Thing #18

For this thing, I already had a Facebook as well as a Twitter.  I don't feel comfortable putting either link up here.  I'm a private person and I would like to remain that way. :-)

It is important for educators to know how these sites work because their students certainly will.  I think the teacher who is not afraid of these sites and who is capable of having an open dialog with students about them will have an advantage over those teachers who do not. One of these advantages is that the teacher who is fluent in social networking will also be fluent in the language.  A teacher could even set up a classroom Facebook page, invite all of the students to be "friends" and use the page as a communication tool.  Not only could all of the students communicate with one another, but a student could even send the teacher a private message through the messaging tool.  Students and teachers could also make use of the chat if they chose.

I tend to favor Facebook over Twitter because one, I am more familiar with it and two, Facebook seems to have less limitations.  I like how Facebook has a chat feature, messaging that is akin to e-mail, you can post pictures, and post links.  With Twitter, although you can post links, it just seems more of text rich application.

Thing #17

Del.icio.us is my new favorite site, although it does not unseat Google as my all time favorite.  This was by far my most favorite of the three websites that was asked of me to explore.  I did start my own account for a couple of reasons.  First, all of my family is in Oklahoma City and I travel there to visit whenever I can.  I can remember times when I have been on my parents' computer in OKC and wanting to find a website I had bookmarked on MY computer, but being unable to remember how to get there while sitting at another computer.  Now with Del.icio.us, I can sign into my account to find it.

I also love this site because now I don't have to worry about saving all of my favorite sites to My Favorite places, not backing them up, and then having my computer crash.  Yes, this has happened to me on more than on occasion.  I also really like the Tag button this site installs on your computer.  This tag button makes it SO simple to add sites to your account.  With the other sites, it wasn't so easy.  The other sites required you to copy the URL, then go back to their site, THEN paste it in.  No, thank you!  With Del.icio.us, it's one click and you're done.

I also liked how Del.icio.us is geared toward saving sites themselves whereas the other two sites seemed more geared to just articles and news found on the web.

One way teachers can use advantage of Del.icio.us is by the social networking aspect of it.  If you find someone who has several categories of links you like, you can subscribe to them by RSS feed.  For example, if you found someone who had several language arts links for elementary school students, you could sign up for their RSS feed and get the sites they add sent directly to you without having to check back on them through the site.  Teachers can also make use of this site by keeping all of their sites they found for use in their classroom all in one spot so they can use them over and over again in coming years.

Del.icio.us has endless possibilities, and I look forward to adding more and more sites to my account as well as discovering other sites others with my same interests have found.

Thing #16

This should come as no surprise, but I chose the iGoogle.  Why is it not a surprise?  Because as I have said before, I love, love Google.  My favorite tools are the calculator, calendar, AND I love that iGoogle has a gadget I can add that allows me to check my Yahoo! e-mail.  Way to be a team player, Google.

I really love how I can customize the gadgets to fit my needs.  I even found one related to elementary education.  I also like how iGoogle allows you to format and move your gadgets on your page.  I believe I can and will  iGoogle both personally and professionally.  Having this page will allow me to create and modify my calendar online and have access to it wherever I travel, whether it be at home or school.  IF I still had a smart phone, I could even access my page while out and about.  With the online calendar, I no longer have to worry about forgetting my paper calendar at home, losing it, or not having a pen to add or modify the entries.  I enjoyed this personal page so much, I have made it my permanent home page.

Thing #15

What is the definition of "frustrating"?  Trying to add/edit content in the APSU Sandbox Wiki.  I was pretty excited starting off.  However, once I clicked on the link in the 23 Things to get to the APSU 23 Things Sandbox, nothing.  I couldn't edit; I couldn't add.  Tried and tried as I might, nothing worked.  So what was supposed to be a fun activity has turned into a frustrating and fruitless activity.

Okay.  Problem solved.  The way I was able to finally edit the sandbox is after I clicked on the link for the APSU 23 Things Sandbox, I clicked on the "help" link in the upper right-hand corner.  When I got into the help, I clicked on "Logging in" under "Basics."  This took me to a link where I could SIGN UP for PBworks.  After I created an account, I was able to go back to the APSU 23 Things Sandbox.  From there, on the right-hand side of the page under "To join this workspace, create an account,"  I went to log in and I logged in with my NOW created PBworks account info.  Whew.  I hope this helps others doing this activity after me.  You have to sign up for a PBworks account before you can add or edit this wiki.

