The Thirteenth Thing!

     I enjoyed both Zoho and Google Docs.  However, I  have used Google Docs before so it seemed easier to me.   I had fun with this mind template...I was working on a power point for Huckleberry Finn so it was fresh on my mind.  I think the templates would be highly useful in the classroom.  They save a lot of time!  I think both Zoho and Google Docs would be easy for students to use.

Thing # 12

     I explored all the Google Tools but I chose the Calendar and the Alert tool.  These were extremely user friendly.  Hey, if I can do it anyone can!  I really liked the Google Calendar tool.  I had stumbled across this before so, I was familiar with it.  It was nice to get myself a bit more organized.  I am OCD so this is always so organization is never a bad thing for me! LOL! 
     The Alert tool was very user friendly as well.  Now, I will automatically get updates and see new discussions about teaching Literature in high school!  This feature will help me in my teaching career because it will keep me current on what intersts me and my students.  The Calendar tool will help me to stay organized for life!!!!!  The link below will help you set up your own calendar...
Print your calendar

Thing Eleven

     Okay.  I had a little trouble with this one but once I figured it out I was fine.  The easiest way to find feeds was to search Google Blog Search and just type in what I was looking for.  I found several education blogs that interested me.  I subscribed to 10 Must Read Classics of Great Literature, Still Learning, and Suite 101Middle/High School Articles.  Now those feeds are permanently reachable under my favorite feeds on my computer. 
     The whole process was intially confusing.  However, the Google Blog Search was the easiest and most user friendly, in my opinion.  I tried the other ways and did not like those as much.  I think these feeds will benefit me personally as well as in my career.  I chose feeds that will help me with teaching English, particularly literature.  I feel as if literature will be the funniest part of teaching English!

The Tenth Thing!

I really enjoyed this activity.  I was able to search a lot more blogs and I discovered some that related to my hobbies, my career choice, education needs, etc...I like that all my blogs are there together and I can keep up with the things that interest me a lot quicker and who does not need to make their life more convenient?!  I will use this throughout my life from now on because I have all my interests now at my fingertips!  As a teacher I can use this technology to keep up with the latest news concerning my profession.  I can also use it to get more ideas for my lesson plans and things of that nature.

The Ninth Thing!

http://www.signgenerator.org/ Well, I picked this comic strip picture because when I  was browsing the comic strips it made me laugh and then I knew what  I would do with it.  I hope it makes someone LOL!!!  It is exactly how I feel because I am having such a hard time finding the time to do all the "things" in my life right now!  I think I could use Text generators to make cute decorations for my classroom and notes to parents.  I think I could really have some fun with them in my personal life too.  I have already sent a few as e-cards!

The Eighth Thing!

     God Bless America this took me awhile to figure out!  I could not get the pic to my blog!  Well, finally it is done!  The eighth thing is done!  This is a picture of my flower bed from last summer!  It took a lot of work so I had to show it off plus it is nice to see some flowers after this long winter we have had! Now that I can sucessfully use this I can see that it would be really nice for my personal life as well as in the classroom.  I can make postcards and stuff.  I can also decorate my classroom with these and use some of the other apps to create handouts and assignments.   I don't know I'll have to get creative and try something!  I do not mind sharing photos online of this nature but I might not publish pictures of my kids...I don't know I am just a little wierded out by it...

The Seventh Thing!

     I had a great time searching this site!  I decided to search for Ireland pictures because I have always wanted to go there!  From everything I have seen and read it seems like it would be a beautiful place to visit.  This picture captures everything I love about Ireland.  It is a picture of the cliffs of Moher.  I have read so many books that take place in places like this...I just love it!  It even has a castle!  The picture was taken by sternenn8's photostream...Tell me what you think...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21588513@N08/2856264420/in/pool-98698640@N00/

The Sixth Thing!

