Major Project: Someone asked if Diigo is better than Pearl Trees. Here’s what I had to say.

   by  cogdogblog 

Someone asked if Diigo is better than Pearl Trees.  Here’s what I had to say. 

The answer is they are both great social bookmarking tools.  I think they are both reliable and do similar things.  It depends on which one you are most comfortable with.  I had no experience with either of these tools.  So, I chose Diigo because my Professor, Alec Couros suggested it and once I started using it, I felt very comfortable with the tool.  I did watch some videos on Pearl Trees and it looked good as well.  When I started using Diigo, it was easy to bookmark things of interest to me and Diigo provided me with a free teacher account with free storage, I started using it and never looked elsewhere.  Research on Google had the two rated very similar. 

Here are some of the functions that I really like:

1)     I liked it because it was easy to login and use.  I was able to save, bookmark, share and annotate documents directly from your browser and they are stored in a list on your diigo page. For example, I can highlight portions of the page and even put a sticky note on the page!  A recent upgrade allows for annotation on PDF’s which is a handy feature in my work and as a student going to university!    

2)     I like the screen capture option which you can save independently or attach it to the specific webpage.

3)     I applied for a teacher account and within a couple of days, I was given access to a lot more  storage space - all free!  As a classroom teacher, I can add student names (email addresses or Diigo accounts not required).  As a coordinator, I can invite other teachers to one of my Groups.  The one I created is called, “Mr. B’s Special Education Resource Library”.  https://groups.diigo.com/group/mr-bs-special_education_resources_fiap-vap-dc-and-slc

4)     My library can be shared privately with people I invite or I can make it open to the public.  Other professionals can look at my resources and they can even add some to my page.  As the only person who has Administrative rights to the account, I can control who or what is posted and if I want to exclude someone, I have the ability to do so.  It’s easy to add tags so you can search for topics more easily and add comments on links as well!

5)     Organizing my topics and/or research directly into my folders or Lists as they call them is simple and it has the feature of “tagging” items so that they are more easily searchable. 

 

6)     Now, this is all wonderful but would you believe that Diigo can actually expand your Professional Learning Network too?  Well, I found over 1000 different links to different groups.  If you are new to developing my PLN, this is a great place to start!  I was so pleased to be able to find other Special Educators all in one location!  Here are the 4 that I have decided to follow for now!  I’m so excited to be a part of their network and look forward to expanding mine! 

a.     AT in SPED - https://groups.diigo.com/group/at-in-sped : A group geared toward finding and sharing information about AAC research, communication and Assistive Technology.

b.    Technology for Special Education - https://groups.diigo.com/group/aac-in-special-education

c.    Special Ed in the 21st Century - https://groups.diigo.com/group/special-ed-in-the-21st-century  No Child Left Behind? Web 2.0 can be an outlet for these often 'Left Behind' voices. Resource supplement for a Ning network with the same name: http://21stcenturysped.ning.com/

d.    Diigo In Education  https://groups.diigo.com/group/diigoineducation

7)      Hot Bookmarks from the Library are listed under the “Community” link.  This has been so helpful for me in this class because I can search by interest (e.g. special educators) and it provides me with a list of interesting articles!  I have been able to search areas of interest and save them to my library but also tweet out the interesting articles.  At the beginning of this class, I would always wonder where fellow classmates would find such interesting articles!  Wow, this only took me until November!! 

My First Chat Experiences: #Saskedchat & #Spedchat

My First Chat Experience:  #Saskedchat

 

I don't know what I thought of Twitter at first but it didn't make a lot of sense for me.  The turning point for me was connecting to people that I was interested in following.  This seemed to take a while - it wasn't instant for me.  However, once i found a couple of communities i was really interested in, it turned my world upside down!  I can't stop looking at Twitter, in particular, these 2 chat groups!  I'm sure there are more but beginners must start somewhere! 

My first experience with doing a chat was about 3 weeks ago on a Thursday evening with #Saskedchat.  I I didn’t know anything about what this chat was going to be about.  At first I thought it was like our on-line class (please don’t laugh…) so I turned up my volume button thinking people would be talking about various topics!  I feel so dumb telling you this!  I then realized that people were chatting about various topics listed as:  #1, #2, etc.  I tried sending some Direct Messages to people but nobody responded so then I thought to set up a column on my Tweetdeck and this helped me to sort out the conversation(s) that were going on!  I finally got up the courage and tweeted out that I was a “newbie” and then like the flood gates opened, my twitter account just kept buzzing and buzzing!  People were saying “Welcome” and let me tell you…I felt overwhelmingly welcome!  I thought…what an awesome group!!

