What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
I don't know that I can say there was any one thing. I guess the tool I am using the most is Picasa. I also like the fact that I was inspired to finally create my "podcast" and have plans for more. I am also very excited about the online communities.
How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
It was an easy way to continue my learning.
Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
I didn't really know what to expect. I had more fun and learned a broader variety of tools than I had probably figured... I still need to figure out how to add RSS feed to my website...
What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
The format for me is fantastic. However, I think you might encourage a few others (less confident) by offering a "blended" version.
Teachers might enjoy focusing on education in general and less on the library. There were a few topics that seemed to repeat, but it wasn't anything that I couldn't live with.
I wish I didn't have to sign up for so many different tools. However, that is not in your control.
If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate?
Yes.
How would you describe your learning experience in ONE WORD or in ONE SENTENCE, so we could use your words to promote 23 Things learning activities?
Terrific time well spent!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Nings - #22
Wow! When you had first introduced me to Nings a few assignments ago, I was so excited. I thought I could see classroom nings, campus nings, a district ning etc. However, I am so disappointed at what I found at the teacher lingo ning. There were virtually no lessons for middle school, the blogs were silly, sad and worthless. I won't waste my time there again. I will go back to the ning link and attempt to create one for my campus that will focus on instruction. Again, I see lots of opportunity.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Podcast - #21
It looks good on my computer. Can't wait to see if this works! PhotoStory 3 is so easy! however, I did learn that you want to get your slides in order before you record your voice overs. If you move a slide after you have completed the voice over, you lose the recording and have to re-record. I also think you should do all of the recording in one sitting. Even though I completed the recordings on one morning, the volume of my voice was different at different times. I also purchased the background music from iTunes rather than search for free music even though I believe I could have found some.
Now, I am trying to save it in a format that iTunes will accept and see how I can get it to appear in iTunes!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Videos - #20
First of all, I don't want to forget this site, so I am copying it here.
http://www.blinkx.com/
Also, I didn't know about teachertube. I found a couple of good ones. I am also determined more than ever to get some teachers on my campus to create some videos or podcasts as instructional tools. So, first thing tomorrow I am going to share this site with our teachers.
This is a simple song about the water cycle. I like it.
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=53bdf2518c53ddf3bce6
I tried to embed it, but there is a problem with the code and I don't know enough to figure out the problem.
Anyway, I found several things I can and will use at work "playing" with this post!
http://www.blinkx.com/
Also, I didn't know about teachertube. I found a couple of good ones. I am also determined more than ever to get some teachers on my campus to create some videos or podcasts as instructional tools. So, first thing tomorrow I am going to share this site with our teachers.
This is a simple song about the water cycle. I like it.
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=53bdf2518c53ddf3bce6
I tried to embed it, but there is a problem with the code and I don't know enough to figure out the problem.
Anyway, I found several things I can and will use at work "playing" with this post!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Web 2.0 Awards - #19
OK. I have to leave right now, but I had to add this to my blog! This is a fun game!
Free Online Games brought to you by Arcaplay
I'm back! How about this one?
http://grant.robinson.name/projects/guess-the-google/
This one would even be good for the classroom! Categorization skills!
I like wetpaint! I could see a personal use for this! I wouldn't want to use a wide open wiki in the classrooom.
The mapping ones have merit; however, we would need to be careful with our students! I'm not going to comment on the ones we've used or are going to "play" with like Ning! I can hardly wait.
Swivel looks interesting. I am going to give the information about the professional networking sites to my son who is graudating from college and needs a job!
Free Online Games brought to you by Arcaplay
I'm back! How about this one?
http://grant.robinson.name/projects/guess-the-google/
This one would even be good for the classroom! Categorization skills!
I like wetpaint! I could see a personal use for this! I wouldn't want to use a wide open wiki in the classrooom.
The mapping ones have merit; however, we would need to be careful with our students! I'm not going to comment on the ones we've used or are going to "play" with like Ning! I can hardly wait.
