Summary (Thing 24)

"Red Rover Red Rover Send Becky, Johnny, Jan, Sue, Larry, Bobby the Bus Driver, Phyllis's cat with one eye, Sam, Molly, Minny, Marvin the Martian....oh yeah...and Amanda"

Pity, I never broke the chain; I always ran the 13 minute mile...even after cutting through the football field...on a BIKE! Well, maybe not, but organized sports were never my thing. Organized anything was never my thing. I am too laid back for fierce competition. I hate heat, and I want to marry the air-conditioner inventor (zombie corpse and all), and I just don't get the "we" thing associated with sports.
Some of this probably has to do with the fact that I LOVE solitude. I love it more than air conditioning. When I was a kid, I remember being so anxious to go home...and sit...and watch t.v.....but not really watch it, just have it's noisy company in the background...and just sit and think. I could sit for days because this mind of mine never stops. It's like toddlers on Twinkies or something "spinning, fast, random and loopy"...ooh, like the Tea-Cups at Disney World. Except this ride has a malfunction and the gear is stuck in warp speed.

Why am I writing this? (sigh) I don't know. Procrastination. Fears. Insomnia....AND

It's this fruit fly gnat that keeps buzzing by my ear, and with each pass he whispers "pst."....(buzz buzz buzz)...."PpSStTT"...(buzz buzz)..."Puurrr" (oops, he turned into a cat dressed like a fruit fly, suspended in air by a theatrical harness). Anyways..."pur puuurrr PURPOSE. WHERE'S YOUR PURPOSE?!"

I have been looping around for days now,   dwelling on this cat/fly/question that just won't go away. But, even as I type, I can see my  "cat in a fly costume" spinning around. Ope, his tail just got tangled in the rope. He has a fat belly, andhe  reminds me of the yellow fat cat from An American Tale. Yep, poor thing, he's still stuck. I just walked by and pushed him.

I do that with everything though. If you could push your way into my head (without the whole death aspect and all), you would be able to see all of these thoughts spinning in circles. Water molecules in a pot of boiling water. You could probably reach out an grab a thought.

Explaining this can be a lengthy process. It often involves minutes of confusing 1/2 sentences;then a finale of napkin sketches and "junk-mail envelope" artwork...to illustrate my point.

The more I read, the more I understand about this right-sided brain of mine...and my visual spatial self. It is complicated though. I got a 3/15 on an assignment for another class...not because I didn't understand, but because I don't think that she understood me. Perhaps I should have used a mind map, photo mashup, or web-based software application (yeah, I used some hip lingo there)...and now I am laughing at myself for using the phrase "hip lingo."

Okay, so what is my point? Well, I know that my random visual mind is not the only one in the world. I know that there are students in classrooms right now who are getting 3/15's because their thoughts are lost in translation. Things 1-23 explore Web 2.0 tools that can assist these students, ways inwhich all people (students, educators, professionals, and even the social network lurker) can benefit from its use.

I don't think this is long enough. My insatiable need to procrastinate is fueling my fingers to type type type, instead of finish my other assignments.

Addictive. Assistive. Awesome. and Always evolving. That's Amanda. (oops) I mean, that's Web 2.0.

Thing 23

Thing 23: Creative Commons
Well, sort of. I can't find that icon to save my life...but here's a chunk of what I did find :)  The Twenty-three things is in part  based on the website 43 Things.

It is important for educators, students and the public to understand copyright. Creative Commons makes sharing material and resources easier than standard copyright. Creative commons allows a creator to choose how he/she would like their work to be applied and used by others.

Thing 22

Topic: Podcasts

Library : Libraries to the Rescue

NGA Podcasts

The National Gallery of Art has very useful podcasts for art educators. These would be useful as an introduction to a lesson or for students to review material.

Another site of note is Sketchcast. I discovered it by accident. It allows you to add a voice recording to an online drawing. It is very addictive!

Thing Twenty: YouTube

Well, despite being handed a huge heaping helping of hidden curriculum the past few weeks, I am here. Obsessively overusing amazing alliteration in attempts to alleviate anxiety...but here nonetheless.

Alright, now that I've somewhat gotten myself to focus, oh, wait, just lost it...(staring at the screen, tapping my index fingers on the keyboard with major attitude...minutes...focus...eh, let's talk about You Tube. Not my original intent, but this video will make me smile. Let's watch it together, shall we?



I've had that one saved for a while. It makes me happy. Well, not happy...that's not quite the right word. It makes me calm. One might even say calm, cool, and collected...minus the cool part. As I was highlighting the words to italicize them, I hovered over each one, wanting to replace them with words more telling, more accurate...but I didn't. I don't know if they exist. For all the good and all the bad, all the certain and uncertain, insightful and shallow...for all of the ways that life makes us feel, sometimes words are not enough. For myself, I use art as my second voice; I use it as a way to reflect something in me that a mirror cannot.

