Thing #23
1. What was a favorite discovery or exercise on the journey?
I LOVED Rollyo.....what a time saver when hurriedly getting kids to do research in a 50 minute period. Our campus tech representative (who I've been intimidated by) apparently isn't aware of Rollyo and I'm looking forward to showing it to her. She and I can really help the teachers on our campus with their research projects. Another thing that I've enjoyed is just the simple, basic task of setting up this blog. That in itself has been eye-opening and it's been cool learning how to add things to your blog.
2. How has "23 things" assisted you in you lifelong learning goals?
This class has been fantastic at exposing me to all kinds of new ideas that I simply was not aware of before. It's been the perfect, organized "tool" to guide me into learning about new technologies. I say perfect because it was the type of thing that I was interested in and knew I needed to work on, but probably wouldn't have gone to the trouble on my own to find such a wide variety of technologies all in one place. This course has been a perfect summer learning experience - and should be required for anyone working in education today!
3. Were there any take aways or unexpected outcomes that surprised you?
Believe it or not - this class has helped my marriage!!!! Why? My husband and I can get into some pretty heated 'discussions' whenever he is trying to help me learn something new on the computer........he has always been the 'expert' and I've been at his mercy when I get into a situation where I need his help on the computer. Now, he has a new appreciation for me as I've gone through this journey with the 23 things and he's definitely learned a thing or two about 2.0 tools ( a term he'd never heard in his industry) and thinks being a librarian is really cutting edge and says he's married to a "techie"! That's a bit of an exaggeration but I am still feeling so much more confident with my computer skills and am excited to share the new things I'm learning with him. He sat beside me as I worked through things he was interested in and we both found we could learn and discover new skills on the computer without things getting "heated".
4. What could be done to improve the course?
I cannot think of one single thing - very organized and easy to follow!
5. Would you do another similar course?
YES! When and where do I sign up?
6. How could you describe your experience in one word or sentence?
23 Things should be required for all employees involved in education today!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Thing #22
Nings are great for networking with other librarians and keeping up with the latest ideas and trends without having to wait a year until the next conference. I'm going to join the Texas Librarians Ning as well as the Texas School Librarians Ning. This is a great way for professionals to collaborate.
Nings are great for networking with other librarians and keeping up with the latest ideas and trends without having to wait a year until the next conference. I'm going to join the Texas Librarians Ning as well as the Texas School Librarians Ning. This is a great way for professionals to collaborate.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Topic #20
I found this book trailer on You Tube for the book The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This is my favorite book from the 2009 Lone Star List. I am collecting book trailers for each of the books on the list to show my 7th/8th grade students when school begins in a few weeks.
This is a You Tube video I found that explains very clearly how to embed a You Tube Video!
I found this book trailer on You Tube for the book The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This is my favorite book from the 2009 Lone Star List. I am collecting book trailers for each of the books on the list to show my 7th/8th grade students when school begins in a few weeks.
This is a You Tube video I found that explains very clearly how to embed a You Tube Video!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Topic #19
I enjoyed browsing through the list of award winners and got caught up in Yelp - looking at restaurants in Houston mainly! The other tools I enjoyed looking at for personal use were I'm Cooked, HairMixer, and Craigslist to name a few.
Some of the ones that I've used in the past and will continue to use are iGoogle, You Tube for book trailers, Rollyo for narrowing down websites for research projects, Picasa, Flickr, and Wikispaces. I am so glad I've worked through the 23 things because of what all I've been exposed to through this course but also for the first time knowing a few things that my husband doesn't know about computers! I am looking forward to showing teachers at my school some of the new tools that I've checked out. Obviously I need to spend more time learning more details of each of the tools.
I enjoyed browsing through the list of award winners and got caught up in Yelp - looking at restaurants in Houston mainly! The other tools I enjoyed looking at for personal use were I'm Cooked, HairMixer, and Craigslist to name a few.