Swivel looks interesting. I am going to give the information about the professional networking sites to my son who is graudating from college and needs a job!
Online Productivity Tools - #18
There is definitely a difference between the two products we are supposed to try. Open Office is much more like Office than is Google documents. First of all, it is software you download. Second, it is a suite of products.
With Open Office, the files you create are stored where you decide, unlike Google Docs where your files are stored on their server. I worry about security and the ability to access the documents indefinitely. In Open Office, there are more features. In fact, I created an entire document with it today. The only limitation I came across was the inability to actually create a draw item in the document. I am VERY used to that tool. However, I am sure it is coming shortly! These Web 2.0 products are developing so quickly! I wonder what Microsoft thinks about it all!
Again, Google docs has a long way to go before it is something I will use.
The presentation tool in Open Office is "crude" compared to PowerPoint, but again I anticipate it will develop quickly. The Draw tool is basic as well. I don't personally have a reason to use the Math tool. Anyway, I'm not sure that we are ready to "dump" Microsoft, but I can see where not too far in the future... :-)
With Open Office, the files you create are stored where you decide, unlike Google Docs where your files are stored on their server. I worry about security and the ability to access the documents indefinitely. In Open Office, there are more features. In fact, I created an entire document with it today. The only limitation I came across was the inability to actually create a draw item in the document. I am VERY used to that tool. However, I am sure it is coming shortly! These Web 2.0 products are developing so quickly! I wonder what Microsoft thinks about it all!
Again, Google docs has a long way to go before it is something I will use.
The presentation tool in Open Office is "crude" compared to PowerPoint, but again I anticipate it will develop quickly. The Draw tool is basic as well. I don't personally have a reason to use the Math tool. Anyway, I'm not sure that we are ready to "dump" Microsoft, but I can see where not too far in the future... :-)
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Wiki Sandbox - #17
Again, the collaboration is fun. I can see that the page is really set up for librarians, which I am not. Looking forward to seeing ideas from others!
I even forget one: How about a wiki for grade level/department teachers where they can discuss, share, develop ideas for lessons!
I even forget one: How about a wiki for grade level/department teachers where they can discuss, share, develop ideas for lessons!
Wikis - #16
Wikis hold lots of potential for schools (and libraries). I really enjoyed the English classroom example and see the benefits of using wikis for collaboration in classrooms. For the students, it allows asynchonous collaboration - no more having to find a time to meet and discuss your project. For the teacher, no more lost papers!
I am already participating in a wiki on a district committee. We have too much to discuss and our calendars don't allow for us to meet face-to-face. We are all contributing to the wiki so that at our next meeting we can further refine our ideas and accomplish our goal.
I did notive that one of the library wikis is forcing contributors to log in due to vandalism. That is unfortunate and yet very believable. I would imagine that most of us will need to do something similar since we don't have the knowledge/manpower to track down the abusers.
As a campus administrator, I can see lots of uses! Looking forward to using wikis in the future!
I am already participating in a wiki on a district committee. We have too much to discuss and our calendars don't allow for us to meet face-to-face. We are all contributing to the wiki so that at our next meeting we can further refine our ideas and accomplish our goal.
I did notive that one of the library wikis is forcing contributors to log in due to vandalism. That is unfortunate and yet very believable. I would imagine that most of us will need to do something similar since we don't have the knowledge/manpower to track down the abusers.
As a campus administrator, I can see lots of uses! Looking forward to using wikis in the future!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Library 2.0 # 15
I can't agree more with what I am reading. It is impossible to try and procure a collection of materials that reside permanently in the library these days. Long gone are the days of print materials beinig the sources of information. And, as much as I hesitate, it appears the web of the future is all about collaboration. I can foresee in the near future classrooms becoming part of classroom networks/online communities. In fact, I am totally excited about it. I can see blogs and wikis totally changing the classroom for the better. I can see the librarian facilitating this process.
