Thing #20

Google Docs. Here is an example of how I would like to use Google Docs. This is a schedule another teacher and I made up for how to share a site license for SuccessMaker. Instead of tracking each other down around the campus and waiting for that one 45 block of time we're each available during the day, we could simply each access the document from Google Docs when we each had the time. I also think this would be fantastic for grade level notes home. One teacher could type the note. The others could edit and revise the note from their own classrooms. Our bilingual teacher would have it at her fingertips to translate for her students' parents. I spent some time playing around with the presentation feature in Google Docs. I like to make slide shows or Promethean flipcharts for different lessons in my class. Then I often share them with the other members of my team. They could pull the presentation off of Google Docs to use in their own classrooms or edit ad add to the slideshow. Wouldn't that just be awesome? I found Google Docs extremely easy to use and not just because I have used it before. I would hope the other members of my grade level would be willing to try and use the website. I really didn't see that there was anything difficult about it.

Thing #7A

Google Sky. On Google Reader I came across an article for Google Sky. I have used Google Earth, but hadn't even heard of Google Sky. Google Sky can be accessed by downloading Google Earth 4.3 or straight from your web browser at sky.google.com. I used it straight from the website instead of trying to reload Google Earth on my computer. Google Sky offers an interactive panoramic view of several parts of the sky: the planets, the constellations, the galaxies, a hubble showcase feature, a Chandra-X showcase feature, and podcasts. I really enjoyed the information about the moon. You can look at the surface features of the moon, track the different landing places and mission objectives from the Apollo landings, look at the surface using an elevation map, and watch videos from the Apollo missions. I also spent some time playing with the constellation feature. I can never see those things in the sky, but Google Sky shows their location on the panoramic view of the sky and traces them out. I can definitely see many educational uses for Google Sky. I am going to introduce it to one of our fifth grade teachers.

Summarizing

Wow! Was that only 23 things? It seemed like I got more out of this than just 23. What a mind-boggling journey of technological experiences! I'm exhausted! I looked back over the 23 things to decide which ones were my favorites, and I made quite a long list! I know I will be getting pictures off Flickr for use in my classroom. I like the slideshow capabilities of Pikistrips and Rockyou to add an element of fun to classroom learning. I added the latest resources rss from Promethean Planet to my Google Reader account. Now when new resources are added to the Promethean website, I will know more readily. One of the favorite things I came across during this exploration was the organization Teachers Without Borders. This came across my Google Reader account from a link to Infinite Learning. I encourage you to visit their website and learn about this extraordinary group of educators.

Thing #23

I thought Classroom 2.0 was a little difficult to maneuver around on. It took me a few minutes longer than I wanted to find my way around. I did join a group of teachers with smart boards and a group of Mac users. I didn't see much merit to the videos on the website, except that it is a place for me to upload podcasts that my students have made. Maybe I need to search around some more. I think blogging with other teachers about ideas to use in the classroom is the obvious and most beneficial part of classroom 2.0.

The 23Thingsters group of Ning is a good way for techies in our district to communicate and share good ideas--especially uses for the sites we've visited on our 23 thing journey.

Thing #22

Facebook. I joined Facebook about two years ago when our librarian, Elizabeth, was taking 23 Things. She thought the website was so much fun, and she wanted me to get on and explore it also. Since then I am an avid fan of Facebook. I have over 200 Facebook friends, and I have been able to connect with quite a few friends from high school and college. I am totally addicted and spend way too much time on Facebook everyday. During the summer I was on Facebook more than I was off. Most of the teachers at our school are on Facebook. We talk back and forth all evening.

I'm not sure there are any real educational aspects to Facebook. I don't think any of my current students have Facebook accounts. I don't let former students who are not out of high school friend me on Facebook. I don't think friending my students on Facebook would be appropriate.

I also have a MySpace account, but I never use it. I think Facebook is geared more toward older people. People who want to keep a certain amount of dignity to their social websites.

Thing #21

Google Extras. I, like most people, have already used many of the extras that Google has to offer. Several people of my family and friends have Picasa accounts. We share pictures back and forth quite a bit.

I have used Google Earth in class with my students quite a few times. Anytime a city, landmark, or landform comes up in class discussion, we stop and look it up on Google earth. I like to start in Mesquite and then type in the address we're looking for and let the program fly us around the earth to the location we're searching for. The kids get the biggest kick out of looking at their own houses or houses of their family members.

My favorite discovery on Thing #21 is Google books. As proclaimed in an earlier blog, I am a bookophile of the most devoted sort. How great is it to be able to read or preview a book right off the computer. As much as I love books, I don't want to buy a book if I'm not going to end up liking it. On Google books, I can read a book for free or read enough of it to decide if I want to go out and buy the book. And how about the back issues of Life magazine available on Google books. What a great source for pictures and information on historical events! That is just fantastic!

Thing #19

Fieldtrip Voicethread I made a slideshow using voicethread. At first I thought the website was going to be difficult to use. It didn't have a warm, fuzzy look about it. When I got into it, the program wasn't difficult to use at all. I mentioned in an earlier post that I have had some experience with podcasting using Garageband. I thought voicethread was far and away simplier to use than Garageband. My students wouldn't have any trouble using voicethread except that they have to have and email address to access the site. I like that other people can access the slideshows from voicethread and work on them. Overall, I was very pleased with voicethread. I like to take pictures of my students working on different science projects or working with math manipulatives or working cooperatively as a group. I make slideshows with them and play them back for the students when we have a minute or two here and there. I think the slideshows remind the students of what they have learned or experiences in the class. I'm thinking I could sign in to the website and upload the pictures. Then my students could get on and type in or voice in the comments. They would love that!