Reflections

Some of the tools used here were those covered in 23 Things. It was nice to revisit them and remember what I liked about them.

I am a fan of technology, and I think we need to be careful in our choices of what to use in the classroom. We must make sure that what we use and what we incourage our students to use has real value - the tool should be used for substance not as a parade float. A tool (noun: the means whereby some act - hopefully, connected to learning-is accomplished) is by definition meant to be utilitarian.

Big surprise: I think I may be converted to the use of social bookmarking.

Tool #11

1. Responsibility - the news is filled with examples to discuss with students: responsibility to the truth and the responsibility to each other. Included in the conversations should be the consequences for the misuse of the internet. The internet should not be treated as a childish toy or used maliciously.

2. Durability - what is said now, what is posted now, will be around for a very long time.

3. Authenticity - if what we use is not ours, give credit.

4. Gullibility - all web pages, blogs, wikis, videos, podcasts, etc. are not created equally- verify, verify, verify- be an informed consumer of internet content. " Be not like dumb, driven cattle!" Voices of the Night: A Psalm of Life - Longfellow

Tool #10

I have had an ITouch for a couple of years which probably makes it ancient. I use it mostly for music and audio books. I don't know whether it is because it is 'old' or not, but I find using the internet on it very cumbersome and slow. Using the IPad in the classroom would be far more useful than the ITouch.

I have enjoyed downloading videos which may be one way to use in the classroom. I have also made frequent use of the WordBook app.

Tool #9

Jing would be helpful in creating quick video 'how to's': use of a software program, how to get to certain resources on the internet, etc.

I have used Skype fequently for calls to family - especially to my grandson. I have also used Skype for video conferencing with teachers at other schools and assume our students would be able to conference with students at other schools in the district.

Tool #8

This link is to a Discovery Education video on 1984 which I think could be used as a model when moving the students toward writing literature analysis essays.

http://gtm-media.discoveryeducation.com/videos/11819/pgr11819_256k.asf?sami=http://gtm-media.discoveryeducation.com/videos/11819/pgr11819.smi

I just love this Rube Goldberg video from OkGo. I had to download the video when I watched it because it kept buffering. I'm sure somebody can figure out why/how to use it.

Tool #7

There are innumerable uses for digital story telling in the classroom: documenting research work, explaining a process, pictorial expression of a written piece, picture dictionaries, etc. etc. I think PhotoStory is particularly easy and fast to use.

Tool #6

I have used wikis in online classes collaborating on research.

Recently, I used a wiki when my sisters and I were compiling an invitation list for my mother's birthday. Some of us had the names, some had the addresses, and/or some had telephone numbers. It was much easier than multiple phone calls and overlapping emails. We also composed the invitation using the wiki.

Tool #5

I joined diigo and can see many benefits:
note taking
ease of screen shots
quick display of web sites on Activeboard
sharing of information with committee members

I ocated these two sites in my searches for writing about war:
wartime , correspondence, Ernie Pyle
http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/erniepyle/wartime-columns/

wartime, poetry
http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=602

Tool #4

I have used Google Docs while taking a Region IV class on distance instruction. My teammates and I were able to colaborate on reports and senarios we were setting up. Much less trouble and fewer headaches than doing the same thing through emails, attachments, and documents using tracking changes.

I have also used Google Reader - NPR items- and find that I just don't get in the habit of checking often. I don't understand the need to use Google Reader to follow blogs of the 11 Tools because Blogspot tracks them for me already.

Tool #3

I used Spell w/ Flickr for one of my favorite words: recalcitrant. I am in favor of most things that incourage students to play with words - they begin to notice words and become aware of the words being used around them in text and audio. Can't be bad.

I have done a book with Shutterfly, but won't share it here.

Used Wordit:
worditout.com/word-cloud/9602

Tool #2

1. Participating in a PLN keeps us fresh and open to ideas.
2. Commenting/giving feedback directly and meaningfully to colleagues or students is the best way to insure continued participation in PLNs and student/classroom discussions.

The blogs I chose to follow are:

Amy Houser http://ahouser71.blogspot.com/
Cheryl Wegscheid http://cwegs.blogspot.com/
Tracy Williams http://williamswonderfulworldofenglish.blogspot.com/
Patty Carr http://patty-carr.blogspot.com/
Doris Gates http://waisscience.blogspot.com/