Thing Sixteen - What to do

• Which start page did you choose? Why did that one appeal to you? Will you make it your permanent home page?
  
  I looked at all the different home page generators. I think this is a very cool idea. I currently have yahoo as my home page. I don't like it for the simple fact that it contains all this stuff that doesn't interest me. Using these generators resolves this issue. I liked iGoogle and Page Flakes. Netvibes seemed a little to complex for me. IGoogle starts off as a blank canvas and the user creates it from the ground up. Page Flakes starts off with a basic template then the user can go in a tweak it to his/her liking.

• How can the online calendars be useful to you?
  
  When I was younger, keeping up with important dates was mommy's job. When I left the nest for college it became my job. I struggled with it for a while. Then one day something just flipped and now I am all about my date book. I honestly think I would be lost without it. In fact I know I would be! The only thing that keeps me away from online calendars is that they are online. I like the fact that I have a planner that I can hold and always carry with me in my purse or daily bag. I'm also afraid that not being able to see it all the time would cause me to forget things. But this is just the type of person I am. Different strokes for different folks.
  
• What about the to-do lists—helpful, too much work…?
  
  I love the to do lists. I am a big to do list maker. I make one every week for all the stuff I need to get done during the week. I have a place in my cell phone that allows me to make lists similar to these sites. I love it! I put my grocery list on there. It is so handy. :)
  

Thing Fifteen - Get your own wiki!

This was rather cool. I'm not real sure as to the purpose of me going in and changing my own stuff. Maybe just to show that I can. *giggles* This could be useful in the class room. It can be used for peer discussion that is still guided and controlled by the teacher. After all we don't want to turn into Wikipedia. ;)

Thing Fourteen - Think and Flow

I used Gliffy and Bubbl.us for the flow chart and mind map tools. Gliffy was pretty easy to navigate. I made a family tree of sorts. I started with my grand parents, moved to my parents and their siblings. Then finished with me. I just made something up on the spot. This could be used for a variety of things. It could be used in science to describe a process. It could be used in English or theatre to describe a plot. Bubbl.us was a little harder to figure out but not totally impossible. I found it similar to what I used often in elementary and jr. high. My schools called them bubble maps.

Thing Thirteen - Applications

Zoho Writer was interesting in the fact that a paper can be written in a place other than Microsoft Word. Also it can be saved on line so you don't have to worry about loosing your jump drive or something like that. It has a lot of the same features as word so it is user friendly in that respect.

Google Docs can be used in many ways for students to think as a group. They can make presentations similar to the one I made. There is a place to create drawings. There is also a place to write papers similar to Zoho and Microsoft Word.

I had more fun with Google Docs. I liked making the presentation. I was in the library at school so I had some compatibility issues with some of the applications in there. That would be the only down fall for me. Does anyone else have some interesting findings they would like to share?

https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dg4nj7sx_0cg5gz8cb

Thing Twelve - Just Google it!

I had so much fun with this thing. A lot more than the last thing. The two tools I chose to use was Google Calendar and Google Translator. In the calendar I just made a schedule for our class. In the translator, I typed in a variety of searches. The link provide below is the funniest I came up with. These tools can be used in many different situations. The class room is no exception. The calendar can be used to hold class due dates or field trips. More than one calendar can be made at a time so keeping presentation dates wouldn't be a problem either. The translator tool would obviously be ideal for language classes. I could use it in my class subject (theatre) as well. If I am working on a place that may have diverse culture and I need to know different pronunciations or spellings I can come here. :)

https://www.google.com/calendar/render?gsessionid=pgzstSVicXAbGTVUxxFvCg

http://www.google.com/search?q=you+look+like+a+hungry+monkey&tbs=clir%3A1%2Cclira%3Al%2Cclirsl%3Aen&hl=EN

Thing Eleven - Can I cry now?

Oh my goodness! This thing was SO hard. I didn't think I would ever get the hang of it. I tried all the suggest tools. The only one I could somewhat comprehend was Google. Thinking back it makes perfect sense. I'm a big fan of Google. I use it for everything. When in doubt Google it. No really. I didn't bother with the other ones since Google seemed to work for me. I found a very interesting blog. It's similar to the Pioneer Woman. This lady is a theater teacher, a mother, a photographer, and a scrapbooker. I'll post the link to her blog if anyone is interested. How was the process for you? Was it just as difficult?

http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/yINpL

Thing Ten - R.S.S. (Rest Silly Sara?)

Tee hee! I couldn't resist! I would do this when I was younger. I would take initials like RSS and make up my own meanings for them. Anyway enough about my wierdness! Off to these answers:

• What do you like about RSS and newsreaders?

I think it is very nifty. It puts all these different articles that you like to read in one place. I hate when I have to go here to read one thing and there to read another. Its nice to have it all in one place. Would this make me lazy? *giggles*

• How do you think you might be able to use this technology in your school or personal life?

