Thing #22, Livebinders

I have created an online binder on www.Livebinders.com.  The names of my tabs are: Math Education, Tennessee Standards and Education, and Math and Jobs.

Math Education


This will definitely become useful within a classroom.  If I want to provide the class with a variety of ideas for math assignments, I will open my online binder.  Also, if I want to show plenty of topics relating to a specific subject, I will already have a variety of different websites in one consolidated and organized location.  This website is pretty neat.

Thing #21, Animoto

This is the link to my very first Animoto animation: http://animoto.com/play/otCpXYwL64b3Fygisj2LUw . This is definitely a new experience for me. I enjoyed and had fun exploring this option of displaying some personal photographs. I enjoyed it so much, in fact, that I almost wanted to purchase the upgraded features… almost. I am not sure if this website can be used educationally within a classroom; however, it can make for a fun project to give students a chance to have show off some personal pictures and display their personal tastes in music and creativity.

Make a video of your own at Animoto.

Thing #20, Youtube

My favorite Super Bowl commercial from 2013 (God Made a Farmer) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMpZ0TGjbWE and my ALL TIME FAVORITE Youtube video (GENIUS toddler): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q2gW2Lr2Nc .  I chose the farmer video because the monologue is deep and almost poetic.  The visuals are rich and so detail.  It is art even though they are actual photographs. The toddler video is just amazing and hilarious.




I know that I will, like many of the teachers that I have, will utilize www.youtube.com within the classrooms.  It is full of educational videos and documentaries that will capture the interest of students as well as educate them.

Thing #19, beyond Facebook

I am not a member of any online community, unless Facebook and Twitter is considered an online community; which I doubt.  However, there were a number of social websites and online communities that struck my interests; especially the ones that could easily relate to food.  I even added www.YELP.com  to my “favorites” on my web browser and I subscried to www.Flixter.com.  However, I am having some trouble maneuvering through Flixter.  I will make plenty of visits to www.YELP.com because I love exploring new places within a city.  Clarksville is not the biggest of cities; however, there are still new restaurants, small attractions, and unexplored places of entertainment that I have yet to discover.

Ps… I am still awaiting my acceptance in the www.Ning.com social network.

Thing #18, Social Networking

This is the URL to my Twitter account: https://twitter.com/WilliamGravesII

I am very familiar with both social networks.  I prefer Twitter; however, Facebook is a useful website as well.  I like Twitter, because if you follow the right person, you can easily fill your day with inspiring quotations and comments that you can pass on to your students.  I believe Facebook has a more personal feel.  Everybody who I have as a “friend” on Facebook, I have run into in real life.  The people that I associate with on Facebook have crossed my path or they are a part of my life in some way.  Twitter is way different.  Many of those who I follow on Twitter, or who follow me, have never crossed my path in a real life situation.  Many are celebrities or just people who have interesting thoughts cross their mind at any given point during the day (or night).  Therefore, both websites serve a good purpose depending on what you may be looking for.

            I see more academic usage out of Facebook.  If everyone in a class has Facebook, they can all “befriend” each other and commence a brief conversation on the class on the “wall.”  If someone has a question, they can start a public conversation where anybody can input their thoughts.

Thing #17, Delicious.com

This website is one that I doubt that I will use too often.  However, I will give it a chance.  It seems to have the same effect as Yahoo’s or Google’s search engine.  I have searched for educational websites before and I came across a number of helpful website using Yahoo. Thus, I imagine that I will forget about this website as soon as I finish this blog. However, there is use for it. I imagine that you are much more protected against the possibility of running into some inappropriate websites.  In addition, it is nice to have a website where the tags are completely controlled by the consumers of the internet and not the corporation who owns the website.  Also, the website that I found searching for “educational technology” will definitely prove useful.

Thing #16, Get Organized

The start page that I used was that of Google.  I used this one because I use Google on a regular basis and I have two email accounts with them.  I will make this my permanent homepage because it is pleasing to the eye and it automatically connects me to news that interests me without bombarding me with a bunch of information that will all go unnoticed. 

The online calendar that I set up was with Google as well since I have a few accounts with Google already.  This widget will come in handy if I am connected to the internet a majority of the time. Unfortunately, I have not yet upgraded to a smart phone so the only time I am connected to the internet is when I am on my laptop.  Yet and still, this widget can still serve purpose if I find myself on the computer for an extended period of time and something has slipped my mind.  If I updated my online calendar, I will get a notice and thus, my original plan will have been salvaged. 

