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.

Thing #16 - Google Documents

No more excuses about one person writing up a lab because the other kids couldn't get together. Google docs solves the problem. Tasks to be sure the students complete before their adventure on google docs include

1) in service on how to use google docs
2) create the accounts needed
3) exchange the email addresses and determine lead creator (for first version and inviting of others to edit)
4) assignment of parts and self reporting what parts you completed or edited.

HMM- yet again any tips teachers have for using with students would be appreciated.

Professionally I see google docs as a way to complete a presentation without having to get together and meet and save a different flash drives a million times. I did have problems with the presentation options on the google docs - I could not get it to save. I could get documents to save but just not the presentations.

Thanks for an introduction to this great tool.

Thing #15 - Revisiting RSS feeds

Well, after becoming frustrated again with Bloglines, I decided to spend my time learning a different reader and completing the tasks in a new reader - Google reader. I enjoyed exploring how to unsubscribe and search for new blogs to follow.

I also did not see the tools the video displayed for subscribing to tags. I did try the RSS feed button at the bottom of a tag search and sure enough it allowed me to subscribe to a tag feed. It will be nice to see new AP Chemistry sites come to me instead of me searching and searching for new information.

I do see the potential to spend alot of time reading blogs instead of using the information presented. I guess it will be a checks and balances process. Also - it is nice to use the google reader to just glance at the blogs instead of reading each and every entry.

Thing #14 - Using Delicious

After spending some time on delicious I see how I could easily use it with my class. I am hoping to use some kind of grouping with my AP Chemistry class in which they would be responsible for submitting bookmarks to a class page. we would create the tags and the subject matter. They could use google searched or search delicious for pertinent websites.

I am unsure of giving the class the user name and password to the delicious site for fear I would not be able to quickly catch an inappropriate website posted by a student. I foresee managing the website by having students email me the links with their tags and then uploading the sites to the class delicious site. If anyone has ideas or has used this with a class creating the list - and suggestions would be appreciated.

I can see how social bookmarking is beneficial in just spending a half hour on the delicious site. I found a great website that I can use in my class that I had not previously found in all my google and yahoo searches for videos. It just goes to show two heads (or in this case) thousands of heads work better than one!

user name: mbsjeep

Thing #13 - Social Bookmarking & Tags

I am not so sure how the whole idea of correct tagging helps find web sites yet. I am so used to just googling a site it will take some exploring on the Delicious website to be able to figure out exactly what is useful.

I plan on using social bookmarking in my Chemistry classes as a way to build a reservoir resources for students. I am hoping to assign groups to find websites that provide tutorials, practice, quizzes, pictures, etc. for topics that we are covering. Hopefully it will be a place students and parents can go to for easy access to a large number of resources.

As a class, we will have to come to consensus on how to tag our information, what is appropriate to tag and place in the website. Of course, as the teacher, my responsibility will be to ensure the websites are school appropriate and relate to the information being studied.

I am sure time will and starting my own bookmarking site will help me clarify exactly how the social bookmarking site works.

Thing #12 - Widgets

Let's try a game.




Okay - now for one I can really use in class.



Although I feel relationships can be built online - face to face relationship building is important for the classroom. The neat thing about online social networking for student-teacher is the ability for the student to express difficulty with content without having to do it face to face. I also like to be able to talk to students about what they post - even jsut to serve as a reminder that what they post is for all to see on networks such as FB.

Thing #11 - Posting Comments on Blogs

The posting of comments on a blog by request feels a bit forced but it did require me to slow down and look around at what other people are doing. I wish the blogs titles were required to somehow include what grade level or subject people teach in order to more quickly locate blogs that might contain useful information. I do enjoy following my friends blogs that are also taking the class.

I love the idea that commenting on blogs for students requires them to remember proper "non-texting" language. It also could help solidify ideas and formulate questions.

It is neat to find someone who comments and takes something away from your blog. You never know when you will find the next great resource.

Thing #10 - Embed a Video

I am always looking for good motivational clips. Here is one for students when things are getting hard in the classroom.





I was also able to download a video clip of inspirational teacher quotes. It is nice to be able to have these tools to use instead of a scavenger hunt on the web for how to do it. Thanks.

Thing #9 - Using YouTube

So many videos - so little time. I love looking for cute or funny videos to introduce otherwise boring and difficult material. It is so easy to show them in class if you have a media projector - a problem for some I know. The only thing I always check is for how the video looks as it is projected. It often looks great to me on the computer screen but terrible in the classroom.

It does take some time to get through the videos to find what you want. I love the variety and I love the ability to bring a little humor into the classroom even if it does not pertain exactly to the curriculum!

Thing 8 - Getting Creative Using FLICKR

The scrapbooker in me could spend hundreds of hours using the tools available online to manipulate photos. having already purchased my own software I tend to spend my time using the tools in it instead of spending time on the web. If you were looking to do something specific the tools are plentiful.

In terms of use for the classroom, I think I would need to take pictures specific to my curriculum to use. It would be fun to use some of the tools as advanced organizers. The memory game could be used to review equations, lab equipment, important names and experiments. It is very dependant on getting good images to represent the content.

My frustration comes in of course - time in for product out. I have to remember that the first time is time consuming but after that the product can just be tweaked or updated as needed.

Thing 7 - Using FLICKR

It is easy enough to use Flickr. The uploading was slow and I am uncomfortable with everyone being able to see pics. I know you can use the friend only features. I could see setting up an account solely for school use. I could post pictures of lab setups for students to see before they enter the lab. This may actually be easier than creating a podcast because they would be able to read the description of the equipment below the post. It also might be a good first hw activity for students to have to find pics of lab equipment withing the Flickr account. A quick sketch of the lab equipment would demonstrate an understanding of what the piece of equipment is.

I still have the feeling the students will just google the information - it may be quicker than using the Flickr search.

Thing 6

I am posting a picture of Mt. St. Helen's because I thought it was an amazing place to visit. I loved the beauty, the science, the new experimental life. It was amazing to witness the power of the Earth. It is a reminder of how fragile all that we have is.

Now about Flickr. I really found some other great images but every one I looked at had all rights reserved. Can you still use these pictures in a class lecture? Can you only copy and paste pics with the common licence? I tend to use google images or yahoo image much more frequently. I have to check to see if they also are all rights reserved or free use images.