Thing 16: Photo-peach and the Final Evaluation

Photopeach, a free tool for making slide shows, can easily fit into any classroom environment.  The easy-to-use interface was refreshing.  Students can enjoy having the opportunity to create a visual illustration of the content learned.  If time permitted, I would create another slide show!

Friends&Fun on PhotoPeach

Final Evaluation:
1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?

I enjoyed searching for new tools to use in the learning environment.  One of my favorite tools is using YouTube and being able to create new educational videos to share.  I want to teach my students how to create YouTube videos to use as they study different genres of Literature.

2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?

This program has affected my lifelong learning goals by providing resources and ideas for independent learning and ongoing tools for students to use in the classroom.  I have become even more keenly aware of the need to continually evaluate the newest avenues of digital communications for any possible enhancements to the total education process.  I walk away from this experience filled with new and innovative ideas to better facilitate student learning.

3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?

This course has been well worth the demands of time and creative thinking.  Surprisingly enjoyably, this program has created a stronger desire to continue learning and developing new and inventive ways to use technology.  It has been well emphasized that only through the most effective forms of communication and engagement can we expect to have the necessary positive effect in helping students meet the stringent demands of the ever-changing world that faces them.

4. What could I do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?

Early on, I became tired of using the blog to display what I had learned but now I understand how it can be used in other environments.  If I can reasonably anticipate that my own students may experience similar anxieties, I will want to find ways to help them look forward to the benefits they can expect after mastering each technique.

Thing 15.5: Twitter

Honestly, I seldom use my Twitter account.  I have not yet taken time to learn all of the lingo and it can be confusing.  However, since Facebook started allowing Twitter users to update their news feed comments, I have been forced to learn more about using Twitter correctly.  I would like to incorporate educational tweets into my class to encourage student participation and heighten their engagement.  Students also could post assignments and share personal Twitter texts by connecting with their peers.  For security, awareness, and interactions, parents can access the same accounts and stay connected with what their child(ren) is/are sharing and learning.

Thing 15: Things like Skype

A friend introduced me to using Skype before its popularity soared a few years ago.  I still use Skype to communicate easily and economically with friends and family.  The only downfall of Skype is it is limited to internet connections.  Skype uses a lot of memory, too much for smaller hard drives.  If monitored appropriately, students can use Skype to communicate with students all over the world.  They can transfer files and hold video conferences globally.  Comparingly, Live Mind also provides a marketplace where individuals can share their ideas during live learning events.

Thing 14: Pod-casting and Bookmarking

Pinterest is a content sharing service that allows members to "pin" images, videos and other objects to their pinboard.  As the website increased its popularity last year, I joined the Pinterest bandwagon.  Primarily, I used the site to find new healthy recipe options and house warming gift ideas for friends.  However, I then began exploring for classroom instructional ideas.  One thing that attracts me to Pinterest is the visualization or end results of items.

Similarly, Etsy is an e-commerce website used to buy and sell vintage items or arts and crafts.  Several of my friends have been using this website.  Now, I am eagerly exploring the site for myself.  Therefore, this assignment gave me the long awaited opportunity to do so.

Thing 13: Using YouTube

A college friend, Kalin Gernand and I created a stop motion video to enhance instruction and engage student participation in lessons that emphasized the writing process.  We used YouTube as our presentation tool.  After completing the assignment, we discussed several new ideas for incorporating YouTube into instruction were discussed.  In this setting, students can display their work using video production either individually or in small groups.  Students can be formally assessed on their demonstrated class ideas and understanding of lesson content.

Thing 12: Discovering YouTube

YouTube, a video-sharing website, is most definitely one of my all-time favorite sites.  I enjoy the versatility and ease of using YouTube.  However, using mobile devices to access YouTube can sometimes become a hassle if online features and videos cannot be viewed.  Most school districts block the use of YouTube due to explicit content in many shared videos.  There are, however, some legal ways to continue using YouTube in classrooms.  Other sites made specifically for use in classrooms are TeacherTube and SchoolTube.

The embedded video is a song that reminds me of life's many battles.  As we yearn to resist struggles, our smiles may be masked by internal feelings of failure, pain, and fears.  These obstacles can be overcome in the stillness of our hearts.

¹¹ “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Thing 11: Web 2.0 Tools

I chose to explore Google Earth to determine firsthand the excitement others express.  This tool creates an awesome experience and is easily versatile for students of any age.  Visual learners will enjoy bringing text to life in a virtual world to portray different elements of the real world.  Google Earth brings new ideas of how to instruct students in understanding the elements of settings.  When used as a classroom teaching tool, Google Earth can help integrate different content areas.  The world's geographic information is at our fingertips.

Another Web 2.0 tool that I explored last year was Socrative.

“I know one thing, that I know nothing.”

The philosopher Socrates believed that we cannot know anything with absolute certainty, but we can feel confident in certain things.  Many of his traditions are still evident in our world and classrooms today.  A recent technological trend in the learning environment is the use of digital response systems.  Socrative is a smart student response system that empowers teachers to engage their students through a series of grade-appropriate educational exercises and games via a web browser.  It can be downloaded as free "app" (application).  With this software program, teachers can engage students in fun exercises that track individual of group performance.  Teachers can enjoy the energy of the moment and view the results online or have it emailed to them by the program.  The teacher device web access address is http://t.socrative.com.  Student access http://m.socrative.com.