Thing # 12: Google is not just for searching anymore

     I was amazed how many tools Google offered.   This assignment required that we explore the different tools to see what was useful and how we could and would use them.    I started my exploration with Google Translate.  I started with translating to Spanish and then realized they had an Arabic tab.  I was really excited about that because, I will be visiting Dubai this summer and it would be awesome to be able to attempt to communicate in Arabic.   I typed Hello and here is a link to the translation:  Hello in Arabic.   I also liked that Google will speak the translation to you, that is a great feature!  This is a great resource for the classroom.   I look forward to allowing my students to explore this tool.

     I then tried Google Scholar.  I was pleasantly surprised with the results I found searching various topics.  I think this will be a great resource for me during my Graduate Studies and my future students.

     Next, I tried Google Calendar.    Below is the calendar I created for my family's sports schedule for this week plus a few other events.  I think this could be a great tool for me personally and for my students.  They could create a calendar for their homework and classwork assignments, test, etc.  to help them keep organized.

Thing #11: Finding Good Feeds

     I really enjoyed looking for Blog feeds and was surprised by some of my findings.   I tried looking up a variety of subjects and got a lot of blogs for some, but very few for others.   I did find some interesting Middle school blogs.

     I originally tried Feedly and it was pretty simple.   Then I tried Google Blog Search and it was very easy also.  I thought it was interesting that it also gave me websites, not just blog results.   There were also a couple of results that I thought were blogs, but when I clicked on them I discovered they were actually websites.  One was very good and I saved it.   Blogsearchengine.com was very easy also.  I will use all three of these sights again.

     I then tried out Technorati.   It was not as easy to use as the three mentioned above.  I also found that several blogs were discontinued for one reason or another.   I don't think that I will use this sight often to look for blogs.

A few of the blogs I found that were useful are:
     edublogs.org - educational blogging service
     mr.sicklerphysicaleducation.com
   
Middle School PE was on Pinterest

Thing # 10: Setup an RSS Reader and adding Feeds

Wow.   By now you know that I am way behind on technology.  I just call my BFF and she helps me through when I struggle.   I have not called her during this class and pushed through some of the more frustrating assignments on my own.  I know what some of you are thinking, but my life is busy and I just don't have the time to struggle or search through to get up to date…. before now.   This class has really opened my mind to what technology and the internet has to offer.   And with a little instruction and encouragement, what you can learn and accomplish before you know it.

The RSS feed has really opened my eyes to so many possibilities.

First, I did not know you could do this.  Second, I am now addicted.  Third,  I love that it is easy and that I can create folders to organize my feeds.   Fourth, I had no idea how many different blogs, websites, etc. were out there for the subjects I searched.   Although, I was disappointed there was not more for a few of the topics.  

The information is limitless with a RSS feed.  You can get so much information quickly and conveniently.   The possibilities are endless for how I can use this personally and professionally.  I subscribed to fourteen different feeds very quickly and was able to organize them efficiently.

I found the Nerdy Teacher website.  I really liked how he posts assignment every week that his class has to chat about.  He also required each student to create a blog and they had to complete assignments on their blog sites also (like this class).  He used TV shows, etc. to discuss topics they are learning and requires them to listen to pod casts for certain activities.   I really liked how he is linking technology, learning and being innovated to keep his students attention.  

This one feed gave me great ideas that I hope to shape into great learning tools for my students and classroom.

I look forward to using this tool in the future in my personal and professional life.  I hope to show my students the value of RSS feeds to help them in their studies and their future.  

Thing # 9 : Online Image Generators

 I have worked with an image generator before.   I did not know what to expect when I started, but the first one I tried was easier than I expected. I went to the Sign Generator Widgets & Image Generators website to see what type they offered.  The first online image generator I tried was Fenway BallPark Sign Generator. You can see it below.

The next one I tried is the Happy Face Generator.  It was very easy to use and lots of fun.  I tried several before deciding on the one before.

