Thing #9: (Not So) Randomly Generated Images

While working on the "Thing," I found the image the above on comicstripgenerator.com and was reminded of Vader's iconic line, "I find your lack of faith disturbing."  At the same time, I was reminded of an image I had seen once of Darth Vader as a substitute teacher*.  So, I played with the idea of "What if Darth Vader was a teacher?" and this little comic strip (and the one after the jump) were the results.

Thing #8: All Mashed Up

I have to admit:  The discovery exercise for this "thing" was the most fun I've had so far.  As you can see above, I used Spell with Flickr to create a banner of Flickr images spelling out my blog's title.  I also played with several of the "Flickr toys" at BigHugeLabs and produced several different pieces.  Take a look after the jump!

Thing #7: Fun with Flickr & Photo Sharing

Since this is a technology class, I decided to share a photo of some technology I've been working on lately.  This photo is the rather untidy interior of an HP Pavilion XT914 Desktop Tower.  Although antiquated today, it's Pentium 3 processor clocked at 800MHz, 256 MB PC100 RAM, 30GB Hard Drive, and 3.5" Floppy Disk Drive were state of the art in 2000.  It does still run, and has the original installation of the Windows 98 Second Editon Operating System.

Thing #6: Tools of Web 2.0 - UStream.tv

UStream.tv is a video-broadcast site for everyone. All you need to get started are a webcam and a fast Internet connection. What makes UStream different from, say, Youtube or Vimeo, is that the videos are live streams with integrated user chat and interactivity which can be archived for later viewing. UStream users can watch your public broadcast in real-time or choose to watch your archived footage later. In fact, the best way I can think to describe UStream is that it is like a public TiVo for your live webcasts.

Actually, it might be more effective to just tell you through a UStream webcast:

A placeholder until I embed the UStream webcast.

Thing #5: Perspectives on Web 2.0/School 2.0

After reading the Wikipedia article and the "Web 2.0 is not about versions or betas" article on Read Write Web, I think the key to reconciling all the disparate views on what defines "Web 2.0" is that it is participatory rather than passive.  Nearly all the definitions I read agree on this point.  I like to think of it this way:  In the "Web 1.0" paradigm, the Internet was the world's largest library.  You logged on, could "check out" web pages, but there was "no talking in the library:" interactions with others was kept to a minimum.  In "Web 2.0" the Internet is a high school reunion.  You log on and can catch up with old friends, see what they have been up to, and even meet some people you never knew before.

Thing #4: The Power of Commenting

Commenting is an act that is often taken for granted in a world of instant status updates and continuous information overload.  After all, giving thoughtful insights to what we read on a blog requires time, which could be used for other activities (like reading other blogs!).  However, when bloggers and commenters mutually contribute, an interactive community is formed that is much greater than the sum of it's parts.

The five guidelines for commenting on another person's blog, especially if it is to disagree, on Cool Cat Teacher's blog should be required reading for all commenters on the Internet.  I can't count the number of times I have seen commenters be absolutely brutal in their comments.  There's something about the anonymity of the Internet that drives some people to feel they can be completely asinine with no repercussions.  My personal rule about commenting on the Internet:  "If I would not feel comfortable saying something to a person's face, then I don't post it on the Internet, especially on that person's blog."

I also like the ProBlogger article "10 Techniques to Get More Comments on Your Blog."  While reading, it seemed like the techniques would all fall under "common sense," but I'm always amazed how uncommon that type of sense is on the Internet (not to mention in the world at large.)  Two  techniques I have seen be particularly effective are "Ask Questions" and "Set Boundaries."  When you ask a specific question in your blog, it encourages your community to respond with their own opinions.  However, you must first make sure your community knows what is acceptable and what's not.  Moderating your community's comments is key to building said community; encourage debate and dialogue, but act quickly (but fairly) to squelch ad hominem attacks, trolling, flame wars, and spamming.

Check after the jump for my comments on blogs from the class & the blogosphere.

Thing #3: Using Blogs in the Classroom

I can see a blog being a powerful tool to enhance and support a classroom.  In my classroom, I could see myself creating a blog to act as a "remote hub" for the class, where students and parents could keep track of assignments, important dates, and class policies.  As the teacher, I'd  would like to use it as a place to post notes, presentations, and supplemental material for the day's lesson, links to helpful websites, and even opportunities for extra credit.  I can see it as a jump-off point for WebQuest activities, and possibly even a way to conduct class when class couldn't normally meet.  In addition to all this, I see it as an opportunity to interact with students and parents in a way that is not always possible through traditional channels.  

I do have a small caveat, though.  I've worked in a small rural school district where a large portion of my class does not have Internet access at home.  That puts me in an awkward position when it comes to implementing a class blog:  I'm basically favoring my students with Internet access over those without it if I make a blog central to my class.  Until Internet access becomes more universal, I would have trouble feeling justified in using a blog as a major centerpiece in my classroom.