I consider myself proficient. I see myself using Shelfari on a regular basis. The other two I'm not so sure. It's close enough to Christmas for me to see the possibilities of creating something with Big Huge Labs. I have Jing's sun on my computer screen - now we'll just see how much light it sheds on my internet use :>)

PicasaWeb, Animoto, and PhotoPeach

All three of these amazing tools are completely new to me. I feel like a child. I am so proud of my new creations! I am currently moving my digital photos to PicasaWeb. With so much of our family in other states, I think this will be our new way of sharing photos.
Animoto was just fun. I can imagine students using Animoto for multigenre projects. I am anxious to continue to explore the feasibility of instructing students and allowing them access at school.
The quiz on PhotoPeach was hard for me to complete, because my mind kept wandering with the possibilities. How refreshing would it be for students to take a photo quiz? I can envision actual scenes from The Crucible as the background for multiple choice questions OR writing prompts.
Oh!! My brain hurts from all the possibilities!!

Name That Restaurant - PhotoPeach Quiz

What can I say?? We love to eat!! And I love PhotoPeach! It was so easy to create the quiz. The hardest part was downloading photos and chosing a topic-and that wasn't difficult at all!