I learned so much through these 23 things. One of the most valuable things I learned is how to have all of the things you need all on one type of website. Mine is Google. This website is not only a search engine, but really so much more. I now can continue to blog under a different name, add people to my Google Plus, and even check the weather. I can do all this from the same website. I find that quite amazing. By completing these 23 things I mostly feel relieved. Like I do with most semester long projects, I procrastinated until the tail end. I feel like it would be easy to keep up with this 23 things if it was strictly enforced that one be due every week or two. I also believe there is a lot of repetition in each of the explanations for how to do the 'things'. Sometimes I didn't even want to get started because there was so much reading just to figure out that I would be doing something I already knew how to do.
As a future educator I find almost all of these sites to be wonderful to know for my future students. In the next few years when I become a teacher the students may be almost more progressive in technology than myself, but now I am ready to take on the challenge. Going through each of these things was fairly difficult for me because I don't usually do much on the internet, or even with computers. I have always just stuck to the basics. It is very difficult for me to figure out exactly how to navigate some sites. This may be due to the fact that the websites I do use are basic. I have had a Facebook, Twitter, and Photobucket for years now and those sites are pretty point blank.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
thing # 23
Before this class I knew very little about how copy rights worked. I would just copy and paste any image song or video clip I wanted without actually thinking about the consequences. Now I know that you can get into some hot water with people for using their work inappropriately or without permission. Even if the artist doesn't find out you 'borrowed' their work, it is still wrong to not acknowledge the proper owner of the work. Learning all of this about copyright laws makes me somewhat intimidated on showing pictures or videos in the classroom. However, I do know how to find material that I am allowed to share with students. These copyright laws make it more difficult to find shareable information, but they also protect people's artworks. I can say that I wish I could just use anything I want for any kind of project, but it is respectful to do as the owner of the work wishes.
thing #22
https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1ag80XIJOo6qSqF926z7H-Ebx7kdYQPX5_tl9NtDz3mI/edit
The three titles of my Binder are: educational music, sex ed, and gardening in the classroom. This may seem like a random variety of subjects, but these are actually areas I find very important in school. One of the most important areas is sex education. This area usually gets gazed over and ignored. I have always strongly felt that students need a strong understanding of their bodies and how having sex can affect them. Since America has the highest teen pregnancy rate for a first world country, this is obviously an area that needs improvement. I could see LiveBinders being used in a classroom setting if the students were at least in middle school, if not older. This website might be too 'boring' to maintain young children's attention.
The three titles of my Binder are: educational music, sex ed, and gardening in the classroom. This may seem like a random variety of subjects, but these are actually areas I find very important in school. One of the most important areas is sex education. This area usually gets gazed over and ignored. I have always strongly felt that students need a strong understanding of their bodies and how having sex can affect them. Since America has the highest teen pregnancy rate for a first world country, this is obviously an area that needs improvement. I could see LiveBinders being used in a classroom setting if the students were at least in middle school, if not older. This website might be too 'boring' to maintain young children's attention.
thing #21
My Animoto Video
I have used a few different programs that you can make videos on, but never one that is tied to the internet. This website is perfect for all kinds of special occasions. I could see using this professionally, in class, or just for fun. Not only was this website extremely easy to navigate, it was also a fun site to play around with. I would definitely recommend this site to someone who doesn't want to go out and buy a special program for their computer. I might even use something like this as a birthday present to a couple of my friends. I know everyone will love looking at old pictures in a movie format.
I have used a few different programs that you can make videos on, but never one that is tied to the internet. This website is perfect for all kinds of special occasions. I could see using this professionally, in class, or just for fun. Not only was this website extremely easy to navigate, it was also a fun site to play around with. I would definitely recommend this site to someone who doesn't want to go out and buy a special program for their computer. I might even use something like this as a birthday present to a couple of my friends. I know everyone will love looking at old pictures in a movie format.
thing #20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97W0DL5v6eI
I have always really enjoyed using YouTube. This website has helped me learn so many off hand tasks that I would have to search hours on end at a bookstore to learn. I have even used this site for educational purposes. This site is one of those that may be inappropriate for students because there are many things that they could stumble upon. This site is mostly useful during downtime.
