While visting Zoho Writer, I was shocked to import a Microsoft Word document with no issue. The document came on to the screen just as if I were using Word. Word, software that starts at $69 if you get it at discount, can be mirrored by a free website. Unbelievable. There are tabs along the top as you open or create new documents. There is a file menu similar to that found in Word. There are differences, naturally, as well. There is an insert tab, and you can insert equations into the document. You can enter quotations. You can switch to the view tab and view a document as full page, or as normal view, etc. You can even get an html link to your document! The benefit to this website is obvious. For the students that don't have access to Microsoft, here's a free, easy-to-use replacement.
I then played on Google Docs. Docs not only has a version of Word, but of other Microsoft-like products as well. They are relatively easy to use if one has prior knowledge of Microsoft products. Here's a link of a random spreadsheet I made: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc? key=0AvfvT_Ro_88VdE41bms5NWZRcnFUa3M1WnhkRFpJekE&hl=en_US
Both of these websites can be shared with students so that they can function on a computer that doesn't have Microsoft. They may even be better than using old versions of Microsoft. I'd venture to say they are, as they are way more up to date than say, Excel or Word 03. I had no clue products like this existed. Now I can tell my friends about these sites instead of purchasing generic Word products at a store. Free is better than paying for generic is something is needed but Windows is unavailable.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Thing 12 - The Google
I titled this "The Google" because this is comically what Google is referred to in social circles since it is the go-to place for anything internet. I decided to look into Google Calendar as I love to keep myself organized, and I'm hoping to look into sharing my Google Calendar with friends and visitors. I began putting in basic information, and was immediately blown away! I am already in love with Google Calendar, and this is why: ease of use. I lined up today's schedule for myself: class at 8 am, class at 10 am, work at 11 am. Then I unchecked personal reminders, as I know daily where I need to be currently, however now my friends can see where I am at a given time (once I know how to share this information). However with each event I was able to set a repeat function, and this is where Calendar really got cool. Not only could I set a repeat function for, say Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, but I could place an end date as the end of the semester. So after the end date I am free to put new data without having to delete any old information! Some events are daily, some are every other day, and different events may or may not be repetitive. This would also be fabulous for yearly reminders, just as my rememberthemilk.com calendar is. A calendar such as this would specifically help in the educational atmosphere, as it would allow for public viewing, aka coworkers and students, and students families, so that there is an understanding of when an open house is, or when a project is due, or when you may be at school late. Google Calendar is a super tool for organization, and reminders can be sent to email, which in this day and age means immediate alert via a cellular phone. All around, Google Calendar would be excellent for a teacher. Here's my link: https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=aaronandsteph10%40gmail.com&ctz=America/Chicago
I also played around with Picasa. I was unaware that Google had a photo site. It was interesting because my photos from different sites automatically were already there! Even my new blogger photo was there. Then I learned how to link to the photo directly, so I can send someone a link to a photo of mine without having to give them access to a social site! I think that's neat. Picasa would be great for a teacher since they would already have that google account because of their awesome calendar I mentioned above, so they can pull up photos, or download photos, and they can e-mail parents a link to pictures from the classroom! I think that's just the neatest thing. Here's a link to a random photo of me that Google had saved from a year ago: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wa4-52p95AlmhStQurKEPQ?feat=directlink
I just continue to love "The Google."
I also played around with Picasa. I was unaware that Google had a photo site. It was interesting because my photos from different sites automatically were already there! Even my new blogger photo was there. Then I learned how to link to the photo directly, so I can send someone a link to a photo of mine without having to give them access to a social site! I think that's neat. Picasa would be great for a teacher since they would already have that google account because of their awesome calendar I mentioned above, so they can pull up photos, or download photos, and they can e-mail parents a link to pictures from the classroom! I think that's just the neatest thing. Here's a link to a random photo of me that Google had saved from a year ago: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wa4-52p95AlmhStQurKEPQ?feat=directlink
I just continue to love "The Google."
