As a whole I thought this program was a great idea. Many of the suggestions for the Things I had heard about already or even used, but it was opportunity for me to explore them a little more and see how I might share them with staff and students this next school year. I also appreciate all the little tips and videos that were included with many of the apps. I will be referring to many of these yet this summer. The 23 things at first seemed like a lot to dive into, but at the same time you covered all of the major areas when we think of using mobile devices. I know I had started strong earlier this spring, but it took me the first week of summer vacation to really get going on trying all of these apps. I know many people don't like deadlines, but for me having a deadline to finish so many apps (like the first 5, 10 etc...) by would have pushed me to finish this earlier. Getting me to start blogging was a big bonus of this program as well! A little more interaction with others participating might have been nice as well.
I would love to participate in this program again. Participating in events like these encourage me to try things that I have put as a low priority (though they should not be) and get me thinking about how to integrate technology in the classroom in a meaningful way! The ideas for integrating these apps are percolating right now and I am excited to share/use many of them this fall! Thanks for creating use a fun and useful 23 Mobile Things event!
Friday, June 13, 2014
Thing 22 - Discovering Apps - Best of Apps
I currently have the Apps Gone Free app on my phone and iPad, but I don't check it everyday. When I first downloaded it I would look, but I think too often most of the apps that were free I was not interested in, so then I stopped looking.
For this Thing, I went in search of the Best Apps. I went to the AASL Best Apps for Teaching & Learning 2013. What I liked about this list is that they were categorized and only had five apps in each category. At the end of June, I believe, a new list for 2014 will be coming out as well.
I decided to try Toontastic. On the AASL website this was the description they shared:
For this Thing, I went in search of the Best Apps. I went to the AASL Best Apps for Teaching & Learning 2013. What I liked about this list is that they were categorized and only had five apps in each category. At the end of June, I believe, a new list for 2014 will be coming out as well.
I decided to try Toontastic. On the AASL website this was the description they shared:
Toontastic by Launchpad Toys
Level: K-5 (ages 5-10)
Platform: iOS
Website
Characters and backgrounds come to life while students record their own stories with Toontastic. Original drawings and art can also be animated and turned into cartoons and then shared with classmates, friends, and family members.
Quick Tip: Students can create their own animated cartoons to write stories, animate concepts, and share their ideas.
One of the first things I liked is that it shared the plot line of any story with the creator. Reminding them of all the different elements that belong in a good story! The app provides step-by-step directions of how students should create the story which was extremely helpful for little ones not able to read yet. On a negative note, most of the good characters that I wanted to include required me to pay to have that character in my story. I did discover that students could draw their own character which I am sure some students would like to do.
I love the ending how it appears like the view is going to the theater to see the video! Students would love this app as they create stories for a variety of content areas. The video was easy to export to the camera roll so that it could be shared with classmates or the teacher. This was a fun app to explore!
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Thing 21 - Free-for-all: Thinglink
I love Thinglink and believe everyone should try this app!
Thinglink started out as a web tool, but in the last year the group created an app version as well. Thinglink makes your image come to life! I have used this tool/app with students and teachers and both groups have loved the final product that was created! Video, websites, Google Documents can be linked to the image to allow the viewer to learn more about the image or idea. This tool/app is so easy to use and it engages the viewer and creator with the topic.
Here is an example of a new one I created this year about Human Rights novels students could choose during an English unit.
Here is another one I created for my students to find out what happened to the people living in the Secret Annex:
Not only can people create their own Thinglinks, but can explore the site to find other interesting Thinglinks to learn more about various topics. I highly recommend trying Thinglink!
Here is an example of a new one I created this year about Human Rights novels students could choose during an English unit.
Here is another one I created for my students to find out what happened to the people living in the Secret Annex:
Not only can people create their own Thinglinks, but can explore the site to find other interesting Thinglinks to learn more about various topics. I highly recommend trying Thinglink!
Thing 20 - Games: Word Mess
Our family has lots of games on our devices, but in general I don't really play many of them. I prefer to look at my Feedly account, Pinterest, Facebook, etc... I do play a few games though and one of my favorites in Word Mess.