I have always really enjoyed using YouTube. This website has helped me learn so many off hand tasks that I would have to search hours on end at a bookstore to learn. I have even used this site for educational purposes. This site is one of those that may be inappropriate for students because there are many things that they could stumble upon. This site is mostly useful during downtime.
Monday, April 23, 2012
thing #14
The flowchart that I chose was Gliffy. This website was very fun, free, and easy to navigate. The first document I chose to use was actually the interior design project. This one reminded me that many of these websites can be used by all kinds of people, for all kinds of tasks. I played around with creating a classroom. I will say that the program we used in class was much easier than this website. The tools I used were mostly to change the color and size of each object. There was also one that I found very helpful. It is called 'lock shape'. This allowed me to set each part of the room I created, so I wouldn't accidentally drag an item. Another one that is always very useful was 'copy' and 'paste'. These two tools are the ultimate tools for anyone using a computer, for almost any reason.
The mind map that I chose was bubbl.us. This website was a very simplistic way of creating basic flow charts. I could see this being useful in a lecture style class. This could also be used in teaching younger students the concept of different ideas tying to one another. As for recreational use this would be a fun way to create a small version of a family tree. I believe that the flow charts were a little bit more complicated than the mind maps. Both of these have multiple uses, but the flow charts ultimately take the cake.
The mind map that I chose was bubbl.us. This website was a very simplistic way of creating basic flow charts. I could see this being useful in a lecture style class. This could also be used in teaching younger students the concept of different ideas tying to one another. As for recreational use this would be a fun way to create a small version of a family tree. I believe that the flow charts were a little bit more complicated than the mind maps. Both of these have multiple uses, but the flow charts ultimately take the cake.
thing #13
Zohowriters
drawing
One creative way students could work together in Google Docs is by co-writing a story. There are many options for Google Docs when it comes to student team work. Since I will hopefully be teaching 3rd-5th grade the students will be able to use these websites with ease. I think another great way for the students to work together with Google Docs would be to create a history project, to which each of them have different parts. This way the students would not have to all go to the library together and the teachers wouldn't have to take away class time. This will probably be the way all student projects are done in the future. These two websites are not only easier on the students, but also the teachers and parents. I must say I found Zoho writers to be a watered down version of Microsoft Office. The good part about that, however, is that people without regular access to Word or PowerPoint can use this website. Today many computers do not already come with these programs. Purchasing them can be extremely pricey and time consuming. Personally I prefer Google Docs, because every time I can find another site to use that is affiliated with Google I am tying more websites together.
drawing
One creative way students could work together in Google Docs is by co-writing a story. There are many options for Google Docs when it comes to student team work. Since I will hopefully be teaching 3rd-5th grade the students will be able to use these websites with ease. I think another great way for the students to work together with Google Docs would be to create a history project, to which each of them have different parts. This way the students would not have to all go to the library together and the teachers wouldn't have to take away class time. This will probably be the way all student projects are done in the future. These two websites are not only easier on the students, but also the teachers and parents. I must say I found Zoho writers to be a watered down version of Microsoft Office. The good part about that, however, is that people without regular access to Word or PowerPoint can use this website. Today many computers do not already come with these programs. Purchasing them can be extremely pricey and time consuming. Personally I prefer Google Docs, because every time I can find another site to use that is affiliated with Google I am tying more websites together.
