Thing #23

Yea!! I made it. I started to have my doubts, but with a few folks that were cheering me on I was able to focus and get it done.

My favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey were learning how to blog, discovering mashups, the cool tools from Google, RSS feeds (who knew all that info could be gathered in one place...), Library Thing, Rollyo, Google Documents and Ning. I have created a place for my family on Ning to gather and share family history as well as plan future reunions.

This program had totally expanded my understanding of and approach to using the Internet. I really get the whole “collaboration” thing (even though my school has a very frustrating filter that will discourage it....). I will use much of what I have learned in my classroom, as well as in my personal life. It has revived my desire to learn more...

There were many take-a-ways and unexpected outcomes from this program. I was surprised and delighted on a daily basis. Coming into this program, I was completely unaware of the power of what is “out there.” I have never thought that there was much that was on the Internet that would be useful in my small pull out program for remedial readers. However, the use of collaborative word study projects, book reviews, motivating clips and posters, video casts, and much more will find a place in my room this year.

I have been very impressed with the Library2Play program. I wish I had even more time to peruse all the sites suggested, but will get back to it over this next year. I also wish the format was not one that is blocked at school so I would be able to share just how wonderful my experience has been, as well as my own blog.

If you offered another discovery program like this in the future, I would definitely choose to participate.

I would describe my learning experience in the one word, collaboration. I would probably not have finished without the support of other players. Now I hope to carry that spirit of collaboration back to the classroom with my box full of new tools.

Thing #21

I wasn't sure that I could use Photostory on my Mac, so I made a little podcast on my computer using iMovie. It was very simple to use and I know my students at school would do better than I. I started a little project about vowel sounds and then added photos and pictures using the free clipart available on Classroom Clipart that would represent the sound. It will be fun to let my students add on to this project and improve it. The quality of some of the photos could be better as well as the transitions, but it is a start.

This was very easy to add to my blog using the Add Video button in the compose section of posting.

Thing #20

I enjoyed looking through the videos on both Youtube and Teachertube. The videos by children on Teachertube were really fun. I watched some "commercials" children made about their books. I can see where this would be a great tool.

Youtube had quite a few interesting videos related to dyslexia. I had no trouble embedding this link, however the screen doesn't quite fit the blog. Here is the link if one would like to view the whole screen, The Power Of Dyslexia about Famous Dyslexics This video could be used for many different audiences. Teachers would perhaps look at their struggling students with a different perspective, children would feel better about themselves, and parents may realize that there is hope.