Thing 23: I Made It...

Well...I made it!!! This has been a wonderful experience!! I have really gleaned a lot from each thing and I have seen my responsibility as an education change. I was struck by the last clip that said it is the death of education and the dawn of learning!!!

I am charged up and ready to add these things to my teaching next fall. Finding ways to create, collaborate, explore and learn is why I got into teaching in the first place. Change is in the air...and I can't wait to start to embrace the web 2.0 to my advantage. We have so many fabulous tools on the Internet available, it is just a matter of taking the time to make it an important part of what we are doing.

I guess, since the beginning, when I named this blog An Adventure Like No Other, I realized this is an ongoing journey. I want to be able to continue down paths that lead me to more thinking and a better way...for me, for my own kids and for my students. I want adventure and am willing to step out of the box to find it.

Thanks Ron, for putting this project together!! I hope the project continues to reach more and more teachers...we have a great opportunity for a powerful network!!!

So, now I am off on a new adventure...

Thing 22: You Tube and Video Fun

I love You Tube...it is where I first saw a woman singing "A Mother's Song" and I laughed so hard...then I laughed even harder when my husband and childhood friends posted a homemade version of the music video Panama by Van Halen they made back in 1985 when they were 15...HILARIOUS!!!! Seeing them act it out exactly like Van Halen was priceless!! Finding interesting videos, songs and movies makes things interesting and gives me a sense of what is out there.

I found Teacher Tube to be interesting too...what a great way to share videos with the class. And what a great way to produce videos for class use as well. I love the fact that there is an opportunity to review work...giving instant feedback!

I began video taping reader's theaters and book talks back when we had the old VHS video cameras. I would tape and then let each child take home the video for the night to share with family and friends. Then, came the digital video...I have one of those and taped literature circles for a presentation to the school board as well as a team of 3rd grade teachers meeting together for a CASL (professional learning network) meeting. I am planning on using that for professional development in the fall.

I think anytime we use video to share things with our students or staff, it is a powerful piece of real time happenings. What a great way to model teaching practice or share what we have learned.

You Tube is banned in our district. Like all things, you need to protect the students. But I have mixed feelings about banning things. I think with appropriate support and guidelines, it could be useful. There are always going to be kids that find a way around things...they have been doing it forever...way back in Junior High, smoking was banned from the bathrooms...but some kids still did it. I think part of the solution lies in bringing people to the table and establishing trust and holding each other accountable.

As for the Van Halen video...it got pulled after getting thousands of hits...apparently it violated copyright laws as it had the David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen's clips intertwined....but it had a great run (and thankfully, I have a back up DVD at home). And....got rave reviews as well!! Rock on You Tube!!!

Thing 21: Twitter...Twitter...TWEET!!

I have an account on Twitter...I have to admit, it is about all I have done with it. I've visited it twice...but I do think about it and how I can use it. The more I hear about it, the more I want to keep exploring it. I need to see about following things that are interesting to me and then in return, putting things out there that are interesting.

When Twitter asks the question...what are you doing? I always think...the world probably isn't interested in the fact that I am playing with my kids, walking the dog or reading a book...but then again...maybe some of my friends would be interested in those things. Or maybe, Twitter could be the vehicle for quick updates about a vacation or an event in my life.

As for professionally, I could see how using it as a way to communicate ideas, share books I am reading or ask burning questions. If we were all following each other, that might be interesting. Any time that we put ourselves out there...we take steps to connect and collaborate.

I have been hearing about Tweets in the news. Celebrities and news reporters often tweet about interesting things/issues. To me, that would be addicting. I could see how following a CNN reporter on a hot button news issue would be great...just a 140 word summary of important info.

Soooo, to make a long thought short...what am I doing? I am thinking about getting myself more into Twitter and signing up for mobile updates. How about you...what are you doing?

Thing 20: Del.icio.us

Wow....this is great!!!! I set up my username as mhoeksema and have saved some bookmarks. I think I really like this concept and it seems really easy to use and organizes things well.

I think this will be very productive in many ways. I like how it is a place to save bookmarks, serves as a search engine and you can see how many people have the site bookmarked (like a review of sorts). I think it will save some time going to the site having things tagged.

I am interested in using it at work too. Maybe we can all start sharing our resources together making it a learning network.

I noticed an application to sign up for it on Facebook...which I will be looking into. The more we can reach out to each other and support each other, the stronger community of teachers/learners we become.

