#20 YouTube

I really enjoy the old commercials - from 60s & 70s. Of course, I also remember going into McDonald's and singing, "Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun." Workers enjoyed it and once gave a friend a free big mac. I would like to add "Apple Trees and Honey Bees" video from Coke. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osSbT5WWsJA. I remember teaching that song in my music class, but without the coke words. Good times. But can I add to my blog without breaking copyright? YouTube could be used for demo purposes for research or a how-to for students when they were working at home.

#19 Other Social Networks

The only online communities that I belong to is 23thingsters.ning.com and 23thingsters.com. I enjoyed joining ning and seeing what others in the group looked like. It was easy to upload a picture. That pictures was taken in 1983 at Beasley when I taught on the stage. I was able to leave a comment for Phil Bailey. When checking my pic on ning, I could also see who was online at the same time, Phil was! Like AOL with the opening and closing door. This would be a good way to keep in touch with others for various projects or events. I was also able to look at Fuzzster for pets. Someone even included a sock dog. Oh, well. I did have trouble watching the video of ning. Apparently, someone did not know how to handle a mic and my connection was very busy at the time I was on. 

#18 Social Networks

I felt very uncomfortable with MySpace. This is the one that I hear elementary students talking about and having their own "space". I went to Facebook, www.facebook.com. To me this site seemed more in my comfort zone. We need to know about these spaces as the kids are already here, sometimes without supervision. Reading some of their "space" lets you know what is going on in their lives, what they are thinking and doing. Sometimes a whole new side of a child. I will limit the readers to my site; however, I did like looking for former classmates. I have lived several places, even Germany, and it is nice to connect with former high school friends. This would make it easier to possibly find someone instead of using switchboard for the entire US. At this time, I don't see a school or library application.

#17 Del.icio.us - Social bookmarking

Social bookmarking would be wonderful for research at home since it is not tied to one computer. Kids doing research projects, GREAT! The fact that anyone can bookmark could become a problem as elementary students do not always discriminate about sites. They think if it is out there it must be ok or true. I have gotten some unusual information from students and when I went to their site, I understood why. The site very plainly told you that some info (it had a red or yellow light) was suspect, but the kids did not pay attention. The report had to be redone. While I like sharing with others and having an organized storage for tags, it is just one more site to keep up with.

#16 Online Productivity Tools

I had already created a new homepage on iGoogle, so I did try Pageflakes. I really like Pageflakes better as it brought up info concerning the Dallas area. It also had a to do list, calendar, weather and tv listings. I could also set weather for Chicago as my youngest is working on his MA there. I'm thinking about making it my perm homepage. Calendar - I liked 30 Boxes, but be sure to read the email that they send after signing up before creating a calendar. Email was to confirm your email address. 30 Boxes could be used by teachers to coordinate withother on a project or trip or even with your children or among children. Especially good for children at college to remember their schedule. (Mine as several labs) A simple to do list like Ta Da would be easy to configure and use; but for me, Backpack with pictures, uploads and dividers, I think this would take up more time than necessary. TaDa will also send you an email. Maybe just a desk calendar for yourself, but when working with others, I suggest TaDa. All of these had the RSS icon. I really liked PageFlakes, 30Boxes and TaDa. I liked their simplicity and convience.

#15 Wikis

I did not know that wiki meant quick, but I can see why the name is appropriate. This would save time when trying to coordinate events or even planning lessons among a group of teachers. Students could also use this when coordinating information for a project. They could work at home then add what they have found. Wikis were not hard to use. It is / will be interesting to see how people use them in the future, this includes their information and sources. 

#14 Go With the Flow

I set up accounts in Bubbl.us and Flowchart.com. Bubbl works like Inspiration-Kidspiration. Once I figured out how to type in the bubble it was easy to create a map. I set up a map for instruments of the orchestra. I am waiting on my invitation for Flowchart.com and will then set up a flow chart for 23 Things.

#13 Online Applications

Using ZoHo Writer is just like Word and Appleworks and even our email system. Well, the emotion icons are a new addition. A favorite of course is the undo and redo buttons. Add a spreadsheet....no problem.

AppleWorks Mac 50% 30 users
Word PC & Mac 50% 30 users

Just like Excel, doesn't like to print the grid!

#12 Google Tools

I have looked at the several Google tools and have signed up for Google Alerts and Google calendar. Neither was hard, but had to always sign in. I have already started receiving alerts in my areas. So much easier that having to go looking. Plus, this saves time. I have done Picasa and did not feel like it was difficult, but I really don't want another photo location. My calendar address is:
http://www.google.com/calendar/render?gsessionid=-fZWAnTbLKl7HTLrW5sw_A

#11 Fun & Useful Blogs - explore RSS feeds

I found it easiest to use topix.net to get feeds. I found a variety that I added...from Oprah to news from Chicago. When trying to search from my google site I would sometimes find articles in my existing feeds but other times not. The weekend apparently has begun! I found feeds for India, China, even Buddhists and some that I can't put in print. I did find feeds on my areas of interest, but also added some in the field of education. I have also explored sites looking for the RSS logo.