Once I'm actually in a classroom, my job will consist of showing students the technical aspect of creating that mirror, how to look at it, what to do with it once they do, and how to voice its meaning to the rest of the world (if they so choose).  I am not, nor will I ever pretend to be a master of all trades.  I think using instructional videos in the classroom would help students grasp disciplines that fall within my weaker skill-set.  I, not so secretly, love the idea of learning with my students. I think that there is a lot of value in that practice. Perhaps I'll address that in a later post.

With adequate previewing and screening of videos prior to use in the classroom, I think that resources like this are very beneficial. Below I have listed some links for quick reference.

TeacherTube
YouTube
K-12 Education on YouTube

Top 22 Sites Similar To YouTube from iSoftwareReviews

Thing 21

Topic: Animoto

Be careful of what you wish for. It just might come true. Animoto allows you to create short or full length movies with pictures or video clips. You can add music as well. Discouraged because I have been slacking in the "Mom photography" department, I silently wished to myself "I really just wish I had something interesting to make this video clip with."

Little did I know, my wish would soon be granted....and BOY WAS IT GRANTED! Take a look at my video I created using Animoto.

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Now, not everyone will have the joy of having their living room redecorated with baby powder. Even so, there are many instances that would warrant the use of Animoto, especially in the classroom. Other than for personal uses, Animoto could be used in the classroom to showcase student artwork or projects. Individuals or groups of work could be displayed.

Students could make videos of examples of a particular style of art or artistic period. Teachers could use it as a way to assess student learning. For example, if the assignment was to "make a video with 10 examples of Renaissance Art" and a student includes pictures of contemporary art or Egyptian pyramids...then teachers would know that specific areas of concern need to be addressed.

It was pretty interesting making the video. The events that led up to it however...not so great. Memorable and entertaining...but not great. (I had just had the carpets cleaned 2 days ago!)

Thing 19

Topic: other social networking sites

Thing 18

Thing 18: social networking sites

I have had both a Myspace and Facebook account. Of the two, Facebook (or as some would say, "FB") is my preferred social networking site...but only because that's where my friends are. If they were on a different site,  I would probably use that instead. I don't have many "friends," but it is because I'm somewhat of a FB snob. I use it to keep in touch with a handful of people.

I understand the positive and negative implications of using a social networking site, and while I can censor my own actions, I cannot do the same for others. This is important to remember...especially if you are the person with 800 "friends." In conservative or professional fields, as that of education, it is essential to be aware of elements such as these, as they can have an impact on employment.

There are many other websites educators can use to communicate with parents and students. I would explore other options before using Facebook for school purposes.

I created a Facebook badge that is on my blog page. You can view it from there, or you can click HERE.

Thing 17

Topic: Discover delicious

I don't really know why this was so hard for me to complete! For weeks I've been looking at "Thing 17: not yet completed"...the title I used to save this spot in my list of blogs (so Things 1-23 could remain in chronological order). Each time I logged in, I would just stare at it, silently sigh, all with an Elvis lip and scrunched up nose. This 3 Step process seems to be the universal "Amanda"s disapproval-hesitation-procrastination/ugh-I-don't-want-to-do-this-ONE!" expression.

"Bookmark on Delicious" buttons are the new end punctuation mark for sentences, so it seems. In all actuality, I think the pop up window that displays all 5 trillion feeds/bookmarks/save-this/link/email/download/print options had given Mr. Period Question Mark the boot a long time ago. I just didn't know what those little buttons were all about.

So, what is Delicious all about anyways? The short version is that it is a way for you to remember (bookmark) and share your favorite webpages with others. Hence, the descriptor of social bookmarking.

Delicious would be great...if I didn't already have 5 other tools just like it. I use Stumble Upon, Zotero, some I have saved in a folder on my toolbar, some I have in an email folder, some are on my USB drive, some are stored in the North Pole. The point is...I have stuff bookmarked EVERYWHERE. To make matters more complicated, I have not perfected the art of tagging...so categories are not sorted efficiently. Too much of a good thing isn't a good thing; it's overwhelming!

I did learn some new terms, and I have provided links to them.

Linkroll
Tagroll

Social bookmarking sites are like super-sized value meals or funnel cake: Once in a while isn't going to be too bad....every five minutes, though, is a little too excessive and bad for your health.

10 Minute Mail

10 minute mail is AMAZING! For all those sites that you want to try but don't want to join...this website gives you a 10 minute email account. It's great for "confirming" emails.

Don't use this if you are going to need access to this email address later. It's only valid for 10 min (although it does give you the option for more time). So, what I did was use the address that they provided to create and conirm my account. THEN, I made sure I did all editing that I had to do. So, for my facebook page, I edited all of my profile info BEFORE I LOGGED OUT. This fulfilled my requirements; I can view (as a guest) but I can not make changes to the profile account.

Granted, this won't be useful for everything...but it definately helps.

Thing 16

Topic: Letter 1

Dear Zamzar,

I thought you would have called me before tonight. Seriously, how long does it take to send a quick little text, email, mail carrier on horseback, or message in a bottle? Apparently not as long as it takes you to find me. So many problems could have been avoided if I had your file converter...which WORKS, by the way...with EASE and beautiful SIMPLICITY.....but no! You had to hide from me and make me wonder where your were for MONTHS!