Some of the ones that I've used in the past and will continue to use are iGoogle, You Tube for book trailers, Rollyo for narrowing down websites for research projects, Picasa, Flickr, and Wikispaces. I am so glad I've worked through the 23 things because of what all I've been exposed to through this course but also for the first time knowing a few things that my husband doesn't know about computers! I am looking forward to showing teachers at my school some of the new tools that I've checked out. Obviously I need to spend more time learning more details of each of the tools.
Thing #18
The Google Docs would be great for group projects - like a classroom divided into groups and working cooperatively on research or an essay. The problem I see is that I have so many students who do not have computers/internet access at home. We do have a computer lab open till 4:30 after school but some kids are not able to make use of this opportunity because they must ride the bus home......family has no car. I feel that teachers would shy away from this one due to a lack of accessibilty for all students.
The Google Docs would be great for group projects - like a classroom divided into groups and working cooperatively on research or an essay. The problem I see is that I have so many students who do not have computers/internet access at home. We do have a computer lab open till 4:30 after school but some kids are not able to make use of this opportunity because they must ride the bus home......family has no car. I feel that teachers would shy away from this one due to a lack of accessibilty for all students.
Thing #17
Bruce Goodner's video explaining Rollyo was perfect! I liked the fact that he went step by step on exactly what to click on , where to drag, etc. Lots of times trainers seem to assume that all the students are as tech savvy as they are and gloss over the little details that some people don't have down.
I help the 8th grade teachers do their research units on the Depression. This will be a perfect place for me to set up some prescreened sites for our students to use. Last year we wasted entirely too much time going through websites that were not useful.
Bruce Goodner's video explaining Rollyo was perfect! I liked the fact that he went step by step on exactly what to click on , where to drag, etc. Lots of times trainers seem to assume that all the students are as tech savvy as they are and gloss over the little details that some people don't have down.
I help the 8th grade teachers do their research units on the Depression. This will be a perfect place for me to set up some prescreened sites for our students to use. Last year we wasted entirely too much time going through websites that were not useful.
Thing #16
I had only used Wikis for non-school purposes before now. I have helped my son find information in order to complete Boy Scout merit badge worksheets and we have come across great information on Wikis. As far as using them in the library, one idea that would be fun would be to use them as a book review site at our school. It would also be helpful at our Lang. Arts department meetings...instead of just posting the minutes it could be posted on a wiki and all the members would be able to access it and then add their two cents worth as requested.
I had only used Wikis for non-school purposes before now. I have helped my son find information in order to complete Boy Scout merit badge worksheets and we have come across great information on Wikis. As far as using them in the library, one idea that would be fun would be to use them as a book review site at our school. It would also be helpful at our Lang. Arts department meetings...instead of just posting the minutes it could be posted on a wiki and all the members would be able to access it and then add their two cents worth as requested.
Thing #15
I was enthralled and saddened by the video "A Vision of Students Today".....I am anxious for my son, who is a junior at Texas A&M, to watch it and get his reaction. This just shows that this new generation is moving at light speed and we, as librarians, need to step out of our comfort zones and use the 2.0 tools we're learning about in meaningful ways in our libraries, schools, and with teachers. The students already intuitively know the importance of this - it's time for us (and administrators!) to catch up with them.
I was enthralled and saddened by the video "A Vision of Students Today".....I am anxious for my son, who is a junior at Texas A&M, to watch it and get his reaction. This just shows that this new generation is moving at light speed and we, as librarians, need to step out of our comfort zones and use the 2.0 tools we're learning about in meaningful ways in our libraries, schools, and with teachers. The students already intuitively know the importance of this - it's time for us (and administrators!) to catch up with them.
Thing #14
I tried many times to claim my blog on Technorati ........I kept getting the message that my URL was invalid. I'm not sure what was wrong. I checked and rechecked my URL and definitely have it typed in correctly. Must move on.......
