Thing 23 - I MADE IT!!

What a journey! I can't believe all I have learned. I never realized how much was available on the web to use to enhance my instruction in the classroom. I'm looking forward to exploring these 23 Things in more depth and incorporating them into my classroom. Many teachers in my building are taking this course so it will be nice to have a network of people in my own building to collaborate with and encourage each other to try new things.

With the way education is changing, all teachers need to step outside the box and learn new things and meet the needs the learners. This is just the first step for me and I'm excited to learn more!!

Thing 22 - Online Video

Our school district has recently been able to start using YouTube in our classrooms. It has been very nice to use. One of my collegues (who is also taking the 23 Things) finds videos for us to watch in science. I love the short clips to introduce a topic and hook the kids. I have found that the online videos enhance my instruction. It much better than listening to me talk all hour!!

I have used YouTube, TeacherTube, SchoolTube but I have not used TED. I searched the site but had a hard time finding something that I could use in class. My internet signal is not very strong so I am just posting and will check TED out more thouroghly later.

Thing 21 - Twitter

I am not a big fan of Twitter. I really am not interested in hearing about what my friends and family are doing every second of their lives. I had a Facebook account briefly but didn't really want to share my daily routine with others.

After taking this class, I realize that there may be other uses for Twitter than sharing daily occurrences. I'm not really sure how I could use this in the classroom. I'm not sure how some parents would react to their children getting involved in Twitter since some parents won't allow their students to have Facebook accounts. I would have to research it some more.

As for a Personal Learning Network, I'm not sure if I would use this. It seems like there are many other ways to connect with other educators without using Twitter. I have found other social networks when exploring del.icio.us that seem like they would be just as beneficial as using Twitter.

Since all of this is so new to me, I suppose I should step out of the box and try something new...who knows, maybe I'll have a Twitter account in the new future!

Thing 20 - Bookmarkiing with del.icio.us

I really like using del.icio.us. I created my account and my username is kslot. I didn't really know where to start to look for sites that I wanted to book mark so I looked at other people's bookmarks. I kind of felt like I was stealing or being lazy but it sure saved me a lot of time. I spend so much time searching for sites that are never really that useful to me. After a half hour, I bookmarked several science and math sites that I will be able to use. The tag thing still has me alittle confused. I don't know if I will remember what I tag things. I have just been using some of the tags that are recommended. I think I may have used too many tags for some sites. I may have to go back and edit what I have done to make things simpler for me!

Thing 19 - Social Bookmarking

I've heard other teachers talking about delicious but I never really knew what they were talking about. This is awesome! Often times I have bookmarked sites on my school computer but then spend hours looking for the same site at home with no luck. Delicious would aleviate this problem. I also like the idea that you can share you bookmarks with other people and you have the ability to look at others bookmarks. I struggle with finding good stuff online so being able to see what others have found useful will save me A LOT of time!!! Since I haven't really used this before I don't know how difficult the taggin will be. I can't wait to start using this...

Thing 18 - Personal Learning Network

I spent some time exploring Ning. I found a few math and science networks that looked interesting. People had posted different labs and games they created to use in their classrooms. What a great way to share ideas and lessons that have been successful with other teachers. Much of the content on the middle school science networks didn't really pertain to what I teach. It would be great to create a PLN for Michigan Science teachers or Science teachers in Kent County. What a wonderful opportunity to share what your doing with other teachers or bounce ideas off other teachers.

There would be the potential to create a PLN in the classroom but I think you run the risk of anyone being able to join and posting inappropriate content. I did notice that there we some networks that were invitation only so that might be more appropriate for classroom use.

All of this is very new to me. I am going to have to explore more to find other networks or possibly create a network that would be beneficial to me.

Thing 17 - More Web 2.0 Winners

I can't believe all that is out there to use in Web 2.0. I chose to explore .Docstoc Amamzing all of the documents that are available that I could use in my classroom. I found many documents that I could have used last year when I needed additional practice for my algebra students. I am definitely going to bookmark this site for future use!