Google+

I love Google+! My only wish was that it would have came out before Facebook. I was late on the scenes to Facebook. I'm not a huge user. Probably because of the lack of control of who could see what. If it were more like Google+ I would use it more to keep in contact with family or friends, or coworkers, but since that was not an option when I first begun, I haven't had time to reorganize "friends" in groups. I think if I were not using Facebook, I would choose Google+ rather than Facebook. Perhaps as time passes, I will develop my Google Circles and phase out Facebook.

Diigo

Diigo is my favorite online bookmarking program. Who wouldn't want all of their bookmarked sites available to them where ever they go? You can sign into Diigo on any online computer and there are all your sites you have bookmarked. This has saved me in many situations. There are endless possibilities of how to use Diigo in an educational setting.

On Diigo a teacher can create a group, have her/his students join it, then post helpful links for students to explore on their own. Students can also share links with the class.

The teacher collaboration that takes place on Diigo is quite wonderful. I have received many ideas and have been inspired by what other teachers are doing in their classrooms.

The online tools of highlighting, adding notes, and capturing screen shots add another dimension to the possible collaboration.

I find Diigo especially helpful because I use so many different devices to explore the internet. I have the Diigo app on my iPhone, iPad, laptop, school computer, and home computer. It's been a lifesaver in organizing and tracking all my research.

Twitter Aggregator Lesson

While students are working on a themed inquiry unit, such as Olympics 2012, as a class hook TweetMeme.com may be used to read about the latest updates. There is a channel for Olympics 2012 that posts all of the latest announcements. This will keep the information current and allow students to see the progression of preparation and organizing of such an event. Students will also be able to find links about various sports and athletes. They can use this material as part of their daily reading and use the information to create reports.  

Using Twitter in the Classroom

1.      Students can post questions 

2.      Send reminders

3.      Share Links 
4.      Teacher Collaboration 
5.      Bring a historical figure to life 
6.      Encourage Creativity 
7.      Keep the discussion going 
8.      Create a scavenger hunt 
9.      Start an online book-club 
10.   Lean a language 
11.   Brainstorming

Messieh, N. (2011, June 23). How to use twitter in the classroom. Retrieved from http://thenextweb.com/twitter/2011/06/23/how-to-use-twitter-in-the-classroom/

1.      Proved the class with a running news feed

2.      Create a career list

3.      Track a hash tag

4.      Connect with the community

5.      Follow the issues

6.      Write a story or poem

7.      Live tweet field trips

8.      Role play

9.      Sync with a blog

10.   Chat with industry professionals

11.   Connect Classrooms

12.   Facilitate research

13.   Engage Parents

14.   Become politically active

15.   Track the government

16.   Write reviews

17.   Post sample questions

18.   Post supplementary materials

19.   Play the stock market game

20.   Live tweet a book or a movie

21.   Make recommendations

22.   Plan Field trips

23.   Compare Religions

24.   Post syllabus changes

25.   Take a poll

26.   Hook up with Google Earth

27.   Teach probability

28.   Track weather patterns

29.   Create a character

30.   Create a progressive poem

31.   Play word games

32.   Post math puzzles

33.   Post videos

34.   Create an online art gallery

35.   Play with TweetStats

36.   Network with other educators

37.   Direct message students and parents

38.   Join #educhat

39.   Summarize

Miller, S. (n.d.). 50 ways to use twitter in the classroom. Retrieved from http://www.teachhub.com/50-ways-use-twitter-classroom

Reviews of Social Networking Sites

Shelfari.com

This social networking site seems great. It offers a free shelving system where you can keep track of books you have read, are reading, and want to read. You can post and read book reviews and character descriptions. I decided to create a profile. In the signing up process it wants access to my facebook account it requires the following permission to connect with facebook:

Shelfari is requesting permission to do the following:

·        Access my basic information Includes name, profile picture, gender, networks, user ID, list of friends, and any other information I've made public ·        Post to Facebook as me Shelfari may post status messages, notes, photos, and videos on my behalf. ·        Access my data any time Shelfari may access my data when I'm not using the application.

 

The first request sounds reasonable. The second two requests seem a bit bizarre to me. I do not have the option of restricting the requests it’s either all or nothing. Seeing that Facebook is my most daily used social networking site, I want this program to post some of my entries right to Facebook, not all, and definitely not commercialized comments stated as me. I am stopping the registration process at this time.

Weread.com

At first, I was put off by the simplicity of this site. For some reason I was directed to a message board and then to the Facebook account. It took me a while to access the correct home page of this site. One I did everything ran smoothly. It looked very similar to Shelfari but when I created an account it was not as intrusive. It only required permission to access the information, the first item on the above list. Then it notified me which of my friends had accounts with Weread, and it let me choose to connect with them. I could deselect friends if I didn’t want to connect with them all. Then it let me invite my other friends to join Weread as well. I liked this options because I am in contact with former students. So I went through and selected the people I would like to connect with and sent them invitations.

After creating a profile, connecting with friends, and uploading a picture, I began building my bookshelf. This was very easy. I was able to select some favorites from a list of books the site generated. Then I added books of my own. I was able to rate the books, write reviews, and join book clubs. So far I am very pleased and happy about this social networking site! I would love to incorporate this in my Reading class I am teaching at school! Mmmmm… oh the possibilities are piling up in my head now!! Only complaint, I’m having trouble finding a Weread app for my iPhone. Weird. Wait! Possible can access it through Facebook app! Nope, I’m having trouble with that also. Solution. I accessed it from the safari browser, signed in, and then created a shortcut on my home screen. It’s not a perfect solution because the font is small and I have to keep zooming in and out to maneuver the page, but it works. I didn’t mention the free books that are available to download on this site as well! Sweet!!

43 Things

This social networking site grabbed my attention from the Wikipedia list of networks, because I am very goal oriented. I am extremely excited with the home page! So many people with so many goals! I love it! First I declared 3 goals: Seek God First, Be Healthy and Balanced, and Be Successful and Financially Secure. Then I am creating an account using my Facebook account. I was able to choose my settings and who I shared my information with. I decided to only share with my friends at this time. I had the option to let 43 Things post as me, I declined this. My account was created!

I am able to add goals to my list, make resolutions for this year, as well as post things I have done and share stories about how I did them.

I love this site!!