Final Evaluation

1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
The first thing that I would say was my favorite part of the assignment was creating the blog. I never thought I would be capable of creating a blog, but it is so easy and fun. I can see how blogging can be a great tool and I hope to create another blog when I begin teaching. My favorite "thing" was exploring the Web 2.0 Tools. I had already learned about the tools in the previous technology class, yet I loved learning about new tools: Go Animate, Voki and Glogster (both in the image generators "thing"), Game Classroom, PhotoPeach, and many more. There are many educational uses for all of the Web 2.0 tools, and I hope to use all of them in my future classroom.

2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
This blog and completing the 16 things has assisted my lifelong learning goals in various ways. I think that all of the goals were strengthened, but especially Goal #3 Viewing Problems as Challenges, Goal #4 Having Confidence, Goal #6 Use Technology as a Tool, and Goal #7.5 Play. There were times when I did not know how to do things, yet I knew that there had to be an explanation and help somewhere online. I would go online and look through videos and read tutorials and would figure things out by myself. The blog was not really hard work- I found it a fun experience because I loved creating my blog and using the different tools.

3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
I think one unexpected outcome from the program is that I am actually liking Twitter. I thought that there was really no reason for me to have Twitter, yet now I can see that it is helpful. I do not have a lot of things to tweet about, but I do like to follow other organizations and people to stay informed. I will keep my account open, and I hope to use it in the future when I am working to communicate with other teachers and parents. More importantly, the program taught me that I should try the different tools that I find online and that I see others using because I might be surprised and end up finding some that I like and will use.

4. What could I do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
I loved the program because we are provided guidance on what to do and are allowed to explore on our own and learn. There were some links that did not open and were no longer unavailable, so I would just check on them to make sure that they work. I personally wished that there were more things to complete because completing the 16 things and blogging about them was both fun and very informative.

Thing 16: PhotoPeach

PhotoPeach is a great tool! It is very easy to use and the slideshows look very professional. It is a tool that could be used in many areas- in school and at home. I would love to create slideshows like the one below for family events and parties. Also, in the classroom there are many ways to use it. I know several teachers who take and collect pictures of their students throughout the year, and at the end of the year create individualized binders for each student; however, I think that Photopeach is an easier way to present the pictures to students and parents. Students could also collect pictures for projects and then present the slideshows to the class. They could create stories for language arts and narrate the stories to their peers and even create stories for younger students in lower grades. All of the projects can be kept in the site or in the class' blog, and students and parents could access the site to see the projects.

Honors College on PhotoPeach

Thing 15.5: Twitter

I created a Twitter account and it was very easy to do. I had never thought of creating an account because I did not see the use of it in my life, but I think that there are ways that I could use it professionally. I could communicate with other teachers and parents who do have Twitter about reminders about meetings, special assignments, and other activities. At the same time, it is a way to stay informed. I am following the US Department of Education to be informed about educational legislation occurring in the nation. I want to follow other organizations and people, so I will continue to explore Twitter.

Follow me @e_silva22

The more I use Twitter, the more I see it as a valuable tool!

Thing 15: Skype

Skype is a great tool! My family and I have used Skype when we want to talk with family in Mexico. Usually we just talk on the phone, but we also like to see each other and Skype allows us to do this. Also I have seen Skype used in the schools. When I was in high school we Skyped with others students who were also in a Sacred Heart school in Louisiana and in other states.

This past summer I was able to see how Skype can be used in the classroom to enhance instruction. I worked in a summer camp with several classes, including a Spanish class. The teacher used Skype to have her lower school and middle school students talk and see native Spanish speakers who live in Guadalajara, Mexico and London. The students loved seeing the other children and were amazed by their Spanish skills. The native speakers showed our students several items and toys, which made the experience a favorite of the students.

While looking through the resources for this "thing," I found several uses for Skype that I think would be great to use. One of them is to use Skype to communicate with students who are sick and unable to attend the classroom. A teacher learned that a student had leukemia, so used Skype to stay in contact with the student. I have also heard about the ePals Global Community, which I think I would like to use in the future. As students see and talk with each other, they can learn so much from each other's lives and experiences.

I have seen the benefits of using Skype, and I know that it is a great tool to use in everyday life and in the classroom.

Thing 14: Podcasting and Bookmarking

Podcasting 
I visited the Texas Education on iTunes U and I found so many resources. One of the newest videos is on Phonemic Awareness, which is a topic that we are currently discussing in my PreK/K Curriculum and Instruction course and I hope to explore it more in depth to learn more about it. I also found several videos, slides, and handouts on English and Spanish Language Arts and Reading so that teachers can understand how to implement the TEKS, English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS), and College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) in the classroom.

Bookmarking
I have already created an account on Delicious on classroom resources in English and Spanish. I found many different sites with lesson plans, games, videos, music, activities, and resources in both languages for future use. I think that Delicious is a great tool because you are able to access your bookmarks in multiple computers and there is no danger of losing bookmarks if a computer does not work.

I decided to explore Pinterest after hearing that several of my classmates love the site. I had to create an account by requesting an invite and while I waited for the email to be sent, I was able to look through the boards others had made. There were boards on recipes, clothes, and even home decorations.
After I have received my invite, and I was able to create my boards! I have begun with 5 boards: Wise Words, Teaching, My Wish List, Books Worth Reading, and Craft Ideas. I have pinned several things, and I can see why it can be such an addicting site! Now I want to pin everything I see!