There are tons of of web 2.0 tools out there for us to use these days and I suppose the list will only grow. It only makes sense that the internet is no longer just for searching and retrieving information, but also for posting and collaborating. One does not need to become a webmaster to be able to participate these days.
I chose LinkedIn for this exercise to build my professional bio on line. With today's economy, one never knows when they will need to find that next job. My next door neighbor actually found employment using this site which brings it validation. I have also found that many of my colleagues in SBISD are now using the site as well.
Please feel free to view my profile on LinkedIn by clicking here and become a connection.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Thing #18 - Online Productivity Tools
Here are the answers to most everyone's prayers. A source for students who do not own Microsoft Office to be able to use and create documents on their home computers. It has ALWAYS been a problem sending students electronic assignments created with Microsoft Office. Many have old versions or none at all. Many student computers have Microsoft Works, which will not open in Office. Although you can get around by saving in .rtf or related formats, many times students forget to do this and are left unable to work on assignments until they go back home and resave their work. By using Open Office, this is no longer a problem. It's FREE for everyone.
Google Docs is a little bit different. Although you can work and edit on any computer, the format is a bit different than using traditional word processing software. It is on line, so the appearance is somewhat different than using a software application. I found that it also had limits when working with spreadsheets, but the basics are there. I have used this application with the district's Activ trainers group and it did serve it's purpose. For basic shared documents, I would rather use a Wiki myself.
Open Office is a prayer answered for all the low SES students we serve in our district who have a computer, but not the means to purchase costly software.
Google Docs is a little bit different. Although you can work and edit on any computer, the format is a bit different than using traditional word processing software. It is on line, so the appearance is somewhat different than using a software application. I found that it also had limits when working with spreadsheets, but the basics are there. I have used this application with the district's Activ trainers group and it did serve it's purpose. For basic shared documents, I would rather use a Wiki myself.
Open Office is a prayer answered for all the low SES students we serve in our district who have a computer, but not the means to purchase costly software.
Thing #17 - Rollyo
Rollyo is a great way to save time and narrow your student's research on the internet for information. After creating an account, I made a search roll for AP testing, as this is a large part of my job. After putting in College Boards web address and conducting searches, I was happy to see that I could easily find the information I needed all within the confines of the College Board website.
As I search and find reputable sites for broadcast journalism, I can now create search rolls for the students which will keep them within the confines of certain periodicals which will have greater relevance for class.
Here is a link to my search roll on Rollyo.
As I search and find reputable sites for broadcast journalism, I can now create search rolls for the students which will keep them within the confines of certain periodicals which will have greater relevance for class.
Here is a link to my search roll on Rollyo.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thing #16 - Wikis
I am just learning how to use Wikis in an effective manner. A group of campus tech reps has started one with hopes of creating collaboration of the reps from each campus. Unfortunately, this was started at the end of the school year when many of us are tired and not ready to take on new adventures. After revisiting this lesson, I see what a great opportunity I missed out on as I was caught up in the myriad of emails from everyone which could better be served in a Wiki.
The possibilities of using this application are endless, from group projects to classroom discussions. I see the difference in that all comments can be edited, not like a blog where one can only contribute or add on. When planning and assigning tasks, the need for change can be easily edited to avoid having to repeat steps and to join in on the current status at hand.
I believe I can use this tool when planning a broadcast assignment. All students have different roles and duties. Rather than me using the traditional role of task giver, the students can take ownership in the project and step in where they are needed.
Wikipedia
The possibilities of using this application are endless, from group projects to classroom discussions. I see the difference in that all comments can be edited, not like a blog where one can only contribute or add on. When planning and assigning tasks, the need for change can be easily edited to avoid having to repeat steps and to join in on the current status at hand.
I believe I can use this tool when planning a broadcast assignment. All students have different roles and duties. Rather than me using the traditional role of task giver, the students can take ownership in the project and step in where they are needed.
Wikipedia
Thing #15 - Library 2.0
I found these articles interesting and was glad to see that a movement is being established to upgrade what a library was and should now be. The video establishes how learning has changed and the time involved is so much lengthier. We have to become a nation of multitaskers to be able to keep up with the ever growing demands placed on us. The days of picking up a book and giving a report are all but passe. Students need libraries where they can access more than just books, but to get all sorts of input that might not readily be available to them from a home computer.
