Summarize

• My favorite exercise was learning all the Google tools. I have learned so much and have already applied the use of the Google Reader, iGoogle, Google docs, and more.
  

I have always loved learning new things and this class has inspired me to continue that quest.

• I did not realize how much the internet was being used for collaboration purposes. It is amazing the ability and availability to share ideas.
  

• I loved the format of the class. I am sure some people may have gotten lost with the technical nature of the course, but you have to learn sometime.
  

• I would most definitely participate in another online class of this nature.
  

• I love technology and using it in the classroom has been a goal of mine for a long time, this class will help me to continue with my plan of teaching my students how to use technology and what it can provide for them.
  

• I am going to continue with my reader and monitor posts that relate to Web 2.0 tools.
  

Thing #23 - Beyond MySpace: other social networks

I am truly amazed at the wealth of knowledge that is being shared through these networks. It is overwhelming and time consuming searching through all the information. I found several valuable resources and hope to find other educators around the WORLD to share ideas with. I would love for my class to join a group in order for my students to see the views and opinions of other students their age.
The Ning network was a little confusing for me. The interlinking of groups and networks keeps my head spinning, but I'm going to stay with it. I really believe this can be an excellent resource for my classroom and how to teach my students better.

Thing #22 - Explore social networking

I chose to create a Facebook profile.  I have already reconnected with several people with whom I graduated high school.  It's a neat way to keep in touch and socialize.  I can see where people get consumed with social networks.  

1. Why is it important that educators know how social networking works?

Kids are constantly on the sites and it helps educators relate with their students better and gain insight into what motivates them.
2. What new insights did you gain about these popular sites?

I was surprised at who i was able to locate on Facebook.
3. What did you like or dislike about each of the sites you explored?

Facebook seems more appropriate for adults.  I really don't have the time or want to create an elaborate page.
4. Which site had the most useful features?

MySpace
5.Can you see an educational application for any of these sites?

You could create a join a network of educators or create a school network in order to share ideas.

Thing #7a and #7b - Google Reader revisited

Will Richardson's blog Transparency = Leadership thoroughly expresses my concerns about collaboration, the online community, and the hesitancy of educators to jump in.  

For math teachers, I also found a the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives which allows hands on"line" activities.

Tech Learning had an interesting post Embed Files with Ease that directs you to Embedit.in. Tech Learning had bookoos of information that was helpful.  I highly recommend subscribing to that blog.

Thing #21 - Google's not just for searching anymore

I tried several of the tools, such as alerts, iGoogle, calendar, and Google sites. I really like the compatibility that Google offers its users.  I created my own iGoogle Home Page.  

I also created a Google Site Our Davis Four.  It is definitely a work in progress. This would be a great way for our family and friends to see what we have been doing.   I know that having a teacher or team site is very helpful for parents and students.  My team, the Navigators has our own website, check it out.  The Navigator Team.  I enjoy creating, sharing, and using a computer.  It is a shame that we don't teach more of this to our students.  You would be surprised at how few of them actually know these tools and how to use them.  We truly need to open up the door to collaboration with are kids and the internet and google is a fascinating way to do it.

Thing # 20 - Google Docs

I am so loving Google right now. Just the other day, my daughter was trying to type something using a text application because her laptop does not have Microsoft Word. Now, I can show her how to use Google Docs to type her papers and access them from anywhere online. I actually created an account for my husband and showed him how to use the Google Reader to subscribe to Physical Education and Sports feeds.

Here are a few ways I could use this in the classroom or professionally:

1. You could actually have students create a document for their homework assignment instead of writing it on paper.

2. Teachers or team teachers could create a collaborative document of useful sites and links that students or colleagues could access.

3. As a math teacher, I could create or have students create a form and conduct an actual survey. The results could be easily reviewed and in a spreadsheet.

I created a Navigator Information Form using Google docs that I hope to use at the beginning of each school year to retrieve student information.

