One Last Thing

I did it, WOO HOO !!
To be totally honest, I didn't have any idea what I had gotten myself into when I signed up for 23 Things, but man am I glad I did. I considered myself somewhat computer literate before this class began, I was wrong. I have thoroughly enjoyed the class and have enlarged my toolbox greatly. I am much more comfortable with blogs, wikis, and networking than I ever was before. I have enjoyed my google reader and will definitely continue to use that tool. I managed to create a web site for my soccer team that I will now keep up for the players and parents. While much of this information is a little bit of a stretch to incorporate into the pe gym, there are some very innovative people out there that have changed that thinking process and I have found some of these people now. This was a very cool, interesting, and most importantly, a very helpful class. I think it should be a requirement of all teachers to complete. The possibilities are endless.(I had to say it one more time)

Thing #23 - WOO HOO !!

While I found Classroom 2.0 on Ning to be a little "busy" as a site, I definitely think it could be used as a very informational and helpful tool for the classroom teacher. The discussion forums offer an opportunity to throw new ideas out there and get feedback from other professionals, or to just share things that have been successful in your own room. I was however disappointed when I tried to find some physical education groups and ideas. There was very little to be found. I did come across an idea that was started by a user that wanted to use Skype to show different pe lessons and ideas from different parts of the world. I thought that was a pretty cool idea. This teacher had to make sure he had permission from the parents to broadcast this idea. We have to think about all the legalities before we get too carried away with technology. The idea didn't take off like the poster wanted but vowed to try again this year. I view Classroom 2.0 Ning as a supportive site that I will now bookmark and put in my "toolbox" and hopefully the pe groups and forums will grow.

Thing #22

Saw a story last night on 20/20 about Facebook. There are currently more than 500 million users are now on Facebook. I must admit that I am user number 4,112,342, just kidding. Eventhough I shouldn't be, I am amazed at that number. Social networking has boomed over the last few years and I really don't see an end in sight. I prefer Facebook over any other networks mainly due to security and the easy applications. While I am somewhat nervous about putting pictures on there it is such a great tool for grandparents, family, and friends to be able to share with at any time. While all this is very cool and easy, there are definitely dangers to the sites. Already stories of kidnappings and runaways with people that have been found on the sites. Kids must be monitored on the sites. I think there could be a place for the sites in education such as using it for discussion and colaboration but I think the sites are better suited for what they are, social networks.

Thing #7B

I don't know how many of yall have a person close to you that have Alzheimer's disease but my dad has the disease. He has gradually began to show signs of the disease in the last few years. I found this article on my reader that discusses new plans to slow Alzheimer's disease. If nobody close to you suffers from this brain disease, consider yourself lucky. I am deeply saddened to be around my dad, a feeling that guilts me to the bone. I know they will not be able to find solutions to help my dad, but maybe they will be able to save my kids from this guilty feeling.

Thing #21

Ok I finally did something I have said for years I need to do - I set up a web site for my Wrangler Soccer Team. This will be a work in progress but I now have a good start thanks to Google Sites.

I have also set an alert for a couple of personal things and one professional idea. This is a really cool tool, the work comes to me instead me going to find it, always a good thing.

I am really amazed at the easiness and convenience of most of the tools we have discovered in this class. I can really see the benefits for the classroom teachers.

Thing #20

Google Docs is a great tool for professional and personal use. I am a big fan of Excel and to use it for budgets at home as well as for my soccer team budgetting at school. I like having this on Google Docs so I dont have to keep up with a flash drive all the time. I can also use google docs to share my summer soccer workout with my players who might lose their packets that I give them when they leave for the summer (they never lose those of course) or other coaches that might be intersted in what am doing with my guys.
If you want to see my workout you can go check it out.

I might try to use this tool with my PE kids as they are instructed to keep up with their diets for two weeks, this would allow them to log their meals very easily for me to see. The possibilities are endless.

Thing #19

I like voicethread a lot. Looking up the physical education voicethreads I came across this one on Fair Play, what a great idea. Unfortunately in today's world the idea of fair play has been overlooked and forgotten. The idea to get these kids to discuss fair play and make the video is an awesome attempt by this teacher to instill in the students a long forgotten aspect of sport.