The conversation was very rich with pertinent education topics.  That week we talked about designing learning spaces and looked at different issues surrounding this.  We also covered classroom management issues.  Great topics and great information shared.  I couldn’t believe how much information people were sharing back and forth!  I couldn’t figure out how people could find information so fast while this was all going on!  I think it had to do with people preparing ahead of time and knowing what questions/topics were going to be covered.  I joined this group on Google Plus and now I can vote on the weekly topics, which is really cool. 

I am overwhelmed at how people on this chat are so incredibly inviting and willing to share.  If you have any questions or issues you want to discuss, they are more than willing to help.  I use the word “overwhelmed” to describe how I feel about this type of sharing amongst colleagues that you don’t even know!  For example, there were people sharing resources and websites that they had put together!  The next thing that just blows my mind is that you can check out and follow some of these brilliant people and look in to their twitter accounts to see what they know and who they know.  This had led me to some fantastic people, knowledge and resources!!  This is so exciting for me and I am forever grateful to ECI831 and the many contributors to Saskedchat!

My Second Chat Experience: #Spedchat

On November 11, we had no class due to Remembrance Day.  I sat down at my computer to join a chat that happens at the same time as our class 7-8pm.  Spedchat is mainly a group of special educators from around the world.  I found this group after doing a search for special educators a few weeks prior and realized there was a chat that could be interesting.  This turned out to be true! 

I found the resources such as news articles, book suggestions, critical reviews, personal reviews/blogs, etc.  I was able to save many of these articles to my Diigo library of resources and have shared them out with my fellow colleagues already! 

This quiet “chat”, as I like to refer to it, is a really effective tool that I will continue to follow in my career going forward!

Thank you for reading my blog.

Major Project: Special Education #Hashtags & Twitter



   by  Slava Murava Kiss 

Major Project: Special Education #Hashtags & Twitter

 



 

To think that only 10 weeks ago I was introduced to Twitter.  I really didn't see what all the hype was about.  I started following people and some things were interesting but I found things like news websites more interesting.  I was surprised how many people followed Twitter but I couldn't figure out why they would find this interesting.  I had no time for this and it just didn't make sense to me! Frustration!  When would I fit this in to my already busy life!? Grrr!!  My first impressions of Twitter were just not great...in fact, very frustrating!  I found reading blogs in our classroom more interesting - now this I found impressive!  In fact, it was a bit intimidating because all of you could write up a storm!!  However, with all the rave about this #Saskedchat, I thought I would tune in one Thursday evening.  This was definitely a turning point for me as I was welcomed in and was truly impressed with the chat!  TSN Turning point for me!!    

THEN....
2 weeks ago - Remembrance Day Tuesday, I just happened to be following someone who said to join them for a Special Education Chat (#spedchat).  It's the same time as we have our class but because our class was canceled last week due to Remembrance Day, I joined in!  Well, this just opened MY EYES to TWITTER!  I found a bunch of people who are special educators and I started following them and sharing resources!  NOW I GET the whole Twitter thing...and honestly, i'm hooked!

I feel bad that it took me so long to figure this out but that's just the way it goes sometimes.  I found this class to be very challenging for me because I am not very technologically inclined.  I found it hard to keep up in ECI831 and I had many technological setbacks along the way that consumed so much time.  However, when I look back now, I'm a little embarrassed at how long it took me to get involved in Twitter.  Funny how you can go from Frustration to Addiction, all in a matter of weeks!  haha!

As promised, I've created a list of 20 hashtags - I know there is probably more but I thought it might save newbie Special Educators some time!  Please add if you have additional hashtags!

Special Education #Hashtags

#specialed	#slp	#speducate	#braingym	#learningdisabilities
#ece	#specialneeds	#gifted	#autism	#aspergers
#cerebralpalsy	#tck	#dyslexia	#adhd	#add
#mentalhealth	#differentiated	#inclusion	#asd	#autistic

Major Project: Initial Feedback/Responses

Initial Feedback/Responses

   by  BBC Radio 4 

 

 

 I have emailed and Tweeted approx. 25 teachers with whom I work with to look at my Diigo Library.  The response thus far has been very positive.  Here are some comments:   

1)      “Diigo is a fantastic tool to be able to help organize different information and research that is needed.  Diigo is user friendly.  Thank you for suggesting I look into using Diigo as a platform for storing and using information.  I appreciate having a web-based platform to upload resources, articles and journals  that I can access with any device I am using.  Very beneficial to be able to access all resources at my fingertips.” 

