Thing 18

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.