Thing 14

Here is what I posted on the Wiki:

I have never used Wikis before in a classroom, but I used them quite frequently as a grad student. I think they would be useful for students working in long-term groups, where multiple students need to collaborate on a final product (like a paper).

I also think these could work well as pages that students could use for general resources. For example, I would like to create a Wiki with my Creative Writing students that includes ideas for writing prompts, getting published, and student writing contests.

However, I feel that students would need some time to learn how to properly use these. While students can always go back to see their original pages, I think students would need some lessons in etiquette about altering content.

Thing 13

This website/program is amazing. I see myself using this for personal and professional use.

With my students, I would love to use it in a Creative Writing class. Students could tell brief stories with the videos, or I could give them some type of theme, and they would have to produce a video with that theme. I also think this would work in my Journalism classes. Students could depict current news stories through these videos.

I found the site to be extremely easy to use. I was worried because I don't have a lot of photos or music online. The site provided me with all of the tools that I needed, and I just used its photos and music. Once I started creating the video, it only took about two minutes.

Here's the link: http://animoto.com/play/036oFCwU032h0l5eQYBoAg

Thing 12

I think Creative Commons is a useful tool for students. Often, they add videos, photos, and music to their projects, and this site provides them with many choices. Additionally, I feel that using these works gives their project more authenticity (as opposed to using generic clip art or pieces that do not have authors).

However, I think the most important aspect related to copyright law is teaching students how/why to cite their sources. With fair use, many works (under certain circumstances) actually can be used in educational assignments. Most students, then, simply need to understand that they can not steal other people's work and that they must give credit where it is due.

Thing 11

I have used GoodReads and LibraryThing before, so I focused this blog on GoodReads. FYI: My user name is Bridget_Wilmot.

As a book lover, I have hundreds of books that I want to read 'someday.' I use GoodReads to keep track of all of the books that I've read before and that I want to read in the future. I appreciate the features that allow me to find places to buy the cheapest version of a book, and the ability to read other people's reviews of the books.

I think this could definitely be used in the classroom. In many English classes, students do an independent reading project, and this website could help them a) choose a book and b) practice writing a book review (instead of the typical book report).

Thing 10

Last year, I did my alternate evaluation project on Ning. I used it with my Debate students as a way for them to discuss/debate issues outside of class. I really liked it because I had complete control over the site. I could preview students' comments and invite people to join. I was amazed at the enthusiasm of the students. The quiet students really seemed to find their voice in the online forums.

Thing 9

I have customized my blog. I added the slideshow from Flickr (although it seems to take a long time to load), as well as a personalized welcome. The third gadget is the list of my followers.

Thing 8

Flickr account is created. This is a tool I would really like to explore more, especially since I have hundreds of pictures just sitting on my camera, waiting to be shared.

I would like to work with some of the apps; the FlickrPoet sounds like the perfect activity to try with my Creative Writing students.

My Flickr account name is Bridget Wilmot, and I posted three pictures with the tag "17 Things": one of Dwight (from The Office) with the Gossip Girl series, a photo of Howard's End (the first book I pulled off my shelf), and Homer Simpson hanging with some random books.