Thing 16.5: Evaluation

Well, I'm at the end of the "16 Things" journey.  Here are my final thoughts:

1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
I definitely loved discovering new web 2.0 tools, especially from reading others' blogs.  I am happy that I signed up for Twitter as I can finally see its value.  And I am excited about PhotoPeach, a new and EASY way for me to create videos. 

2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
Following the instructions in Dr. Wilson's 16 Things definitely introduced me to more ways that I can use technology and the Internet in my classroom, as teaching tools and as ways for students to create and discover on their own.  More than that, though, creating this blog has inspired me to continue with blogging because I better understand how communicating with others about technology and its many uses is the only way that we teachers are ever going to keep up with what's out there.  Technology keeps changing, and if we don't continue to share what we know and learn about new tools and ways to use them in our classrooms, we're going to fall behind. 

3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
I am thoroughly surprised that I enjoy Tweeting.  I mean that with no irony whatsoever. 

4. What could I do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
Overall, I enjoyed every step of the way, but I was sometimes confused or frustrated when a few of the links didn't work.  I would spend a lot of time trying to figure out what I was doing wrong, when I wasn't, in fact, doing anything wrong.  Also, I'm a "clear set of instructions" kind-of-girl.  For example, these questions, numbered and listed so that I can clearly see what I need to respond to, works for me.  Some of the "discovery exercises" were confusing to me as I wasn't sure which activities exactly I needed to do, and to blog about- and I wasn't sure if I'd completed all the components for each "Thing."  In the end, though, I LOVE blogging, and I've already started a blog to share with my 6th grade team.  I'm going to be blogging about various web 2.0 tools that I've tried with my kids- how they work, if they're worth it, other ways that they could be used in other subject areas.  I'm excited to share my knowledge with others, and I love that blogging gives me a means to do so!