I have been meaning to subscribe to the pioneer women for a while now. Since our prof introduced us to this amazing lady actually. She puts a wide variety of topics on her page. Some are school realated and some deal with everyday life.

• How can teachers use RSS or take advantage of this new technology?

I consider RSS to be a type of bookmarking. Teachers can save different sites all in one place and even present certain pages in a class room setting.

Thing Nine - Magazine Generator

I have actually used this app before. I used to be an avid Myspace user. I still have an account but for some reason I have ventured  of to the world of Facebook. Anyhoo back to Myspace. You can post all kinds of html codes and what not on your page. I have made several covers in the past. Ofcourse the female in the picture is me. By the title of the magazine you can probably guess that the sleepy face there is my dad. He is always sleeping. Espically when we get in the car. He doesn't last five minutes. I was visiting home and my mom and I decided to go shopping. I think it was for the awesome $1 flip flop deal at Old Navy. :D Anyway we talk dad into tagging along. We were on the ride up there when I noticed he was asleep. Mom stopped at a red light so I hopped up next to dad and snapped the photo. :D I just noticed that we are $4.95 an issue. Glad to know the internet doesn't think I'm so valuable! ;)

Oh almost forgot! The address to the site. :)
http://graphics.imagetemplate.net/magazines/

Have fun!

Thing Eight - Spell with Flickr

This is called Spell with Flickr. I love this application. I think this could be used in Art or Theatre. Art students could use it as a cover for a portfolio. Theatre students could use it as a way to express themselves. I really like sharing photos. I have a ton of my photos on Facebook. I use photobucket some too. I think it is a great way to keep up to date with family members you may not get to see that often. I have a niece that lives in all the way in Texas. She is almost three years old. I have only met her once. I really like the fact that my sister posts photos of her on Facebook. So even though I'm not really there I can still keep up with her.

Thing Seven - Happy Valentines Day :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielle-tunstall/4355568855/

I have used Flickr many times before. It is a good source for play research in theatre. I have used it when doing set designs. This most frustrating part for me personally is that so many of the pictures are copyrighted so it makes saving them and using them next to impossible but on the other hand I can totally understand why a person would want them to be this way. This particular picture was in a contest last year today. I thought it was appropriate with today being Valentines and all. The poster of this photo and the photographer is Danielle T. The page says her name is Danielle Tunstall.  

Thing Six - The World of You Tube

You Tube has gained popularity as the most well-known video provider on the web. Members of Your Tube are allowed to upload a variety of videos and even share those video with family and friends or even complete strangers.  Research show that You Tube started the world on online video sites. I use You Tube for a variety of reasons. I often use You Tube as a form of entertainment. It is very amazing what people post. I actually have a membership of my own where I have posted a few videos for various reasons. I will add the link at the end for anyone interested in checking out those videos. I have also used You Tube in several of my classes here at Austin Peay. I have actually had to make a video for a class, post it on You Tube, and then present the video in class. I have also used videos from You Tube as example in presentations. Do you have any video from You Tube that you like for one reason or another?

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13546_109-10237732-29.html?tag=mncol

http://youtube.com

http://www.youtube.com/user/sillybill123

Thing Five - Web 2.0 to the future

The perspective found in “A Guide for Educators” is that the internet has become a major part over a large amount of people’s daily lives all over the world. It is said that the web has replaced libraries, classrooms, bookstores, yellow pages, and telephones. The source says the internet does not plan to stop there. Web 2.0 is decribed as an continuance to red/write applications to be provided in newer , user-friendly ways. Using Web 2.0 every user is allowed to create content. Web 2.0 has transformed the internet from passive to active. The article discusses a survey taken that show 55 % of young adults, ages 12-17, used social sites for a wide variety of reasons. The article, Preparing students for the digital age is more of a podcast. It stresses the importance of Web 2.0 and how it needs to be used in the class room. The site also incorporate some basic everyday life events or topics into education.

      To me Web 2.0 is the way of the future. It is paving the road of progress. If we want to keep current in the world and keep up with our students, then Web 2.0 is a necessity. For schools, Web 2.0 means more computer-based education classes. Does this mean that schools could possible go to fully online? There are several college universities that are already that way. Could this be a possibility for public education? Is it an option in homeschooling? What are your thoughts on the idea?

Thing Four - Comments are our friend

I find that commenting is very important part of posting anything. I am a big Facebook poster. When I have a comment about a post that I made or see that some one likes what I wrote I feel a sense of acceptance and in some cases the comments show me that others either agree with me or feel the exact same way as me.

