Thing #8 Using Creative Commons

I love Creative Commons. It has made my job sooo much easier. I am constantly looking for good quality images to illustrate different science concepts particularly in Earth Science. As a classroom teacher it wasn't such a problem because I could generally use a picture in my classroom under fair use rules. Now that I need to put together materials to post for many others to use, it is a big problem. So I had to start taking the pictures myself, or get permission from someone else to use theirs. I have found pictures protected by the big C and gotten permission to use them but that process is very time consuming. Before so many CC images were available, a group of local science supervisors even banded together to create our own image bank.

Now I use Wikimedia Commons all the time. That is where I first learned about CC licenses. I also use the Earth Science World Image Bank which gives educators rights to use the images but doesn't use CC licenses. I intend to upload some of my images to Wikimedia and feel very guilty that I use that resource extensively without giving back. I just can't seem to find the time to get it done. Really the only negative to using CC images is keeping the proper attributions linked to the photo. Usually when I save the photo, I put all that information in the properties of the photo so it doesn't get separated. So, if I have pictures that I own, they are still the easiest to use.

I was very excited about OER Commons when I first heard about it but really haven't found much that is useful at the level I teach. I need to remember to keep checking back. I didn't realize I could do a Google search specifying to only find pages with CC licenses. I'll have to try that more.

Who owns the teaching materials that I produce on the job? Mesquite ISD does. Since they pay me to produce curriculum materials, they retain the copyright on those materials.

Thing #7 The Importance of Commenting

I thinking commenting to blogs is an important aspect of the whole experience. I think it is hard to refine your thinking without discourse. Having to consider what someone has said and craft a response forces you to think about the issues at a much deeper level than if you just skimmed and moved on. That being said, you can't really think about everything at that level or you will never get the clothes washed. So, I think you have to pick and choose. Skim most of the items in your feed and choose a few to ponder and respond to.

A few other things I noticed about commenting was that I do not like having to register to comment. Most newspapers require a registration before you can comment on an article. I have to feel very strongly before I'll go through that process. Also, I need to figure out the track back (I think) so I can see if anyone commented on my comments. It is a hassle to keep checking back to see if anyone has responded. I also noticed that many of the feeds that I subscribed to don't allow comments. Not really sure what that signifies.

Thing #6 Hi-lights from my RSS

While skimming a story from the blog, All My Faults are Stress Related (Love that title!), I found a story that grabbed my attention. The American Geological Society has started a program called EarthTrek that will allow laypeople to participate in collecting real data for ongoing research starting this summer. It reminds me of the data collection that students do in Journey North. I love the idea and I get very excited about these type programs but I wonder how many people actually follow through? I've been trying to get some teachers to participate in Journey North for several years and as far as I know, no one has.

I was able to skim through most of the articles in my feed fairly quickly without stopping at too many. I am going to have to winnow the list down. There are way too many to wade through regularly.

Thing #5 Using RSS

Before I do my assignment, I think I should confess that I am afraid of RSS. I already wake up in the middle of the night wondering about something and have to go google information about it. I sit in my driveway or drive around the block so I can hear the end of a story on NPR. I don't want to miss anything. So, if I subscribe to a lot of feeds, where will I find the discipline to skim and move on? Definitely something I will have to work on.

Now to the assignment. I really identified with Patrick Higgens' Admission from my Tech & Learning feed. He admits that social networks make him feel more connected to family and friends instead of the dire warnings that they will feed the trend of increasing social isolation. I feel the same way. By gathering most of my friends and family in one place, I can very quickly keep up with the little things going on in their lives. For friends that have moved far away and are very busy with careers and children, connections generally go from occasional emails to yearly Christmas cards to nothing. With online social networks, you can keep up with so many more people in the time it used to take to maintain ties with just a few. Those yearly Christmas cards have turned into frequent updates and conversation. More face to face meeting are scheduled too. So, while I think children need to be taught about levels of friendship and discretion in posting, social networks are a positive thing in my life.

Thing #4 Blogging about Blogging

Thing #4 Blogging about Blogging

In general most blogs seem to be informal and conversational in tone and definitely editorial. Most blogs that I have read in the past were almost stream of consciousness and served no other purpose than catharsis for the author. The education blog samples provided for us though seem to be much more meaningful and serve a useful purpose in aiding collaboration. I liked the blogs like this one where the author took the time to do some research before writing. I also really liked this post where the teacher posted an issue for students to discuss. I think this method of facilitating a conversation could be used to ensure that all students participate. Also, having to express themselves in writing causes them to think more deeply about the subject than they probably would in a quick classroom discussion Blogging also changes the way students write because it is authentic and they expect it to be read and commented upon.

Thing #2 Thoughts about Web 2.0

My initial thoughts about Web 2.0 were that many of the tools were exciting and useful but that many uses seemed like a waste of time. I loved the idea of wikis, image banks, and podcasts but resisted the social networking sites and most blogs. I still don’t like the idea of writing blogs for the whole world to see. I do love Facebook, which really shocked me.

Web 2.0 tools have many roles in 21^st Century teaching and learning but one that I think is most exciting is how they facilitate collaboration. Students, teachers, and people from around the world can interact in real time now. Back in the day, I would set up pen pals for my students with a class across the country. But printing out pictures and mailing hard copies of everything was expensive and cumbersome. Now, the same thing can be done for free with the click of the mouse. Another exciting use is having students participate in virtual experiences with scientists in the field. They can collect and analyze data that would be too expensive or dangerous for them to do in person.

A few tools that I am planning on using are podcasts and wikis. I hope to create podcasts on content for teachers to use with students and also podcasts that will serve as training aids for teachers. Teachers schedules are so packed that I hope giving some the option of learning at the time and location of their convenience will be helpful. Since many teachers are now getting their Master’s Degrees online it is a mode of learning they are coming to expect. I’m also hoping to use a wiki to set up better communication between teachers and the Science Resource Center.

I use Web 2.0 tools to support my own learning all the time. Recently, I was looking for a particular kind of image on the Earth Science World Image Bank. As I was browsing, I came across a picture that I found confusing. I looked up the name of the person that contributed the image and then I googled him. I found the university he taught at and looked up his email address. I then emailed him my question. He responded the next day by sending me a detailed explanation of the phenomena and a couple of powerpoints too. The user created image bank is wonderful but the idea that I can communicate with the people posting the pictures is incredible.

Thing #1 Reflections on Lifelong Learning

In considering the 7.5 habits of the highly successful lifelong learner, a few habits stood out to me in the context of this assignment. Probably the most challenging habit will be the one that usually comes most naturally to me. In general when I start any project, I have to develop a vision of what I want and then work backwards to decide how to accomplish it. Since I really don’t have a clear picture of what I want to do with this class except to finish it on time and open my mind to possibilities, it is difficult for me to begin with the end in mind. The habit that resonates the most with me is to have confidence in myself as a competent, effective learner. I am so thankful that I had parents and teachers that instilled me with confidence from a young age. I don’t have to waste any energy worrying if I can learn something. I can use that energy to do whatever it takes to learn or accomplish the task at hand. Finally, I think the habit that is most important for this course or any self-directed learning is to accept responsibility for my own learning. It will be up to me to get help if I need it and up to me to pace myself so that I can finish by the deadline.