Hit Refresh!!! (Thing 24)

So, I played with my blog, and then played some more. What is the result? I really liked the colors of my blog! So, while the playing was fun. I don't feel compelled to hit save for these "inferior" blogs!

I also really tried to explore a few more Avatar generators. I'm not really attracted to the ones that are "too cartoonish," so I just stick to having lots of fun changing outfits, setting, and accessories as a Yahoo Avatar! I do want to take a look at Meez, but I couldn't get the site working tonight - Bummer....

On the other hand, I am curious about trying out some of the free templates that other web creaters have made available outside of the basic templates within Blogger. I haven't found the right one yet, but with thousands out there, there might be something worthwhile!

On the other hand - There are so many new gadgets that are useful and just plain fun! I started with a few basic, practical gadgets that actually let me consolidate and simplify the user experience of my blog. Blogrolls are one of my favorites. So simple, but so important to building and contributing to the Web 2.0 community. In the past I used a lot individual RSS feeds to my blog to create a blogroll, but it is so much better now with just one gadget!

I don't have any "followers" yet, but I like the idea of this gadget. I am exploring Web 2.0 in this blog for my own benefit, but it like all Web 2.0 tools, it only gets stronger as the community grows. So, I am going to be interested in seeing if I get any "followers." Anyone want to join my blog community???

More Things...

Well... I wasn't as successful at maintaining this blog in the face of changing demands on my time this school year, but it was such a positive experience for the first 23 Things, now there is an incentive to say a few "more things."

Stay tuned in, for more on my experiences and thoughts in the Web 2.0 world...

Election 2.0

As I drove down a local road this week, I noticed the yard signs of local candidates running for office beginning to emerge. Before long, I'm sure that it will be a rainbow of colors and names fighting to capture the eyes of all that journey down these roads. Signs for our presidential candidates have not yet appeared in my area, but I'm certain that it won't be long.

These signs and the television ads that are being broadcast across the airwaves seem to be the campaign tools of the past, and they may still be effective, but we are seeing the tools of the presidential campaign entering into the Web 2.0 era of the Internet. Here are just a few examples...

YouTube Debates (Of course, my favorite is the talking snowman---very clever!)
Candidate / Campaign blogs (I'm not sure who is doing the writing here...), Social Networking Pages (MySpace, Facebook, etc.), RSS Feeds, and more.....

So...how does Election 2.0 fit into the classroom? That is what I was left wondering...and PBS for Teachers was right on top of it!

PBS Vote: 2008
Primary or Secondary, this resource has the Web 2.0 spirit and has already done a bunch of the work in compiling classroom resources and creating lesson plans for primary and secondary schools. (They are always on top of things!)

You will definitely want to take a look at what is available in the Tools menu. This collection of links brings you to website where students can post their questions to lawmakers, post audio or video commentaries on the issues or candidates in the election, and use surveys to determine which candidates are most closely aligned with students' positions on the issues of the campaign.

I really like the "You Decide" tool - you are asked to take a position on a campaign issue, and then it plays devil's advocate, but my favorite was when I followed the link to NPR's Budget Hero. Budget Hero is an interactive activity that engages students in the budget decision-making process that our elected officials are faced with in Congress. And, did I mention that it is a widget? So it is an interactive tool that can be imbedded in my website! (That will keep the kids from wandering outside the school's website!!!!)

I tried putting the widget into this blog entry...but it didn't quite fit within my blog's formatting.

Play Budget Hero