One point from the readings that I found to be important was always invite viewers to comment on blog posts. Some viewers may be new to the whole blogging world and not yet be fully7 aware of its purpose or functions. The second point I found important was always way “thank you” to all comment givers. I know when I take the time out of my day to comment on a Facebook post, that someone made, I would like to see some kind of acknowledgement.

The first person I am following is Mary Barczak. I commented on her “Thing 2”. I did so because she was a lot like me in her though process of her avatar and her feelings about blogs. I was also curious as to if she would consider using blogs in her line of work. The second person I am following is Tammy Waters. I commented on her “Fifth Thing”. I also sit next to Tammy in class. I chose her because I had a complete opposite feeling towards technology than her. The third person I am following is Anne Stritzel. I commented on her “Thing 2”. I am very fascinated by Anne as an educator. She seems to be very knowledgeable and has  a good vibe about her. The fourth person I am following is Tiffany Furth. I commented on her “Thing 8”. I liked her idea on how to use the Flickr tool in the class room. She gave examples of how it can be used in various types of subject matter. The fifth person I am following is Jonathan Long. I commented on his thing one. I of course had to have a guy on my follow page. We have to keep it fair now. *smiles* We had a lot of the same thoughts for thing one which I found very interesting.

Thing Three - Three down twenty to go :o

Before even reading the sheet of possible reasons to blog, I already had an idea or two floating around my brain. A good source could be for the teacher to post assignments on the blog site. The students could blog back with questions or comments to the teacher or even fellow classmates. It could also be a good place for peer discussion or even a place to turn in journal entries. After reading the sheet of ideas, I see that I am not that far off. One idea I liked was use a blog to complete class writing assignments. A second idea I liked was to have students blog in response to a photo posted. A third idea I found useful was have students use a blog to express opinions on topics being studied in class. Does anyone have some different ideas?

Thing Two - I want to watch The Cat in the Hat now :D

Creating the actual blog was not that bad at all. I had it completed the first day of class. The registering part took a little work but all is now resolved and I am all set and ready to go. I had the best fun crating my little avatar chick. I love doing this. There was on site I belonged to a few years ago where all you did was create different avatars and outfits. This site appears to be the same basic idea.

I must say I was not very original when I selected my post name. I figured just keep it simple and went with my first name. The name of my blog was a little different. As noticed above I chose Sara Bara at APSU. When I was younger I would make up nicknames for my friends. Three that I remember were Jamie Bamie (Jamie), Brookola (Brooke), and Ashleah (Ashley). It was not very long until I was given one as well. It happened to be Sara Bara. The second part of the name was chosen for the simple fact that I attend Austin Peay.

I really love my avatar chick! I made her as close to me as possible. She is wearing a pink tee-shirt because it is my favorite color. She is wearing Blue jeans because I find them to be very comfy. It did not even cross my mind to make a “crazy” avatar. Did anyone decide to do so and if so why?

Thing One - First Things First :)

I always thought that I was technologically advanced. That was until the first day of this class. I have never used a Mac before. I was completely lost. After a while of continuous asking I thought “I am sure the people around me are sick of me by now.” Luckily I found out they were pretty much in the same boat as me. I am quickly learning all the little tricks to using a Mac. The sign up process was a little difficult for me because of the above mentioned set back. On the other hand since I have been in the class for a little while now I am becoming familiar with this type of operating system. All though I must confess I am on a “regular” computer in the library. I just had to find an old friend. *giggle*

I liked the video for the most part. I found it very informational. I thought the voiceover chosen was rather amusing. Occasionally she would drop the “g” off of her “ing” words and since I am originally from Mississippi it often made me feel at home. *giggles* It just goes to show that people are never done learning. Overall I think I already do most of the 7 and ½ habits so they are fairly easy for me but with anything, some things come easier than others. 

The habit that I find the easiest for me would be habit one. That is where one begins with the end in mind. No matter what I am doing this one is often a no brainer for me. When people are doing things they do not enjoy they may often find themselves quicker to get it done because the end result is they are finished and do not have to think about it any longer. I have experienced this rather recently and once thinking about it can even be a learning experience. I have a dog. He is one year old this month. He is still very much a puppy. I am still learning about him. On one of his most recent top secret (on my end) ventures he returned with the front half of his body covered in something unidentifiable and was the most disgusting smell my nose and ever been subjected to. So I was most definitely looking at the end result of this situation. I know he was looking forward to it as well. We both knew a bath was needed. Neither one of us liked it but we knew that it must be done and the end result was favorable for both involved.

The habit I find to be the most difficult for me is habit three. This habit is view problems as challenges. Most recently I have gotten better at this. I like to find little mottos that I keep in mind for when I’m feeling little down. Some that I keep in mind are: Everything happens for a reason, No use crying of spilt milk, Don’t smile because it [is] smile because it happened, Always learn from your mistakes, and Live with no regrets