So, I'm letting you know that from this point forward...we are through! Don't try to make up in the morning. Don't send 5 dozen roses that create puncture wounds when you try to take them out of the 10 lbs of government-issued bulletproof cellophane wrap. Don't call me your girl...it's OVER! I'm downloading my OWN file converter.

Not yours truly,
Amanda

P.S. You can keep your online Calendar, your online Post-its, your new iGoogle homepage, and all of your other stuff you left on the steps for me to trip over. It's cluttering up my computer screen and I prefer to write these things down anyways.

............................................................
Topic: Letter 2

Dear Zamzar,

We both said some things we didn't mean. I actually really like roses, but not as much as I LOVE you. I tried the 13 Day Free Trial Download-able Converter...and it didn't compare to you! You're online. You're accessible from ANYWHERE. You're free and only take 4 steps. You're the love of my life. Let's give it another shot, shall we?

Smooches,
Amanda

P.S. I meant what I said about the homepage stuff though.

Not a thing, but a lingering thought

Topic: Job-hunt/Where are the Art Standards listed?/ Where is the category for Art under teacher description and subject/Where is my voice??? <-- that last one was thrown in there to highlight my 2-week old sore throat and voice loss

I have been very discouraged lately. I find myself constantly having to validate my content area to others. That doesn't bother me so much as the fact that I am beginning to have to give myself mirror-based pep talks...to convince myself. Worry causes doubt; doubt causes fear; and fear causes you to panic about your Bentley-sized student loan debt...not to mention the whole hopes and dreams and aspirations thing. But you know...who really wants to do what they love anyways, right?

Newsflash: ME!

That being said, I am terrified that there will not be a place for me within a school simply because visual art is seen as a disposable subject. Not even a subject in the eyes of most. Something extra. Something non necessary. Something of lesser value than math, science, language arts, or history. I think study hall or bathroom breaks are seen as superior events than that of art class (and music, drama, or dance for that matter). It breaks my heart.

Rant complete. Now, a few words from our sponsors (not really, but I liked what they said).

"Institutions... assign us ranks and place considerable pressure on us to fulfill our defined roles. We need something to help us restore our lost or distorted humanity. Each of us has suppressed feelings that have built up, a voiceless cry in the depths of our souls, waiting for expression. Art, both in practice and appreciation, gives those feelings voice and form." --Daisaku Ikeda from The Way of Youth

"The sound of the sea, the curve of a horizon, wind in leaves, the cry of a bird leave manifold impression in us. And suddenly, without our wishing it at all, one of these memories spills from us and finds expression in musical language... I want to sing my interior landscape with the simple artlessness of a child." -- Claude Debussy

Thing 15 (incomplete)

Topic: Wikis

To Do: copy/paste my best curriculum idea from 23 things posts into APSU 23 Things Sandbox Wiki.

Once I decide on what I want to post to the site, I will comment about what, why, and so forth.


Art Tutorials Wiki is one that I will actually reference for class assignments. There are great tutorials for various aspects of visual art instruction.

Failure Anxiety...to the MAX

I just realized that I am that person that balls hysterically when they fail at schoolwork. I was never the athletic kid, never the prom queen, never popular, never the best, never the worst. I was always average by default. Somehow, though, I always managed to do better than average. Granted, what took most classmates 30 minutes to do always took me 3 days...but I always completed it; always succeeded; and was always proud.

Today is not one of those days. Today, I defaulted back to average. Actually, it was below average. 33 minutes. My face has looked like Niagra Falls for 33..make that 34 mintues now. I had forgotten that I was that kid...and that a part of me still is that kid...the one that dwells on a B- for days...the one that gets sick at her stomach at the sight of a C...and the one that never lets herself forget the disappointment of a D.

Maybe if I would have called the repair guy sooner. Maybe if I would have emailed the files, double checked this, buckled down on that. Maybe if I could have made it to the missed class, I would have known how to do this, do that, and the other. Some of tonight was not my fault. I'm not upset about that. It's the part that genuinely was a lack of ...something...a lack of effort? time? ability? drive? Something. It's the part that I could have done better that makes me want to waller in self-loathing. (nope, not a typo...I said waller..like a pig in mud).

I guess there are just some things that we never outgrow...no matter how hard we pretend to.

Thing 14

Topic: Mind Maps and Flow charts

I used bubbl.us to create a mind map of 23 things assignments. It started with a single bubble. "Enter" creates a bubble below; "Tab" creates bubble beside the existing one. As I have completed each item, I deleted the corresponding box. This is great for all visual learners out there, as well as those who NEED help organizing thoughts, tasks, ABC's, or thing-a-ma-bobs.

I tried to create a flow chart through Gliffy using the same 23 Things Assignment topic as I did in bubble.us. I found that it was difficult considering the amount of information involved in my topic. I didn't like it as well as the mind map. Gliffy was more difficult to figure out, and I had a hard time deciding which tools to use.