The online To-Do List is very convenient if you have s smart phone.  Otherwise it will not do one too much good.  It is definitely worth the time to set up if you have a mobile device to take advantage of the service though.  Too bad I am still in the “stone age” era of cellular devices. 

These applications can definitely serve a great purpose, especially, if you have them via smart phone.  Many times wireless phones and other mobile wireless devices have to-do lists and calendars built in it already, however, being able to sync your information from your phone to your laptop for easy modification or vice versa seems like a more convenient method of managing your day.  I would use these features if I had a smart phone and I would definitely recommend the use of these applications to anyone in school or who has a daily busy schedule.

Thing #15

I took the opportunity to add and edit on a wiki page.  I never knew that anybody could add and edit on certain pages like that.  I am used to being able to comment or like a post or a page; but having the power to edit and put your own stamp on a web page is pretty nice.  A wiki page can be pretty nice to use, even within the settings of a classroom or especially for a class.  It is a good way to set up discussions or collectively create a project on documenting for an area of study or research.  Even though the freedom to edit and add to a webpage is exhilarating, a level of integrity has to be guarded by a supervisor of the page.  That can be pretty hard to protect if such a large volume of people have the freedom to change the content of a webpage at will. 

I explored the APSU wiki page and I added a “Thing 9” entry.  In addition, I made a few changes to someone else’s entry.  

Thing # 14

The mind mapping website that I attempted to explore was the www.MindMeister.com.  I have never heard of a mind mapping tool before.  I was hoping that there would be some kind of demonstration video.  However, there was not.  I did not know how to get started using this application.  I was actually thoroughly disappointed.

On the other hand, Gliffy.com was very recognizable and I understood the use of it right away.  This is a great tool to create charts and diagrams to enhance the focal point of a presentation.  One can also create hierarchy trees to show relationships or to show a chain of command within a company.  Gliffy.com is also great for illustrating directions and showing the process of any given sequence of actions.  I can definitely find use with this website.  It is great.

Thing #13

I have used both of these websites (Google Docs and Zoho Writer) and they are very similar to each other.  They both allow you to compose a writing document where you can chose from a slim selection of font styles (compared to Microsoft Word).  They both seem to use similar formulas to execute certain operations within a spreadsheet document and they share nearly identical template as well.  One way that Google docs triumphs Zoho Writer is by offering a “drawing” and a “form” workbench.  The drawing is not as user friendly as I am accustomed to with Microsoft; however, it provides some entertaining values.  The “form” application is pretty astounding though.  It appears to share some likeness to online e-vites.  One can decorate a piece of documentation and send it to anyone with a notification or an invitation.  I was unaware that workstation like this existed.  It does not require any credit card information or a purchase.  These two tools will service students well because they are not forced to purchase a Microsoft product if they purchase a personal computer.  If they have access to the internet, they can simply log on to their workstation with one of these two websites and produce a professional document, create an eye-pleasing presentation or manage a spreadsheet to organize a long list that may require number manipulation.

This is a link to my drawing document from Google Docs is https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1J3GUx8AKLLR2OnwdpmXcTxzQHXlb2lf-RWBu2AJJ9u8/edit?usp=sharing

Thing #4

1. Shows the blogger that you hear them and it encourages them to create even more blogs.  They know they are no longer blogging to themselves, but to a community of bloggers, readers and responders.

2. One can influence those that they admire with a significant and relative comment.  In addition, one can create a small trend of whatever the topic is on the blog.  By commenting on a particular blog, one is saying that the small piece of rhetoric is meaningful and important enough to further discuss in a later period.  Updates on that topic may be imminent.

3. I commented on Amber Law’s thing 3, Jeffery Doyle’s thing 6, Bailey’s thing 7, Michelle Clark’s thing 7, and Brandy Putman’s thing 4. The two others of my choice that I commented on were Motley Crew's post on the Confessions of a Pioneer Woman and Do I Dare Disturb the Universe with Scott Elias at www.blogScottElias.net.

4. I chose to comment on these blogs because I agreed with them.  My thoughts and ideas totally coincided with theirs.  Also, I wanted to let the blogger know that their posts were relevant to me.

