Mr. S
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Thing #12 Google is Not Just for Searching Anymore
The first google tool that I used was the trends tool. Twitter and the hash tag phenomenon has most students fascinated with trends and trending. An educator could use this process to show the students relevance to what they are studying. This tool is not really useful to my field and at the moment can not see a use in my classroom
Google trends tool
The next google tool that I explored was google scholar. Now this tool can be immediately useful to me. With a search of the key word "chemistry." I was able to come up with a resource that was relevant to me. (most of the resources were visible in full text, because I could look at them with APSU Felix) I was able to pull up many books and articles that were peer reviewed. This would aid my advanced students when learning how to write scientific papers and where to get credible information. I just wish that I knew about this when writing 12 page physical chemistry in undergrad.
Google Scholar tool
Thing #11 Finding good feeds
Which method of finding feeds did you find easiest to use?
The easiest method for adding feeds was by far just clicking on the rss symbol. I find myself now looking at sites that I visit all of the time and looking for that icon. Using a search engine for finding various news feeds that one would be interested in was rather painless.
Which was more confusing?
I would not say it is more difficult per say, but the highlighting and copying of address then pasting the URL to be a bit more time consuming.
What kind of useful feeds did you find in your travels?
I am still exploring the vastness of this ability. I added Time and AP sites, and I will add countless more. I can get easily distracted so I have to be careful with this new found knowledge.
What other tools or ways did you find to locate newsfeeds?
After reading Courtney's blog on this thing #11, I used google blog search to look up chemistry tags and added the ACS site. This website is useful to me in that I can quickly look up peer reviewed journal articles dealing with chemistry.
Thing #10 Set up an RSS reader and Add feeds
What do I like about RSS and newsreaders?
Before this assignment I had no idea that one could funnel all the information that one views on a daily bases and place it in a news reader. That is if the site that you are looking at most often has an icon for that site. As the video said, be careful it can be addicting. To be able to instantly know the news that you are most interested in real time, that's pretty incredible
How do you think you might be able to use this technology in your school or personal life?/How can teachers use RSS or take advantage of this new technology?
In my personal life, I think that I could use this to stay in times with my hobbies. On the educational front, the students could use this ability to increase their exposure to a problem that will be discussed outside of the classroom. The blog will keep updating and you would grade on substantial posts. This would keep the students entertained during off school hours. For the school itself to use this, I could see that if students could get on board then announcements over the intercom would be a thing of the past.
Before this assignment I had no idea that one could funnel all the information that one views on a daily bases and place it in a news reader. That is if the site that you are looking at most often has an icon for that site. As the video said, be careful it can be addicting. To be able to instantly know the news that you are most interested in real time, that's pretty incredible
How do you think you might be able to use this technology in your school or personal life?/How can teachers use RSS or take advantage of this new technology?
In my personal life, I think that I could use this to stay in times with my hobbies. On the educational front, the students could use this ability to increase their exposure to a problem that will be discussed outside of the classroom. The blog will keep updating and you would grade on substantial posts. This would keep the students entertained during off school hours. For the school itself to use this, I could see that if students could get on board then announcements over the intercom would be a thing of the past.
Thing #9 online image generators
First one would be posted in a classroom and the second one in a laboratory setting :).
Cool Signs For the Classroom
Thing #8 Flickr Mashups
I used the jigsaw creator in big huge labs website to make this mashup using the picture that I downloaded from the previous blog. I found it relatively easy to perform this function and had no difficulties downloading the file that I'd already saved. I am not much on pictures and tend to try and stay out of them and feel almost that they are an invasion to my privacy. My wife's always taking pictures and requiries me to be in them, but if it was my choice I would stay out of them.
When it comes to pictures of oneself and being an educator, one should tread lightly. Personal life and students can quickly get mashed up and then danger can soon follow. So as a general rule, I feel that one should limit how much of oneself can be seen by others.
