Thing # 16, Google Earth, Literature Stories

I created this simple pyramid using Google "Sketch-Up." It took me a while to get a hang of using the program. I used just a few tools to create it. This picture could used as a destination picture for pyramids in Egypt, Mexico, etc on Google Earth. The Lit Trip I took was called "Fifteen Poets." The trip had the birthplace destinations of the poets and a history of them. This could be used for English, History, or Geography subjects.

Thing # 15, Online Collaboration Tools

My recent experience with online collaboration tools was with Elluminate. It was at the last day of the COSOTI. My topic of presentation was RSS Feeds. I enjoyed using Elluminate and being able to talk to people present in the class and people following from a distance. I think Elluminate is a great tool to use in education to present a topic allowing for instant student feedback.

Thing #14, Online Resources

Out of all of the online resources I explored, I liked Curriki the best. There's a Clovis Online School group that is growing. Here our a few links that have quality resources to be used for the classroom: Physical Activity, Practice Curriki Collection and What is Physical Education? These links can help educate students and give teachers additional resources that they may have not known about.

Thing #13, E-books

I liked Wiki books. There were books on different subjects that are used in education and other topics. Under "Games and Athletics," there was a football book that explains how football works. It was very informative and a good book to recommend to a athlete interested in the sport.

Thing #12, Social Bookmarking

It looks like Diigo and Delicious are great ways to organize online bookmarks and share them. This benefits both teachers and students to be better organized web browsers and they could find helpful bookmarks posted by other users. Also, there's a sense of contribution by submitting bookmarks to be public.

Thing #11, Gen Y

Don Tapscott provides an "in your face" view of Gen Y. At first he seems negative about Gen Y, but then he ends positive. He was actually criticizing the critics who are scorning Gen Y. For more info, Go here.

Thing #10, Wikis

I edited the "wikis" section on the curriculum connections wiki. I added that students could edit a wikipedia page of something they are interested in. This will give them a sense of contribution. Wikis look to be the wave of the online future. I am glad I am getting grasp on them now, so I can be a better informed teacher. If I were to create a wiki, it would be for the technology elective course for the Clovis Online School. It would be where students can connect about the subject and I (as the moderator) could add things here and there.

Thing #9, Web 2.0 and Social Networking

As far as tools, I found a great site for downloading free documents. It is called "docstoc" and it offers a variety of documents that can be used in an educational setting. Users upload documents to share. As far as Nings, I joined Classroom 2.0. This a place where educators and teachers can share ideas for classroom education online.

Thing #8, Free Technology Tools Blog

When I searched the The "Free Technology For Teachers" website for Physical Education, I came across a blog about an online quiz to see "what Olympic sport you are qualified for." I think this would be a fun quiz for PE students to take to lead them to a sport they might enjoy. Here's my result:

If I was a sports person i'd be a Weightlifter

Yours is an independent path. You like to keep it simple, and you don't have time for pretentious people. The driving rhythms of rock -- occasionally even metal -- fill your personal soundtrack. You don't have time to worry about the newest gadgets -- you're loyal to what's worked before. Click here to find out what type of athlete you would be...

Thing #7, RSS Feeds and Blog Readers

I learned so much this section! Now I know what a RSS feed is. I never really knew what it was. Now I will be able to sift through all the "junk" on the internet that gets in the way of what info I really want. This will be great for my students so they can get direct access to information.