Summary....sniff

What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey? I loved the Flickr and making the video. It was fun.

How has this program affected your lifelong learning goals? In that I am open to anything, you betcha. We are living in a technology age and I've completed all 23 things!

Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? Yes, I was surprised I did almost all of it on my own with little outside help. Once I got that picture insertion thingy down it was a win/win!

What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept? I don't think you could, but if you think of something, please let me know.

How will what you have learned influence your practice as a teacher? I keep an open mind on what's on the Web and how it affects my students' lives. A perfect example is the Irish teenager from Massachusetts who committed suicide. I was much more cognizant of Facebook and her story since taking this class.

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'm going to check my bookmarked page on regular basis. If I don't utilize it regularly, what good is it?

Where do you go from here? I'm going to share my blog with my family and friends. It's time for me to let them know what's been going on in my academic life this semester and show them I have indeed been busy!

Thing #23 - Ever borrow a cup of sugar and forget to repay it? AKA who has our weed whacker?

Another 23 things? I think that is an example of attribution where the 23 things are concerned, but I still love you Dr. Wall!

I love Creative Commons because it's helped me see what is available to utilize on the Web, and we know it's 'safe'. This is so important in our world on the Web. As an English teacher, I will showcase the plagarism aspect of Creative Commons and make sure every single one of my students has viewed it/seen it because we must remember to give credit where credit is due. It's so hard sometimes to remember to cite everything, but we have to do it or correct our mistake ASAP.

Oh, and I will definitely share the digital comic book website with John because he's a huge fan of them. Oh, and because it's "technically" literature and I encourage him to read more on a regular basis. It's the little things people!

Thing #22.....almost home

Act 4, Scene 1 of "Othello." I found a podcast of an "Othello" explanation. I like this play a lot because it was the first one I understood and I think high school students will like it as well. It's got intrigue, love, romance, interracial marriage, racism, death, and sorrow. I have learned in class that podcasts are an easy way for people to better understand subject matter - especially if they are auditory learners.

I found the Educational Podcast Directory the easiest to use because it worked for me the first time. It also had it's own English category that was devoted to my love of literature. To me, that's a win/win and I will visit the website regularly!

Has it inspired me to create a podcast of my own? Maybe, but only if I can't find it elsewhere as I'm not a big fan of my voice - people tell me I sound like a 12 year old - but I could do a children's podcast!

Othello podcast

Thing #21 - I feel like Steven Spielberg!!

I made a video! I made a video. I am easily entertained. (That's funnier if you hum along to those three sentences and say "neener, neener, neener at the end.) Well, first of all I didn't get it right the first time, but I am a trier from way back and I finally got it. Woo hoo Peggy! I think they were just trying to get 3 bucks out of me but I couldn't go there because my wallet is in the car and I haven't memorized my debit card number. That really is amazing though because I can still remember the American Express number of my boss I worked for 15 years ago 37871035.... Anybody want to go shopping?!

Always Home

Thing #20 - You tube, we tube, we all should tube?

Ah, You Tube. I didn't know about this site until about a year ago when I was playing a game on-line and I asked about somebody's screen name. They told me it was after a band and I could see them on You Tube. I asked what it was and he said "are you serious?!!!" I have since been to You Tube and learned how to make waterfalls for my Farmtown (they look great!) and watch old clips from television shows "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (and if you remember this one, we have to talk!) and have discovered a wonderful Canadian singer named Loreena McKennitt who has the most beautiful voice, but is only touring in Europe right now.

I think this website would be interesting in the classroom if used correctly because there are some wonderful plays and clips from great works. I am particularly interested in Anne Frank. While I am not Jewish, I have always been interested in her story because I do not think anybody should be tortured for their choice of religion. Anne became the face of young Jewish girls during this horrific time period and we cannot forget their plight. Here is a video: Anne Frank

Thing #19 - more social networking but this one involves BOOKS and DOLLS!!

I learned a lot from TeacherPop because they were timely reminders. I think that we, as teachers, have to be aware of what's going on, but we can't let too much personal information slip through. Right now, I have students from my college classes following me because I'm not teaching public school and they are all adults. While I NEVER use bad language or become critical of anyone, TeacherPop is a good reminder of what we should and shouldn't do on this website.

