Thing #23 Week #9

I absolutely loved the video "a fairly use tale". That was a great example to use when speaking of copyright. I think that I will add the video to my next presentation on copyright and fair use. As far as copyright is concerned, it's a matter of educating teachers/ students on the info. Knowledge is power right? I am familiar with creative commons and enjoy working with them. This is something that we need to educate others on.

My thoughts on this course - I really enjoyed the 23 things and now that I'm done I wish there were more "things" to do. It's a bittersweet ending. The flexabilty of doing things on your own schedule is what has won me over. I am able to get a few "things" done between my busiest moments. I would take another course like this any time if the opportunity presented itself. My favorite discovery exercises were on : creating an avatar, image generators, creating a trading card, using backpack and Travel IQ.
During the course of this journey, I have come to appreciate technology even more. I realize that there is so much to learn on the web, and it can become quite addictive to play with all that's out there. Some of the "things that I'm already applying into my everyday life are del.icio.us, LibraryThing, Diggo, Wikis, googledocs, and Copyright law.

I can't wait to share what I have discovered with my coworkers and continue the learning journey. Thank you for this opportunity.

Thing #22 Week#9

I checked out the "fair" site and saw the endless list of books available. E-books are so interesting to me. People don't even have to step into a library to read a good book. I think that I would have liked this option in college.
I love e-books and audio e-books, and have been using these sorts of sites for a while. My favorite kind of e-books are the audio ones. Many of these are children's books, but I enjoy the sites for my sons. Tumble books is a great site (you need an account for it). The local library here has a subscription and as long as you log in through their site- you have access to audio books on line. The books are read aloud, and the book is shown page by page. Isn't that awesome! This brings the era of book on tape/cd to an end for me. If more teachers were aware of how easy it is to access e-books online, I think they would be more willing to try them.

Thing #21 Week #9

I have been playing around with Podcasting for a while. I enjoyed viewing the casts and subscribed to "NerdTV - PBS" with podcasts on the inventors of computer mice, spreadsheets etc. I thought that was interesting - I guess - I'm a nerd that way. There's a lot of information out there. It's hard to find it all, and looking for it is a bit addictive.

Thing #20 Week #9

I along with everyone else is very familiar with youtube. We enjoy this site a lot. I have an RSS feed from youtube on the "most commonly watched videos. I have never uploaded anything, but who knows - maybe one day...



This is a video of my husbands cousin. He came down a few weeks ago and was telling us how much he enjoys karate. He then told us that one of his matches was on youtube. It was interesting to be able and see his matches and have that connection with him. Imagine all that families who live far distances from each other could do?

A way to apply this site in class - teachers could record an activity in class and post for parents to view.

Thing #19 Week #9

What can I say, Library Thing is a WOW. I viewed the tour and played around with all the tabs and watched the youtube video. I created an account with Library Thing and loved it. I added 5 of my husbands "coffe table" books on super heroes. This is a great idea for my family because we are always buying books for each other, but never quite know exactly which books each of us has. With this in place, we could search the list and figure it out. It will make surprising my family with new books easier.
Also, as a teacher, I had lots of books for my students to read. (A whole library) If I had known about this, I would have been able to track my books better. I can see how anyone can use this (even if you're not a librarian). This is a great tool another "untapped source". Can't wait to share.

Thing #18 Week # 8

I created a Zoho account (I was able to link it to my Google Docs account). I have used google docs before and love it. We are using it at work. It has come in handy.
The features of Zoho are very similar in the sense that you can create documents online and share them with a group of people that you choose. I like that the users need to be invited to share the documents. You are able to upload just about anything and if you so choose - your invitees can make changes to the documents. The only downfall to this is that same old saying about "too many hands in the cookie jar". This is definately an untapped sourse of "empowerment" for teachers. When I was 1st introduced to it, the 1st thing that crossed my mind was "grade level meetings" where all the grade level could make changes to a document at their leisure.

Thing #17 Week #7

I poked around the California Curriculum Connections wiki and really liked it. I added it to my del.icio.us acct. for future reference. I have particularly enjoyed the image generators and creating the avatars in this course. So I researched it on the CCC wiki and found some great ideas. Here's one of my favs. because it can be applied to any grade level.
Idea #7: Students can create an avatar for a character in a book. They would need to explain (on their character's blog?) why the avatar looks as they do.
I think that wikis are a great way to get information out to others. I have enjoyed watching presenters use wikis as thier source for information. That would be something that I'd like to persue.

Thing #16 Week #7

Wikis- I discovered wikis last year and thought that the name was strange to say the least. I have a pbwiki account that I use periodically (but I prefer diigo) which allowes you to highlight items on a website.
I viewed a couple of the wiki spaces that were suggeseted :Library Bloggers Wiki, CSLA Conference 2007 wiki, Book Lovers Wiki, and SJCPL Subject Guides. They were all great for the purpose that they were created. I liked that some of them allowed you to subscribe to their RSS feed.
The thing that I like about wikis is that they are public so if you want to post information that you'd like to share with others it's easy. I have attended 2 conferences where the presenter did not print any papers out. They only presented off of their wiki and gave everyone the link. This is a grand idea in a world that is turning "green". What a way to save paper!
What I don't particularly care for is that anyone can change or add to a wiki. For the most part, I think everyone respects others wikis, but you never know. It's that unknown vulnerability that I don't like.