2)      “I checked out the library and appreciated how easy it is to navigate.  Diigo similar to iGo that we use at Knoll.  I’ll keep perusing.”

3)  "I've been considering using this bookmarking tool and now you've talked me into it. Thanks for the inspiration!"

The responses haven't come flying in...I would like a few more comments from teachers!  I'm hoping it is because they are busy with report cards/IIP's and not because they are disinterested!  The goal of creating the library was to be able to store and share resources as a community of learners and be able to expand our personal/professional learning network.  I am excited about the possibilities and can't wait to see where this goes!!

This is the letter that I sent out to teachers:

Check out this Library of Special Education Resources

Hi Everyone,

Back in September I mentioned in our first meeting that I was taking a university night class on Social Media and Open Education.  We are learning about  many amazing tools that can help us, as teachers, to share and grow our own learning!  The major project that I took on has been based on the gathering of and sharing of resources.  I wanted to create a website where I could share out these resources but then my professor said that a “static” web page was a good idea but it is past tense!  In other words, a web page was the way we used to do things and it only allowed for the “curator” or designer of the web page to put what thought was important onto the site.  I didn’t realize this but it was recommended that I look around at different tools such as the one you are encouraged to look at.  The new technological age we live and navigate it promotes more sharing and collaborating of resources! 

Hence, the creation of a Library of Resources for Special Educators.  This is under construction at the moment but I need your help.  I only have 3 weeks left in my course (I have to be done by Nov 30^th) and I’m needing you’re help:   

1. Check out the library and provide me some feedback on it.  This can be anything...for example, what does it look like, how easy is it to navigate on, what are the resources like, what do you think of this type of sharing, would you utilize this type of thing, check out the Vocational Folder (or List),etc.  etc.  It’s ok to be critical and honest…that’s what it is all about.
2. I will eventually be asking you to join up (get an account) so that you too can post things to the Library.  http:www.//Diigo.com  You need an account to be able to post things but not required if you just want to “snoop around”! 

Here’s the link to the library: 

https://www.diigo.com/user/kelly_brezinski

Here the link to sign up for Diigo:

https://www.diigo.com 

Thank you in advance.

Kelly 

Major Project "Diigo" - DEVELOPING YOUR PLN

Developing Your Professional Learning Network

Using Diigo

 

 

 

When i started using Diigo, I was only focused on the bookmarking tool.  Being a non-technical person, it took me a long time to learn how Diigo worked.  When I met with +Katia Hildebrandt 2 weeks ago, she asked me how I was developing my PLN?  I didn't really have an answer because I had been so focused on learning how to use Twitter, Blogging, Diigo and the regular weekly guest speaker/topic.  When I came home that evening I started looking more deeply into what type of learning network I could join and what this would look like?

 

Developing my PLN has started with Diigo.  Diigo has a "Groups" section and I searched "Special Education".  It came up with 1032 different groups!  I spent a lot of time looking for good groups to join.  This was challenging but I narrowed it down to: the membership (how many people involved) and the various topics within.  Almost all of the groups were open to the public but I did have to register with 2 groups to join.  I was quite fascinated with the concept of joining all of these various groups and to see how people share resources today!  This is something I had no idea existed.  This type of learning and sharing is new to me but so very exciting!  I can't wait to join more groups but for now, I've just joined 4 or 5. 

 

Within each Group, I have taken advantage of reading and sometimes tweeting out various articles that I come across and save some to my library.  I've also posted a couple of articles to each website of articles that I thought pertained but at this point I have a short list of resources to share so I have been mostly reading and bookmarking other educator resources. 

 

To learn more about Sharing - Building a Personal Learning Network here's a short, 2 minute video. 

http://vimeo.com/6747537

 

 

 



My Major Project: Step 1: Simple Steps to Set-up Your Diigo Account

Step 1:  Setting up my Account & the Diigolet Toolbar

 

Step 1 is to sign up for this amazing free site, goto:  (www.diigo.com/signup) .  This was a quick process as you simply sign up and wait for the activation email to be sent to you.  I thought that was all I needed to do but I couldn’t bookmark anything!  It kept taking me to this empty library!  I then realized that what I needed to do was load the “Diigolet” tool.  The reason this is a separate step is because it depends on what type of browser you are using (ie. Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer).  I used Internet Explorer.

