Thing 8

Wow, another great and quite useful tool. I found the delicious tagging site to be very user friendly, and can definitely see this being an easy way to add to your personal library of resources. It is awesome in that when you get a new computer, you still have all of your favorites. The virtual world is so cool in that it is history in the making continuously. I am forever amazed at how advanced this generation is becoming with technology. Makes me seriously wonder what more can evolve in the next generation. Good lord willing, I will be around to know what I can :) The tagging is useful, in being able to sort, it eliminates some of the searching to find which one has that particular thing you are looking for.
As I was creating my bookmarks, I chose a few I frequent, and a couple of personal ones; simply experimenting with the site. I can see that it would be easy to teach and help students to manipulate as well. I was thinking things like tips for homework, math strategies, writing tools, and science links; it could go on and on. So, using in the classroom, definitely reasonable. The only drawback again that might pose any problem would be the setting up of accounts. It seems as though that is necessary for most of the tools we have used. Something worth thinking about for sure. Overall, I have to say I have enjoyed learning about the things and appreciate your thoughtful responses. So, here goes 2010-2011. Go Tigers! See you soon.

Delicious username:
http://delicious.com/hewittfour

Thing 7

Google Docs - gone are the days of floppy discs and flash drives with the use of this tool. I remember when I first started teaching, and trying to find ways to help students to save their information, and being able to reopen the documents, edit, etc. Wow, this is such a cool tool! I have learned so much from this, and I know this would be an invaluable tool for teachers. It is such a struggle to overcome the lack of technology necessary to be successful in schools, but this is a valuable way for students to have access to documents regardless of where or what they are working on. The group editing feature is also amazing, knowing that a teacher can monitor who all has contributed to the document would also greatly encourage the use of rubrics, and help to provide a backup for documentation purposes. The video about the school that was saved using this tool is inspiring to think that through the use of technology alone, the students interest in education raised tremendously. This year, I worked with a teacher who needed this very tool to help with tracking her students work, so yeah! The only issue I could think of is the students having accounts, but I am sure we caan work through that one. I am thrilled to know about this.

Thing 6

Podcast are a great way to communicate information to today's generation. I have a friend who has shared stories of podcasts with me, and I had personally not explored them much. I was amazed at the amount and the variety of podcasts. I listened to one about cooking light, one on a word analogies game, and another on educational leadership. The advantage of such would be the ability to download and listen to them as an alternative to repetitive music. A way to incorporate into a classroom might be to use as an assignment, extra credit, or enrichment. Due to the large variety, I feel it would offer many alternatives.
As far as youtube, it is awesome. I personally love to go to watch videos, and have found that though it does require some monitoring, it has provided hours of laughter and entertainment for my own children. Funny animal videos tend to be a favorite, which evoke belly laughter, which I thoroughly enjoy hearing. As it also offers many options, we have used teachertube and recreated skits multiple times at school as well. There are many videos with educational value, and as we have become more comfortable with technology, I have seen it used many times to enrich lessons. There are some youtube videos that are definitely innapropriate, and unfortunately this comes with the advancement of technology. However, it seems as though it is pretty well filtered, and manageable. When we encourage the use of growth in technology, we have to be more aware and monitor frequently, without exception. As far as embedding,after using the other tools we have previously tried, it was not difficult at all. I chose to embed the following video as it speaks to what my heart says at school at at home with children:

Thing 5

Wikis are a great tool. I have been exposed to them in the past, and as I began the blogging adventure found some similarities. My experience with wikis is limited, but I do know it is a place to organize information for those involved. Though following an invitation to a wiki, your ability to control what is edited it changed in comarison to the blog. I would think it would require more monitoring, due to this, and if you were concerned about the postings on the wiki, it would be more high maintenance than the blog feature. Though, it does open a world of opportunity in the ability to manipulate the material. As I was reviewing some of the wikis, I found that one of the sites was a writing tool , which I thought would be a great tool to teach editing for students. Wikis could also provide multiple opportunities for collaboration. I was thinking it would be a great tool to use with teachers, when collaborating on changes in policies or procedures, and possible changes.
As far as wikipedia,wow, how times have changed! I recall having to look through dictionaries and encyclopedias to find information. Let alone the internet, but wikipedia alone provides a huge source of information in one location. It definitely is a valuable educational tool.

