Thing #15 - Wikis!

Today I learned about Wikis. I really didn't know anything about them before this assignment or that I had actually used some without even knowing it. I guess I never put two and two together to realize that Wikipedia is just one giant Wiki (this is probably why many teachers do not see it as a valuable source for information but who hasn't used it at least once?).

I posted my little section on the APSU 23 Things Sandbox Wiki and it seemed really cool. I think that it could be useful in an educational setting between teachers. Maybe all the teachers in one subject area/grade level, in a county or school, could make one to swap ideas around. It could also be useful for parent/teacher interaction. If the teacher had a communication Wiki for her parents to use. It might be a good way for parents to express their concerns or compliments to the teacher or other parents. I also noticed, after looking through some of the examples, that it was possible to protect certain pages from being edited. I think that is a wonderful idea especially if you are using it for you classroom. Certain assignments should not be edited. What another wonderful way to communicate on the internet. It's overwhelming at times!

Peace!

Thing #14 - Mind Maps VS. Flowcharts

Honestly, I had no idea there would be any difference between a Mind Map or a Flowchart but apparently there is a large difference. This afternoon, I decided to hang out with Gliffy.com for flowcharts and MindMeister.com for Mind Maps. I had a lot of fun with both but I enjoyed MindMeister a little bit more.

I like Gliffy because it was possible to make very professional looking charts. I think that Gliffy is probably more useful in the actual classroom with study guides and even seating charts.

I liked MindMeister because of the ability to use it for so many different things. I love the idea of being able to organize my thoughts or goals and share them with my friends or other people in the MindMeister community. I also liked being able to access other maps by subject. For example, it was possible to open up the "Education" tab and access thousands of maps related to Education. Both of these sites were very easy to use and it was also possible to print your projects or save them. It is also so great that these tools are FREE!

Peace!

Thing #13 - Writing with Zoho

Hello friends!  It's been awhile!  I decided I would create my Thing #13 blog with Zoho Writer!  I really enjoy this application.  As education majors, we are all used to using Livetext to put our portfolio documents in.  However, the Livetext subscription will eventually run out.  This is a great way to post documents to the web and have the ability to access them wherever you are.  I also like that it is possible to import pictures or other documents from your own computer.  It has all of the same functions as MS Word which makes it very easy to use.  I would definitely use this for my classroom to easily post public documents to the web.  What a great tool!

Peace!

Thing #12 - Google!

Admittedly, when I got this particular blog assignment, I really wasn't excited about it. None of the options were really that interesting to me. After doing the RSS Feed activity, I didn't really need Google Alerts. I have Flikr, so why do I need Picasso. I did attempt Google Notebook and found it very difficult to use nor did I really understand the point. Perhaps, I did not work with it long enough. However, I reluctantly tried out Google Calendar and I really liked it. Personally, I prefer to write down my appointments the old fashioned way in my planner but I enjoyed working with the Google Calendar (see my example below). I think that it could prove very useful in a classroom setting, especially since it can be made public.



I am now at mid-term. I have definitely enjoyed learning about these new tools for use in the classroom and in my personal life. I am looking forward to discovering more! Happy web-surfing!

Peace

Thing #11 - Search Engines Galore!

For this exercise, I was given a few search tools to use for searching for blogs to add to my RSS Feed. Personally, I preferred "Google Blog Search" or "Technorati." I found that these two search engines found the most recently updated blogs and the most pertinent to whatever subject I was looking for. When I typed in Music Education, several hits came up which was great! I found one blog called "Music Education Magic" which is very helpful in relation to all things related to Finale (the popular music software used to make sheet music, etc.). I also found a couple of journals that were easy to subscribe to. During this exercise I also found myself organizing my RSS Feed into folders to make things a little easier to access. Once you start adding all that stuff it does get a little overwhelming!

I did try to upload the "feed icon" and did download the actual icon but I am still in the process of figuring out how to add it to the navigation toolbar.....

Did I mention I'm not very technologically savvy?

Peace!

Thing #10 - Feeding frenzy!

Today I learned about RSS Feeds. I love it! While I already subscribe to several sites and their emails, I was finding it difficult to keep up with all of the blogs that I have found since I started playing with Blogger. Not that I have much extra time to read up on current events, good books, movies, etc., I still think that subscribing to an RSS Feed is very handy and a good idea!

