Thing 14

I created an account with Gliffy and Bubbl.us.  Gliffy is a flowchart tool that allows the user to create charts.  It's that simple.  I created a Venn diagram of the 3 primary colors of light.  I thought this could be used in a Science or Physics class depending on what class you may teach.  I chose Gliffy because it was the first exercise tool listed and I really liked it.  I have never used this site before so I was completely unfamiliar with it.  I found it very easy to use.  Bubbl.us is a site used for making mind maps.  I decided to create a map about light, with everything associated with light surrounding the word light in the center.  I have never used Bubbl.us before either and I was pleased at how easy it is to use.  This could also be a great tool for a Science class.  Or any class really.  Both the tools I chose can be related to any class.  They are both easily accessible and FREE! which are two great reasons to use them.

Thing 13

I used Zoho Writer to create just a short document about myself.  (I haven't figured out how to get the document on my blog).  I thought Zoho Writer is an awesome tool because it has a Share tool.  AWESOME!  You click on share and then choose the blog you use or add your blog and then your document is supposed to come up.  Remember I haven't figured out how to use it yet...  I also thought it was great that there is a tool bar that tells how many words and characters you have typed.  Zoho Writer is so much easier than Word.  I still can't get over the fact that it has a Share tool.

In Google Docs, I created a drawing.  I thought the Drawing tool in Google docs is a valuable tool for teachers because you can create your own pictures and add them to a power point for a lecture class.  I chose to make a picture of a rainbow and how rainbows are made from light through a prism.  (I'm studying light right now in Physics.)  Google Docs is a great tool for students because they can use it for projects that require visual aids.

I prefer Google Docs because I was already slightly familiar with it and it's tools.  Zoho was slightly confusing and I couldn't get the share tool to work so that was a turn off for me.  I found it really easy to create a drawing in Google Docs and I think this would be great for students to use.  However, both tools are better than Word!

Thing 11

I used my Google Reader account to find feeds the most helpful.  I typed in Education and searched until I found an interesting feed.  I also used the Google Blog search to find a feed and when I found one I liked I subscribed to it in Google Reader.  I tried using the other search tools (Topix.net, Syndic8.com, and Technorati) but I couldn't find anything that seemed interesting.  Syndic8.com was the least helpful.  Not only was it confusing in finding an interesting feed, but it also opened a bunch of ads and spam looking things.  When I exited the site, all these other pages had been opened that I did open myself.   That made me really mad and also nervous that maybe Syndic8 was a good place to catch a virus on my computer.  I found a really great feed that is actually a TV show through hulu.com called The Balancing Act.  It is a one hour show that gives advice on Education.  This site was a little unusual just because it is in the form of a TV show instead of a blog where you have to read everything.  I was really excited to find this feed.

Thing 12

I created a Google Alert on this place that I like to go to listen to music in Nashville.  This was actually very easy for me to use.  Google Alert is a great way to stay informed, especially if you check your email five times a day like I do.  I can continue to find other topics to stay informed about through Google Alerts.  This can be very valuable when I am looking for the latest news in Education or maybe the latest news in a certain topic that I am teaching.  I also created a Picasa Web album.  This tool can be used for uploading classroom pictures in a safe web environment that can be shared with parents and fellow teachers in a locked group.  I think it is important for the parents to be able to see progress that their students make.  Picasa Web Albums are a great way to share photos.

Thing 9

I went to this website to find a sign.  I chose the wooden sign held by a smiley face.  I thought my sign could be used to display classroom rules.  So, my rules are "Be respectful," and "Be responsible."  These are important concepts for a 2nd grader to learn and follow.  I think the smiley face sign would be a perfect way to display classroom procedures, rules, and turn-in trays.  You can also change the smiley face to fit a more appropriate setting if you so wish.

Thing 10

I like RSS and newsreaders because it is an excellent place to view everything that I am interested in all in one place.  This is something that I can use personally because I can view all my favorite news feeds and updates on my favorite TV shows.  Teachers can take advantage of RSS because they follow all their favorite bloggers on Google Reader at once.  It also saves a lot of time that teachers don't have by keeping everything in one place on one web page.

I couldn't get the photo from Thing 7 uploaded to our 23 things group.  If anyone could instruct me on how to do this, it would be much appreciated!