So, I will be using Del.icio.us....yummy!!!!

Thing 19: Tag...You're It!!!

Tagging...I am great at tagging photos on Facebook....it is a great way to share pictures. So, I got to thinking about social bookmarking and tagging online. It makes sense to me. I have to admit that I am also one of those "bookmarkaholics". I love to bookmark...but it gets messy and I do find myself thinking, "What was that site again...hmmm." By tagging bookmarks, I can see it becoming more personal. I would use tags that are keywords to me about certain content I am looking for.

I think my biggest concern would be tagging carefully. I wouldn't want to get into a nightmare list of tags that I start to forget which ones I am looking for...seems to go right back to the original problem.

I am going to want to know more about this...I can see great potential for sharing sites. I often find myself shooting an e-mail out to colleagues saying...found this great website...check it out. I think by tagging on a social bookmarking site, it could help cut down on those types of e-mails too.

So...tag...you're it!!!

Thing 18: The Ning Thing

I have been fortunate to be able to participate in the Literacy Coaches Network as I have taken on the new job of being a reading consultant for the district. I have to admit, it is one of the favorite meetings/networks I attend. It keeps me in touch with others through powerful conversations and gives me current information about best practice. I love the opportunity to network with others from across the area. Nothing inspires me more than people coming together for a common goal.

Ning reminds me of that. I think that it could be a great resource. Often, in education, I feel isolated. I am the only one in the building...so networking gets tough. Connecting with teachers and brainstorming with them is great...but there are times when I would love to connect with another reading consultant (and my friend Jeri would say that she is on my frequent caller list) or find a quick resource. I think this would be a great way to find that connection.

I do value human contact though...I can't imagine the Literacy Coaches Network just being an online community. Sometimes in our rush about our business, it is nice to just network in person...share laughs and stories and have that authentic conversation. But Ning seems to satisfy my "I need to know now...or as soon as possible" side of life. Finding a balance would be perfect...like all things...balance is good! The power of a PLN where people are coming together is awesome...but I think the key is balance!

Thing 17: And the Winner Is...

What a great resource for all the award winning web 2.0 "things". I knew about a few...I am a big Facebook fan...love the social networking and I have found it is easy to share photos, connect with friends, book babysitters...we even got all organized for our 20 year reunion and found people we hadn't seen in years...all on Facebook.

Some new ones I liked were: wufoo (what a great way to survey staff and use for pd) I'm Cooked was great...my husband is really into cooking so I can't wait to share that with him. And I really could have used Cocktail Builder that week of vacation when it was so rainy and cold! :)

I think there are several things that could be applied to school...I would even think Facebook could be used in school instead of it being blocked. Like the message in Thing 16...kids are using it...there might be a way to use it with them...a group discussion page...or becoming a fan of a certain concept....book reviews...math support...just a few ideas!

But, like all new things, there would have to be some ground rules or expectations...as a teacher using some of these tools, I would want to make sure that I was really knowledgeable about the site...

I am off to explore more...this is such a great adventure!!!

Thing 16: Powerful Wake Up Call

"Teach me to think, speak for myself, create collaborate explore." "I am a visual learner"

"I need more options....not limits." "You are limiting my learning."

Wow...after viewing these videos, the message was clear....we need an upgrade!! Students feel that they are not getting the skills they need for the new 21st century. When I think about the kids that sit all day in a lecture, listening to someone pass on "what you need to know" and then go home and have a technological community in which they interact, collaborate, create, explore and get instant feedback...there is a gap that I need to start filling!

I really feel the big take way from those videos is that the students are ready to use new skills to enhance their learning...and we need to make sure we are ready to do that.

I remember a long time ago when our district switched all of our computers over from Macs (which I LOVED) to PCs...I was teaching first grade at that time. Anyway...when we had them installed and all ready to go, I thought no problem...it can't be that different. I logged right on, when about the daily business until the end of the day. As I was going to shut it down, I could not for the life of me figure out. A sweet, shy, Korean speaking first grader came over to my desk and showed me how to shut down my computer (who would have thought that you would go to the start button to shut down). But the point was....WOW...I felt pretty behind! I'll always remember that feeling...which pushes me to try to keep up and meet students where they are and take them higher!! And that was a long time ago!!!

So, I think we have been challenged...I'm going for it!

