One more thing...

To be honest, I suppose I'm just very lucky to have been raised in the technical age, and blessed to work in a school system that is very "big" on technology.

Most, if not all, of the "things" were not new to me... but they were, in hindsight, a good "refresher" course.

There were a few new things I picked up on - some things I had seen before, but never delved into... but all in all, I hope to use this blog (and those followed through it) to stay abreast of NEW and innovative ideas on how to best add technology into our classroom curriculum and daily planning.

Thing #23

This looks familiar.... I'm guessing IT'S where our "23 Things" was adapted from.

Creative Commons helped with this, as did the video clip.

I'll use this a lot to grab ideas from, and also to share to!

Thing #22

I listed to the DCI (Drum Corp International) "Your 2010 Season Ending Field Pass."

I picked this as it related closely to my field of expertise.

I often make podcasts, and my students do as well.  It's a great option for those that would prefer to  CREATE a project rather than PRESENT information.

Thing #21

Okay... for an online video maker... I suppose this is okay.  I see NOTHING here that makes me want to use this over iMovie or a more appropriate downloaded software.  iMovie offers the same idea, but in a much easier interface.  Still... for it being available online (and free - for the 30 second videos, anyway)... it's not bad.

Here's my quickly made video:
http://animoto.com/play/xs8ilFjq2yW41kK3cFu3mA

P.S. - I do like the automatic fade in/out of the music.

Thing #20

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2uNwFJEXO4

A quick video of our marching band from last year.

I think the idea of sites such as these are great to "get word out."  I know several politicians have found YouTube a much easier way to push their message/agenda.  Others have found out (in a not so enjoyable way) its usefulness in allowing users to give the same from one of their own speeches.

I think this (and iTunesU) will continue to lead toward more technology in education... I only remain concerned about its ability to be monitored IN the classroom.

Thing #19

I checked out the Ning website during our discussion on the online discussion board concerning it.  I found it lacking in several functions, and don't see the practicality of using such a site when sites such as Facebook or MySpace can be just as useful, are more popular, and only need monitoring/modifying to have the same purpose as Ning.

Thing #18

My Facebook Profile

I am "friends" with my superintendent, several co-teachers, current student parents, and several ex-students on this site.

I have found it a great way to communicate as well as discuss ideas.

If maintained properly, I could see students using this, as well... but I believe a separate account should be created (keeping professional and personal separate).

Thing #17

I've got a good friend that uses de.lic.ious often.  I just never really realized WHAT it was.  Here's a couple of his comments that I recently saw:

http://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/xml-rpc-and-delicious

His name's Andy Hill... but his handle is Bofe.  We roomed together during our undergraduate degrees at Murray State.

Thing #16

Online calendars...

I use iGoogle/Google Cal.

It's implemented well for my classroom, just keeping people aware of upcoming events/times/etc.

Check it out here:
http://www.todd.kyschools.us/teachers/davidcarmichael/Site/Band.html

Thing #15

We use wikis all the time for book studies at Todd County.  I see the usefulness of such tools... but you run into the same problems that you do with blogs - unless you keep them USEFUL and NEW, keeping folks involved and commenting is a hard chore.

Thing #14

Flow chart worked pretty well.  It reminded me of Prezi... but I think I think Prezi a bit more.

The mind map was sort of neat... but I really think (after looking at all of the options listed) that Prezi seems the most practical (although it clearly has its quirks, too!)

Thing #13

Note: I just realized I never got the last few of the 23 things on here.  Hoping I can still wrap it up... :-)

https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=0AtUjX4JV1c3gdE9CeEsxSWQ1cUszUEtRZDBEd0VLcWc&hl=en&output=html

My google doc.

Thing #12

I've used Google for a while... but I decided to go a bit further with it for this assignment.

I entered data into my Google calendar and linked it to my website via iWeb.  Now my students can see dates of upcoming events, fundraisers, etc. long before I even remember to remind them.  :-)

I also browsed around on iGoogle, setting it up to show my calendar, local weather, and news.  I'm not sure how to share this... so if anyone can comment and let me know, I'd appreciate it!  For now, I'll just attach this screenshot:

Thing #11

Google blog search is the easiest for me... but I'm a big fan of most things Google does (short of stupid things, like the phone it tried to market against the iPhone... *deep sigh*).  Generally searching for topics of interests seemed an easy enough way.

The most confusing was probably Topix.net... it took me a while just to figure out what I needed to type in the search bar to get a relevant result.

Lots of great feeds out there - SEVERAL on technology... others just on general good advice (found a great one on ways to communicate with parents in/outside of school).

Searching for usernames sometimes has surprising results, and gets you to were you want to go a little faster, too.

Thing #10

The obvious bonus of RSS feeds is the ability to have so much information available so quickly without having it take up so much room.

I subscribe to several feeds (esp. the technology ones) already.  It gives me a "leg up" on the students at school with new tricks, tips, and such.

