Thing #23: Final Reflection

Woohoo!  I've finally approached Thing #23!  This project has been an engaging way to learn about new tech tools.  There was some previous knowledge of some ideas, such as blogs, podcasts, and RSS feeds.  Even though I knew of them, I wasn't in love with idea of using them and felt challenged in how to integrate these tools into my classroom.  This experience and participation in LINCS webinars have really helped my expand my understanding of how to utilize these tools, especially when reaching younger students in their late teens or early twenties.

The concept of 23 things is innovative, and I actually attended a conference at the FETC 2013 Conference that used this idea for teaching students tech skills.  Four teachers collaborated on their project and their assignments included a very large variety of tools to complete the same task.  With having adult learners in my class, I thought this would give them more freedom of choice and may encourage more participation.  I've thought about using the same concept with 16 Things, that way new students learn something every day for the first four weeks of SPOKES.  These tools would correspond with the 16 SPOKES Modules we do. This "Things" concept can also be used to share tools with teachers in my RESA.

The 23 Things Content has also helped expose me more to the five ISTE Standards, especially providing me with opportunities for professional growth in the areas of digital age work, digital citizenship, and student learning.

Thing #15: RSS

I appreciate having some flexibility with completing this thing about expanding my knowledge of RSS, which stands for Rich Site Summary.  RSSs are web feed used to publish works including news, audio, and visual.  It is a great way to receive quick updates.

As a part of this assignment, I downloaded the Flipboard App to my tablet and created my own flipboard.  I've played around with other similar apps for iPads that allow you to create your own magazine from a variety of topics and resources.  What was really neat about the Flipboard App was the option of adding my Twitter and Facebook accounts to my readings as well, after all, they are news sources too!  You can see a screenshot of my Flipboard below:

Hello

Thing #22: Reflect on a Conference Presentation

At the FETC 2013 Conference, I attended a session by Adam Bellow, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future.  I've attended his sessions before on a virtual conference and was extremely impressed by his forward thinking about education.  In this session he used many pictures to share his perspective on where education is now and his philosophy of where it needs to be.

It was draw dropping to learn that 7,200 kids drop out of school every day, meaning 1.3 million drop out of school every year.  He attributes some of this to education being systematic, ignoring the individual educational needs of every child.  Standardized tests have turned children into testing zombies, when life is not prep for a test.

He stressed the importance of using social media and digital tools to do something different in education, while addressing the fear with using social media.  He shared how social networks do exist, and they are what we make of them.  They can be used for collaboration.

He prescribed changes for education including:  (1) finding the safety and power in numbers (social networking), (2) empower students with project based learning and infusing pop culture into lessons (talk less and do more, (3) make it a goal to invigorate students by giving them a sense of wonder, and (4) collaborate with 21st century skills (trust the kids....they trust you).  There were many other ideas that came so fast that I missed taking notes on them.  All together, his message was awe-invoking and inspirational.
He really encouraged teachers to "be infectious".  

To catch his presentation, follow this link http://bit.ly/FunnyThing2013

Thing #20: Share, Remix, and Reuse - Legally

Through Creative Commons I found a neat photo about courage that could be used for the e-book club.  The literacy teacher asked students to define "courage" by Friday, as they read the book.  The link to the photo is http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sign_in_hallway_Courage_August_25,_2008.jpg#filehistory

Things #8A & #8B: Make A Cheat Sheet and Video Tutorial

Making video tutorials using Screenr has been one of my favorite things do do in 23 Things.  I've posted several of them below that I've made.

This screencast was made to help students create a Weebly account for their digital portfolio.

This screencast is to help students create a Schoology account for TABE Math Prep and how to navigate the course.

This screencast is aid students in creating a QR Code to place on the back of their JIST Cards.

For this thing, a cheat sheet for utilizing Online TABE was developed.

