THING 8!

I used http://bighugelabs.com/ to create a motivator poster that I would use to hang in my classroom. I would use photos of my students in order to make the posters more personal. Many mash-up applications can be used in a classroom. For example, I could use Mappr to create a map of pictures related to what we are studying in the classroom. I could put a picture of the authors or literary work that we have studied on the map. I could use Splashr to create visually appealing presentations for my class. I could use Mosaic maker to create a mosaic that would serve the purpose of familiarizing students with pictures of content specific photos. The possibilities for using mash-up applications are really endless in a classroom. They are relatively easy to use, but look incredibly creative. :)

THING 7!

I have never used Flickr before today. I looked at online sights to add pictures before, but never this one. This is probably the best one I have seen! It is a great resource for the Web 2.0 generation because virtually everything is now digitalized including pictures. Flickr is also very easy to use, and it's free! :) That is always good news! It is also neat that you can browse Flickr by keywords. Some people have added wonderful pictures to Flickr.

Here are a couple I liked by CubaGallery:

You can view more of his photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/cubagallery/.

This could be useful for teachers because it is possible to search for content related material to use in class.

For example, below is a picture of Mark Twain's house by Dylan Kinnett.

I really enjoyed learning about Flickr and will definitely use this website in the future!

THING 6!

The web 2.0 tool that I selected was Remember the Milk. This websites allows you to create to-do lists. The user can select to view the list through email, Skype, and/or mobile headsets. You can also download the free app. This website allows you to add separate to-do lists. You can create due dates and prioritize the lists. You can also put the list into three separate categories personal, work, and study. This website is handy because it can send you reminder emails. This website is great for busy teachers. A teacher can use this website to organize his or her personal and work life in a neat, organized manner. I create a remember the milk account, and I think I will give it a try!

THING 5!

SCHOOL 2.0
In my opinion, school 2.0 is the new generational idea of integrating technology into the classroom. I particularly like the article TechLearning: Web 2.0 A Guide for Educators. I especially liked the part that stated, "Results of a 2007 national survey conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project show that 55 percent of all online American young people between the ages of 12 and 17 use social networking sites for communicating about everything from school-related issues to where the next party is taking place." I am sure that five years later the 55% has increased significantly and will soon be 100% if it is not already. I think that technology is a huge part of the lives of students, and they learn well from technology. Not to mention, technology creates several different instructional techniques that are easily accessed to benefit all types of learners. I think that in the future technology will become a major part of the teaching and learning process. Teachers can use technology to more effectively present concepts in creative ways. Indirect teaching will be much more assessable at the click of a button. All learning types can be easily taught in one class period through the use of PowerPoint, videos, online activities, and much more. This will open up doors of opportunity for many students and teachers. 

I used this video for a presentation in my EDUC 5501 class. It reminds me of school 2.0; so, I thought I would share. Enjoy! :)

THING 4!

Commenting helps create a sense of community because it makes a blog more of a conversation that just posts. It helps readers to feel appreciated. As a blogger, it is nice to know that people are actually reading your blog! Comments make you feel good! What a better way to build community than positive interaction! It is also good to comment to get yourself noticed. How would anyone know your blog exists if you do not interact?

I thought an important rule in commenting is to invite others to comment. I know that I personally have not usually commented on blogs unless invited too. I'm not sure why this is! It just triggers a little "Oh! I would like to express my opinion!" I need to remember this in future blogging! I also think adding hyperlinks is a great aspect to blogging! It is a great way to interact and share your blog or others blogs to a community of bloggers!


Blogs I commented on:
Stefanie Tate's 23 things
Abbey Thompson's 23
kwyatt5
Tiffany's 23 things
akearns88

Ron Edmondson
loveinleon

The comments I made were simply encouraging and self expression. I like to tell people when I agree and tell them why. I took that approach when commenting because that is most natural to me. I also like to be encouraging because encouragement is a great thing! :) We all need it!

On a side note, I really enjoyed this activity! Nerdy pleasure! I think it was very insightful! Seriously.

:)