I think that mash ups could be used in the classroom setting by allowing the student to generate relevant words and ideas in a creative way. To stimulate the learner that is picture oriented.
When it comes to pictures of oneself and being an educator, one should tread lightly. Personal life and students can quickly get mashed up and then danger can soon follow. So as a general rule, I feel that one should limit how much of oneself can be seen by others.
I think that mash ups could be used in the classroom setting by allowing the student to generate relevant words and ideas in a creative way. To stimulate the learner that is picture oriented.
Thing #7 Explore Flickr
My adventure into Flickr was easy to begin with. I had no problems finding interesting pictures and groups. I did however, have much trouble figuring out how to download pictures without having an account. I had to compare other peoples posting in their blogs and the web address they generated from their pictures to understand how to download pictures. I never found the more tab :(. I noticed that when people downloaded their pictures that it was picture site then /sizes/m. I then figured out the rest.
I uploaded this photo because it is where I would love to be during spring break. My wife has other ideas though and the beach is where we are going. :( This picture was taken by
I uploaded this photo because it is where I would love to be during spring break. My wife has other ideas though and the beach is where we are going. :( This picture was taken by
Bjørn Peder Bjørkeland
HeavenThing #6 Discovering Web 2.0 Tools
I chose the Powtoon app to explore: Powtoon. This app seemed exciting since I am always trying to find new and exciting ways to present materials. I found that the site explained how to use the product via instructional tutorial segments and when making the slides I found that the tutorials were precise and accurate. This application could be useful in that most of my regular chemistry students seem to be gamers and have created toons that they are proud of in various gaming situations. It is one of the pedagogues that is not mainstream that education should lean toward creating and using games in the education setting. I do not believe that this will be an effective way to learning, but this program does use cartoons as the method to present materials. Because most of my students are into gaming and developing their toons, having some delivery device that looks like toons could be advantageous.
I disliked the app as a whole due to being limited in what I could do with the toons themselves. The slides seemed boxy and unsubstantial. I was not able to make the characters move the way that I wanted them to do and this limited what I felt was the reason for exploring this app. I wanted to present the material in a flowing manner that seemed like in real time.
I disliked the app as a whole due to being limited in what I could do with the toons themselves. The slides seemed boxy and unsubstantial. I was not able to make the characters move the way that I wanted them to do and this limited what I felt was the reason for exploring this app. I wanted to present the material in a flowing manner that seemed like in real time.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Thing #5 Some Perspectives on Web 2.0/School 2.0 and the Future of Education
What does school 2.0 mean to me?
After reading the blogs and articles, I realized that most of the science fiction movies that I watch showing the future seem to becoming to fruition. Students in the future will be able to pull information in real time during a presentation and increase their own rigor by asking the web their questions and not rely on the experts knowledge. Children can be coached to have inquiry for themselves and not just seek the correct answer. I believe that school 2.0 has the correct ideology to lead educators into the next step (evolution) in our profession. One where educators are more facilitators to knowledge and less regurgitation of knowledge that the students must consume. When educators can lead the student to want to learn then they are doing their job. It is not our job to teach the information, but lead them to become better and more knowledgeable than we are at any point in time.
What does it mean for school of tomorrow?
I believe that what we think of technology in the classroom and how the classroom looks today will pail in comparison to to side of unbelievable. Technology will drive learning and the students will absorb more than we can even fathom. As long as the students do not become dumb because of technology, their heights of learning can be unmeasurable. We as educators will have to stay abreast of the new tech so that we can help facilitate life long learning and not allow the students to become bored. Life of an educator will be much harder if we become lazy and apathetic to the new tech. It is tech that drives these kids anyways. Whenever I walk the halls in the morning they are all conversing with their phones out about some aspect in their lives. It should be our jobs to try to use this fascination with their tech to drive learning. Until my district revises the tech codes I feel that we could fall behind to the more innovative districts.
