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.