Each game is different but it requires me to look at words associated with a certain topic and created with a random word cloud each time. This game appeals to me because of the word association and trying to beat the time of my last search. The frustrating part for me is that many times the one word I have left is looking right at me, yet I can't find it in the "mess".
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Each game is different but it requires me to look at words associated with a certain topic and created with a random word cloud each time. This game appeals to me because of the word association and trying to beat the time of my last search. The frustrating part for me is that many times the one word I have left is looking right at me, yet I can't find it in the "mess".
Thing 19 - Hobbies: Vivino App
I did not realize that there was a wine scanner app! Of the two bottles I scanned, the first one was not in the system and it was going to be completing a manual match and be getting back to me. This wine was from a local winery, so I assume this app may not be familiar with it. I will be curious if they really do get back to me once they do a little more searching. My second bottle that I scanned was in the system. It had the rating of others, the price, and reviews from other wine drinkers. Will I use this app much - not sure? It will be fun to test throughout the summer though.
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Thing 18 - Education: Show of Hands
From this list I had tried many of the apps, but one I had not looked at yet was Show of Hands. By the description, I thought that this would be a perfect addition to the classroom, but after trying it out, I am not so sure. The rating on the Apple App Store said 12+ and if I was going to use this in the classroom, I would want to make sure I am previewing what some of the polls are for the day. It appears that anyone can ask anything, so as a teacher I would want to be aware of questionable polls.
One of the polls I found was this....
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What I found most interesting is all the statistics a person could get from people participating in the poll. I tried several and it seems like the creator of the poll can ask for various forms of statistics back on those participating in the poll. Again this is a great tool if as a teacher I could have a little more control over what might appear as the next poll on the list!
Quizlet I love! I have used this app and website with students for the past 3 years. It is great to see them engage with the vocabulary words being discussed in class. Quizlet is something that both students and teachers should try throughout the year. Teachers can show students how to create their own lists or create the list so students can work with the words
Here is one of the lists I have made:
Human Rights Vocabulary List
One of the polls I found was this....
What I found most interesting is all the statistics a person could get from people participating in the poll. I tried several and it seems like the creator of the poll can ask for various forms of statistics back on those participating in the poll. Again this is a great tool if as a teacher I could have a little more control over what might appear as the next poll on the list!
Quizlet I love! I have used this app and website with students for the past 3 years. It is great to see them engage with the vocabulary words being discussed in class. Quizlet is something that both students and teachers should try throughout the year. Teachers can show students how to create their own lists or create the list so students can work with the words
Here is one of the lists I have made:
Human Rights Vocabulary List
Thing 17 - Connecting to Community: Explore Minnesota
Of all the apps listed for this Thing, the one I was most interested in was the Explore Minnesota app. I was excited to see what kind of content was available at my fingertips as we travel around the state. Instead I was very disappointed... I couldn't get anything to load on this app. Not sure if it was just the day or what, but I tried it on my phone and the iPad and neither one would open up any of the various categories listed. This will be an app that I keep on my device and check back later to see if I can get it to work.
I then picked the UpNorthExplorer.com app. This app did work for me! I can see this being a helpful app when traveling. It did seem like it was a bit limited as to what it offered me. I would assume there are more shopping options, lodging, dining etc....
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I then picked the UpNorthExplorer.com app. This app did work for me! I can see this being a helpful app when traveling. It did seem like it was a bit limited as to what it offered me. I would assume there are more shopping options, lodging, dining etc....