However, it will take a paradigm shift of the librarians to accomplish this task. Gone are the days of signing up classes to come for their 30 minutes in the library. Open access is key. On my own campus, we are challenged with differenet campuses requiring that simultaneously. I haven't really given a great deal of thought of how to solve this before, but now I see the need to begin that thought process. Let's begin that conversation.
I can't even pretend to fully grasp the depth of the issue. I have already been exposed to so much through this activity. Thanks for bringing the conversation to the consciousness of all of us!
However, it will take a paradigm shift of the librarians to accomplish this task. Gone are the days of signing up classes to come for their 30 minutes in the library. Open access is key. On my own campus, we are challenged with differenet campuses requiring that simultaneously. I haven't really given a great deal of thought of how to solve this before, but now I see the need to begin that thought process. Let's begin that conversation.
I can't even pretend to fully grasp the depth of the issue. I have already been exposed to so much through this activity. Thanks for bringing the conversation to the consciousness of all of us!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Technorati-Thing #14
OK. So, I haven't been bookmarking in del.icio.us as much as I thought I would. I have been exploring Technorati. I have created an account and "claimed" this blog. So, now I'll have to figure out how that affects my blog and works for me! I did several searches. I did the search for the school library learning 2.0. It found several blogs in different places that are evidently participating in a 23 things type activity. Then, I searched for tags. I found that most useful, and I see a reason for tagging my blog (which I have yet to do).
I did look at a few of the most popular blogs that are linking to one another on Technorati. I found that I didn't have a great deal of interest in the majority of them. I did find a few educational related ones - one, in fact that I linked to! I just don't think that I am as social as most people... :-)
I did look at a few of the most popular blogs that are linking to one another on Technorati. I found that I didn't have a great deal of interest in the majority of them. I did find a few educational related ones - one, in fact that I linked to! I just don't think that I am as social as most people... :-)
Friday, January 25, 2008
Social Bookmarking: Del.icio.us - #13
Wow! Am I liking this! I had heard about del.icio.us about a year ago but had never taken the time to look at it or try to understand it. It is cool and something that I will definitely use. I see the benefits and it doesn't take any longer than setting up a bookmark. The tags are terrific and add so much to the "bookmarked" site. I will be busy "playing" with del.icio.us tonight!
And, I encourage everyone to go to Common Craft and watch the video. It was excellent. I also watched the video on blogging. Common Craft is a great place to send apprehensive peers! Quick and easy to understand explanations!
And, I encourage everyone to go to Common Craft and watch the video. It was excellent. I also watched the video on blogging. Common Craft is a great place to send apprehensive peers! Quick and easy to understand explanations!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Rolling your own... #12
Here's one of the Rollyo searches I created.
http://rollyo.com/explore.html?showall=recentrolls
Of course, I couldn't hardly figure out what I wanted to create a search for. However, I had done so extensive research a while back on one of my sports injuries, so I created on about that. I also created one about digital photography. I must admit I haven't done a greata deal of searching about digital photography, but I'd like to. So, I found some sites that I liked and created one!
http://rollyo.com/explore.html?showall=recentrolls
Of course, I couldn't hardly figure out what I wanted to create a search for. However, I had done so extensive research a while back on one of my sports injuries, so I created on about that. I also created one about digital photography. I must admit I haven't done a greata deal of searching about digital photography, but I'd like to. So, I found some sites that I liked and created one!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Library Things #11
Wow! Cool! I really enjoyed learning about and joining Library Thing. I have posted 8 books already and could keep going, but I have a kitchen to clean! My only problem was trying to figure out how to put a link on my blog. It shouldn't be a big thing (at least that is what I am led to believe), but I don't know where to paste the HTML code into the blog. Hopefully, someone can help me! I do think this will be lots of fun!
I have joined a group already and am looking into a few others. I have joined the historical fiction group (even though I haven't posted a single historical fiction).
I have joined a group already and am looking into a few others. I have joined the historical fiction group (even though I haven't posted a single historical fiction).
For fun! #10
Think about it...
