Thing # 16

     For the first part of this assignment, I had to create a customized start page.  I used Symbaloo.com to create my start page.  I really liked the format of the page and how easy it was to navigate. It was very easy to create.  It gave me a few options for ad-ons and I like the EDUtools option, which had edublogs, school tube, flickr and teacher tube (to just name a few).  This was great to have all these tools in one location.   I then began to explore a little more.  I searched for several different items and was disappointed not to find a few.  I did like the option to create your own tile.  I think that is a great option.
      The next part of the assignment was to create an online calendar.  I currently use the calendar on my iPhone and google calendar, but am always looking for a better way to organize my extensive calendar. I originally wanted to try UpTo.com.  It is an App for iTunes, etc.  I decided not to try it after I read several reviews that said it kept crashing.  I did not want to put a lot of work into a calendar for it to continually crash and have to start over.  So, I decided to try 30 Boxes.  It was easy to setup, but it is very similar to the calendars I currently use.  I will explore it  more, but do not think I will use it long term.  I was really hoping to find a calendar that would allow me to easily store my various calendars separately, but also have one view of events.  I did not find this calendar to do what I needed. I will most likely continue to use the two calendars I have already.
     The last step was to pick an additional tool that might be useful in my classroom.  I think that using a PDF converter could be a useful tool for my classroom.  I have needed to use one personally and professionally several times and I believe I will have the same need as a teacher.  This converter is free for basic use, but you can also sign up for a membership (starting at $9 per month) for added benefits.

Thing #15: Wiki

     I have learned more about Wiki this class than I ever wanted to know.  I did not like Wikipedia before and still am not a great fan.   I do not like that anyone can change, add or delete information from a subject, item or post.  Knowledge does not matter when you are posting on this website.  I can  edit the information whether I actually have the knowledge base to make the changes or not.  My nephew used to use this site to research information for papers until I informed him of the truth about the information that can be gathered from the site.  Please don't understand, I am not saying that all the information is bad, wrong, false or misleading.  I am saying that there is no basis on whether or not the information is actually true and can mislead students trying to research topics.
     I understand that a positive point is that it is a great example of the sharing tools on the Internet.  Probably the most know and, per the website, the largest.   I do have to say that I did like that you can set up a wikispaces to share things for your school, class or organization.  Sharing lesson plans, book lists, etc. on wikispaces is a great tool to get information out to fellow teachers.     I did find some interesting pages through wikispaces that had some good information.

     Truthfully, I do not know if I will use wikispaces in my classroom.  I need to research it further.

Thing #14 : Mind maps and Flowcharts

     For this assignment we had to explore mind maps and flowcharts.  We needed to understand the difference between them and when to use each one.
   
     I did not know what a mind map was before this assignment.   After reviewing the sites suggested, I decided to use bubbl.us to create one.  After reviewing several examples and exploring, I decided to try making my own.   In the future, I would like to use one of the existing templates to complete one.   It was very easy to navigate and manipulate.   I look forward to exploring more in the future.

     Here is my example of the mind map I created.

     Flow charts were more familiar to me because I had used one to create a calling list.  I did not know all the options for flowcharts until this assignment.  I decided to use Gliffy to create a flowchart.  I really liked that it had so many options for figures and shapes available for the free version.  Of course, there are more options with the Pro subscription.   It was very easy.  I did not find any templates for Gliffy, but I may not have been looking in the correct place.  I plan to explore this site more to see what else it has to offer.  Templates would be a great addition to the site.


     Here is my example of the flow chart.

Thing #13 Google Drive

     Hello everyone.   Today the assignment was to watch this video about Google Drive and explore.  I was surprised at the options that are available for Google Drive.  I knew about it, but never really explored the options.  The first part of my assignment was to create a blog post using Google Document.  Here is the link for my post called Google Document.  
   
     The next part of the assignment was to use one of Google Drive's tools to create something and I created a Google Drive quiz.  I had some fun with some of the multiple choice options.  It was very easy to create and I will use it again.

     The last part of the assignment was to explore Zoho and compare the two.  I liked Zoho also.  I was amazed at all the options available as well as chat options.  I created an account (which is free, but it looked like some options could cost money) to explore.  It was a little more difficult to navigate than Google Drive, but I think it could be very useful.  I am not sure which I would say is better because they are so different.  I can see a positive for using both websites and will enjoy exploring them both more in the future.

     I highly suggest that if you have not explored both websites mentioned above, that you take the time to do it.

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.