Thing 23

Well, here I am posting my final blog. It was an interesting journey. I did learn a lot. I now know words like podcasting, slideshare, google docs and wiki. Plus I can say I am the proud owner of a blog and a wiki.

I must admit some of the things I don't think I will use at this point. Some of the RSS things I wasn't that impressed with. But I did love googledocs, the podcasting and the wiki. I can see using these to improve my teaching and to share ideas with friends. I have been practicing embedding code into the wiki so I can share on line videos for school with other first grade teachers.

I think what I am going to have to keep doing is practicing. All this new info and I am still not sure I know how to use it all. But I am better.

I will think about a blog for parents. Not sure if I am ready to go there yet but I can see how it could be a useful tool.

I feel proud that I have learned so much about the new technology that is out there. Our world is changing fast as far as technology goes. It is very amazing. Now I at least feel like I have an idea of what is out there.

For those still doing it my advice is "stick with it!" There were evenings I was so frustrated and went to bed mad at my computer. But then around 3am I would have a brainstorm. The next day I would try it out and most of the time it worked. Skip gave the best advice..step back, wait and then come back and try again. We are smarter than the computer. At times it didn't seem that way but I feel like I won the battle. I finished.

The end result is worth it. 2 CEUs and more knowledge. I am glad I did it.

Thing 22: My wiki

http://springflowersinct.wikispaces.com/

A work in progress but I have a wiki. I plan on adding some info on reading, math, science etc. to share with my colleagues. Ideas for resources, lesson plans and interesting links. I think this type of a tool can come in very handy. I need to play around with it and see if this is the type of a site that would hold some of our plans for the smartboard lessons we are making or do we just save them to the desktop? Not sure but as I said a work in progress.

I am still confused between the wiki and the blog. Not sure what the real difference is but I guess I will figure it out. I guess with the wiki I can organize things differently. I have done a page for each subject area.

Thing 22 a wikki

After playing around with my wikki I have decided to wait till I get to school. I think then I will attempt to put some of my documents from school on there and try to set up a site that 1st grade teachers would find helpful. That is assuming they are interested. So I think this Thing will take awhile but will start this coming week. Stay tuned! Mr. Skip....get ready! I think I will be coming to ask your help on this one but who knows...maybe I can handle it. Happy Weekend!

Thing 21

I enjoyed exploring wiikis this morning over my cup of coffee. Again neat stuff out there. I really enjoyed the wikki that the Arbor Heights Elementary School created. To me it seemed like a great idea for parents to get info on the school. All the important upcoming dates were there, there were links to other sites, a place for comments and other interesting info. I could see creating a wikki for Driscoll school or even more specifically one just for First Grade at Driscoll. We could include info on how to complete our reading/writing homelinks. This project is often done incorrectly by parents. We could keep a list of suggested readings for the summer, extra ideas for math practice. Parents would be able to view and make comments about items that might be presenting a problem for them. Not sure who would manage the site, set it up and then be kind of in charge. Something else for the team leader? A separate job? But in this economy it wouldn't be an item listed on schedule C for sure. I think it does have great potential though. Just not sure how to handle it.

In school the other day Skip and I were talking about putting the reading plans that teachers have developed up on something like this. Then the paras or even teachers for that matter could look up the book they are doing for their reading group for the day. If they have another idea to add they could then do that or comment on what they found hard. Of course maybe this would be better then on goggle docs. Not sure.

We could make a summer reading list on a wikki for elementary children. I did look at some that were based on literature books. That would be neat but again who would manage that? Teachers, as you know are already very busy. All this technology is great but something else has to give in order to free up time for all this new learning. This still remains my number one concern with all this technology. Finding the time to do it all. Last night I spent my entire evening online doing podcasting, slideshare etc. As a result the dishes didn't get done and no laundry and no walk for me. I just hope all of this doesn't turn us all into people running to get on line. But then here I am at 6:15AM on a Sat. morning on line doing wikkis. Oh no maybe I have been bitten by the techi bug?

Maybe I should save all this for Thing 23 my reflection. Now it is time to create my own wikki. I think I started that last night by mistake. Look for me at springflowersinct I think that is my wikki.