I think the mind map is a great brainstorming tool. It is simple to use and works well for stream of consciousness writing techniques. The flow charts seem like their practical use would be after the brainstorming stage is completed; and you have your main topics ready to display.

The two sites I explored could work well in conjunction with one another. For projects, presentations, or creative writing assignments students could use bubble.us to map out their ideas; Once an assignment is complete, Gliffy could be used to create study guides, hand outs, or outlines.

For my personal use, I prefer the mind map. I think it works well with scattered brains and randomness. Although the final result looks like a hot mess, it works well with my thought process. I changed the position of the bubbles so that it made colored-layered-rings of topics. For someone who immediately either looks for or sees patterns of color/designs this method works well.

Thing 13

Thing 13...Google Docs

I used Google Docs to make a slide presentation. You can view it by clicking HERE.

I went through many stages of "approval" for Google Docs. At first, I thought it was not for me. After all, I have Microsoft Word...why would I need something else. Then, I had the joyous experience of loosing my USB thing, my old computer took a permanent vacation to Computer Heaven, and I found myself stuck...

In times like these, it would have been very useful to have documents accessible via the internet.

I have found, though, that old habits are hard to break. There are many benefits of using online word processors, but the catch is that you actually have to USE them.

On a side note, Open Office is great. Along with the FREE part, it has many features similar to Microsoft Word but it is compatible with many others. Downloading OpenOffice eliminated my need for a file converter for .docx files.

Great Minds think alike?

While putting on my eyeliner, I suddenly thought to myself: Did someone reference the "I'm in a Hurry" song already in a post? I was so concerned with this that I skipped the mascara and headed to the computer.

Despite this concern, I am in a hurry and don't have time to check all posts. So...unless I am just making it up, I'm sorry...I did not steal your idea...I just had the same one without realizing it.

Sorry about the interruption within the "Thing" sequence....number 13 should be soon to follow.

about Thing 12

Thing 12 is listed under January's posts. I created a draft 01/31/10. I did not realize that it posts the blog according to the first date saved. Oops.

Thing 11

Topic: Subscribe to new blogs/RSS feeds of choice and address the following:

• Which method of finding feeds did you find easiest to use? Random discovery is the easiest for me. I think it's because of the way my train of thought works. I'm all over the place, so adhering to one method usually ends in disaster.
  
• What kind of useful feeds did you find in your travels? science, art, literary feeds. The news feeds were too busy for me. I'll stick to the old fashioned "type in the website address" method when I want to see the news pages.
  
• Or what kind of unusual ones did you find? Ones that are not suited for this forum. Apparently there are multiple interpretations of what defines "Art." To each his own I suppose.
  
• What other tools or ways did you find to locate newsfeeds? It has been my experience so far that so of the best methods are the accidental ones. It reminds me of "Follow the Leader, but with links instead."
  

Feeds Currently on McNealEDUC5540 page:

1. Issue Lab: Arts and Culture
2. Reading Rockets

Other Subscriptions (incomplete list):

1. It Has Come To My Attention (science blog) This one is in my toolbar....hmm....the wheels are turning and it's starting to make sense....sorry, thinking outloud....
2. Six Fics. This one is neat, although there hasn't been a recent post in a while. The author uses only 6 words to tell a story. It's very interesting, as well as the other blogs within the profile. This was one of my favorites. I subscribed to the blog, but not the RSS feed (I think).
3. SciScoop Science News--Just now, it was through this one that RSS feeds "clicked"...and the lightbulb went off. I was looking at the links listed on the blog above and went to a few. This one caught my eye, was of interest to me, and low and behold...in the top right corner there was a Subscribe to RSS feed button. It was smooth sailing and flashing light bulbs from that point on.
   

You can also see Thing 10 for a list of additional blog subscriptions.

Thing 10

Topic: Really Scary Stuff...otherwise known as RSS feeds.

Originally I was very intimidated by RSS feeds. I really don't know why RSS feeds were not registering with my brain. For the most part, it's simple button clicking. I did find a few things that took the messiness out of the equation.

I found that Google Reader was the best option for myself. It was pretty much a "One stop shop" for a big chunk of my internet needs. I even made it my homepage so that I can immediately view updates. By subscribing to a RSS feed, you have all of your information on one page...instead of having to click through multiple bookmarks or web addresses.

This leaves a somewhat bitter taste in my mouth though. It's great to "bundle" everything so that it is not spread out, but are we that lazy that we can't click a button just a few inches away? Today, after having it soak in for a good 24 hours, I really just feel LAZY!

...sitting for a few minutes...pondering this idea of immediacy within our culture....it brings to mind the Alabama song, "I'm in a Hurry"...don't worry, I'm getting ready to set up the hyperlink so that you don't have to remember or Google the lyrics.

