Thing #9 Web 2.0 Application Exploration

In exploring the numerous Web 2.0 tools available, here are five that I have found useful:

1) I joined the Classroom 2.0 Ning because it is a great forum for teachers to share ideas on how specific Web 2.0 tools can be implemented in the classroom. I really like the structure of this Ning since on the right side of the home page it has a long listing of topics organized by Web 2.o tools as well as by academic subject.

2) Real World Math is a website that provides a place for math teachers to share a variety of math lessons using Google Earth. The lessons currently posted are very creative and well thought-out with all the necessary details and handouts available so that any teacher can easily implement the lesson.

3) I discovered a Google Custom Search Engine for High School Math that another teacher created that searches for relevant math content in over 300 websites that have significant mathematics content useful for teachers and students. Not only is this specific search engine particularly useful to me, I also like the ability to create my own Google Custom Search Engine.

4) I have been looking for a better way to make diagram and flowcharts to help illustrate mathematical concepts. I finally found it using Gliffy . In my opinion, Gliffy is a much more user- friendly and flexible way to create all kinds of diagrams including flowcharts.

5) I was pleasantly surprised to discover smart.fm . This site combines social networking with proven learning tools that help students memorize imformation. I like that students can use the lists create by others as well as design their own.

Thing #8 Free Technology Tools Blog

I learned about the Free Technology Tools Blog last year, and I have to say it is probably the best site for teachers to stay informed on the latest online tools that can be utilized to improve and enhance students' learning. Here's my favorite five tools that I learned about as a result of reading this blog.

1) Zoho Challenge offers a practical way to administer tests online. It allows teachers to create tests with both multiple choice and free response questions. Another nice feature is the ability to set a time limit on the test. It also you to keep track of your students' individual and collective performances. Although, I haven't used it yet, I would definitely consider using Zoho Challenge for makeup tests and for teaching an online class, should I ever do so.

2) Rubistar is an awesome resource for creating rubrics that give both teachers and students more objective, clear, and open standards for grading. Looking at example rubrics on Rubistar helped me to create my homework rubric and participation rubric.

3) Weebly seems like a great way to create your own website. I've just started using it and I'm considering switching my classroom website to Weebly. Right now I'm using Google Page Creator for my classroom website, but it's being discontinued and is becoming part of Google Sites.

4) Cobocards is a very useful website for creating flash cards that can be used online. I was originally planning on making flashcards for my students by using Word, but this seems like a better way. Not only can these flashcards be shared with students; they can also be printed out.

5) emathematics.net has a lot of premade interactive exercises for students in a wide variety of mathematical topics. I plan on using these for students who need a bit more practice with a particular concept or type of problem. I tried out a few of the exercises and I like how it gives the student immediate feedback on whether or not they solved each problem correctly.

Thing #7 RSS Feeds and Blog Readers

I like using Google Reader to keep track of the articles all over the internet that deal with topics I'm interested in. I still prefer reading the newspaper to reading articles online because I can quickly skim through articles and read only the ones that interest me. Google Reader helps me to have a similar experience reading online articles because I can quickly skim through the titles of numerous articles from a variety of sources and read only the ones that seem interesting or important. I have just begun to use Google Reader both personally and professionally to stay informed on the latest news and developments in technology, teaching, parenting, etc. Students can use RSS feeds and readers to stay informed on topics they are studying and/or researching as well as on topics of personal interest.

Thing #6 Image Generators

Playing around with these different image generators was a blast. The parodies of motivational posters have always amused me so it was fun to be able to create my own. You can make your own by going to http://bighugelabs.com/motivator.php

Thing #5 Flickr and photo sharing

Flickr was very cool to explore. It's interesting to see images people have chosen to share with the world. Personally, I don't think I would upload any personal photos to Flickr. I think Facebook is a better forum for sharing photos with family and friends. However, I might consider sharing an impersonal yet very cool image like the one shown here. It's an example of fractal art. A fractal is a repetitious pattern that can be generated and described through the use of mathematical algorithms. Many approximate fractals occur in nature such as snow flakes, crystals, and lightning. What do you think the fractal shown here looks like? I think it looks like a bunch of futuristic hot-air balloons.

Thing #4 Searching the Web

Prior to reading this thing and going through the discovery exercises, I thought I knew just about all I needed to about searching the web; I was mistaken. Although I often use Google Advanced Search, I did not know about the "Similar to" and "Linked to" features. I discovered that the search engine Clusty, which I had not previously heard of, grouped its results in a very handy way by using common key words. During my "Search the Web Webquest," I found several very useful websites for conic sections by using Clusty.

I think it is important to give students experience with a variety of search engines especially Google Advanced Search. With the amount of information and content available on the Internet rapidly expanding, it is extremely important for students to know how to find accurate and relevant information in a timely manner. Therefore showing students how to intelligently narrow and widen the scope of their searches is also essential.

Thing #3 iGoogle suite

Last summer, I learned about iGoogle and since then I have been using it frequently to organize and access the websites and information that I need for both professional and personal use. I have added numerous gadgets such as a To-Do List, Days Since list, Bookmarks list, and organized them into tabbed categories such as Local, Teaching, Math, News, Sports, etc. I have also created a few gadgets of my own to link to websites I frequently visit. It is a convenient way to organize and access all the websites and online information I use on a regular basis; I also like it because it can be accessed and modified from any computer connected to the Internet.

I think the Google suite of tools can be very beneficial to students. Every student could create and personalize an iGoogle page to organize their frequently used websites. From there, they could link to each of their teacher's blogs and/or website. Students could also use Google Docs to create written assignments and presentations and then be able to easily collaborate with other students when working on group projects. They could use Google Calendar to organize their often busy schedules and Google Reader to keep updated on topics they are studying and/or have a particular interest in. The iGoogle page gives students a dynamic way to organize and keep track of their academic, extracurricular, and social activities. The more teachers that utilize these Google suite of tools in the classroom, the more likely students will become familiar with them and use them effectively.

The article "Flip this library" http://www.diigo.com/04qah talks about how the current static model of the library is becoming more and more obsolete to students and their learning. The "paradigm flip" promoted by the author deals with switching from the current one-way flow of information from teacher to student to a collaborative environment in which information and ideas can flow multiple directions from student to student, student to teacher, teacher to teacher,etc. Part of this "paradigm flip" is a complete overhaul of the library in both the physical space and virtual space. The physical space should be much more flexible to accomodate professional development and an experimental learning lab to discover and display best-practices. It should also have the ability to connect to a wide variety of personal devices and be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The virtual space should contain an extensive collection of copyrighted information that students can access and download to their personal devices. The goal of this "paradigm flip" is to make the libary a more modern and effective environment that will enable students and teachers to go beyond minimum levels of achievement and be challenged to reach their full potential.

Thing #2 Blogging

I have learned that it is very easy to set up a blog. Blogging seems like a useful way to share your thoughts, ideas, etc. with other people. In the classroom, I see the potential for a teacher using a blog to keep students updated with reminders and sharing hyperlinks, videos, pictures, etc. related to the curriculum. Blogging could also be an assignment for students to share their thoughts with the teacher and/or their peers about a topic, book, etc.

Thing #1 In the Beginning...

I'm excited to begin learning about the 23 Things!

Here's a link to others who are participating in 23 things:
http://clovis23things.wordpress.com/2009/01/30/register/