Thing 20

Well, this has been an interesting evening. Who needs cable tv now! I am a pro at subscribing to podcasts. I found a fun one called Learn Spanish with Comentarios. I subscribed to that and now I can practice my Spanish in the evening. For those of you who know what we hope to do..this will help me get ready for retiring in Costa Rica in case it really happens. If it does just think I can podcast to all my friends back in Wilton.

I also subscribed to a site called Everything Everywhere which is a combination podcast and blog by a guy named Gary. He has been traveling the world since 2007 writing or should I say blogging about his adventures.

Why wait for retirement. Now that 23 Things has taught me all this new info I can do what I have always wished I could. Quit my job and travel the world. I almost did it back in 1992 but that is when I ended up here in Wilton. Figured I was too young to not work and just travel. Well, now maybe I have the motivation. Food for thought. Have to see what Thing 21 adds to my newly found skills.

Thing 19 Podcasting

I just finished with two different podcasts. One for my personal life and one for school. I wanted to see the podcast from the San Diego Zoo but it was closed down because of an overload of people wanting to see the new baby panda. That is exactly why I wanted to go on. Will have to try back later.

I found a nice one on gardening. I was surprised to see it was by Connie Nelson. Maybe a distant relative of my husband. This will help me this year as I am branching out with the gardening. I have started all my veggies and this weekend I am starting a fruit garden. Blueberries and raspberries. So I am hoping to get hints out of this site.

For school I found a podcast that is all about different stories for children. I can use this at school maybe. Not sure if it is blocked or not. I can however share this with parents. Maybe they didn't know that you can download stories for children to listen to for free. I sure didn't know. I can use it this summer when my grandson comes to visit.

I think the podcasting is neat. I loved the example podcast that I listened to. It made me realize how easy it would be to live overseas today with all the technology out there. I could have been like that couple in Tokyo and set up a podcast. Then my family could have seen what I was up to and felt like they were there with me. I remember sending videos I made so my mom could see what life was like for me in Kobe, Japan. Times have changed since the 80's but wow! I do find it very amazing. Okay,,, I am rambling now so off to do Thing 20.

Home Garden: Dirt on Gardening Podcast by Connie Nelson#plink

Home Garden: Dirt on Gardening Podcast by Connie Nelson#plink

Posted using ShareThis

Thing 19

http://storynory.com/

Thing 18

I wish I had found this slide show a month ago. We just finished a study of Japan in First Grade. Some of these slides would have been neat to share on my smartboard. I did try to embed another one with an interactive alphabet but didn't have luck with it. This one I had better luck. I think like with youtube, a lot of this info can be used in the class when we are doing science, social studies,etc. I wonder though if it is blocked at school? Though I did recently learn that I can save a youtube video on a flashdrive and then bring it to school for the class to see. I am learning slowly but making progress.

I would be interested in creating a new power point presentation for open house and posting it on slideshare. It would be great for those parents who couldn't make open house. But would I be able to include photos of my class with children? Or just info on the class? Not sure what the district guidelines are on that.

It was a fun tool to explore. Again lots of neat things out there.

Geography of Japan

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Geography of Japan

View more presentations from rey belen.

(Interactive) Phonetic Alphabet -Only When Downloaded

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

(Interactive) Phonetic Alphabet -Only When Downloaded

View more presentations from Patrick Pawlowski.

Thing 17

These on line tools are neat. I had fun exploring them. My favorite was "remember he milk". I signed up for that and added my husband's email to my account. Now I can send him reminders of things that need to be done. I can now have a virtual "Honey Do" list. I am happy...hope he is too. I also explored the "which date works" tool. I like this for family members and summer vacations. Our family is very spread out and between us going to see people and people coming to us it gets confusing. I can refer people to this site and hopefully I won't end up with a houseful of company on the same date.

I was excited to check out Kowtes the flashcard tool but it was closed down.

I want to continue exploring dabbleboard, sriblkink and skrb for school. They all sound interesting and might be of use to me at school. I do need to play more with those.

This is another thing that I found very helpful and something I will use.