Thing 15: Podcasting in the Classroom

I have always thought about using pod casts for me personally and professionally...but hadn't yet made that jump to explore them in the classroom. But now, after spending some time learning and exploring them, I can see endless possibilities.

I can see them two ways really...listening to them and creating them. Both ways would help enhance the curriculum and support using technology to our advantage.

I work with struggling readers and finding pod casts that are set to music would be great...I have seen the research that connects music to reading ability and definitely want to pursue that.

I also am interested in producing pod casts with kids. I go back to the wiki collaboration for literature discussions...blogs about books and now pod casts that could include those as well.

My oldest son completed a (in his Kindergarten voice) "multimedia presentation" for the last day of school. I was so impressed that he said "multimedia presentation" let alone that he collaborated with teachers and classmates to create a Down on the Farm video with voices narrating. Hats off to his teachers who are seeing the value in this work!!!

I think our district would be very supportive of using pod casts. Videos are used in the classroom so I can't see why it would be a problem. I always feel lucky to be in the district that I am. There is the freedom and the trust to do what is right for kids. It makes trying new things that much easier!!

If anyone has any great pod casts they know of that might support some of the things I have mentioned...I'm always up for suggestions!!!

Thing 14: Podcasting

I have known about pod casting for awhile now but haven't yet downloaded any onto my ipod. I'll use time as an excuse, but it is a pretty lame one!

I really like the concept that learners can re listen/review the parts of a lecture or lesson on their own as many times as they need to. I was really drawn to the idea that teachers are using pod casts in the classroom and connecting it to the writing process. What a fantastic way for students to prewrite, revised, rehearse and the present to an authentic audience.

I also really liked the podcast concept of doing professional development with them. Downloading speakers or district experts to a podcast and then having teachers listen in would be a powerful and time saving option.

I narrowed down my list of favorite pod casts to two...the first one I enjoyed was the Radio Willow Web project using all the grades from Kindergarten to High School. I really try to look for authentic activities for kids to do and this would be a great collaborating activity.

I also loved, as a parent, the podcast that Math Grad did with Everyday Math...I have always worried about the point in time when the Everyday Math will be difficult for my kids (and me explaining). What a great tool to have available at home or anywhere!!!

As I was sitting on the hill watching my boys take swimming lessons this summer, I noticed how good the teachers were at differentiating their instruction. When my little one was ready for the diving board before the other kids, he got to go and jump off. When my older son needed extra practice with a stroke, that is what they worked on. It was really simple. What they could do, they did and then moved on...what they struggled with or were ready for a challenge, they got!!! Pod casting is a form of differentiating...and one that we could really use to our advantage. We shouldn't just let all the kids jump into the deep end on a few lessons about swimming and then see who swims or sinks...we should give each child what they need when they are ready.

I guess that is why I want to investigate working with pod casts in the classroom. I am excited to explore more ways to help level the playing field for all our students!!!

Thing 13 Thoughts

That was fun!!! I had a great time picking pictures out for the slide show. As for using it for school, I can see taking pictures of teachers and students for motivating slide shows, meetings and other venues to share what we are doing. I love that you can add music...music always gets me!! It inspires me, moves me and motivates me!

I would also think this would be a great way to put together a slide show for family and friends at retirements, birthdays, anniversaries or just because!

As a side note, the pictures were taken up north in Petoskey....just to prove that our vacation ended with a few days of sun. We took advantage of every sunny day!!!

Thing 13: Slide Show Fun

Thing 12: Second Attempt

Well....there it is...WHEW! I played around and finally ended up saving it in my photo shop as a picture.

Anyway...I can see how this could be a great little tool for brainstorming with a class. Again, I like the idea that kids can collaborate together to add their ideas and keep building the web. Having the ability for the creators to design and edit a brainstorming web like this makes it more meaningful for them. When we give students the pre-made graphic organizers, they can be limiting to the "bubbles" and design. By giving them the opportunity to decide where to put their ideas, makes the activity much more authentic.

Ok...so now I am off to figure out what to do next on our rainy vacation...and maybe add to my brainstorming list!

Thing 12: Bubbl Trouble

After four straight days of rain here on my "up north" vacation, I decided to check out what bubbl could do. I brainstormed a fantastic bubble chart trying to come up with things to do on a rainy vacation...I created it, saved it and really wanted to import it in my blog to show it...but I am having trouble doing so. Hmmmm....any suggestions? I have tried to import it into Picassa, tried to copy it and paste it...but no luck yet.


Stay tuned...