One More Thing

Well, this has been a looong semester!  23 things is a great roller coaster ride.  Just when things look hard you hit the downhill part of the coaster!  I have enjoyed learning more about web 2.0.  I knew that there was a lot of things I did not know about the internet, but felt that I did not need these things.  Boy, was I wrong!  I plan to implement many of the things I learned into my classroom.  A lot of the things we have learned I am already using in my other classes.  My favorite things to do were animoto, flikr, and you tube.  I had a hard time with things like the online productivity sites.  I guess the ones that took a lot of time and thought. 
I plan to keep up with web 2.0 by keeping my rss feeds active and going to conferences.  I do plan to use the things I learned in my lifelong learning.  With my class, my schooling, and my personal life.  I am really excited to see what the future holds for the internet!

Thing #22

The binders I created were called Pride and Prejudice, Educational tools, and Educational papers.  The last two are for my personal use.  The Pride and Prejudice binder was based on the unit plan I created this semester. 
I could use this in my class with my smart board to teach lessons, I would not need my jump drive!  I could have my students help me create a binder based off of notes we took in the class.  This could be fun for the students knowing that they are helping me to create something that I will use for a very long time.

My live binder

Pride and Prejudice

Thing #23

http://resa-23things.blogspot.com/
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License. This site clearly states that it has borrowed and revised the work and that it has been copyrighted by creative Commons.
When I was looking for this post I found many sites that were based off of 23 things.  I like this type of web collaboration and Creative Commons makes this easy.
  I am glad I have an easy way to teach students about copyright laws.  Now I can show students how to search the internet for things they are legally able to use.

My Animoto Video

My Animoto Video

My Animoto Video

My Animoto Video

Thing #21

Animoto was a neat experience.  I had fun looking at pictures of my kids from when they were little.  I think this could be a great tool to use in the classroom.  We could create pieces of experiences that we had on trips and things!  I think that Animoto is easy enough for my seven year old to navigate through (once you get the pictures into the account).

thing # 20

I love you tube!  I had some much fun watching the videos.  I liked watching the comedians talk about teaching and teachers.  I was laughing out loud in the library.  I found many inspirational videos on teaching also.  I think you tube is a great asset to have in the class.  If you just want to show a movie clip, a instructional video, or demonstration it is all there on you tube.  I wanted to see what people were saying about teachers, so I watched some comedians.  I thought they were funny and inspirational at the same time.  I really like Taylor Mali, a slam poet, he has some great things to say about education.

Thing #19

I am a member of many social communities, most I have joined because of this class!  I like the communities on books and movies, but I am not a fan of social networking.  I don't feel that I will use any of these things very often.  If you check my Facebook page you will see that I update my status about once a month...
I believe that some of these networks may be useful in the classroom.  I like the idea of having a page for my students and parents to check.

This is the badge I got from teacher pop!  I hope I did it right!!!

Thing # 18

I think that it is important for educators to know how social networking works because we have to network to become better at our jobs.  If we stay inside our own little bubble of friends we may not learn the different ways that others are teaching.  I am not a fan of social networking.  I don't really care where any of my "friends" are at and what they are doing all the time.  I do not like the fact that employers, educators, and money lenders can look at my site.  Social networking is something that could get me fired, not hired, or not invited into certain clubs.  I must watch my step on these sites.  I can see the usefulness of them.  Setting up pages for your class or the school of Education.  This gets the information out to the students in a way that they will recieve.  To be honest they cannot say they did not recieve the information because you get a notice when something new pops up!  I think that eventually I will have to accept social networking because it is the wave of the future (unfortunately the future is now!).

Facebook link!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/  I don't know if this will work, but if not just look for Mellissia Troyer on

Facebook!  It is not a very interesting page, though!

Thing #17

I enjoyed using this tool.  I can see the use for it in the classroom. As an English intstructor I will probably use a lot of web sites.  This will make it easier to connect to them.  I can tag them for different things, which will make it easier to pull up things about grammer or different authors.  I like the fact that it does not have to take up space on the computer because it is saved on the internet.  I also like that I can look at what other educators are using.  I will most likely use this site in my classroom.

Thing # 16

I really liked the Igoogle start page and I may make it my home page all the time.  I found the to-do lists easy to do, but I can add a to-do list to my igoogle home page.  Having that in the same place as my home page would make things easier.  I looked at the educator apps.  I liked many of them.  I think that if I use any of these things they will be through google because then I will have it all in one spot.  I did like the chalksite and may use it.

Thing #15

I did not have as much fun with this thing.  I was taught to stay away from wikkis, so I was already biased against them.  It did not help that I could not update the APSU 23 things sandbox.  I had a lot of trouble with that one!  I have to be honest that because of my bias against wikkis I probably will not use them in my classroom.

