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?"!