Image Chef is pretty cool! I like the Happy Face Generator too! I wish the Happy Face Generator would have allowed me to resize the image. It is a little too bog for me. I think I will take it into PhotoShop Elements and resize it. I'll let you know if that works!
Yep! It worked. I'm happier! :-)
The process is easy! I was hoping to have the above animated gif as a sidebar, but the software doesn't support it. It took me a minute to post it. I think the easiest is just to save it to your computer and upload it that way! as for how I'm going to use this in my job... I am still thinking about it!
Image Chef is pretty cool! I like the Happy Face Generator too! I wish the Happy Face Generator would have allowed me to resize the image. It is a little too bog for me. I think I will take it into PhotoShop Elements and resize it. I'll let you know if that works!
Yep! It worked. I'm happier! :-)
The process is easy! I was hoping to have the above animated gif as a sidebar, but the software doesn't support it. It took me a minute to post it. I think the easiest is just to save it to your computer and upload it that way! as for how I'm going to use this in my job... I am still thinking about it!
More on Blogs #9
Unfortunately, Feedster is down right now so I couldn't look at it today. I think I had seen it a couple of weeks ago when I first started working on this portion of the 23 things, but I can't remember anything about it.
I like Google Blog Search. It is clean and uncluttered. I have used it to add some blogs to my Google Reader page.
Syndic8 seems more like a tool that I would use to answer my questions abour syndication and rss feeds. I am not really looking at this point to learn how to create my rss feed. And, I must admit I would like a 2 hour class where a knowledgable individual talks with me about rss feeds and shows me how to do it. While I have participated in lots of online learning, I don't like it when trying to understand a concept and related skill.
Technorati is OK. There were tons of links to blogs that are of no interest to me. I think I would be more inclined to enjoy the blogging communities of the Internet if I were a person who reads People and Entertainment Weekly magazines. I just don't care about most of the topics that most of these sites post. Dylan and Cole who? ;-) I do think it is totally mind boggling when I think about the fact that so many of the posts are from overseas! Totally cool! The tutorial y'all suggested was created by a Dutchie! (I would love to relocate there for a while, but I understand I would not like the weather!) :-)
I do want you to know that I did spend about 5 minutes on my Reader page this week! At least I visited it!
I like Google Blog Search. It is clean and uncluttered. I have used it to add some blogs to my Google Reader page.
Syndic8 seems more like a tool that I would use to answer my questions abour syndication and rss feeds. I am not really looking at this point to learn how to create my rss feed. And, I must admit I would like a 2 hour class where a knowledgable individual talks with me about rss feeds and shows me how to do it. While I have participated in lots of online learning, I don't like it when trying to understand a concept and related skill.
Technorati is OK. There were tons of links to blogs that are of no interest to me. I think I would be more inclined to enjoy the blogging communities of the Internet if I were a person who reads People and Entertainment Weekly magazines. I just don't care about most of the topics that most of these sites post. Dylan and Cole who? ;-) I do think it is totally mind boggling when I think about the fact that so many of the posts are from overseas! Totally cool! The tutorial y'all suggested was created by a Dutchie! (I would love to relocate there for a while, but I understand I would not like the weather!) :-)
I do want you to know that I did spend about 5 minutes on my Reader page this week! At least I visited it!
Monday, January 7, 2008
#8 - RSS Feeds
Talk about feeling just a little lost. I am feeling that the collaborative nature of the Internet is not a real interest of mine. I am pondering why that might be. Is it that I am too pressed for time? Is it that I am a fairly "private" person and don't care to share my ideas, thoughts, etc. with pelple I don't know. Is it that I feel spend much of my day communicating with a variety of individuals in my job that I am tired of sharing at night? I dunno.
I have subscribed to 6 different feeds and posted them on my Google Reader page. I went back through them tonight to look at them. I was totally unimpressed with a couple that I will probably unsubscribe. I did enjoy looking at a couple and even linked to a few other sites to see if I could figure out what this guy was talking about. It certainly isn't clear fromo his blog. I don't know if I will venture there again. I am trying to figure out why I should go through the effort to have the Google Reader page when most of the websites were just added to my feeds in my Favorites. Seems like a duplicate of efforts. So, what I am trying to say is that I don't possess a real positive view of rss feeds and newsreaders.