Thing #14

Flow charts and mind maps.  This was an interesting exercise.  I did not even know that these programs existed! I did not like the fact that some you had to pay for, however the free ones were very interesting.  I think that I liked Gliffy the best.  I had fun making the flow charts, venn diagrams, and floor plans.  I found it easy to navigate.  I could have used it a month ago when I had to make a Venn Diagram for class!!  I tried Bubbl.us for the mind mapping.  I liked it, but not as much as Gliffy.  I thought this would be a good tool for people who like to brainstorm.  Start with one topic and then build off it.  I think having students to do this could be useful and fun in the class.  I think that having them create their own diagrams could be fun too!  I definately will keep these sites in mind for when I begin to teach.

Thing #13

I explored both zoho and google docs.  I think that I like google docs the best.  This is probably due to the fact that I have been using google forever.  All my accounts are linked to google.  I found it easier to figure out how to share my links.  I really enjoyed exploring these two sites.  I think that setting up my students into groups on these sites could be a valuable teaching tool.  Students can look at each others work, have discussions, develop spreadsheets and artwork, and set up an agenda.  I would probably stick with google because it is what I am used to, but also because I believe that most people have a gmail account.  I like the fact that I can save my documents on these sites.  I have a habit of losing my jump drives.  I also save things to the computer instead of the jump drive.  Using these types of apps would enable me to save my documents and have access to them everywhere I go.

Thing #13- Drawing

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1r5Zggd6uxP2GWSTw5zqj0LGd2p99ZFsLoj9UAG36m-o/edit




Link to my picture in google docs

Thing #12

Who knew that google was more than a search engine?  Not me!! I have always just used google to search the internet, but in this thing I learned that google can be used for more than that.  I can map in google, make a calendar, use the translator, and send out invitations to events on my calendar.. What fun!  I gave the translator a try and it was fun.  I found out how to say hello in different languages.  I also created a calendar.  My family and friends can view my calendar to see the events coming up in our life.  I think this could be a good tool to use for school.  As an instructor I could set up a calendar in google.  Parents and students could use the calendar to keep up with assignments.  Parents could know when assignments are due.  This would be good because some children do not tell parents what is going on at school!

This is the link to my calendar!

https://www.google.com/calendar/render?hl=en&q=google&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tab=lc

Thing #11

I enjoyed searching the blogs and rss feeds.  I found some interesting things out there!  My favorite way to search was through the Eudublogs' award winners.  I like this because they give you the winners and the ones that did not win.  They have basically weeded out the bad.  I was able to search by categories.  They told me the winners, the ones nominated the most, and all the nominations.  This was great because it gave me a list of blogs to look at.  I found a lot of education blogs.  I like these because they give me an idea of what is out there for educators.  Many of these blogs sent me to websites that I could use when I begin to teach.  I found an interesting webquest I would like to try.  I did not like searching the google blogs.  Mostly because you still get fifty million sites and have to go through the riff-raff.  I really liked this thing!

Thing #4

Making comments on blogs are important.  First, it makes bloggers feel appreciated.  Secondly, if you have something important to add to the conversation you should.  Some ideas added on to what the blogger posted can help others out.  I think what Cool Cat Teacher says about not being afraid to comment is important.  We are told to watch what we say on the web because it could get into the hands of the powers that be and also many people feel that their comments don't matter.  To be honest you always must be careful about what you post, but if you are thinking someone else is as well.  All comments matter.  I also think interacting with people that comment on your blog is important because it makes it feel more like a community. I also agree with Rowse says that if you don't use your comment section your readers won't either.

The blogs I commented on were:

1. Kim Messer- Thing #10- I like what Kim said about missing extra things and wanted to tell her.

2. Jody Farmer- Thing #6- I love Pandora too!

3. Cortne Hunt- Thing # 7- What she said about using the pictures in classes interested me.

4. Chelsea Ninnes- Thing # 9- Her image chef was really cool!

5. Anita Taylor- Thing # 5- In all honesty she told me to look at her blog and while I was there I made a comment!!

The outside blogs were:

1. Scholastic Scribe- She writes some interesting things about pictures she takes.  I also find her school stuff interesting and inspiring.

2. Crappy Pictures- Okay.  She is totally funny. I always laugh when I read it and I wanted to tell her that!

Thing #10

Rss feeds are pretty neat.  I like the idea of not having to sit around looking for new things.  I definitely will use this in my everyday life.  I think this will be good for when I teach.  Talking about current events is important and this will help me find new topics to discuss with my students.  This was the easiest ting to set up so far.  I already had a Google account so all I had to do was sign in and sign up to receive feeds. I chose to receive news feeds and many English teachers blogs.  This is a great thing to learn and be involved with!!

