On Being Flexible...

Yesterday was a very low tech day!!
Our tech support person came into the room just as I was beginning to teach 1st period--- with what he thought was the 'tool' he needed to get to one of my ceiling-mounted LED projector's bulb-- it wasn't... so he said he would be back .. not sure when but I knew he would!
So, instead of having my two LED projectors displaying information on two screens, I thought I would just use the one- the one with a good bulb... but then my other projector decided to "flip back and forth" between attempting to display what was on the elmo and trying to connect to my computer (which wasn't on at the time) PANICKED... I track him down.. and he attempted to figure out what was going on...as I tried to teach my first period math class. (Picture a tall man standing on top of desks in the middle of the classroom filled with sixth graders)

I originally though that the wires or connections had loosened somehow as he had worked on the first projector.. (I had tried to secure all the connections before panicking!!) Anyway, he did the same.. with no results.. so he thought it was the Elmo... we replace the elmo with another.. NO.. that was not the issue... I was without the use of any projector.. and back to my whiteboard...

Very low tech day!! I have two hearing impaired students (in two different classes) who need me to face them as I teach, but luckily we have finals tomorrow, so they won't be looking at me!!

I might get out the overhead projector if this keeps up...
I haven't had the telltale sign of using whiteboards and markers for such a long time--it was funny to see the blue stripe on the side of my right hand at the end of the day!!

Week 9 Thing 23

THE END... or is it???

Am I really at Thing 23? I don’t think I am ready for this to be over. What a fabulous program!! I really enjoyed the way this entire program was set up. So onto my answers to Week 9 Thing 23’s questions:

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

One of the biggest discoveries for me was Zoho Writer. I had used Google Docs before but as I stated in my post that week (Week 8 Thing 18) I really was excited about the possibilities Zoho Writer has for the math classroom. Another great opportunity came with Week 6 when we ‘explored’ del.icio.us. I had the chance to take time and reacquaint myself with it and begin tagging my items—having gained a much clearer understanding of tagging. I loved finding out about piknik and image chef!! What fun... now to figure out ways to incorporate them into my math classrooms!!

How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?

Honestly, I think every dedicated teacher is a lifelong learner—just by the nature of the profession we chose. This program gave a clear and distinct direction while allowing me to decide on my own pace and depth of learning.

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

What surprised me the most was how easy it was to explore most of the ‘things’ in this course. Although I consider myself somewhat of a ‘techie’ person, I find myself at times getting frustrated if I can’t figure something out quickly—it’s that digital immigrant v. digital native issue. But, none of the frustration really surfaced at all with this course.

Another huge unexpected outcome—and one that I am cherishing—is that I am writing so much more. I enjoy looking at my blogs and seeing my thoughts in fairly cohesive sentences. I enjoyed creating my posts!! Now, for some of you – it isn’t a big deal but for this math-oriented person—it’s enormous!!

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

The only ‘thing’ I can think of to improve upon this program is to offer another… Thing 24 and beyond…

If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate? Immediately… no hesitation… I am so glad I only hesitated for a moment last May before I jumped in with both feet!!

How would you describe your learning experience in ONE WORD or in ONE SENTENCE, so we could use your words to promote CSLA learning activities?

These learning activities really provide educators with a hands-on experience as to how to use Web 2.0 effectively!!

Thank you for designing this course—and I must thank Mary Ann for creating the LVUSD cohort!! What a great group of educators!!

I have reached the top of this mountain—but wait—there are others to climb… this is just the beginning…onto Thing 24... “to infinity and beyond…" :)

Week 9 Thing 22

eBooks and Audio eBooks

I must say that I do not like reading any material of any substantial length—online. I tend to print out articles that I find online if they are longer than 5 pages—so I cannot imagine how I would utilize these resources for downloading any book to read on my computer. However, I am intrigued by Amazon’s new kindle device.

About one month ago, Kathy Shrock wrote about the kindle in her blog at http://kathyschrock.net/ blog/ 2008/ 06/ kathys-kindle.html and I had the opportunity to hold one in my hands—and play with it for a bit last week. I suppose if I was traveling extensively—that would be the way to read books. I checked out Plucker just to see what it could do—in case I did not want to ‘pluck’ down $400 for a kindle. I think I still like holding a book in two hands and turning the pages— I must just be set in my ways…

When I clicked on the British Library Online Gallery, I must say, I wasn’t sure what I would find—but what a find it was!! I couldn’t believe what I saw when I clicked on Jane Austen’s early work. I was baffled when I could use the mouse to turn the pages of her handwritten account of the history of England. I was equally impressed with the Golden Haggadah—but make sure you know to open this book from the left. I was impressed that the directions made sure the reader was aware of how Hebrew is written. Check this site out! I agree—this resource is AMAZING!!!

