Activity 7-Google + Reflection

Google+ is an interesting place to be--it seems to have great capacity for personalizing and connection with others, both professionally and personally.  In addition to adding the D113 Learning 2.0 collegues, I added a number of friends and family to my circles.  I'm not sure how many of them do use Google+, but it was fun to see who had photos posted.  I looked around in the communities and joined a couple education ones (Google Apps for Educators is one) and some for my interests (Indian Food Bloggers and Great Books for Kids).  At first, it was a little hard for me to navigate around Google+, but the more I did it, the more intuitive it became (back to that principle of "play to learn"!).  I did not complete my hangout experience yet, but I watched a good portion of the recording of Maureen's "Giddy for Google" hangout, and it was really neat to see how this concept can bring together people virtually for a really healthy, interactive experience!  It was interesting to see too that even the pros have some technical difficulties (that were quickly ironed out); it gives me confidence to work through issues I might have with technology when I see others, even those who are experienced, do the same.  I am interested in trying a hangout and then seeing if I can use it, especially for connections with my family that does not live close by and always wants to see my kids!    

Activity #6 - Twitter Reflection

I am not sure a live tweet session would be something I'd be interested in.  I think it would be very hard to follow, and I'd rather be part of a full conversation than one via twitter; I think that even a chat room or a video chat would be more my speed.  However, I think it is an interesting concept, and I believe our students would really be into this type of communicating and collaborating.  I followed a wide range--from famous people who I think it would be fun to see what they say to news sources to entertainment news, to some of my friend who tweet.  It was neat to see who all has twitter feeds, I think it is very cool to get the news updates so quickly and concisely   I like the brevity of twitter for these quick updates!  I have not yet picked up any followers, we'll see if I do as I continue to explore.  I honestly don't think I have anything that interesting to say!  I liked the titter glossary; I now really do understand what someone says when they say "hashtag. . . "  That feels good!  

Activity #5-Google Chrome Reflection

Reflect on your experience using Google Chrome. What do you like/dislike right off the bat? Which apps or extensions did you explore? What additional apps or extensions did you install? After using Chrome for a few days, what are some words of advice you would share with your colleagues?

Google Chrome is a very intuitive browser.  I like the home screen; it is very clean and neat.  It also seems to run a bit faster than my Internet Explorer, so that is nice!  I explored Edmodo, Read and Write, and Google Dictionary.  Read and Write and Google Dictionary seem to have great potential for me to use with my students to help differentiate my instruction.  Edmodo is interesting  but to be honest I don't think that I will use it that much; I don't have the time to sift through what's there.  But, it could be good if I want to brainstorm and connect with other colleagues to get some ideas.  Some advice I would give other is give it a chance--use the browser for a few days and play around with it.  It might be hard to change, since many of us are used to explorer, but this browser has amazing potential and actually is very easy to use once you get the hang of it!

Activity #4 Reflection

This was useful for me; I was reminded of a couple of features I forgot about in Google Apps, and I learned some new features!  Some ideas I came up with for Google Apps include. . .

1. Using a Google Form for getting to know you. . .I usually have students fill out a paper copy of this form and save them in a binder, but if I make this process one that is done through Google Drive, then I can use it as a way for my students to familiarize themselves with their Google Drive and I can have this information saved electronically, saving space and paper.  I would put them all in one folder in my Google Drive.
2. Using Google Docs for creating assignments with my course team. . . As I mentioned in my sample Google Doc, I started doing this with Niki A. at the end of the year, but I want do this with the larger World History course team as well as with my other courses.  It is such a great way to share and collaborate on assignments with colleges, but then I can also share it (without editing privileges) with my students.  Then, they will always have a copy and I can update it in real time.  
3. Using Google Calendar for birthdays. . .This seems so obvious, but I have never thought to use an online calendar with reminders for the birthdays of friends and family.  What a great idea, and once I set it up I have it from year to year.  I'm excited about how this can keep me organized!

Activity #2 Post-Video Link

Here is my video link; it is entitled "A Vision of 21st Century Teachers"
http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=168119

Activity #2 Post--Thoughts about Web 2.0

Consider the ways in which Web 2.0 tools might change (or have already changed) your professional practice. How might you be able to use these new tools to to engage today's "digital learners?" Why would you want to? How might you be able to use these tools to support your own learning?

·        These videos and articles definitely made me start thinking about the skills I need to teach my students, as opposed to the content.  I certainly have always thought about my teaching in terms of content and skills, but the skills have focused on reading, writing, research, and speaking, all connected to improving thinking.  Now, I am find myself contemplating incorporating more technology or digital literacy or collaboration or Web 2.0 skills. The line in the first video that pointed out that we are preparing kids for jobs that don’t even exist yet really struck me!  I need to think not only about the content I am teaching, and what really matters from that, but also the skills I am teaching because I just don’t know what they will encounter.  I need to prepare them in a broader way—thinking about how to collaborate effectively (in person and online), how to co-author a piece fairly, how to interact online in an ethical way. . .

      I think that incorporating blogs or other online, interactive responses, perhaps using Google Docs, is a great way to engage digital learners.  Students could do formative and summative work via Google Docs and share it with me and others in the class in order to have them comment/give feedback.  I also like the idea of having students create review guides for tests in a collaborative, online way, and share it with me so I can comment and support their learning and review process too.  

      

      I have to remember that the Web can support my own learning; if I have a question I probably can find a place that will help me figure out that technology question online.  It should become part of my "toolbox" rather than more of a place of frustration.

Activity #1 Post

• Which habit(s) may be most challenging for you to employ as part of your D113 Learning 2.0 experience?
• I think that seeing problems as challenges will be challenging for me. As a couple people mentioned on the VoiceThread, I often get frustrated with technology or don't want to take the time to figure out a kink; I view it a problem that derails my lesson or learning rather than a problem that will teach me in the end. 
• Which habit(s) will be easiest, or are most resonant for you as a lifelong learner?
• I think that taking responsibility for my own learning will be the easiest for me.  I believe I naturally do this, and I try to model this for my students and own children as well, so I hope that I will do this well in this class, too!   
• Which habit do you think will be most important for you as you work through this course, and why?
• As I mentioned on the VoiceThread, I think that using technology to my advantage will be most important. I often don't want to change my teaching practice to incorporate new technology just because I am easily overwhelmed by it and I don't view problems I run into with it as challenges.  But, I think that Web 2.0 has some powerful, and very important, applications for my students, and it is my responsibility to teach them about it.  And, I think it could be fun too--they are more used to being "prosumers" than I am, so I think they will welcome this with open arms and teach me a few things!