Podcasts (The best kept secret - and I hate secrets)

So we still have a few weeks until the Podcasting section of our class, but I went ahead and looked up the podcast idea and information through Google, which took me to Wikipedia which gave me some great information. I was suprised at how many podcasts were avaialble and the subjects...
For instance: I am an English Major. For years I have been learning how to write a great paper. I have learned the differences in expectations between teachers. I have honed my skills in configuring a compelling thesis statement and I can make anything a great topic sentence. However, I watched 3 podcasts on good storytelling called Ira Glass on Storytelling #1, #2, #3.
I learned that  when making a video story, I should never write the script like a paper. No thesis statement, no topic sentences, no summary. I would treat the script like an anectote.  A sequence of actions which ask a question (not literally, figuratively) and then an answer to the question. I will write to manipulate the work so that the viewer is always asking the next question, and then getting an answer.
Many times the sequence is great, but has a lousy moment of reflection. And other times, the outcome is exactly the opposite.
Ira Glass said "Failure is a big part of success". If you are not failing, you are not trying -- And one can never be afraid to try it out -- but kill it if it is crap.
He did say that almost everyone who is successful has good taste, but they do crappy work for years before they get it right. The only way to "get it right" is by doing it every day, work on a deadline -- even when you aren't being paid -- and that volume is the only thing that will close the gap between crappy work and the sublime.
Ira Glass is an NPR journalist who has been in the business for 30 years.
Addendum: The two students who shared with the class their podcast ideas did a great job. Itunes.com has a magnificent selection of Podcasts including language selections as well as many other learning resources.

Photo Sharing At it's finest

I signed up for flickr several weeks ago and downloaded some photos on to it, however the value of social photo sharing really came into play this week when I was preparing a power point presentation for my Multi Etnic Literature class. I needed some photos of Liberia and sure enough, there were several that I was able to use. I gave credit to the photographer either under the photo or at the end, but WOW, it was so simple and I didn't have to worry about getting myself into trouble.
Flickr Photo Sharing

Thursday 7/15 Last Official Blog for Ed 2500

Today I am completing the requirements for my blog. I will turn it in for my points this afternoon. It is almost bitter sweet, to coin a phrase, but I have learned a lot from this experience.
I had no idea that there was so much information out there for technology in education.
I learned about RSS feeds and other sites that keep me up to date, with daily information that will be pertinent as I get further and further into the teaching profession.
Second, I actually learned something about Wiki's. I hope I get the appropriate points on this topic, but I will admit that I never made any changes to any wiki sites and this is the reason why. I logged on and created my own account, but the reality is that I didn't feel like I had anything to contribute. If I felt like I was an expert on something, I wouldn't have a problem, but I am not... so I couldn't make a contribution.
The bookmark sharing was awesome. In fact, I was at the college library and needed a site I couldn't remember and sure enough, I had put it on my delicious site.
Photo sharing was pretty cool. I like the idea of a legal sharing site where I don't have to worry about whether it is ok for me to use and music as well.
Podcasts are not new for me however I didn't realize that I could download them on my computer for later use so that was very useful.
I will continue to work on this even though it will be turned in for the points.
Thanks Dr. Davis. This was a super informative class and I believe that my final tech-badge will be greatly improved from 4 weeks ago.

Photo Story 3 Success at last...

Tuesday In Class

I have to be honest. The online class is not my first choice... I would much rather meet face to face. I am SO frustrated with webquest. I would love to throw it out the window. Who has this much time to just sit and fiddle on the computer. It takes more time to figure these programs out than I have in a day.
Honestly, isn't there a way to do this that is easier?

I truly believe that I am intelligent enough to get this but I am getting angry that the program is so difficult to get into. GRRR...

Monday 7/12/2010 On my own

I viewed the online UEN class UEN Lesson Plan and Rubric Tools. I will admit that I have been uptight about creating my own lesson plans correctly and trying to create a rubric from scratch. Watching the video put my mind at ease and I found that like any other technical function, it's really all about the time I invest in the software.
The tutorial gave a lot of detailed information, some that went right over my head, however there were alot of new things that really helped me feel more confident.
On another note, I have completed all of the assigned UEN videos as well as my rationales. I have only my blog, Lesson Plan and presentation yet to complete so will continue to work on them.
Two weeks remain in summer session. Wow.

Time to catch up on the blog...

I am not sure how the week got away from me, but it did. I have been so busy working on Rationales, Web Quest and UEN papers I somehow forgot to keep up on this blog. I have been terrific on my other blog, but oh well.
Anyway, I am done with my Rationales. The word rationale sounds so much bigger than the actual paper or project and now that we have done six, the rest will be easy. It's just a matter of telling someone else "why" I believe that the artifact fits into the exact value.
Web Quest is not hard, just time consuming for the first couple of times. The first one got tossed for one reason; it was stupid. The one I am working on now is for Juniors and Seniors and will be a collaborative project which will include social studies and the math department as well as English. I think it will be fun.
The UEN classes are amazing and like I said in class, I should have watched them the first week (and, yes, Dr. Davis did suggest it, but there were so many other things to keep up on.)

I am not feeling so overwhelmed anymore. I think this techy stuff is awesome, but I am not used to sitting for so long and my bum hurts after a few hours.