Thing 16 - Audio: Audioboo
For this Thing, I decided to try out Audioboo once again. This is another Web 2.0 tool that I had signed up for a long time ago, but had never tried on my iPad. This is a very easy app to use and could be used in a variety of ways in the classroom and in the media center. One of the most obvious ones might be to have students record book reviews for me. The Audioboo web version allows the creator to make a QR code for the "boo" that was just created. This would be a simple display idea that I could use throughout the library space. Another idea might be to have students create a "boo" with directions for various technology tools. My list continues to grow as I think about this fall, but most of the apps I am finding from this activity are ones that can be integrated into a variety of content areas in a variety of ways. Here is my Audioboo example:
Thing 15 - Infographics; Infographics Hub
Last year, I created a few infographics with various Web 2.0 tools, but I had not explored the world of infographics, so I was happy to try out the Infographics Hub app. Here is what I discovered though..... it didn't work. I tried it at home several times and went into school today and nothing would load?
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I then switched to info.Graphic and it worked, but I can't say that I was overly impressed. I thought the app ran very slow and I tried it in two different wi-fi locations. I also don't love apps that have adds running across the bottom, but for the most part the ads seemed pretty tame. A good educational use of this app might be just to have students explore the different infographics before creating their own. These examples would show students the variety of possibilities for displaying their research on an infographic. For the most part I think I will stick to the Web 2.0 tools like easel.ly or Piktochart which I have used in the past.
Here is the infographic that I found on info.Graphic which I thought I was interesting.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Thing 14 - Videos: Vine
For creating easy videos I decided to try the Vine app. Once again this app has had a lot of buzz. I had tried this once earlier this year and found it pretty easy to use. The videos included on the 23 Mobile Things would have helped me be more successful earlier this year when I first tried the app. Even with the limited video length of 6 seconds, I can see a variety of possibilities not only in the media center but in the classroom.
The video I created related to our summer reading program at our school. Students are expected to read three books over the summer. The video has the reading expectations and three books that I plan to read over the summer. One idea I could see was having students create a video of what they read over the summer or the books they hope to read over the summer. Our staff is always trying to find ways for students to share what they are reading and this seems like a simple fun idea.
Summer Reading Video
I could also see using this app for students to work on new vocabulary by finding images, words, objects, etc... that might help them define the word. Another idea might be to have students share background knowledge on a new topic by again videotaping images, words, objects, etc... that they already know and sharing that video with their peers. Great app to integrate into the classroom!
The video I created related to our summer reading program at our school. Students are expected to read three books over the summer. The video has the reading expectations and three books that I plan to read over the summer. One idea I could see was having students create a video of what they read over the summer or the books they hope to read over the summer. Our staff is always trying to find ways for students to share what they are reading and this seems like a simple fun idea.
Summer Reading Video
I could also see using this app for students to work on new vocabulary by finding images, words, objects, etc... that might help them define the word. Another idea might be to have students share background knowledge on a new topic by again videotaping images, words, objects, etc... that they already know and sharing that video with their peers. Great app to integrate into the classroom!
Thing 13- Presentations: Haiku Deck
As Google continues to improve their products, Google presentations is still not a choice on the iPad. Viewing the presentations is always in option, but editing it typically not an option. Teachers and students in our school are always looking for a presentation option. Haiku Deck seemed like an interesting choice for me to try. One of the things I really like about this presentation app is that it limits the number of characters that can be used on any slide. Too often students add more text than is necessary. The ability to search for Creative Commons images is also a plus. As we continue to teach students about what images can be used in their work this app can assist in that conversation with students.
I created this simple Haiku Deck presentation in a few short minutes. The ability to share the final presentation is also a great feature. This app will be added to my list for students and staff to explore and use in the fall! I also think I could create reminders about what is going on in the media center, book reviews, contests, and book club promotions!
I created this simple Haiku Deck presentation in a few short minutes. The ability to share the final presentation is also a great feature. This app will be added to my list for students and staff to explore and use in the fall! I also think I could create reminders about what is going on in the media center, book reviews, contests, and book club promotions!
Thing 12- Books, Books, and More Books
The app I explored for this Thing was the YALSA Teen Book Finder. This is one I have had on my devices in the past, but I had not used it a great deal. The video you included on the page about the app was helpful. I didn't realize that it would find the book for you in your area so it could by checked out. I also had not explored the social media options within this app. The lists it will provide for students is very helpful. Too often I students come in asking for a good book, but not knowing what they have liked in the past. This app could maybe assist me in helping me find books for them as well. I could show them the list under a certain genre and say, "Have you read any of these titles?" Then we could begin searching the stacks for the next book.
