Thing #23 Summary about this program

It was fun doing the "23 things". Some the resources I learned I will use for sure, while some I will have to play more with before I start using them regularly. It was and eye opener to learn about all the technology resources available just a click away for free.

1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey? For sure the blog. I always meant to start one and never did. This might be the beginning of a professional blog as well as a personal one. I really had fun with the photostory, even my husband got hooked into it.
2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals? I have always been an online person. Most of what I read I do online so I now this is a good way for me to learn. The one thing I did while learning about "23 things" was play. It was cool to play with the technology presented and actually using it while learning at the same time. Great hands on that will encourage me to use this tools in the classroom.
3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? How easy some of the technology tools are to use and how much impact they can have in the classroom.
4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept? I really liked the concept, it was easy to follow and do all the discovery exercises. Perhaps offering a sequel to 23 things.
5. If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate? Definitely. I learn by doing hands on and this was as hands on as it can get. I also liked the fact that I could do it from home. I guess I am online learner.
6. How would you describe your learning experience in ONE WORD or in ONE SENTENCE, so we could use your words to promote 23 Things learning activities? Great active learning experience.
7. Now go and comment on some of the other Players' blogs? I did as part of the discovery and will comment some more.

THE END !!! (August 5, 2010)

Thing #22: Nings

While looking around nings, I really liked ning for teachers (http://teacherlingo.com/). I liked how it is a place where teachers share tips, grant resources, and lessons among other things. I believe nings can be good for collaboration within teachers from different places and grade levels. We all learn from each other and this seems like a good resource to do it virtually.

Thing #21: Podcasts and Videocasts

I had so much fun creating the photostory. It was so easy to do I can't believe I had not done it before. This is a cool tool to use in the classroom. I had fun and can see my students "playing" with photostory to create different projects.

Here is my first photostory.

Thing #20: YouTube, TeacherTube and Zamzar

There is just a great amount of videos on youtube and teachertube that can be used as tools to enhance teaching. It provides us with an extra tool to deliver content to students and reach all learners. I searched on teachertube for math videos. I ran a search for two digit addition and got a lot of results. Here is one that I liked.

Thing #19: Web 2.0 Awards List

For this thing I decided to play with whiteboard (http://writeboard.com/).

What is special about the tool?

For me whiteboard offers the ability to create documents that are not stored in one computer but are "portable" as they can be accessed from the web. You can share it, collaborate, compare versions and even keep whiteboard documents organized in a "backpack"

What are its useful parts, especially with regards to Libraries and school?

I think the fact that you can share it and collaborate (reminded me of a wiki) is very useful. A neat feature that I liked was that you can check versions of the document so you don't have to be afraid of losing information while editing the document.

How might you use this tool in your own setting?

I think that I can use whiteboard in the classroom to have students work on group research projects.

Thing #18: Online Productivity Tools

I have used Google Docs in the past to create .pdf files that I otherwise could not do since I do not own the acrobat version that will allow me to create such files. The convenience of a free online tool is well, it is free. Sometimes there are software programs that you do not used too frequently and it might not make sense to purchase the software. The advantages of openOffice are that it is free and runs on multiple platforms. The disadvantages are that it does not have all the nice features that office has and it is another tool to learn how to use.

Thing #17: Rollyo

Wow. Rollyo was so easy to use. This is a tool that I will for sure be using in the classroom for research projects. I feel more in control of the sites that students should access while doing an independent project. Here is the link to the sample rollsearch I created http://rollyo.com/marcela/marcela_travel/