Is It the End or Only the Beginning?

Well...I am so excited this is it! LOL  I will grudgingly admit that I enjoyed most of the "23 Things".   I even think I learned a "Thing" or two!  LOL 

My favorite Things were the calendars, the fun gadgets and gizmo's that can be used just to add some fun and spice to a dull day.  The cartoon caricatures and magazine cover options were neat.

I will definitely be using a weekly blog for my classroom.  It's just a fantastic way to keep students, parents and teachers on the same page.  I loved learning the Mail Merge option.  Such a time saving tool! 

I didn't like some of the "Things".  For example, Live binders just didn't excite me and neither did the RSS assignment.  I do think this is a very productive project for this technology class.  Because if it hadn't been for the 23 Things, I would never have went on my own and learned most of these things.  For those who are technologically challenged, this assignment pushed me out of my comfort zone.  I truly did learn things that will be beneficial to me and that I will use in my own classroom!

I've posted a little parting video to this assignment.  Just thought it was cute!  Enjoy teaching everyone!  And remember....Anyone can teach, but only those who are CALLED become Master Teachers!  :)

Thing # 23

Ok..so this is it!  Ready?  Let's finish this "Thing"!  :)  I just took the time to go the the APSU 23 Things site and clicked the "about page" option.  This tab gave me the explanation of where the 23 Things came from.  Apparently, Stephen Abrams wrote an article entitled, "43 things that I (or you) may want to do this year".  This caught the attention of the Technology Director of the Carlotte Mecklenburg County Public Library, Ms. Helene Bowers.  She and her staff used Mr. Abrams article as a outline to design the "Learning 2.0 Program", from which 23 Things for Teachers was born.

Because of this "Thing", I am now more comfortable in my understanding of what "Creative Commons" is.  I believe I can avoid using copyrighted work within my classroom based upon this assignment.  I will definately make sure that I give proper credit to the work of others.  I hope to teach my students the importance of using CC.

Thing # 22

Hey Ya'll!!!  So...what did you think about this "Thing?"  To be truthful, I wasn't excited.  I looked at it... then went to FB! LOL  I looked at it again...then went back to FB! ha-ha.....I just wasn't looking forward to this one.  Seemed like too much work.  Or actually, just more than I wanted to do.  BUT...I knew I HAD to get past it so I just sat down determined to muddle my way through and X this one off the list.

I'm not going to lie...I finished it, but I didn't get any more excited than I did the first time I looked at it.  I think if I used this daily, I would probably learn to like it.  It does seem to be a fast and somewhat easy way to keep all the digital folders together in one spot...but...I don't know.  It just didn't ring any bells with me. 

So, here's the link to one of the folders I created.  I made three folders and labeled them 5th, 6th and 7th Grade History.  I placed a few things in each folder.  I figure this "Thing" will be one of those AH-HA! moments when I am finally teaching in my own class.  I can just see myself drowning in all the websites I'm trying to scroll thru in my favorites box and trying to find that "certain" one...when I'll hear Dr. Wall's voice saying, "LiveBinders is a really neat thing.  I love it!"  :)  (You really did say that Dr. Wall!  LOL) 
http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=850005

Welp...let's keep moving!!!  :) :) :)

Thing # 21

Ok...So I REALLY had fun creating this little collage of my kids! Did you have fun with this one??? Take a look and see why I think I'm a very blessed mom!!

Make your own slideshow with music at Animoto.

I love my kids more than life itself! I'm sure if your a parent, you feel the same. If you're not one yet...trust me. NOTHING is better than having children. They love you unconditionally. I think it's the closest thing to feeling God's love that we can experience here on this earth! Well...I need a kleenex! No! Not because of my video silly! But because it's allergy season!!! GOTCHA!!! :P :P :P

Thing # 20

Hello Everyone!  I knew EXACTLY what vidoes I wanted to post for this "Thing".  I have a love hate relationship with YouTube.  I use it quite often to search instructional videos for my math classes.  I also like to search for older song videos.  However, this is a site I will not let my children access.  There is sooo much junk on this site!  Even when you aren't looking for smut it shows up!  So...Youtube is not accessible on my children's computers. 

However, here are a couple of videos I have accessed that are comical...but very true.  The first one I'm posting is in honor of all of us "mom's" out there who are tired of sounding like a tape recorder!  Listen and laugh with me........

Next....there's an "Instructional Video" that all husband's need to see...Ready??? I don't think there is anything left that I can say that can top those! LOL See ya!!!!

Thing # 19

Wow!!!!!  This "Thing # 19" gave me a few FITS!  I can not tell you how many HOURS I spent...Yes, I said HOURS....trying to get my badge posted to my blog!  UGH!  Don't you laugh at me either.  I'm sure some of you are thinking, "Really?  That was so easy!"  (If you are ARE saying that....just don't say it very loudly! :P)

So....now that I am past that nightmare...let's talk about the other aspects of "Thing 19".   I love to cook...when I have the time, of course.  I love to try new recipes.  So...I checked out the Tasty Kitchen website/blog and absolutely LOVE it!!!  I put it in the favorites file on my computer!

 

 

I found it amusing that there were instructions on how to use Facebook!  I mean...who in the world doesn't use FB???  LOL  Anyways, the only social media site I frequent besides FB is a religious organizational website called EveryonesConnected.  However, since FB came along, that site has been pretty quiet!  So....let's move on to the next "Thing."  The finish line is in site!!!!!! :)