#10 Set Up RSS Reader

The video(s) that I watched were very helpful and enjoyable. I like the fact that RSS brings the information that I want to me, saving me time. I really don't like to have to go through the "fluff" stuff. Students and teachers alike will be able access info in their chosen areas for current events, history, etc. I did sign up for several newspapers. I love being able to read the news from my hometown. My high school football team is rated #2 in the state for next year. Now I can keep up! Having RSS and knowing how to use it by confining choices is a wonderful time-saver.

#9 Image Generator

The image generators were not difficult to use or create new and unusual pictures. I used www.fototrix.com and http://www.scrapbookgenerator.com/ from www.customsigngenerator.com. The hard part was deciding what picture or effect to use! So many choices! Students will enjoy creating signs for class using either symbols or terms.

#8 More Flickr

I tried several mashups, but enjoyed spell with flickr. Students would enjoy adding this to their presentations as would I. It was easy to change letters, but I did have some trouble putting this into my blog. I have mixed feelings about sharing personal or school pictures online. Some people out there are just "crazy". 

#7 Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing. I thought that I had deleted this, but, oh well. I did the fun part of Flickr and it really wasn't too difficult except for needing a few minutes to get it to send to group. I really did not realize how much I really do use instructions for things. All this time I thought that I was rather intuitive about using computers. It must just come with age!! This will be a great spot for saving photos as I have created an account, but I also have a .mac account that I really enjoy using. I do prefer the private placing of photo over the public. Just gives a more secure feeling. I feel that with Flickr students can share their photos from field trips, vacations, science experiments with each other through this. It might also help them stay in touch with Grandma and Grandpa. (Well, if they can use a computer.)

#4 Commenting

I read "Comment Like a King or Queen" and "The Ten Commandments". Both reminded all to share yourself, be polite, compliment, write meaningful responses and just be kind. Or treat others as you would like to be treated. We teach this to children, but we also need to be reminded. Following these simple rules will build a companionship with those responding to our blogs. The "Ten Commandments" was a reminder to me to read carefully before commenting as I do tend to skim information which sometimes leads to a misunderstanding.

I have read Ms. Brownie's Blog and can relate to her on trying to get my blog registered. I did it over a week ago, but am just now published. I guess that relates to my skimming the info! I have also responded to 50 Year Learner as I was very concerned about my blog being registered. I found a former student's blog, Jake Daniels, and have sent him a message. I have also responded to CoolCatTeacher about using a Mac.

I have now also read Teachartiscool and commented.....her art work is great! MMS and I feel the same about Last.fm. I have also left a message at boog.phil. I did not know that boog had been teaching for 33 years!

The blogs that I have read are from people that appear to be around my age and also in the fine arts field.

#6 Web 2.0 Awards List

Lastfm was the award winner in the music field. Site gave access to bio on composers, their music, pics, albums, videos, listeners and events. I did have to type in a classical composer's name as most everything was very today's music, but the search box did wonders. This could be a useful site for student information, but I feel they would be distracted by the current music online. Also, Mom and Dad would probably not like their elementary child seeing some song titles or group names along with video & music inappropriate for their child. I did like the access to music as stores are disappearing. Site also gave event info for various cities...sorry, Dallas was not listed, but Austin and Houston were. Some music was free, while some had to be paid for and you also needed to sign in, but at no cost.

#5 Perspectives on Web 2.0

Computers and the web are the future in education, but how many teachers or how long will it take these teachers to lead / go in this direction? As an older teacher, I chose to stay up with technology for my own children, as I knew my geometry skills were rusty, but it is very fast-paced and assumes a lot from people as to how things should work. School 2.0 means new ways of classwork or even homework, but alot of planning for the teacher. Lab time is not play time. Students are ready for this and it is the teacher that is behind. This is the challenge or rethinking of ideas for teachers; but, it can also lead to networking and sharing with other, both teachers and students alike as all contribute.  How Texas teachers will implement this with the pressure of TAKS will take determination and innovation. My aside: students need to learn that copy and paste is not a new form of writing a paper!

#3 Register

It sure does help to keep a list of all titles, addresses, names, etc. Now, I just can't loose them or misplace them. Where is the safest place to keep things? Blogging would be a way for parents to advise me on the assignments that have been given to students. I would especially need to know if a problem arose or if information, especially on the web, had changed or moved to a new address.

Set Up & Avatar #2

I thought that setting up the blog was easy, it was the avatar that drove me "crazy".  Also, wow, how many choices! However, with the help of friends, I did accomplish this task. I did use my teaching field for my blog as some things are just easy to stay with. The avatar looks like a younger version of me including the flute. 

23Things: #1 & #2

The hardest of the Life Long Learner habits is play. There are just so many things that need to be done in a short period of time and of course, the ever present deadlines. Must really work at play. While the easiest may be the teacher/mentor. This is what teachers do best and on a consistent basis.