Summary

Wow.....this was not easy for me.  Let me begin by recommending that you make it clear to any potential participant that certain computer skills are necessary to be successful in this class.  Maybe an attachment containing instructions for exporting, cutting and pasting, adding links, finding certain codes, etc.

I loved Animoto, iGoogle, I plan to use a Google calendar, RSS feeds are a timesaver......because I do start wasting time browsing websites, etc.

The format of this program could be improved with links for tutorials at the onset of each "Thing."  I know some tutorial-type stuff was there.....maybe I am not proficient enough at retrieving it.

I have become aware of so much and have learned so much from this course, that I would definitely take another one like it in the future.  I know so much about Web 2.0 compared to 3 or 4 weeks ago.  

I will be using some of the Things I learned in the classroom.  I will revisit these things on the website and polish my skills before using them in the classroom.  I hope I can override them.

I will keep blogging and checking feeds to stay up to date with regard to new developments in 2.0.

Thank you very much.

Ronnie Camp

Thing #23--Creative Commons

"23 Things" is based on the Learning 2.0 program which is adapted from the 43 Things I (or You) might want to do this year and 43 Things. 43 Things is a social networking site where users establish accounts and then share lists of goals...

In the future, I will be sure to give credit to the author of any work or piece of work that I use on any tool of Web 2.0.

For one thing, this should be done out of simple respect for the person whose work you are using. We educators are made very well aware of all laws of copyrighting whether the work is written or in video form. This is something all teachers should be wary of no matter what their discipline.

Thing #22--Podcast

My Podcast

I checked out some podcasts.  Very different.  You know, we are a visually-centered culture as far as education goes.  When we teachers are observed by our administrators, we are encouraged to structure the lesson to appeal to visual learners.  

Well, podcasts ain't visual.  I don't mean to be mean or anything about podcasting....because some people are auditory learners.....but I can't imagine my students tuning into any podcast unless it was rap or laced with profanity and disgusting lyrics.  

I found myself drifting when I tuned into a podcast describing how microorganisms found in active volcanoes might have anti-cancer properties.  

Now this is neat......that there are so many podcasts on any given topic.  

The Educational Podcast Directory was easiest because it focused on educational topics.

I do not feel the inspiration to create a podcast....maybe the problem is that I just had so much fun with Animoto that podcasting seems to pale in comparison.  

With some of the other tools I've already played with, I do not have any real interest in subscribing in podcasts. 

Thing #21

Animoto was fun!

I like Animoto!

I chose pictures of Texas State Parks that my family and I have visited.  I really couldn't find the music that I wanted....but I got close.  

It seemed real easy to do.  Some of the images would not allow me to cut and paste.....I don't understand why......

A teacher could create some topic-specific images and attention-getting music.....what a fun way to start a lesson!

I would have fun letting students create by letting them choose from pre-approved images.

I wonder how hard it is to override on the district server for this one.

Thing #19---Beyond Myspace: Other Social Networks

I added the 23 Thingsters Badge.  I had trouble.  I could not find it.  I also could not get code to work.......I finally had to get someone who is more computer savvy than I to help.

I commented on Mrs. Toogood's page.  She was my middle school teacher.

Ning is like Facebook, but I like Ning because I'm only patched in with people who I share a common interest with.  I can join a Ning just for Science teachers....so I can see some application for this one!  

On Gather, I can click on health and get all kinds of articles such as the one on Vitamin D.  I don't know if I was able to get the link on here or not.

I am a member of Gather.

From what I played with, I really liked Ning.  Ning appealed to me because I can visit with people about specific topics such as camping, rv'ing, science, and other stuff.

I like how I could easily access  health-related articles on Gather.

Thing #20--You too can YouTube

I picked the release of Dylan the sea turtle from Jekyll Island, Georgia on June 30, 2008 as my video of choice.   This was easy because I knew what I wanted to search for.  This website is good for finding relevant snippets of videos (which is how administrators want us showing videos these days).  The problem is I believe this website is blocked on our district server.

You don't want to randomly search for stuff because there is plenty of inappropriate footage out there.  Because of this I don't plan to rely on YouTube for school purposes.

Regardless, I too can YouTube.  I feel so.........so.......YouToobey. 

Thing #18--Exploring Social Networking

My Facebook

I used my real name, but only an image to remain somewhat anonymous.  I was able to add a few teachers from my school.  

After seeing what some people post on facebook, I don't see why I as an educator need to interface with anyone that I know from school be it teacher or student.  I would not even want my own children to see this site.

Parents and teachers, in my opinion, need to be aware of what kind of stuff is being put out there on sites such as Facebook.

I definitely don't like the solicitation on other sites such as MySpace.

From what I could tell, Facebook is more organized and intimate, whereas MySpace seems too impersonal because you just get bombarded from advertisements (messages) and strangers you don't know............I can't think of anything else to say.

I just don't see why I need Facebook as a teacher.

It might be fun if I want to keep in touch with certain students who have moved on, but e-mail can do that for me.