I also know that before I joined Facebook and Twitter, there was very little about me on-line when my name was Googled. Now I find comments I've left on-line referenced. While that's okay, it's a reminder to be careful what I say as anything is public when published.

As previously mentioned, I am on Facebook and Twitter; however, there are more social networks out there. I always knew there were, but I didn't know where they were - probably because I never really took the time to explore them. Anyhow, I liked the one Goodreads. I read a lot for pleasure and I am now (trying) to reading Patricia Cornwell's Predator. It's good, but taking me a long time to read because I'm so busy with other stuff. I have joined the Goodreads website and will add more of my book reviews to it in the days/weeks to come.

I also think Goodreads could be used in my classroom. I want my students to read and if they all belong to their website, they can keep track of their books from the beginning of the semester until the end. I can add points accordingly - especially since they have to write something about the book and I'll know if they read the book or not.

The only other social website I am was on prior to this blog was the Marie Osmond Doll Collector. I have about 50 of her porcelain dolls and I really love them. I have attached a picture of one for you to view. I also have Internet friends that have a website that I look at on occasion to see what new dolls they have. It's something relaxing to collect. Did I mention dolls don't talk back? LOL

On TeacherPop, I also joined "Making Curriculum Pop" which I found quite enlightening and interesting. I'm glad to know there are other English nerds alive and well out there. Here's my profile: Pop Profile

Thing #18 - Facebook - this one I know about! Yee Haw!

I like Facebook. Everybody I have EVER met knows I am on it because my last name is not one you've heard before. They all Google me and then want to be my friend. That's not a bad thing, it's just uh...hard...to keep up with family, friends, and former students sometimes. And, I seem to be popular on it. So, I created another Facebook account so I can work on my farm. Only one person knows about it - so don't tell anybody please - and I find it quite peaceful. Anyway, I like Facebook because everybody shares pictures and offers advice. For example, today is the third anniversary of my dad's passing. People post comments and/or call me. It's a nice social interaction for people if used in a positive way. And, we all need a hug from time to time - even if it's over the power of the Web.

Oh, if you want to be my friend on Facebook, here's my link...Peggy Matagrano wants to be your friend

As teachers, I think it's important to know about social interaction sites like Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter. Last week's "People" had a cover story about the young Irish girl in Massachusetts who was ridiculed so much she committed suicide. The six young people are all charged in some way and I think they should be. I also think the teachers that ignored the abuse (according to the article they witnessed it first-hand) should also be held accountable. The truth of the matter is that life isn't as simple as it was when I was growing up. We could leave school, arrive home and find safety. With websites like these, we are no longer alone and some people feel threatened because of the power of the Internet.

I think schools should utilize these websites because kids need to be taught social interaction skills and Internet etiquette. Most of us are careful to teach our children how to handle themselves in public, but they need to be taught that there is somebody on the other end of the computer responding to them. How hard is it to reach out to them in a good way?

Of all the websites mentioned in our assignment, I liked Facebook best because I am the most familiar with it. It know how to maneuver around it and feel comfortable with it. Since this course, I am also on Twitter. I like both of them and am glad I was introduced to the sites.

Thing(y) #17 - Is "tag your it" already taken?!

Tagging, tagging, tagging. Interesting concept. I think it's useful in noting photographs. The only time I'd seen "tagging" used before is when my ex sister-in-law would share photos of my beautiful niece and nephew online and forward them around the world. I love her children so I loved the pictures, but never tagged.

One of the things I've learned in this course is the importance of sharing information with my peers. Why reinvent the wheel? Of course, we must always give that person credit for it; however, I think tagging will help a great deal. It's about looking for that proverbial needle in a haystack. We search and search for something, find it and then somebody says "oh, I found that several months ago, you should have said something" and you want to run screaming into the night. By tagging information (not just photos) we can share ideas with friends, family, peers, and co-workers and let them see OUR notes at the same time. I really like the idea a lot. Also, it will cut down on all those e-mails because somebody in our social group thinks we haven't seen it and forwards it to us again (and again).