Personally, how cool would it be to get a grandparent or two to record their voice reading a story or telling one of their own. I know I still have days that I wish I could hear my grandma's voice just one more time.

Thing #18

I enjoyed surfing through the Teacher Tube videos for physical education. The video I slected is actually very similar to a project that I have my students do when I am teaching the Foundations of Physical Education class. I have never put any of these videos or projects on the internet but that is now a possibility. I have always kinda thought of You Tube in a negative light, there is just too much crap for one to see. I now have a different attitude about the possibilities of it now, but I think I will stick with Teacher Tube as much as possible for security reasons.

Thing #17

There is no doubt that Podcasting can be a very useful tool in the classroom. Many teachers are already taking advantage of this technology. Since there were no physical education podcasts on the list, I went out and found my own. I found a podcast called TalkShoe. I was able to get a few new ideas on games, skills, and fitness components I am going to try in the my gym this upcoming year. I added this site to my Google Reader to track as well. You can tell the host pingeyez2 is very experienced and has some great ideas for the gym. The last podcast was very interesting in which he discusses PE in 2020. Seeing that he has been in the gym for 36 years already, it is interesting to hear his perspective on the future.
Podcasts are great and just another tool that is already and will in the future, enhance and change education in many ways.

Thing # 16

Library Thing is very easy to use and a great idea. Everything from a personal book catalog to a world wide book network. Since my wife is just a few classes away from getting her librarian certification (please, please, please) this site was very interesting to the both of us. She already has plans to use it to catalog her grandfather's library for him on line, and I would imagine ours is not far behind. The tags component makes it very easy to find books by subject so I can see where this sight might help in the research process as well. Really like the concept of Library Things(as does my wife).

Thing #15

Delicious is not new to me, I have used it in the past. What a great organizer and time saver, whether it be personally or professionally. I had not used this tool in the past to look up information or websites, but rather just as a bookmark organizer for myself. The tags make it very easy for the user to find many relevant sites in just a few minutes, hence research is made easier. Delicious is a really cool concept, your bookmarks are with you at all times as are many other people's as well. The link to my Delicious account (there's just something funny about that) is Alex Figert's Delicious Page.

Thing #7A

The sports world lost a giant yesterday - George Steinbrenner. William C Rhoden wrote yesterday a column about the fact that as he put it Not Even Steinbrenner Lasts Forever.

We all die at some point no matter how much or how little we have. But the legacy we leave, good or bad, will be around for a long time.

Rhoden asks an interesting question when discussing the bringing down of the old Yankee Stadium, "Would you rather be demolished and go quickly, or be dismantled like this, little by little?

Me. I want to be demolished. When it is my time, the quicker the better.

And You?

Thing #14

I went to Jigzone and did this puzzle. What elementary teacher couldn't use this tool for his/her kids and be a big hit?

I also went to Wordle and did the 23 things in an abstract. How about using this tool for that one abstract thinker in a class that just thinks differently than the others.

Eventhough you have to create accounts at all these sights, most seem to have a free component to them with the option to did a little deeper. Great tools to have though.

Thing #13

These are my kids, and I used the Pop Art Poster on bighugelabs.com to make these. It was really easy to use, just upload a picture and press the magic button and presto. My wife is a creative memories woman and she has recently done some really cool things with the new digital process they are now using. I will post some of these as well. As far as education is concerned, what kid wouldn't like to make a comic strip or even a comic personality of themselves? The possibilities are endless (I know I keep saying that, but isn't it true?) Really cool things for all.

Thing #12

Faces of Teaching

All shapes and sizes, all nations and races,
both genders, no doubt all colores of faces.
Tall and short, young and old,
some are shy, while others bold.
But God made some people to be a special creature,
He gave then the heart and face of a teacher.

Photo credits:

Moodle Guide for Teachers by stonemasonry
Rural China: Primary School Teachers #1 by pmorgan
Mapuchean teacher by Rodrigo Álvarez
Afghan teacher by The Advocacy Project
student teacher by Rex Pe
Olympic Week-Teacher for a Day by Chicago 2016 Photo

Thing #11

In tawytanners's photos I found this picture and it encouraged me to try to think back to when I decided I wanted to teach and coach young people. I can't remember back that far, I guess it has always been God's plan for me.

