Things #8 - Feeds

Whoa... This is amazing how RSS is all over the place. Yet, I was also disappointed on how many sites did not have a link to RSS. They need to get one - since I will suddenly catch on and only want to go to one site to check all of the updates. I wonder how a site can get set up with RSS. I love how Google Reader lets me see things either as a list or expanded so I can see pictures - especially on the blogs of my friends.

I appreciate that there are sites to help search, but I was stuck trying to think of topics where I would find something that I would want to be updated often. I will keep looking, however. I could see my subscriptions getting very full. Once again, this new thing has stretched me. Thanks.

Thing #7 - RSS

Wow! I can't believe that I did not know ANYTHING about RSS. It is almost everywhere! It will save me SO MUCH time by going to ONE place to check for updates instead of going to so many different sites. Can you tell how EXCITED I am about this? I am going to look for RSS at every website/blog I link to - just to keep making me feel so technologically-disabled that I am so outdated in my knowledge. And I think I am actually ahead of the curve of many. SCARY!

Thing #6 - Technology

My thoughts on technology keep going every day. This video on youtube makes me think so much about my own child (almost 3 years old) and what the future will be for him:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8
I also worry that education won't be able to catch up and he will see a different world when he starts kindergarten compared to the world he is growing up in with computers, ipods, etc. Yet, what will happen if he is in a class with a student who has never seen a computer? How are teachers going to be prepared to differentiate the tools, along with the instruction?

Overall, I am having so much fun doing the 23 things. It is opening my eyes to all of the options out there. It helps me see how schools need to step up and get going on technology to connect with students' lives. Hurry!

Thing #5 - Mashup

It was so fun playing with the pictures and trying out titles and ideas. I can imagine that this would be a great way to motivate students to write - and they could choose their own picture to write on, they could be creative in the format, and they would use technology as a tool for learning. Ooh, I am loving this more for each thing...

Thing #4 - flikr

vision
Originally uploaded by JMRLiteracy

Wow! This "thing" really stretched my learning. It was so fun to learn about flikr and how so people are sharing their pictures. I saw tags to the GR Children's Museum, 1980s hair!, ireland, school, and so many other things. I am amazed by this and how this website has expanded the world. It was really easy to link my flikr picture to this blog, too. Technology is becoming so easy to use - especially for those who are learning it as they go.

I chose this picture because it was an important part of my leadership of an organization. It was great to upload several pictures from a retreat, but to tag one to link to this course. The possibilities are endless. Again, wow!

**I had to post this twice. I accidentally deleted the link to flikr. Don't ask - but I am so lucky that I copied it before it was gone!

Thing #3 - Habits

As I listened (and read along with) the 7 1/2 tutorial, I made connections to so many other things that I have read - Marzano, Mindset, Jensen, etc. Yet, it was great to see all of them together! When I taught high school, I worked on the teen 7 habits with my students. How fun for them to now put things into a Web 2.0 format of some type!

The easiest habit for me is Habit #5. I am constantly looking for information, reading new books, magazines, or websites, talking with people, and doing anything else I can do build my learning toolbox. Right now, I am working with literacy coaches, so I am reading everything I can about teacher leadership, cognitive coaching, and resistance. The toolbox is helpful, especially since I know many people I can contact for ideas too. This network is irreplaceable for my learning.

The hardest habit for me is Habit #6. Maybe that is why I signed up for this course, especially when I have a million other things to do. I really want to learn more about technology (Habit #2), and the offer to learn over time in an online format sounded interesting. My goal (Habit #1) is have a toolbox (Habit #5) of technology ideas to make my life easier (Habit #7 1/2) and allow me to share information with others (Habit #7). The "problem" of not knowing too much about new technology is definitely being seen as a challenge (Habit #3) to take on this fall. I have confidence (Habit #4) in myself!

Thing #2 - Web 2.0

As mentioned previously, I love Web 2.0 for its way of helping people collaborate instead of being private individuals. Yet, there can be options for privacy (who wants to do a vodcast when you're home in your pajamas?) and for sharing, which can fit into anyone's life. As Liam's mommy (FYI - name of my blog), who is almost 3 years old, I continually wonder about his future and how different the world will be as he grows up. My own world has changed so much in 20 years - no more typewriters, no dial phones, cell phones everywhere, the internet being a part of life, "google" being a verb, etc.

To make us laugh - the Photography teacher in my district asked for a new textbook. The one she was using was from 1975. I was so FRUSTRATED when I looked at the old one. No digital photos, no internet, etc. How odd...

21st century learning will definitely be about technology. Most students will know things from birth (or a bit later). Of course, for those who don't, what will we do?

23 Things – The First Thing

During this course, I hope to learn about all of the "new" techology options out there. These will be great to share with teachers - and also use myself for my own personal use. Web 2.0 is so important since it brings in discourse instead of just sitting there reading something. Everyone can enjoy contributing to a conversation. Plus, with all of the options, people can choose what works for them.