Thing 23: Reflection on my the journey.

What an amazing journey this has been! I have learned so much about Web 2.0 tools. I had no idea that this was all available to me. I would encourage anyone to take this journey and learn about the exciting ways in which you can engage with a larger community by using the tools we have learned. Just had a thought, wouldn't this be an interesting doctoral thesis for someone: The impact of Web 2.0 for seniors who were not afraid of the technology. Their world would just open right up for them. But, I digress.

My thinking has really changed since I started the project. First, I know that I am less fearful about using the technology. That, in and of itself is significant. If a person can overcome the fear of getting lost in the technology, there are so many ways they can learn, engage in a learning community, and enlists us in being thinkers, co-creators, etc. One of the things that I discovered is that I would like to use blogs and wikis as a place to learn with my students, clients, the people who I am coaching, etc. Let me share a shift of thinking...I use to think that technology was impersonal, a sort of artificial social network, but it does not have to be. Now, I think my next task is to get a greater proficiency of the tools so that I can begin to incorporate them in my practice on a regular basis. My view of the internet has change in that it doesn't have to be this ominous black hole where someone is lurking. If one applies a modicum of caution, realizing that it is a social network, I believe things will be okay. A little common sense is what's called for.

At any rate, I just have to thank you for sponsoring this project. I have learned so much. I also want to send a hearty thank you to my fellow participants because they have been a part of our community of learners. What a fantastic voyage...now for the next leg of the journey...or as a faithful trekkie (Star Trek fan) would say...Let's continue to go where no man has gone before!

Thing 22: Creating a Wiki

Wow! I get it, now! By creating my own wiki, I have begun to see some of the possibilities. Here's the address to my wiki http://cultureiconoclast.wikispaces.com.

The purpose of my wiki is to invite guests to share ideas and strategies for building, shaping, and developing an effective school culture. I am really excited about this wiki. (;-o). I realized that I could really have some fun building this wikispace and interacting with participants. I think a blog is more interactive and personal becuase you can answer specific questions back and forth. A wiki space lends itself to collecting ideas and exchanging thinking. I think of it as a big "think tank". HMMMMMM....what an exciting possibility. I really have shifted my attitude about this WEB 2.0 tool. I am so glad I had an opportunity to try this out.

Thing 21: Learning About Wikis

I find the whole concept of wikis to be very interesting. I know that it would involve social networking around a topic. I read several wiki's. I loved the "WikiHow-to" Website. I looked at several of the videos like how to escape from a locked car trunk, how to be safe from nuclear attack, getting a total body workout in five minutes. They were very interesting and informational. I have to admit that I don't quite get the "big idea" behind "wikis". I went on the educational website as well. I enjoyed looking at the student wikis around "themes" or school projects.

One thing I realized was that I don't feel inspired in any way to start my own wiki. It doesn't quite make sense to me. If I chose a topic, how do I know that information people would be sharing with me is credible and viable. We could be swapping "error" or ignorance. Information reliability would be one hurdle for me to overcome. Please enlighten me as to the big idea behind wikis. I am feeling a little "dumb" on this one. Most of the Web 2.0 tools made a lot of sense to me so I could draw applications for my work from them...but not wikis...unfortunately! (;(. Oh well, I see the next thing is to create a wiki; perhaps in doing so, I will get a clearer understanding of the possibilities and potential of this tool. Here's hoping so...the verdict is out for now... I'll get back to you on this one!

Thing 20: Subscribing to Podcasts

While I enjoyed listening to a number of podcasts, I found it a bit tedious to find them. I subscribed to the "Things My Mom Told Me" podcasts on the following topics: How Jealousy Works, and How Office Politics Work. I found it a bit difficult navigating the Ipod website, but loved the Podcast Alley Website. For some reason, the Podcast Alley seemed more user friendly. I like the idea of podcast. What a great way to learn something new or have access to a variety of small module that are easily adapted.

One thing I am coming to realize is that Web 2.0 tools bring an entire world to you. It's very exciting.

NEVER, EVER JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER! OR NEVER TOO OLD TO DREAM!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

Check out this video clip of Susan Boyle. It captures the spirit of our learning. The longer version's embedding mechanism was disabled so paste the URL above in your browser. Enjoy the full song! What an extraordinary gift!
This is an inspiring story that really illustrate the journey I have been taking in learning these Web 2.0 tools. This 47 year old charity worker, Susan Boyle, who by all outward appearances has experienced little in life and seemingly has a great deal to offer the world. The reaction of the judges and the audience shows just how shallow the world can be. They judged that she had nothing to offer until... she opened her mouth to sing. God does have a sense of humor, doesn't He! Take a look and a listen to this video...