High speed access and glorious mullets aside, I suppose there is the "time management" benefit associated with RSS feeds. In the hustle and bustle of the "5.30 a.m. diaper changes, showers, getting dressed, coffee, breakfast, diaper changing again, attempt to start the car, where's my keys, why are you wearing that Kiddie toilet seat as a hat, where are my keys again, oops I forgot my purse" morning rush...I supposed a one click information option is handy.

So far the RSS feeds (some are blog subscriptions, others are just interesting sites) I have displayed on Google Reader are:

1. Art-Milk
   
2. Discovery News
3. United State Southern Command: Partnership for the Americas
4. Dangerously Irrelevant
5. Foundmyself
   

I doubt that I will add anymore feeds. Subscribe to sites, blogs, email updates, yes I will do this regularly; however, I am going to need an organizer for my organizer soon.

RSS: a fine line between convenience and sloth & organization and clutter.

Thing 9

Topic: Image Generator; Custom Road Sign; Cool Text




My road sign titled, Highway Haiku, tells the short version of yesterday's events.... Steven and Sophie bring such glorious excitement to my day! Yesterday, they chose to do so with the union of Elmer's Glue and all contents within the living room (the entertainment center, mouth, arms, legs, carpet, foot stool, baby gate and walls). Luckily, the glue was non-toxic and peeled off of most everything...except the carpet.

Either way, it inspired the sign above. What practical use could this have within the classroom? LOTS...especially if your students are as wordy as I am. I have the tendency to be overly descriptive. OVERLY 'overly descriptive', even. Image generators force you to "sum it up." This could be useful when looking at main points of topics, creating a thesis statement, listing main characters, or brainstorming in general.

I chose to use Custom Road Signs because the website is simple and very basic. The ones listed on 23 Things honestly gave me a huge anxiety attack when I visited them. I knew I wanted a "road sign" theme...but I freaked out the moment I saw the suggested site Custom Sign Generator and a link within it: Sign Generator). Too busy, too much stuff, too much too much. Perhaps it was the color scheme and/or font. (See below for my final thoughts).

I do like this application though. It forces you to be creative in your word choice. I think sometimes there is more emphasis on quantity of words instead of quality of words. This forces a person to "think before they speak."

I like that.

03/20/2010

Cool Text is another image generator that I came across today. It is free and pretty wonderful. I used it to create the button below. This was a product of research for another class project...Not to my surprise, I got side tracked, found this and thought I'd try it out.

Click this button to go to the page where I found out about CoolText. While you're there, do something good.

Thing 8

Topic: more Flickr fun, 3rd party mashups, Big Huge Labs

I used Big Huge Labs to explore Flickr 3rd party sites. I experimented with the Pop Art Icon, Bead art, and Puzzle maker. I also liked the Color Palette generator, but I could not figure out how to post an image of that into the blog. (If anyone knows, please share with me).

It was very easy to create the images. I did have to save them to my computer first and then upload them to Blogger. If there was a faster way to do that, I have not found it yet.

Uses for such applications:
1. Pop Art Icon: I have been uploading every picture I have into this thing, just to see what it looks like in the end. Although I think I've spent too much time "playing"...it's been fun and somewhat justifiable as homework. This could be used show students an example of what Pop Art looks like; used in the discussion of the cultural impact of Andy Warhol/Pop art/Hollywood icons; used in the discussion of photography, art vocabulary,and the use of positive and negative space.

( from left to right: My great-great aunts Stella Mason 1925 and Laura Mitchell 1946 , and me 2010)

2. The Jigsaw Puzzle maker is just neat. Not only does it provide another use for photographs, but it makes a great educational toy. Puzzles are a great tool for cognitive enhancement, and they are a great tool to utilize during down time in the classroom. Students could create their own puzzle using their favorite art project, favorite photograph, or famous artwork. This would also provide a great opportunity to reinforce key vocabulary, themes, people, places, etc...depending on the image chosen for the puzzle. I think it would be neat to combine the Pop Art feature with the Jigsaw Puzzle maker....ooh the possibilities are endless.

I need to quit now though. I've been playing with this all day and need to move on to the next item. Oh, one more thing, I found that as I was trying to move the pictures around in the blog, it was a lot easier to upload it, copy it, and then place it where I wanted in the text. Trying to move the original upload was more difficult to do for some reason.

Thing #7

The Magic Lantern,
originally uploaded by unforth.

Today should have been called "Flickr Friday," because that is all that I have been doing today. Nothing else. Still in my pajamas, microwavable dinners for lunch AND supper, mail is still in the mailbox, and the house is a complete disaster. Who or what is to blame for all of this? The highly addictive, amazingly glorious online photo album/sharer known as Flickr. It's fairly obvious that I absolutely hated the site, right? (HA).

Charles Vanloo's 18th century painting, The Magic Lantern," was used as inspiration for my Flickr web address. I have always found this painting to be very intriguing. I have written papers and essays concerning its perspective, composition, and style...but have always skimmed past a key element within the artwork....

Emerging Technology.

(Odd, right? Amanda overlook technology? Shocking!) Nevertheless, I found it to be quite thought-provoking given the class setting and current assignment.

