Thing #14: Be A Reader of Blogs

The blog I chose to read was a Dissertation Research Blog from Kansas University's Library, since I plan on going back to school in the spring.  The very first thing I noticed was my inability to read the goal of the blog, which was in small white letters pasted over a picture.  Otherwise, the appearance of the blog was nice and easy to read.  The blog posted learning opportunities on the campus and had research from other government institutions.  There were sections with dissertation handouts, Web 2.0 Tools,  and other resources.  Something I really liked about the formatting was a FEEDJIT that tracked recent visitors of the blog on a world map.  If I were a huge blogger, I would have one on my mine.  

Thing #16: The Backchannel

The Beckley training provided me with my first opportunity to use Today's Meet. I thought it was so neat and provided a tool that was a step above Polly Everywhere.  It's a great way to effectively incorporate cell phone use into a lesson.  Below is my response to the TIS TodaysMeet Question.

Thing #17: Twitter in the Classroom

I have a Twitter account of my own and today made one for our class.  We are initially going to use Twitter as a communication tool with students.  We will send notices of two hour delays, school closings, and class activities.  We will then expand to using it as a public education tool for informing others about our class achievements, such as when students obtain GEDs or certifications, present at job fairs, or participate with community activities.  To help build our followers, I'm going to add the Twitter widget to our class website.  The final phase of Twitter use will be students providing comments about our daily modules and also sharing links and resources that supplement our lessons.

Thing #11: Learn Something from a Video

I chose to use a TED-Ed video for this post.  I love TED videos and thought TED-Ed would have a variety of resources to examine.  The Case Against "Good" and "Bad" was the video I selected.  It encourages people to expand vocabulary by honestly communicating with others with a variety of adjectives, rather than being vague with "good" or "bad".  For the purposes of my adult ed class, this video could be utilized to teach communication skills in parenting, interviews, or assertiveness.  This video would also encourage students to increase the quality of their writing for the GED essay, cover letters, or creative writing.  Below are examples of WV Content Standards the video addresses:
English Language Arts:  Grade 12


ELA.12.R.C2.1 determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a variety of literary texts, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging or beautiful. (Include Shakespeare as well as other authors.)


ELA.12.W.C9.2 write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization and analysis of content.
• introduce a topic; organize complex ideas, concepts and information so that each new element builds on that which precedes it to create a unified whole; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., figures, tables) and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
• evaluate the topic thoroughly by selecting the most significant and relevant facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic.
• use and evaluate appropriate and varied transitions and syntax to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion and clarify the relationships among complex ideas and concepts.
• use precise language, domain-specific vocabulary and techniques such as metaphor, simile and analogy to manage the complexity of the topic.
• establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.
• provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented (e.g., articulating implications or the significance of the topic).


ELA.12.W.C10.2 develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.(Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of all Language
objectives up to and including grade 12.)

Thing #7: Special Effect

I used the Paper Camera App on my Samsung Tablet to take the picture and create a special effect.

Thing #6: Webtop & YouTube Video

I have this video on one of my WebQuests.  It was nice to practice embedding it in this post instead of putting a link to the video.  This may be a change I make on some of my websites.

Thing 21: Attend A Webinar #2

LINCS Summer 2012 Webinar Series:  Serving Youth in Adult Education. Twitter 101: Finding Purpose in a Tweet

Twitter is a social networking service that uses microblogging.  Users can type, or "tweet" 140 characters.  There was actually a two day conference in NYC this summer, The State of Now #140: Finding & Sharing Meaning, about using twitter.  It is a great tool for collaborating, expanding your personal learning network, and keeping current with new information.  Twitter crosses geographical boundaries, so you can access information from around the world.

The presenter, Deb Hargrove, shared how she uses Twitter to follow professional journals like eSchool News, Tech & Learning, and many others.  Her Twitter handle is @flatechgirl, and you can see she follows many educational leaders and associations.  I added many of her followings to mine.

Common uses for Twitter in the class include using like a bulletin board to send assignments and reminders for students if they miss class or for distance education students.  Twitter makes it easier to share links with students and to assist with vocabulary and grammar development.  Our adult education students come and go frequently, and Twitter is a great way to keep them in the loop.