Not available to them on a home computer? Yes, this puts a high demand on libraries to keep value and purpose. Virtually everything is available on the internet now from blogs to wikis to content databases and mainly, interactive information acquisition. If we can do this all from home, why do we even need libraries? Simple, guidance and expertise. With a myriad of sources available, doing a Google search is no longer feesible with millions of links per topic available. Librarians need to offer and guide the learner to the information needed and to help the learner join in on the global information acquisition by offering commentary and relevance to the topic at hand. A good library needs to offer these tools to students as well as have expertise on how to use them.
Library 2.0 will help metamorphasize and transition the libraries of the past. Books and periodicals are such a minute element in today's expectations of student presentations. Incorporating all the sensory elements of speech, video, and sound now serve the basic structure of completing many assignments. Learners are expected to draw in and present information in a manner that will capture an audience much larger than just the teacher. Learning is now a collaboration in society which grows and develops. Just as in the video, an entire class can contribute and create a presentation which garners much more insight than that of a sole author.
Afterall, if what students are preparing for now will be obsolete by the time they graduate, they need the knowledge and skills to be able to adapt to the evergrowing changes that our society faces. When they join the work force, they need to be able take on the expectations given them and know how to use the tools to create the new things yet to come. Better yet, they will be designing the tools for younger generations to rely on.
Not available to them on a home computer? Yes, this puts a high demand on libraries to keep value and purpose. Virtually everything is available on the internet now from blogs to wikis to content databases and mainly, interactive information acquisition. If we can do this all from home, why do we even need libraries? Simple, guidance and expertise. With a myriad of sources available, doing a Google search is no longer feesible with millions of links per topic available. Librarians need to offer and guide the learner to the information needed and to help the learner join in on the global information acquisition by offering commentary and relevance to the topic at hand. A good library needs to offer these tools to students as well as have expertise on how to use them.
Library 2.0 will help metamorphasize and transition the libraries of the past. Books and periodicals are such a minute element in today's expectations of student presentations. Incorporating all the sensory elements of speech, video, and sound now serve the basic structure of completing many assignments. Learners are expected to draw in and present information in a manner that will capture an audience much larger than just the teacher. Learning is now a collaboration in society which grows and develops. Just as in the video, an entire class can contribute and create a presentation which garners much more insight than that of a sole author.
Afterall, if what students are preparing for now will be obsolete by the time they graduate, they need the knowledge and skills to be able to adapt to the evergrowing changes that our society faces. When they join the work force, they need to be able take on the expectations given them and know how to use the tools to create the new things yet to come. Better yet, they will be designing the tools for younger generations to rely on.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thing #14 - Technorati
How many search engines can we have? Well, after exploring Technorati, this is an additional must. Thru this site, you search other people's blogs on just about any topic you can imagine. Rather than coming up with sites that are published by "reputable" sources, these sites are by the everyday person. You can even post your own blog to become part of their family.
I decided to search for information on using Final Cut Express, this is video editing software used on Mac computers. There were plenty of posts by others on how to get started and how to do specialized items. People even posted videos of their instructions which they had created in either Camtasia or Captivate on how to use this program. One of the most informative was made by a high school student on cloning. By watching instruction given by this student, it was actually much easier to follow than others I had seen on Atomic Learning or lynda.com.
I'll definitely go back to this site and will direct my students in this direction as I also noted that these blogs asked questions on problems where others offered insite on how to fix them. The fact that I found many discussions and videos on broadcast journalism and the tools required for the course sold me.
Of course, Technorati is now included on my Delicious account.
I decided to search for information on using Final Cut Express, this is video editing software used on Mac computers. There were plenty of posts by others on how to get started and how to do specialized items. People even posted videos of their instructions which they had created in either Camtasia or Captivate on how to use this program. One of the most informative was made by a high school student on cloning. By watching instruction given by this student, it was actually much easier to follow than others I had seen on Atomic Learning or lynda.com.
I'll definitely go back to this site and will direct my students in this direction as I also noted that these blogs asked questions on problems where others offered insite on how to fix them. The fact that I found many discussions and videos on broadcast journalism and the tools required for the course sold me.
Of course, Technorati is now included on my Delicious account.
Thing #13-Tagging and discovering Delicious
I found this to be a very cool site. I was able to export all my favorites from my computer into my delicious account. I then went to my second computer, which has different favorites and tried to import them. Well, it wouldn't let me do it - what now? Delicious told me to come back in a couple of hours and try again. This time it worked. I now have a space where I can go from any computer, anywhere, and get to my favorites.