Thing #14

So far, this has been the hardest "thing" for me.  I don't have any experience, at least that I can remember, of using flow charts and/or mind maps, so the concept was a bit lost on me.  I chose Gliffy first and I was completely lost as to what to do. I would definitely need some sort of tutorial in order to even begin to make any sense out of it, let alone actually try to apply it in a classroom setting.  I didn't know where to start, if I should just type over the existing or look for a new template. This MIGHT have been easier if I had an actual topic to try and make a flow chart from.

I next went to the bubbl.us site.  While this one seemed to be much more user friendly, I still wasn't entirely sure what to use it for.  I could potentially see how this would be useful for brainstorming an idea.  The site itself seemed to be more self-explanatory than Gliffy did, and I could actually decipher how to create a mind map.

I'm not exactly sure in what way I could implement the use of either of these programs into an elementary classroom.  I welcome any ideas or suggestions.

Thing 13: Part 2

Here is the link to my document I created in Google Docs.  It is the continuation of the Thing #13 post.

Thing 13: Google Docs

Thing 13

Thing # 13: Part 1​

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Through completing the 23 Things for this class assignment, I have discovered so many online tools.  I am experiencing a little bit of information overload.  I never knew there were so many tools out on the Internet. 

This Zoho Writer is pretty cool for several reasons.  First, I like that it is basically Word where you can create a word processing document without having Microsoft Word installed on your personal computer.  I also like that I can create a document on here and be able to work on it from somewhere else on another computer and not have to worry about which version I created the original on and which version I will be using while at the other location. 

Another benefit I like about this application is that I feel fairly confident I can use it fairly easily since it works so much like Microsoft Word.  And according to the Welcome introduction, if I have any problems, I can most likely find the solution to my problem from the sites active users' forum.

The only downside to this application is that based on the introduction to the site, it will take quite a bit of time to discover all of the various features it offers.  But, hey.  You have to start somewhere, right? 

For my starting point, I posted this document that I created in Zoho Writer to this blog.  I only encountered one problem.  When I went to Share, Post to Blog and Zoho asked if I wanted to post it or save it as a draft, I saved it as a draft.  When I went into my Blogger Dashboard to edit the draft, I was unable to edit, save, or post it.  Blogger said it had formatting errors.  However, when I went back into Zoho and went to Share, Post to Blog and simply chose to post it as new instead of the draft, I was able to edit that document in my Blogger account.  Live and learn.

Now on to explore Google Docs where I will dare to compare it with Zoho.  

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Thing # 12

Oh, Google.  Let me count the ways I love thee.  After exploring these tools, I decided to sign up for the Google alerts for the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team.  I live here in Clarksville, Tennessee, but my home and heart will always be where I grew up: Oklahoma City, OK. With the Google alerts, I can always keep up with the latest news on my Thunder basketball team.

I also did the iGoogle home page and customized it.  I liked it so much, I changed it to be my default when I open the Internet.  I like how this page has so many add-on gadgets.  There are many gadgets you can add for educational purposes.  I added the inspirational quote.  Some of these could be shared in the classroom to encourage critical thinking.  I could also put one up on the board for a journal exercise.  I also added the facts gadget.  This could also be shared in the classroom as a fun fact and to demonstrate that it's possible to have fun and learn at the same time.

I also thought the calendar was an impressive tool.  How great this would be for something like an educational committee members to be able to electronically share their calendars so they could easily find a time that all the members are free to get together to have a meeting.  Again, as with many other tools explored in the 23 Things, there are endless possibilities for educational application.

Thing # 11

My favorite blog search tools were the Google Blog and the Technorati.  These two seemed to be the most simple and straightforward to use to locate blogs related to elementary education.  The others seemed to make you go in a few circles before really finding a blog that was useful.  By using these two tools, I found several blogs that related to elementary education.  I was even able to focus my search and find blogs that related to specific elementary subjects such as reading and math.

My least favorite search tool was the Topix.net.  I didn't find this useful at all for locating blogs or even information on education.  It seemed to bring up mostly local news.  What I found frustrating about the Topix.net and the Syndic8.com was these sites brought up a lot of unrelated information and/or links that were no longer in use.