It also illustrates the power of technology to get the message out. It has been verified that this video had millions and millions of hits on the internet. In so doing, Susan Boyle is now known around the world. Even if she doesn't go any farther in the Britain's Got Talent Competition...her life has been changed forever. Someone will snatch up that talented lady. There is a verse in the Bible that states, "A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men." [Proverbs 18:16]. This will probably play out in this woman's life. It will be fun to follow her progress and watch her dream unfold!

Is there any doubt that technology can be utilized as a tool to bring all people of the world together for the purpose of peace! What a powerful tool. I am so glad that I am participating in this project. I want to be able to use these tools to not only learn but also to connect. How very exciting!

Thing 19: Podcasting

Ma, che aqua nella moca? Si...Secura? apunto!. Wow! I love podcasting. I listened to a Italian Lesson for beginners. The phrase that I wrote at the beginning of this blog means... Is there water in the coffee pot? Yes. Are you sure? Then, after a mini-disaster! The responder sarcastically adds, "Sure there is!" I had no idea that podcasting held so many unique possibilities for learning. This is really exciting. I also watched a vodcast of one of my colleagues, Dave Bydolowski, who made a vodcast of a science teacher that has taught his 5th grade class to raise and maintain an aquarium of salmon. That vodcast is on MI-Streamnet. There are so many ways one can use podcasting to teach, learn new and exciting things. I would like to use podcasts in my work, but most of all, I would like to learn Italian using the podcasts that I have discovered. Since I am a professional singer, by avocation. [I sing with Michigan Opera Theatre.] This would be a great way for me to brush up on my languages. I had no idea of the possibilities. I will have to find the links for the podcasts that I discovered.I believe I used a site call "Podcast Alley". Off to Italy and onto new adventures with podcasting! Ciao, bella! LOVE IT! This is exciting!

Using Music in Your Class

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Using Music in Your Class

View more presentations from childrensministry.

Thing 18: Slide Share

I really love this slide presentation about using music in your class. It shows the importance of music in shaping mood, motivating, and creating an atmosphere of openness to new ideas, learning. I love the Scripture passages that are a part of this slide show. I think that I could use this tool in many ways--particularly to find interesting slide presentations to use in workshop presentations. I also had the idea of choosing a particular subject and asking students to add a slide to the presentation by reacting to a key question or idea. As a matter of fact, I may use this with my Women's ministry group at church. That would be fun!!!

Thing 17: Online Productivity Tools

I chose to use the Bubbl.us concept mapping tool to make a map of the key ideas associated with Old Testament Prophets. I really enjoyed doing this because I find that I can remember more of the concepts if I make a visual picture for myself. I can see how using this tool will nelp me in my personal studies as I research theological and biblical concepts. Here is my mind map.

Professionally, I would use this tool as a way to interact with workshop participants and students in checking understanding of concept we are studying together. I can imagine this would be an excellent tool to use with children for writing, developing a concept, thinking out loud. It would be so exciting to see students develop a concept together and watch and/or map its evolution. Wow, this is wonderful!

Thing 16: Google Docs

I had some experience using Google Docs. I really enjoyed working with it. We use it to track our work in the Districts. It's a great tool. I went to try to explore more uses. I would like to learn more about posting a document on it and have people collaborate on it. This is a great tool for helping people to work on a project. It is centrally located and very accessible. I especially like that whenever you plug in your at looking at the latest iteration of the work. This is a very useful tool for people who are in different locations. You can get quite a bit done through this Web 2.0 tool! Gee, I had no idea these types of tools were available. This would be good for a writing or a research class, even though the students would need an e-mail address. It is well worth it! The only issue that comes to mind would be for those students who rarely get an opportunity to use a computer at home. Many students, however, get an opportunity to work on the internet during school hours at even at the library which is really great. Thing 16 IS A REALLY GREAT THING!

Thing 15: RSS Revisited

You know I had almost forgotten about my bloglines account! I am so glad that we revisited it through this exercise. I added two new feeds to my blogline accounts. I think this will help me to use the RSS more often. I added a scrapbooking video site that shares "how to informational videos". Since scrapbooking is a hobby of mine, it will motivate me to check my blogline account on a regular basis. I really see the benefit of having all my feeds in one place. It makes it more convenient to keep up with them. As I write this reflection I realize that I have to constantly fight the feeling of getting lost in the technology. What I have come to realize is that I need to really relax and use each little new learning as it comes. What I can do is try to not try to make everything "second" nature all at once. I have to adopt a sort of "just in time" mentality to this new learning. Otherwise, I can see how a person might get overwhelmed and give up! I don't want to ever give up on the use of these tools. I can see that this could be a way to stay connected to the world. Being a part of the cyber community keeps you in touch!