After reading the blogs and articles, I realized that most of the science fiction movies that I watch showing the future seem to becoming to fruition. Students in the future will be able to pull information in real time during a presentation and increase their own rigor by asking the web their questions and not rely on the experts knowledge. Children can be coached to have inquiry for themselves and not just seek the correct answer. I believe that school 2.0 has the correct ideology to lead educators into the next step (evolution) in our profession. One where educators are more facilitators to knowledge and less regurgitation of knowledge that the students must consume. When educators can lead the student to want to learn then they are doing their job. It is not our job to teach the information, but lead them to become better and more knowledgeable than we are at any point in time.
What does it mean for school of tomorrow?
I believe that what we think of technology in the classroom and how the classroom looks today will pail in comparison to to side of unbelievable. Technology will drive learning and the students will absorb more than we can even fathom. As long as the students do not become dumb because of technology, their heights of learning can be unmeasurable. We as educators will have to stay abreast of the new tech so that we can help facilitate life long learning and not allow the students to become bored. Life of an educator will be much harder if we become lazy and apathetic to the new tech. It is tech that drives these kids anyways. Whenever I walk the halls in the morning they are all conversing with their phones out about some aspect in their lives. It should be our jobs to try to use this fascination with their tech to drive learning. Until my district revises the tech codes I feel that we could fall behind to the more innovative districts.
Thing #4: Why Commenting is Important
-explain why commenting helps create a sense of community and interaction.
I myself am the class clown type and when it comes to substance I have none. When it comes to expressing something that is personal I tend to withdraw to my cave and exist as a recluse. I feel the same when it comes to blogging and I have a hard time expressing my thoughts. That being said, I see that blogging creates community because if someone is reading and commenting on your words they most likely have similar ideals as you do. If they didn't they would not be "in" the part of the web that you are writing. The interactions that are facilitated through posting and commenting to the posts make individuals feel connected and have purpose in this thing we call life. The poster feels validated for their thoughts and the commenter in turn feels that they are not alone in their thoughts.
-discuss two other points from the readings about commenting that you found important.
The first point from reading the hyperlinks that I found to be comment worthy is the term "trolling" or lurking. I find this to have a negative connotation, but it is something that should be considered as perfectly fine. If one puts their words out there to be seen by everyone and is somewhat permanent, then why should someone feel it is a bad thing to have people to look at it. Is this not the point of posting anyways? One should not feel that every looker must post. I myself would be fine if no one ever posted to this blog.
The second point from the hyperlinks that I found noteworthy is that people feel very protective of their blog. I can see that bloggers would feel that their blog as property, since it has been a lot of work to get this far in my own blog. Seasoned bloggers would have spent countless hours refining and perfecting their sites. So ownership of ideas on the web could lead to territorial battles from people that found their way to "your" area of the web, just to be instigators. I myself dislike putting myself out there so, I would most likely just turn the cheek, if someone confronted me on my ideals. Even in religion of which I have strong feelings, would allow someone else to voice their own opinions without counter attacking.
give the names of the seven blogs (5 from our group + 2 others of your choice) you selected to read and comment on and tell why you selected them.
My five blogs I have decided to comment on throughout the project are:
Morgan's 23 things- I chose this site because this blog had the most "things" done. Look at my dates and one could understand that Morgan has the stuff I could only dream of - "withitness" and the appearance of non-procrastination.
KHS Chemistry 23 things- I chose this site simply due to the fact that Courtney is someone that I have much respect for and would gladly learn anything that she could teach me. If reading her blogs can do that I am happy to follow her blog.
J. Kyle Roberts' 23 things- I chose Kyle's blog because as of tonight he has been the only one who has commented on my blog, of which I am not upset (having only two blogs done by March, 20). And since he is a fellow procrastinator I feel a connection already.