Deb Hargrove's suggested accounts to follow:

Debra_Hargrove@flatechgirl                             AEChat@AEChat                   
Kathy_Schrock@kathyschrock                         TweetSmarter@TweetSmarter
USAToday_Education@USATeducation           eclassroom_news@eclassroomnews
ProLiteracy@ProLitWorld                                 Jerry_Blumengarten@cybraryman1
60-Second_Civics_@60SecondCivics               GCFLearnFree@GCFLearnFree
otan@otan                                                         NCL@NCLAdvocacy
Nell_Eckersley@LACNYCnell                          edutopia@edutopia

I attended the 2012 COABE Conference, and Nell Eckersley (see account above) presented on using twitter and other social media in the class.  Excellent sessions!



   

Thing #3: Twitter

Twitter is a new tool I am learning to use.  I mostly enjoy following my favorite HBO series, comedians, and political news.  I had a hard time wrapping my head around how to use it in the classroom, so I participated in the LINCS Summer Series on Serving Youth Webinar, Twitter 101:  Finding Purpose in a Tweet.  You can find the information I learned in my post Thing 21:  Attend A Webinar #2.  I also tweeted the link to #WVTIS, as pictured below.

Thing #2: Become A Blogger

I created my 23 Things Blog during the Tamarack training.  I don't have much experience with writing one, and I very rarely read blogs of others.  I am learning that this is a great way to stay updated about technology tools and something I should do regularly.

In an effort to learn how to incorporate blogs into my class, I signed up for the LINCS Summer 2012 Webinar Series on Serving Youth in Adult Education.  I'm interested in learning how to make this tool purposeful in class.

Thing #1: Terms of Use (And Google)

Google it!  That's usually my answer if I don't know the answer to a question.

I have had a gmail account for several years and have found it helpful for sharing documents and calendars with family members for scheduling.  I recently learned how to make a form/survey in Google, and I didn't even know this feature existed.  Google has so many features and resources.  I signed up for the Oct 2012 WV Learns Course so I can learn more about Google.  

Thing #5: Wordle

For this Wordle, I chose to use song lyrics.  Can anyone guess the name of the band and song?

Thing #4: Wallwisher

I really enjoyed using this tool.  It is simple for teachers and students to use.  The wallwisher I made asked students to reflect on a KISRA Strengthening Families Conference Session they enjoyed the best, while also sharing what they gained from the experience.  http://wallwisher.com/wall/kisraconf

Thing#10: Figure Something Out On Your Own

I have had some experience with creating QR codes.  I use them on flyers for our SPOKES class and have put them on a brochure and waterbottles for the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction & Prevention Professionals.

Thing 19: Skype

I've had a Skype account for some time now, in order to stay in contact with family and friends. My username is rmetzger77.

I started using Skype with students in our class about six months ago, with the intention of practicing interviewing skills via Skype.  Students feel very intimidated by it, and thus far, we have made progress with making small introductions and conversations with an ABE class at Garnet Career Center.  I help students to brainstorm conversation topics before they start Skyping.

My big plan for the future is to practice mock interviewing with another ABE class.  I've made plans to start this project with the Garnet class in September.  I've also spoken with Denise Aiken about Skying one of her classes.

In the spring, I had a WV Learns class about WebQuests (WQ), and I made a WQ for employment portfolios.  This is a SPOKES module in our class.  It can be found at employmentportfoliowebquest.weebly.com  .  A piece of the WQ under "Interviewing WebQuest" involves using Skype for mock interviewing, and there is an attached rubric for the other class to rate my students' interviewing skills.  I am excited about September arriving and helping move my students past simple introductions with Skype.  

Thing 21: Attend A Webinar #1

I just finished an Edmodo webinar, that was scheduled to run today from 7-8.  I am already using Edmodo in  my class, but I wanted to know if there were any tricks or tips that I was unaware of that would enhance using the site.  Some interested things I learned were that you cannot share quizzes on Edmodo, but they are working on creating a quiz bank so teachers can share quizzes.  This will improve the site and make assigning quizzes easier.  Creating quizzes is the most time consuming piece of Edmodo, at least in my opinion.

One important thing I hadn't played with was the folders section on the right side.  By selecting folders, information within the folders can be shared with certain groups.  Word docs can be stored there as well.  It is also possible to sinc Google docs with Edmodo, which is awesome.

I have already joined some communities on Edmodo, but I hadn't looked much at the publisher communities.  Sure enough ISTE was there and FETC.  I plan on joining these communities and others.  Materials in the publisher communities can also be copied and placed in the teacher library.  I joined the Edmodo New User Group to stay informed of other possibilities of Edmodo.

Other neat sites I learned of with this session just by observation are  sharemylesson.com, using tumblr for writing prompts, and Meograph:  4 Dimensional Storytelling.  I plan on checking more into these and posting them on my teacher resource site.

Day 1 of 23 Things

This is the first blog I created.