Thing #23 - Reflection

I am actually kinda of sad this class is at an end - so instead of looking at as an end I am creating my own Thing list to work on over the next months as I try to incorporate more technology seamlessly into my classroom and life.

Thing #1 - Work on my school web page (look for tutorials offered by web pages or LPS)

Thing #2 - Create Wiki for Principles of Chemistry Classroom

Thing #3 - Continue to work on Wiki for AP Chemistry classroom

Thing #4 - Download and learn how to use Photostory

Thing #5 - Create a photostory for open house

Thing #6 - Learn how to use an ebeam

Thing #7 - Come up with ideas for effective blog use in the classroom

Thing #8 - Revisit FLICKR for good review games (need to take lots of photos)

Thing #9 - Revisit Knowtes to create good activity for students

Thing #10 - Incorporate Delicious bookmarking into the wiki

Thing #11 - Find some good podcasting resources for students

Thing #12 - HAVE FUN! PLAY WITH MY KIDS! ENJOY HAVING MY HUSBAND HOME FOR THE SUMMER!

It has been a long time since I have done a class for the pure joy of learning - instead of just trying to rush through to "get it done." I am looking forward to revisiting the 23 Things blog as well as my own blog for new ideas.

I am writing this to remind myself to start small, remember there will be mistakes, I don't have to do it all at once, I have resources, I have friends who will help, ask my students for help, keep learning!

Thank you for an enjoyable and beneficial class. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in incorporating technology into the classroom!

Thing #22 - Creating A Wiki

I have created a wiki for my AP Chemistry Class. I thing this is a better place for class contributions in general instead of a blog. I thinking I will use the blog for class discussion on problem sets and use the wiki to post resources, answer keys, practice problem sets, etc. The blog will be topic specific where the wiki can grow as the class grows.

The link to my wiki is

https://fhs-apchemistry.wikispaces.com

I am having some trouble with the spacing but I am sure this will improve with time and I certain I will have some students who will love and be very talented at setting up a great student-centered wiki.

I am very much looking forward to using this wiki starting in September with my students

Thing #21 - Wikis

After looking around the web at wikis I find them a little difficult to understand and follow. I think this comes from the inherent nature of them - they are created by a specific group for a specific purpose and the group understands the wiki. I found that I had difficulty finding high school chemistry wikis. I liked the various tutorials around for learning how to use wikis.

Problems - by allowing all students to edit wiki you open the door for inappropriate content. I can see where the blogs with only approved comments being posted seems to be a safer method of soliciting student contribution.

I think a simple wiki contract and lesson about appropriate use would be enough to show the students what is acceptable. If you can follow who makes what changes than you can always use the history of the wiki if something arises that is inappropriate.

I like the idea of creating a class wiki page over a class blog because you do not have to scroll posts and comments to find what you want. You could have it all organized at the wiki page (including Delicious site, videos, simulations, knowtes,blogs, all in one place)

I do think it is worth the fight because the wiki is a powerful interactive tool in which the students can have maximum input

Thing #20 - Subscribing to Podcsts

How funny Thing #20 is the very topic I expressed having trouble with in Thing #19. I guess I could have looked ahead at the topics!

Well EPN is a great resource - it really helps give good, specific resources for podcasts. I subscribed to the NPR Friday Science podcast at http://www.sciencefriday.com/


I chose this podcast because the podcast's titles were easy to tell if they were applicable to my classroom.

I also subscribed to the following Science Made Fun podcasts in the hopes of finding some short podcasts to introduce topics in the classroom.

I also like to use itunes. I like how itunes will suggest other podcasts people subsribe to with the same interests.

Thing #19 - Podcasting

Spent several hours looking around at podcasts. I had trouble subscribing outside of itunes - could subscribe but not sure where the subscription went to - I'll have to look around on my computer to see where they went.

I did not come across anything yet that I feel I need to listen to everyday. I already frequently just delete the emails that come to my mailbox everyday to read about the new latest and greatest educational invention. I wonder when I would make time to listen to 5 different podcasts?

Here is one I found interesting - about good teaching strategies. I always think there are good ideas out there and I just need to be reminded.

http://www.addtoany.com/subscribe?linkname=The%20Teachers%27%20Podcast%20-Dr.%20Kathy%20King%20%26%20Mark%20Gura&linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fteacherspodcast.org%2Ffeed%2F
I have used podcasts that I have found on the web as supplementary material for kids who have been absent for a lecture or need more resources. The kids seem to like having a backup to listen to. I have also toyed around with the idea of vodcasting my labs for kids who are absent - they can watch the vodcast instead of having to leave the lab set up for them. I know MACUL was offering stipends for teachers to produce podcast to put on ituneU. So many ideas - all need a fair amount of time!

Thing #18 - Slideshare

Spent a fair amount of time looking around the slideshare website. Having difficulty loading new slideshow tonight - will try again later!

Thing #17 - Online Tools

I spent some time with the http://www.bubbl.us/ trying to create concept maps - i guess I am just used to using the publisher feature of word. I also do not like learning via concept map - so I may be biased.

I spend a significant amount of time using the http://www.knowtes.com/ website for creating flashcards. I was able to create a group for my chemistry class in which they could go and get the flash cards for online practice. It will be interesting to learn how to monitor progress, to see who logs in (if that is possible) or just use it class as a summary activity or test review activity. I did feel the website was difficult to manage at first - it seems the tutorial decks are not working. Hopefully they will fix this so the tutorial can be used with students. My user name is mklawender if anyone want to take a look at the deck I made. Just search the tag chemistry and it should pop up with my user name.

I can see creating review deck for students to acccess as part of a study session. They of course have to be able to navigate the site. I can also see using decks to organize objectives for students. They can be certain of what they need to know for each test. No surprises.

If students became efficient at the bubble site - they could create excellent concept maps of the material we are covering - or again - used in class as a summary activity. We could build a large concept map for each unit covered. At the end of the class we could open our class concept map and add some bubbles and links. Students could be adding to a map in their notes as well.