Thing 7

Sorry, about the typo in the previous post. I do think. I who thought I wouldn't have a thing to blog about felt blogging withdrawal when MILI ended at the end of the school year. I actually felt guilty when I didn't blog for a time period. If I had made more time, I could have worked my way through the "Things" at a better space, but I am used to focusing and putting the pedal to the metal when I must. I want you to know that even though I had a slow start, I am learning like crazy now and intend to continue learning and growing. The best part is that we now have SO many things we can use with students. They really and readily take to the new Web 2.0 tools like ducks to water. These many examples and lessons will make my life easier, more organized & efficient, more applicable to students and on and on. Students will be more engaged and responsible for their learning. What I have learned the most is that I can learn as much or as little by learning on my own time on line. The learning never quits. Just think how my life has changed in the past 15 mo. since I received my laptop from the TILT Grant. It is incredible! I can work late into the night or early in the morning. I can revisit these modules, use them in class, etc. I hardly ever go to a search engine other than Google. I remember teaching "search engines" as a unit to the 7th/8th grade classes @ Jordan Park 4 or 5 years ago. We tried different search engines, looked up information, checked the number of hits, followed the cookie crumb trail to the answer, chose which one was more efficient, seemed to give the most information, etc. Now for my own personal use as well as teaching, I just use Google. I used to use Yahoo & MetaCrawler at time at work at the public library. We all use Google now at the public library. For quick, simple answers I use Google; for a book search I use Amazon.com in order to get the correct author or title or date so I can continue on with MnLINK to find the book, or where it is located. We are just barely touching the tip of the ice berg. My mind is boggled with overload for just what Google contains. I really like Google for Educators and will make a point to use that more frequently. I can also go to the Google Help Index for assistance. I mean really, all of this is just as Ann commented to me one evening after class that I just need to read. Well, Ann I'm reading & learning now! Thx for the opportunity. I will never teach the same way again. I'm trying to gain knowledge by leaps & bounds. I can't wait to blog with my students, to use digital photography, to have students record book reports on Flip cameras & upload them into Destiny to share with other students. Learning really has come a long way. We are not along up date burning the midnight oil. We are online, taking responsibility for our learning & sharing it along the way to fine tune and make it better! Thing 7 over and out!!