NOT a THING

Creative Commons Poem

I am writing a poem

A poem for me

For your to see

Then I will make it mine

One step at a time

To not share it would be a crime

Creative Commons will provide the legal term

And I will provide the steps to learn

THING #12

     I chose explore Google Alerts and the Google Calendar.  Both were just as I expected.  The alerts were what I found most interesting.  I already have a calendar on both Outlook and my MAC, so spending much time there didn't seem like it would pay off much.  The alerts though, very cool.  I created an Alert to let me know when any blog is posted on the topic of Teaching History.  I didn't create any more, because I didn't want random topics flooding my email; however, I do intend to continue create alerts to help me keep track of useful topics as I come across them.  The alert I created generated the below link as soon as I created it.  Thanks. -Clint

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&gl=us&q=Teaching+History&lr=lang_en&tbm=blg

THING #11

     Starting out, I followed the feeds of persons associated with the Cool Cat Teacher Blog.  I found them to be very interesting, so I establish an RSS feed with four of them.  Then, when I found the Top Ranked Feeds on Edublog, I found three or four that looked interesting and started to follow them.  A lot of the blogs I found there were ones I had visited before as part of the 23 Things exercise. 

     Following links between bloggers, like those from Cool Cat Teachers was the easiest way I found to discover like-minds and relevant information.  Technorati publishes the Top 100 Blogs; however, not all were education centric.  Jumping from blog to blog from within “like-minded” bloggers seemed to me as the easiest way to build a “circle of wise”.  Thanks to the Cool Cat Teacher.

     Getting lost in a random search within the Top 100 list was a little time consuming and added a little frustration for me personally.  Sifting through a lot of “stuff” to find the golden nugget.  Most of what I concentrated on finding at were educational resources to enhance my college experience.  I’ve made a decision to dedicate some time daily to review some teachers’ posts in order to become well rounded.  As I find more time and more interests, I know my list to follow via RSS will lengthen.  I’m looking forward to refining it. 

     As far as, finding “unusual” blogs?  I hadn’t imagined all the information out there on Pop Culture.  You could fill your entire day reading up on the latest rehab admissions in Hollywood.  There is as much trash out there as there is valueable information.  More.  Seeing it all, reminded me that educators must be care about what we bring into our minds, and subsequently into the classroom.  “Circle of Wise”, great phrase.  I am going to create a good one.  Thanks -Clint

THING #10

 

    The RSS applications are a tremendous time saver for professionals or individuals who have multiple sites to check daily.  Sometimes, I dread the computer because there are so many places I have to visit.  I love the fact RSS can bring it all in for you.  Blogs, news, important media streams, even student assignments can all be delivered to one location.  I did subscribe to several sites in order to gain an appreciation for how well it works; however, I look forward to developing it into exactly what I need it to be.  This is one of those tools that becomes unreplacable once you have incorporated it into your lifestyle.  Thanks -Clint

THING #9

Wow!  Finally found one, easy to use.  Many of the links took me to applications that were very difficult to use.  Many were not at active site any longer.  This one, I really enjoyed.  "image chef".  Very easy to use and had many features useful in a classroom.  Signs, notes, labels, poetry creator, list generator and sign generators.  Lots of great tools, and free.  You do have to establish an account; however, like I said, it's FREE.  First, creation here is, a sticky note that could be use to remind your students of,...anything really.  Daily assignments for instance.

Secondly, I created a decorative poster for the classroom.  Students could also make these for their journals or book covers.

This poster was created with a learning principle in mind.  You could reference it when students collaborate and you want to highlight the fact that two students worked the solution better or quicker than those working only.

Personalizing the classroom can encourage students to take more ownership and accountability for personal areas.  The individuals name could be replaced with the Group or the Classes name.  "The Freedom Writers".  Might help develop an identify with being a learner, instead of less desirable qualities.

As a parent, I can see the advantages of using these tools for your children.  Around the house, placing named areas for backbags after school, or where to hang jackets.  Morning and evening routine lists are also helpful for after waking or prior to sleeping.  All these help with routine and structure.