Again with our students having iPads and other devices that they bring to school, this is one more app that I can share with them to help them find great books to read. This will be on my list for media center orientation as well. Our homeroom program centers around reading, so this will be a good app to share with staff as they sometimes struggle to assist their homeroom students with finding good reading material!
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Again with our students having iPads and other devices that they bring to school, this is one more app that I can share with them to help them find great books to read. This will be on my list for media center orientation as well. Our homeroom program centers around reading, so this will be a good app to share with staff as they sometimes struggle to assist their homeroom students with finding good reading material!
Thing 11- Library & Reference: ELM Mobile
As we prepare for our students to get iPads this fall, this was a great find for me. I wasn't aware that ELM came in a mobile form. Currently I link the ELM sites on my school's website, and a few of the teachers in the building have students explore these sites. I am not sure how often students are using these databases, but I think I will incorporate this site into my media center orientation this fall. With the ability to make a homescreen button on the iPads, this will be a good button to have all students create. Credible and accurate resources at students' fingertips will be a great service to provide for our middle school students. In addition, I am working on creating various resources for teachers to explore this summer and adding this to the list will remind teachers of these great databases to have students integrate into their research.
Thing 10 - Snapchat
Of the two choices for this Thing, I have used Instagram, but not Snapchat. I decided it was time I see what all the hype is about in the Snapchat world. Not sure how much I love Snapchat after trying it out, but I will explore this more as the summer continues. I need to discover what "friends" are using Snapchat so that I can have more opportunities to send photos. This app was very easy to use and I can see the draw this app has for both adults and teens.
The article Snapchat For Your Library provided me with some ideas of how I might use this in the library. During the summer in the media center, I have a contest where students send in their weirdest reading destination to me. Last year, I received many fun photos of staff and students reading in unique places. This might be a fun twist to add Snapchat as a choice of how to send the photo to me. It is always important to meet students where they are and Snapchat is a social media choice for many of our students.
I also like the idea of students taking a picture with a certain book to see where it travels throughout the school year. Not sure which book I will pick at this point, but I like to have a variety of contests throughout the school year and I can see students participating!
Incorporating this into my book clubs as well might be fun. As we are trying to decide our next read, we could take pictures of the books we think deserve to me in the running for our reading lists. It might be a good way to introduce others to a variety of books as well.
Using the Snapchat Stories might be another great way to market the media center. I could promote various contests, new books that are coming out, book club events etc....
After trying Snapchat out, I can see some value in using this in my media center!
The article Snapchat For Your Library provided me with some ideas of how I might use this in the library. During the summer in the media center, I have a contest where students send in their weirdest reading destination to me. Last year, I received many fun photos of staff and students reading in unique places. This might be a fun twist to add Snapchat as a choice of how to send the photo to me. It is always important to meet students where they are and Snapchat is a social media choice for many of our students.
I also like the idea of students taking a picture with a certain book to see where it travels throughout the school year. Not sure which book I will pick at this point, but I like to have a variety of contests throughout the school year and I can see students participating!
Incorporating this into my book clubs as well might be fun. As we are trying to decide our next read, we could take pictures of the books we think deserve to me in the running for our reading lists. It might be a good way to introduce others to a variety of books as well.
Using the Snapchat Stories might be another great way to market the media center. I could promote various contests, new books that are coming out, book club events etc....
After trying Snapchat out, I can see some value in using this in my media center!
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Thing 9 - Color Splurge & Photo Editor
Color Splurge grabbed my attention right away when I looked at the list of apps for this Thing. In the end, Color Splurge did not impress me. While exploring the app, I didn't appreciate all of the ads that kept popping up. Color Splurge I also didn't feel was very user-friendly on my phone. Maybe trying it on my iPad I would like the app more? This is one I will maybe try at another time, but at this point I have deleted it from my phone. I think for editing I do on a daily basis, this app is not for me.