Thing #9

As you can see we had fun with this thing!  It took me a lot of time to figure the sites out.  Once I did me and the kids got to work using them.  I had to force them to go to bed!!  I could use these types of things to make learning fun!  What better way to make Shakespeare great then by putting my face on him!  Also, the smiley signs could be put on power points to show kids where to look!  This was fun and I enjoyed doing it.  However, I think that I world not use them.  Mostly because searching through the sites was more difficult than I thought it would be.  Again, you cannot teach an old dog new tricks....

jake

jake, a photo by EPMOM6 on Flickr.

Made at Happy Face Generator.com

madie and Jake

madie and Jake, a photo by EPMOM6 on Flickr.

Madison loves Jacob!!

ryanvader

ryanvader, a photo by EPMOM6 on Flickr.

This was fun!!

Thing #8

I did not like the API Garden at FLIKR.  Some of the APIs were interesting, but I had a difficult time digging through the muck.  Many of the the apps were designed for Apple products and I do not own an Apple product.  Sorry guys I'm a PC!!!  I could use these apps in the classroom.  I like the ones that do the collages, so I may use some of those.  Probably not though.  You can't teach an old dog new tricks. I think that these products are great for anyone who enjoys the wonderful world of computers.  My children loved the family art studio.  They can make a family tree, word art, and add photos.  We spent a lot of time discovering the site!

photos_217

photos_217, a photo by EPMOM6 on Flickr.

Made on the API Family Art Studio

Thing #7

How would I use flikr.....I am not sure.  I know that I can hide my photos, but I am not sure that I like my kids pictures on the internet.  I may use them in the classroom, but I don't see how.  Maybe it was me, but I had a hard time figuring out the site.  Once I figured it out I could navigate it easily though.  I have used facebook to share my photos.  I like the idea of facebook better because all my friends and family are on that site.  I do not have to look them up and send a request to get them to join.  I did enjoy adding my photos.  As you can see I have the one of my daughter up because that is what we did this weekend.  I wanted to add new pictures.  I will probably have more to follow!

402484_10150565351152777_692602776_8611149_1358222906_n

402484_10150565351152777_692602776_8611149_1358222906_n, a photo by EPMOM6 on Flickr.

Thing #6

I love hulu!  I think that having a site where I can go and watch television in my spare time is great!!!!  There are many shows that I miss because I am doing homework, taking the kids places, and doing many other mom and student things!  I think that I could also use this in my classroom.  I can access movie clips or television shows that would show my point.  Some of the books I will teach as an English teacher have been turned into movies.  I plan to show some movies, but showing the whole thing could take up unneccessary time.  Being able to get clips that make my point would be helpful.


http://news.cnet.com/8301-13546_109-10237704-29.html?tag=mncol- Link to hulu found on CNET.

Thing #5

What is web 2.0 and what does it mean for schools in the future?  Well for me web 2.0 is a scary new world.  I have to go into the internet and pick and choose what I want to use and what is important.  It also means that I will have a much easier time doing research, meeting people, and figuring out what other educators are doing.  Web 2.0 seems to be the internet itself.  It also means that I can publish on the web.  For example, create web pages, blogs, and tweets.  I need to be careful about what I put out there and also about what I find.  This is a whole new frontier for me.  I need to take my time discovering what is out there.  I think that in the future most classes will be taught using the internet.  This has to be one of the most important tools I have as a teacher. I need to learn how to use it wisely.

Thing #3

How would I use a blog in my future classroom?  Well, there are many things to use a blog for.  I can reflect on teaching experiences, share insights on things I have learned, share ideas about what I am teaching and how I am doing it.  For students and parents I could create a blog to post assignments, post due dates, and have students and parents comment on what is being done.  I like the idea of creating a space for students to comment on what they have read in class.  However, rules would have to implemented and adhered to for anything like this to work.  Maybe the more I learn about blogging the more I will like it. 

Thing #2

How I did decide what to call my blog? Well, I named it after myself! It is about me after all!  The address I use is all about where I am from and how many kids I have.  When I think of who I am as a person, I think of my children and where I consider myself to be from.  That is how I came up with the posting name and name of the blog.  My experience in creating the blog was fun, tedious, and confusing. I am not a technology wiz, so I asked a lot of questions and had to re-do many of the things I started.  I worked on this with the people from my class and they are helpful and fun to talk with, so I had fun too!  My avatar is who I am.  She reflects who I see myself as in the inside. A fun, outgoing, smart individual who loves a great cup of coffee!  I choose to go with an avatar that reflects me because I want to be honest in this blogging process.  I also want to have a lot of fun because that is who I am!

Thing #1

The hardest habit for me is to have confidence in myself as competent, effective learner.  I have a habit of doubting my thoughts and ideas.  I worry that what I have to say is not important.  I tend to write and rewrite because I am not sure if what I am trying to say is being said correctly.  My confidence is one thing that holds me back in my education.  The easiest habit for me is to play.  I tend to put off what I need to do school wise and have fun.  I have great excuses for doing this, but in the end it just leaves me racing to get my papers in before the deadline.  I think that if I worked at it I can become more confident at school by playing less.