Thing #19 - Voicethread

I found several Voicethreads that could be used in my classroom. I think this is a great way to give students a voice in your classroom. This would be a great way to incorporate technology into the classroom. I could have students explain and create their own math lessons. For my personal life I could keep a video diary, send video greetings to family members, or even create memories of my children speaking about different topics. Here's one voice thread I could use in my math class.

Isolating a Variable

Thing #18 - You too can YouTube

I am very familiar with YouTube and TeacherTube. I found several videos that would be useful to show in my class. Are we still limited to showing only clips of these videos or can we show the entire thing? After, searching through the videos, this would be a great project for my students to do. They could create skits about a subject or teach a lesson. Some of the videos i came across were music videos that taught certain mathematical concepts, such as order of operations and the quadratic formula. I know my daughter, who is a 7th grader, enjoys videoing herself and posting them to YouTube. Here's one of hers!

Thing #17 - Podcasts: no iPod needed!

• I previewed the follwong podcasts: dansmathcast ourcitypodcast Cranbrook Composers' Podcasts
  
• What did you think? I really enjoyed the podcasts that were created by the students. Some of the podcasts created by adults were boring to me. I would like to have video to go along with it, especially for math.
  
• Which directories did you search and were you able to find podcasts of value?I was able to find video podcasts in iTunes. It does take some time to go through them to see if the content is appropriate for your lesson.
• Do you have any ideas about incorporating existing podcasts into your classroom or professional learning? I could have my students create their own podcasts that teach a math subject.
  

Thing #16 - LibraryThing: Where Books Meet Web 2.0

I did tons of searching on Library Thing. I found several books that I am interested in reading based on the suggestions. I was amazed at how many books I have read. You really don't realize it until you put it in print or web. I could use Library Thing to find books with math content. I'm always trying to find usable math information for my classroom. This site would be a great place to compile books for our students to read or write their own reviews.

Thing #15 - Social bookmarking and tagging with Delicious

I found several sites that I added to my Delicious account. This is a great way to create a list of sites for students to use instead of turning then loose on the internet. In the past, I have used Delicious for class projects. I did have trouble getting my bookmarks to come up on the misd23things Wiki but they were on the misd23things delicious site. So, I'm not use what I have done wrong.

Thing #7a and #7b - Google Reader revisited

I have checked my reader at least 2 to 3 times a week and have found some interesting resources. Basic Math Blog is a helpful blog with lessons and mathematical information. Techlearning had an article by Traci Dunbar about Using Games to Reinforce Pre-Algebra and Algebra that was useful, also. If you would like a good read on social networking and education, check out Will Richardson's blog Social Media is Here to Stay or Social Networking Technologies in Education by Dallas McPheeters.

Thing #14 - Discovering web 2.0 tools

I tried several of the web 2.0 tools that were listed and some not listed. I used Survey Monkey earlier this year to poll my students on their prior math knowledge and their technology level. It was a great way to see what my students knew especially in regards to technology before I incorporated blogs into my curriculum. Poll Daddy was very similar to Survey Monkey. I liked the embeddable feature and the ability to customize the look of your poll. I really liked Quizlet because I have been looking for some way to ask my students review questions online. I also checked out 30 Boxes. I could see several uses for this tool. I've been needing an online calendar, because I have one on my work computer and one on my home computer. This way I can use only one calendar and have the ability to share my children's sporting event times with their grandparents. I just love the internet and the social sharing of ideas. I did notice that many of the web 2.0 tools were "linked' with several other social websites like Flickr, Facebook, and MySpace to name a few. The realm of sharing is endless indeed!

Thing #13 - Online image generators

Creating images with image generators was fun.  I can use several of these for my personal use.  My daughter got a kick out of her fake magazine cover that I used at Custom Sign Generator.  All the mashups were very user friendly to use as long as you have an image.  I especially like the Happy Face Generator because it is very good at getting my message across to my students.

What do you think!

Thing #12 - Create A Slideshow

My slideshow demonstrates the Order of Operations visually and with words. See it on my wiki page, High Side. The Slide.com site was very user friendly.