Overall, I really enjoyed "image chef".  It was easy to use and full of lots of extras.  Thanks -Clint

THING #8 X 2 Beauties (My Favorite)

Adde and Ande, this one's for you.

     I have always enjoyed photography and the excitement that comes along with the experimentation of finding subjects, lighting, perspective,...the whole bit.  Digital images give us so much more flexibility.  The unlimited uses for them in the classroom are exciting to think about.  Everyone is responsive when viewing vivid images.  Putting students in the photos can add another dimension to the learning experience.

     I have to admit, I was a little apprehensive about placing photos on-line, but they were taking up so much space on my computer.  I had to do something.  Enter, Stage Right, Flickr.  I love it.  Submitting these photos of my girls was so much fun.  Makes me realize, I haven’t taken the time I should to remember how wonderful they have been.  Nothing like looking at your favorite photos.  These are certainly worth more than gold.  For you, they are FREE.  You're welcome.  Enjoy!  - Clint  
P.S.  My Girls love Rainbow's. So, do I. 

THING #7

I’ve always been interested in photography and as the Intel representative in the Seal Teams I was the photographer for my platoon.  I never received any formal training; however, on the ship we had a small area we turned into a dark room.  The cameras we used were 35mm black and white and for the first time I discovered the enjoyment and creative nature of photographs and developing them.  So, exploring these applications are just as exciting.

I had fun with Flickr.  I already had an account; however, I hadn’t used it in months and it had been deactivated.  I’ve always enjoyed photography and found it difficult to maintain a library large enough for all my favorite photos.  After reestablishing the connection with Flickr, I tried to upload all of the photos on my phone.  However, I had so many, Flickr stopped me at 300MB.  That is their monthly limit upload for the free account.  I also discovered my brother living in Singapore has a Flickr account.  After establishing my account, I went and looked at all of his photos.

As for using Flickr in the classroom, I guess the old cliché is applicable; “a picture is worth 1000 words.”  If a teacher were to spend some time collecting useful imagery, I’m sure the students wouldn’t mind a break from the standard lecture on a chalkboard.  Being that children often learn best visually, this could be a good medium to create discussion.  Through the use of photos, it is possible to take the students on a cultural journey without ever leaving the classroom.  Especially important for lower socioeconomic students, who may have never been outside their hometown. 

Oh yeah, the picture above.  That is my famous "Applewood and Coffee Smoked Chicken."  It is delicious!

THING #6 (Discovering Web 2.0)

The site I explored was titled “Game Classroom”.  It is a free site that appears to have collected many different Web 2.0 applications in one place.  The games are generally designed for kindergarten to sixth grade.  As I explored the games, even though the skills required were elementary, the gaming aspects were very entertaining.  In retrospect, if these games would have been made available to me in kindergarten, I think I would have viewed them as a recreational break from the classroom academics.  Certainly with younger children, I could see the value in using these as breaks from traditional classroom methods.  All the while, circumventing the student’s normal apprehension in accomplishing continuous academic effort.  These games certainly feel more like recreation than they do an academic pursuit. 

Academically, the features offered through this site included math, writing, reading, language arts, and multiple resources for teachers/parents to use while assessing children or students.

So, I thought, why replace the inherent rewards for learning with recreational rewards.  Don’t children understand and feel a sense of accomplishment and self-enlightenment as they learn?  And, it occurred to me that at these young ages children may not. So, these games can help young learners develop an external sensory reward associated with gaming, and then associate that enjoyment with the inherent personal satisfaction of the learning itself.  These games are very good at allowing children to develop a sense of “enjoyment” while they learn.  As they get older and acquire better abstract and complex cognitive abilities, the children will naturally substitute that early development of sensory enjoyment with a deep internal satisfaction that comes from learning.  I love these games and have already taught my twin 6-year-olds to enjoy them.  Thanks for Reading! -Clint

Link to the site: Below

http://www.gameclassroom.com/