Delma Vasquez's 23 things-I picked Mrs. Vasquez because the only language that I learned in high school was Latin. My sister in law is a Spanish teacher at west creek and I hope that reading her blog might help in my relationship with her
Mr. M's 23 things - I chose Mr. M's blog simple for the fact that he sits next to me in class and already I can say that if we were in high school that we would have a hard time staying on task if together. I look forward to learning more about him through his blogs.
The two non class blogs that I choose to follow and comment on are:
The science teacher doyle-scienceteach.blogspot- I choose this because she seems to be passionate about teaching science and has the drive to post all things that are relevant to her which tends to be science in nature.
The science teacher- mrsharristeaches.com - I chose this site because she explained the hardship of teaching science in todays world of children and their need to just have the knowledge given and to have no inquiry based knowledge.
discuss the comments that you chose to make and why you made them
I commented on Morgan's 19th post because simple she was the furthest along out of everyone in class. Her comments on believing the social media should be allowed in the classroom setting affirmed my same beliefs. We have been beating this bush for a long time, it may be time to reevaluate the code at least for CMCSS
I commented on KHS Chemistry's 12th thing because I felt strongly with her feelings on technology in the classroom and how it may look in the future.
I commented on Mr. Robert's post #6 because I will use his source for my own blog for this #'d thing.
I commented on Mrs. Vasquez's thing # 7 due to my feelings that we as teachers need to be very cautious when posting anything personal. We live in a CYA profession and learning this might be an educator's first lesson when entering the work force.
I commented on Mr. M's #8 thing because I agreed that too much inappropriate information is out there and that we must cover our own butt when choosing to post pictures onto the information highway.
I myself am the class clown type and when it comes to substance I have none. When it comes to expressing something that is personal I tend to withdraw to my cave and exist as a recluse. I feel the same when it comes to blogging and I have a hard time expressing my thoughts. That being said, I see that blogging creates community because if someone is reading and commenting on your words they most likely have similar ideals as you do. If they didn't they would not be "in" the part of the web that you are writing. The interactions that are facilitated through posting and commenting to the posts make individuals feel connected and have purpose in this thing we call life. The poster feels validated for their thoughts and the commenter in turn feels that they are not alone in their thoughts.
-discuss two other points from the readings about commenting that you found important.
The first point from reading the hyperlinks that I found to be comment worthy is the term "trolling" or lurking. I find this to have a negative connotation, but it is something that should be considered as perfectly fine. If one puts their words out there to be seen by everyone and is somewhat permanent, then why should someone feel it is a bad thing to have people to look at it. Is this not the point of posting anyways? One should not feel that every looker must post. I myself would be fine if no one ever posted to this blog.
The second point from the hyperlinks that I found noteworthy is that people feel very protective of their blog. I can see that bloggers would feel that their blog as property, since it has been a lot of work to get this far in my own blog. Seasoned bloggers would have spent countless hours refining and perfecting their sites. So ownership of ideas on the web could lead to territorial battles from people that found their way to "your" area of the web, just to be instigators. I myself dislike putting myself out there so, I would most likely just turn the cheek, if someone confronted me on my ideals. Even in religion of which I have strong feelings, would allow someone else to voice their own opinions without counter attacking.
give the names of the seven blogs (5 from our group + 2 others of your choice) you selected to read and comment on and tell why you selected them.
My five blogs I have decided to comment on throughout the project are:
Morgan's 23 things- I chose this site because this blog had the most "things" done. Look at my dates and one could understand that Morgan has the stuff I could only dream of - "withitness" and the appearance of non-procrastination.
KHS Chemistry 23 things- I chose this site simply due to the fact that Courtney is someone that I have much respect for and would gladly learn anything that she could teach me. If reading her blogs can do that I am happy to follow her blog.
J. Kyle Roberts' 23 things- I chose Kyle's blog because as of tonight he has been the only one who has commented on my blog, of which I am not upset (having only two blogs done by March, 20). And since he is a fellow procrastinator I feel a connection already.
