Blog Post about a Blog Post

Here is a link to a blog posting about how students are using our new, cool technologies to cheat. Check this out from Cool Cat Teacher Blog.

Thing 1-A....Again!

Hello, all. My name is Jessica Tipton. I am a 7th grade math teacher at WBMS, and I have fallen in love with Web 2.0. I am the newest self-proclaimed computer geek at our school. This is my 6th year of teaching. I spent two years teaching in Newton County: one as a 6th grade science teacher (when it was still physical science) and one as a 6th grade math teacher (the year that GPS rolled out). My first two years in Barrow County were in 6th grade math and I didn't think I would ever leave my 6th grade babies. Since then, I have taught 7th grade math and love the 7th graders even more. I have been the professional learning coordinator for our school for the past two years. This year I am one of the co-coordinators for Classworks at our school, I am tutoring 3 mornings a week (1 for the WBMS Archery Team and 2 for a student), and I am determined to write at least one grant this year. That was my goal last year, but I didn't make it.

I have a husband, Lance, who is a police officer, and two children. My daughter Anna Marie will be 7 in April and is in first grade at YES. My son Landon will be 3 in November and goes to daycare near our home. We also have two crazy cats. Well...one is normal, that 's Dora (the calm well behaved cat). Then there's Riley. He is a stray kitten that was brought home by my husband from a Clark County Fire Department. Riley gets into everything. I think I have to correct that cat more than both children combined. He is a thief who loves straws and q-tips. I find the most random things moved around my house that have been moved by Riley.

Finally, I love Web 2.0! I took a 1 day class of Caroline's and then took the first 23 Things course she offered. I couldn't wait to do each "Thing" and was normally the first person to do each one. I am also utilizing Web 2.0 in my classroom. I have a class assignments blog, a class wiki, and use a lot of free programs with my students. This year, I am in the process of creating ePal accounts for all of my students. ePals is a company that makes it possible for teachers to create email accounts and blogs for all of my students...and keep a handle on all of them to make sure everything being typed is appropriate.

One final note: If you think your students or kids can't do something on a computer, they have probably already done it. They are growing up in this world of Web 2.0. I don't know what to equate it to for our generation, but they know all about it.

Awesome Wordle Idea!!!

I found a posting on my reader that gave me a great idea for a classroom use. The posting talks about a wiki called Guess The Wordle where a new wordle is posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Your job is to guess the topic of the wordle. Wouldn't it be cool to use this with vocabulary! Put a bunch of descriptive words into Wordle and then have the students guess the vocabulary word.

New Moon - I can't wait!!!

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON trailer in HD

Alternatives to You Tube

Here is a like to a blog post about alternatives to You Tube, but remember you can always convert the videos if needed.

Thing 23 - The Web 2.0 Experience

I love this course. I think I could take it again and still learn as much as I did the first time. I have actually discussed my frustration of teachers dropping this class with Caroline a number of times. At first, I was embarrassed because I am going to be the only person to finish from my school. Then, I was aggravated because teachers were dropping the course due to "time constraints." We all have a lot going on, but unless you have something come up that you didn't know about...if Caroline could hand in, then others could as well. Caroline rocks!!! She is definitely a teacher, and a fighter who looks into the future. Now, I just feel bad for those who didn't finish the class, because they and their students have missed so much.

I have a hard time picking out my favorite "Thing." Yes, some are more applicable than others, but to me if I put "Things" on my class wiki that my students can use and only a few kids are improved or motivated by those things...then I have done my job.

I hope everyone keeps adding to the Sandbox with their ideas and resources for using these Things in our own classrooms. If we share the load by sharing our ideas, then everyone benefits...especially the students. Keep bloggin!

Think 19 - Podcasting

This was so easy! I did hit a snag or two with my impatience of upload and conversion. I plan on using it for vocabulary, as I did in my podcast. Students can purchase a small and cheap at Wal-Mart and then download the vocab. podcasts. Let's be honest, if they down load it to their regular iPod with all their music...they'll never listen to the vocabulary.