Thing 11 - Finding Good Feeds
With my RSS reader on google already having 5 relevant subcriptions, I am on the hunt to learn more about seeking RSS feeds. Some recommended by 23 things were where I started. Hands down, Google Blog Search was the simplest to use as far as finding blogs by keyword, and entering into those blogs to use the option to follow them. However I found their blog choices by my keywords necessary to be lacking. So I moved on to Topix.net where I was easily able to find science links, and from there it easily walked me through saving new websites (and what I specifically wanted from them) into my Google Reader. The most difficult for me to use or understand was syndic8.com. It was an advanced RSS finder that would be more helpful when I have more experience of RSS feeders. I found a great science feed from Science News, and chose to only follow their articles in hopes it doesn't consume my Reader feed. When using Google Blog I had found a neat older blog from an astronaut which was fun to read, but I couldn't find a way to follow it. I have discovered that simply Googling "RSS feeds" gives lots of websites with information on understanding RSS feeds and how to use them. I plan to look into this more, as I understand the idea and the benefit of them, but am still a little confused on how to follow them via different websites.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Thing 10: RSS Reader and Add Feeds
I initially went to Google Reader only to find that I already somehow had an account going. In this account I was already following two blogs. The two blogs I am following on Google Reader are two of my classmates in Educational Technology, and their blogs were viewable to me immediately. I subscribed to three additional sources to achieve my goal of 5 subscriptions. The three subscriptions I chose to follow were: Dangerously Irrelevant (because the name was interesting, and Dr. Wall recommended it specifically), The Leaf Chronicle (to keep up to date on local happening news and events, and CMCSS (Clarksville Montgomery County School System). I was surprised to find that I could follow the newspaper and our local school system.
I like that RSS brings my interests to me all at once instead of having to google and locate different topics in different areas. I'm looking forward to taking advantage of the newsreaders, as I'm already somewhat familiar with following the Leaf Chronicle on Facebook, so I'm hoping it's a similar idea.
This technology is a great way to quickly keep up to date on things important to me, my life, or my job. It may assist my classroom if it saves me time to focus on other things for my students.
Teachers can use Reader for following a certain subject that may be necessary for their class, or what they are teaching at that time. It also again may save them time in other areas so that they can put more time towards other projects. Time for teachers is very important.
I still really enjoy the feel of internet searching, especially when it comes to random searches or discovering new things, so I don't know if I would fully rely on Reader, but it's a neat new internet tool I may find a reason to use.
I like that RSS brings my interests to me all at once instead of having to google and locate different topics in different areas. I'm looking forward to taking advantage of the newsreaders, as I'm already somewhat familiar with following the Leaf Chronicle on Facebook, so I'm hoping it's a similar idea.
This technology is a great way to quickly keep up to date on things important to me, my life, or my job. It may assist my classroom if it saves me time to focus on other things for my students.
Teachers can use Reader for following a certain subject that may be necessary for their class, or what they are teaching at that time. It also again may save them time in other areas so that they can put more time towards other projects. Time for teachers is very important.
I still really enjoy the feel of internet searching, especially when it comes to random searches or discovering new things, so I don't know if I would fully rely on Reader, but it's a neat new internet tool I may find a reason to use.
Thing 9: Online Image Generator
This is a super-fun website! It was incredibly easy to make this fake article, and children would love something like this. It's something like their parents read, but fun and easy to read for them. The website also has other items to generate. I wrote this story myself.
Thing 8: Flickr Mashups
You can see Thing 8 on my wall below my avatar. You can also follow this link: http://imapflickr.com/1ddc51
It took many not-so-great apps to find this app, and it's not only easy, but perfect for a classroom. Start by uploading pictures to Flickr. Next, map out your pictures on Flickr through the "organize and create" link. Map out your photos, then use the iMapFlickr app to map out your photos. This would be a neat way to show children neat landmarks and where they are located in the world, or even in their area. The idea is very neat, however people should always remember to pay mind to what photos they put on the internet, as others will see them if there's a way.
It took many not-so-great apps to find this app, and it's not only easy, but perfect for a classroom. Start by uploading pictures to Flickr. Next, map out your pictures on Flickr through the "organize and create" link. Map out your photos, then use the iMapFlickr app to map out your photos. This would be a neat way to show children neat landmarks and where they are located in the world, or even in their area. The idea is very neat, however people should always remember to pay mind to what photos they put on the internet, as others will see them if there's a way.
