It's not the end! Only the beginning!

My favorite discovery exercise was creating the video. I really liked how easy it was and how it can be used in the classroom and for personal use. I also really enjoyed creating the signs and stuff for the classroom. They were super fun and you create one for anything. By completing this project my life long learning goals have altered quite a bit. Before I didn't strive to know about all the different technology available to me. Now that I have completed this project though, I really want to know about all the educational technology available to me. I want to be able to give my students the best education possible. I really think by completing this project I am on the track to do that. I was really surprised by how this project made me more interested in educational technology. The only thing I would change about the program would be maybe the uploading processes for the videos. Sometimes they can be super complicated and get very difficult to understand. This program has shown me that technology does have a place in the classroom today, and by the time that I get to teach in my own classroom, it will be even more prominent. I plan on keeping up with new web 2.0 tools by keeping up with the accounts that I've created during this project.

Thing 23: Creative Commons!

Thing 23 about creating commons is an example of something that has been altered from it's original format for educational purposes. It refers back to the original blog about creative commons. For creative commons in my future classroom, I plan on using it to enhance the learning environment for my students. I will use workbook pages that I feel will enhance my students understanding of a subject. Also, videos that will help me to enhance my students interest and understanding of material. Creative Commons really allows teachers to help their students I believe. By allowing teachers to use materials for their students it helps teacher not have to focus so much on if they are breaking the law or and lets them focus mainly on if their students are receiving the best information possible.

Thing 22: Livebinder!

Livebinder has endless options for the classroom! Teachers could have students create a study guide for their test and use livebinder as a way to compile all of their pages. Teachers could also have students split into groups and create their own projects on a certain area of something, then everyone can combine their binders to make a shelf. That way the entire class puts in different information to make one complete project on a subject. After that, the students could go through and look at everyone else's projects and see how they could improve their own and they could also use them as study guides.

Thing 21: Animoto!

Make your own photo slideshow at Animoto.

pcb 2012 I love Animoto! I really enjoyed getting to create my video. The site is very easy to use and allows you to make things the way you want them The only thing that was a little difficult for me was trying to embed the video, but other than that I love the site. I would really like to create videos for my personal use, of vacations or family functions. I also would really like to try to use this site in my classroom one day. Students could create a video about a person they are doing a project on or even a video on themselves to show to the class at the beginning of the year.

Thing 20: Youtube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY4RL505Fuk

I really like YouTube because let's face it, you can find anything you want on there! There is such a variety of videos on the site that there are endless opportunities. I chose this video because it shows how school systems are really taking advantage of technology in the classroom. I also like how the students were interviewed to get their point of view on how they like using technology in the classroom. Teachers could use this site to show how math functions work or even show a short clip about a former president. YouTube is a very simple site to use, you just simply type in what kind of video you are looking for and it will give you a list of many different videos fitting your request.

Thing 19: More than Facebook!

<embed wmode="opaque" src="http://static.ning.com/socialnetworkmain/widgets/index/swf/badge.swf?xn_version=124632088" FlashVars="backgroundColor=0xFFFFFF&textColor=0xFF1A45&config=http%3A%2F%2Fteacherpop.ning.com%2Fmain%2Fbadge%2FshowPlayerConfig%3Fxg_source%3Dbadge%26size%3Dmedium" width="206" height="174" bgColor="#FFFFFF" scale="noscale" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"> </embed><br /><small><a href="http://teacherpop.ning.com">Visit <em>TeacherPop</em></a></small><br />

Above is my badge for the Teacherpop site. I really enjoyed how it was set up at Austin Peay and how it was simple to use. I'm not a member of any other social networking site currently, but I really liked the Craftster's site. I enjoy doing crafts at home and there were tons of new ideas on there. I also really like it because it could be used in the classroom to find neat ideas for students to do. Also, it offers people a way to put their ideas out there for crafts. It also allows you to go back and edit what you have posted, that way if you come up with a tip, you can just add it to the original post.

Thing 18: Facebook!

Social media is now something that consumes almost everyone's lives, it is very important that teachers take advantage of this in the classroom. If educators know how social media works, they will be more apt to accept it and use it to it's full advantages. Teachers could create a classroom Facebook page and allow parents and students to join. The teacher could then add pictures of the class doing projects, activities or going on field trips. The teacher could also post about upcoming tests, assessments and any other important information. This is a  good way for parents to know what is going on in their child's classroom because every teacher will always have that student that looses the newsletter on the way home, or doesn't give it to their parents. The school itself could create a Facebook page to let parents or people in the community know about events the school is hosting or fundraisers. I really don't see a downside to either site. They both can be useful in the classroom, on top of the pure social aspect. Although I do think Facebook has the most useful features because it allows you to view everything that is going on all in one page. All in all, social media is a big thing already, if educators don't grab hold and use it to their advantage they're going to fall behind.