Now, when it comes to audiobooks—that is a different story!! I have been downloading audio books for my father – on his computer (using PC anywhere)—for a number of years. What a fabulous invention that is!! My father has lost most of his eyesight but has been part of a book club for years—and he did not want to give up something he enjoyed immensely—discussing books with others!! Audiobooks has enabled him to continue a passion of his—even as his eyesight failed him.

Week 9 Thing 21

Podcasts
I thought I would experiment with some of the podcast directories listed on Classroom Learning 2.0 instead of just using itunes-- which I am familiar with!! Unfortunately, both podcast.net and Yahoo links are old and do not connect-- I get the dreaded.. note that the site cannot be found.

My family (this time read my husband, my 88 year old dad, and myself) have been listening to podcasts for a number of years… usually either Leo Laporte or Click and Clack. I just discovered Sandra Loh—she is great… Although the links here are to their respective websites-- have fund listening to one of the podcast choices at the links.My husband uses podcast to listen to his books on the ipod as he takes his run around the neighborhood. I haven’t found any great podcasts for math—yet… but I think I will keep trying. I may just have to create my own-- Elisa and myself took a class on creating our own podcast over a year ago at So CA CUE Conference in Palm Springs but neither of us have done anything with that knowledge... maybe its time!!

Week 9 Thing 20

You Tube

My own children (read: adult children living at home) love to show me new You Tube videos that they have discovered-- as does my husband. The ones they find to show me are quite fun-- and I do enjoy watching them.... but I struggle to find videos that I can use in my math classroom. I have a few favorites and actually want to see how I can incorporate them into my classroom-- some are not appropriate for middle schoolers... I love "What You Know about Math!" on Roland's Blog (obviously on You Tube as well)... it might be a fun way to start the year...
I absolutely love the Klein Group Finite Simple Group of Order 2 -- math terminology is woven throughout the entire song... I smile every time I watch it!!





I hope you enjoy this!!

Then, of course, there is the video we watched in Mary Ann's great PowerPoint Class last Friday... I went home and immediately shared this with my family...


You gotta' love this one

Week 8 Thing 19

Library Thing

Okay, I went ahead -- set up an account for Library Thing… although I’m not sure how I am going to use it. I love to read but only seem to get the chance during summer—especially this past year with my very full plate!! I love keeping all books-- both hard cover and soft cover-- and my books are organized according to author. (I tend to enjoy reading series books-- like Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series and Anne Perry's William Monk series. ) I added over a dozen of my books but I think there must be an easier way to catalog them. However, I really don't want to spend an inordinate amount of time learning this... I really can't see the advantage...I doubt I will use this for my math classroom next year. I think it could be a great place to store information on books that I’ve heard about and want to read, eventually.

Week 8 Thing 18

Online Word Processors..

Intro to Zoho

I am experimenting with Zoho. I have used Google Docs before, although not to any great amount-- just yet. I had the opportunity to play with Google Docs at the Cue Conference last March where I MADE sure I was in one of the extremely popular Google sessions. Standing in line waiting to get into the room was an adventure itself. I meet so many wonderful and knowledgeable people. In the Google session, we practiced with documents, spreadsheets, and presentations-- we checked out Google Earth and Google Sketchup as well as Google Groups. I wonder if Zoho Writer has some of these features or if it is primarily an online word processor.

I attempted to checked out some of the templates on Zoho-- but as I clicked 'templates' I received the message.."there are no templates available." I do love the add a comment feature. (..unfortunately, I added the add a comment to my Zoho page-- it shows there but not here)

I just discovered equation editor -- or at least its equivalent!! That makes it really perfect for students to use in our math classes!!. Students are always complaining that they cannot use their computer to create math equations like . That was an easy one to do using the very user friendly toolbar!! Wow-- I am excited about the possibilities here!! I don't recall seeing an equation editor on Google Docs... I must spend some time looking there as well... This is a HUGE + for Zoho ( for math teachers and students) if Google Docs does not have this feature... Math teachers... check this out!!


I think this feature is very similar to Google Docs -- but I really like the simplicity to it.




One of the differences between Zoho Writer and Google Docs is when opening a new item. With Zoho, it appears as if one just gets a new page to set up-- with Google Docs you have the choice between a document, spreadsheet, presentation, or even just a new folder to stuff all your items !!

I can truly see how this, as well as Google Docs, can be used to collaborate -- both for students as well as teachers. Definitely need to spend time learning all the features available here!!
Posting this document to my blog was extremely easy... at first I wasn't sure if I had entered the information correctly.. but then I realized that I had posted it as a draft first -- so I could check it out before actually posting to this blog... Works great..