CREATING STUDENT ACCOUNTS

1. Access the TABE Online site at https://oas.ctb.com/TestSessionInfoWeb/login.isp
2. Enter User Login:  ____________________________
3. Enter Password:  ____________________
4. Select Add Student on the left
5. Enter the student’s Name, DOB, Grade (AD), and gender
6. Select RESA 2 & 3
7. Select Save
8. Repeat Steps 5 -7 for each students that needs a TABE

SCHEDULING A TEST SESSION

           1.       Select Schedule Test Session on left

           2.       Test Group:  TABE Online Survey   

           3.       Select the circle state TABE 9 Online Survey

           4.       Under Test Security, there will be a System-generated Test Access Code.  Write this code down.

           5.       Select Next

           6.       Under Options, change the date to give the student 2 days for testing

           7.       Under Test Location, choose SPOKES

           8.       Students Section:  Add Students 

           9.       SKIP THE FILTER!!!! 

         10.   Scroll through the list and select student names.

         11.   Select Ok.

         12.   Select Next

         13.   Under Test Session Documents select Individual Test Tickets

         14.   Download and print the individual test tickets

         15.   Write the System-generated Test Access Code on the individual test tickets

         16.   Select Finish

         17.   Select Logout

ACCESSING TABE FROM STUDENT COMPUTER

          1.       Select the red McGraw-Hill desktop shortcut

          2.       Enter login information for the student, which is on the test ticket

PRINTING REPORTS

         1.       Log back into the system

         2.       Select Reports

         3.       Select Individual Portfolio Report

         4.       On the far right of the Report Criteria box, select Student Name.

         5.       Select Submit

         6.       In the Test Information with student name, select the magnifying glass icon

         7.       Select Print Version, Ok, then print it.

         8.       Log out of system with finished

Thing #13: Mid-Module Reflection

I'm actually more than half way through my 23 things and have enjoyed them thus far.  One of my favorite things includes making screencasts.  They are so helpful in the classroom with providing directions to students; I post them in Edmodo and on webquests.  In the beginning of this TIS journey, I was not a big fan of blogging or podcasts, and since then a deeper understanding and appreciation of them has developed.  My seven year old daughter has even created a blog about her pet snake to further her interest in writing.  In our class, we continue to plan how to incorporate blogs into our activities.

Before the TIS 23 Things Module, I was familiar with QR codes and creating them.  My TIS training has helped me to take QR codes to the next level by having students create QR codes for their digital portfolios.  The QR codes are then placed on the back of the JIST cards they make in class for job search and interviewing purposes.

For this thing, I've also read another TIS candidate's blog and posted a comment.

 

Thing #15: Learn Something New From Listening To A Podcast

Over the past year and a half, I have found a love of reptiles.  At our home we have a bearded dragon, reverse okeetee cornsnake, and five geckos, with a sixth coming this weekend from the Central WV Reptile Show in Summersville, WV.

Most people react to my love of reptiles as if it is strange, and I believe if I were a male, it would be more acceptable and even welcomed by others.  For this "thing", I searched RSS feeds, which stands for Rich Site Summary.  RSS is a web feed format for blogs, audio, video, and headline news.  I searched for information about women in herpetoculture.  I found a podcast of Women of Herpetoculture & Herpetology:  Julie Bergman and learned how she became interested with geckos and about her experiences as a woman in a male dominated field.

Thing #12: Find Something New 2.0

The Web 2.0 Tool I chose to check out is Vine.  I recently got an iPhone 4S and completed a WV Learns class about integrating mobile phones into instruction, so I thought this may be a good tool to use in class.   Vine allows users to make short looping videos to share with others.  When downloading the app, there is a warning that there is content that may not be appropriate for underage viewers.  Most of the videos are small funny jokes but beware that sexual content or language may pop up.  From reading reviews about the app, a profile cannot be private.  For an adult who loves social networking and creating videos, this is a good app.

Thing #10: Figure Something Out On Your Own

I'm having a good Monday morning, especially while finishing up 23 things.  Our students in SPOKES have moved from creating paper portfolios to digital portfolios over the past year.  One of the finishing touches of creating the digital portfolio is to create a QR Code for the portfolio; the QR code is then placed on the back of the students' JIST cards made during Job Squad.  Students love making the QR codes.

Here is one for my TIS Resource Site.