Thing 23 ... I want more!

This has been an awesome journey and a perfect way for me to FINALLY learn about Web 2.0 applications. While I had some frustrating moments in the beginning, I now feel very confident to use the applications with my students. I highly recommend the 23 Things journey to anyone wishing to learn more about Web 2.0 applications.

Many THANKS to the Ephrata Public Library for providing this FREE trip to the world of Web 2.0! It's been better than sitting in any 8-hour training conference.

I'm going to miss this . . . can we have 23 MORE THINGS?

Thing 22: Eaudiobooks

Eaudiobook, originally uploaded by EvieG78.

I'm looking forward to listening to my first Eaudiobook -- Emily Dickinson: Poems and Letters. I've always enjoyed reading her poems. Her work wasn't published until after her death when her sister found over a thousand poems and letters among her possessions. I wonder how many educators are aware of the possibilities that exist with ebooks and eaudiobooks. Great for the kids who always have their earbuds in their ears!

Thing 22: Sample Ebook from NetLibary

Sample Ebook from NetLibary, originally uploaded by EvieG78.

Tonight I was completing Thing 22 which introduced me to ebooks and eaudiobooks. I found this ebook on the NetLibrary site and actually read the first chapter in just a few minutes. What a great resource for teachers! I can assign students to all read (or listen to) the same book and not spend a penny! With all the time students devote to being on the computer, this is a way to engage them in learning with a technology that appeals to their learning style.

Great money-saver for schools!

Seek and Ye Shall Learn!

When I started 23 Things, I had NO Web 2.0 skills. While I had dabbled with Google Docs, I did not see the usefulness of the application for me since I have access to computers and software all the time in my classroom. Like I said in an earlier post, I needed to see a graphic organizer to understand how it all interrelates. Well, now I have Web 2.0 fever. I love exploring all the various applications, and I'm confident enough to figure out how to apply other features to my blog, things that are not part of the 23 Things lessons.

This morning I figured out how to automatically play a song when my blog opens!! At first it appeared as an RSS feed, but that's not what I wanted. I kept working at it until I was able to link the song of the week from Garageband.com to my website. So Much Fun!!!!! It's like I tell my computer students, you may not know the exact steps, but if you explore and keep at it, you'll eventually get it. There are SO MANY websites that teach procedures. It took me a while till I found the one that really guided me in the right direction.

Watch out world, here I come!

Thing 21: PODCAST for My Students

I made a podcast for my students for Monday's class. I think they will like it and one thing is for sure, I won't have to repeat the instructions over and over and over! :-)

Pretty Little Lady!

Pretty Little Lady!, originally uploaded by EvieG78.

Thing 20: Podcasting

I'm hoping that sometime over the next few days I can create my own podcast to use in one of my classes. In the meantime, I placed a podcast of a daily devotional on this blog. I searched and searched for hours to find a podcast and each one that I found kept taking me to Google Reader and I couldn't get the right kind of link to save on my blog. Finally I was able to get this one to work. I'll just have to play around with this feature some more so that I can use it effortlessly.

Podcasting, like blogging, provides a forum for anyone to communicate with the world. You can have your own "radio show" just by writing and recording your own podcasts. You don't need training, a license, or expensive equipment.

Podcasts are already being used to provide technical training. I think we are going to see a big increase in the amount of teaching that is provided through the use of podcasts.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg2zTRRXry4

Thing 18: Online Library

I didn't have any luck logging in with my library card bar code, so I will have to call and check that out. However, I explored the HELP screen to see the features that are available with this application and I'm very eager to use it. The Reading History tab is of great interest to me because I can't always remember an author's name, so I can review that to seek out other books written by the same person. I used the online card catalog several years ago when I was getting my Master's Degree. It was very helpful in getting the books I needed for my research project.

This is such a cool feature provided FREE by our library. I'm glad this activity was included as a part of 23 Things.

Thing 19: YouTube Videos

Finally, we get to something on 23 Things that I already know. YouTube has been around for quite a while in our household. In fact if you use the tags "hungry cat Emma" you will see a video of my kitty called "Just a Little Attention, Please."

I didn't know it was so easy to upload a video to a blog. Here's a great video that I can use in my law class to teach burden of proof in a civil case.

Thing 17: ZOHO Writer Document

ZOHO Writer has a lot of potential for students to use in the absence of software. Many kids at school have Works on their home computers and cannot open those files at school unless they know how to use the SAVE AS feature to make it compatible with MS Word.

Things 15 and 16: Check out my Wiki!

There are some really strange Wikis out there! I found a recipe Wiki that I'm going to spend some time exploring. It would be fun to have a family Wiki of recipes.

I've established a Wiki for my teachers (and others) to share learning strategies that they use in their Business Education classroom. This will also be for Business Educators in other schools to join and share their thoughts.

Check it out! This is a great way for people to share and communicate with each other!