The time saved from having to search for these sites will be immense. My job is also the College Board liason for my campus. There website is immense and very difficult to navigate. I now have all my College Board URL's tagged for easy retrieval. I went ahead and was able to tag all of my sites and it built a system for me, much like organizing folders under My Favorites.
The best part about this is that when my computer breaks down and needs to be re-imaged, I don't have to worry about losing all of these valuable links. Also, if I am working on a different work station and come across information I want to retrieve from my personal computer, it is not a problem as all I need to do is go to Delicious.
I haven't explored tags posted by others that are related to mine yet, but I'm sure I will run across a wealth of information which might save me time from looking through the more traditional search engines.
My Delicious Bookmarks
The time saved from having to search for these sites will be immense. My job is also the College Board liason for my campus. There website is immense and very difficult to navigate. I now have all my College Board URL's tagged for easy retrieval. I went ahead and was able to tag all of my sites and it built a system for me, much like organizing folders under My Favorites.
The best part about this is that when my computer breaks down and needs to be re-imaged, I don't have to worry about losing all of these valuable links. Also, if I am working on a different work station and come across information I want to retrieve from my personal computer, it is not a problem as all I need to do is go to Delicious.
I haven't explored tags posted by others that are related to mine yet, but I'm sure I will run across a wealth of information which might save me time from looking through the more traditional search engines.
My Delicious Bookmarks
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Thing #12-Creating Community Through Commenting
This is an informative little piece that should be read by all new to blogging. Instead of experimenting and taking off, it gives you a little hindsite as to what a blog is, how you can use it as a positive took and also things to watch out for.
2 of the discoveries I noted is that quite a few blogs are personal. They are merely people's diaries, raising discussions on what particularly interests them that day. They don't always seek comment, but do leave the ability for others to do so. The other of course is the Corporate - or as in our case, Educational - blog. This is strictly for use in business and can be open to the world, or just a select few. This is much like our Library2Play blog that we are utilizing for this course.
I have some issues with aliases versus true identity. Farkas describes well her first diving into the blog world as Chilihead, eventually going to her name. To me, a first name is still an alias as many have the same first name, yet you still see very few bloggers who use their complete names. I think for purposes in an educational setting and working with kids, it is important that those students are identifiable, at least by name or student id number. We all know that working with kids, you will have a few that will come out as trolls to bring shame and embarassment to fellow classmates. For this reason, I have outed myself in in previous posts.
Off to visit my fellow classmates...more later.
Here are the ones I visited. Christina's Musical Notes , 23 Things-SBISD Style . Logical Lori , Moulton Lava , and Laptop Learner.
2 of the discoveries I noted is that quite a few blogs are personal. They are merely people's diaries, raising discussions on what particularly interests them that day. They don't always seek comment, but do leave the ability for others to do so. The other of course is the Corporate - or as in our case, Educational - blog. This is strictly for use in business and can be open to the world, or just a select few. This is much like our Library2Play blog that we are utilizing for this course.
I have some issues with aliases versus true identity. Farkas describes well her first diving into the blog world as Chilihead, eventually going to her name. To me, a first name is still an alias as many have the same first name, yet you still see very few bloggers who use their complete names. I think for purposes in an educational setting and working with kids, it is important that those students are identifiable, at least by name or student id number. We all know that working with kids, you will have a few that will come out as trolls to bring shame and embarassment to fellow classmates. For this reason, I have outed myself in in previous posts.
Off to visit my fellow classmates...more later.
Here are the ones I visited. Christina's Musical Notes , 23 Things-SBISD Style . Logical Lori , Moulton Lava , and Laptop Learner.
Thing #11 - Library Thing
What a great way for students to catalog books for their English or Reading classes. It's simple, easy, fast and free. As you build your collection, you will find that reviews will pop up on many of the popular titles by other readers. You can also add your own review once you've completed the novel as well. Students can print out the list for their teachers to see and can report their readings through simple interviews or extensive literary criticisms of the works.
This is yet another cool little tool that requires little time and effort but can build a list for memories to behold.
My Library Thing
This is yet another cool little tool that requires little time and effort but can build a list for memories to behold.
My Library Thing
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Thing #10 - Working with Graphics-Online Image Generators
I got the above clip from Image Chef. Lots of cute little things to create with this site. I don't know how much a high school student would want to use these things though.
