Thing #12 - Exploring Google

Google scholar was the first tool I explored. This tool allowed me to search for peer-reviewed scholarly articles with ease. I could simply type in a subject of interest to me and any research studies that had been performed and written about in a professional journal were available to me. Google even noticed that I was an Austin Peay student so that any journal article available through APSU's library were now available to me online through a link next to the article. Another unique feature was that you could cite articles in many different formats just by clicking cite underneath the article header. I could implement this tool in my class whenever my students are writing a research paper for me or whenever I need to freshen up my own content knowledge in the sciences.

The other tool I investigated was the alert system. This tool sends an alert to your email whenever a feed is made regarding your subject of interest. I made an alert to send any important information regarding "Cystic Fibrosis Kalydeco" to my email as it happens. This will allow me to stay on top of this information immediately as it becomes available. I thought this was a very useful tool for the classroom because I could have my students set up an alert system for any feeds that pop up on my classroom blog.

Thing #11 - Finding Good Feeds

All of the methods for finding feeds were relatively easy to navigate, but if I had to choose I would use the Google Blog search. It's as easy as typing in your topic of interest in the toolbar and clicking search. Immediately, a list of the premier blogs related to your search pop up. I also liked using blog search engine because it had thumbnails next to the different blogs. Technorati was easily the most confusing. First, you had to choose between a post or blog search. Secondly, the blogs weren't an any particular order of importance or popularity from what I could see. Lastly, half of the links I clicked on for blogs I wanted to visit didn't even work.

I found a few useful feeds. One such feed was about high school girls soccer in TN. I was particularly interested in this feed because I coach high school girls soccer. Another feed I decided to follow was regarding eating a completely raw diet. I thought this blog was very interesting and unique. I found it was very hard to eat a completely raw diet but the author found marvelous benefits from the change in lifestyle.

One method I found for finding newsfeeds was to look at what other bloggers were using. To add to my newsfeed I would simply just look for the universal orange icon or subscription logo.

Thing #10 - RSS Feeds

I really like the convenience of RSS readers. It was very easy to create my Feedly account and subscribe to various blogs and sites. I subscribed to things I was interested in for the most part, such as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Sports Illustrated, Science journal, and CNN. I found it much easier just to get on my Feedly account and check out all the new feeds from my sites rather than visit each one individually.

I can use this technology in my class by having my students subscribe to my podcasts. In this way, they can review a topic we discussed in class right at home. This would be especially helpful for students who miss class time. Another way to use RSS would be to have my students blog their homework to me. I can use an RSS interface to check if they have completed their work and even give them immediate feedback on their progress. Personally, I can use RSS to keep on top of news that's relevant to me. RSS is a simple way to save a few minutes in my hectic day.

Teachers can also use RSS as a method for professional development. Teachers can follow different feeds through an RSS platform and discuss what they have found with their colleagues. RSS helps fuel collaboration which fosters an environment for effective teaching.

Thing #9 - Image Generator

The image generator that I used was called the Warning Sign Generator. The site is very easy to find. I simply typed into google "image generators" and it was one of the first sites to pop up. The site is also easy to navigate. First you pick a template, then you pick an image, and finally you insert text. Here are a few of my creations below:

This application can definitely be used in the classroom as well. Teachers can easily use the application to make signs to decorate their classrooms with. Students may use this platform to make creative works of art regarding almost any subject.  As an assessment tool, this also assumes students have an enduring understanding of the material in order to transform it into a content-related, abstract graphic design. Image generators are very useful and can be used in a wide variety of circumstances. Personally, I don't think I would use an image generator outside of my classroom.

Thing #8 - Mashups

To make my image (as seen below) I used the jigsaw creator on the BigHugeLabs mashup application. I took this photo in the U.S. Virgin Islands in the fall of 2012. My fiance and I climbed up to the tallest point on the mountain overlooking Brewer's Bay. I guess I could use mashups in my personal life if I wanted to get more creative with my photography but I don't really see myself delving too deep into the different applications. I'm not very artsy; however, I do think these applications could be used in the classroom.

One application I saw tracked photos that you took on a map, which I thought was pretty neat. This application could even be used in a biology classroom. Students could take pictures of the different flora and fauna in a particular area and map the different species using this application. It would be a great investigation exercise for the students.

In general, I think photo sharing is perfectly fine as long as it is used appropriately. Since regulating the traffic of photos across the web is impossible parents and teachers both have to be mindful of what children may be exposed to on the internet. The internet is a great resource, for better or for worse.

                                 

Thing #7 - Exploring Flickr

Flickr is a very interesting site. I didn't sign up for Flickr because I don't plan on making any albums myself, however, I do see how this site could be useful for sharing photos with friends, family, students, and parents. As I explored Flickr I noticed there are pictures on just about any topic you could ever want to talk about with students. In this way, teachers can use Flickr as a platform for discussion. Flickr is a great visual resource for students and teachers alike.

This is the photo (found below) I selected from Flickr. I typed in Clarksville and this photograph popped up. I really liked this photo because it caught nature in the act. I'm a pretty big fan of mother earth (being a science teacher candidate) and so I like photographs that reflect her power and beauty. The photograph was taken by Thanh Lay.