      I chose Google docs for my assignment.  I was really amazed with all the fun features it had!  I especially liked all the different types of templates.  I found a template for making out progress reports, calendars, graphic organizers, blank vocabulary worksheets, and lesson plans.  As a future English teacher, I can see that the graphic organizers and the vocabulary worksheets would be especially helpful.  The graphic organizers are a fun way of tying in a lesson and helping students to see the point I am trying to make.  The vocabulary templates will be useful, as well.  They are templates with divided sections for the word, prefix,  suffix, root, defintion, and part of speech.  I could also use the template for progress reports, calendars, and lesson plans.  I could see all these applications being beneficial in the classroom.  I am also excited about using them for my personal use.
docs.google.com

The Fifth Thing

     Okay, if you have been reading my posts you may have realized one I am a non-traditional student and two I am not a tech wiz.  I am learning though.  My first thought about becoming an English teacher was "Whew, great I won't have to know a lot about computers!"  Well, that was before I went back to college and realized that there was really nothing so intimidating about technology.  I have even began to love it.  I could not live without internet, now.  Before, I really could have.  I could take it or leave it.  Really.  However, now I see how beneficial the web will be for me as a teacher and definitely as a college student.  I have found so many online resources to assist me in teaching English!  I cannot imagine how teachers ever taught without it!  Yet, I can still imagine that there are probably quite a few older teachers who will not welcome School 2.0...what do you think?
     School 2.0 means opening the classroom up to the world.  It allows students to actively learn and participate in important issues that affect their lives.  It allows students to connect and join online communities that give their voice power.  It also allows teachers to stay on top of the latest information and not wait on a text book that may be out of date by the time it actually hits the classroom.  It allows teachers to share ideas and information with other teachers, as well.  It also would be beneficial for snow days like we have been having so much of lately!  I am not sure that the kids or teachers really want that though...hey everyone needs a snow day every now and then!

The Fourth Thing

     Commenting on blogs is important because it connects people to eachother.  When you take the time to read someone's blog and are nice enough to comment it means something to that person.  It helps them to feel like their thoughts and ideas are valid and who does not need that?  I think we all need to feel validated.  In addition, it connects people who have similiar interests.  This creates a support system in a way for all the people involved.  So, the concept is great and I think it will be very beneficial for me as a college student and when I begin teaching, as well.
     The blogs I commented on where: School blogs, Nanniemary, apsu23stritzel, dillions blog, and Rocky Watters and Smooth Landings.  I commented on these blogs for a number of reasons.  I commented on School blogs because the girl who posts that blog is going to be an English teacher like myself.  I commented on Nanniemary because the creator of that blog seemed to be a non-traditional student like I am.  I commented on apsu23stritzel because she sits next to me in my Education 3040 class.  We seem to have  a lot in common and she is a great help to me in class because I am not the most tech savy person!  I commented on dillion's blog because he made a nice comment on my blog and that drew me to his blog where I found  a lot of interesting ideas about blogs and teaching.  I commented on Rocky Watters and Smooth Landings because she began following me first and I read her posts and was interested in a lot of what she had to say.  After I began following each of these blogs I realized  I had more in common with all these people than I thought I would.  It has been and continues to be a really interesting and enjoyable experience for me
     I also followed two other blogs.  The Reading Workshop blog and Miller's English 10 Classroom Blog.  I made comments on those blogs, as well.  Mostly just to show my support in what the people were doing.

The Third Thing!

     I really enjoyed creating my blog!  However, I have to admit the process intimidated me in the beginning.  My children have forgotten more than I will EVER know about technology!  Don't worry I didn't cheat and get their help I did it all by myself!  (But, I was awfully tempted! LOL!) 
     I am going to teach English and I was unsure at first what role technology would play in my future classroom.  But, now I can see the light!!!  I have already found a lot of websites that integrate technology with literature and grammar.  I can also see how important blogs could be to my students.  I think they would allow them to speak their minds easier and I feel that they would help me in numerous ways.  I could assess what they are learning, determine what objectives I need to focus on more, and well just have some fun!

The Second Thing!

My experience creating my blog and my avatar was fun.  I really enjoyed myself.  I decided to name my blog 23 Things because our assignment in my Education 3040 class was 23 Things.  My avatar really reflects my personality.  I am going to college to become an English teacher and I am a book worm!  Do I look the part?