Thing # 18

I like using YouTube. I had fun looking up videos. In my classes, we spend time discussing peer pressure and making smart life choices. I found some videos that show things students have done for projects to share their ideas on these topics. I think having my students make videos like this would be great!

When looking up "How to..." videos, I found a group of videos that really wouldn't be appropriate to show to students but it is great for teachers. I watched the "How to be Emo" video. It actually gives insight to the way these kids who classify themselves as "emo" behave. The actors in the video put a funny spin on it, but it gives you an idea. I'm sure they made this video to be funny and poke fun at the different teen cliques.

For fun, I looked up a few music videos on YouTube.

On TeacherTube, I looked up similar class content material as I did on YouTube. I seemed to find more informative videos done in a professional (or somewhat professional) way. I did find some very great videos I would want to show my students in regards to social skills and teen life.

Thing #17

I found some of the podcasts to be very interesting. One that I can absolutely see being used in my classroom on a daily basis comes from The Word of the Day podcast. This podcast plays the correct pronunciation of the word. You can read the definition and sentences using the word. The only sound in the podcast is the pronunciation of the word. But, I think it is short, sweet and to the point. It would be great to use at the beginning of a class.

The other podcast I enjoyed is 60-Second Science. The podcast offers a short and sweet blurb about some current event or finding in science. Even though I don't teach a science class, I could still use this podcast as a way to inform my students of current events that will effect them.

Thing #16

I really like the Library Thing! This would be an incredible resource for my students to use when we are doing research projects! The students could gather books useful to their topic and catalog them on this site for others to access!

I also have an idea of group I want to form with some students and the Library Thing could play an important part. I want to form a support group for students (female teens from my school) to discuss growing up and social issues they experience. There are plenty of books the girls could read and share using this tool. It could be a great platform for discussions.

Thing #15

I like the concept of social bookmarking. But, in all practicality, I do not see myself using this more. I know that it makes keeping up with different sites convenient because I can access them anywhere. But, it is just another password/username to remember. I have my home computer and my school computer that keep my bookmarks. I did try finding sites of interest. Here is the link to my delicious page.

I have friends who really like using this! Maybe it will grow on me...

Thing #7a

Ok, so I checked my Google Reader. After only day of setting it up, there are already new blog posts to follow! One of my favorite blog sites in my reader is Free Technology for Teachers. Today a blog was posted sharing a site about screencasting. The site is called Screenjelly.

I could create screencasts of steps for my students to follow when we are using new technology applications. I think it would help those who don't get it immediately as they would be able to go back for a second look.

Thing #14

After checking out the list of Web 2.0 tools, I found one that will be the best thing for me and my students. The site is Ta-da List. This site allows you to make checklists AND check the items off as steps/items in the list are completed.

I need this for me. I can keep my tasks organized. My students can use this when they are working on a project. The checklist will help stay on task and meet deadlines. It can be used as an assessment tool so they know exactly was expected of them.

I also LOVE Wordle! I can use this as notebook/project covers for myself and my students. I also think it would be cool to put all of my students' names into this and display it as a decoration in the room. There are many possibilities.

Thing #13

The image generators have consumed a large quantity of my time today. I see many uses for these in my classroom. They spice up presentations and are fun to create. I used Spell with Flickr to create the word above.

I like Image Chef, also. Although I don't think all of the image creations are school appropriate, there are some I will use for my classroom. I like this one:

I thought about using this little creation on all of my documents during the school year as my trademark of sorts. I created it using the License Plate Maker under the Custom Sign Generator Widget.