When I searched "School Library Learning 2.0" under the category of Blogs I got 77 hits. When I searched the same phrase under the category of Posts I got 1,097 hits. I enjoyed looking through the most popular blogs, etc. I guess I am surprised about how many people blog regularly and the unbelievable range tags. Technorati will be another way I can keep myself current with the 2.0 world.
I tried many times to claim my blog on Technorati ........I kept getting the message that my URL was invalid. I'm not sure what was wrong. I checked and rechecked my URL and definitely have it typed in correctly. Must move on.......
When I searched "School Library Learning 2.0" under the category of Blogs I got 77 hits. When I searched the same phrase under the category of Posts I got 1,097 hits. I enjoyed looking through the most popular blogs, etc. I guess I am surprised about how many people blog regularly and the unbelievable range tags. Technorati will be another way I can keep myself current with the 2.0 world.
Thing #12
2 things important about commenting:
1. I really believe the comment regarding saying more than "I agree" when commenting....you might as well have said nothing. If you do care about what the blogger is writing about, you can always find something to add to the discussion. If there is nothing else to say, better not to say anything and wait till the discussion gets more interesting or goes in a different direction.
2. I also liked the idea of the blogger asking specifically for responses in an effort to get more comments. This seems like it would really help to get the discussion going if it has been a few days since you posted a blog and no one has responded with a comment.
5 blogs : 23 Things
I wrote comments on 5 blogs tonight that I have been reading since starting 23 Things. I had not taken much time to write comments before tonight & see that it is a valuable tool in the educaitonal process. I am having fun reading everyone's blogs and will try to make a commitment to comment more often this school year on the blogs that I follow.
2 blogs: Blogs outside the world of 23 Things:
1. Lone Star Reading List Discussion Blog - perfect for me with the summer reading task I laid out for myself - to read every Lone Star Book! LOVED reading all the comments about the books I've read and getting in on the discussion.
2. Book Trailers - You Tube:
I've been really "into" book trailers since I attended the TLA Book Trailer session. I found lots of really good ones on You Tube and joined You Tube so I could comment on them. I have found some good ones to use with my students when we start school. My kids have never seen one so I'm anticipating they will cause lots of excitement!
2 things important about commenting:
1. I really believe the comment regarding saying more than "I agree" when commenting....you might as well have said nothing. If you do care about what the blogger is writing about, you can always find something to add to the discussion. If there is nothing else to say, better not to say anything and wait till the discussion gets more interesting or goes in a different direction.
2. I also liked the idea of the blogger asking specifically for responses in an effort to get more comments. This seems like it would really help to get the discussion going if it has been a few days since you posted a blog and no one has responded with a comment.
5 blogs : 23 Things
I wrote comments on 5 blogs tonight that I have been reading since starting 23 Things. I had not taken much time to write comments before tonight & see that it is a valuable tool in the educaitonal process. I am having fun reading everyone's blogs and will try to make a commitment to comment more often this school year on the blogs that I follow.
2 blogs: Blogs outside the world of 23 Things:
1. Lone Star Reading List Discussion Blog - perfect for me with the summer reading task I laid out for myself - to read every Lone Star Book! LOVED reading all the comments about the books I've read and getting in on the discussion.
2. Book Trailers - You Tube:
I've been really "into" book trailers since I attended the TLA Book Trailer session. I found lots of really good ones on You Tube and joined You Tube so I could comment on them. I have found some good ones to use with my students when we start school. My kids have never seen one so I'm anticipating they will cause lots of excitement!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Thing #11
I love Library Thing. It was super easy to set up an account and I cataloged all the books I have read this summer - which are the books from the Lone Star List since I am a 7th & 8th grade librarian.
I joined the group "Read YA Lit" and enjoyed following some of the threads and realized I could spend many hours going through all of the interesting comments so sadly had to leave it to get to Thing #12.
