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.