Step 2:  You will need  to install the Diigolet tool on the tool bar.  This took me a while to figure out because I didn’t realize that the Diigolet is the actual tool that allows you to bookmark, highlight, etc.  The video showed that this was a straight forward step but this was for Firefox.  The Diigo Help site shows you how to install it in "All" browsers.  http://help.diigo.com/no-toolbar-simple-diigolet.

I was using Internet Explorer as my browser.  This loaded up for me but I couldn’t see it anywhere!  I did this a couple of times until I realized that I had to save it to my favorites and then it appeared!  Sounds like a simple mistake but , hey, I am just a rookie and I admit!  However, take this tip from my learning experience!   Once I managed this, it was so easy to use!! 

Note:  I’ve provided a link for a couple of the help video’s in case you run into the same challenge as I did. 

I'm attaching the Diigo Video Library in case you run in to some issues. 

https://www.diigo.com/learn_more/videos

My Special Education Resource Library is here:  https://www.diigo.com/user/kelly_brezinski

My Major Project: Special Education Resource Library

My Major Project:  Special Education Resource Library

 https://www.diigo.com/user/kelly_brezinski

My original project idea was to create my own web page that I could share resources and various websites with teachers whom I work with.  I recently changed roles to one that is more administrative but I do have contact with about 30 teachers.  Often the challenge with this large of a network of teachers is communication and sharing of resources.  When I pitched the idea to our Professor, he liked the general concept of sharing resources but suggested the following:

“What about social media integration? Could you have an associated Twitter account that would help to promote content? Would you want to use a tool that helped to curate content (like Pinterest, Scoop.it, Diigo, Facebook)? How could you take it beyond a place where people go (a static list of resources) to something that is more interactive?”  (Alec Couros, Sept 22, 2014).

Starting My Project

I don’t come from a very tech savvy background.  I have been very comfortable with email, texting and for what I don’t know, Google it!  Prior to this ECI831, I didn’t feel that disconnected but now I realize…I’ve got some catching up to do!  The teaching profession is also trying to keep up with the learning curve - we are hearing a lot more about social learning for e.g. Professional Learning Networks, Ed Camps, Twitter, Blogging, edchat, etc.  I am very thankful for the opportunity to take this class and start learning! 

Selecting Diigo

I started by looking at the Pinterest and Facebook suggestions but I didn’t have that professional look.  I watched a few Youtube video’s on Diigo and was impressed enough to sign up and get started.  I was surprised to see the functionality and ease of use.  I have really enjoyed using the service and wish I would have known about this tool many years ago because it would have helped at university and work! 

I tweeted out that I was starting this library and started receiving positive feedback immediately.  Fellow students commented that they were excited about this tool and some said that the article I wrote inspired them to get started using it again! 

I’ve made a few improvements to the Library and would like to invite you to take a look at it.  I would appreciate the feedback regarding: (a) the layout and general functionality of it and (b) check out the “lists” I created according to the program teachers I work with.

https://www.diigo.com/user/kelly_brezinski

Thanks in advance for your time!

Kelly

 

 

Update on Google Docs Implementation



Update on Google Docs

Back on Oct. 7, 2014, guest speaker, @MichaelWacker inspired us and educated us on the wonderful and amazing tool that Google has created.  The possibilities were limitless!  After reflecting and trying to find a suitable application in the work I do in my role as coordinator, I came up with an Action Plan and if you read farther down, I had outlined that I would begin to implement it in: (1) share it with the 3-4 people I work with; (2) share general info with the principals I work with; and (3) share out docs with the teachers I work with. 

Here's an update on how this is going:

(1) We now utilize google docs (iGo as we call it) with our small department on a weekly basis to support our Weekly Agenda.  Have a central location to list and update information has been excellent!
(2)  I have not shared this out with principals I work with - not sure if I will use this tool at this point in time.
(3) I work with 4 different special education programs and I have rolled it out to only 1 group (10 teachers).  We have applied our agenda and meeting notes during our meetings.  Having one person take the notes during the meeting allows us to capture important, on-going notes. 
I was able to roll this out to one other group that I work with that I didn't originally anticipate because I didn't think of this group at the time but it is a great venue for us to work within and begin to share.

In Conclusion:

I would have to say that using Google Docs has been accepted by the people I work with.  It has proven to be a very effective time management saving tool for us.  For example, in the past we would send out a request to meeting agenda items and ask people to send them in.  Now, everyone adds agenda items on their own.  One person (or many people) can add meeting notes during the meeting.  Once the meeting is done, the meeting notes have been updated and new action items added - it is all done in real time!  Also, there is no need to email them out to people or waste time printing them unless attendees wish to print them on their own.  Google Docs has been easy to use, more effective in collaboration and ultimately saves us time and money!  There was 1 main concern that people had.  People have to open up their shared drive to see if changes were made to existing documents.  The first thing most teachers goto is their email and don't necessarily think about Google Doc's. 

