I completed the survey, and now am officially done with 23 Things. I'm ready to start working with staff here in Edina.
Click here to view the Edina 2008 23 Things on a Stick homepage.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Thing 23: The End!
I completed the survey, and now am officially done with 23 Things. I'm ready to start working with staff here in Edina.
Click here to view the Edina 2008 23 Things on a Stick homepage.
Thing 22: What did I learn today?
Despite the fact that I had used many of the tools for the 23 Things on a Stick project, I learned a lot!
I hope that while continuing to explore these tools that I will be able to help the staff that I work with sort to find the wheat from the chaff and utilize these tools with their students.
Now that I see this site, I've got my work cut out for me this summer!
I hope that while continuing to explore these tools that I will be able to help the staff that I work with sort to find the wheat from the chaff and utilize these tools with their students.
Now that I see this site, I've got my work cut out for me this summer!
Thing 21: Other Social Networking sites-NING
I had joined Ning earlier in the year, but hadn't logged in much. For this thing, I joined the 23 Things on a Stick group on Ning.
I added a couple of comments on people's pages, and updated my profile page to include some photos and the sound file I created for my podcasts.
Next school year I will try to utilize Ning more as I look to expand my network.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Thing 20: Social Networking sites
Thing 20 asks you to join Facebook or Myspace and add some friends and then write on a few walls.
I joined Facebook earlier this year, and now have around 15 friends. I also figured out how to connect my Twitter tweets to my Facebook posts, which has made things much less complicated. I like Twitter as a networking tool, because it forces you to get to the point, in 140 characters or less! At first I didn't get it, but once you start following people, like Will Richardson or Steve Dembo, or things, like the Mars Phoenix lander, it's pretty cool!
I've also created a Ning account this year, but have yet to really use it much.
I joined Facebook earlier this year, and now have around 15 friends. I also figured out how to connect my Twitter tweets to my Facebook posts, which has made things much less complicated. I like Twitter as a networking tool, because it forces you to get to the point, in 140 characters or less! At first I didn't get it, but once you start following people, like Will Richardson or Steve Dembo, or things, like the Mars Phoenix lander, it's pretty cool!
I've also created a Ning account this year, but have yet to really use it much.
Thing 19: Podcasts
For this thing, I explored some of the Minnesota Public Radio podcasts, my favorites being the 89.3 the Current Song of the Day and Mike Mulcahy's Policast.
This year I have created several podcasts of tech tips, and also assisted staff with student podcasts. I think it is a great way to create authentic learning opportunities for students.
This year I have created several podcasts of tech tips, and also assisted staff with student podcasts. I think it is a great way to create authentic learning opportunities for students.
Thing 18: Youtube
I found this video that makes me realize how much I will miss our current president.
I struggle with Youtube as an educational tool, as there are many good applications. Unfortunately, Teachertube is too unreliable, with limited content, and Schooltube, which I signed up for over a week ago, has not given me access!
I struggle with Youtube as an educational tool, as there are many good applications. Unfortunately, Teachertube is too unreliable, with limited content, and Schooltube, which I signed up for over a week ago, has not given me access!
Thing 17: ELM Productivity Tools
I had never accessed the Electronic Library for Minnesota. Wow! What a great resource, and free to all Minnesotans!
Several databases that I have used before now available for free!
I searched the consumer guide and was able to access articles from Consumer Reports for free!
Thing 16:Student Research Tools
The University of Minnesota Assignment calculator is a great tool for students conducting research to organize their time. It allows you to put in the date the project is assigned and when it's due, and the subject matter and then it generates a step-by-step guide for completion.
I think I like the format of the "Research Project Calculator" better.
Here is a video project that I put info in. It includes more detail.
Both allow you to have e-mail reminders for each step sent to you. NICE! I can see teachers using this to create timelines for big student projects.
I think I like the format of the "Research Project Calculator" better.
Here is a video project that I put info in. It includes more detail.
Both allow you to have e-mail reminders for each step sent to you. NICE! I can see teachers using this to create timelines for big student projects.
Thing 15: Online Games in Education and Libraries
For this "Thing" I started by downloading and playing "Puzzle Pirates, an interactive game that requires software installation that may destroy your hard drive ;-), and 8 minutes of data downloads prior to play. As the father of a 9 1/2 year old, I thought this would be an interactive environment that he might enjoy trying this summer (As long as he doesn't see the "Buy Puzzle Pirate cards at Target" banner!).
After creating your pirate, in my case "Boogleyboo", you're ready to learn how to pillage!
I liken it to "Second Life meets Webkins" but with a pirate theme! It seemed very well developed and if given more time, might be a good learning tool.
I also logged in to Second Life and checked out Info Island. I have been using Second Life for about 3 months, and have found some resources that have me wondering how best to incorporate SL into 6-12 education.
After creating your pirate, in my case "Boogleyboo", you're ready to learn how to pillage!
I liken it to "Second Life meets Webkins" but with a pirate theme! It seemed very well developed and if given more time, might be a good learning tool.
I also logged in to Second Life and checked out Info Island. I have been using Second Life for about 3 months, and have found some resources that have me wondering how best to incorporate SL into 6-12 education.
Thing 14: Library Thing
Library Thing is a great social networking site for people who read books. It allows you to enter the books you are reading (up to 200 per year for free) and connect with people who are reading similar books. They also allow you to put your bookshelf on your blog, as I have done here.
