Capstone Reflection Thing 15-21

It's time for that final reflection.  21 Things really are a lot of things to accomplish in this short amount of time, however, I have to say, I'm very glad that I have had the opportunity to learn about each one of them.

Thing 15 was about creating PDF files, and using Google calendar.  Finding ways to transfer a handful of paper down to a file is wonderful for educators.  Working on grade level projects, now we can save a tree by transferring information to a PDF file.  I used Zamzar and it was very simple.  I didn't transfer a large file, just a two-page rubric, however, it was quick and easy.

Using Google Calendar is an easy way to display due dates on one project, the week's schedule, or for special events.  Students and parents have easy access and it is quick and easy to plug in the information.

Thing 16 was learning about Professional Learning Networks.  I was pleased to see that YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook can all have very positive educational value.  My biggest problem with Twitter was trying to figure out what to tweet about.  Most people are very banal in their tweets and when Ron demonstrarted how he uses Twitter a bright new world of possibilities opened up.  I already know that kids like to follow their teachers Facebook page, so I figure Twitter would be the same thing.  Twitter is another way to impart information on a more relaxed stage.  As far as a site available to educators, Learnport was excellent.  Not only can I access classes for CEU credits, but you will also find latest information on a number of topics.

Thing 17- Research Reference Tools
I chose to compare and contrast the eLibrary Kids Elementary site with Kids Infobite.org.
Both sites requested a library card ID, however, elibrary left the option for a drivers license instead, which may be a good option, because everyone still does not have a library card or access to a library, but their parent will more likely have a drivers license.
Both sites offer fantastic resources for kids.  Kids Infobites is geared towards K-5, while elibrary is K-12.  Reading levels are simplified for Kids Infobites by easy, more difficult, while elibrary kids offers multiple reading levels, as well as a source key to understand these levels.  Kids Infobites offers something that I believe is wonderful, especially in the case of struggling readers and ESL students, which is an audio choice.  Students can choose to listen to an Infbites reader read the article and may choose to listen or read along.  This also allows for MP3 download for later listening.
For many elementary students I would probably recommend the Kids Infobite site because it is all information that is within their grade level K-5, which means it will be much less information for them to sort through.  eLibrary is very user friendly and is good for all levels, but possibly not as "fun" to use as Kids Infobites.
For 5th grade and up I believe eLibrary offers more diversity and a wider choice of materials, and that is because what they will be exposed to increases with each grade level.
I went to each source, looking up newspapers, magazines, books, maps, pictures, audio/visual, and transcripts.  All was very user friendly and a solid source of resources for students to depend on when writing papers, working on projects, or research.

Thing 18 RSS- Aggrigators
I joined Netvibes and have called mine, Kathy's Netvibe.  Not original, but I can always change it later.  I now will have updates on technology for the 21st century educator (so many things came up for that topic!) and the MSNBC network.
This can be helpful in the classroom because it's another way the teacher can set up a resource that the parents and students can go to access homework assignments, to check grades, go to specific websites that the classroom is using for a specific topic.  Teachers can use it to provide daily lesson plans.
It is great to be able to add and sort as many widgets as you want to.  I haven't had much time to sort through all of them of course, but I've chosen some widgets that I like personally, and I also believe will be of benefit to my students, so I will have them on my public page.  Widgets from Newsweek, US Today, etc...provide current national topics that students can easily access for current events work.  I believe that the biggest plus for me at this point is the availability of so much information so quickly.  I can keep sites available that carry information on the topics we are covering in our core classes.  Whether review, assignments, test preparation, any site the student would need access to is contained in one place for them. I know how frustrating it is to find the sites with the information you are looking for, and now that will be provided for them and they can get right to the business of doing their research, review, or whatever. They
will be reminded what is due immediately and what they have more time to work on. As an educator I can have the satisfaction of knowing that I've provided one more tool for them to access to make their learning process a more successful one.  Information can be provided week by week, as well as providing the sites that will help them.  Parents can access all of the same information which will give them the option of becoming more involved with their student's work.  Having worked with many Spanish families with parents who don't speak or read English, this would not be that helpful unless versions could be provided in Spanish.  That would be something worth checking into; any widgets in Espanol?
This is a site I need to spend a copious amount of time experimenting with.  The downside to having so many Things to learn about is having only a brief introduction before you have to hurry on to the next thing.  I already wish I could have access to the moodle for 21 Things after the class is over so I can go through all of the material again.  I know that I will learn to appreciate all that tools like Netvibes, have to offer me as an educator, both personally, and for my classroom