Thing #12

THING #12, Google uses

I have explored all of the four newly introduced web tools and I know I will find great use for two of them: http://translate.google.com/ and http://www.google.com/alerts.  I used to use the translator from www.dictionary.com very often when I took college Spanish.  I am no longer taking any Spanish courses; however, there are times when I want to sound just a bit more intriguing and mysterious during a texting conversation or a blog, so I will add a sentence or two in Spanish.  If someone responds, it means that they cared enough about what you had to say to actually look up the meaning of your cryptic message.  Of course, the translator is a great way to introduce a different culture and language into your lectures during some leisure time or for a multi-culture activity.  It adds and extra ingredient of fun to the educational value or a lecture.  In addition to using the translator to add some exotic flavor to your classroom recipe, there may come a time where you are faced with a foreign student who only speaks Spanish or another foreign language.  Google’s translator, or any other translating website, will prove extremely useful and pertinent to communicating to those students.  Another website that I will thoroughly enjoy is Google’s alert widget.

I find use in this web tool because I like to keep abreast of the most current rumors and facts of my favorite athletes (Michael Vick, Derrick Rose, Rudy Gay etc.).  In addition, I can keep up to date with the latest information on education occupations and tools to aid in education.  It should be important for any future employee of a specific field to want to stay updated on the progress and newly explored ideas of that field.  Therefore, it is satisfying to link education and Tennessee in my news feed alerts.

Thing #11

 I found that using www.Topix.net is the simplest way to find feeds that peaked my interests.  The main news feeds that I like to participate in are sports, politics, and entertainment, and they are all on the top of my scrollbar.  It makes it very easy for me to access any news or updates on top stories that I enjoy. 

The news feed site that was most confusing was www.Technorati.com.  At first glance, I did not find the feeds that most interested me.  However, the website is not horrible.  I do like their Top 100 column.  In fact, that was one of the useful feeds that I connected with. Although, I am doubtful that I will use any of these websites too often, I do recognize the entertainment aspect of them.

I did not any unusual feeds.  All the ones that I came across seemed reasonable of the internet world.  Maybe if I had spent hours searching through the sites I would have found something “unusual.”  I found other newsfeeds by going to useful websites and checking to see if they had a RSS feed.  It appears not all websites have the easy access RSS feed button. However, most did.

Thing# 10, Google Reader response

I am learning so much about internet blogs and ways to connect to everybody on a specific topic.  This is all pretty exciting and I know I will continue to use much of the websites.  However, the Google Reader is one that I will probably not use as often or at all after today.  I do not think that I will have too much use for it in my personal life or as an educator.  Although, I might have more use for it as an educator than I would in my personal life.  It is nice to have news forwarded to you without having to search yourself.  The news that you have highlightd as information of interest comes to you.  Therefore, as a teacher, if I subscribed to new information on a website that keeps teachers abreast of new teaching aids, I would be notified and have a whole article right before me. 

 

Thing #9

The image generators can be fun. It is pretty fun how you can take a previously taken picture (provided that the image is not too large) and add some special imagery with clip art or special effects. I cannot imagine using these applications within a classroom though, unless the class was geared towards using the internet for your personal pleasure. Otherwise, this feature will serve well as a way to fill some empty time during my leisure. The website that I used to create these creations was at www.Imagechef.com.  I set up an account and then I created the picture with the options that they gave me.  For the candy art, I simply saved the picture to my computer as a document.  I did not register for anything.  However, creating the mashup with the pictures I already had was a bit more challenging.  I set up an account and emailed the images to myself.  I found it easy to come up with the creation that I wanted without spending a ton of time on it.  I did, however, have to create an account, but at least it was free.

 

 

Thing# 8, mashUps

The feature that I will really enjoy in the near future is the Mosaic Maker… In fact, it has convinced me to open up a Flickr. I have so many pictures on Facebook that I try to look at myself but am sometimes deterred because of the inconvenience. The mashup that I choose to display on my blog is the “Spell with Flickr” contraption.  I doubt that I will use the spelling mashup at all. Although, it is nice to know about.  I have seen images that used those word imageries before, and I wondered, “How’d they do that?” Now I know.  Mappr is another mashup that I will thoroughly enjoy. I recently came from a road trip to and from Portland, Oregon and I took so many amazing pictures of the landscaping and the sky.  Being able to link those pictures to a point on a map where they were located is a great way to show off my pictures and tell a story of my journey.  Mappr is a great tool to use in class as well, at least when it comes to geography.  When a teacher wants to show some of the historic monuments of different parts of the country or the world, they can use this fun application to get students familiar with the location of the area that they are learning about as well as help them learn of the land marks.

