Thing #11 As explored by me...

This was indeed the hardest thing for me to stay focused on. It is ridiculous how distracting all of these updates can be. As I am typing this I have seven tabs open. SEVEN! Obviously this is not that difficult to understand and use if adequate time is given to it. I used the bloglines, and I chose it because it was the easiest to explore and use to find what I was looking for. Google Blog search was very effective in helping me find exactly the type of thing I was looking for by simply searching. Bloglines was probably the most confusing to search through, but it helped find things I would not think to search for already organized by categories, too. Through Google Blog Search, I tried to find blogs that I already follow to get a grip on using the search. I could find the vast majority of them! The most unusual one I found, title wise, was one I already follow. It is itsnotallflowersandsausages.blogspot.com and it is by far one of my favorites I have found. :)

Thing #10 As explored by me...

Finally! We have hit the double digits in the blogging world!

I have been introduced to the world of instant updates, and I like it! I follow so many blogs, and I am eternally grateful for this new tool. Google reader helps me keep up with everything as easily as having my twitter updates sent to my phone. My biggest crutch in my life electronic speaking, is the fact that I have to be connected. This tool has been fantastic at keeping me happy with all the updates I could ever want. I would love to be able to use this in my classroom one day. I would set up an account just for my class, and follow blogs that are written by other teachers for use in their classrooms, and also posting on my class's blog for other teachers to use as well. Hopefully, it will start a trend at least in the local schools to share information and ideas!

Thing #9 As explored by me...

I went to this website to create a sign. This sign represents the different forms slope can take. First, I went to the website, and chose to make a wooden sign smiley face. After I chose that, I thought about something that would come in handy in my classroom. Back when I was first learning about slope, I would get confused as to what it represented. This will hopefully help students to remember that slope can be described as many different things. It is extremely easy to use, and understand as long as the internet connection is working well! It does take a while if it is not. :)

Thing #8 As explored by me...

Flickr Mashup! REWARDS :)

Everyone loves to be rewarded! If I use this in my classroom I would take a picture of my students individually and not post them using anything permanent, but just upload them and delete them after I am done. Also, I would only do this with the written consent of their parents. There would be a spot in my classroom to showcase the students who have done something exceptional, and I would put their picture up.

Also, I would use this tool to create posters and seating charts as well. Thanks to Dr. Wall for that idea!

Thing #7 As explored by me...

Fun at School :)

This picture was taken my senior year of high school. I love that I can post one picture and everyone can see it, if I want them to. I am not sure if I will use tools like this in my classroom, but if I do it will be for promoting the good my students have done.

For example, I would take pictures of the different projects or assignments that were done by the students so that their parents and fellow students can see what they have accomplished. I would encourage them to create an account with the same host site as myself and then join a group that way there would be some control over who could see the pictures.

Students' pictures would not be on here for safety reasons, but I would use it as a positive resource I if did use it. As of right now, I don't see myself using this as a tool in my classroom, but it is a neat resource!

Thing #6 As explored by me...

Pandora!

Pandora is my salvation! Ok, I know that is extreme, but it is very important to me. As a commuter, I drive over fifty miles one way to school on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday I drive over fifty miles one way to work. I have the Pandora app on my phone, and simply plug it into my car. It is free version of satellite radio, and has excellent service. I can't wait to use it for rewards in my classroom if the students behave or do well on an assignment to get to listen their chosen station for the length of a song or two.

My favorite feature of Pandora is the pause button, and the dislike button. I could monitor what songs came on the stations by disliking them as they come up so it would not play on that station anymore.

Thing #5 As explored by me...

School 2.0

Web 2.0 is a fantastic tool that is being used by many educators today. Teachers 2.0 has proved to be a great resource for myself, and other teachers. For instance, through various technologies teachers can post entire lessons, or summaries online for students who have missed class recently. Also, teachers can now use Mobi boards to watch what is going on in the classroom while also having the technologies similar to the famed Smartboards. School 2.0 means that I can post lessons, and not worry about having to reteach a student without them being completely clueless before I start.

School 2.0 also helps keep students caught up on their work. The school where I want to teach uses Google Docs to keep up with a list of students who have excessive amounts of missing work. Every teacher has access to this list, and can help cut back on the amount of missing work by making sure students are doing what they are supposed to instead of going to recess or other activities. I am very excited to see what else schools will start using from this evolving technology.

Thing #4 As explored by me...

Commenting is important. I have been blogging since March of last year, and I know how it feels to think I am writing to myself. Don't get me wrong, it is nice to just write in order to relieve stress, but I do like to have responses. It is like a nice little surprise; it is almost as good as a perfectly brewed triple venti skinny hazelnut latte from my favorite coffee shop.

There are other reasons why commenting is important, but that is my absolute favorite! Another reason why it is important is it provides the blogger with feedback on how to blog better, or to provide feedback on what the topic the blogger wrote about. If every person wrote a comment on every blog they read, the blogging community would be a better place in the world. If one compliment or suggestion has the ability to change a person's day for the better, think of the effect that many comments could have on a blogger.

This semester I am going to try to follow and comment on the following blogger's blogs: Kala Burch, Molly Mitchell, Kayla Bearden, Taylor Plummer, and Terry Waggoner.