I don't see myself using this at all in my personal life. I think I could add a rss feed to my website at school for parents/students so when I update they will know. I was hoping that I would learn HOW to do that through this library2play activity. I guess that is something I will have to figure out for myself...
Libraries could use it in much the same way that I am thinking of using. Couldn't they also have blogs about certain titles or genres?
I have subscribed to 6 different feeds and posted them on my Google Reader page. I went back through them tonight to look at them. I was totally unimpressed with a couple that I will probably unsubscribe. I did enjoy looking at a couple and even linked to a few other sites to see if I could figure out what this guy was talking about. It certainly isn't clear fromo his blog. I don't know if I will venture there again. I am trying to figure out why I should go through the effort to have the Google Reader page when most of the websites were just added to my feeds in my Favorites. Seems like a duplicate of efforts. So, what I am trying to say is that I don't possess a real positive view of rss feeds and newsreaders.
I don't see myself using this at all in my personal life. I think I could add a rss feed to my website at school for parents/students so when I update they will know. I was hoping that I would learn HOW to do that through this library2play activity. I guess that is something I will have to figure out for myself...
Libraries could use it in much the same way that I am thinking of using. Couldn't they also have blogs about certain titles or genres?
Saturday, January 5, 2008
I have spent the better part of last evening and this morning exploring a FRACTION of everything that Google has to offer. I have heard that the district might be moving to gmail. Now that I have created a gmail account, calendar, created a personal google page and upload pictures to the web with picasa, I can see why that might be a good move-especially since it is all free. Of course, the transisiton could be a challenge.
Now I need to explore the difference in flickr and picasa to determine which I prefer and will continue to use. I definitely won't keep both. Here is my album so far: http://picasaweb.google.com/justlk16.
I will also continue to explore some of the extra features in each of the areas I have added. Right now I need to figure out how to change my personal google page. I pick one of the themes and I don't like it. I haven't yet figure out how to edit it.
I was already a user of Google Earth. I did upgrade to the latest version!
Check out Google maps. It is really cool!
Google is great fun!
Now I need to explore the difference in flickr and picasa to determine which I prefer and will continue to use. I definitely won't keep both. Here is my album so far: http://picasaweb.google.com/justlk16.
I will also continue to explore some of the extra features in each of the areas I have added. Right now I need to figure out how to change my personal google page. I pick one of the themes and I don't like it. I haven't yet figure out how to edit it.
I was already a user of Google Earth. I did upgrade to the latest version!
Check out Google maps. It is really cool!
Google is great fun!
Friday, January 4, 2008
Mashups
Wow! The Internet keeps going and going... or should I say growing and growing. I didn't realize that I use mashups frequently. I also didn't realize that all these TOYS were out there! I don't know that I can write about just ONE!
When I have more time, I really want to explore mappr. It looks really cool. I haven't figured out yet if it is availible to the public. Go look at flickr graph, too! Since my flickr isn't public (yet) it doesn't show much. findr was also cool. I found some incredible photos using it. I am not sure what I would actually use it for though. However, as a classroom teacher, I might use it to find some pictures to show students. It was really easy to use. Huge Labs (FD Toys) has incredible tools! While not a fan of the trading cards (too goofy for me) I really liked the poster maker and can see lots of ways to use it in my job!
When I have more time, I really want to explore mappr. It looks really cool. I haven't figured out yet if it is availible to the public. Go look at flickr graph, too! Since my flickr isn't public (yet) it doesn't show much. findr was also cool. I found some incredible photos using it. I am not sure what I would actually use it for though. However, as a classroom teacher, I might use it to find some pictures to show students. It was really easy to use. Huge Labs (FD Toys) has incredible tools! While not a fan of the trading cards (too goofy for me) I really liked the poster maker and can see lots of ways to use it in my job!
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