Delma Vasquez's 23 things-I picked Mrs. Vasquez because the only language that I learned in high school was Latin. My sister in law is a Spanish teacher at west creek and I hope that reading her blog might help in my relationship with her
Mr. M's 23 things - I chose Mr. M's blog simple for the fact that he sits next to me in class and already I can say that if we were in high school that we would have a hard time staying on task if together. I look forward to learning more about him through his blogs.
The two non class blogs that I choose to follow and comment on are:
The science teacher doyle-scienceteach.blogspot- I choose this because she seems to be passionate about teaching science and has the drive to post all things that are relevant to her which tends to be science in nature.
The science teacher- mrsharristeaches.com - I chose this site because she explained the hardship of teaching science in todays world of children and their need to just have the knowledge given and to have no inquiry based knowledge.
discuss the comments that you chose to make and why you made them
I commented on Morgan's 19th post because simple she was the furthest along out of everyone in class. Her comments on believing the social media should be allowed in the classroom setting affirmed my same beliefs. We have been beating this bush for a long time, it may be time to reevaluate the code at least for CMCSS
I commented on KHS Chemistry's 12th thing because I felt strongly with her feelings on technology in the classroom and how it may look in the future.
I commented on Mr. Robert's post #6 because I will use his source for my own blog for this #'d thing.
I commented on Mrs. Vasquez's thing # 7 due to my feelings that we as teachers need to be very cautious when posting anything personal. We live in a CYA profession and learning this might be an educator's first lesson when entering the work force.
I commented on Mr. M's #8 thing because I agreed that too much inappropriate information is out there and that we must cover our own butt when choosing to post pictures onto the information highway.
Thing #3: Blog registration and future use in my classroom
Registering my blog with Dr. Wall was relatively easy and painless. I just had to wait for her approval and being new to the system I did not feel confident that I had performed the process correctly. When my name showed up I felt relieved that I could continue my procrastination.
I feel that there are many uses for blog usage in my classroom. From creating assignments, informing students of upcoming activities to collaboration among peer lead discussion. Creating assignments can even be further divided down to help absent students receive work that missed. This would mean that I would have to become more organized and prepared. Both qualities of which I am weak.
If I do become more organized and prepared I foresee being able to use blogs to communicate with parents as well. Communication with parent is key to becoming a good teacher and sometimes they can not be reached via phone, but in today's world most people are plugged in and to have parents as followers of my blog could be beneficial to their children's learning.
I particular like the fact that through effective blogging, deep and purposeful discussion could be generated when students discussion topics that were covered in class. The students today seem to shut down as school ends and do not come back to the fold until the next morning. Blogging may help them to continue to be stimulated until the next day.
I feel that there are many uses for blog usage in my classroom. From creating assignments, informing students of upcoming activities to collaboration among peer lead discussion. Creating assignments can even be further divided down to help absent students receive work that missed. This would mean that I would have to become more organized and prepared. Both qualities of which I am weak.
If I do become more organized and prepared I foresee being able to use blogs to communicate with parents as well. Communication with parent is key to becoming a good teacher and sometimes they can not be reached via phone, but in today's world most people are plugged in and to have parents as followers of my blog could be beneficial to their children's learning.
I particular like the fact that through effective blogging, deep and purposeful discussion could be generated when students discussion topics that were covered in class. The students today seem to shut down as school ends and do not come back to the fold until the next morning. Blogging may help them to continue to be stimulated until the next day.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Thing #2 Creating My Blog
What previous experiences do you have with blogs,
reading or writing?
How did you decide on your posting name and the name of your blog?
What was your experience in creating the blog? Was it hard for you or easy? Why?
How does your avatar reflect your personality? Did you create an avatar that looks like your real self or someone totally different? Why?
My previous
experiences with any kind of blog, reading or writing are absolutely none. I am not technology illiterate, just have
always tried to stay away from things like peoples opinions. I am a scientist by heart and have a
knowledge base as “where is your evidence and how did you come up with that
information.” I have always felt that
blogs and tweets and such are avenues for opines and not factual.