Thing #15 Week #6

I read the 5 views on the future of the library. I agree with them about how libraries need to reflect the changes of society. We live in an electronic print world. A world where Barnes and Noble has taken over - a place where you can text, read a book, surf wireless internet, and let's not forget drink coffee simultaneously. If our libraries can move to the B&N concept, then they won't have any problems keeping up with "patrons". I know I would be in heaven! I wonder if the person who created Barne's was a former librarian gone "wild"?

Thing #14 Week #6

Exploring Technorati was interesting to say the least. And I have to agree with Questing Beast, although this site is filled with info - it's hard to navigate. I searched for school library learning 2.0 and found lots of sites under the blog tab. The other tabs also gave me info on libraries, but not necessarily about the 2.0 course. I can't believe how many people have blogs! It's definately an untapped source of information.
As far as tagging your blog. It's just a way of alowing the site to categorize your blog and allow others to connect to you or your site. Since ther is not possible way that anyone can search all sites online - tagging is a time saver (and sometimes a frustration blocker). I did not tag my site - I'm really not ready to reach out to others in that sense.
I find it amazing that we as social beings need to get be behing an inadament object like a computer/ laptop in order to really "connect". Somehow it makes it "safe" reach out to others and ask for / seek information. go figure!

Thing #13 Week #6

I enjoyed the idea of del.icio.us - it will be so useful for classrooms. I thought about how this would have been so helpful in college and even if you are taking an online course (like this one). It's so simple to connect to others with the same interest groups. The fact that it is a mobile "favorites" is just an added plus.

I created an account as "delicious tech" and already "tagged" a couple of sites :
http://del.icio.us/SJLibraryLearning2 which obviously will be helpful for this class and future reference and -
http://www.befunky.com/ this one was listed in the tags to watch section. It was similar to imagechef in the sense that it is an image generator, but the user has a little more freedom. I enjoyed this site and can see lots of great uses for this in the classroom and beyond.
I have heard about del.icio.us before, but honestly had never set the time aside to play with it. I'm glad that this class is allowing me that freedom. I have already let others know about this site and am hoping that they too will create an account.

I also used the network badge section. It was very easy to use.

Pre - Thing #13 *Del.icio.us video

I just watched the youtube tutorial vidoes on del.icio.us. They were very informative. It's so interesting how "connected" you can become with others. I like the idea of having the account- because just like the video suggests, it is an online "favorites" list. At the same time, you are connected to what "others" are looking at (tagging). Seems very interesting. I'm excited to create an account and figure out how to connect to other educators' accounts. It's like having a free personal assistant to search the net for you. This is something that could easily be implemented in a High school setting. I have not completed "thing #12", but figured I would jot down my thoughts before I get side tracked by another fun thing.

Research Rollyo

Select Search Engine...School Library Learning TechnologySearch The Web

Powered by Rollyo

Thing #12 Week #5

I had a slow start with Rollyo, but I got some help from "Questing Beast". I was a little confused as to its purpose. Then, I realized that it was like Nettrekker. It's just a combination of safe sites to search. Now, on Nettrekker - the sites are predetermined, but on Rollyo you determine the sites that are safe. I can really see the Middle/High school students using this. I created the Rollyo account and set up a small rollyo research site. Hope it is helpful

Playing around

Still playing around with Image Chef. Created this with the banners link. Must admit.... this is FUN.

Thing #11 Week #5

I tried the 2.0 award winning list. There are sooo many- I explored the section on organization- and loved it. I played around with Backpack - it was surprisingly easy (and free). It reminded me a lot of google docs, but there are more features to organize. It was sort of a combination of googledocs and Office One Note. For someone like me who loves to organize thier notes/ files / folders it it amazing. I'm definately going to share that at work.
Travel IQ was so much fun. I'm a little embarassed to say that I only went to level 2. I guess I need to brush up on my geography skills.

Which brings me to the learning connection. Backpack would be a great site for Middle and High school students so that they can keep their files online and work from where ever they are. This in combination with googlegears would be an absolute WOW! Travel IQ would be so easy to encorporate into any Middle and High school classroom. It directly relates to geography, Social Studies - but hey, if student have a few extra minutes in an English class why not? They could brush up on geography and map skills while playing. I'm all for killing 2 birds with 1 stone.