If nothing else, I know how to flip the screen back around on a desktop, invert colors back to originals on the laptops, and get around other such things our little angels like to find to "torment the teachers."  :-)

I used ImageChef for this one.  I love Wordles... and the options on this site are nearly limitless.

HIGHLY recommend this one.

I think my students might be able to do something like this as part of a unit... maybe have them take one idea from this graphic, expound upon it, and then make another one for a word wall?

Thing #8

My thing #8 - my dream car, sliced into pieces for a game/puzzle.  Hat tip to Jigsawed.

I think these "mashups" could be a great thing for the classroom.  The idea of the Google map with actual pictures superimposed is a cool one - gives the student more than just a bunch of colored states to remember by giving them associated images with each state, etc.

I am always cautious of sharing photos online.  Between privacy (though setting can help this) and just the creep factor of those that COULD find things... I'm hesitant at all times... but I love the IDEA of being able to store photos online.

Thing #7

I searched for pictures of the marching band I work with - Todd County Central High School Marching Rebel Band.  I had to try a few different keyword searches before I got it... credit to Darrin Cole for the photo.

This is at the end of this year's show, entitled "Breathe."

I couldn't link to the picture, as it was not enabled by Mr. Cole; however, you can view all in the set here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/colephotography/sets/72157624821582819/

Thing #6

iTunes - my Web 2.0 award winner

iTunes has changed the way I teach my general music classes.  With podcasts, RSS feeds, and the fairly new iTunesU... the options are truly changing each day for ways of introducing and teaching the content in a variety of ways that engage the students.

iBooks are being published via iTunes.  Movies.  You name it, it's there.

This tool allows quick sharing of information and ideas on a broad range of topics, and is invaluable to today's educators, in my opinion.

Thing #5

Given the idea of Web 2.0, I think we can all infer that School 2.0 means looking at technology and specifically the web as a tool which not only should but must be integrated into our education.  Educators can share information, have video conferences, and have at their fingertips resources not only from their district or physical school... but worldwide... and at an instant.


We must use these resources for "teaching, learning, and driving innovation" in the classroom.  It's not enough to have laptops in each student's hands, or an iPad, or whatever... they have to know how to use them to enhance their own learning.


I believe, ultimately, the future is limitless in what COULD happen.  With school 2.0, we might never have to again cancel school due to "snow days," but students could be given instruction via blog or web conferencing.  Students missing school for sickness could stay abreast of instruction via blogs with relevant sites listed for learning.  The possibilities are potentially all there... we just have to be fearless and innovative in implementing them.

Thing #4

Commenting fosters a sense of community, in that you anticipate, expect, and grow/learn from those that comment on whatever you've shared.  This allows deeper insight and interaction among peers, friends, and/or coworkers, in seeing the ideas of mutual acquaintances.

One of the blogs I read suggested a strategy to improve blog comments as making sure to "interact with comments left."  I am guilty of this, in that I make a blog entry, and then forget to read comments often.  This probably doesn't encourage viewers to continue to do so, as it gives the appearance that I don't value their comments.

Another warned of "Darth Commenter," the troll who visits blogs just to stir up controversy.  I've ran across this guy a few times in some other blogs I have... and it's a GREAT idea to follow the advice of the blog comment sited: delete them, and move on.  Don't get sucked in/turned to the dark side.  ;-)

I am following the following folks:

McClenathan

Dean

Erica Coleman

tabsir

Molly Wilson

and (out of our circle)

Yuhui's Apple Blogger

Roughly Drafted

I chose the first five based solely on having their sites via D2L.  The last two I've followed for a while, as their Apple dorks, and I'm trying to become one.  ;-)

At this point, I haven't made too many comments because I just found out who all was on... but I'll fill this part in (as a comment) once I've done that.

Thing #3

For this program, I intend to use this blog in an attempt to bounce ideas off of classmates and colleagues.


I use a blog already in my classroom to remind students of assignments, projects, and upcoming events.  I also occasionally share milestones (of my own or individuals in the classes) via blog.

Thing #2

My posting name was easy, as it was my first initial and last name.  I wanted something I could easily remember to share with others.  I named this blog appropriately so I would not confuse it with other school (work) or my personal blogs.


I have a work blog, and two personal blogs, so creating this one was very simp.e


My avatar is a picture of my family - which is who I am.  I chose this as it is a reflection of me, and all I hold dear.

Thing #1

Habit 4 is probably the easiest to me.  I have always had confidence in myself, and feel as though I can be effective in learning (and then teaching) new concepts with ease.  I believe I am a natural leader, and have been evaluated several times by university professors and administration who echo the same ideas.  The WAY I lead must be key to me, as students will imitate my direction.  I believe this must force me to always show the students that I am always eager to learn new tricks, open to new ideas, and ready for challenges so that they will work to do the same.

Habit 7 1/2 is actually the hardest for me.  My classroom is sometimes chaotic, but it's ordered chaos.  I feel that at the middle school level, there needs to be quite a bit of structure.  At the same time, I believe I need to work to find a balance there, and allow students time to do what all middle school students miss most about elementary school: play time.