Is this the end or Only the Beginning???

This is diffidently just the beginning. I am excited about many of the tools we used during the course of the 23 things and I cannot wait to put many of them to use. My overall experience with this was a good one. I understand why they were placed on here and how they can be beneficial. What I have learned here will influence my teaching because I am more knowledgeable on tools that would be very useful in the classroom. The experience can be a joyous one as long as you have the right materials. By participating in this, I do believe I now have enough material to get me started. I plan on keeping up with whats current by following different blogs, adding resourcefulness sites to my RSS Feeds. 

From here I definitely want to continue my blog. The hardest part would be coming everyday and posting something resourceful or informational. Right now, I just do not have the time to but replacing it with my classroom blog is a great idea.

I really enjoyed this!!!! 

Thing 23

As a teacher, I would use creative commons to inform students of the importance of crediting others for there work. Creative commons was created so that other could use them without asking. SO creative commons will be taught in the classroom and stressed. I will inform the students to look for the double cc's when looking for any information and help coach them where they should look.

Thing 22

Have not been able to finish my livebinder, but I like this much better than the bookmarking sites. Like she stated in the video, this would be very useful when informing parent about whats going on in the classroom. The parents will have access to everything the teacher post or place in the binder. It is a good way in keeping the different websites organized and handy when needed. This is an excellent tool to have and use in the classroom. When I do complete my livebinder, I will be sure to update my post.

Thing 21

=(

Well I cannot say that I had a good nor bad experience with Animoto because I haven't had the opportunity to start it. But I will do it and when I do, I will make an update of this post. It seem really interesting though. This is something I would want to do for my own kids. They would love to see themselves in videos like these. But it could be also used in the classroom. It could be made up of pictures taken over the course of the school year and at the end play it back and take a stroll down memory lane.

Thing 20

I'm Just a Bill (Schoolhouse Rock!)

When I was observing in a 5th grade classroom, they were discussing bills and how they become laws. The teacher said she had played a song for the kids, but when I was in school, I remember watching this. I asked her if they still used schoolhouse rock and she said occasional  This was very creative stuff to me and i still remember them all. I plan on using this in my classroom!!! I love YouTube and definitely plan on using it in my classroom.

Thing 19

I am a pending member of pop teacher but I am waiting on the approval. I checked out the tasty kitchen community and that seems interested to me. I love cooking and eating, so I am always looking for something new to try out or fix. I think a community such as this one will keep me from getting things done but I am thinking about joining it. I plan on making my own wedding cake, so I am looking for new ideas.

Thing 18

My Facebook Page

It is important that educators know how social networking works, because it is public and can be misused. Because it is public, the educator must be mindful of the post they make on the social networking sites. Also its important for educators to how they work because if students are going to be using them in the classroom,   they need to be aware and knowledge about what to do in worse case scenarios. I really have gain any new insights about these sights. They have been around for awhile now and are being using in many different aspects which can be very beneficial. But once again, one must be mindful of the post they make on these sights. It could cause them their jobs. I really do not know which site has the most useful features. To me it would be Facebook because everything I need it has and I am not a huge fan of tweeting. I'm not that well at paraphrasing my thought. I write everything out so me and tweeter do not get alone that well. But I do have an account that I have not been on in ages. I could definitely see a classroom and or school application on any of these sites being set up. It is a great way to keep everyone informed about what is going on.

Thing 17

When I first visited Delicious, I was reminded of diigo which is also a social bookmarking website. I did not join Delicious because at the moment, I have no need for it, I have been sending many sites to my reader and  Google+ but it is a great tool. When I searched educational technology, a few of the first ones listed, I already have them bookmarked some place else, going to my reader etc.. This site would be very useful in the classroom because since I have already visited these sites and no what is expected on them, I can let my students to use these site when completing different assignments.

Thing 16

I chose iGoogle but that's only because when completing previous things, I always used Google tools and I love it. My Google homepage is already set up because I grew tired of going to more than to reader, or blogger etc to read about whats going on. Everything I need is on one page which makes life so much easier. Google calendar, yes. I already have it and synced with my phone. It keeps me informed on important dates and events that are going to take place. I placed on the calendar a doctors appointment and when I got on line, it reminded me that it is tomorrow. I like the to-do list because I have to right everything down anyway and set reminders on my phone. This just makes life so much easier for me. Another tool I like is the sticky notes. When i find a site that I really enjoy, of course I bookmark it, but I like sticky notes because I can do just think. Stick notes around the page which is awesome. This also helps taking notes much easier.