Do you have any suggestions how we can overcome this concern expressed by teachers or is it just a matter of time before people build their routines around this tool?

Thank you!
Kelly


Blog Post:  October 7, 2014
This session was a great ‘eye opener’ and introduction for me.  I kept trying to make connections with the power of Google Docs (iGo) and with my current job and this was a challenge because in our department, we don’t currently make any use of Google Docs or iGo.  Much of our work is stored and shared on a secured drive for confidentiality.  After giving this more thought, it occurred to me that I was probably limiting my view on how this tool could help me.  So, I came up with three ideas/areas that I could use this tool:

1)      Share out general information with the 4 people I work with. 

2)      Share out general information to principals I work with.

3)      Share out documents/calendars/etc. with teachers/programs that I work with.

It’s going to take getting in the habit of utilizing this new tool and asking other teachers to do the same.  I’m actually quite excited about the potential of this tool.  I see it opening the doors to greater collaboration amongst colleagues!

 Action Plan:  I’m going to set up 1 document I can share with 4 of my colleagues and it will be related to our “Weekly” Meeting Agenda.  I know it sounds pretty simplistic but it’s a start and a good intro to our team!  I’m hoping this will start a wave of new thinking in our office! 

Digital Citizenship…is it on your radar?

   

Digital Citizenship…is it on your radar?

 

by  JH Images.co.uk 

In the past few years, my teaching role in special education has been one where I have not been using computers in the classroom.  So, the entire concept of digital citizenship wasn’t on my radar!  However, in my new role as coordinator for special education, and after hearing Bonnie Stewart’s presentation, I now believe that this is a very relevant topic that I need to share with the teachers I work with.      

Bonnie’s presentation was an eye-opener for me in many respects.  I learned about trolls and thieves and not the kind we read about in books!  The conversation took me to places I never knew existed.  I had no idea that there were so many issues there are in the cyber world and as Bonnie mentioned, we are all vulnerable and we must be more careful than ever before!  This topic really hit home for me as I reflect on all students in our special education programs.  The topics of cyber bullying, identity theft, etc. are all major concerns. 

Bonnie’s presentation prompted me to start researching digital citizenship on the weekend.  I came across some resources that I could start sharing with some of the high school special education teachers I currently work with.
 

Here are some Resources I would like to share with you.  Please feel free to add more below:

•    There are 9 elements of Digital Citizenship and they include:  Etiquette; Literacy; Access; Security; Health & Wellness; Commerce; Communication; Rights & Responsibilities; and the Law.  For more information please check out this link.

 

• 12 learning goals for students:   

1) learn to avoid pop-ups;

 

2) learn how to post pictures properly;

 

3) learn how to keep myself safe online;

 

4) learn how to avoid unsafe and inappropriate websites;

 

5) think through difficult situations;

 

6) look at online blogs and identify how they are positively affecting the world;

 

7) understand that our digital footprint becomes a permanent part of our reputation;

 

8) identify ways to be purposefully positive in my online behaviour;

 

9) identify some ways to determine if a website is a good source;

 

10) examine ways to evaluate online content;

 

11) identify safe online behaviour;

 

12) list rules that will keep me safe online.

 

For more information please check out the Ottawa Catholic School Board website:

 (http://ocsb.ca/board/administration/departments/religious-education/digital-citizenship).  

 

 

·         I bookmarked some other resources on my Diigo Library account. 

 

 https://www.diigo.com/user/kelly_brezinski.  (This is my Major Project in progress.) 

 

 

In conclusion, I have learned that we cannot assume that our students are good digital citizens or aware of the dangers out there in the cyber world we live in.  We cannot assume that just because young people have grown up with technology in their hands, that they know how to use it safely and how to be good digital citizens.  I have also come to accept that I am not technologically savvy and therefore need to turn my radar on when it comes to the topic of Digital Citizenship.  I don't think we can afford to "hide our heads in the sand" as Bonnie Stewart claims. 

 

I hope the resources I’ve shared with you in my blog will engage you even more in digital citizenship and its importance.  If you have 1 resource you can share with me that you think would be useful, I would be grateful.

 

Thank you!

Kelly