I chose to open an account with Bloglines. I prefer Bloglines over Google Reader because it seemed like it had a little bit more to offer. However, since I have a blog, I am already subscribed to Google Reader. I found it very easy to open an account with Bloglines and I even chose a few feeds to subscribe to while I was registering (ex. USA Today Books News, Rotten Tomatoes: Movies, etc.). I am really exciting to start adding some more of the things I am interested in and make it part of my daily internet routine to check those things.

RSS Feeds would be extremely helpful to me as a music educator. It would be easy to find blogs, articles, websites, etc. that I could subscribe to and keep it all in one place. I also liked one of the suggestions from the "RSS for Educators" article that talked about having your students do a blog and following it through RSS feeder rather than checking every student's blog everyday. I was even thinking I could have the students keep a daily or weekly blog talking about new music or a subject of my choosing. I look forward to playing with it even more!

Peace!

Thing #9 - Cooking Up Online Images

I have played with generators before when I had a MySpace page but never really in depth. For this post, I headed over to ImageChef.com and made a few images for my little blog. I preferred Image Chef over the other generators that were offered because it was a little easier to navigate, in my opinion.

The first image I made was a "Word Mosaic." I really enjoyed this one because it was so easy. All I had to do was pick a symbol, type some words, select a color, and presto! I had my word mosaic. I thought this would be really cool to use to make t-shirt designs, posters, or other publicity for the classroom.

The second image I created was a sign with a cat on it (because I'm a goofball). It was just as easy as the first one. Basically picking symbols and typing words. I also created a coffee cup.

I found myself a little frustrated when trying to create a banner. I had difficulty finding ways to make my banner a little more creative. I think it is just a matter of spending some time with the different generators. I certainly think these generators could be useful in the classroom setting and personally. So many things to do with pictures and words!

Peace!

Thing #8 - Mishaps with Mashups

Music,
originally uploaded by magsb522.

Maybe I didn't play with this whole "mashup" thing enough but I had some trouble finding something I really liked. I settled on the Mosaic Make from Big Huge Labs.com. I like mosaics and I enjoy photos so it seemed like the perfect fit. This particular website is actually pretty cool. I was able to select the Mosaic format and colors of the borders. It is possible to use pictures from your computer, Facebook profile, etc. Although I didn't use photos I had taken personally, the website linked with Flikr and picked out photos that I had added to my "favorites". It was also very easy to post this to my blog. The website basically did it for me. All I had to do was click.

I can see how mashups could be very useful in the classroom. As I was tootling around the different options, I was thinking how cool it would be to make posters for concerts, fliers inviting people to join choir, or incorporate photos into PowerPoint lessons. It would also be useful to make classroom collages to build peer relationships and a sense of community within the class. There are so many options with Flikr and its applications to make photo related things, I could see using it for gifts, the classroom, or my own home decor. What a wonderful resource to organize all your photos! Again, I think that I will just have to play around a bit more with all of these fancy new tools.

Peace!

Thing #7 - Are you ready for your closeup?

100_2382,
originally uploaded by magsb522.

Of course I have heard of Flikr but I had never used it before. It is so much fun! I love taking random photos, especially when I go home. While I do not have a very fancy camera, I still think I take fairly good photos and, I must say, they look really good on this website. This particular photo was taken in May when I went home for my brother's graduation and my birthday. My mother plants a rose (or other plant) when one of our animals passes and this was one she planted for our cat. It has bloomed beautifully and I had to take a photo.

I can see using this website for personal use and in the classroom. It has so many images that could be used for PowerPoints, lessons, or just for fun. I could also be used to upload classroom photos (with students' permission, of course) so that they may be shared with families.

I use Facebook to post the majority of my photos but I really like the idea of being able to create something (a photo book, calendar, etc.) with this web page. However, even though I can post my photos as private, I might still be a little apprehensive about posting pictures of me or my family.

All in all, lots of fun. I can't wait to post some more pictures and see what others are doing too! Love it!

Peace!

Thing #6 - Groovy!