Thing 15

I  had the most difficult time adding and entry or editing on the APSU 23 Things sandbox. I created an account but still no success. On another note, the other stories and ideas people/students have used wiki for was very creative. I really liked  Welker's Wikinomics way it is set up for the their students. I like how there are rules posted so everyone visiting will be aware that it is a classroom although it is made publicly. That was a very creative and great way to engage students in their lesson by using technology. It's better than a traditional text book. I can not want to do something like this in my classroom.

Thing 14

For the flowchart, I decided to use Gliffy. At first I was having some issues but I was able to manage. This is a great site to use when needed to create flow charts. I wouldn't have my students to complete a flowchart with massive information but they will be extremely helpful in trying to get their thoughts to flow.

For the mind map, I used bubbl.us. I like the mind maps better than the flow charts. It's not as complicated and it reminds me of my brainstorming years. I think this mind maps will work better for third graders. As a trial and error, I may let an advance level learner try using a flow chart and see how well it goes.

Thing 13

ZOHO!!!!

This is a great site to use if you do not have Microsoft Office. It works just as good and you can share your work with your contacts. You can construct projects, campaigns, and even have discussions over the messaging. I will be using this site.

Google Doc

Google Doc is another awesome tool. I am really impressed with Google because everything that you can ever possible dream of, they have. This is another great tool or site to visit if you do not have Microsoft Office. What I like most about both of these sites is they can be reached on any computer! No more worrying about flash drives. Here is a picture I created on Google drawing. This was a picture I had seen someone once before and saved. I love the quote and really do believe that everything is possible for they who believes!!!! I thought I would share that with you.

Thing 12

I love the Google search engine but what I also like about Google is the other web tools available at the site. Google translator will be a great tool to use in the classroom. It has 66 different languages that it will translate to. So if I have a student in my class that speaks little or no English, this is a great way to communicate. As a class we can get on Google translate and use it to learn words in different languages or to help communicate with our pin pals in other countries.
I also like Google calendar. I set up an account to use it and it will synch the events on your mobile devices with your calendar on Google. Pop ups will appear online to remind you of events that will be taking place. Using Google calendar, you are able to share it with family member and friends. I am eager to use this tool in my classroom. This is a great way to keep parents posted on events that will be taking place in both the classroom and the school.

Thing 11

As I stated in my last post, RSS is a very useful tool that helps stay current on events by using one site. While browsing, I felt the easiest way for me to look up information that I was interested in was by using search. I searched social networks and I love it.  There is information about why you should reconsider being friends with clients and in our case, students or even parents on facebook. It gives tons of other tips on how to use social media in your everyday life or in businesses. I also like the fact that you can also connected with friends and family on google reader on other social medias. So whenever they make a post you will see them on your news feed there.

Thing 10

I have never heard of RSS until today before posting on my blog, but without realizing it knew what it was. RSS and newsreaders are a great way to keep current on everything around you by simply using one website. This is a great tool to have in any area of your life whether it be in the classroom or for personal use.  When using RSS and newsreaders, all you have to do is subscribe to websites or click on the orange button with waves coming from it, and everything from that site will appear on your news feed. I subscribed to free tech 4 teachers, and all the post I have read are really interesting and useful. I can really see using this in the classroom for sources. The only disadvantage about using RSS is not being about to comment on the post. In order to do so, you must go to the actual site.

Thing 9

http://www.images-graphics-pics.com/signs/warning/sign.asp?allow=&text=LEARNING+UP+AHEAD&sign=ahead-up&fontsize=14&font=SignWide&color=red&move=&move2=

Creating a image generator was fun but a little challenging at first. I do like being about to make signs to say whatever I want them too. These image generators can be used in the classroom and library. They can be used to post creative signs or messages to catch the student's attention and remind them of things they should be doing. I think having signs with just verbs around the library would be neat. In the classroom, signs of encouragement would be useful also. The students will be remind each day of motivational words and positive reinforcements.