Thing #16

I am one of the most organized people you will ever meet. Stuff everywhere drives me nuts. Unfortunately, disorganized people and pack rats should be taken out and ORGANIZED. Whew, I feel better. The truth of the matter is that I married a pack rat and I truly don't know how he survives. Anyway, we are opening a deli and there is A LOT of stuff to do and the first few weeks I told him to make a list. Then I told him to buy a binder and put all the important papers in it and make a list. Then I bought him a binder and took all the papers (important or not) off my kitchen table and placed them in the binder and told him to make a list. Then I told him to get a notebook and keep track of meetings, phone numbers, etc., and make a list. THEN I FINALLY MADE HIM A LIST. Unfortunately, it's up to me to keep up with the list. Have I mentioned I'm busy?

Anyway, I liked this assignment because I am not a huge sticky note fan (I think it goes back to "stuff everywhere." I did a little exploring and found the list feature at tadalist.com. I liked it because I can e-mail the list to family and friends and they can add to it or check things off when completed. For example, at the opening of the deli, several family members are coming. They are arriving from Florida and Arizona and they can combine their own lists and then know who's doing what so nothing is left to chance - like not having a rental car upon their arrival. I think it's a win/win - if I can just get my husband to use it. Oh, feel free to mention this list to John if you should ever meet him.

Thing #15

I don't let my students use Wikipedia for papers because anybody can change things on the site and provide students with the wrong information such as "Abigail Adams was the first U.S. President." However, I am starting to re-think that decision. Why you might ask, because I'm flexible. Well, not in person (hee hee), but I am willing to accept new things and am usually open to new suggestions. Anyhow, since researching this assignment in the past few weeks I am using Wikipedia for everything.

Last week I wanted to know who a certain dancer was on "Dancing with the Stars" and BAM! I looked it up on Wikipedia. So, I think this is a great tool for students as well as me. Why you might ask - and I knew you would - because students have to look up the information currently contained within the 'post' and then update it. It's a win, win!!!

Additionally, I played in the sand. I wish it had been in Hawaii, but it's Austin Peay's sand and it wasn't bad. Sorry about the bold pink font, but it's been a long semester!

Thing #14

Hi again. I chose bubbl.us as my first "flowy thing" (I made that word up and am going to register it somewhere LOL) and was so freaking confused I didn't know WHAT to do. I am one of those people that fools with stuff and takes notes and then goes back to them a few days, or weeks :-( later. Anyway, I finally got the hang of it and I am embarrassed to say that it wasn't that tough. Years ago when I worked for the DOE I compiled more flow charts than the man (or woman - but I'm thinking it was a man because women would have made it smell prettier - perhaps flowery - please note that's a different word than "flowy") who constructed the sewer system. Bubbl would have been very helpful to me then. I think this would be a great tool for students too such as government and maybe how a bill works. Just let it flow along like a river!

The second thing I chose was Mindmeister. I liked this one as well; however, it is trickier and (perhaps) more work for younger students (I spent the last week with first graders and they seem to do be capable of anything except reaching high places on their own). I see students working on group projects for this one and letting their ideas flow together like a big melting pot of ideas. Additionally, it is free as well; however, the nominal fees to join would prove to be more prudent for older students and those in the workforce.

Thing #13

Zoho is a wonderful tool. I am all about peer reviews and editing and students can have a lot of fun with this both academically and socially (if they want). Students can write papers and then call a friend to have them look at it. My best friend, Kathie, is working on her MA in the medical field and is taking an English class. She often asks me to look at her papers by e-mailing back and forth and this tool is much more convenient because she can call me and let me know what's there and have me look at it for her. Or, I could just check the account every few days.

So much of what our students (and children) are doing on the Internet is a social connection such as Twitter or Facebook. I really want to see these kids do something like this that can be both academic and fun. Additionally, sometimes students can't compete socially with somebody but they can academically and Zoho is a great place to meet in the middle.

Congrats to Zoho for providing this incredible service!