Digital Storytelling

Even though my Photo Story 3 project has already been completed, I wanted to find out more so that I could use it in the future. I went to the UEN site and watched DIGITAL STORYTELLING for one of my 4 UEN assignements.
I learned several new things.
First, I had no idea that Window had a movie maker which was nice to learn.
The infomation regarding video importing was very helpful as well as the suggestions for classroom use. I could actually see myself doing a project with my grandkids to use this at home. Kids can use this to "paint" there own stuff and make a story board out of the story. It could be used as an opportunity for classroom collaboration as well.
There was some super useful information on triming, sizing and editing.
A few minor things to work around such as the fact that you can't insert an audio track and narration at the same time. But that is something that you could work around.
The video was helpful but several of the things he tried to show didn't exactly work like he wanted and I never got to see the finished product.
He did remind viewers that it was all wasted unless it was saved appropriately.
He also took us to his personal blog which listed several bookmarks and some other cool gadgets.

Blogging with Blogger and instructions from the UEN website

I have been working on techy stuff all weekend for this class. Much of which has been done by trial and error, however I will say that my quest for knowledge is paying off.
I have now watched the "blogging with blogger" on the UEN website (something I should have done eons ago) and I am certain that it will make blogging easier and certainly more productive.

More about Wikis, New info on Web Quest and loads of homework

So I was too busy yesterday trying to figure out what I am supposed to be doing to even think about my rationales. I feel like Dr. Davis thinks we don't have any other classes. This should be a two part class cuz there is too much for one short summer semester... I asked today and several people feel as I do...Too much, too quick.
Wikis seem unreliable as anyone can change, update or add/delete information. I am so skeptical of the information on Wikis that I don't really want to even attach my name to one. I am not an expert in ANYTHING so how is it I can post information regarding anything...
Web Quest on the other hand, looks amazing and I can't wait to play with that a little more. I don't exactly get why we are creating lesson plans yet, but I will just go with this and not ask too many questions.
I am so glad we have a long weekend so I can catch up.
My rationales will all be done this weekend and I will catch up on the techy stuff.
Grrr. Overwhelmed.

Wiki, Brochures, Google Docs and other...

OMG. Does anyone else feel overwhelmed?
I feel like I should have nothing else to do but homework for this class.
There should have been a prerequisite that said we needed a certain level of proficiency to take this class. I must be an idiot.
OK now that I have vented, perhaps I can breathe.

Wikis look interesting. I was always taught they were unreliable and I suppose for research projects and papers, they aren't the most reliable, however I love the idea of using it for classroom projects. The kids can see the "wheels turning" as they post their comments and learn from each other experiences.

Google Docs was a waste of time. I see the potential but I couldn't get mine to download, nor could I receive other docs from other students. I was frustrated with this

Pamphlet is in progress. Cut and paste is fine but one day to get it done? WOW. OK here we go.

The rationale sounds worse than it is. It's just time consuming, but that's what teaching is all about.

So much to do

I have always tried to keep up on the basics of technology, but I had no idea how much cool software was available.
I started my Electronic Portfolio yesterday and fell into some really cool ways of brainstorming, organizing and putting everything together. Don't forget that we will be meeting today in the Smith Computer Center at 11 to brainstorm as classmates.
See you there.
Kelli

Wimba and other technical challenges

So, we had our first online class this morning and I had challenges getting online. There were two things that came from those challenges though...
First, technical service rocks and I was able to work through the difficulities and get online long before class was over.
Second, I found someone who is good at blogging and will help me. We will meet online tonight and she will answer my questions.
Also, today is my light day for classes so I have been staying out of the heat in and working on my blog site, electronic portfolio, brainstorming for ideas and other tech stuff.
Tomorrow I will meet other classmates in the Computer lab to continue our brainstorming... If you want to join us at 11, just show up. We will find seats together and collaborate.

Committment

In the attempt to grow, I am making a committment to launch myself into this new endeavor of blogging. I am going to journal my growth by expanding my blogging capabilities to include a personal exercise journal (which will include my exercise program, food journal and weight loss) over the next several months. July and August.

Please see the addition of this Blog called "My Best Me" along with another Blog spot called "Speaking Notes" which will include thoughts on my speaking engagements.

Please see the addition of a calendar, exciting activities and other items within the gadget area that I have gleaned information from other classmates on.

The Last Day

Ok, so I know you are wondering what the heck that title means. The last day? Yep. It's the last day of the school week. That means that my weekend is almost here.
Tonight is movie night; I think I will see Date Night as I have heard that it is awesome.
Friday is Zumba day. I love Zumba. Dance, dance, dance.
Friday's include some personal time (which as a student I don't get very often) and then studying... A cocktail party in the evening will be fun.
Saturday i will be attending the Red Rock Womens Conference "Launch Your World". I am the closing speaker and I am really excited. I will recap the day and send the women out the door with something that will inspire them. I have a beautiful new dress and some amazing shoes - they are red. (never had red shoes before). I will post a photo on Monday...
Sunday a bike ride (20 miles) and then a pool party.
Somewhere in all of this fun I will study. I have reading to do, technology for Tech Ed and Grammar.

So this blogging thing is becoming more comfortable. I have learned to change the background, fonts, etc. I will learn about pictures, downloads and other options today. I am excited to play with this and can totally see the classroom application. If something like blackboard were not available, (i.e. foreign study areas) but the internet was, I could use this to communicate with my students.

On a personal note: life is good. I have made some major decisions and now just have to put the goals into action form, remembering always that my body is weaker than my mind and I am very strong, which leads me to the concrete knowledge that i can accomplish anything. I deserve all good things life has to offer. "in doing so, I give other people permission to do the same."

Day 2 Edu 2500

The navigation will be the most difficult. I never run out of things to say so I am sure i can fill pages. I will practice daily and hope for the best. This will be a fun class to learn in. A great environment to practice in. Lots of hand holding.

Creation

An attempt at new technology. I will begin this blog today for Ed 2500. It appears that I will be blogging regularly so ... I hope I catch on quickly.