After today, I believe I will check my blogline account more often as I want to know what's going on with my favorite hobbies such as scrapbooking. It hasn't become a habit or an obsession yet? But I am hoping it will...

Thing 14: Bookmarking With Delicious

I had already set up an account on the Delicious Website while doing Thing 13. My user name is Tabpsalmist1954. I bookmarked my scrapbooking sites for exploration by the public. I am not completely comfortable with having complete strangers looking at all my files. One thing that I did when I signed up was to bookmark all the sites that I had in my favorites. As I looked over the sites (and there are over 200 of them!) I began to delete those that I haven't used in over a year. Some I did not want to make public. I have to admit that the social bookmarking is not something I feel confident or comfortable with. I do see that this might be very useful for a class that wanted to explore a topic on the internet to learn about the many sites that connect to a topic. Delicious as a tool doesn't seem that useful. It seemed a bit overwhelming to me. I shall have to study it a little more and determine how I might be able to use it to my advantage. But for now... I don't really care for it. Sorry to say... (:-(

Thing 13: Social Bookmarking and Tagging

I found the subject of Social Bookmarking fascinating! Although, I struggled a bit in trying to do the actual taggng of my favorite book marks. Is it useful? Absolutely, the internet can seem like a vast black hole if you don't have a system to locate sites easily. The advantage to social bookmarking and tagging seems to be the ability to first locate a number of resources according to your own interest. It forces you to rely on a community of other users with the same interests! How marvelous is that!

However, as I read the article, it let me know that it takes some practice tagging things appropriately. It means you have to really single out the predominant feature and/or characteristic of the site you have tagged. Then, the difficult part is to choose words that would aptly characterize that theme or feature. The descriptors should be somewhat 'static" in nature. If you have shifting meanings in a tag, you will probably have difficulty finding what you want. That could translate to a big "BLACK HOLE".
I really need some practice in the social bookmarking and tagging otherwise, I believe I will have difficulty using it in the future. Help! don't let me fall into a cyber black hole!

Post Script!---Adding a Widget!

Hallelujah...and Praise God...It worked! Look at my beautiful widget! Good for me!

Thing 12: Adding a Widget to Your Blog!

Hopefully, this time I got the widget in my blog. This is my third try. I have always wondered how people got such fun and interesting things in their blogs or on their webpage. This was a hard one for me for some reason. But I am not daunted. One thing I have learned in doing the 23 Things is that you can not let the technology intimidate you. So what is if doesn't work the first time, one can always try again. Well, here goes!

Thing 11: Community 2.0

I never minded sharing comments with another blogger, but after reading the two articles, I think I can be a better contributor to another person's blog. You know, I have begun to have a clearer understanding that Web 2.0 is a community. Like any community, you interact with others, share life's moments--ups, downs, and everything in between. It can really be vivid since we have the ability to be visual and auditory. The first time, I received a comment attached to one of my blog entries, I was ABSOLUTELY THRILLED! Someone had taken the time to respond to something that I had sent out into cyberspace. What are the odds of that!

This could really be a marvelous tool to use with students to support their writing and their learning. In fact, I have started to think about ways in which I might use a blog to get and give support from a group of ministry colleagues. This has been such a wonderful learning experience for me,but I tell you, my fear is that I will forget how to do the things I learned. I don't want to be crippled by not remembering how to do certain things.

Thing 10: Embed a video in my blog!

Wow, I did it! It was not that hard. This is so exciting! I really am learning a lot about the resources that are available on web 2.0. Look at the YouTube site. I have had people send me links to various videos on YouTube. It's been really enjoyable to look at them. I love learning these new tools. Again, I invite anyone who is reading my blog to share how they use the YouTube website in their classrooms. I love to hear about some of the applications. In the meantime, I am going to visit Teacher Tube and the other sites that were mentioned to see what they have available. This is so wonderful. I can hardly wait to use these tools in my teaching and presenting.

One question, I have, though. I don't remember how to go directly to blogger. I usually go to the 23 Things website and click on my blog title. But is there a way to go directly to blogger? Is that the www.blogger.com and my name? I can't seem to remember. HELLLLLLPPPPPPP!

The Honda Choir

I love this video of human beings making the soundtrack for a car commercial. It shows the versatility of the human voice. One of my favorite artists is Bobby McFerrin. He does a wonderful show where he is literally the instrument. He uses his voice, sounds, rhythms, etc. It's a great experience! He is a great advocate for keeping music, the fine and performing, and visual arts as part of the curriculum for our children. It's an avenue for them to creatively and constructively express their emotions. I invite anyone to just allow themselves to sing, hum, whistle, and see what a powerful impact it can have on your mood and outlook. In fact, there is some research that music can change the brain's chemistry and promote a sense of well being.