Thing 16 google docs

WOW! I like this thing! I am impressed. I think this is the first thing that I could really say I can see me using. It is great for meetings, summer work, placement the list goes on. I think it would be really useful in the upper grades. Imagine the possibilites of students colaborating together? I can see my students perhaps using it for graphs and me for gathering information from parents at the beginning of the year. I am excited about getting the info back from my 5 friends. I hope the next thing is this exciting! I am energized to keep going. I have to say the other things weren't all the exciting to me but this is amazing!

Thing 15

I signed up for the NY Times and the New Haven Register's feed. I do think it is neat that you can get the paper on line. Not sure if I can get use to reading the paper on line as compared to the kitchen table in the morning over my cup of coffee. I suppose I could try to start and it would save money and it would help my household to go green. Then I wouldn't need to subscribe to the paper. But then what do I use to start my fires in the woodburning stove? Such problems. I do think RSS is easier to understand. I can add and delete items now very easily. I have to admit that this was the first time back on the site since Thing 5 so no it is not an obsession or even a habit yet. I just have to find more time in the day to do it all. It is exciting to know just how much info is out there. As a result of Wilton's 23 Things my husband to surprise me with my own laptop. Now we sit in the living room after dinner each with our own laptop. Not sure if I like where that is going. Emailing each other when dinner is ready? Interesting. For now it is on to Thing 16.

Thing 13 continued

admit better bit blog code comments computer continued delicious dianne done educational embedding facebook fancy felt flower found friend fun getting heard hopefully http important learn mashup mention mr nelson net perhaps pm posted sites skip start tag things think trouble tv view watching websites week widget words work writing

created at TagCrowd.com

thing 13 DONE!

admit better bit blog code comments continued delicious dianne done educational embedding facebook fancy felt flower found friend fun getting heard help hopefully http mashup mention mr munch nelson net perhaps pm posted problem share sites skip start sunday things think trouble tv video view watching week widget work writing

created at TagCrowd.com

I think the tagging in this thing would be very helpful when using other computers to find your favorite websites. With a site like delicious you can keep all of your favorite websites in one spot. As far as the tag cloud I think it is neat but not sure how I would use it with first graders. I suppose if I had a class blog I could do something like this for the parents with important words from subject areas we are learning about. Maybe I could have the children respond to a book we read in class by giving me words that make them think of part of the story and then I could create the tag cloud. I must admit I don't really understand what the purpose is except it looks neat and adds a creative flair to my blog.

Thing 14

http://delicious.com/ct_lady_di

Here is the link to my delicious account. I think once I get better at figuring this out I can see where it will come in handy with coworkers. We will be able to share sites that we found to be helpful. We could mention it at lunch time and then when we have the time check out the bookmarked site that our friend mentioned. Right now I don't have many sites to add but will work on it.

I did skip over Thing 13 as I am having trouble with the java code again. So I will go back to that thing later in the week.

thing 12 continued

I was a bit nervous doing thing 11. I wasn't sure if it would work or not since I had so much trouble with the mashup and embedding that code. I felt so good once I found my two items and put them in without any trouble. Both worked the first time. So yes, I am getting much better at embedding code into my Blog. I am also pleased that my blog is getting a bit more exciting. I remember looking at Mr. Skip's when I first started and he had all the fancy things. Now I am getting fancy too.

I still don't really understand why teens today are so into the social networking. I know my niece was down visiting back in Dec. and I was amazed at how much time she spent on line with Facebook. I guess they just like to be in contact all the time and enjoy sharing every little thing that they do. The only thing I have liked is that I am spending time doing this instead of perhaps watching TV. If I was watching TV I would want to be munching. I find as I work on the computer, I don't get the urge to munch. So maybe I should start doing more on my blog, with Facebook, etc and then I can loose weight. I do have to admit that it has been fun and I am impressed with what is out there.

Thing 12

Get a Voki now!

Thing 8 done?!?

back to thing 8 hopefully

http://metaatem.net/words/flowers

Thing 11

I posted several comments to my friend's blogs. I do think commenting is important because otherwise it feels like you are just writing stuff and no one is out there. I know I was thrilled when I first heard from you last week. I finally felt like my writing was being read by someone who cares. I loved the positive feedback. I should have commented on Mr. Skip's blog and perhaps I would have heard back from him over the weekend about my problem. As my friends do more things I can see commenting on them as we learn together.