Thing 7: Explore Flickr
I've had very little experience on Flickr before today, and it was a little different to use than say, Facebook photo adding, editing, and tagging. I was able to upload easily however, and I was able to tag "apsu23things." I'm not sure how I feel about my photos being public. These photos are not super personal, so other than negative comments I don't know that I would be too concerned about sharing these photos, but in the future I would probably make my personal photos private. Flickr could be used for a classroom, as it's so easy to upload and share to blogs. I would like more practice with it, as again it's different than anything I've used before. This was a fun project.
Thing 6: Discovering Web 2.0 Tools
As I discovered in Thing 5, Web 2.0 is different from 1.0 in that it is easy for us to not just read what's online, but also to blog, network, make webpages, etc. A 2.0 tool I chose to check out was:
http://www.rememberthemilk.com/
Upon first glance, this website appears archaic in it's simplicity, however upon playing with this website I immediately took a liking to what it could let me do, and how it could help me. This website is specifically great for organization. Not only is it a basic organizer, but one can organize in categories, or view all events in one area. The areas are easily bookmarked by tabs. I was immediately sold when I put in a yearly event, and was given the option of having a yearly reminder! This by itself helps with annual events (birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc) that otherwise people tend to forget.
Another great aspect of rememberthemilk.com is the inbox tab. On this website you can choose contacts, and you can send, or "share" events or reminders with them via their inbox, and they can do the same to you!
The best part of this website is that it's iPhone app friendly. Not only can you keep organized reminders, and not only can you be reminded annually, and not only can a contact inform you of a cookout next Friday, or not to forget an important meeting, but this is all accessible via smartphones. This app could be incredibly helpful in a classroom. A teacher could have her students join as her contacts and they could even correspond to events or due projects in this fashion. I've never even heard of this website, but it will be an app on my iPhone when I've completed my 23 things.
http://www.rememberthemilk.com/
Upon first glance, this website appears archaic in it's simplicity, however upon playing with this website I immediately took a liking to what it could let me do, and how it could help me. This website is specifically great for organization. Not only is it a basic organizer, but one can organize in categories, or view all events in one area. The areas are easily bookmarked by tabs. I was immediately sold when I put in a yearly event, and was given the option of having a yearly reminder! This by itself helps with annual events (birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc) that otherwise people tend to forget.
Another great aspect of rememberthemilk.com is the inbox tab. On this website you can choose contacts, and you can send, or "share" events or reminders with them via their inbox, and they can do the same to you!
The best part of this website is that it's iPhone app friendly. Not only can you keep organized reminders, and not only can you be reminded annually, and not only can a contact inform you of a cookout next Friday, or not to forget an important meeting, but this is all accessible via smartphones. This app could be incredibly helpful in a classroom. A teacher could have her students join as her contacts and they could even correspond to events or due projects in this fashion. I've never even heard of this website, but it will be an app on my iPhone when I've completed my 23 things.
Thing 5: School 2.0
According to Susan McLester at techlearning.com, as many as 55% of children 12 to 17 years old use social networking for anything from school-related to simple social-related searches. Personally, I believe 55% is a low estimate. The reality is the age of technology is here, and it's expanding and offering more to educators and students by the day. What is school 2.0? First understand, according to the Atomic Learning video, the internet was first web 1.0. This meant the internet was accessible to read, but not to do much else. This was also the internet of the prior millenium. Web 2.0 is fast, easy, and cheap. Not only is there much to read and find, but it's simple to build webpages, write blogs, and have social networks. School 2.0 takes advantage of this accessiblity to aid educators and students in the classroom. What are the benefits to school 2.0? David Jakes of techlearning.com defines these benefits as "individual, continual, and highly customized experiences" "connecting individuals to form a community of learners" and "all contribute and collaborate in what amounts to a global discussion of ideas." Some keywords here would be "continual," as the internet offers social networking and information at any time of the day or night, Monday through Sunday, "connecting" "community" and "global," as in world wide web, literally.
