Summary

• What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?

I really liked Flicker, the sandbox, and gather.com.

• How has this program affected your lifelong learning goals?

I am so going to use some of this new learning in my professional life and hopefully teach the other Diags. to use some so we can better work together. Actually I think they all should take this class!!!

• Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?

Yes, I was able to share a lot of this with teachers and other staff members. I have even put some things in my reports for parents to take advantage of.

• What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?

The only problem I had was getting help with things I couldn't find out how to do. Not that you all weren't great, but it is hard to help over e-mail.

• If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate?

YES!!!!

• How do you plan to keep up with new developments in web 2.0? Recommend a way that you have found to be useful.

I think like you said, giving 15 minutes a day to just keeping up. :)

Thing #23

What were your overall impressions?
I didn't know there were so many social networks out there. Places like Gather and Ning don't seem to advertise like Facebook and Myspace. I also thing web 2.0 is a great resource. I am sad that all this information wasn't available when I was still in the classroom. However, I think that Ning is a great site to start discussion about the new SLD crossbattery approach. I will get to talk to people all over and that is exciting!!!

Did you find any discussions or resources of value?
Not yet, but I am starting my own. :)

Do you have any ideas for using social networking in your own professional or personal learning, or in classroom learning?
Oh yes. I think it will be a great place for Diagnosticians all over to discuss the new SLD evalaution and give input to one another on how we are evaluating children. We do a lot of discussion within our district and this gives us a way to reach out to others in the field.

Thing #22

My facebook is open to friends only, but you are welcome to request to be my friend. :)

1. Why is it important that educators know how social networking works?

I think it is important to know about social networking because this is what the kids love, well adults do to. You can get a lot of info. about what is going on in your student's lives by reading their sites.

2. What new insights did you gain about these popular sites?

I have already been on both myspace and facebook and I find that I like facebook much better. Myspace is more for young people who are just looking to have fun. Facebook seems to be for catching up with old friends and keeping intouch.

3. What did you like or dislike about each of the sites you explored?

I don't like all the ads on myspace. I also don't like how you can overdo your site and it makes it hard to look at, too much visual input. I like Facebook, but don't like how there are so many things or quizes you can take, but I am not sure how safe they are for your computer???

4. Which site had the most useful features?

Myspace - for sure!!!

5.Can you see an educational application for any of these sites?

No. I don't think these sites are appropriate for the classroom because of how easy it is to "fake" a profile. I just don't trust them...

Thing 7b

I learned that this week: Blackbeard the Pirate’s Sword was Discovered. A ship discovered off the coast of North Carolina in 1997 has been identified by experts as the *Queen Anne’s Revenge*, a ship used by the pirate Blackbeard on board was the famous sword.

I also learned that it is more fun to get weather updates off my reader than off of yahoo weather.

I really like this reader. I think that when we are done with this class I will take some off and keep looking for other cool sites to get info. on. Like fun trivial facts. :)

Thing #21

I already love Google so finding out more about it is always fun! I first added Google Alerts to my new learning and then since I was already familiar with Google Calendar I went there next. I think this is great for keeping up, but unfortunately it doesn't replace my paper calendar yet because I don't have a blackberry... I then found Google Notebook to be very handy if and when I search for info. on the web and need a place to store it. I usually use word, but I can see how this would be just as easy and maybe more convienent.

As always Google is a great classroom tool, but even better for teacher to use to keep track of due dates (on Google Calendar), collect research for projects (on Google Notebook), and get up to the moment info. on any subject. The Internet is so awesome!

Thing #20

I like Google Docs it is a great way to share documents. I used out SLD document as my "work in progress" and I can see how this would be great for people who can't get on Docushare or need to work together to get a project done.

As a teacher this would be great for:
1. group projects for students
2. teachers who need to vertical team
3. students who are home bound and working on an assignment

My only thought is what do you do if you don't have Microsoft word or excel?