Thing 21-Wikis

Describe a wiki you found that inspires you to create one of your own. What hurdles might stand in the way of your using a wiki? What would it take to remove the hurdles? Is it worth the fight?

I personally enjoyed WikiHow.  I spent time looking at an article that people can edit and add upcoming art competitions.  This would be great for students.  I had a student the other day ask me if I knew of any art competitions that he could enter.  I had to tell him to Google it.  So this is a good find. 

As for creating my own, I guess having a place where students could upload their work to share with others would be interesting.  They could take a photo with their phone or camera, upload it, name it and describe the process.  Oh, wait someone has already done that :(  Students can share, sell, and buy student work on sites like Artsonia. It is already secure and protects their identity. As well as, raises money for the organization of their choice.  "Why reinvent the wheel."

The hurdles would be time and interest.  I don't feel compelled to make a Wiki.  I think that they are outdated. 

(Strange...I can't select and change my answer from italic to normal...Bug!)

Doodling Can Improve Concentration and Retention

Thing 20-Subscribe to Podcasts

Include in your post the name of at least one podcast to which you subscribed. Describe your experience using the various search tools. Which do you prefer and why?

Without realizing it, I guess I partially answered Thing 20 in Thing 19.  As far as the other search tools are concerned EPN and Podcast Alley are a far cry from iTunes.  I know iTunes well and have no desire to switch.  I could not get EPN to load and Podcast Alley's user interface was cumbersome to navigate.    

I subscribed to NorthRidge Church's podcast channel.  I had once be subscribed but canceled because of regular attendance to the church.  With a baby on the way I may need to have access to the channel again when I inevitably miss out on a weekend service.

Thing 19-Podcasts

Time and time again I find myself visiting the Incredible Art Department at http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/links/blogs.html

At this link I found a list of art blogs, videos, and podcasts.  I checked out a few but my favorite was the Middle School Art Teacher Podcast which has great lesson tutorials and classroom tales.  

I personally subscribe to a long list of podcasts through iTunes.  Most are not related to education, but my faith.  What I like so much about them, and I believe students would like the same of podcasts too, is that you can listen to them while doing other tasks.  I can work on grades, drive, or clean house while taking in great information.  

Thing 18-SlideShare

What did you like about the presentation you embedded? How might Slideshare be useful in the classroom? out of the classroom? So this is pretty cool. I like being able to search Slideshows about art so easily. Elements and Principles of Art are difficult to teach to students, because of all of the information out there. It helps to not have to reinvent the wheel. I also like that I can send students to the Ravens blog to watch a slide show if they were absent or for review.

Elements And Principles of Art

View more PowerPoint from kpikuet

Thing 17-Online Productivity Tools

Give a review of the tool you explored - what worked, what didn't work, how might it be used in your personal or professional life?

I tried out the productivity tool "Remember the Milk."  I currently use Google Calendar to stay connected in the family.  I am not sure how I would use this productivity tool in the classroom with students, but I find it useful to create a list of tasks to complete for my prep hour.  It beats the post-it notes that I lose. I plan on checking out the iPhone App.  I may find that more useful.