Thing 10 continued

Well, we are back where we were with thing 8. I cannot get the video downloaded. I think it is the same problem as the mash up thing. I noticed that on the lower left of the blog there is a small circle that rotates and it says processing video but it never seems to finish. I waited 30 minutes and still nothing. What am I doing wrong on this part? HELP!!!!!

Thing 10

Here is the life cycle video of the butterfly (I hope)

Thing 9

Well, my faith was restored in my computer ability. I was able to complete this Thing. Still no luck on posting my mash up from thing 8 though so I wanted to go ahead while I was in the mood.

I have heard about this thing but haven't really checked it out until now. It is rather neat finding all these videos. Maybe I can cut down on my cable bill. There sure was lots of stuff to keep one occupied.

I did enjoy viewing a few science videos. We do life cycle of plants, butterflies and frogs in first grade. I could upload these video files and with ZamZar save them onto my SmartBoard. I am taking SmartBoard tomorrow for staff development and hopefully will have time to put some of these videos to use.

I do agree that the teacher would have to be very careful in previewing the entire video first to make sure all is okay. I think it has great applications for the classroom. I am excited.

I left a comment on the site of the life cycle of the butterfly. It will be interesting to see if I hear back from the person. Fun stuff for sure.

Thing 8 cont.

Okay I am confused and getting frustrated. My husband and I have both been trying to put my memory game on my blog. We are having major problems. What are we doing wrong? I get the url address but my game doesn't come through. Hmmm this one is hard

http://www.pimpampum.net/memry/enter.php

Thing 8

http://www.pimpampum.net/memry/enter.php

Here is a link for a memory game. This would be fun for 1st graders on the smartboard.

These are cool sites. I am having fun. Not sure if I attached this one correctly though

Thing 7

After a busy day outside I took a break and added some pictures of the yard from last year. I did learn that you have to use the correct computer. I used the laptop sitting outside and all the photos weren't there. I asked my husband where the good ones were later on and they are on our main computer. Well, I did find these.

What I couldn't figure out how to do was add text to the photos. I ended up doing another posting to write my reflections.

I think this would come in handy at school for sharing photos with parents. Just not sure what the rules would be for pictures of the class on a blog. Outside of school it is great for sharing photos with family and friends.

Thing 7

Thing 6

Wow! I am feeling proud and happy at my new skill. Still not sure exactly how I did it but I got the picture. This is neat! I have to practice a lot more but it is amazing to think that any picture I might need for a lesson I can find it on line. Wow again. I remember my first few years of teaching I used the National Geographic magazine to find some many photos for my lessons. Boy, is that method outdated. I am assuming now that I have a smartboard in my class I can upload these photos onto that. Amazing.

So why did I pick this one photo? I am excited about spring and I just spent the afternoon raking out some garden beds. All those little flowers are just starting to stick out their heads looking for more sunshine. I cannot wait for the weekend so I can get down and dirty in the garden.

Spring Flower

Spring Flower, originally uploaded by Tactus68.

spring is but two days away. Yeah

Thing 5

Questions I have on RSS. How will I use it in class? How will I use it in my personal life?

I checked out the three blogs and added them to my folders. I did like the free things for teachers site. I always love to find a bargain. I did see some interesting worksheets and projects that I could use in my first grade class. I am not sure yet how I would use this outside of school but as far as school goes I think I can use blogs for ideas for the class. I remember when I first started teaching I would often head up to the teacher store to get ideas for my class and workbooks. Now I suppose I can just go on line and look or even post a blog and ask if anyone knows about what I am looking for. That is good for me but I guess bad for all the teacher stores.

I have to figure out how to add a picture to my blog like Mr. Skip did. I like his cute little character. I also know I need to spend a lot more time checking things out. I guess like all things we take it in small steps and we get there. It is interesting and at least now I have a better idea of what a blog is and how to find and use them.

Thing 4

How does one handle information overload and how will RSS help with organizing the information?