Thing # 10

Wow!!!  My life just got a lot easier and mass amounts of time has been saved.  I am so thankful for this assignment teaching me about RSS feeds.  I have been one of the ones that has spent massive amounts of time trolling the Internet looking at my favorite websites and blogs looking for information.  What I like most about the RSS newsreader is that everything is in one spot for you so you don't have to spend a lot of time checking all of your different websites.  You can go to just one site, like e-mail, and everything is all in one spot for you to read.

This is a great tool for teachers to use to stay informed about the latest educational technologies and ways they can implement them in their own classroom.  This is also a good tool to stay connected with other teachers both inside your school district and outside your district.  By staying connected to other teachers, they can share their ideas and collaborate.  This opens up a whole new world for teachers.

Thing # 9

For the picture below, I chose the fake magazine cover mash-up tool and made this fake cover with my daughter on it.

I really liked doing this assignment because it was easy and it was a lot of fun.  I could have spent the whole day just exploring all of the different options.  For this picture, I went to
Custom Sign Generator

Once on the home page, I scrolled down the page to the box entitled "Make Graphics with Your Photos."  I chose the "Fake Magazine Covers."  I then uploaded my picture and went about choosing the magazine cover.  Once I had made my selection, the only thing I did not like was the fact I could not edit the photo to shrink it some and move it up a little so the text, "The Best" would not cover up part of my daughter's face.  Other than that, it was great fun.  It was so fun, I decided to try another option with another picture.



The picture to the right was made using the "Fun Templates" option.  Although I used this site for my own personal fun, I can envision using it in the classroom.  As a reward, I could make up a personalized award to hand out.  I could also potentially make signs to put up in my classroom.  I think the possibilities are endless.  This is a great technology resources both personally and professionally.

Thing #8

I chose the Spell with flickr because I think this would be a lot of fun for elementary school kids to have fun with learning to spell.  I think kids are more motivated to learn and learn better when they are having fun, and this was definitely fun.  I could see myself using this in the classroom.  Here is my name I made using this mash up app.

I enjoy sharing pictures online, but when it comes to sharing pictures of my young daughter or other kids, I err on the side of caution and if I have any doubt about posting them, I don't.  I like having the ability share photos online since none of my family live here in Tennessee, and it is really easy and convenient to not have to individually e-mail each picture I want to share since that usually takes up a lot of time.

Thing #7

This is one of my favorite 23 things.  I LOVE looking at photographs.  Looking at other people's photographs is like looking out through another set of eyes.  I like seeing what other people see and how they see it.  I like how you can change a whole picture by changing the composition, lighting, and angle.  I probably will never make it to see every square inch of this Earth, but by looking at pictures through sites like Flickr, I hope I will see a good part of it.

This is the picture I found by exploring the site Flickr.  This picture is taken by SunnyDazzled. 
Under a Starry Sky in Maine
I found this by exploring the Last 7 Days feature.  This picture really took my breath away and when I saw it, I knew it would be the one I would use for this assignment.

Flickr is really easy to use and navigate.  I tried out looking for pictures under the "popular tags" and turned up some really interesting photos to look through.  I also discovered through looking around the site that there is also video available.  I was also surprised to find a camera finder where Flickr has tracked the most popular cameras in the Flickr community, most popular point and shoot cameras, and most popular camera phones.  Who knew??

This is a really fun site.  I could waste almost as much time on here as I do Facebook! :-)
I think a really fun idea for use in the classroom would be to have my students go to flickr, pick out some pictures, and then have them write story about the pictures they chose.

Thing #6

I chose YouTube as my site.  http://www.youtube.com/ because I think this is not only a fun website, but an educational one as well.  To this day, I have not searched for something, regardless of how out there the topic, and NOT been able to find hundreds if not thousands of videos on it. 

For example, as I mentioned before, I have zero teaching experience so just for fun, I typed "first grade reading" into the search box.  The search results listed many various videos on how to teach first graders to read.  After I watched one of the videos, another video came up entitled "First Day of School Preparation," which could also prove useful to me.  As a new teacher, this site can offer me endless resources.

I could also use YouTube in the classroom.  I found some fun reading videos with songs for first graders along with other fun, age appropriate videos in other elementary subjects. 

YouTube is useful in the field of education in other ways too.  One of the homework assignments for one of my online classes here at APSU was to upload an instructional video onto YouTube.

One of the features of this website I like is the fill-in search.  For example, if I know I want to look up videos relating to first grade, but I'm not really sure beyond that, I can type in "first grade" in the search box.  Once that is in, several choices will drop down for me to choose from, such as first grade reading, first grade math, first grade songs, and so forth.  Another feature I like is that I can sort by search results by relevance, upload date, or by the rating other viewers have given it.