I am very excited to be a part of Flickr. I have uploaded pictures, created sets, added favorites, and joined two groups. (Binge achiever, Chad, keep that in mind...I'll be on hiatus next week)

In 2004, I went on my first of two study abroad trips to Spain. The first was an Art History focused tour of Spain and Morocco. I did not have a digital camera, and I think I had over 30 rolls of film at the end of the trip. The pictures have been on my "OOH, I should do something with these" list for 6 years now. They have been sitting in an album, lonely, wishing for someone to look at them and ponder their meaning. Thanks to Flickr, I now have a use for these photos and a place to store them.

Absent from this group, however, are photos of Tangier and Fez in Morocco. I had lost a few rolls of film somewhere along the way. My Favorites allows me to bookmark others' photos that I like (i.e. the missing Moroccan landmarks, architecture, and culture pictures)

I like Flickr so much that I am thinking about upgrading to the Pro Account. As a (future) visual arts teacher, there are many professional uses for a public photo-sharing site (same uses as Thing #2 Blog uses). Flickr in conjunction with other Web 2.0 features and traditional resources could greatly enhance students' learning experience. I'm excited.

Thing #5

Topic: Web 2.0, "Age:28;Mindset: Neolithic", infinite lessons to be learned

02/04/10: I just attempted to read information for Thing 5 concerning Web 2.0 and School 2.0. Being that it's late, and I have trouble reading anyways, it's safe to assume that I skimmed the majority of articles. Actually, if there's something faster and less productive than skimming, then I'm pretty sure that's what I just did. I did, however, read (mostly) two other classmate's posts about Web 2.0, and I wanted to briefly write my thoughts down.

I, too, have never heard the term "Web 2.0 or School 2.0" until this semester. I didn't even know there was a Web 1.0! Apparently, I've been living right in the middle of it and didn't even realize it.

I have often thought about key historical time periods and wondered if those living in the midst of it all truly understood the scope of their place in time. Do people realize history book moments as they are living them? As I have gotten older, I understand more and more that the answer is both yes and no. It's easy to realize the magnitude of a natural disaster or war or election. It is harder to wrap your mind around a "chunk of time"...especially when you are distanced from it or ignore it all together.

It's not that I didn't realize "this whole computer thing" (as my grandparents might call it) was a big deal. I snatched that concept up the very second I realized I could backspace over mistakes and have perfectly straight rows of cards in Solitaire. In essence, I saw the PC as an expensive trapper keeper and deck of cards. I just thought it was a fad, accessible to those who could afford its luxury, and expendable to those who couldn't.

I won't even elaborate on what I thought about the Internet. Well, yes I will. I thought the Internet was a place to send email, a way to get around mailing out birthday cards, and full of unreliable articles. These thoughts were only reinforced by school teachers during the 90's.

Time warp to the present day, and I am just now beginning to appreciate "this whole computer thing." Twenty years of blowing it off as just another fad or rich person's typewriter...twenty years later I am just now beginning to understand the historical magnitude of the very thing I am typing on right now. In this moment, Web 2.0 is beginning to make sense. It's not about email or countless errors in Wikipedia; it's about connecting the dots of today, to make the picture of tomorrow. (HA!!!) Apparently I sound like an infomercial at 12:15 am.

02/05/10: I think the definitions of Web and School 2.0 are consistent with that of life long learning, and they are equally a part of Life long learning. Web 2.0 and School 2.0 both encompass a new generation of learning opportunities, styles, and students. The emphasis on learning and information sharing is no longer confined to the classroom.

Any way you look at it, Web 2.0 IS a good thing; it is important; and it is available for and infinite number of payments at 59.99/mo. if you call within the next 15 minutes.

Thing #6

Topic: Web 2.0 Features, Stumble Upon

This little button is my new best friend...and I shall commence to tell you why.

Let's imagine that I want to know more about...oh, I don't know...the evolution of grasshoppers because I really love insects, science, and history. In the past, I would Google the word grasshopper, and then hundreds if not thousands of sites would show up. For advanced Google searching skills, one person might even search for grasshoppers + history of. Either way, you type in the word, the search engine finds sites, you look at a sight, then go back to search results, go to a sight, hit the back button too many times, loose your place because you forgot which words you typed to search for, and so on and so forth. Before you know it, you've given up, thrown the keyboard against the wall, and headed to the kitchen to eat a gallon of ice cream.

Well, those times are ancient history. With Stumble Upon, you pick your interests and it picks web pages within the category of interest for you. All you have to do is hit a button. If you like the sight, select the I like It button, and it will add it to your favorites. If you don't like the sight, move on to the next one. It's as easy as turning a page. Because I am just discovering how to use this site, that's the extent of my toolbar description. Feel free to check out the About Us page. They do a far better job of explaining the features than I do.

My categories of interest are Art, History, Neuroscience, Psychology, Art History, Education, Statistics, and a few other ones. I can change these at any time and there are dozens to choose from. This is great for expanding your knowledge base. I've been introduced to topics and sites that I would have never searched for on my own, but they are still relevant to my areas of interest It's a great tool for thinking outside the box... without moving too far away from the box.