Thing 19
This was of particular interest to me since I am involved in this type of learning at my high school.  As a geometry paraprofessional I spend my mornings working with Novanet students in the blended program.  Novanet is not the best resource and they will be replacing it for the 2011-2012 school year, but I don't know what with as yet.  I know they will continue using it throughout the Summer School program.  This really does marry the relationship between face-to-face and on-line instruction.  The rate at which students progress through the Novanet lessons is certainly up to them, however, the face-to-face portion keeps them on track to move through the material at a steady rate.
As an elementary teacher working in a high school geometry class, I have enjoyed working through the Novanet lessons just ahead of the students, so that I may be an adequate mentor when they have questions.  Although the teacher answers most of the questions, I have been able to keep up and be of help to the students as well as the teacher.  On top of that I am finally learning geometry.

Thing 20
Graphic organizers are wonderful tools to help us organize our thoughts and ideas.  I imagined my 5th grade science class brainstorming thoughts about our ecosystem.  I used Bubbl.us and it was appropriate for this type of activity.  Not only could the students do their original brainstorming on this topic, it would be very easy to now put them in groups and have each group focus on a topic of importance to them on how we can impact our ecosystem.  They can use this graphic organizer to expand on the original ideas; say, on the topic of recycling.  After they ennumerate the different aspects involved in responsible recycling, they can then choose how to divide up the work or research.  Each person can then create their own organizer for their particular part of the project.  Graphic organizers focus us on the important 'stuff ' of our work and help us to visually see the bigger picture.
I created a word cloud with Tagxedo.  I wrote some things about my son and he became my first word cloud.  He would be very unhappy with me if he knew...
I can see that students would enjoy this very much.  There are a number of elements they can control to form their word cloud.  As a jaded high school worker I can say that teachers would have to be on their toes as to the content of those word clouds.  Teenagers can become masters of technology when it comes to getting around their teachers and trying to slip contraband sites, songs, etc...past them.  On the positive side, students would enjoy this creative alternative to expressing themselves academically.  While I would not be able to except a word cloud alone for a project, if the text came with the visual of the word cloud, that would be impressive and show me that the student wanted to make an impact with their work.

Thing 21
Well, I believe I've covered my bases by providing the url as well as the MP4 video that I made.  I blubbed my way through and really enjoyed it!  Having screen-o-matic free, is wonderful.  Again, I gauge everything based on "when" I get a classroom again, however, when I do, I will use Thing 21 all of the time!  My first year of teaching I tutored 5th graders before and after school several times a week in math.  5th graders really struggle with fractions of every kind.  Having the ability to make a short recording that they can play at their own rate, watch as many times as they need to until they "get it" is wonderful!  This can be a wonderful help in learning languages as well.  Conjugating verbs can be so confusing (I speak from my own personal experience with Spanish)  How easy and helpful to make short videos on the verbs they are working on weekly.  I can definitely see students' grades improving with a help like this in place.  I will use this frequently and for many different ways to help my students learn more effectively.  Some students may never need this aid, but for those who do, it's as close to one-on-one as you can get without actually being there!

As I was watching the Screencasts demo I watched the videos where teachers were giving their students feedback for projects.  Another wonderful way to use this tool, giving students an auditory feedback as well as a written one for their work.

Some of the things in 21 Things are repetitious, but they all offer other things as well, so each is also unique.   This is a worthwhile course for every educator to take, however, I would stretch it out over a longer semester, two months was too quick to really get a chance to get too comfortable with anything before having to move on to the next Thing.