Subscribe Free
Add to my Page


Obviously...I couldn't figure out the "right" way to embed the file, but I tried.

GoogleDocs

Check out the GoogleDocs Webinar!!! on June 25, 2009.

Thing 22 - Choose a Tool

Avatars

Avatars are a great way for students to 1.) share their personality and 2.) create a picture to represent themselves on the internet without using a real picture of themselves. There are many websites out there that can help your students create an avatar. I am not really looking at appropriateness or if these sites are blocked at school, so please do so before using these in your classroom.

Build Your Wild Self
Droppel Me
Face Your Manga
Mr. Picasso Head

I did have examples from each of these sites, but I am having technical difficulties getting them on this post, so check back and maybe I will have fixed my problem.

Thing 21 - Pageflakes

I have created a personal start page at Jessica's Pageflake. To be honest, I didn't really spend a lot of time on this "Thing" because I have my own personal start up page through Google. Their version is called iGoogle. It does the same thing as Pageflakes, but it is not sharable. I like it for my personal use, because once you log into google you are logged into all of the aspects of google. So, if I log into my iGoogle page, I can then go to Blogger, GoogleDocs, etc. without having to log on again. For classroom use, I think Pageflakes is better, because it is sharable. Students are not good at typing accurately, especially when it comes to typing urls. I can't tell you how many times I have had to type urls into the address bar for students in the computer lab because thye have tried a million times and still didn't type it right. Also, when I was discovering the other pageflakes offered, I absolutely loved the idea of using one for an assignment. Here is a link to the example.

Thing 20

I did know about Google Docs before this class, but I had just no really started to find uses for them recently. When I first learned about Google Docs, I didn't really see a need for them, but now I use them daily. Below is a list of ways I have used Google Docs:

- I keep my format for Sub Notes on Google Docs so I can always access it and so all I have to do is change the assignments each time.
- I created a form to collect information in order to export student information into our Math Assessment System.
- I created a form for the Professional Learning Evaluation that everyone does at the end of the class.
- Students with a Google Account were able (with no problems) to turn in their math term papers. Note: Those who emailed had a lot of problems.
- I use the spreadsheet to keep up with our staff's professional learning hours completed at the school.
- I use a spreadsheet with only two columns to list off all of my students vocabulary words. From there, I am able to upload them to various websites and then link those sites to our class wiki for students to study.
- I monitor my blood pressure as well on Google Docs.

Laughable Moment From Last Year's Spelling Bee

Student Blabberize

Created by: Keleigh

Check It Out

I created a slide show of pictures of art that I took at WBMS's Fine Arts Show.

Thing 18

I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around podcasting in my classroom. Don't get me wrong...I understand what a podcast is and what it can be used for. What I can't figure out is how to use it in my classroom. I tried to listen to some of the math podcasts, but some of them wouldn't work and others took too long to get started. I don't just want to use all of these "Things" in the delivery of my lessons or as a review of my lessons; I want to have the students create their own.

Podcasts Listening uploaded on March 16, 2006 by Somewhat Frank.

Thing 17

My first impression of Classroom 2.0 was amazement that there were so many educators coming together to collaborate, but then I became overwhelmed. I guess I just don't understand the organization of it. I almost thing I was expecting a wiki, but combining that with blogging and micro-blogging. I eventually became a little disappointed, because it was different than what I expected. I did find parts of it useful. I enjoy the forums and having the ability to post a question and get feedback from so many teachers and from so many backgrounds and perspectives. I also found a Middle School Math group to join, but I have not had time to do that yet. I really feel strongly that participating in a Ning related to professional practices can benefit all teachers. Having that connection and the collaboration available is not only empowering, but also stabilizing. You will always have a team there to help with challenging questions.