Big Huge Labs seems to have the most options. I had fun with the badge maker. http://bighugelabs.com/badge.php
Dumpr had some interesting stuff although it is a pay site as well. http://www.dumpr.net/ They entice you with a few things but then keep requesting that you upgrade for cash. This is my great niece, Carolyn.
And finally I had fun creating Trading Cards. http://bighugelabs.com/deck.php
What I enjoyed about most of these sites, it lets you create photos quickly and easily without the expertise of Photoshop. Talk about saving lots of time. This was a fun exercise.
Thing #9 - Useful Blogs and News feeds
Which blog tool was the easiest to use? For me it was the Google one. It is set up to add to my Google home page and offers an option to automatically look up blogs related to the topic I selected. I went to the other blog searches that were posted and there is a myriad of information out there. Most are associated with current events and some had no topics related to my field whatsoever (broadcast).
For my case, I found that it is best for me to keep the searches narrow. With too many to use, a lot of time can be wasted just looking. Although research is a valuable and necessary tool, I find that it is most important to stay focused and have an option that directly takes you to the information you seek and doesn't beat around the bush with topics and discussions that are irrelevant to the task at hand. It is important to stay clearly focused on the question at hand and not be swayed by "related" topics which seem to be the majority of these blogs.
I like the way the Cool Cat Teacher noted the 2 main types of blogs, the egocentrical one (which there certainly are many) and the conversationalists. He/she makes good reference for what to look for in a blog when conducting searches.
I added a few feeds to my google home page which will keep me from going out amongst the millions in searching and will send me the topic specific blogs which I requested.
Can you tell I don't like to waste my time?
http://www.google.com/reader/view/#overview-page
For my case, I found that it is best for me to keep the searches narrow. With too many to use, a lot of time can be wasted just looking. Although research is a valuable and necessary tool, I find that it is most important to stay focused and have an option that directly takes you to the information you seek and doesn't beat around the bush with topics and discussions that are irrelevant to the task at hand. It is important to stay clearly focused on the question at hand and not be swayed by "related" topics which seem to be the majority of these blogs.
I like the way the Cool Cat Teacher noted the 2 main types of blogs, the egocentrical one (which there certainly are many) and the conversationalists. He/she makes good reference for what to look for in a blog when conducting searches.
I added a few feeds to my google home page which will keep me from going out amongst the millions in searching and will send me the topic specific blogs which I requested.
Can you tell I don't like to waste my time?
http://www.google.com/reader/view/#overview-page
Monday, June 22, 2009
Thing #8 RSS Feeds
Now this is a cool feature I never truly understood before. I had too many techno geeks try to explain it to me and it went completely over my head. Now that this has been presented in layman's terms, it is truly simple to use and understand. I can see how checking into this one page can easily cover things I'm interested in without going all over the internet.
http://www.google.com/profiles/leerayhaynes
This is a tool that can be used for both school and my personal life. I'll probably keep it personal until I can set one up with purely educational sites for use in my classes. Students have enough to do without me throwing a myriad of feeds at them. I would find it more beneficial for me to collect the information and then share the materials that would be the focus of the lesson for the day.
Our business is busy and fast paced as it is. Using an RSS reader with the key information which is relevant to the job can be quite beneficial in saving the all so precious little time we have for research and academics by having direct links to the information we are most interested in.
http://www.google.com/profiles/leerayhaynes
This is a tool that can be used for both school and my personal life. I'll probably keep it personal until I can set one up with purely educational sites for use in my classes. Students have enough to do without me throwing a myriad of feeds at them. I would find it more beneficial for me to collect the information and then share the materials that would be the focus of the lesson for the day.
Our business is busy and fast paced as it is. Using an RSS reader with the key information which is relevant to the job can be quite beneficial in saving the all so precious little time we have for research and academics by having direct links to the information we are most interested in.
Thing #7 - Cool tools that Google has
Why have software? Google lets you handle and manage all of your personal and professional tasks from any computer, anywhere. From Google docs to the calendar, it is much easier to manage oneself without being strapped to a particular computer. You virtually create your own share folder without having to go through the permissions process we have to on the job, plus, you can share with folks not employed within the district-eliminating stress. I like how groups can work on documents and contribute edits at their own time and leisure.