I highly recommend it!!!! Click on the highlighted words for a direct link to the product demo and about us page, or you can visit www.stumbleupon.com for more info.

Thing #12

Topic: additional Google uses, Picasa 3,

01/31/10
I discovered Picasa by mistake while I was click click clicking away at the "Stumble!" button on my toolbar. So far, I have figured out that it is important to carefully select which folders you want Picasa to view. It automatically uploaded images from all of my folders. While I like having some of my pictures shared with the world, I don't think it's necessary or desired to share ALL 5 billion of them. I am sure that oversights in that area could and have caused problems for people, depending on the content of the photos.

So far, I have used Picasa to edit photos, but I post them to my Flickr account. That's just the method that works for me.

02/08/10: I chose to make iGoogle my homepage. My toolbar is getting quite full, and iGoogle was an option for RSS feeds to be posted. This made sense considering I can view feeds, access Blogger, Google search, and make changes to my account all on the same page. This was a great way to declutter, organize, and access information.

10 Power Tools for Lifelong Learners | Open Culture

10 Power Tools for Lifelong Learners | Open Culture

Posted using ShareThis

This is a great site for FREE Lifelong Learning opportunities. There is too much information to write about in one blog, so I will probably reference this site multiple times. It offers sites for free movies, books, online courses, foreign language classes, smart You-tube channels, and so much more. I'm sure it would qualify for one of my "Things"...but it was too good to keep to myself while I searched for the corresponding "Thing-number". Feel free to comment about anything you find through Open Culture, as I will surely overlook many items.

Thing #4

Topic: commenting on blog posts, 5 in class, 2 non-classroom, not-so-short explanation of comments, and why comments were made.

23 Things- related comments:

1. dsmithapsu Thing 6
2. Desire to Teach Thing 4
   
3. Tim's Thoughts Thing 6
4. JerryTesch's 23 Things Thing 9
   
5. Peggy Matagrano Thing 6

Other Comments:

1. From 300lbs to Triathlete 02/06/10
2. (to be completed later in semester)
   

2/4/10: I commented on dsmithapsu's Thing 6. In speaking about a search engine, a reviewer had commented that a particular website "owns me." Debbie elaborated by stating she didn't fully understand the comment or the enthusiasm behind the website.

I felt that it was important to respond to this post because it made me think about my own views about technology. I made the comment that " ____ owns me" could indicate a certain level of dependence. Although I did not post this in my comment, another way to restate it would be "I can not live without ____." I also mentioned that it is hard to find a balance between having something own you and having something assist you.

The fear of becoming completely dependent upon technology has very much hindered my utilization of it. I never want to be the person who freaks out because she lost her IPOD (I don't even own one of those) or the type of person who gets carpal tunnel in her wrist because she's always clicking away at the mouse. I think there's so much lost in an email that could be found in a hand-written note. I suppose I'm afraid complete dependence...not co-dependence.

On a slightly related note...I would still be using VHS tapes had my husband not forced me to convert to DVD's years ago and my children hadn't stuffed Cheeze-It's in the tape slot. Now that I have, I see the value in (at that time) new technology. I just don't want it to own me in a way that causes me to loose myself or be wasteful.

Also, if anyone knows a way to get crackers out of a DVD/VHS player, please let me know. They are still in there...creating a little 5 star restaurant for bugs. Not sanitary.

02/04/10 and 03/04/10 I commented on Desire to Teach Thing #4 because first of all, I enjoy any conversation that I can repeat words (i.e. I commented on his comment about me commenting on Debbie's comment). It's confusing and redundant, but I think that's why I find it amusing. I also responded to his comment about me going to school while having children. I found it very unexpected and much appreciated.

I also...ugh, I can't think right now...I'm currently repeating the example "comment" sentence in my head...that coupled with Tie Your Mother Down, Live version is causing me to loose focus.....where was I? Ha, how ironic...the next song on my Playlist is I'm Going Slightly Mad--skip it because I don't like it...ooh Hammer To Fall....good one...I digress...back to my comments (and hit "Pause").

02/04/10 I commented on Tim's Thoughts Thing #6 because I thought the site he was talking about was interesting. My family is full of golfers, and they are always engaged in friendly competition.

02/06/10 I commented on 300 lbs to Triathlete's blog post because I found Monica's current triathalon goal to be very inspiring. I also wanted to let her know that I would ask my parents (both personal trainers) if they had any advice for her journey, since she asked if anyone had any tips.

03/03/10 I commented on Jerry Tesch's 23 Things post #9 because I had a random idea that somewhat related to his post. I had read this blog entry earlier, but I did not comment until I had an art project idea that was related to musical notation. I thought it would be an interesting class topic, project, or wall decoration.