Thing 4

These were alot of fun, and can become quite time consuming! I love playing with pictures and can see it becoming addictive. This could be great fun in a classroom, from focusing on vocabulary with the word tools, to showing pictures of the class and or students with the photo tools, the children would love it. I felt that this was really cool, because I was able to explore some useful internet tools, that are simple to use and open oppurtunities for learning. It would also be easy to share with students. It was difficult to right click and save on some of them, but being able to copy into the blog through embedding was quite simple. I will be playing with these tools some more in the future. And as a side note, many of these are blocked from the school filter, as I played with some of them there, and then had to work through some of them at home. SO, maybe we can get that taken care of before school starts, in order to be able to use them.

Thing 3

Social networking is growing tremendously fast, and has become a vital part of many lives. Though, I have to admit, there are many things about this that are frightening. I personally was quite resistant to the idea of becoming a part of social networking. Circumstances caused me to rethink, as a friend who is in the military and currently serving overseas posed a friendly plea, I gave in and joined Facebook, as I knew this would provide an opportunity for me to keep up with him and his family while he is away. Little did I realize at that point, the connections that I would be able to make. It has been amazing, from former students (who are now grown), to family I do not have the opportunity to see, to fellow graduates from a few years back, to friends we have made along our travels in Texas and in the world of education, I am blessed by this adventure. Though I have a general rule of not accepting students and/or parents, unless it is a personal friend and even then I think twice. As the video of the ten year old student suggests, posting of all of the daily activities is a little much for me, and all of the games get to be a bit much as well. For the purpose of communicating, I have truly enjoyed the virtual reunion this has provided. And, trying to adjust with the times, we have allowed our teenage daughter to have an account as well. This requires constant monitoring, as we can and do monitor her postings, we cannot control others. Though it is a great tool, it is a difficult thing to read some of the things people post, hmmm...the virtual picture of what exists in our world today. Thankfully, it does provide the opportunity for you to be able to set blocks, and monitor what is visible to others outside of your "friends."
As for Twitter, though I have read some of it, I do not have personal experience with it. I can see where it has some very valuable uses, when done in an appropriate manner. I am open to exploring it more in the future.
The options for using these tools in education are endless, and I am certain with proper maintenance and training it could provide for a great means of communicating with students. It is amazing how much this generation of children rely on social media. As we adapt in education, we definitely connect to their world.

Thing 2

Overwhelming?? Yes. Amazing?? Yes. True?? YES.
I remember making the statement, I am going to learn to text before my children can. And to think what their future holds is simply incredible. I was overwhelmed by how far we are from the possibilities of what we could be offering children. Yet, I am realistic to the fact that it takes resources and the almighty dollar to make these opportunities available to our students. I have often wondered how many of our children do have access to the tools of technology? Many of them are already carrying cell phones by the third grade, so where will they be in the next few years. So, do we truly know what they have available to them? Can we provide the needed opportunities for them to be able to learn even a glimpse of what Web 2.0 can offer? I felt as though the more I read and watched, the more I wanted to know. I found myself quite engaged and wondering if this is real. Now, I realize it is true, but wonder what else I do not know. From blogs, to wikis, to google reader, to social media, to podcasting and skype; wow! At my young age (ha), I realize how naive I am, and how amazed I can still find myself.
The video clip talking about the children of today with the repeated phrase of "engage me," kept reminding me of the current educational theory of student engagement. The tools are at our fingertips, and yet seem so far away. So, I feel as though I am rambling, and have so much to learn. I look forward to seeing what the future of technology brings us, and maybe with the help of education, we will be able to afford learning opportunities for students and teachers alike.