11.5 Evaluation

1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?

I enjoyed these 11.5 tasks. Many were easy to maneuver and a few were more challenging. Wordle was fun, and I see the benefits for my students. Also, I am using Facebook more these days. I enjoy socializing with people that I haven't had contact with in years. In addition, I see the advantages of using Blinkx. Once in this site, I enjoyed listening to the "One Minute Critic" for book reviews that my students would enjoy reading. Finally, reading about digital citizenship helped me understand that this issue needs to be addressed to my students.

2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?

After completing 11.5 Things, I am amazed by the vast volume of information and web sites are available on the web. There is so much more to learn both personally and professionally.

3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?

It came as an unexpected surprise to me that most of the 11.5 Things were not that difficult to manage.

4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?

I enjoyed 11.5 Things more than the 23 Things from last summer. Maybe I am a little more proficient in my computer skills. I did not feel as pressured as I did last summer. I was even able to take a vacation this summer to Costa Rica for 15
days! I was confident that I would finish the tasks. They seemed manageable.

11. Digital Citizenship

In my opinion, many young people who grew up with the Internet may not realize that the Internet is a social network that involves protocol. Having face-to-face conversations and using IM/ emails are different forms of communication.Reading a message one receives via the computer will leave out gestures and body language that are needed for productive communication.

As school begins, my middle school students will address five concerns involving computers and the Internet.

1. When researching, the students need to investigate more than one source.
2. The students need to question any information they have gathered.
3. Checking over their work is necessary.
4. Students may think that everything on the Internet is accurate and true.They need to read with a watchful eye.
5. My students will be more aware of copyright issues. Sometimes students tend to copy and paste information into their own work. They need to realize that practice is not acceptable.

10. Virtual Worlds

I must say that at first I could not get my mind around the concept of Virtual World.It was foreign to me. However, I think the students would enjoy the experience because it is in 3D and students would be able to interact, learn and communicate in an on-line environment.While exploring, I became interested in Literature Alive, English Village, and Historical Recreation. I need to go more in depth in order to get the full exposure. Finally, my avitar, MaryJo Delicioso, bounced around from place to place and met unknown people that just appeared on the screen with her. I don't know how that happened. As I said, I need to explore more with MaryJo Delicioso! From the picture above, my avitar is just relaxing by the sea. She wanted to scuba dive, but she hasn't learned yet!

9. Slideshare

I found authorStream very easy to use. I made a PowerPoint on reading and its many "faces." My Power Point can be shared with iPods and uploaded on YouTube. It is another tool to share information to a greater number of people!

Reading

Uploaded on authorSTREAM by mjasummer | Upload your own presentation

8.Screencast

I found GoView very user friendly to use. I will definitely use this again in my classroom. Some of the students have trouble saving their work to their SANS folder. This will be a useful tool for me.

7. Video Resourses

My students enjoyed reading Twilight. Listening to the author helps the students see the author as a real person.

6. iTouch

Re: A Little Trick with the IPod Touch or IPhone - More free videos are here

I found this video very helpful. I didn't know how to do a snapshot from the iTouch.I hope this video may help some people when using their iTouch. I was intrigued at all the other features that the iTouch had to offer though.

Using the iTouch in the library can be used by multiple students. If the students want to read books,the Stanza application is a wonderful electronic library. Students download a specific book to read and discuss.