The next website I tried was Image Chef.  This website had a lot of choices.   I was not sure where to start with experimenting with all the templates.   I chose to do flowers because this month is my parents anniversary.  Here is what I made.

I enjoyed this assignment a lot.   I had never used any of these websites and I enjoyed experimenting.

Thing # 8: Flickr Mashups

This assignment had us playing with the Flickr mashup tools and applications.  This was a very interesting assignment.  I was very disappointed with a few of the first that I tried, but then found a few that I liked.  I was very frustrated with spell with Flickr, because I could not get the image to upload.   I enjoyed picking random photos and then using my own personal ones.  Here are a few projects that I completed.

I created the above image by using jigsaw on Big Huge Labs.   I used this particular photo of the Night Stalker Memorial during the Annual Memorial Ceremony, because it is an awesome reminder of what the ultimate sacrifice our military and their families can make.  I love the glowing eyes!   NSDQ and LNSDQ! 

I also used the mosaic maker on Big Huge Labs.  I uploaded several pictures and made a niece mosaic that would make a great poster.   I have attached it below.

I liked Big Huge Labs because they have a section that discusses how the website can help you in the classroom and for your students.  You can pre-register your students so that they do not have to have a email address.  The students can sent their work with a single click and the teacher can view and download the content created by your students.  I think that is a great option and teaching element to this website.   I hope I can use this with my students in the future.

Thing # 7

Applebee's in the Dubai Mall, Dubai, UAE

Applebee's in Dubai, UAE, a photo by susseducation on Flickr.

Thing #7 : Explore Flickr

     I have never used Flickr before and created a Yahoo account so that I could upload pictures.  I have used Pinterest and Sutterfly a lot for my pictures and sharing them with friends and family.  I found that uploading was easy and you could set the pictures to be public or private.   I did like that you could allow people to or not to copy or save the pictures that you upload.  Also, that you could set  them so that no one could search for them.
      I chose to upload one of the first photos my husband took when he got to Dubai.  It is an Applebee's restaurant in the Dubai Mall.  The photo is attached to the post listed as  Thing #7 and is above this post.  I had a lot of trouble getting the Flickr photo's to attach.  Even the one's that I loaded into my account.  When I used their Blogging tool, it would not allow me to attach to a post, it had to be in it's own separate post.   I am not sure if I missed a step, but it was very frustrating.  So, I improvised and added the photo in a separate post and built my main post on this photo.
      I also attached the following link so that you could see the View from the Burj Khalifa at night.  We were lucky enough to get to tour the Burj Khalifa the last time we visited my husband.  This is not one of our photo's, but the kids had a great time.   The photo that I attached below is the Burj Khalifa at night from a distance.  This a beautiful shot that show just how tall the building is and how it towers over the rest of the surrounding buildings.  Do you see the clouds at the middle of the building?  Dubai is already working on plans and drawings to build another skyscraper to go even higher.

Dubai, a photo by Marco Markovich / Boda de Cine on Flickr.

I enjoyed this experience and look forward to experimenting more with the Flickr.  I hope to utilize this with my students.

Thing # 6: Discovering Web 2.0 Tools

When I clicked on the Go2Web2.0 link to explore the tools, I was amazed.   WOW.   I only recognized two or three of the links.   Pinterest was the only one I used frequently.   I had a great time exploring several  different  sites, such as:
                             Sweetsearch -  which is an excellent search engine for students
                             Carrot sticks - which provides online math games
                             Active Allowance - "teaching kids dollars and sense"

But I chose to use Canva.  You do have to create an account, but it is free.  Canva allows you to create posters, cards, invitations, photo collages, etc. for free or a low price.   You can choose to use their free elements and basic images for free, plus you can upload your own images, or use their premium features for a minimum cost.  I chose to use the free photo collage and upload my own elements.  this is the link to my collage : Our Family Snow Day Fun.   I was also able to download a PDF picture of the collage for me to print or use.  Here is the example of my pictures:

I think this could be a great tool in my classroom.  The students could create presentations, collages of their field trips…..  there are so many possibilities.   I look forward to continuing this journey of learning technology that will not only  help me in the classroom, be a better teacher and mentor, but that I can use with my own family.

