Learning Journey

This learning journey makes me think about Dante's The Inferno. Yes, the thought of Web 2.0 to me was a dark place inhabited by who knows what, but with my Vergi, l in the guise of Mary Woodard, I passed through the 23 levels. At each level I learned to face my fears and came away with knowledge that will guide my path in the Web 2.0 world. But unlike Dante who had to face the devil encased in ice, I found no devil at the core. I found useful tools. These tools have become part of my daily professional and personal world.

• My favorite tool is Wordle. This is so easy. I believe students will find it easy to use and apply to many different academic ventures.
• Unexpected take-away is FaceBook. I found friends from high school (a looong time ago).
• Yes, I will participate in a future trek into the Web world. (reminds of Star Trek)
• Maybe, I will continue to blog.
• Yes, I will continue to use Google doc and Google sites.

I did not think I would ever finish this course with my computer not being damaged beyond repair. My computer and I made it through. We are proud. We are happy. We are finished.

Thing 7b

I continue to learn about the subjunctive mood (verbs). Since this is specified in the new TEKS, I have a need to refresh what I know about using and how to explain to students how to apply this mood when they write. Yes, this has consumed my thinking and represents only a fraction of the conventions (grammar and usage) specified in the new documents. The subjunctive mood expresses a suggestion, requirement, or desire, or it states a condition that is contrary to fact. Verbs such as ask, insist, urge, require, recommend, and suggest are used for a request and precede a subordinate clause beginning with that. However, the tricky little mood takes a shift when it is used with the be. Here a writer must use were for all subjects (singular and plural). Now do you know why this small little usage convention is consuming my mind. So, the RSS feeds on grammar have saved my sanity (both professional and personal).
I am reading other 23Thingers' blogs in hopes of locating more entertaining sites. I have enjoyed the one on Lost. I continue the quest. No more grammar, no more new TEKS. I need a fun break.

Thing 23

The amount of information is overwhelming, but I have stated that before. I am still overwhelmed. Last fall while attending the NCTE national conference, I first heard about Ning. All of the presentations (powerpoints, etc.) were uploaded to a Ning site. After returning home, I was able to revisit some sessions and explore others. At this point I am disappointed when I attend a conference and Ning is not available.
While exploring the educational sites, I found valuable information, presentations, and sites concerning writing and reading. These new insights and approaches help with curriculum development. Many of these include a technology component. I hope to set up a network of teachers to help work on the new TEKS and the new testing that is coming (EOC). My personal learning is all tied to my professional learning at the present time. I need to become more comfortable with the networking and technology at a personal level to help at a professional level.

Thing 22

I hesitate to signup for FaceBook. Using the rationale that this is for 23Things and many people are joining the social network system, I created a site. Much to surprise I have found two high school friends who are networking: one is not a surprise since she was always about social networking while the other I am blow away by the fact that she has a site. I still have some questions about safety issues-not for myself; but, for myyoung granddaughters.
Insights from the site: seniors (not the graduating in May type) are social networking to share memories and rekindle friendships. I dislike the feeling of being exposed to the whole cyberspace. I wonder how much time this sharing will or could absorb in a person's life.
As far as a application within a classroom, I do not know what to think. Yes, as educators we must stress the safety issues. I question the value of social networking through a computer/cell phone/or a hand held device when students need to social network face to face within the classroom and the campus. I do see value when netowrking with other campuses while working through similar assignments to create a collaborative product.

THing 21

TEKS Study is my attempt to collaborate with teachers to work through some clarifications on the new ELAR Teks. One problem was that the teachers I invited to the site had a few issues with logins ranging from forgetting passwords to me not listing the names. In a classroom application, students could work on a document such as a newsletter or review of a series. Would it be poosible to keep a running list of grammar rules and applications that students must understand and use as the school year progresses?
The Google Book Search allowed me to locate an article from a 1999 magazine. Since publication the article has become part of an anthology. The best part is that I own a copy of the anthology.
Google Alerts is now providing movie alerts. This is fun. I love going to the movies especially the $5.00 bargain movie time. Last movie I attended Fast and Furious; please consider that it does have a plot and characters which all fit into my area of concern.
iGoogle gadgets now fill my page. Maybe after the rush of excitement subsides, I will reconsider and delete some of them.

Thing 20

This Thing was a little easier thanks to the Tech Tutorials from Richard Armand for those he wished to expose to new technology. Yes, me.
The collaborative idea for classroom use would be for students to create a presentation dealing with the rhetorical elements in a poem or a speech. Students would include text evidence with commentary. They would also need to use images or even insert music or a video. I think I would limit the number of slides and the words per slide. Idea two would be for TEKS study with teachers collaborating on clarifying statements, the universe of possibilites, and connections to items currently in CSI. Idea three would be to create a survey form to use as an anticpatory set. This would help to activate students prior knowledge/opinions on a topic or issue. By surveying the class, the students would be able to refine and rethink opinions and beliefs.
Thing 20-I can not believe I have worked my way through this many things. My computer is still on my desk. It was in danger of being tossed, stomped, kicked, punched, and abandoned on many occasions during this journey. Earlier I alluded to something dark lurking around the corner, it is still lurking, but not a dark or threatening.

Clouds over Scout Moor Windfarm

Clouds over Scout Moor Windfarm,
originally uploaded by mrrobertwade (wadey).

I am exploring the blog this thing from Flickr to Inktrack. This is way too easy.