Thing 8

Jigsaw is a fun and brilliant way to turn your own pictures into puzzles. All you have to do is upload it to the site and it will create it for you. It is very creative. This is a great tool to use in the classroom. The teacher could take pictures of each individual student or the students as a whole and create puzzles for them to do during centers or some sort of free time. The students will enjoy seeing their peers or own faces on puzzles they are working on. 

Thing 7

http://www.flickr.com/photos/91881409@N06/8486027364/

This photo was taken by photographer, Peter 101. I chose this picture to share with everyone because the picture is very beautiful and symbolic. It is a flower bud waiting to blossom. When I think of students, I think of this bud. The bud full of potential, bright with colors, and always adsorbing the sunshine and rain which it receives its nutrition needed for growth. Students are also buds waiting to blossom. They are full of potential, bright with their imaginations, and ready to adsorb any information around them which they will use in some point of time during their lives. Give the right fertilizer (teachers), they will blossom into wonderful children, amazing adults, and heroes changing the world. 

Thing 6

https://path.com

Path.com is a great site created for its users to share life memories with anyone they choose. Their slogan caught my attention. "Share life with the ones you love." In the school settings, that is exactly what we want to do. We want to share how our students are doing with their families, friends, and everyone they love. Path is available online but also for mobile devices in their app stores of both iTunes and androids which allows the students to share their memories with everyone at the moment they experience them. This app would be great from sharing videos of class projects, experiments, or everyday activities with love loves, or other students across the world. It has a camera ready to story any pictures or videos taken while using the app. It provides its users access to chat with friends, post about everyday activities, and comment on others life's memories. Path.com is a great app to use to share memories with the ones you love!!!

Thing 5

Web 2.0 - What is it???

According to wikipedia, Web 2.0 is used to describe web sites that use technology beyond the static pages of earlier web sites. Web 2.0 is a new way of creating, collaborating, editing, and sharing user-generated content online. The Web 2.0 tool is made easy to use for everyone and every age. The information provided by these tools are for many subjects and ideas all available online for the students, teachers, and general public's mastery. The use of technology is expanding so much throughout the country and world that school 2.0 to me means each school in every district, county, and state will eventually be creating, collaborating, editing, and sharing it's own information with parents and other schools around the country and/or world. 
Web 2.0 is opening many doors for schools of the future. It is allowing students to use their mobile devices which was first prohibited, for the advancement of their education. Apps, video sharing, blogs, and many other tools are available for the schools of the future so they will have access to everything they need to enhance their student's learning, in their own classroom. Thank to technology, teachers have access to tons of resources that were once limited. 
If anyone should have difficulties with learning how to use Web 2.0 sites, http://www.classroom20.com   is a great site to start with.
Other useful 2.0 tools that will help in the classroom or everyday life are Top 100 Web 2.0 tools http://c4lpt.co.uk/top100tools/ and 50 Web 2.0 tools that are still very useful but did not make the top 100 list http://c4lpt.co.uk/top-100-tools-for-learning-2011/50-tools/. 

Thing 4

Commenting on blogs of others help create a sense of community and interaction because that is exactly whats going on. The blog world is a community where people share their thoughts and other information that are useful to its readers. When a person comments on a blogger's page, the interaction made develops a connect between the two. Whether the comment is positive or negative, it provides feedback to the blogger about their post. Interaction is good. Encouraging others to post comments of their thoughts and concerns also lets the readers know that their opinions are important and valued.

Showing the author of a blog that you are hearing them and what they have to say would be the most important factor about commenting. If you did not comment on the post, more than likely you were not listening to what the blogger had to says anyhow. Setting the stage of allowing the readers to leave comments and inviting them to your blog to make such post freely is another important factor. Its important that the readers feel that their responses are important so they will leave comments. Asking questions and leaving open ended questions for the readers to respond to are helpful ways to interact with the reader. Make sure your readers know that you want them to leave comments.

