Thing 6 ~ Flickr Fun

I Flickd through all of the links, articles, and websites and had Fun seeing how many options and opportunities there are.

Flickr Tools:
Flickr Color Picks was almost scary in its accuracy.
Flickr Montager reminded me of those awesome posters of one special picture that is made up of hundreds of related photos.
Memry, although spelled a hippr, Flickr way, was still the good old fashioned game from my youth, and I enjoyed playing with cards that were found with the tag, “dog.”

Image Generators:
Big Huge Labs is awesome! ImageGenerator.org is pretty cool too. I am all about the one-stop shopping! I see Big Huge Labs as a better match for me as I explore how to use these tools with my students. It seems better organized, more visually appealing, and more legit somehow.

I am still unsure about posting images publicly. If I am not entirely comfortable doing it with my own family pictures, I am most definitely not going to do so with photos of my students. What I find exciting about these sites, however, is that the potential goes well beyond photo sharing. Students can locate and use images in countless ways. I am particularly a fan of the Trading Card and CD Cover programs. I can already envision how to incorporate the Trading Cards in both Language Arts and Social Studies. Creating a CD is already an assessment option for some of my classes, and Big Huge Labs may give the students an edge on the professionalism of the final product.

Thing 5 ~ Flickr

I really like the format, wittiness, and effectiveness of the Plain English videos, and the one for Thing 5 was no exception. I recognized the "tagging" because my friends use that word when talking about photos on their Facebook and other online accounts.

Keeping that in mind, I tried my own name in the Flickr search box. I wasn't on Flickr, but when I reread the Thing 5 Blog, I saw "Snugmug" as one of the suggested sites. I went there, typed my name, and wah-lah, there was an album of my wedding. I typed in my maiden name and up sprang albums of old shows.

One of my best friend's has a smug mug account. My search results brought me to his account both times. I was delighted looking at old photos and thrilled looking at ones I had not yet seen. The photo here is of the fireworks we took our families to see on July 4th. I am not yet sure how to do more sophisticated formatting of the image on Blogger, but picking the size and placement is enough for now.

I explored many of the suggested sites and admired countless photos. I appreciate knowing that "Creative Commons" means that images are copyright free and know I will keep that in mind as I conduct future searches. I am not sure I would want to make my own photos public, but I can see how inviting family to see them in one spot may make more sense than emailing select shots.

Thing 4 ~ Custom Homepage

Ahh, finally a "thing" I complete efficiently. I chose Netvibes and am pleased with what I have done. I based my choice on the information from the mashables link, and especially the compare/contrast chart. I knew I did not want to use iGoogle because I have experiences glitches many times with that site. Lewis Spearing's video testimonial and how-to sealed the deal.

Signing in to my Netvibes Homepage at school will speed up my access to sites and tools I use in abundance. Discovery Streaming, Scholastic, Teen Ink, etc. will all just be a click away. This method seems even better than having the links in "My Favorites."

I have not been able to maximize my use of Netvibes quite yet, but I have already used it extensively this week. As a management tool, it may even facilitate my exploration and even following of blogs from the class and Thing 3.

My Netvibes Homepage is another "thing" I like about this PD.

Thing 3 ~ Blogs in Education

I have dreaded writing this reflection because I have had so much to say. In an effort to strike a balance between sharing actively and over-actively sharing, I will include only one to two comments from each link. (If anyone is interested in more, please contact me.)

James Logan Courier - high school student journalism

I like how they included comics and editorial cartoons. I also liked how most postings started with a quote and seemed to be a part of a theme.

Teaching Learners with Mutiple Special Needs – resources

Caleigh’s Corner attracted me because of how close her name was to my baby girl’s. I had a tough time reading through those blogs and the blogs that are linked to it. I have never been to Holland.

Bud the Teacher - about teaching

I’m not a fan.

G-Town Talks - from a superintendent of schools

I can picture Jason doing one of these types of blogs. His Happy Friday messages would be an even bigger hit with the subscribing community than they are with his faculty and staff.

ETLMS - from Oakland Schools

Wahoo! The very 1st post and link led me to a cool site that I can use for the American Revolution.

This Week in Education - by journalist and former Senate education staffer

I like one stop shopping, and this seems to be a good site for me. Many of his links also connect to concepts from my Canter classes. I may also subscribe to http://www.tipline.blogspot.com/...like.

List of blogs related to education in various categories

Where do I even start?

The Meaning of Zzzzz's

Zzzzz's...don't they usually elicit thoughts of people getting their Zzzzz's? Images of people peacefully dozing with the Zzzzz's artistically trailing into the air?

Zzzzz's...right now, they mean Zzzzzip. Nada. Definitely not sleep.

I have admitted defeat. I have been awake since 2. After 25 minutes or so of trying to evoke slumber, I picked up one of my books. Granted, that whole time I was gripped by the action, but I was simultaneously frustrated. My eyes burned. They still do.

Yet, I can't sleep.

Here are more Zzzzz's...Zzzzzap. That is what is happening to my plans for tomorrow. Something will have to change because I may not have the stamina to do everything that is (was) on my docket.

Even though I wish I was in bed with Zzzzz's softly twinkling above me, I am up. When I am up in the morning, I have coffee. So, it is 4:30 in the morning, and in addition to wanting sleep, I want coffee. Since my desired Zzzzz's are not forthcoming, I am tempted to at least benefit from the zzoop zzoop...zzoop, zzoop dripping sound of brewing coffee. Mmm...the comforting aroma of hazelnut, the first sips of bittersweet goodness.

Perhaps the resulting false energy will be followed by a crash, followed by sleep, followed by a late start but still somewhat in-tact day.

Who am I kidding? It will be followed by the baby being ready to energetically Zippity-do-da into her day.

At least she is stinking adorable when she does.

I'll have to teach her that song. "Zippity-do-da, zippity-aye...my, oh my, what a wonderful day! Plenty of sunshine (heat, humidity, and scattered thunder showers) heading my way! Zippity-do-da, zippity-aye!"

Thing 2 ~ Create Your Own Blog (Part 1)

Yes...Part 1. In actuality, there should not even be a distinction between parts; this post should be the post.

I get so excited about how much I am learning ~ not only about technology but also how to be really effective incorporating it in my classes. Every so often, however, I remember...technology can be temperamental. And inconvenient. And...INeffective.

My computer is toast. It still turns on, and I am still still welcomed by the photo of my daughter, but other than that...toast. Burnt. The taste left in my mouth is worse than burnt toast. How does "regret" taste?

I think the last time we backed up our files was two months ago or so. Maybe three. Regret.

I was writing all of my reflections for 23 Things in a Word document. Regret.

Therefore...Part 2. It will either appear after it is miraculously recovered by the Geek Squad or when I masterfully recreate it. Right now, both seem aggravating.

Anyone have any suggestions for an alternative to the Geek Squad?

Thing 1 ~ Learn about Web 2.0

My recognition of and fascination with technology’s role in engaging and educating today’s youth was entwined throughout my graduate work. Since then, I have taken as many technology-based PD’s as possible because each time I learn something “new.” I put “new” in quotes because what I learn is not always “new” to me. When it was “new,” I may not have been able to fully conceptualize the applications or maximize their potential.

With each workshop, I explore and experiment. Each time, something “new” clicks, and I learn more…well…“new” things. Even though I was already psyched to take “23 Things Newington Teachers Need to Know,” I am especially thrilled with how well it is complimenting the two Canter courses I just finished. When I combine what I learned there with what I will learn here, I will have “new” ways to have my students learn “new” material.