This APSU 23Things really is the beginning of something in me and in my learning. Ever since I began this "journey," I now find myself at school thinking of how a particular lesson would be better if I shared a YouTube video or had students listen to a podcast on the subject.
This has also been a humbling experience. To be honest, I started this doubting whether I would learn anything at all because I thought I was pretty tech-savvy. WOW! I was wrong. From the moment I read about what Web 2.0 was (yes, that early on), I realized that there is so much out there to learn and use to make myself a better instructor and to make my lessons more relevant and benefical to my students. And, I just can't shake the feeling that I have barely scratched the surface....so, this is not the end of a project...it is the beginning of a lifetime of learning...
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Drum roll, please....Thing #23
Throughout the APSU 23 Things, I have noticed attributions to the larger 43Things where you can track goals, and I have noticed for several links and videos a reference was given to the source or site it was borrowed from. I think Creative Commons is great because permission is given from the source for one to use the material as long as credit is given to the source or author. In everything we do on the internet there should be accountability. All of the students who have worked hard on their 23Things should give credit to materials used but should also get credit if someone borrows these great ideas from other students' blogs. Creative Commons makes internet teaching and learning fun and improves "legal" collaboration.
There are several programs on the web that I would like to adapt to meet my needs. However, the programs and ideas are not my own. I will use Creative Commons in the future to legally remix something I want to use and give credit to the appropriate sources, authors, and organizations.
There are several programs on the web that I would like to adapt to meet my needs. However, the programs and ideas are not my own. I will use Creative Commons in the future to legally remix something I want to use and give credit to the appropriate sources, authors, and organizations.
Thing 22
Podcast for: Romeo and Juliet
After Fall Break, my freshman students will begin reading Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. So when I was browsing through English Language Arts Podcasts through The Education Podcast Network, I was immediately drawn to the Shakespeare podcasts (especially the one linked to above for R & J ).
I found the Education Podcast Network especially easy to use. I started my search with literature in mind and before I knew it I had found a list of great podcasts that relate to literature. I could find my way around the site easily and did not get lost or have to ask myself how to get back to something I was interested in.
I would definitely consider podcasting with students. As I have mentioned in a previous blog, some of my classes have current event reports and that always spurs on discussion. A podcast would be a great tool to host discussions. A class podcast would be a great tool to reach a student who has missed one or more class periods.
I subscribe to several personal interest podcasts from speakers that live in other states. I will now add to my list some podcasts for educational support in my content area.
After Fall Break, my freshman students will begin reading Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. So when I was browsing through English Language Arts Podcasts through The Education Podcast Network, I was immediately drawn to the Shakespeare podcasts (especially the one linked to above for R & J ).
I found the Education Podcast Network especially easy to use. I started my search with literature in mind and before I knew it I had found a list of great podcasts that relate to literature. I could find my way around the site easily and did not get lost or have to ask myself how to get back to something I was interested in.
I would definitely consider podcasting with students. As I have mentioned in a previous blog, some of my classes have current event reports and that always spurs on discussion. A podcast would be a great tool to host discussions. A class podcast would be a great tool to reach a student who has missed one or more class periods.
I subscribe to several personal interest podcasts from speakers that live in other states. I will now add to my list some podcasts for educational support in my content area.
Thing 21
In one of my classes this year, students have to read a novel outside of class and then prepare a short commerical to advertise their book and get someone else to read it. Animoto is great for preparing a short visual aid for my students' commericals. It is fun and easy to use. My students could probably work on this for a class period and have a great thing to add to their presentations. Very cool!! Enjoy my Animoto video!
My Animoto Video
My Animoto Video
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Thing #20
I love YouTube! One afternoon I needed to find a clip of a SpongeBob episode to go along with a lesson I was giving the next day (it's a long story...just trust me that it was relevant...haha). I looked everywhere and could not find what I needed...and then it hit me...search YouTube, of course! So I did and found exactly what I needed. When my freshman began a unit in grammar to review the eight parts of speech, I used YouTube videos (like the one embedded above) to show the fun School House Rocks! videos on the eight parts of speech. I embedded the popular "Conjunction Junction" for your viewing pleasure...go on, watch it, you know you want to!!!
Anyway, I'd never let my students run loose on YouTube, but I know it does serve an educational purpose and it is great for educators to include visual aids in their lessons (the kids love watching, too!).
Thing #19
Visit TeacherPop
I am definitely a fan of social networking sites and professional online communities. I am active on Facebook, and I really like the opportunities that are there to network with other professionals. My favorite ways to learn from other educators and to contribute my ideas to a community of teachers is through my membership to the AP English Language and Literature Listserv and through my membership to the NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) NING. These are great ways to share ideas and learn from each other. Also, great tools to just encourage and support each other along the way.
Thing #18
I love Facebook! Click Here to visit my Facebook page!
It is important for educators to know how social networking sites work because they are very useful communication tools. You can set up groups and stay in touch with fellow educators. Keep your group private and this can be a place to meet on a regular basis to keep in touch. I like that social networking sites like Facebook have privacy controls so content can be blocked. Facebook has less abrasive ads than MySpace and is more user friendly.
I use Facebook as a means to communicate with other teachers and parents. It helps me maintain a great report with both. Most students have a Facebook page, so a classroom idea would be to create a Facebook Group for your class that only your students (and their parents) can join. This can be a safe place to ask questions of the teacher and the teacher can post classroom news and assignment information. This can be a place to store project instructions and reminders for students when they are at home working.
Update: I am more than half-way finished with the APSU23Things. This assignment is by far the best "thing" I've done for a graduate-level class!
It is important for educators to know how social networking sites work because they are very useful communication tools. You can set up groups and stay in touch with fellow educators. Keep your group private and this can be a place to meet on a regular basis to keep in touch. I like that social networking sites like Facebook have privacy controls so content can be blocked. Facebook has less abrasive ads than MySpace and is more user friendly.
I use Facebook as a means to communicate with other teachers and parents. It helps me maintain a great report with both. Most students have a Facebook page, so a classroom idea would be to create a Facebook Group for your class that only your students (and their parents) can join. This can be a safe place to ask questions of the teacher and the teacher can post classroom news and assignment information. This can be a place to store project instructions and reminders for students when they are at home working.
Update: I am more than half-way finished with the APSU23Things. This assignment is by far the best "thing" I've done for a graduate-level class!
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