One Last Thing!

Outside Gatlinburg, Tennessee on 7-19-10

This was an excellent opportunity to learn new technology skills. These were all 'stretch' activities for me. I am on overload with skills and wondering how I can use them all at once so I don't forget them. However, the best way is to make a plan (using Google docs) including where & how to use each skill. Also, Include the class assignments. Then use the Google docs document as a reference.

Don't overwhelm myself. Approach it deliberately. The idea is to use what I have learned. This is the 1st part of the plan. So, it appears there is always another mountain to climb.

# 19 Audio, Images and video with Voicethread

This is a tool that can be used easily for activities in the classroom. You will need to take a picture and record information with a microphone, phone it in, or do written text about the picture. Ex. the picture above is what is seen from the window of a cousin at our family reunion in Tennessee, today. Each person can add information about their impression of what is seen or the reactions they had as they drove up the mountain to the lodge. Thumbnail size pictures appear around it and you click on it to get the message once recorded. This is a way of involving all people and causing one to think deeper about what is happening or learned. This has numerous possibilities.

Of course this involves joining to access this. It is free to k-12 classroom teachers.

#18 Intro. to Video Sharing

I enjoyed the school administrators' YouTube video pardoy of a Nextel TV ad used as a friendly reminder to principals' to complete their Classroom Walk Thrus by the deadline.

My 2nd criteria tags used education, student performance and testing.

Teacher Tube
I was unable to see the videos. The video would start and an ad for weight loss would begin. I figure, you must join Teacher Tube to avoid this. Or there was something else I needed to do.

These videos can be used to introduce a concept, or present a piece of information in a more interesting manner. Ex. Lincoln giving the Gettysburg Address at Appomattox by an actor dressed as Lincoln.
Great tools, there will have to be a filter of ads and inappropriate sites. An article suggested, the teacher pull the video needed for class on a flash drive and present it. This avoids these issues. Does not allow for exploration.

#17 Intro. to Pocasting`

I began with the video explanation of a pod cast. Afterwards, I watched a 1st grade class's poetry podcast at Jamestown Elem.

Then, reviewed a pod cast news story in Learning Matters reporting a 1/3 of the Detroit Superintendent's salary is being paid by two companies that have interest in Charter Schools. Also, an audio only, 60 second in length, science podcast which were both placed in my feeder.

I understand that I-Tunes needs a software download to run a Podcast and has more podcast material available than anyone. Yet, their are others that do not require software downloads and are in mp3 format.

#23 Other Social Networks

I explored and joined Ning, saw a slide show in Classroom 2.0 named Eight Ways to Get to Know Your Class, looked at a list of 200+ other Social Networks. Discovered in the past,I've participated on CaringBirdge (didn't know what it was, but now I do) with 2 friends. One who received a Kidney transplant at the Mayo Clinic in Florida. Yes, it was in Florida.

My comment at this point is, I'm on password overload. However, there are numerous ways to use these social tools with students, professionally & socially because of the wide purposes or categories for each Social Network.

Yet, when used in schools these tools should be utilized with specific assignments.

#15 Why Use Social Bookmarking?

I have watched a couple of videos explaining how Social Media is a way of connecting with large numbers of people positively. Then as I clicked on tags I found this one that supports the idea. Ben & Jerry ice cream has stopped its E-mail advertisements and only using the social network. This shows how more effective and economical it is.

This is the link to my Delicious account.

#22 Face Book & More

I watched the above video posted by Lee LeFever On Social Networking in Plain English. His videos are helpful in explaining the lesson concept. Also, I read articles discussing a Supreme Court decision allowing employers to look in company owned employee issued equipment(cells, computers, etc.), and watched tutorials on setting a Facebook & My Space account. In addition, saw a a video showing how various age students are using video to explain creations, and other projects (Show & Tell).

I signed up for Face Book and requested friends. I choose networking only as my personal setting.
I question the amount of information available to people when visiting a site. I noticed numerous warnings on various sites that anyone can view your information once posted.
I am unsure if I thought was easier to navigate than the other.