Thing #11 Stretch

I tried the Mosaic Maker mashup and the result was this. I think my students could really get in to this. This would definitely give them a tool to express themselves and to visually "see" math in action. I love taking and sharing pictures, especially those of my 2 beautiful babies. I wouldn't mind if someone were able to use them for good purposes. I'm signing up for my own Flickr account to organize my personal pictures.

The Flickr Color Pickr is way cool. Decorators beware!

1. cylinder, 2. Gustav Peichl museum roofscape, 3. sky sphere, 4. The Futurescope cube

Thing #11 - Photosharing with Flickr

Flickr is a wonderful site. I learned how to search for photos and videos. I recently had training over Promethean slates and had to create a flipchart. The Flickr photos are gave me some ideas. I started looking for different 3 dimensional shapes to add to my flipchart and realized I wanted to focus my search. I narrowed it by finding 3D shapes in architecture. There were still thousands to choose from. I wanted to show my students examples of shapes in real-life. As I scanned through the educational uses for Flickr, I found Darren Kuropatwa's Fascinating Flickr Assignment to be very helpful. Instead of me looking for photos to show my students examples, I could have them find their own examples and compile them on a wiki. Collaboration and technology at its best! My favorite photo is by Milton CJ called Skysphere.

Thing # 10 - Creative Commons

I have never head of creative commons.  I think it is a useful idea.  I truly ope we are moving towards a world of collaboration where one's ideas can easily and legally be expanded upon.  I have never t noticed the cc logo before but I don't pay much attention to any logo for that matter.  I will make an effort to look for it going forward.  I did a cc search and found a wide variety of online resources.  I plan on investigating and searching more.  This class is definitely teaching and inspiring me to learn more about collaboration and how I can share it with my students in the classroom.

Thing #9 - Play in the wiki sandbox

I love, love, love the wiki page, High Side  and all its tools, gadgets, and gizmos.  My family was impressed and thought my Voki was neat.  I will be showing my 12 year old daughter how to make her one.  I plan on trying to use this in my classroom during tutoring and note-taking sessions.  Each class could add vocabulary terms, processes, sample problems, fun math sites to visit, and links to my student blogs, Study Island and more.  The possibilities seem endless.  Hopefully, I can get the rest of the math department on board and participate in some true collaboration.  

Thing #8 - Stretch

I chose the word "bling" to search on wikipedia.  (Why, I don't know. )  The content appeared reliable, relevant, and well written.  There were some discussions and even an article written on the subject of "bling."  What I found most interesting was the reference to the "end of bling".  I know that wikipedia will not allow just anyone to edit their pages without review.  I think this has helped its reliability and should be taken into consideration when creating your own wiki page.

Thing #8 - What in the world is a wiki?

I looked at several class wikis.  I noticed that there were very little discussions posted on the wikis. Most of the pages had links imbedded within them.  In fact, the wiki Code Blue only had links.  When viewing the history tab, I noticed that only a few people were actually editing the pages.  On the Kindergarten Counting Book, the teacher has used photos taken by the students to create a wiki page, yet the students did not actually collaborate online.  I think the idea is fabulous, but I'm not sure the wiki was used in the manner it should.  I really was inspired by the Primary Math wiki.  I have been looking for something "Different" to use with my students who need extra tutoring for the math TAKS (ugh, bad word I know!!) test.  Having them collaborate on what tools, processes, skills, etc.  they will need for each objective might help them understand what is required of them.  Hopefully it can help them study also, similar to the coolcatteacher's Study Hall wiki created by her students.  I definitely want my wiki to be something the students will go to on their own.  Getting them to "buy in" and see the benefits is going to be clue.  Also, giving them access to computers is always an issue.  

Thing #7 Creating Community Through Commenting

Commenting is the "thread" that ties blogs together. The thoughts and ideas of others spark inspiration in readers. As I have read through blogs, I have been encouraged to try and make my comments more appealing and thought-provoking. I like to read blogs to get ideas, but until this class I seldom wanted to comment for fear that people didn't want to know my point of view. I don't want to come across the wrong way, but I do see now as this class progresses that commenting is extremely important to the relevance of a blog. I was recently reading about a guy whose wife died 4 days after giving birth to their daughter and he began to blog (I can't remember where I read this information to give you the blog address, but I will keep looking and post it if I find it) about his experiences for healing and for his daughter to know what it was like for him and her in those days, weeks, months after the mother's death. The article, which reinforces the important of commenting, mentioned that the father's blog has so many followers, mostly women, who have helped him through is ordeal. One reader, who was male, didn't understand why his wife was so enthralled with helping this man until he, too read his blog and sent his own comments. What an amazing situation where a tragedy can be turned into a positive, helpful experience through blogging.

