Thing 4

explain why commenting helps create a sense of community and interaction
discuss two other points from the readings about commenting that you found important
give the names of the seven blogs (5 from our group + 2 others of your choice) you selected to read and comment on and tell why you selected them
discuss the comments that you chose to make and why you made them

I posted to Kathleen's Blog because I really liked what she had to say about MySpace. http://khamiltoniskrunk.blogspot.com/

I liked Learning Something News wiki and just wanted to encourage her with her cookbook.

Cricket's Corner gave some great websites to visit.

Parmenter's Place made me feel like I'd almost written it, it was so much like my own expierience.

Finally, I looked at teachergirls thoughts and shared some ideas on how to use a blog for the next year.

My favorite blog that I started looking into was The Movie Blog.com. I really enjoyed reading what the news in the entertainment world was. I commented on a couple of things about the Harry Potter the transition from books to movie. It drives me crazy when movie makers change the plotline of a great book to make a mediocre movie.

I've seen many other websites, but for the most part, I have avoided posting recently. Several years ago, the United States Figure Skating Association had a website with boards, similar to a Ning or the postings on a blog. I learned that often my opinions are not valued by others as much as they are by mine.

Another site? (may not be a blog) is a multi user interactive site called Xauror.com.
It's also a Harry Potter site, devoted to role-playing and addictive gaming.

Well, Now, I believe I really am finished.

Summary

I guess my favorite thing of all was animoto, turning my photos into a film. I really learned so much throughout the program. It's hard to choose just one thing when we learned so very much. I love it.

The outcomes were amazing. I love to learn. I've often said that if I could get paid for it, I'd be a full time student. One of the things I love about Mesquite is the concerted effort the district makes to help us learn new things.

I thought I was pretty technologically savvy. Wow, was I surprised. I guess it's just one more reminder that Mark Twain was right. "The more I learn, the more I know there is more to learn." So, where do I sign up for more classes like this? Let's go.

As for what I'll implement, I can't wait to get together with the other teachers on my team and put together a team blog that enables us to communicate with parents, help kids with class work and create a wonderful community of learners. I'm also thinking that we could have a running slideshow of students at work and their final products. (Of course, we'll be careful not to show any confidential information.)I'm also going to incorporate some vocabulary building products to help out our ELLs. What an amazing way to make things work for kids!

Thanks so much for providing us all with this experience. I can't wait to see the next one.

Thing 23

On multiple occasions, the instructions have included information that this class was based on Web 2.0 43 Things or other attributions For example at the bottom of Thing 21 it refers to where information had previously been published. "(originally posted on Explore...Discover...Play: Learning 2.1 and used here under a Creative Commons license)"

There have been attributions telling where images were gleaned, where ideas were generated etc. throughout the class.

One thing I know for sure, as a teacher, I can use selected portions of a show, play, novel or website for the purposes of critique, parody, or instruction. I should give credit to the creator, though in incidental cases, it probably would not cause major issues if I forgot.

It seems like that's a pretty good summary.

Thing 23

I took the time to look up some podcasts. I am a huge fan of Harry Potter, although, frankly, I've lost some interest now that the books are all out. Still, I like to keep up with the wizarding world. In that light, I chose to visit Mugglecast. http://www.mugglenet.com/mugglecast/

I listened to a few of their early episodes and several of the most recent, and found it intelligent and thought provoking ideas about the books. It was like a book club online. They get silly sometimes, but they are just college kids.

I checked several of the directories and listened to a few other podcasts. This was the one that I found that really tweaked my interests. Honestly, I just don't know when I would find the time to listen to podcasts on a regular basis. In fact, that's the main problem I have with most of the "things". When do I have time to keep up with it all? There's just so much time in the school day. During the summer, I have trouble keeping up. How in the world can I keep up in the school year? I can't see myself listening regularly. I like the fact that muggle cast has a directory of their previous episodes so you can easily look back. That way, you can go back and listen to everything later.

I personally don't see myself podcasting, but I won't rule it out. I'm too opinionated. Most people wouldn't want to listen to me get on my soapbox. Although, come to think of it, people like Chris Matthews and Mark Levin have thousands of listeners on the radio everyday. =)

Thing #21

I loved Animoto. It was so easy to do and the results were beautiful. I'd like to also make a full length piece, but I'm too cheap. What a beautiful way to make a collage for a wedding or graduation party or evenn a baby shower.

I think it would be great to take portraits of influential Texans and have it to a Texas song. That would make a great intro to the year.

I can't wait.

Beauty of Creation

Thing # 20

Obviously, I'm a Harry Potter fan. I hate the movies most of the time because the are so off from the books. I still look forward to it everytime and I'm still disappointed in it everytime. Oh well, I'll survive.

I enjoyed exploring You Tube. I know there are a lot of things that aren't appropriate for school, but I'm also going to look for some information on Texas History and maybe even something to teach Government. I was thinking that I might be able to set up my own quick lesson summaries to video and then post it to a blog the students can access at home. It would be great to film how you work a math problem like the Common Craft guys do with the technology.

I'm loving it.