11.5 Thing 5 - Microblogging

I have a Facebook account, but really don't do much with it except play Farmville! I have made contact with a few friends that I lost touch with for many years -- one I haven't spoken with since 1980! I like the idea of groups specific to your interests and have joined a couple of those, such as ALA. With a child about to finish junior college and head off to a 4 year university, those apps about planning for college seem like something worth looking into. As far as classroom/library use goes, I like the idea of bookclubs on Facebook. Also, students could post a project on Facebook (such as a photostory) and could post comments on other students' projects.

I do not Twitter. I have an account, have done a bit, but that's it. After reading some of the blogs and articles on using twitter in the classroom, I am inpired to try more with it. I like how Cool Cat Teacher explained how to set up your twitter account so you can get messages on your cell phone. That would make it easier to use, for me.

I am drawn to backchanneling while I am repulsed by it at the same time. Well, maybe "repulsed" is too strong of a word. I have one of those attention spans that must focus on the presenter. I cannot stand table-talk at a meeting. If I am focussing on typing my question or my response, I will miss what the presenter says. I know that about myself. But the idea of having my questions about the presenter's information answered in such a timely way -- that's great! I think this may be good for secondary school, but I'm not too sure about elementary.

11.5 Thing 4 - Video Hosting

I created a new photostory to upload to teacher tube, which I already have an account with. It is very easy to upload videos. If they okay my new video, I'll post it to my blog, but it's been 22 minutes and they still haven't, so . . . . of course, it is Sunday.

Having teaching/learning videos available online at sites such as Teacher Tube or You Tube is great. I have used videos from these sites in my lessons in the past (this year, as part of my internet safety classes) by embedding them in flipcharts. Students show more interest and thus are more actively involved in lessons when they see it's a video from one of these sites -- I think they realize it's not going to be something old and boring. And yes, I've had to do the Zamzar thing in the past, so I can access the video at school.

I think one of the biggest advantages to uploading student work would be the sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that students feel at having their work online for others to see. Publishing is great for self-esteem. Also, students would be able to view classmates' work and comment on it.