Thing_21

=Thing 21 (Week 9) - Create a Custom Start Page Using Pageflakes=

ATTENTION SUMMER 2010 PARTICIPANTS: For the time being, this Thing is optional! A few months ago, Pageflakes started placing mandatory ads on the teacher/student edition, so I cannot unequivocally recommend classroom use. It's a real disappointment, because custom start pages have tremendous value as student learning portals. I have looked into alternatives, namely Protopage (examples) and Netvibes. Currently, Protopage has banner ads that you can click to close. Netvibes currently has no ads, but I fear that will change... check this stuff out if you are interested, but, again, it's not required.... sorry!

Introduction
Yet another "theme" of Web 2.0 is user customization. Pageflakes is a "custom start page" application that allows users to customize web content by adding and organizing any number of **links**, **RSS feeds**, **podcasts**, **search tools**, and useful **embeddable objects** (also known as widgets, gadgets, and, in this instance "flakes"), such as **calendars**, **notepads**, **to-do lists, videos** and **calculators**, each in its own container (uh, "flake"). Each "flake" can be dragged and dropped around the page for ultimate customization. Thus, unlike a "typical" RSS reader or podcatcher, Pageflakes stores each feed or subscription inside its own customized container on the page, then allows the user to mix in all sorts of other goodies.
 * [[image:http://farm1.static.flickr.com/162/357779131_02832d1aae_m.jpg caption="image by nebarnix" link="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nebarnix/357779131/"]] ||
 * image by nebarnix ||

There are a number of custom start page options, such as [|Netvibes], Protopage that offer similar features. You may want to check out these other flavors after playing with Pageflakes. One of the most powerful features of Pageflakes is that the pages are publishable/shareable with students, parents and colleagues. These "Pagecasts" can be customized to support specific topics and themes.

**¤ NOTE:** Please use **Pageflakes Teacher Edition** ([]) for this activity. It has the **identical function** of regular Pageflakes but removes the "Random Pagecast" link from your page if you decide to make it public for your students to use. (This will make more sense after you have worked with Pageflakes). Thus, when you hear me say in a video "Go to pageflakes.com," you will **instead** go to **[]**. The Teacher Edition still forces a "Sponsored Content" flake onto the upper right area of your page, but it does at least stick to "appropriate" ads. Right now, Protopage has banner ads you can close. Netvibes

Discovery Exercise

 * PART 1: Get to know Pageflakes (~20 minutes)**

This "Thing" was inspired by a post from Weblogg-ed: [|Using Pageflakes as a Student Portal] (Please read it).

Check out a few sample education-themed **Pagecasts**. Spend a couple minutes looking at each of the Pagecasts below. Each demonstrates some of the potentially valuable "flakes" one can assemble and customize to support classroom learning. (Most of these were not created under the Teacher Edition, so you will see a wider selection of irksome ads. But the content is still worth a look -- I am frustrated by the ads, so I am ).


 * [|Crisis in Darfur] (via Will Richardson)
 * [|World Around Us] (Science resources)
 * [|Miss Tyler's Third Grade] (sample I created)
 * [|Elementary China Webquest] (very innovative use of Pageflakes to organize a student project)
 * [|NKO Math Clusters] - (Elementary student math enrichment/practice organized by grade level and skill area)
 * [|Voicethread in Education] (collection of Voicethread projects across the curriculum, organized in flakes)
 * [|A. P. European History] (presents each unit of study on a separate tab)
 * [|A.P. Economics] (sample I created)
 * [|PJ's Smartboard Resources] (Smartboard links for teachers)
 * [|Hamlet Research Paper Pathfinder]
 * [|Ms. Regan's Global History and Geography]
 * [|Tarrytown Curriculum Start Pages] (Primary School portal)
 * [|Election 2008 Resources] (middle and high school resources from the unquiet library)
 * [|Biology Current Events] (middle and high school resources from the unquiet library)
 * [|Music Education & Technology]
 * [|Creekview High School Library]
 * [|HSMC Library] (Health Services Management Center Library at University of Birmingham)
 * [|K12Learning 2.0] - sample I created for all of you to use as a **starting template** for your own Pageflakes page. (More on that under **PART 2**).

===**Consider some potential uses for Pageflakes (or Protopage or Netvibes) in education**:===
 * Share links for research, skill practice or topics of study.
 * Post homework, class assignments, reminders.
 * Custom research/reference portal.
 * Share current events or topical items via RSS feeds from news sources or blogs
 * Class Calendar
 * Post links to class documents
 * Have a group discussion
 * Post instructional videos or podcasts
 * Post class pictures or photo albums
 * Post a picture feed from a specific topic or theme


 * PART 2:** **Get started Using Pageflakes** (~30-45 minutes)

Sign up for **Pageflakes Teacher Edition**. If desired (seriously, it's optional), add the **K12 Learning 2.0 Template** to your account and customize your page(s). Practice **adding and editing flakes, feeds and podcasts**. **Drag and drop** each flake to customize your page. Click **Edit** to edit the settings for a flake. As you explore, consider ways you might use Pageflakes to support classroom learning or your professional practice. **Feel free to create as many pages as you want and to edit and explore all you want!**

ONCE AGAIN - when following these instructions, please go to [] to sign up.
 * ‡ HELP Video: ** [|Sign up for Pageflakes TEACHER EDITION and add the OPTIONAL K12 Learning 2.0 Page Template] (3:00)

How to: Add Flakes, RSS Feeds and Podcasts; Edit Flakes; Customize your Page
 * ‡ HELP Video: ** [|Working in Pageflakes] (5:00)

===** ‡ HELP Instructions: **** Quickstart for explorers, video haters and impatient people... **===
 * Go to **Pageflakes Teacher Edition:** [] You will see a default page with some basic flakes.
 * Click **Sign Up** (at the top of the page). Enter your **name**, **email** and **password**. You will be returned to your default page.
 * (OPTIONAL) Add the "**K12 Learning 2.0** **Template**" to your account - Log into Pageflakes, then, in a new browser window, go here: Template
 * While viewing the **K12 Learning 2.0 Template**, click **View Pagecast**, then click **Copy** to copy the page into your own account for editing.
 * The **K12 Learning 2.0 Template** contains a "sticky note" with instructions and helpful hints.
 * Practice adding and editing flakes, feeds and podcasts. Drag and drop each flake to customize your page. Click **Edit** to edit the settings for a flake.


 * Visual guide to adding flakes, feeds and podcasts:**





One of the best ways to get the most from Pageflakes is by adding outside blog, news and podcast feeds!
 * Add any RSS or Podcast feed to Pageflakes**



Write a blog post reflecting on your Pageflakes experience. Include any ideas you have for using such a tool to support classroom learning or professional practice. What are some topics or themes you might explore in a Pageflakes environment? Please include "Thing 21" in your post title.
 * Task**