I love Library Thing. It was super easy to set up an account and I cataloged all the books I have read this summer - which are the books from the Lone Star List since I am a 7th & 8th grade librarian.
I joined the group "Read YA Lit" and enjoyed following some of the threads and realized I could spend many hours going through all of the interesting comments so sadly had to leave it to get to Thing #12.
Thing #10
I created this image using Wordle using words from things I did this summer:
I easily figured out how to make the Wordle but I had a lot of trouble uploading this image to my Blog! I had to do a screen capture and then edit the image using the Paint program and saved it as a jpeg. Then I was able to insert the image into this blog.....whew! Glad my husband was home to help out.
Thing #9
I enjoyed searching for blogs I would be interested in following. I am following:
The Goddess of YA Literature.......Dr. Teri Lasesne
Jen Robinson's Book Page
All Things Books
Library 2.0 News
Libraryman
Nerdfighters......blog by John Green - fantastic YA author
Catching Fire
The Hunger Games
StephanieMeyer.com
A Year of Reading
and also was surprised to see my local small town newspaper offered a RSS feed.
I enjoyed searching for blogs I would be interested in following. I am following:
The Goddess of YA Literature.......Dr. Teri Lasesne
Jen Robinson's Book Page
All Things Books
Library 2.0 News
Libraryman
Nerdfighters......blog by John Green - fantastic YA author
Catching Fire
The Hunger Games
StephanieMeyer.com
A Year of Reading
and also was surprised to see my local small town newspaper offered a RSS feed.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thing #7
I explored Google Scholar, and Advanced Google Search. These are basically databases that are easily accessible and intuitive .
Atomic Learning was completely new to me. I see that it is available as a paid subscription and our district, of course, does not subscribe. This would be a fantastic tool for me to work through as well as many of the teachers at my campus. It's a self-directed training website to work through to add to your repertoire of tech skills.
I also checked out Google Calendar. Since I already use Outlook Calendar, I was not really interested in creating an additional calendar.
Atomic Learning was completely new to me. I see that it is available as a paid subscription and our district, of course, does not subscribe. This would be a fantastic tool for me to work through as well as many of the teachers at my campus. It's a self-directed training website to work through to add to your repertoire of tech skills.
I also checked out Google Calendar. Since I already use Outlook Calendar, I was not really interested in creating an additional calendar.
Thing #6
I found Big Huge Labs and found a cool mashup for motivational posters. I used the image I found on Flickr to create the attached poster. I was really excited to see the final product and the two 15 year olds that were with me as I was creating the poster just loved it!
Thing #5
Since I am a librarian at a 7th/8th grade campus I had a little trouble finding an image that would "fit" at my school. The Twilight theme was what I was aiming for as I'm coming up with an eye-catching display area for the Stephanie Meyer books for the beginning of the 09-10 school year. I found one image I loved but was unable to download because of copyright restrictions. I finally came across this one and plan on using it in my display area as a poster. I'll be adding a phrase at the bottom of the poster. I also plan on making this into a bookmark to give out the first week of school. I liked this image because it incorporated themes of love and reading and hopefully it will engage the kids at the beginning of the school year.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Thing #3
Setting up this blog has been more fun than I thought it would be. I was glad I had some friends to work through this with.......creating the Avatar was a lot of fun! This is something completely new to me and I'm looking forward to learning all these 2.0 tools and being able to share them with my students at LJIS.
Thing #2
My easiest habit would be the one regarding teaching & mentoring others. This has always come naturally to me.....leading me to be a teacher for the last 25 years!
My most difficult habit is viewing problems as challenges. When learning technical skills, my first reaction is to quickly become frustrated and want to quit as soon as I encounter a problem. I am slowly getting control of this initial response.......
My most difficult habit is viewing problems as challenges. When learning technical skills, my first reaction is to quickly become frustrated and want to quit as soon as I encounter a problem. I am slowly getting control of this initial response.......
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