I decided I wanted to try one more app from this list and I really liked the Photo Editor app. Photo Editor was more user-friendly and had lots of options when I was working with my photo. Before posting most of my pictures on Facebook, I use the photo editing options. In the future, I might be editing more of my photos with Photo Editor. When I was finished with my photo, it was very easy to send it to a variety of social media options or just email it to myself. This app will stay on my phone and be added to my iPad!
Here was my editing trial run!
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I decided I wanted to try one more app from this list and I really liked the Photo Editor app. Photo Editor was more user-friendly and had lots of options when I was working with my photo. Before posting most of my pictures on Facebook, I use the photo editing options. In the future, I might be editing more of my photos with Photo Editor. When I was finished with my photo, it was very easy to send it to a variety of social media options or just email it to myself. This app will stay on my phone and be added to my iPad!
Here was my editing trial run!
Thing 8 - Hootsuite
Hootsuite is something I have thought about trying over the last couple of years, but it always gets pushed to the end of the list. This is a great tool to help me organize and post on a variety of social media networks. As I was working with this tool, I was excited to see Google+ will be added soon as well. Facebook and Twitter are my main social media choices, but I am trying to use Google+ as well. I think as I begin to use Hootsuite on my phone and iPad it will become my one stop for everything.
I have created a Facebook media center page, but I would also like to create a Twitter account for my media center for the fall. I think Hootsuite will be able to help me keep both accounts up-to-date and inform parents, teachers and students with all the "happenings" in the media center. Once again 23 Things is helping/pushing me to explore some new tools which will help me become more efficient!
I have created a Facebook media center page, but I would also like to create a Twitter account for my media center for the fall. I think Hootsuite will be able to help me keep both accounts up-to-date and inform parents, teachers and students with all the "happenings" in the media center. Once again 23 Things is helping/pushing me to explore some new tools which will help me become more efficient!
Thing 7 - Pinterest and Educlipper
I just have to say that I love Pinterest! I have had an account for two years and love, love, love using it! At first when I started pinning items, I was looking for things for decorating and cooking. As I have had an account though, my focus has switched to finding more items for my professional development. I focus on finding items that I can use in my media center and ways to enhance my teaching. Pinterest is an excellent way for me to find practical ideas that can be implemented the next day in my classroom. I follow many people with similar ideas/likes as mine, so it helps me to curate those new pins. One of my goals for the summer is to organize my School Ideas board and my Library Ideas board to focus my ideas on those boards a little more.
One thing I have not done with Pinterest is share it with students or staff. I think there are many great ideas of sharing books/authors/content/artifacts/etc... with students. In addition, I could organize some iPad resources/digital citizenship/Web 2.0 tools with staff. I will be adding it to my to-do list this summer.
I love that I can access Pinterest from all of my devices. I find that when I have down time, Pinterest is one of my first choices to explore.
Here are my Pinterest boards
To try something new for this blogging adventure, I found my username and password for an Educlipper account that I had set up about a year ago. I gave it another try, but just found that I liked Pinterest better. They are very similar tools, but I am use to the Pinterest format and it was easier for me to navigate around the Pinterest site. I think over the summer though I would like to work with Educlipper a little more to see if I can navigate the ins and outs and maybe share with staff in the fall.
One thing I have not done with Pinterest is share it with students or staff. I think there are many great ideas of sharing books/authors/content/artifacts/etc... with students. In addition, I could organize some iPad resources/digital citizenship/Web 2.0 tools with staff. I will be adding it to my to-do list this summer.
I love that I can access Pinterest from all of my devices. I find that when I have down time, Pinterest is one of my first choices to explore.
Here are my Pinterest boards
To try something new for this blogging adventure, I found my username and password for an Educlipper account that I had set up about a year ago. I gave it another try, but just found that I liked Pinterest better. They are very similar tools, but I am use to the Pinterest format and it was easier for me to navigate around the Pinterest site. I think over the summer though I would like to work with Educlipper a little more to see if I can navigate the ins and outs and maybe share with staff in the fall.
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