I also joined a Ning group called Kiddie Quotes. It's all about the silly things that kids say. If you have small children in your life, you'll enjoy it. I've placed the link on the side bar, but here it is too. http://kiddiequotes.ning.com/

Thing #10 Week #5

Just started to play around with the online image generators. I explored the different sites and they were sooo awesome. This seems like a great way for people to express themselves, and I must say that it was very easy. I posted 2 to my blog. The one on the right, I created. It's not to detailed, but not bad for about 5 minutes. The other one I liked as an idea for an e-reward. Instead of giving a sticker or stamp, you could send something like this. I think that students would like to recieve something like this from their teachers -it kinda helps to bridge any generational gaps. I also thought that students could create different visuals to represent a character in a book. There are probably millions of ways to use this in the classroom (as well as out). I can see how many of the students today are becoming more and more creative. This must be what Crayola Crayons was to past generations .... just the begining. I love it!

Great e-reward for students

Thing #9 Week #4

I'm finding that subscribing to an RSS feed or blogline is much like having a subcription to a magazine or newspaper of your choice. And, just like magazines... there are some that are worth reading (you can actually learn something) some that are just for fun/ entertainment (like Enquirer) and some that just pass the time, but these RSS feeds seem to have the element of reality - sort of how the new hit TV shows are turning reality TV.
In experimenting with these sites, I have found a few of each kind. The easiest search site for me these was blogline and google reader. There are many different RSS feeds out there - I'm thinking that a lot of people have tons of time on there hands. For me, it's nearly impossible to find time for looking through many of these sites - even though there are plenty of interesting ones.

Thing #8 Week #4

Working with the RSS feeds proved to be a bit more difficult than I imagined. Mainly because I was REALLY trying to get around creating another account through blogline. It's not that I don't or can't create an account. It's just that I'm soo tired of having to create accounts/ passwords. Remembering them! That's the true test.

Initially, I only wanted to work with my google account and use the google reader option. I was pretty successful but as I kept digging - I found that many of sites/feeds work with blogline instead. After I created a blogline account, things were pretty smooth. I played around with a couple feeds on news, quotes and fun things like pictures. I have added a couple of the sites that I liked to my blog so that you might enjoy too.

I also read up on Googlegears and I was really impressed. I can see that many of the teachers in our district would be interested in this. I can see that teachers / students who don't have access to internet at home could use it. I haven't played around with it myself, but the article sold me. I'm hoping to look into it when I get back to work.

Thing #7 Week 3

So here goes my blog spot about something technology related. I found this great article online about the 16 habits of mind. Actualy, a friend of mind found it and forwarded it to me and I loved it. It really went hand in hand with the 7 and 1/2 habits of life long learners. In fact, she sent me the link the same day that I viewed the video. Here is the link http://www.habits-of-mind.net/whatare.htm On the site there is a PDF that you can print out for reference. Enjoy!

Thing #6 Week 3

Creating this Trading card was really easy. This could easily be something that teachers could encorporate into learning character traits of a character of a story. Students could easily use the space provided to give details or even quote a part of the book that would prove the trait that the are working with. Of course, it's also just a cool thing to play with. I will definately be sharing this trading card web site with others in our district.

Thing #5 Week 3 Picture

This is the picture that my son took. It sends me a bit of peace each time I look at it. Pictures have a way of bringing out emotions that way.

Thing #5 Week 3

I played around with Flickr today. I had to use another network other than my school district's one. I really enjoyed the pictures and collections. The one I really got into today was a mother's site primarily dedicated to pictures of her kids. The pictures were AWESOME because on top of being a photographer she's also a make up artist. To say the least... each one was a portrait. I can see how some teachers could easily get into this too - adding class pictures etc.... I'm not too sure about posting a picture that belongs to someone else so I'm going to post a picture that my son took. It's called "A Brother's Love". Enjoy!

Thing #4 Week #2

That should have been the title to my last post. Like I stated before, I'm just starting to get my feet wet on this whole blogging thing. Now that I mention it. The first post should have been called Thing #1,2,3 Week 1 &2. So just to clarify, I have completed "Thing #4" and am now ready for "Thing 5". Sounds like something from a Dr. Suess book. Thing 5 is about Flickr and it seems that the site is blocked through my school district. I wonder why a site that is seemigly educational (or else we wouldn't be going through it) would be blocked, and how many other teachers/ librarians experience the same issue w/in their districts? That would seem like a great obstacle for teachers who are always pressed for time.

Thing #4

I just registered my blog for the 2nd time. It's a little hard to try to ensure that something is getting to where it belongs when your working online. I'm looking forward to the next few weeks. I think that there will be a lot to learn. Some of the things mentioned, I have explored before, but others are "untreaded waters" So far... I'm looking at this blog as a journal.

Thing # 1,2.3 Week #1-2

Just started to get my feet wet today! I spent a lot of time playing around with the features. So far all is well. I enjoyed the video on life long learners. It's all about things we don't really think about - we just do. I guess if you like to learn these "habbits" are not something you spend too much time on. The only thing that raised an eyebrow had to be the "contract". That seemed a litte wierd - I mean, if you don't follow through, you're the only one that will know. (I guess that's the point - you're only dissappointing yourself. Either way - enjoyed the video.