thing #18
facebook
For many years now I have been using Facebook and Twitter. I have found that social networking cites can be very helpful, but at the same time very hurtful. Teachers need to know actually what students use networking sites for. Students will sometimes abuse other students through cyber bulling, or even share information to other schools. By sharing information I'm talking about the possibility of a student notifying other students in different schools of possible drug searches. Both Twitter and Facebook are great social networking sites that millions of people use. There are, however, many issues that can come out of this. There are so many different things that you can do on Facebook. It almost seems like a hybrid sort of website. I have found that many people not only socialize with long lost friends, but also play many different games available. I do not like the possibility for strangers to have access to your account unless you jump through many loops to alter your security. As for Twitter, this website is just a way to let everyone know what you are thinking or doing without having to read pages of posts about video games. One thing that I do not like about Twitter is the fact that is you make your profile private no one is able to re-tweet anything you say. Since I do not want just any person adding me on Twitter I have set my profile to private, but I do not mind if one of my friends re-tweets something I say. I could see having a Facebook page for each of your classes as a good idea. This way students could talk to one another about homework, tests, and projects. This would also be great for the teacher to inform students of upcoming events.
For many years now I have been using Facebook and Twitter. I have found that social networking cites can be very helpful, but at the same time very hurtful. Teachers need to know actually what students use networking sites for. Students will sometimes abuse other students through cyber bulling, or even share information to other schools. By sharing information I'm talking about the possibility of a student notifying other students in different schools of possible drug searches. Both Twitter and Facebook are great social networking sites that millions of people use. There are, however, many issues that can come out of this. There are so many different things that you can do on Facebook. It almost seems like a hybrid sort of website. I have found that many people not only socialize with long lost friends, but also play many different games available. I do not like the possibility for strangers to have access to your account unless you jump through many loops to alter your security. As for Twitter, this website is just a way to let everyone know what you are thinking or doing without having to read pages of posts about video games. One thing that I do not like about Twitter is the fact that is you make your profile private no one is able to re-tweet anything you say. Since I do not want just any person adding me on Twitter I have set my profile to private, but I do not mind if one of my friends re-tweets something I say. I could see having a Facebook page for each of your classes as a good idea. This way students could talk to one another about homework, tests, and projects. This would also be great for the teacher to inform students of upcoming events.
thing #17
I really enjoyed exploring the StumbleUpon website. I have heard many people mention how much fun this site could be and now I see what all the rave is about. The very first website I "stumbled upon" was called 'before I die'. This website was all about many chalk walls put up in different parts of the world. On the wall it said "before I die I want to_____". These walls were put in impoverished areas such as Mexico, New Orleans, and Russia. I also visited Digg and found that this website had almost too much information. It was hard for me to even figure out what I wanted to look at. This seems like a great place to share websites and become educated in different areas. Delicious reminded me of the websites many students use through the library (ERIC). I believe have an internet bookmark is better that only having a bookmark on a specific computer. For me this is actually ideal because I don't own my own computer. This would be great for a classroom setting because you could set up your bookmarking page to contain many different sites that you will be using in class that year. This would even be useful for students that like to self-educate. If they visit your site they can take an early look at what you have yet to go over or review what you previously went over.
thing #16
I decided to use iGoogle for my starter homepage. There are so many different options and widgets on this starter page. I also love that this starter page is a part of Google. The to-do list I chose is Ta-da Lists. This website was extremely easy to navigate and even fun to play around with. I made a to-do list of my class final's schedule. After doing that I sent a copy of it to my email. When I created an iGoogle this to-do list popped up on the top left of the screen. This will make organizing much easier. I try to tie all of my technological projects together and these two sites are a perfect way to do so. I believe the best part about the iGoogle page is the fact that you can choose what your interests are so you don't get stuck scrolling through a bunch of useless information. I would definitely suggest this site to any busy college student, and even more so to some already in their career.
thing #15
I believe wiki would be a good website for finding quick, interesting information. My entire educational career, however, has taught me to never rely on wiki. I am not sure that I would seriously use this website. I could see my classroom creating a webpage and adding fun pictures and comments. This website would be good for students to connect art to technology, but I do not believe they should ever use this website in a research project. I had a hard time navigating the PB works so I was unable to actually post anything on the site. I'm not sure if I just needed to get permission before adding to the site, or if I just couldn't figure the whole thing out. If there wasn't an issue with getting permission and I just had difficulty with navigating PB works then I definitely wouldn't use this in a classroom.
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