Thing 23 -Reflections

Reflecting on my journey~

I have learned so much! Thank you 23 Things and Wayne RESA! This started as a way to get SB-CEU's and turned into a desire to know more "things!"

In the last few months, our school media specialist was talking about Delicious, Wiki's and Podcasts. I didn't know what they there were and without 23 Things, I probably still wouldn't! A part of my problem is that I wouldn't have taken the time. As I worked on each "thing," I began to explore different sites on the Internet. I was amazed at how many people were already at these sites and have been for years! I have a new appreciation of the creativity that is out there! I don't know whether to feel ahead or behind!

What does it all mean? As shown in the last video, we all have to begin to think of things differently. This applies to my job and in my personal life. So many of these tools can enhance our lives and make them easier. What did we do before e-mail? Now, I see that on Wednesdays I get about 15-20 e-mails in planning our weekly "Chinese Night." Yesterday, I thought to myself, "Should we have a Wiki for this?"

I know that so many of my students use the Internet everyday. They can easily navigate it and have done many of the things we've had to learn: blogs, You Tube videos, and played with widgets! They are Web 2.0 participants! I can see that some students are starting to download class novels on their ipods and they're creating their own virtual flashcards online. I knew I needed to incorporate more technology into my teaching and now I have the tools and the desire to make it happen.

How has your thinking changed between Thing 1 and Thing 23? I've started talking about podcasts and wiki's in my everyday life! I am seeing situations and thinking about which of the "things" we've learned would be a good fit. It makes me want to teach my students about podcasts and Wikis before the end of the school year.


How will you continue to learn about Web 2.0 tools?
I haven't Twittered yet!

What are your big "take aways" from this experience?

• I like blogging and want to set up my own personal blog.


• Flicker has become a useful way for me to share pictures with my friends and family. It also makes me want to explore my interest in photography.


• My students are going to gain skills by adding to our class Wiki.


• Bloglines, if I get in the habit of checking it, is my answer becoming more aware of current information in my career, hobbies, and society!


• More of my free time might be spent reading other people's travel blogs and watching their You Tube videos!!

Really, I know I could keep going. I don't think I've had any professional development that has had this kind of impact in both my personal and professional life. Can we do 23 more things?