Thing 6

Here is a ToonDoo that I created in a very simple format to introduce Parts of Speech to describe a picture. I did have difficulty copying the embed code to post it here and had to get creative. I had a similar issue with Kerpoof, but was able to create a similar "toon' with a similar use of poetry and parts of speech. I can see the use of both of these sites to encourage students to write and create stories, then publish and share them with the class. If we were able to get extremely proficient with the use of technology we could then us a voicethread to read our creations as presentations to the class and share them with other classrooms. This could motivate advanced students to achieve at a higher level and encourage reluctant students by providing tools to use to create work that would catch their imagination.

Thing 5

http://ed.voicethread.com/share/563760/

This is a voicethread I found that reads sight words to students and allows them to practice those sight words by responding with a voice thread. This technique could be duplicated with many word lists and short stories creating read along books for Pre-K, K, or ESL students. This could be used with students of all levels. More advanced students could be challenged to create read along stories using particular word lists that they could then add the voicethread for younger students to read along with words and pictures. There could be many applications only limited by a teacher's time and energy.

Thing 4

I love Skype! I have been able to keep in touch with my son in the Navy as he is on base across the country. We have even been able to keep at times when he has been on deployment (it depends on the speed of the Internet provider, and they were not the best in some foreign countries). I have also been able to let him see his daughter while she was staying with me and I was able to see her when they lived in CT. I can see how this tool could be used as a great asset to build cooperative learning communities with a wide ranging reach. The quality of the Skype connection completely depends on the speed of the server you have. Although, the picture quality did not hold my granddaughter's attention (she is just 14 months old now), most older students and teachers should be able to work through these skips with a little patience and practice. It is sometimes hard not to get caught up in watching your subjects lips move and then experiencing the audio delay ... at least that is how it has worked on the Comcast network for me .... I can see a lot of teacher use with collaborative work groups and lessons across the district and across many learning communities. Each group could be part of a jig saw (an old time technique, improved with technology) group that gives personal viewpoints on a variety of subjects. This would be a great way to teach and learn science concepts for districts that did not have some of the more expensive or complicated equipment .... virtual space travel or weightlessness, the possibilities could be extensive ... the time to search them out would be the hard part for me but that is what networking is about. One of the ways Amy and I discussed using Skype for our classrooms was for possible Art Instruction when larger projects were involved that would need more then the scheduled Art time. Her classes at the other schools could collaborate and share with my class on similar projects and she could be available to answer questions and give instruction on aspects of the project. We could also collaborate on cross-curricular teaching between buildings.

Thing 0 -2

I enjoyed reading all the introductions or re-introductions. I successfully completed google docs and am seriously looking into the "last pass" site as the passwords are becoming overwhelming. If you don't write them down how do you remember them when your computer crashes .... I am just saying! I have logged on and created a twitter account and invited all 13 more things peeps to tweet me .... dmiller4th .... I am not that creative with names. I will now post my blog link to Twitter and visa versa ... follow me ... although I am not sure where I am going. The important things today are: 1) How do I fix my lawn tractor, 2) Can I replace a stove gas line on my own ..... ? We will see .