"Thing 10"

First let me say... I am down to the wire. Without going into a lengthy explanation because we are all busy, (lol). I'll just say that time permitted me to complete, but so last minute. I've been busy using the tools and learning and working on integration ideas that I lose sight of the task.
Second, I have enjoyed this lessons in Cool Tools for Schools; many many of which I will continue to use and implement into my daily planning and classroom use and collaboration. I look forward to future updates from Polly.
For this final lesson I look at many of the tools, but the two that stuck with me the most are Evernote and Scrible. Scrible will be a great tool to use with my students to encourage proper documentation for exams and written projects. How many students hand in papers without an invalid works cited list? Now, there is a tool to assist. I have used a different tools for document lists like apacitationgenerator.com for many years to assist. I'm excited to have another resource to use that will be beneficial.
And Evernote! Oh ya! I have been seeking for ages for a secure online place to add my personal files and organize them for a more efficient use. This would also be a great tool for students research papers, group shared projects.
I can't say enough how I enjoyed these sessions and look forward to further integration. Thanks Polly!

"Thing 8"

Collaborating, Connecting & Sharing... I have to say that this is something that our district does not do well in my opinion. I am encouraged after the exercises for "Thing 8" to work out a plan to more collaboratively work especially with my ELA team to create a collection of tools, plans, and collaborations for us to use.
The first tool I looked into was Google Docs. At first With most new tools I had a little trepidation about the usefulness for my particular situation, but found it to be a little enlightening. I could use Google Docs for a plethora of personal tools including curriculum resources, lesson/ unit plans, but also see a use for this in the classroom for discussion boards and literature circles.
I also looked briefly into Scribd and was pleased again at the prospects of document sharing abilities and thought this tool to possibly be useful in sharing curricular files across a district.
Another tool I examined was Google calendar; I create a yearly calendar with important dates for our district and would find this useful for instructors and student's in helping keep organization at hand.
I will continue to use these tools and hopefully further commit them to more district use as well.

A Little Taste of NYC!

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"Thing 9"

I am going out of order... I found that Thing 9 was of more interest so I skipped to 9 for now; Databases & Search Tools. I began by adding a Google widget to my blog as this seems to be the most popular search engine and most well known among my students. I then have decided to explore SweetSearch.com. I initially searched grammar; I thought I'd begin with an easy topic that I use annually with my students. I was impressed with the search and the descriptions that followed each result. I then searched greater, looking for a unit/lesson plan and again was pleased with the results. There was much clearer, definitive results than with just a general Google search. (I must say tho that this seems to be a Refined Google search. I am partial to Bing, but have used Google also so I took the Bing It On Challenge also. I was impartial and I still like Bing better than Google as a search engine. I would surely use SweetSearch.com to begin students in their research followed by Bing. They are both easy read, comprehensive search engines.
As far as databases are concerned, we have limited class use for databases as we are such a small school with a very small classes and library that students wouldn't benefit from said databases, but as an instructor I do benefit from several databases including those created by our Tompkins County Public Library and other collections like those on Goodreads.

"Thing 9"

I am stepping out of order here... completing Thing 9 before 8 use it was of more interest to me.  I've added a Google search engine widget into my blog decided that I'd explore Sweetsearch.com since I've never heard of it before and it sounded like a great useful tool for research based on the review that it is created by experts, teachers and librarians.  My first search topic was grammar; I thought start eas

"Thing 7"

AudioBoo Podcast Blog...
I decided to use my podcast as my blog this "thing". So, listen for my blog. :)

http://audioboo.fm/boos/1290721

"Thing 6"

What! Just a few days ago on Facebook there was a post for yellow cake fudge, an easy microwave recipe for fudge that you make with cake batter, butter and confectioners sugar and I said to myself, "what! How have I not heard of this before?"... So even though I've heard of Pinterest and have seen multiple posts in Facebook I didn't realize what I was missing with Pinterest. A wealth of information shared is an understatement, but the visual appeal and ease to search is very alluring. I can see how one becomes addicted. Two hours had passed in what seemed like 20 minutes and I had pinned countless sites.
I could easily see how this may help me personally; I quickly found quilting patterns and clothing styles I want to make/buy. Professionally... My initial though was that this will be a tool possibly to share and find lesson plans, but as I search I've realized much more such as organizers, resources and plans. Another professional purpose I see is using this as a resource for my department to share resources and tools in a group. Use with my students... I would use this as a research tool or a student grouping tool based on interests, a tool to use for group assignments in project presentations.
With all that being said, I might have to be incognito as not to be caught slacking on my housekeeping duties as I'm drawn to my newest friend and interest... Pinterest!