921-Gotham,+Mary


 * [|WG Things ~ Learning 2.0] is a blog format to facilitate teachers learning and using Web 2.0**
 * Bring 21st Century Learning into your classroom. This fun, easy program will help you explore & expand Internet use & Web 2.0. WG Things keeps you connected to your colleagues as you explore. Simply share your questions, discoveries and ideas for classroom use in this blog. Ask your librarian to work with you and your students as you implement web 2.0 into your classroom.**

//WG Things is designed after “[|Learning 2.0 ~ 23 Things]” developed and by Helene Blowers, Technology Director of the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County NC. Helen was inspired by Stephen Abram's article, “43 Things I (or You) might want to do this year” (Information Outlook - Feb 2006) and the website “[|43Things]”.//

//**Week 1: Introduction**// [|A Vision of K-12 Students Today] [|Teacher Education and 21st Century Skills]
 * 1.** To understand why this program is important for you and your students watch these two videos:


 * 2.** To find out about this program view our video [|WG Things 4 Teachers]


 * 3.** WG Things is a learning journey into the world of Web 2.0. If you aren’t completely convinced yet, here is another short video on[| Learning to Change - Changing to Learn]


 * //Week 2: Blogging//**
 * 4.** There are a number of free online blog hosting services out there. Pick a blog service and create an account. This program is built within [|Blogger], another wonderful Google product.
 * a.** Click here for a quick [|tour of Blogger] and to get started if this service is for you.
 * b.** [|Kidblog.org] is a great tool for your classroom. Click here to [|Learn Kidblog.org in 5 minutes or less].
 * c.** [|Edublogs] is another service developed for teachers and classrooms. Click here for a short tutorial on [|How to Sign Up for Edublog].


 * 5.** Consider the videos you watched week one. Add your first blog post; share your thoughts.


 * 6.** [|Register your blog] and connect to your colleagues. How might you use blogs in your classroom? Share your response ~ add another post, comment on your colleagues post.

There are numerous Photo sharing websites available today. [|Flickr] was one of the first to turn “sharing” into a full blown online community. Flickr makes finding and sharing photos easier by using keyword “tags” to create associations and connections between photos and users of the site.
 * //Week 3: Photos & Images//**


 * 7.** Explore Flickr and discover what it has to offer. Find out how [|tags] work, what [|groups] are, and all the different ways [|teachers], [|libraries] and [|education groups] use Flickr. Take the [|Flickr Learn More tour] (6 steps); check out Flickr’s [|Popular tags] and [|Interesting- Last 7 days].


 * Choose one of these Flickr Activities:**
 * a.** Play around and find one or more interesting images to share on your blog. Include a link to the image or create a Flickr account and use [|Flickr's blogging tool] to add the image in your post. Or use [|Blogger's photo upload tool].
 * b.** [|Create a Free Flickr account] and upload a few of your own pictures to your account. Tag at least one of the images “WGThings” and mark it public. Add a post in your blog about your photo and this experience. Be sure to include the image in your post by using [|Flickr's blogging tool] or Blogger's [|photo upload feature].


 * PS:** **Photo Posting Etiquette** - When posting photos of other people (especially students) you MUST get permission before posting their photo in a publicly accessible place like Flickr (check with the main office for a parent permission form). Never upload pictures that weren't taken by you (unless you have the photographer's consent) and always give credit when you include photos taken by someone else in your blog.


 * 8.** Flickr is part of [|Creative Commons]. Creative Commons is changing the way we look at copyright. Follow these hyperlinks to find what Creative Commons is and what the [|different copyright licenses] are.


 * //Week 4: Get Connected//**
 * 9.** Learn about twitter. Read Daniel Needlestone’s blog, //[|Twitter – an Introduction for Teachers]// (make sure you watch his short video). Read Sue Waters' blog, //A Twitteraholic’s Guide to tweets, hashtags, and all things Twitter.// You don’t have to implement all the suggestions right away. Bookmark the site and be sure to refer back as you become more comfortable using twitter.

//**10**.// Sign up for twitter. Watch this short video [|How to use twitter] or follow [|this starter worksheet]. Spend a few minutes each day on twitter; read and post.


 * 11.** Post your twitter name on this blog so your colleagues can follow you. “Follow” your colleagues. Begin to build your twitter network. Review Sue Water’s “[|Tips for who to follow].” As you view your twitter feeds, “unfollow” people that post “snow”. Search for followers that will contribute to your [|PLN].


 * 12.** Search for a twitter list. Share your List with your colleagues. Although this useful twitter guide is directed at Social Studies teachers, there is information here for everyone; //[|Twitter for the Social Studies Teacher].//

//**Week 5: Photo Presentation Tools**// There are many Web 2.0 tools that allow your and your students to create & communicate using pictures. Let's have fun.

[|Picnik Library] for more ideas on how to work with your photos.
 * 13.** Explore each tool by watching the demo/tutorials and playing with each one. **Select two of the tools** and create short presentations for your classroom.
 * a.** Create a photo video using [|Animoto]. Watch this [|Animoto tutorial] or follow this [|starter worksheet].
 * b.** [|Picnik] allows you to edit your photos, add text, special effects and more. Take the Picnik Tour (from their home page). Watch this [|Picnik tutorial]. Be sure to explore the
 * c.** Create photo books, cards and calendars with [|Mixbook]. Watch this [|Mixbook demo] or follow this [|starter worksheet].
 * d.** With [|Imagechef] you can create sketchpads, poetry blenders, word mosaics and add picture frames to your photos. Watch this [|Imagechef sketchpad tutorial] to see how easy it is.


 * 14.** Post a message on your blog and describe which two tools you used. Share the link to your photo creations or upload them onto your blog. How can these tools be used in your classroom? Share your ideas on your blog post.

M. Gotham: 2011 absa ~ [|Works Cited]