Thing 8-Locate Feeds That Interest You

The biggest learning that I had with RSS is just setting it up after that adding was easy. I did it in two ways 1. Checked my usual sites to see if they had feeds clicked on the RSS button then copy and pasted the URL into the add box in Google Reader. 2. I used the suggestions in the left hand column that Google created based on my current feeds. My feeds consist of my blogs, GR and MI news, Alaska News and Ed Tech related site. I didn't really find any non useful feeds since I wasn't on that mission. I was looking for my usual papers, etc that I use everyday.

Thing 7-RSS and Google Reader

I already use Google reader. I never thought about using it in class. But from the standpoint of daily or current events it would give students a common place to quickly catch on the days news or events depending on the class (Geology, Forensic Science/Crime, US History, etc). I use it in my personal life to keep up on the many papers and sources I use everyday in my life, professional development or at school. RSS and news readers put everything in one easy to find and access area.

Thing 6-Copyright

I just came across this issue last night while creating a video for my class. It was not necessarily with the images or content but using background music for my video. After doing some research it looks like it would be hard to use copyrighted music without the permission of the artist, writer and music company. Luckily, I have my own artist in house and will be using some of his music with his permission. As far as the rest. I am very careful in what I use and if a do use it I will cite the source for the information. Whether it is an in text cite (i.e. PowerPoint) or at the end of a video in the credits section. On another note I have found this site where you can license your own work and let people know from you what is permissible use. It is called Creative Commons and it can be found at http://creativecommons.org/. I am planning on using it from now on and it is free. They do ask for donations.

Thing 5-Mash up

Here is a really fun thing I will be using in class. It can't really be imbedded into my blog entry. But it is called Photosynth. I am using it in my Geology and Forensic Science classes. Soon my Forensic Science classes will be do Crime Scene 360 where they will be composing a 3-D crime scene using this software. Look for the video instructions in the next couple of days. I will be using it in Geology for 3-D landscapes descriptions and rock studies. Here is the link to my Photosynth page. It has a room, landscape and two rocks. http://photosynth.net/userprofilepage.aspx?user=dprindle This will be used more than I think a Flickr type site.

Thing 4-Photosharing

I am currently using two different photo sharing applications in class. Flickr and Photosynth. My Flickr site (http://www.flickr.com/photos/david_prindle/) I am using mainly for Geology class. This summer I took a trip to Alaska and took many pictures for class. With Flickr I can geo tag these photos so the students can relate to the pictures to a geographic location. I am using my photosynth site (http://photosynth.net/userprofilepage.aspx?user=dprindle) to create special three dimensional photo collages for class. Whether it is rocks or landscapes for geology class or in Forensic Science we will be using it for Crime Scene 360. Students will be creating a crime scene and photographing the whole room and the letting Photosynth create a 3-D collage. Also see here about Photosynth (http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/blaise_aguera_y_arcas_demos_photosynth.html)

Time To Get Back In The Game-Things 0-3

Been really busy lately with school and union stuff. So this is catch up weekend for the 23 Things.

Thing 0: I have had several online identities depending on whether it is for personal, business, or school use. Under my school identity I have many Google Apps in use. Google Docs, Reader, Blogger, iGoogle, News, Web, Talk, etc. I am using some of my personal places for school though (Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube).

Thing 1: Web 2.0 tools are very important for learning. I have started using many of them for class. See http://www.hs.bcpsk12.net/dprindle/. Using these tools help students become more connected. I still do some traditional projects and work in class but try to think how can I change them using Web 2.0 tools. Part of my issue at school is that many of the things I use or would like to are blocked by our filter for both students and teachers. Kind of sad (Editorial comment).

Thing 2: As you can see I have created a blog for this class and have created them for my classes and for our Ed Tech group at BCPS. I will be also creating one for parents of students in my class.

Thing 3: It is incredibly important that we create students that are lifelong learners and we as teachers must continuously learn. I think with the advent of Web 2.0 tools most students are way ahead of their teachers as far as using these tools to continue to learn. We as teachers need to keep up and learn how to use and integrate these and future tools into our classroom so we (both students and teachers) can be life long learners.

Coming soon Things 4-8.

I Am Still Here

I am still working on this course. I am also our Association President and we are going through mid year budget cuts and have been pulled away to that. I shall return.