Thing #6 Feed Your Reader

My reader is overflowing with information. I found some interesting educational information on Weblogg-ed. I've been searching for middle school math blogs and came across Expert Voices which is for math and science both. It is separated into so many categories. In the past, I have found very useful tips, ideas, or activities reading through teacher's blogs. I've tried to incorporate these ideas into my classroom this year and have had success. I had my students create there own blog and I am following their blogs. Now I need to get better at asking the "right" types of questions to get their juices flowing. If anyone has some math blogs to share, my reader is hungry.

Thing #5

This class is so cool!!!  I'm already passing on my new knowledge to my colleagues.  Where have I been?  Life-long learning at its best. 

 As I was perusing my collections of blogs, news feeds, and podcasts (I hear something), I came across an article about VoiceThread an online networking site where students can have a voice.  Students can leave digital comments, create stories or documentaries.  My students love being "heard".  I could have them explain the process for finding surface area of a cylinder or share their ideas and thoughts about our class via recorded message.  There's an Inaugurtion Voice Thread with digital comments from students.  Amazing!  They get to have a voice about the historic events and can share it online.  

I can't wait to experience what else this class has to teach me.  Adding to my reader has become a new endeavor for me.  Watch out technology, here I come!

Thing #4

The genre of blog writing is witty, informative, opinionated, and informal. It seems to be whatever you want it to be. I like to read while relaxing in the tub. Though it's not entirely impossible, I seem to be having some trouble reading blogs in this situation. When I write a blogs, you never quite sure who your audience my be. I sometimes feel if I am writing to myself and I already know my point a view. I struggle with people hearing my voice. Why would they? Not that I don't have a lot to say. I'm very talkative. Also, I noticed that blog writing has its own unique symbols. My daughter does them sometimes. The emoticons. I haven't quite to take the mastered what these mean. ;> I definitely noticed a difference between adult and student blogging. I was so impressed with the "Scribe Post" and how the students were so creative and encouraging with their posts and comments. I want to try and incorporate this in to my own classroom.

Things 1 and 2

THING #1: REFLECTIONS ON LIFELONG LEARNING

The most challenging habit for me is creating my own tool box. I'm getting better. I've added a blog to my toolbox this year and used it in the classroom. Check out some of my pages and let me know what you think. http://crdavis.edublogs.org/week1

Viewing problems as challenges is the easiest habit for me. I may complain a little along the way, but I love to solve problems. (Yes, I teach math). I like to try new things and I love technology.

The most important habit for me is to keep the end in mind. I'm a goal-minded individual, and have to constantly remind my self I'm moving towards my goals. There are so many things, excuses, reasons,bumps in the road, or whatever to get you discouraged. I try to keep looking ahead. I'm looking forward to the experience and lengthening my learning.

THING #2: THOUGHTS ABOUT 2.0

I'm excited about all this new information. The Web 2.0 tools have already improved my teaching style in the classroom. We need to be teaching our children these 21st Century skills. I started a blog this year for my classroom. It has been successful but I haven't learned how to use it as a well as I would like. Availability of computers for my students is another. My daughter has the benefit of a school issued laptop, as well as, at home. I've seen her make her own videos, edit them, and post them. We've searched sites to help her learn history better. Teaching needs to keep up with technology. Students are bored and we need to show them the world. I'm not afraid to try new things.

The sample bogs gave me some ideas. It would be great to post blog videos. I'm going to have to try that next. I like the Writeboard tool. too. My own personal online note pad! I wish I would have though of that.

Speaking of Writeboard, here's my first attempt at that. My Web 2.0 Notes