There are endless possibilities for YouTube.  You just need some imagination and loads of time.

Thing #4

I really enjoyed reading the posts of fellow classmates.  I liked reading new ideas and discovering that there are others out there who share my ideas and some of my fears and insecurities.  I also loved reading about all the ideas out there of how to possibly use technology in the classroom.  For me, this blog assignment will be so valuable.  It will allow me to learn from others and contribute and share ideas.  I can definitely see and understand how this tool can be used in the classroom.

Thing #3

Holy, blog.  I've drunk the Kool-Aid!  It's official.  I have registered my blog and I'm officially a blogger.  I am looking forward to reading the blogs of fellow classmates.  I do not have any experience as a teacher, nor a background in teaching so this all new to me.  I look forward to learning from those who are teachers and are here to further their education as well as learning from those who are, like me, just beginning their path as a new teacher.  I look forward to reading everyone's thoughts and ideas in their blogs.

Thing #2

I chose to name my blog Sohn's Steps because I have always loved language and I like the alliteration of the title.  When I set up my blog, I was relieved to discover that it was very simply to do.  In the past I have thought of starting a blog, but I didn't know what I would write about.  Through this process of setting up my own blog, I was able to set up a blog and have a topic to write on. 

I enjoyed setting up my avatar as well.  I liked creating her to look like me with the brown hair, brown eyes, and glasses.  I added the laptop because it seems I am on my laptop, or another computer, more than I am not. 

I am excited to read other classmates' blogs and discover new ideas and ways of thinking.  This blog will be an adventure for sure.  Until next time.

Thing #5

Wow, Web 2.0.  That was my first initial response to the many opportunities and possibilities for Web 2.0/School 2.0. 

School 2.0 means many things to many people, but to me as a future educator, it means removing students' limitations on learning.  In conjunction with the traditional learning tools such as lectures, books, pencils, and paper,
School 2.0 provides students additional tools through the World Wide Web.  For example, elementary students are no longer confined to books found at their local library, classroom, or home, but they now also have access to digital books with sound and movement incorporated into them.  Today they not only have access to construction paper, crayons, and paints, but now with Web/School 2.0, they can unleash their creativity with various programs that enable them to create their own digital storybook. 

As schools become immersed with School 2.0, traditional teaching methods and attitudes will have to change.  School 2.0 will translate into teachers once again becoming the students in order to educate themselves on present technology and their relevant applications to education and learning.  School 2.0 will also require educators to be dedicated lifetime learners in order to keep abreast of the emerging technologies and their relevancy to education.

I have to admit I was a bit overwhelmed myself when exploring and discovering all of the various sites, applications, and opportunities available to teachers.  Then I was reminded of the old saying: How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time.  So as we all embark on this journey of learning about new technologies and maybe adjusting our own attitudes towards the "T" word (technology), let's all remember to do it one byte at a time. :-)

Thing #1

After watching the video of the 7 & 1/2 Habits, I am encouraged by the fact that I do all of them...almost.  The one easiest for me is beginning with the end in mind.  I have always enjoyed ideas and their possibilities.  When an idea presents itself, it has always been easy for me to visualize the ultimate outcome.  So, this habit is the easiest for me because it has already been a lifetime habit.

The hardest habit for me is number six, using technology to your advantage.  While I use technology everyday, it easily frustrates me because it never quite works the way it's supposed to...or at least the way I think it's supposed to.  My own computer conspires against me by slowing down, locking up, or sometimes randomly shuts down a program.  I have lost track of the number of times I have called tech support and I've heard, "Well, that's a new one.  I've never heard of that happening before."  Then there is the endless parade of "updates"  that are intended to make the program better but sometimes they create other problems for other programs and/or hardware.  As a result of these things, I have grown somewhat reluctant to try out new technology although it may turn out to be helpful in the long run.

I am hoping by exploring and playing with Web 2.0 I will overcome this reluctance to new technology and to better develop the learning habit of using technology to my advantage.  I know there are so many things to learn and discover in today's technology for use in the classroom that will grab my future students' attention and motivate them to want to learn.

Setting up this blog was surprisingly easy.  The only problem I am having so far is signing in.  I go to the "sign in" and put in my username and password, but it hasn't let me into my blog yet.  I have had to follow the link in my e-mail address to reset the password to get in.  I am hoping to get this resolved soon.