I was disappointed because not only did I not find a math section on the list, I did not find a math ning. Now granted...I did not read every single one of them, but still. I can imagine so many different ways that a ning can improve instruction. As a math teacher, I have a number of methods to teach students how to calculate specific things. Having a math ning would give me other teachers to ask if I can't seem to get my students to understand. You would also have a network of teachers to ask about classroom management and to bounce assignment ideas off of. Maybe they have tried an assignment that you want to try and either knows that it won't work or knows some tricks to make it work better. It's common planning at its best.

I would definately create a ning for my class room, but I am confused as to how I can integrate it with my blog and my wiki. Would it take the place of those?

I have just started using Plurk and I love it. I also love that Caroline convinced someone to unblock it at work. With that said, it can be distracting. For instance, when I'm at work it would kind of be nice to only get work related Plurks. Plus, I found out today that if you have a Promethian Board, you can't leave your Plurk window up even if it is not the one showing because it dings everytime you get a new Plurk. I definately identify with their reasons, because they have the same reasons for using microblogging as I do. Since I am using microblogging, it is a component of my PLN. Right now, it is serving as a sounding board and as a place to just chill out. People don't just plurk about work; they plurk about everything from motherhood to mowing the lawn. I would love to use microblogging in the classroom, but I wonder how you can do that effectively when you don't have a constant access to computers for your students. That seems to be the main or first hurdle to implementing all of these "things." That, and getting them unblocked.

Thing 15

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thedepartment/137413905/

I like LibraryThing. I'm not sure what it's original purpose is, but I can think of a lot of uses. You can have a class account and hold discussions between your classes about books you are reading in class. You could do the same thing with student accounts. What I really love is the thing that suggests books to read. I have 3 authors who I love to read their books, after that...I'm lost.

How do you use Google Apps?

Google is looking for teachers to share how they utilize Google apps in the classroom. Follow this link to the posting I found (using my reader) about Google wanting this information. Just fill out the cute little form created using Google Docs and you might just get a prize.

Check out how other teachers use Google here.

Thing 16

• Before this course, I knew what networking was (in the business world), but I didn't know there was a things such as social networking. I knew about Facebook and Myspace, but I'm one of those who sees those such sites as the route of all evil. It has actually been highly suggested (aka we've been told) not to have accounts on those sites. Normally, such a "suggestion" would force my inner-teenage to come out and create an account just to be difficult. I once made a facebook account to look up an old flame, but I had a flash-back when I found his page and emediately deleted the account.
• I absolutely love the idea of using social networking for professional purposes. I got my Master's degree all totally on-line and loved being able to do "school work" at any time of the day or night and I loved working in teams via the internet. Though I'd never made the connection with using it for professional purposes. Duhhhh, Tipton!
  
• I absolutely love the idea of PLNs (Personal/Professional Learning Networks), because I like the flexability of being able to "meeting" at any time of the day. Plus, you canpost stuff on the internet and you won't loose it. I am horrible with keeping up with papers, especially when they give them to me in a meeting. I like stuff better on the computer and online. Just easier upkeep and organization.
• Creating a PLN will be very useful for me. I like connecting with other teachers. I like to take resources that are already made and alter them to work for my classroom situation. There is no reason to recreate the wheel.
  

Thing 14 - YouTube

I had very little experience with YouTube prior to this class. In fact the only experience I had included two comedy skits. With Mother's Day being this Sunday, I'm embedding "The Mom Song," as my video. I love showing videos in class, or at least short ones. Even as a student, I never liked videos in class. They were always too long and only loosely related to the topic or they were used with substitutes (not a good idea in my opinion). I like the ease of use with Youtube, but seriously get annoyed with it being blocked at school. Don't get me wrong... I understand the reasoning behing it being blocked, but still.

TeacherTube...all I have to say is "What a waste!" Were these two even made by the same people? TeacherTube could be so great, especially because it's not blocked at school. But you can't find ANYTHING on TeacherTube. It's....It's just....ARGGGGG!!! It could be done better.