Thing 11.5-Evaluation

Woohoo! I made it! Here is my wrap up evaluation:
1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
My favorite discovery by far was Skype. It was my favorite for entirely selfish reasons. I now see ways to communicate with my sons with out the use of cell phones and the accompanying bill. I have tested it and it works great. What a find!
2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
I enjoy finding out about new on-line resources. Many of them I can use in library lessons, but even the ones that do not particularly apply to elementary education can be used in other ways---Skype for example.
3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? I cannot think of any unexpected outcomes this time around, but there were two very good take aways that I definitely will use in library lessons: Wordle and Slide Share.
4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
The only suggestion I can think of would be the division of site exploration by grade levels. For example, there was really no application in the elementary setting for Second Life. It is good to know about it, but I would prefer to explore more usable sites for my grade levels.

Thing 11-Digital Citizenship

It is important for students to understand the importance of the uses and responsibilities of of on-line communications and learning. Five important concepts to discuss are:
1. Digital Etiquette-What is appropriate behavior when using the computer? What are the consequences of misuse of computer equipment or on-line sites?
2. Digital Literacy-What are necessary research skills? How can we judge the reliability of a web site?
3. Digital Law-What are ethical uses of technology and information taken from web sites? How do we properly cite our sources?
4. Digital Rights and Responsiblities-Students need to know that they have the right to freedom of speech and the right to privacy on-line, but students need to know how to exercise these rights in an appropriate way.
5. Digital Security-Students need to understand that not everyone on-line is to be trusted. Students need to understand about viruses and web protection along with their personal protection on-line.

Thing 10-Second Life

Okay, I explored this, but I am still skeptical. Who has time for this---both in the school setting or on my own time? Since I am in an elementary school, I see no way that I could use this in a class setting. Even the teen version is for ages 13 and up.
I have been told by my much more in tune with what is current sons that Second Life is considered very out now. Maybe I should try it again when I am in a better mood.....

Thing 9-Slideshare

I investigated Slideshare and 280 Slides. I really liked both sites for several reasons. I liked the creative options that are available. I think that it is great to be able to look at other Power Point presentations for ideas or even to use and modify. I can definitely see students using both these sites for the above mentioned reasons. For students, I can see an advantage to saving presentations to these sites, then being able to access them from any computer. This would be a great help in student presentations to the class. It would no longer require saving the presentation to a flash drive or switching laptops.

Thing 8-Screencasts

I like this; however, I have to admit that I had some problems with it. I used ScreenCastle, which was very very easy to use, but I found that my finished screen cast dialog did not match up with the on screen action. I tried it twice and both times I got the same result. I am posting it here anyway. I can definitely see possibilities with screencasting. I could prepare a lesson and not have to repeat the same lesson four or five times for a grade level, I could screencast it. I could send e-mails to faculty members explaining technology changes. Students could create screencasts to instruct other students. The possibilities are endless....
I cannot make the video of my screencast work...as you can see below...hmmmm..

Thing 7-Video Resources

I am really glad to find out about all these video resources! I have used videos in the past in library lessons and they really keep student attention. For example, in the past I have used videos with book talks. For example, in a book talk about Brian Selznick's book The Invention of Hugo Cabret, I found a video presented by the Franklin Institute about automatons (the subject of Hugo Cabret) which I showed to classes. As a result, The Invention of Hugo Cabret went from collecting dust on the shelf to being the most sought after book of the year.
For Thing 7, I watched a video about space (which I am going to include here) and a PBS video from the American Experience series about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. I can see using them as I have in the past in library lessons and teasers to keep students interested.

Thing 6- ITouch Apps

I have had an I Touch for some time now and really do like it. I have read all the directions for downloading apps, but have to admit that I have had some problems actually doing on my IPod. I have enjoyed visiting the App Store and am amazed at all the information that is available for free. I can see uses for many of the educational apps---especially the math apps. Students could work in groups to solve the problems. One app about the presidents of the United States could be useful for student research or question and answer sessions. I also like the chess app. Students could actually practice their chess skills using the IPod.

Thing 5-Microblogging

Okay, I am officially on FaceBook and Twitter. I have to admit that I cannot see how Facebook or Twitter could help my students since I work in an elementary school and I think that both of these sites would be a little too advanced. I can definitely see why high school and college students and beyond enjoy these sites. Facebook is definitely a great way to keep up with friends, classmates and even family members (as I discovered when I joined). I could imagine a teacher or instructor setting up a Facebook page and posting assignments or notes for students to access---complete with pictures. As for Twitter, it is certainly popular. It is a great way to access very current events without accessing the web if you are using a cell phone. Obviously it is much faster and easier to read. I have also noticed TV and radio programs urging viewers/listeners to Twitter questions and comments for on air feedback. I think the idea of using Twitter to back-channel in the instructional setting is a great one---for high school and up. It would definitely be a great way to ask for clarification with anonimity.

Thing 4-Video Hosting-You Tube

Well, I have uploaded a video to You Tube! It can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kKDi4_mtJU. There would be advantages to having teaching/learning videos available online at sites like You Tube and Teacher Tube. The advantage would be the availability of these videos at any time for student use. Student created work would have the same advantage. Students could upload their work and it would be readily available for viewing by other students and parents. However, there is a REAL problem with this idea since the district still blocks You Tube. Anyway, here is a snippet of my You Tube entry.

11.5 Things-Thing 3-Skype

I have registered on Skype! After reading about Skype I am genuinely excited about this. I have had problems connecting, though. How to use Skype in the classroom? Well, after reading 50 Awesome Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom, I don't see how I could possibly add to that very creative list. I particularly liked the ideas of using Skype for connecting with other classes in other parts of the world, for allowing students who may be sick at home to participate in class lectures and lessons, and for virtual field trips. Wow! That's only three of the ideas.

11.5 Things-Thing 2-Image Generators

Where to start? I tried both Wordle and Word Sift. I liked them both. I think that Word Sift facinated me the most because of the definitions and other web sites that might be associated with the words. I had typed some lines from Macbeth and was surprised to see the different web sites that appeared---including a picture of Macbeth from a motion picture. I could see students doing just what I did---type in lines from a play or book and find definitions or make other connections. I then moved on to VoiceThread and played with that. I imported a picture and typed my own comments. This could be a great group project where students analyze a picture for art, or a poem, or a line from a book, or a mathematical equation...the list could go on. I really liked this one and registered for the free educators account. As for Voki and Animoto, I have known about these and used these before. I love Voki (see blog entry for March)and my students have really enjoyed working with it. Absolutely it sends a stronger message than just text. I always get immediate responses when I send messages to my sons using Voki instead of regular e-mail or texting. Finally, Bookr was great. I created an album. I could see students combining Bookr with the use of digital cameras and writing projects to describe their photos. What a great way to inspire students to write and keep their interest at the same time.

11.5 Things-Thing 1

I like this idea! This is education as it should be---student driven. The teacher/librarian is the facilitator and the student decides which direction to take.
In this scenario, it is very important that the student know how to effectively use technology. The student needs to know how to search for information, how to compile the information and how best to present the information. This involves a lot of technical expertise on the part of the teacher/librarian so that the student can be guided in the right direction. That is why programs (like 11.5 Things) to educate educators are very important, because this is definitely the direction that the world is going now.