3rd Thing: Use Screenr to create a video!

Hello from your slacker of a tour guide through the 12 Things experience! I know it's been a long time, but let's just pretent like it hasn't and pick right up where we left off!

As all of you know, I am a video creating fiend. Our next tool to try is an excellent tool for creating simple web tour video! Screenr is a web-based tool that allows you to create instant screencast videos without having to download anything! I've used Screenr before to record a portion of one of my Tech Tuesday videos, which you can see here:

Your task for the 3rd Thing is to create a screencast using Screenr. Think of an activity coming up in one of your lessons that is going to require you to show your students online that will require an explaination. Instead of having to repeat yourself, make a screencast to play and impress your students! Make sure to post about your screencast. You may even want to upload it on to Youtube and post it on your blog!!

2nd Thing: Create an Avatar

No, I'm not talking about the movie.

An avatar is a graphic used to represent yourself. I LOVE creating cartoon avatars! I use my little Tiff avatar from my Go Animate videos often. 

There are lots of different programs and websites out there for designing an avatar. I'm sharing two of my favorites so that you can try one (or both) and create and save your very own avatar!

FaceYourManga is a great free avatar creator. I kept seeing these adorable avatars and was very excited when I discovered that FaceYourManga was the place that everyone was creating them. You do have to sign up to create an avatar with them, but you do have the option to sign up using your Facebook account.

My FaceYourManga avatar:

A second option that doesn't require an account is DoppleMe. Here's the avatar I created using DoppleMe:

Whichever avatar creator you choose, save the created image to your computer and post it on your blog! You can easily upload a picture into your blog post by clicking the "Insert Image" button, just like you would on an email or anything like that. You may also want to go into your Blogger account settings and add your avatar as your profile picture!

This is a fun task, so I hope you enjoy it! I can't wait to see everyone's avatars on their blogs :)

1st Thing: Creating a Blog

Congratulations! Pat yourself on the back! You are embarking on the CMS 12 Things journey, and you are going to be trying out a dozen different technology resources. No matter what your level of proficiency with technology, have no fear! You are going to fearlessly explore these 12 resources, because -- guess what -- you can't break the Internet! That's right...you are going to follow in the footsteps of the children you teach and try out these new things bravely, giving yourself the chance to learn something new (even if it means making a mistake or two). You can have as much or as little assistance from me as you need, and you can work through your 12 tasks at your own pace. This journey isn't about me walking you step by step through each thing. Instead, it's about you taking the time to explore and learn through trial and error. Don't let this become a frustrating experience...it's not that serious! If you ever feel overwhelmed or frustrated, take a break. If you can't figure something out, you know where to find me!

You are going to document your journey on your very own blog. Not quite sure what a blog is (well, you're reading one right now), then take a few minutes to watch this video that gives a simple explanation:

Now, for your first task!

You are going to create your own blog that will document your journey through experimenting with these 12 Things!

The first thing you need to do is create a Google account if you don't have one already. And if you don't have one, believe me, you need one (even if you weren't going to blog and create these tasks)! Click here to create your account. Once you are signed into your Google Account, click here to create your blog! You'll need to name your blog -- you may want to use your name or come up with something creative. If I were creating a blog for this challenge I may name mine "Tiff's 12 Things" or "Mrs. Whitehead's 12 Things" since that is what the contents of the posts would be. You'll be able to select a design for your blog, then you're ready to write your first post! In your first post, share with us what you hope to gain from completing the 12 Things program. Let us know your current level of comfort with technology and what you hope the program may do for you.

After you publish your first post, copy the link and share it in the comments of this post. That way we will all be able to follow and support each other as we take this journey together!

Welcome to 12 Things!