I like Picasa too. This is a cool way to upload and document photos for use in school. I keep my personal photos on Facebook, but this avenue will work well with students as you share the photos with your selected audience.
http://picasaweb.google.com/leerayhaynes
I like Picasa too. This is a cool way to upload and document photos for use in school. I keep my personal photos on Facebook, but this avenue will work well with students as you share the photos with your selected audience.
http://picasaweb.google.com/leerayhaynes
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Thing #6 - Mashups and cool 3rd party sites
What fun. These sites allow many creative outlets for students to spiff up report covers, alter photos and just have fun while learning to create new projects. Students can explore and make a huge array of projects without using multimedia software applications. The magazine cover project was awesome and easy.
This is my great nephew, Steven.
I can see this benefiting my classes as photos are easily uploaded into videos which can then be broadcast with little need to learn Photoshop and all of its intricacies. It will be enough of a chore leaning Final Cut!
This site probably has the best array of gadget and tricks to spiff up a project. Big Huge Labs
I can see this benefiting my classes as photos are easily uploaded into videos which can then be broadcast with little need to learn Photoshop and all of its intricacies. It will be enough of a chore leaning Final Cut!
This site probably has the best array of gadget and tricks to spiff up a project. Big Huge Labs
Thing #5 - Flickr
Well Flickr had its many ups and downs. I was hoping to create a group account where all my students could access and upload pictures they had taken. I quickly learned that the free site would not hold many photos at all. After uploading 30 resized for web photos, I had used 20% of my allowance for the month. This would not be suitable for entire classes. I also learned that the only way to search was by the name of the photo, not the group account. Yes, I dig tag the photos but they you come up with 100,000 to browse through to find your own.
I know, the kids could use their own accounts, I'm trying to cut out the search process though.
Flickr also required me to use my yahoo/att account. I was not able to create an account using the gmail account I made for the group.
Now as far as looking for photos to use, the Common Ground is great. I feel like most of the photos we will need to use should be current and taken by the students.
I can see Flickr as a great substitute for Google images as long as you are in the Common ground and give credit where do. Just about all tech apps courses should find this site useful, especially Multimedia and Digital Graphics and Animation.
Here's a photo depicting the type of antiquated technology I will be using in my class:-). It's really not that bad, but there is room for much improvent.
Please let me know if you have found an option for creating a group account for a class to save and retrieve their photos. Thanks...
I know, the kids could use their own accounts, I'm trying to cut out the search process though.
Flickr also required me to use my yahoo/att account. I was not able to create an account using the gmail account I made for the group.
Now as far as looking for photos to use, the Common Ground is great. I feel like most of the photos we will need to use should be current and taken by the students.
I can see Flickr as a great substitute for Google images as long as you are in the Common ground and give credit where do. Just about all tech apps courses should find this site useful, especially Multimedia and Digital Graphics and Animation.
Here's a photo depicting the type of antiquated technology I will be using in my class:-). It's really not that bad, but there is room for much improvent.
Please let me know if you have found an option for creating a group account for a class to save and retrieve their photos. Thanks...
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Thing #2-My comments on the 7and a half habits
I found this to be a good outline to follow when accepting new challenges. Keeping these things in mind will keep me from stressing out over what needs to be done. Setting goals with the end picture in mind helps me create the big picture. Having confidence to take on a task that I have not done before will keep me focused on these goals as well.
I have to say now, the voice over on the slide show was horrible! I had to turn down the volume and read the slides as her voice was dragging and putting me to sleep. We need to remember that we use different voices for teaching children and for teaching adults.
I recommend you turn down the volume and read the slides.
Your thoughts?
I have to say now, the voice over on the slide show was horrible! I had to turn down the volume and read the slides as her voice was dragging and putting me to sleep. We need to remember that we use different voices for teaching children and for teaching adults.
I recommend you turn down the volume and read the slides.
Your thoughts?
Thing #1-Starting up the Broadcasting blog
OK, this is a first for me. I hope to set up this site for use with my classes next year. I'll be teaching 2 new subjects (Broadcast Journalism 1 and 2 (which will actually be Video Technology) and hope to use this as a learning opportunity with my students as we explore and create curriculum through the year.
I have the advantage of rewriting and changing the way the courses have been previously taught. This should give us plenty of room to explore, create, recreate and assess what works well and what does not.
The scary part is having the entire student body as our audience.
I have the advantage of rewriting and changing the way the courses have been previously taught. This should give us plenty of room to explore, create, recreate and assess what works well and what does not.
The scary part is having the entire student body as our audience.
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