Is it the End, or Just the Beginning of Something Bigger and Better?

Western Sunset  by A.C. Nazar 2013

It seems like we just entered this foray into ed tech ad here we are closing the door. Well, not closing it completely, but rather opening it up to something new, application. For me,  that means I can keep on using the cool tools, and put aside those that I didn't like as much, perhaps revisiting them someday in another capacity.

What I liked best about the 23 things was playing with the creative applications. I use Flikr and fotoflerxr all the time when I need to use an image, which I generally try to enhance in some way. I would definitely continue to use image generators because they are fun. I do use Google drive regularly so I can take advantage of the university's toner rather than buying my own. I also like the ability to edit my work at any time, so having it available is convenient. 

I think this program has sparked my learning and allowed me to see the importance of technology in the classroom. I would have never considered using technology to this degree, but I think it can be both helpful and enhancing. I don't know whether I can say that this has influenced my goals as much as it has brought me a new perspective on teaching. I am open to continued learning about technology. It is so much a part of our culture that it is hard to avoid it.

We can all keep up with ed tech by subscribing to blogs, teacher websites like teachertube, or any other forums related to using technology in the classroom. 

I plan to start another blog when I start teaching, if not before then.  I like the idea of recording what I have learned each day, or at least once a week. We really do learn something every day, whether it is trivial or useful.  I think I may be able to muster up a few followers...

There really are no ending points, we go on. Even when we die, I'm quite sure we go on. Not to sound like a Hallmark card, but the setting sun merely implies that somewhere else somebody is watching a beautiful sunrise. 

Thing # 23 (Already?) Creative Commons

Twist it, warp it, and make it your own version of something else...
Creative Commons share-alike licensing lets us do that and more. One relevant example is taking the 43Things, a goal setting interactive website, and subtracting 20 things and changing the theme to learning about technology for teachers. Like the 43things, the learning 2.0-23 things for teachers is a progression, a journey of discovery. 

I never considered building on someone else's work before looking at Creative Commons. I always looked at all works of art as intellectual property that could not be altered. I never imagined that anybody would think of changing another person's work; although that is a creative concept, and I like to think of myself as creative, I think that that way of looking at things is unique to younger generations. 

I do think that my possessive nature would prohibit me from licensing anything I create with a share-alike license. I am more of the no-derivs type. But I do see me, as a teacher, seeking out works with share-alike licenses for students to consider warping, twisting, and making their own. I think that creativity, and altering things in our own unique ways, is and important part of personal growth that can be achieved in education. 

Creative Commons licensing is also helpful for those students who are creative ( I really hope I have more than a few). It is very convenient and assuring to know that you can smack a Creative Commons license on anything you create and have legal copyright protection. It is important that students understand copyright and creative commons licensing and the concept of giving credit where it is due or retaining credit when creating.