I guess this is my number one concern. How does one keep up with all the information. I have a hard enough time checking emails. When does one find the time to check Facebook, add blogs and respond to postings. I guess the RSS system will keep the blog postings all on one site but you still have to read them all. When does everything else get done? Does this just add to the teacher's already busy day? I still have lots of questions regarding all of this. It seems to be very time consuming.

I did put Mr. Skip's blog on my account and will add others as they join. I know Mrs. CLancy is doing the 23 things.

Thing 3: Blogging for Educational uses

1. How does a blog improve teaching and learning? I think blogging can help a teacher in several ways. I can see it being used more with the older children but think it can still be used in the lower grades.It can be used as a tool for communicating with parents. Instead of sending notes home with the students and hoping the notes make it home you can post a blog. Parents then can blog back and you know they get the info. Many times when we send home notes you never know for sure if the parents get them or not. It can be used as an interactive way of keeping parents informed about what is happening in class. As a teacher, I can use it to communicate with other teachers and to ask for feedback on situations I might have in my class. Of course, I would have to be careful I assume with mentioning names of students. I don't know if I could refer to my students in name on a blog or not. If a blog is out there for all to see is that a problem? Not sure.

2. How do I feel about blogging students and colleagues. I don't think I would have a problem with it. I do email parents often and will check my school email in the evening and on weekends. That said the problem with that is you never leave work behind. Parents email you and expect an answer back even if the school day is over. I guess if you don't mind spending the time it is a good way to have parents feel like they can be in contact with the teacher at any time. But should we have to be that accessible?

3. Concerns about blogging: I guess my biggest concern is that anyone can read what you post. At least with email you know it is only going to that one person but then I guess they too could share it with others. I think you have to use common sense and blog only general information. Any real issues still would need to be dealt with in person or with a phone call. Also, as I am sitting home today taking care of my husband who just had surgery, I am wondering who in wilton is reading this and wondering if I am doing this during school time instead of teaching? What happens if I am home sick one day with the flu and want to blog? Would the powers that be know that I am blogging and if I am well enough to blog am I well enough to teach? I don't know. Just wondering

As far as using a blog in my personal life I could have really appreciated this technology while I was teaching overseas about 20 years ago. It would have been so easy to stay in touch with family and friends. I think email, blogging and facebook are great things to have to keep people in touch who live far away. I remember waiting for mail and hoping I would get a letter from my family. Blogging would have been great because I could have set up my blog and my friends could have felt like they were right there in Japan with me. I guess that is progress.

Thing 2

Here are my reflections so far:

1. Why am I doing this? Not sure except I do think it is a way of the future. I need to know more about the sources of communication that are now out there. I do feel like there is soooo much I don't know when it comes to computers. I tend to let my husband deal with any problems I run into and that is not like me. I need to know more so I can do things on my own. I am also doing this for the CEUs. I figure I can kill two birds with one stone so to speak. Learn about the internet and get CEUs from the comfort of my house. That is kind of neat.

2. What do I want to learn? I want to learn about Twitter, blogging, podding and all those other things that I really have no idea what they are or what I do with them.

3. New insights: I think all of this technology takes time. I find with just keeping up with my two email accounts takes enough time. I am on Facebook and must admit I hardly ever check that. Now with blogging my fear is that I will be spending too much time on the computer. I like to be up and doing things not sitting. I would rather go out with friends and chat as compared to emailing and blogging what is new. But I guess on the plus side by blogging or posting on Facebook everybody knows what you are doing and what you are up too. which leads to the next thought.

4. Writing on the Internet: I have to admit that I think it is strange to just have stuff out there that anyone can read. I think you have to be very careful and think before you post things. Even just what I have written I am assuming anyone from Wilton who is doing the same project can read my thoughts along with probably lots of other people.

Now, I think I am done with Thing 2. What I am not sure of is does someone tell me I am done, do I assume I am done and move onto Thing 3?

So I guess with that I am signing off.

My first blog

Well, I guess now I can say I know how to blog. My poor husband is getting over kidney surgery and I am learning how to blog. Doesn't seem fair but it is something to pass the time with.

That is all for now.