Thing 9: Online Video

Boy, looking at the YOU Tube site, I can't believe how many videos are available. This is amazing...here's another on line community. A place where people can express, communicate with others, and share. Through Web 2.0 so much is possible. It's unbelievable that we now have this instant link to communication. I would love to know what's being done to help seniors who may possible live alone (and oftentimes feel so disconnected...away from the mainstream of life) to connect. This offers some possibilities. I wished I had more time to explore YOU Tube. Perhaps a little later. If anyone reads this blog, can you share with me some of the ways you utilized YOUTUBE with students! I'd be really interested...post a comment, if you will.

Thing 8: Playing with Image Generator.

Thing 8: Playing with the Image Generator was quite a new adventure. I have always wondered how people made such things as magazine covers, puzzles, etc. Now I know. There are many applications for this tool. A teacher could really make some interesting things for her classroom that would enhance the learning process for the students. I just loved learning about this tool. I must go in a do some more playing. That would help me to integrate the learning so I can use it in the future. Well, on to the next things. I struggled a bit with Thing #8 but I have discovered that the greatest learning comes from the struggle and making mistakes as we learn. I'm excited and long for the day when these tools become second nature to me.

Thing 7: Share Your Photos on Line

Hand me a digital camera! After creating my own Flickr Account and uploading a picture, I am inspired now to begin snapping pictures. I have always enjoyed capturing wonderful moments, people and scenes from nature. It's like locating them in eternity. I learned a lot by going to the Flickr site and exploring. I love that you can download pictures from the Creative Commons. I could not, however, download those with copyrights. I am going to have to learn more about that! I wonder if there is a way that you can write to the photographers. I saw many I would love to use in presentations that I give. They are beautiful and thought provoking. Flickr is an excellent tool for visual literacy. I remember going to a workshop that our Instructional Media and Technology Department sponsored on Visual Literacy. I learned a lot but see I just scratched the surface. The sky is the limit. I am very exciting. I had been away from the 23 Things project for a couple of weeks. My schedule got so hectic and I was physically sick for a while there. But Im baaaaacccccckkkkk! Can't wait to learn more ! How thrilling!

Thing 6: Photo Sharing with Flickr

Wow! It was BIG FUN looking at all the photos! I spent quite a few hours. It was awesome. I love the idea of backing up photos on the web. That way you will never lose them. That's kinda exciting. I chose the picture of a little baby with the cutest look of surprise on his face. It made me think of the wonder, awe, and excitement involved in learning about a new world that awaits me with Web 2.0. I just believe that if I get proficient in using this tool, I will have so much available to me. I entitled my photo..."I Can Do That?"!

Thing 5: Subscribing to Blogs

Wow! This really opens up a lot of things to me. There are so many blogs available for the things I am interested. I added two scrapbooking blogs. I love it!

I had some trouble and was not successful in adding the bloglines tab to my links toolbar. I will be sending a SOS out to our coordinators. But, I still really love this 23 Things project. So much to learn so little to time to do. But I will make the time.

Also, I learned how to SKYPE this week. Boy is that a great way to keep in touch. And its' FREE, FREE, FREE. Well, I am ready to learn other new things.

Boy, as I reflect on the power of WEB 2.0, I realize that it would be a great tool for senios to keep in the mainstream of life. It's one way of staying connected to the world. This is a great tool. I have found some interesting things on different blogs. I love the Richardson and Warlick Blogs. Just great.

Thing 4: Learning about Rich Site Summary (RSS)

Whew!!!
I really like the idea of using the bloglines account to keep up with my blogs and other items that I am interested in following. Here's another example of how fast and how frequently a person gets information via the internet. No wonder kids feel like they have to down shift at school. They are so used to multiple streams of information, images, etc coming at them at one time. It's no wonder they can successfully multi-task. Boy, we educators have to 'GET WITH THE PROGRAM" if we expect to reach our students and help them learn at optimal levels. I will enjoy reading my bloglines account regularly so that I can really keep up.

RSS or Rich Site Summary is a great Web 2.0 tool for keeping track of my blogs. Boy, I am finding it a little difficult to remember everything. I wonder how I can make this new knowledge 'second nature' to me. I believe that's the only way I can make it mine and really have an ease in using the tools. I will keep practicing. I think it becomes natural as I use it more and more. Hope, I am not too old to learn this stuff. (;0)

Thing 3: Explore How Educators Use Blogs!