I read one of Vicki Davis also known as the cool cat teacher's post about 10 ways to being a terrible teacher. The title is what grabbed my attention, but as I read her post I began to laugh because I believe everyone have had at least one terrible teacher that meets all of the 10 things listed. The information she shared was very useful because going into the teaching field, I do not want the reputation of a terrible teacher or a TT as she called it. Her is the link to this blog. I think its very inspirational on what not to be. http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2011/10/10-ways-to-be-terrible-teacher.html


Steve Smith had two pretty good pictures on his thing 7 post of the sunrise and sunset. Those pictures were the first things I saw when I got on his page and they caught my attention. He said he had taken them himself when he was camping on Cordell Hull Lake in Carthage, Tennessee. http://morwessar.blogspot.com/

Reading a post that Emily Howell made about ways she would use her blog in her classroom and why made me nod my head agreeing. She brought up a good point about how military families are often set away from the rest of their families or spouses, parents, or siblings maybe deployed and using a blog is a good way for those away to stay engaged in what the student is doing in their classroom. This is a very good point being a military spouse of  a solider who is deployed currently. http://elihowell.blogspot.com/

Jessica Baggett brought up a good point to post lesson plans on her blog so that when students are absent, they can go to the blog and view everything that they had missed for that day. This would be very useful. Even in the college setting. http://jbb23things.blogspot.com/

Rumming around Google. It is the title of Shaka's post. She blogged about 2 tools on the Google website that are very useful. The Google translator and Google alerts. She made very good points to why these tools are useful, but in all honesty, I went to her page out of curiosity because I say that she was already on thing 12 and its taking me forever to complete mines and manage to do my work in my other 5 classes.  http://technology-twsfinalfrontier.blogspot.com/

Another great Google tool that was blogged about in a blog of Christine Luke was the Calendar. The Google calendar allows you to share your calendar with whom ever you wish, making it great to keep parents and guardians informed about what is taking place in your classroom. http://cluketacklingtechnology.blogspot.com/

23 things in bling caught my eye when I clicked on Michelle Clark's page. She found a website that makes logos. It was different and unsuspecting. She did mention however that the website did not give as clear instructions as she would have liked. The logo was an eye catcher though if you are up for the challenge. http://clarkmv.blogspot.com/

Thing 3

Using a blog in a classroom can be very beneficial. It can provide classroom management, be used to inform students of class requirements, post handouts, notices, and homework assignments, or act as a question and answer board. Blogs are a great way to meet the federal and state literacy requirements allowing the students to read and write on their own blogs as well as others on a wide spread of content. Not having much experience with them, I can say thus far it has been fun and that the students like participating in activities that are out of their norm. Blogging would be a great way to set a new atmosphere while keeping them aware of the latest technology and expanding their computer skills. They will be able to interact with the computer, learn the keys, how to insert hyperlinks, upload pictures, and make graphics such as avatars. If any child needs any extra help, on the blog they will have access to additional worksheets, websites, and myself for any assistance need. Parents involvement would be encourage so the parents would be well aware of what is happening in the classroom, their children's grades, and it would be a helpful communication tool for those who have a difficult time meeting with me. 

Thing 2

Prior to this, I have no experience with blogs. I have never read or wrote in a blog before taking the Educational 3040 Instructional Technology course. This is a first. Overall the experience was easy and fun. On occasions I may run into a few minor hiccups such as placing my avatar on my page. When I decided to post a name for my blog, I wanted something more appropriate for the school setting. Whats better than Ms. McCombs's Classroom? My avatar is there as a symbol of what I represent. I am black American who loves smiling, learning, and teaching. Teaching is a gift that everyone does not have. My clothes represent professionalism. It's my captains uniform. The laptop is an indicator that I am always aware of the newest information, important for the success of my students. Its the playbook where all my plays rest. I too am a student (player) and the only difference between me and those I will teach is I will have more experience. The background of my avatar is my playing field. It's where all my plays come to life.

Thing 1

Which of the lifelong learning habits were the hardest and easiest for me? HUM?? I found habit 2 of the 7 1/2 to be the hardest and both 1 and the 1/2 to be the easiest. When ever I go about doing something, I usually have a goal already in mind. This is what I want, so now what do I have to do to reach my goal. But typically when I come across an obstacle, I would marinate on it just a little longer than I probably should. I have the tenancy of over thinking everything. Which in some ways can be good, but I also know how to enjoy the learning experience. What doesn't kills you only make you stronger!!!! So why not have fun on the journey?!?

Then the question was asked, "While playing with the web 2.0 tools and setting up this blog, what did I learn and experience?"  Well I learned how to obviously set up a blog and make a post. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. The experience was rather memorable, so I am excited to use more of this blog to express my feelings, thoughts and concerns about this classroom, and take the experience to help students when I get in my own classroom.