The future is here, and it's fast. At this point it is imperative for educators to keep up with technology for the child to gain the best access to knowledge available, throughout the world from many different sources. We must keep up with our technology, so that our children keep up with the world. That is school 2.0 to me.
The future is here, and it's fast. At this point it is imperative for educators to keep up with technology for the child to gain the best access to knowledge available, throughout the world from many different sources. We must keep up with our technology, so that our children keep up with the world. That is school 2.0 to me.
Thing 4
Commenting is necessary to help a blog grow and thrive. Also, commenting is a way to share thoughts with those who are discussing topics either of interest to you or areas that you may be able to assist in enhancing a blog with your own insight.
I chose to comment on five recent Things that were of importance to me, or that I felt I had a weighted opinion on.
First, my classmate Amy Mills Thing 21 on Animoto because she and I both agreed on how super of an exercise this was. If a teacher made one of these for one of my daughter's classes and emailed it out say, after a holiday party at the school, I would be ecstatic. What fun.
I commented on Adriana Tate's Thing 18 on Twitter because I have personal feelings on the social networking discussion in Things. Personally, as I mentioned in the comment, Dr. Wall needs to integrate Google+ into this Thing. Google+ may well be the social network king of tomorrow, and frankly from what little I've learned of it thus far (I've had a hard time ditching Facebook simply out of habit), it is very handy about different circles of friends and who can see what post. This would be excellent for someone who has professionals, friends, and family on one "friend list.
I commented on Hannah Shearer's "Is It The End Or Just The Beginning," because I agreed with what she had to say. Some of the assignments were relatively time consuming and redundant, and I would love to see this project condensed down, if for no other reason that to truly appreciate and remember more of the assigned online tasks.
I agreed on Hannah Shingler's comment on Thing 22, LiveBinder, because I agreed with her that it was just too much work for what was involved. However I continued to say that I do see the importance of having something like this for children. Like a webquest, it controls what websites they are going to (assuming they stay on the websites that are put into the folders and subfolders), so it's certainly important to have, just a timely process to create.
Last, I commented on Emily Henson's Thing 20. Emily's an outstanding student and I wanted to check out how her blog was going since last I viewed it. Her YouTube video was too fun, and touched on two things kids love, cute animals and music, that was turned into an educational rap tune. YouTube is incredible. Keep YouTube on this 23 things. It's an essential tool for life, not just teachers.
I chose to comment on five recent Things that were of importance to me, or that I felt I had a weighted opinion on.
First, my classmate Amy Mills Thing 21 on Animoto because she and I both agreed on how super of an exercise this was. If a teacher made one of these for one of my daughter's classes and emailed it out say, after a holiday party at the school, I would be ecstatic. What fun.
I commented on Adriana Tate's Thing 18 on Twitter because I have personal feelings on the social networking discussion in Things. Personally, as I mentioned in the comment, Dr. Wall needs to integrate Google+ into this Thing. Google+ may well be the social network king of tomorrow, and frankly from what little I've learned of it thus far (I've had a hard time ditching Facebook simply out of habit), it is very handy about different circles of friends and who can see what post. This would be excellent for someone who has professionals, friends, and family on one "friend list.
I commented on Hannah Shearer's "Is It The End Or Just The Beginning," because I agreed with what she had to say. Some of the assignments were relatively time consuming and redundant, and I would love to see this project condensed down, if for no other reason that to truly appreciate and remember more of the assigned online tasks.
I agreed on Hannah Shingler's comment on Thing 22, LiveBinder, because I agreed with her that it was just too much work for what was involved. However I continued to say that I do see the importance of having something like this for children. Like a webquest, it controls what websites they are going to (assuming they stay on the websites that are put into the folders and subfolders), so it's certainly important to have, just a timely process to create.
Last, I commented on Emily Henson's Thing 20. Emily's an outstanding student and I wanted to check out how her blog was going since last I viewed it. Her YouTube video was too fun, and touched on two things kids love, cute animals and music, that was turned into an educational rap tune. YouTube is incredible. Keep YouTube on this 23 things. It's an essential tool for life, not just teachers.
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