How did you decide on your posting name and the name of your blog?
I decided that I
would post my name and the name of my blog would be also my name. Like I have said before, I am not much of a
writer or opinion speaker, so if I have to make an effort to do so, I may as
well make it connected to my name.
What was your experience in creating the blog? Was it hard for you or easy? Why?
I have enjoyed
learning how to make blog and avatar. I
found that making the avatar was easy using doppleme.com, but when it came to
posting it to my blog it was a little more tenuous. I tried a few times to insert the toon, but
placed “the paste” in the wrong space. I
had to command tab several times to Dr. Wall blog to review the process in
order to successfully accomplish the process.
How does your avatar reflect your personality? Did you create an avatar that looks like your real self or someone totally different? Why?
I picked the avatar
by choosing what my kids would think the character, which I play when trying to teach certain concepts in chemistry, would look like. Many times during lessons when attempting to
teach about attraction of molecules/atoms in a chemical reaction to size of
atoms, I portray myself as a habitual user of pot. I do this because its
relevant to them and I get laughs, but I purposefully do this to stimulate a
portion of the brain that may not be being used in order to try to get the
concept across to them.
Thing #1 Lifelong Learners
During the review of the 7 and 1/2 habits online tutorial, I found that my easiest life long learner habit is playing. I could say that this may be my down fall as well, but as a choice it has to be my strongest. During my first year of teaching, I stressed so much that I began having problems at the home. I had to drop the stress from the classroom when I left the office. I decided to spend time not thinking about work and enjoy my family. When at school I started enjoying the life teaching of the kids and they in turn began opening up to me. I can relate to the kids in my classroom and they seem to feel very safe in my room. I have to say that this all started when I began playing and enjoying my life more and leaving the classroom at school.
The hardest life long learner habit for me has to be is using resources for help. My mother always said that I have to do things for myself and that I have to solve my problems by myself. The early teachings in my life has led to the fact that I feel that I have to solve classroom issues by myself. My first year as a transitional student was extremely hard and time consuming because I felt that I had to do things alone, i.e. lesson plans, labs, classroom management, etc.. I felt that by asking for help I was taking precious time from others and making the world about me. This year I have started asking for help on certain things, but I still try to do things without any outside help. Do not get me wrong, I have a great relationship with my peers, but they have learned about me that I like to keep to myself.
It is my goal to become a good teacher and I know that I have limitations, so I just reflect everyday and try improving somewhat, or at least know that I something I have to and will work on. The tutorial showed that I am still proceeding down this path of life long learning.
During the process of setting up the avatar and using 2.0 tools I found that the process was relatively easy. The instructions were not hard to follow and directed me to success. I have never been much of a writer and this assignment has been put on hold for as long as I could. It is not much procrastination, but more fear of writing. I have learned that the more I do it the more comfortable I become.
The hardest life long learner habit for me has to be is using resources for help. My mother always said that I have to do things for myself and that I have to solve my problems by myself. The early teachings in my life has led to the fact that I feel that I have to solve classroom issues by myself. My first year as a transitional student was extremely hard and time consuming because I felt that I had to do things alone, i.e. lesson plans, labs, classroom management, etc.. I felt that by asking for help I was taking precious time from others and making the world about me. This year I have started asking for help on certain things, but I still try to do things without any outside help. Do not get me wrong, I have a great relationship with my peers, but they have learned about me that I like to keep to myself.
It is my goal to become a good teacher and I know that I have limitations, so I just reflect everyday and try improving somewhat, or at least know that I something I have to and will work on. The tutorial showed that I am still proceeding down this path of life long learning.
During the process of setting up the avatar and using 2.0 tools I found that the process was relatively easy. The instructions were not hard to follow and directed me to success. I have never been much of a writer and this assignment has been put on hold for as long as I could. It is not much procrastination, but more fear of writing. I have learned that the more I do it the more comfortable I become.
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