I think Flickr is just another great tool for teachers and students to incorporate into the learning process. The use of pictures and photography enhances projects and presentations and encourages creativity as well.


Here is the link to this picture:
Teacher Appreciation

Thing #10

Well those big sighs of relief you keep hearing are teachers all over the country learning about Creative Commons. As a former English teacher I know I might should be hanged or experience death by firing squad for the many copyright infractions that occurred under my watch or heaven forbid by me personally. CC seems to provide a safe place for educators and students to retrieve important documents, pictures, and other types of imformation that can lead to successful progress in the education field. While I have not seen CC on many things, I feel this tool will do nothing but grow and expand to limitless boundaries, maybe our education will follow.

Thing #9

Honestly I found getting started in the sanbox very frustrating. I think it was my "dinosaur" computer because it was much easier to finish on our laptop. The concept of the sandbox is really cool and the possibilities are endless for teaching purposes. I had to start over numerous times but once I changed computers it was much easier. Just goes to show what can happen if technology is not updated on a regular basis, we just can't keep up with advancements. If you get a chance go to my page, Sand in My Shorts, in the sandbox and check out the Burning Question.

Thing #8

Reading Vicki's post almost reminds you of a little kid discovering that they can walk - it takes some work and you get tired but the limitations of where you can go become endless. And it's exciting too. It's a perfect example of a teacher getting out of their comfort zone and the students are the ones who reap the benefits (and her indirectly).
How could you not like the Salute to Seuss Wiki project. Doesn't matter what you teach or what age, Dr. Suess is a legend. The use of the Wiki to enhance her students' reading, activities, and projects is awesome.
Another of my favorites is the school in the past. We all know the special relationship between grandparents and grandkids and what a great way to include this relationship in the classroom. What an eye opener it must be for these kids to hear some of the different ideas that are shared. Pretty cool to read through some of these past circumstances.
Perhaps my favorite Wiki was the Code Blue. Being a PE/Health teacher I love the organization of the different body systems and love the Yucky body functions component. Great way for kids to explore the human body and understand its functions. Could definitely use this idea when I teach The Foundations of Exercise PE class in the high school setting.
It was interesting to see the different ways the wikis were organized. For a novice like me, the easier the better. The aspect that I like the most about the Wikis were the ones that allowed a place for students to show off their works and projects. This allows the kids to be proud of their work and indirectly makes them more accountable to do their best.

Thing #7

The importance of commenting is simple - If there are no comments, there is no conversation. There are at least two sides to a conversation and in essence isn't that what one of the main purposes to a blog? But just as it is in a verbal conversation, it is important to be constructive. Commenting also allows for new and fresh ideas to share and explore not just for teachers but for everybody. And don't we all want to be heard if we speak? Experienced people who share their experiences and learnings can really affect the world, especially in teaching. The possibilities are endless if blogs are clear and constructive.

Thing #6

This is really cool. This has been a great and enlightening experience already. This should be required of all teachers.

In response to an earlier post, I found an answer to the "dinoaur teacher" that I discussed in Thing #2. I David Warwick's Blog 2 Cents he has a post entitled Zero Tolerance in which he addresses what he thinks about this type of teacher.

“No more excuses.”

We’ve waited long enough. It’s been 15, 20, 30 years depending on when you want to start the count. Teachers have had enough time to accept and adapt. They’ve had enough time to decide if they want to teach today or yesterday — enough time to decide if they want to prepare their learners for the future, or for the 1950s.

I’m hearing again and again how education conferences, geared toward 21st century issues, are growing and exceeding attendance projections — and sense that a tipping point might have been reached. We have been patient enough and our students have probably let us get away with foot dragging teachers way too long.

The question is simple, “Are you going to adapt your philosophies and practices to a new generation of learners, a new information environment, and a new future?”.

If not…

Then get out and go run a Laundromat.


Couldn't have said it better myself.