For this entry, we were asked to explore a site from the list of Web 2.0 Awards nominees. There were so many, it was difficult to choose! I wanted to explore Etsy but I figured I had already explored that one enough on my own time. So I settled on Grooveshark which was a very good choice.

Grooveshark is a free website where you can listen to music, make playlists, share them, and upload songs from your personal collection. I started searching for music just to see what kind of variety was there and I found everything from country to classical. I liked that I could make a playlist with what I found. It could be so useful in a music classroom. If we are talking about 20th century jazz, I could find several different recordings pertinent to that time period in music to play while students work or to use as examples. When you find the songs, the website also shows you the album that they are from. It is a great source to try out music without having to buy it. It is also possible to create Widgets for your webpages. I created a small one and put it on this blog. This would be a good way to upload performances from a choir and post them on a school blog so students could hear themselves or other choirs.

I really enjoyed this website and can't wait to play with it more!

Still groovin'!

Peace.

Thing #5 - Web-School 2.0: Infusion or Integration?

When checking out the Educational Technology website given to us in the discovery exercise, I found an awesome blog written by Bob Sprankle on a question that he asked the blogging community. The question was, "what should they (administrators) see as evidence of technology present in my classroom?" Apparently, several people responded and the general consensus was that the instruction should be obviously student centered, the teacher should be the facilitator, and it should be apparent that it is not just being used inside of the classroom. The other part of the response that I liked was the idea that technology should not just be "integrated" but rather "infused" into the classroom. In this day of Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Sexting, Texting, etc. students no longer need to be taught technology. It is what they have grown up around. Students should be exposed to the educational benefits of the World Wide Web. I suppose this sums up my thoughts about "School 2.0."

I think that the future of education is terribly dependent on Web-School 2.o. Perhaps even high schools will start offering online classes. Maybe the idea of school buildings will become obsolete and outdated. As stated in the Atomic learning video on Web 2.0, schools and education continue to evolve. It is certainly not stagnate. Maybe the strong technological movement in the schools is just another effort to move us farther away from the one room schoolhouse with chalkboards and crayons. The idea of having the world at your fingertips is amazing and very useful. I just hope that the one-on-one student/teacher relationships continue. Education is not just about teaching the facts, it's about teaching life skills and making a difference. I don't see myself standing in my music classroom teaching Finale. I see myself teaching students music that they will grow to appreciate and expanding my mind to appreciate theirs. Hopefully, it will not be all about MP3s, hyperlinks, and audio files.

Peace.

Thing #4 - Commenting. Who knew?

When embarking on Thing #4, I had no idea that there were rules relating to commenting, nor did I realize that people were so serious about it! Of course, I have read blogs/articles and the comments following them. I usually keep my thoughts to myself though. I never thought about commenting as a building a sense of community but I suppose in this world of technology, and being "online" all the time, it is inevitable and necessary. It makes me ask the question, how did we ever survive without all of this connectedness?

While reading the various websites on commenting, one of the points really struck me. In the "Cool Cat Teacher Blog", the first point was "Write a meaningful comment." On Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, etc. do people really leave "meaningful" comments? On Facebook, you can just simply "Like" something. Well, why do you like it? What about it is so wonderful? I think that we have become so accustomed to clicking around, that we do not even think about why we really appreciate something. It certainly makes me feel better when people actually comment on my statuses/posts rather that just "liking" them.

ProBlogger cited "10 Techniques to Get More Comments on Your Blog." I actually have another blog that I created a couple of years ago called "Memoirs of a Music Educated Waitress." It is still there although it has not been updated in months. It is so discouraging when no one comments on your blogs (perhaps that is why I have not maintained it better). In reading these tips from ProBlogger, I realize that my other blog is frankly, not that interesting to someone who does not know me. I also found the etiquette very important, not only when commenting but also when responding to comments. It is certainly necessary to be humble and gracious when responding to comments. However, as someone who is commenting, it is equally as important not to be rude or crass.