I enjoyed learning how to work on my blog page. I liked designing and making it more my own. I still have a few questions about how I can move the title of my blog over so that it doesn't cover my "Musical note" image. Boy, this was really fun! I love adding beautiful pictures. I want my blog to be interesting and attractive. Can't wait to learn more about designing it.

I added a gadget, but don't thing I got it quite right. I was hoping that it might be beautiful pictures that would change automatically on the bottom of my blog. However, I had to click on an image and a window opened up. Is that correct? I hope I did it right. I would also like to add a side bar with additional things a person can do (in terms of gadgets), but I will have to learn that another day.

Here it is 10: 48 p.m. on Tuesday night, and I just can't seem to put my laptop up and get ready to retire. I am FASCINATED AND CAPTIVATED BY "23 THINGS"! LOOOOOOVVVVVVEEEEE IT! This is really exciting. I kinda stumbled through it but I enjoyed learning Thing #3.

Insight

As I read some of the blogs, I realized that one transition point for teachers and students will be getting accustomed to using this type of technology for learning and not just entertainment. I believe that the shift must happen in the minds of the educators who work with students. When do we begin to trust that students would effectively use this tool for their learning?

This really teaches me that it's important to develop their capacity to determine the accuracy and validity of the information they receive. I am finding that as I work through the activities of this project that it opens up my thinking. I invite anyone to share their insights about some of the perils and promises technology purposed for student learning might present to us.

Well,Tabpsalmist1954 signing off! See you soon! (;-)

Thing 2: Create Your Own Blog!

Why am I participating in 23 Things?

I love the idea that I can learn how to use technology to enhance my learning and the learning of the people that I serve. I am already thinking of opening some blogs for some of the groups I work with on a regular basis. How exciting is that!

What do I hope to learn?

I would like to learn how to create and use podcasts? I think that is a marvelous tool to utilize and share with. I have listened to a couple of them in my own quest for learning, but would like to learn to create both podcasts and video podcasts.

Another thing I would like to work with is wikis...I wonder if that would be a good way for me to learn some criteria to judge the information being shared. Information literacy is another area that I think I need to have some skill. So there's another avenue for deeper learning on my part.

Insight...
One insight that I have gained is that you have to get past the fear of getting stuck in the technology. The only way that you can do this is to practice, try it out, learn as you go. It's important to me that I not let the fear stop me. It takes time, though.

This writing on the Internet is interesting. You sort of have to depersonalize it if you want to remain anonymous. I do wonder about the security of it with so many cyber thieves out there hunting for victims for identity theft.
In a way, it does impact the writing in that one must be more conscious of what's being shared. However, I am a writer and I found it easy to write in my blog. (But I guest you can tell that by that fact that I am so VERBOSE!)

Well, that's it for Thing 2's blog and reflection. I LOVE THIS PROJECT!!!!

Tabpsalmist1954 over and out!

Thing 1: Learn about Web 2.0

OMG ! I am so excited about this project. I know that I am going to learn lots of ways in which technology can enhance my practice in working with the adults I support. As I was reading Dave Warlick's article, I realized that a whole new world will be opening up. The possibilities are endless. When I think about ways in which I might support the people I work with I really think this is great. For example, I work with the High Priority Schools Coaches. Last week, I did a PD session, and one of the coaches says she takes me with her when she is working with teachers. She used the acronmym--WWTD--what would Tabpsalmist do? It helped her to recall some of the coaching strategies and techniques I have shared and taught. What if, I started a coaching BLOG? What an idea, then we could have a coaching community and support each others' work. WOW! what a great active learning possibility. That's exciting.

The video, helped me to capture a greater understanding that we are missing too many opportunities to learn. Learning is a social experience (Vygotsky's theory of proximal development). What not use the technology to bring us near to each other socially to learn, learn, learn.

OMG, I am glad I signed up for this project. But, I also have a little sense of fear that I might not be able to do all the activities. I got stuck even creating this blog...But I was able to get some help. I may be a little apprehensive BUT I won't let it stop me. I would like to learn all these tools, but I really want to become proficient so that I can use them easily in my work.

Well, that's it for Thing I. I would love someome to answer this post and share their insights as well.

Addendum...(once I found the blog again. (;-O)OMG! I am having some trouble downloading a picture. Don't quite know how to do it. I wanted to customize my blog. Oh, well, that's my first question on the the 23 Things help line.
I did something wrong and thought I had lost the entire blog, but it was saved in the drafts file. HALLELUJAH! Well, I am learning! Slow but sure...(more slowly than surely). But I will get there.

Tabpsalmist1954