           

Thing #7, Flickr

I am not familiar with Flickr at all, so I think one of their best features is linking their posts with Facebook and Twitter pictures.  Flickr does, however, surpass Facebook and Twitter when it comes to organizing photographs.  A brilliant feature with this recent website anomaly is the Organizr.  You can drag and drop your photographs into sets and collections with ease.  You can sort pictures on Facebook, but they do not make it easy.  I was unaware that Flickr was first to utilize the “tag” function.  I am aware of this function with other websites.  This function makes it easier to locate pictures relative to any description of a picture you are looking for.  It has similar functionality as “keyword” does to a search engine.  The slideshow is not a bad addition to this website either.  It is not only perfect for effortless browsing through a large collection of your photographs, but you can also enjoy effortlessly browsing through other’s collection of pictures.  In addition, since this website primary use is for sharing pictures to the wide world, all of the features cater to those who may want to try interesting and advance fun activities with their photographs.

 

By Andrew @

www.fb.com/lowther.andrew/photos_stream

beautiful image of the sunrise over the rocks: http://www.flickr.com/photos/60784165@N04/8460272671/in/explore-2013-02-10/

Thing #6, the Quizinator

The website that I initially chose was Quizinator (https://free.quizinator.com/). This application is an E-Learning tool used to create, store, and print worksheets, study sheets, exams and quizzes online.  In addition, it is designed specifically for teachers, instructors, and homeschoolers.  The brief “How-To-Tool” provides much assistance.  It gives you the confidence to maneuver the website without a feeling of loss or incompetence.  When creating summative assessments, the told gives you options of choosing to use multiple choice, true or false, short answer, and yes and no.  The Quizinator allows you to classify by test type and question difficulty, add imagery and pictures, and choose from the main variety of question types.  It appears to be useful for any grade level and beyond.  It is ideal for mathematics, science, and history; but, other subjects can find use within the formatting as well. Granted, this application is not ideal for in-depth essay questions or problems with multi-part answers; however, this application would serve a teacher perfectly for the majority of their examining. 

Given the fact that it is simple to navigate and that it gives you the ability to come up with a quiz with haste (if necessary), the use of this application will serve well among educators.  It allows you to store thousands of questions for future usage as well. And to top it all off, this fitting and useful application is free.

Thing #3

 There are many creative and productive ways to use a blog in a teacher education program. I imagine that I will utilize this piece of technology like my current teachers use the “Discussion Room” in D2L. I will urge students to post any concerns about particular assignments that they may have and encourage those who know the answer to respond so that all of the students of that class may see. In addition, I would post some practice math exercises and require all to answer to where I will receive their answers.

Thing # 2

This task was not as easy as I thought. I do not believe that I correctly added the avatar. I have no prior experiences with blog spots. I used to write in a journal booklet but that is the extent of my blogging experience, if you can consider that. I never titled the pages or certain events in my journal so determining a post name was a little more tedious than I would have liked as well.

However, I decided on a name based on the activity that I was engaged in. This activity was not particularly difficult except when I tried to equip the Doppelme avatar to the blog. I feel as if the instructions were not totally coherent with what the program was allowing me to do. However, I am sure that I was just in the wrong spot on a particular page. Still, I will consider this a particularly easy assignment. Deciding on the look of an avatar is not too challenging... unless you are awfully indecisive.

I was rather certain on my avatar. I knew I wanted him to portray what I may look or dress like as a teacher. The avatar does reflect my personality. I imagine that I will make a few surprised faces within my greener time of experience; not knowing exactly what to expect. I will dress professional, business-casual, or at least presentable on a daily basis. The avatar represents me as closely as possible given the features available.

Thing # 1

This is a great list of lifelong learning. The one that is easiest for me is definitely “play.” There is nothing challenging about playing and exploring the possibility. In addition, beginning a task with the end in mind is easy for me as well. I can easily visually lay down a plan step-by-step and contemplate where and how a ride will start and what will make for a successful ride. Unfortunately, in some cases, it is a bit difficult for me to accept responsibility for my own learning. Sometimes I may lack the drive or motivation to bark on an educational journey of my own without a guide or motivator. That leads to procrastination which can make it almost impossible to commence a quest to complete a task.