Thing #5

Ok so how many of yall out there are doing what you thought you would be doing when you were 18? Not me. In the blog Should 18 year olds really know what theythey're going to do for the rest of their lives -http://students2oh.org/2008/04/04/18yrlife/ -- I found this question a bit laughable because we as educators really do ask our students all the time to ponder this decision. While it is important for them to at least start thinking about it, we won't even let them buy alcohol until they are 21. But we will let them vote at 18. I changed majors three times in college, and really figured it out about half way through my junior year. Although there are exceptions to the rule, I feel most 18 year olds need a little more time and experience to make such a major decision, one that will probably change anyway. So we as educators should understand this and just give the " nation's future" the guidance and direction in which ever way they need, some will need more than others.

Thing #4

Looking through some of these blogs, I see many different styles and purposes. Some are very formal and some not so much. Most are opinionated but some are backed up by facts. But one thing is for sure, there is a place for blogs in a classroom. With proper instruction and guidelines, I feel students can benefit from these free writing spaces. The results are endless and the limitations are few, but if done properly, the possibilities could change the classroom as we know it.
The blog that caught my attention was the blog Spies Like Us. It is amazing to me what kids can do with any type of technology these days, not always positively. Unfortunately people, no matter their age, don’t always think before they post on boards or use cameras to take pictures etc. etc. There are already countless stories of unfortunate happenings as a result of the internet. In many of these cases, age has no bearing on the result, not even fifth graders.
While teaching high school PE is not the ideal situation for incorporating blogs in my teachings, there are ways to incorporate them, maybe I will blog to find some of these ideas.

Thing #2 - Thoughts about Web 2.0

While reading this article one can't help but get excited about the possibilities that can result form the technology that has been developed in the last few years. These advancements can lead to better communication between teachers, students, parents, and administration. It is well known that good communication is a key to any successful relationship. All teachers want their students to think critically and in more depth. These advancements also allow students to create their thoughts and answers and also provide opportunities for teachers to make students accountable for their work not only to them but to other students. Most students these days want to use technology in their learning and in many classrooms teachers are using these technologies in their strategies.
Unfortunately two major problems arise when we discuss technology in the classroom, money and "dinosaur teachers". Many school districts across the U.S. just simply don't have the money needed to equip our teachers and students with the technology needed. To my dismay I just found out that they have cut out two technology based teachers from my sons' school for next year. School districts say they understand the importance of technology but the first place they look to make cuts are often times tied to this area. Another important thought here is the fact that any many cases the students do not have access to computers at home. This is a major barrier for teachers. The scenario presented in the article is definitely looking through rose colored glasses but unfortunately is not realistic for all school districts.
The "dinosaur teacher" that resists change and technology are found in all our schools. We all have our ways and styles but there will always be those that say and do things "the way I have always done them". This resistance will continue to delay the day when all teachers are using blogs and wikis. I do think eventually we will see the day where most teachers are using technology to their advantage and more importantly to their students advantage.
Learning to use these programs and technologies is very important to me. Having two kids of my own I feel an obligation to them to keep up with the advancements in order to be able to help them through school and be a resource for them as well. Having at least a base understanding of these programs allows me to stay involved in their world.

Thing #1 - Reflections on Lifelong Learning

While listening to this presentation, one thing sticks out to me as the most important fact - Attitude is everything. I am 6 hours away from achieving something that I never thought I would even try to accomplish. I will receive my Masters degree in December. Ten years ago when I signed on to teach in Mesquite ISD I never planned on working on this degree but as the time drew near and the thought of getting a new job changed my attitude and as I have progressed through my classes my attitude has changed toward my teaching. Even though I teach Physical Education I have engaged my students in many different learning strategies and learning processes and I have become a better teacher as a result. I had to change my attitude or I would be looking for a new job as we speak and I would have to leave a great school behind.
Looking at the 7 1/2 habits it is very easy for me to pick out the most challenging, the easiest, and the most important habits for me. I will struggle with using technology to my advantage mainly due to my subject area and the lack of technology available to my department. Hopefully I will find something in this class that will aid this weakness. I also hope to find more confidence in my abilities to teach these ideas. I will never struggle in finding time to play and shouldn't we all know and be able to see where the end is to all of this? I am definitely up to a challenge and one of my personal traits that drives my wife crazy is my persistence. I view creating my toolbox and teaching others as the most important of the habits. A good teacher has many different ways to teach their students and as technology grows, this toolbox must keep pace.
I also love the fact that my students and more importantly to me, my own kids, see me going to school and studying, showing them that being a lifelong learner is important no matter how old we become.