Reflection #3

Reflection #3

For me having the hands on opportunities to explore the new tools is where the rubber meets the road.  So many great blogs to read and tech tools to try, there is just not enough time in the day when the school year starts, to explore these.  

Since I have been introduced to many of these tools such as Diigo, Delicious, RSS feeds before, my task is to organize some of these sites into files.  One realization I made today is that tagging matters.  And by that I mean create tags that you will remember to search for in the future!

Twitter is my new friend for finding Skyping buddies.  I just love the idea of free videoconferencing with the outside world.  I think I will also bring that up for professional development possibilities with administrators.  I have  recently discovered webinars for PD. There are many that seem relevant to what I want to learn….but having them match my schedule I found  to be challenging.  I will continue to try to use this as a resource though.

Youtube~ this is another resource I go to for learning things….anything.  It has a wealth of information.  I have also just discovered how to create my own Youtube channel which is a way for me to save all the videos I want to use in the future.  I would be lost if this resource was suddenly blocked from use.  What was that tool you showed us  to save videos Adam?

I watched the TED talk of Richard St John Thomas: 8 Secrets to Success.  It all seems like common sense stuff to me… have passion, persevere and serve others etc.  I know these are the mantras I have heard myself preach to my children and they have all become successful adults.  TED talks are always engaging and a wonderful way to hear amazing people that are doing something good in the world.  I was inspired to listen to the El SIstema music revolution.  What a wonderful way to transform a student from poverty into an inspired learner.  Music is magic!