03/03/10 I responded to Peggy Matagrano's Thing 6 because I LOVED the site she chose to wright about, Lulu. I have a friend that has been talking about getting a book published for years, and this site seems like a good solution to her "publisher" problems. I am also interested in the site as well, be it either for writing or art purposes. Neat find.

Thing #3

Topic: register blog, classroom uses for blog, other uses

Register blog: Check
Complete Things 1 & 2: Check
Come up with uses: hmmmm.....

This is a hard one. I am finding that I really have no clue about certain elements of teaching, such as...well, the teaching part. My concentration is K-12 Art Education, although I really do not know which age group I would like to spend 8 hours of my day with for 25 years. I suppose that will be trial and error. Although the types of assignments and projects will vary depending on the grade level, I think there are still some valuable lessons to be learned through a blog. Listed below are a few ideas that I've come up with. How realistic they are really depends on the school, age, and resources.

1. I could create a scavenger hunt activity. Perhaps students would be required to search for x number of artworks from a particular period and blog about each one. They would be required to discuss elements of art, principles of design, brief description of artist, title, and historical context.
   
2. Students could use the blog to discuss aspects of their current project, upload images of their artwork, and provide feedback for other classmates' work.
3. Blogs could provide insight into current artist's methods and vision. Reading (teacher-approved) artist blogs could help them relate past works to current.
4. Students could use their blog to aid them in class critiques. Expanding on #2.
5. I'm really liking #1 the more I think about it. I could use student's responses to blog topics to assess student learning.
   
6. I could also use it as a tool for self assessment. If they are learning the material and standards, then there would be specific uses of vocabulary and visual description used. If these were not present, then I would know areas to focus on in the future.
7. Students would have a forum to display artwork to others. They could also be exposed to professional art networks.
8. I could work with area museums to see what programs they offer in regards to schools, education, technology, and current exhibits.

I think I'm going to stop there. I think I have a good starting point. Perhaps what would be next (other than getting an actual JOB as an Art Teacher), would be to determine how each of these uses would relate to the state standards, how I would monitor activity, what tools I would need, and appropriate content for ages.

The wheels are turnin'! That's very exciting.

Thing #2

Topic: Blog name selection, Avatar, and experiences with blogging so far.

I chose the name because it was practical and spur of the moment. If I hadn't chosen the obvious (last name, course number), I really think I would still be trying to pick out a name. I tend to over-think these types of things...it's a curse really.

As far as my Avatar is concerned, I think it's fairly representational. I am very laid back, I don't wear a lot of accessories, and I prefer solids instead of prints. I smile all the time. When I was in elementary school, I always had a difficult time convincing the nurse that I was sick. She would call my mom and say "yeah, Amanda just threw up, but she's still smiling...is this normal or should I be concerned?" I can't help it, but at least I'll have "happy wrinkles" instead of "mad angry wrinkles" when I'm older. Hopefully seeing a smiling face on the first day of school will help ease my students' nerves (and my own).

So far, I haven't blogged too much. I have a lot of drafts started. Once I come across something, I try to figure out which "thing" it belongs to. I have a feeling I'll be doing a lot of editing throughout the semester. I'm still not sure about "Thing #4" though. Are we supposed to submit one post and edit it each time we comment; or are we supposed to have multiple posts titled "Thing #4", or save it until the very end? If anyone knows the answer, please share it with me. Otherwise, I'll probably just submit what I have and edit it as I go.

I think that's it for Thing #2. On to the next adventure.

Thing 1

Topic: Response to 7 1/2 Habits Slide Show, which habit is easiest, hardest, why, web 2.0 goals for learning, and blogging experiences so far

7 1/2 Habits for Life Long Learners:

1. Begin with the end in mind
2. Accept responsibility for your own learning
3. View problems as challenges
4. Have confidence as a competent effective learner
5. Create your own learning toolbox
6. Use technology to your advantage
7. Teach/mentor others....and Play (7 1/2)

Of the habits listed above, the easiest for me is Habit 2: accept responsibility for your own learning. It mentioned viewing learning as an investment, becoming an active participant in training and discussions, and reading material related to your subject/goal. This is something that has always come naturally to me. I seem to have an internal compass that's always pointed in the direction of "learning something." Granted, the learning going on may not always be relevant to the goal at hand...but that's more of an issue with management than desire/responsibility.

Using technology to my advantage is by far the hardest habit for me to master. Of the many reasons why I am "technologically challenged," ignorance is probably the biggest factor. Simply stated, I do not know how to use the web effectively or efficiently. Improving upon this lack of knowledge is a goal of mine while exploring Web 2.0 from this point forward.

As far as blogging is concerned...I am unfamiliar with this site, so that fact has caused some mild anxiety issues. I have some experience blogging through social networking sites, mainly about the craziness of my life and the humor it exudes. I am a little nervous about the tone of my blogs, especially later on as I become more comfortable with Blogger and the assignments. It will be challenging to stay on point...and not start rambling about cheerios fusing to carpet fibers or the architectural structure of toddler designed bridges.

Either way, I look forward to learning about Web 2.0 and hope I can pace myself accordingly.