Thing #5 : Web 2.0

     I enjoyed reading the articles on Web 2.0 and School 2.0.    I had never heard of either term and was surprised at all the information that I found.  I also realized how far behind I really was on technology and where it will lead our lives and classrooms in the future.  
     When I read the Web 2.0 and where computers came from to where they are now, I recognized some of the old "computer codes" from when I started using computers.   It is amazing how different and easier they are to use today and it is changing every minute.    From iPads, laptops, smart screens to cars, technology is amazing.   I is easy to be left behind, as I was, and to keep up in the future will be just as difficult.
     School 2.0 is also a revolving concept.  It will be important for teachers to not only keep up with the technology, but to integrate it in their classrooms.  It is interesting that a classroom can be virtual and can go anywhere with you.  Your lesson plan can be mobile with the use of iPads, etc. and taken outside to allow the students to study differently and possibly learn more.  To be able to harness that thought into something great and fulfilling for my students is a hefty goal.   I look forward to working hard to answer that challenge and make it worthwhile for my students.  
     There were several good suggestions and points at the Teachers 2.0 website.  I will be teaching gym.   I look forward to the challenge of integrating technology into my classroom that is both educational, fun and keeps my students moving to the beat of the future.

Thing #4 Importance of Comments

Commenting is a way to communicate in a world that depends on technology.  Commenting is a source of communicating that allows people to feel connected and/or part of a community.  Whether it is on Facebook, Twitter or a blog,  commenting allows a person to let their feelings and thoughts be known whether they agree or disagree with the post.

When you are teaching or learning, it is very important to have an open venue that ideas can be shared and improved upon.  Technology is an excellent place to do this.

I think it is very important to invite comments on your blog and ask questions that will encourage people to comment.    In reading the articles and blogs that was suggested by assignment, I found several good suggestions and points.  Two good suggestions are to put a question in the heading and to ask specific questions to get feedback.  Another great suggestion was that it is important to respond to all comments.  This lets the commenter know that you are paying attention and appreciate the time they took to comment on your post.  

The seven blogs that I am following and commented on are:

Courtney Brown (CHS Chemistry 23 Things) - I really liked her ideas about linking worksheets,
               assignments, etc. to her blog so that students and parents know what is going on in the class.
               This also allows a common place to find important information.

Delma Vasquez's (Delma Vasquez's 23 things) - I like that you will use your blog to keep your students
               aware of current issues and trends while teaching Spanish.

Sheilah Queener (Miss Queener's 23 Things) -  I liked that she is going to set up a blog for students
              about a novel they are reading.  Each student would have a character they will blog as if they
              are writing from that characters perspective.  I think this is an excellent teaching idea.

Esther  Yum (Esther's 23 Things) - I liked her dog treat ideas and the story about adopting a dog.
              I also liked that she would use her blog to post pictures for  her class for the parents to be able
              to see.

Suzette Pinnock (23 Things) - I liked that she also struggles with technology as I do.   Also that she
              plans to use this in her class as a tool to interact with her students and parents.   She has some
              of the same struggles that I do with our home life.

Sky's Health and PE Blog (http://www.antane.blogspot.com) - I liked a lot of her ideas and posts.  Her
              seven reasons to be passionate about your career are good points.  She gives a list of resources
              you can use as a PE teacher.

Wagner's Big Red Phys Ed (http://www.bigredpe.com) - I liked this blog because it is set in the high
             school setting.  I had a hard time finding blogs that were not specifically elementary.  I also
             like that he challenges his students to different activities that are not specifically part of the
             the standards, but do pertain to them.

I liked this assignment because it challenged me to get out into the blogger world and see what I could find.  I was surprised to not find much in the Middle School and High School PE and Health areas.  I look forward to learning more from the 23 Things assignment.