I started this particular activity only commenting on five blogs. I commented on my classmates blogs: "Mumbles from Maholland", "Shancia's 23 Things", "Heather's 23 Things", and "Moe's Space." A couple of the blogs were written by people I am acquainted with so naturally I am interested in their thoughts. The others were picked at random. I commented mainly on the first three things. I was very interested in seeing how people saw themselves as Life-Long Learners. I also liked reading how my classmates selected their avatars and Blog titles. My comments were mainly encouraging or observational. The fifth blog I commented on is one that I already follow. My best friend has a blog called "Soul of my Shoes". Of course I am interested in it because it is her life and I am mentioned in some of the blogs. Although we maintain contact through email, it is nice to read her ramblings in the blogosphere.

This particular post will continue to be edited as I continue commenting and navigating the blogosphere!

Peace!

Thing #3 - Blogging in the Music Classroom?

For Thing 3, I have been instructed to write on how I might use a blog throughout my teacher education program or in my classroom. In checking out some activities online at Edublog Insights (http://anne.teachesme.com/2004/10/05/) by Anne Davis, I realized that there really are so many more uses for blogs than I ever thought!

First, throughout this program, I will be able to read my classmates' blogs and use their ideas, get support, and flesh out my own ideas for the classroom. It is also nice to write thoughts down and organize them.

As far as in the actual classroom, it is a wonderful way to get parents, students, and other teachers involved in the happenings in the music department. First, I could use the blog to be in touch with other music teachers in the area. The blog would be used to express concerns, put out ideas, and create a sense of community through the county/city/state. Secondly, I could use it to be in touch with my students. As a way to incorporate technology and writing into the music classroom, students could use blogging as a way to write out their thoughts about a particular piece of music, composer, or ways they feel the class could improve. This would be monitored, of course, and their would be certain guidelines that would have to be followed.

Ultimately, blogging has so many more uses than just being an "online diary". It can be used to exchange ideas among professionals, students, friends, and families. I am certainly looking forward to reading my peers' ideas and adding my own!

Thing #2 - A Blog and an Avatar

Since I already had an account with Blogger, it wasn't terribly difficult for me to set up a new blog. However, I haven't blogged in a long time. Perhaps it will be easier since there is a specific subject matter I am assigned to write about.

It took me a long time to decide on my posting name and the name of my blog. I didn't just want to use "23 Things" and I wanted it to be fun and somehow related to my field. Thus, "The Brewer Beat" was born. I chose to use my real name as my posting name because it just seemed like the most practical option.

The Avatar was certainly the fun part. I spent longer than I like to admit creating that little thing. It does resemble me as much as a cartoon can. I was disappointed that I didn't have enough coins to buy a piano though. I'm thinking of changing it weekly to mix it up a bit. Thoughts?

Peace.

Thing #1 - I'm a lifelong learner!

Through this blog, my journey through Instructional Technology will be recorded as I learn the ins and outs of Web 2.0, blogging, spreadsheets, grade books, etc. Not being a techie by nature, I have already found myself in awe of what a computer can do. Although music majors are generally encouraged to take Music Technology, I am finding that this class will no doubt be as useful in the music classroom, if not more.

One of the beautiful things about being in college is the opportunity to explore so many different ways of thinking, subjects, and career options. As someone who has always known exactly what I wanted to do in life, it was a not a difficult decision to come to college and pursue that goal. Through the simple act of coming to college, I had already done the first two of the 7 1/2 habits of a life-long learner and did not even know it. How cool is that?!

In the video, "7 1/2 Habits of a Life-Long Learner," It was a comfort to know that I am already doing many of the habits of a life-long learner. I love to read, I play instruments, and I am in college constantly expanding my mind. However, there were a couple of the 7 habits that I will have to work on...

The hardest thing for me is having confidence in myself as a competent, effective learner. I have a very bad habit of saying or thinking less than positive things about my education and my abilities. I also find myself viewing problems as crisis rather than as just a challenge to overcome. Of course I remember to play. There is something so special about dropping everything and walking, riding a bike, playing outside, or cooking. However difficult it may be to find time to relax and not work, I will do my best to let the brain rest.

Learning to use the Web 2.0 tools more effectively is very exciting. I certainly know how to use the internet somewhat but I know there are so many more options out there for teaching and learning.

However difficult and frustrating this journey may be, I am certainly excited to embark and make one more step to my final goal of graduating and teaching students the joy of music.

Peace!