Hey I created a magazine cover, check it out.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Videos and The Table 4 Girls
Karen, Jane, Melanie, Michelle and Claire worked on Table 4 and did videos as part of our learning experience. Here is a video that we embedded that talks about preschoolers and libraries. Enjoy!
Well, the video would not load because it was not a compatible file. I'll try again. So come back later.
Well, the video would not load because it was not a compatible file. I'll try again. So come back later.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Thing #23 Summary of the Program
I really appreciated having this online staff development opportunity. Providing patrons with access beyond walls is textbook.
I liked learning about Library Thing and Del.icio.us the most. I got an opportunity to learn something that I could use personally, catalog my favorite books and websites. Often times, I'm doing or learning for someone else. For a change, I'll get to teach something I like.
Finally, I really appreciated the number of resources provided and examples given. Learning online can be difficult, but supplying these really helped further my understanding.
I liked learning about Library Thing and Del.icio.us the most. I got an opportunity to learn something that I could use personally, catalog my favorite books and websites. Often times, I'm doing or learning for someone else. For a change, I'll get to teach something I like.
Finally, I really appreciated the number of resources provided and examples given. Learning online can be difficult, but supplying these really helped further my understanding.
Thing #22 Nings
Nings and Blogs are synonymous, both include the same features. A possible difference is the layout. One seems to be in the shape of rectangle and the other, a square. Ha! Ha!
Therefore, I would use a Ning for the same reason I would a blog, to discuss topics of interest to me and others. However, I would not use a ning with elementary students as its format would be difficult to navigate. The blog is much more user-friendly when age becomes a factor. But..., because it can be used by high school students and adults, it does have a place and can serve a need.
Therefore, I would use a Ning for the same reason I would a blog, to discuss topics of interest to me and others. However, I would not use a ning with elementary students as its format would be difficult to navigate. The blog is much more user-friendly when age becomes a factor. But..., because it can be used by high school students and adults, it does have a place and can serve a need.
Thing #21 Podcasts and Audio Books
Making a podcast isn't as difficult as it sounds. I spent a lot of time playing with the tools and eventually had to redo some aspects of it. I was having difficulty uploading it into Switchpod until I finally realized I had to export it out of Audacity using a different file type (from aup to mp3). Once exported, the rest was history. I made a book review podcast using a book called, Don't Eat the Bluebonnets.
I made a photostory called Mystery and Intrigue. I wasn't able to upload it under Edit Html or the Compose Tabs.
I made a photostory called Mystery and Intrigue. I wasn't able to upload it under Edit Html or the Compose Tabs.
Thing #20 Explore YouTube and Teacher Tube
As I mentioned in an earlier posting, I'm one that is concerned with trends. While we can't predict outcomes 100%, we can come reasonably close. Given this, many, such as myself, use them to envision the future. Envisioning is just making an effort to be prepared.
We ask questions about the future as well. Questions such as, What will the next generation video hosting websites, such as YouTube, look like? What will be thier key features? How will they be accessed? Can we expect multidimensional features?
YouTube is another new era way of sharing technology. In this case, videos that are not just entertaining but add to our knowledge base as well. I'm grateful that someone envisioned this application and brought it to fruition.
I have attached this YouTube video, Shift Happens, in hopes that you will find it encouraging. Given how fast things change, Shift Happens 2 has been created (2008) and can be found at YouTube.
We ask questions about the future as well. Questions such as, What will the next generation video hosting websites, such as YouTube, look like? What will be thier key features? How will they be accessed? Can we expect multidimensional features?
YouTube is another new era way of sharing technology. In this case, videos that are not just entertaining but add to our knowledge base as well. I'm grateful that someone envisioned this application and brought it to fruition.
I have attached this YouTube video, Shift Happens, in hopes that you will find it encouraging. Given how fast things change, Shift Happens 2 has been created (2008) and can be found at YouTube.
Thing #19 Web 2.0 Awards List
There are a number of Web 2.0 tools available. I found three that I felt were suitable and could be used to support various curriculum areas, Last (music source), BBC Player (UK television and radio programming) and Frappr (social mapping application). These can be used to study both domestic and international cultures.
Last is a music source that plays the top music genres. You do not have to join to obtain music clips, biographies or photos of today's top celebrities.
BBC Player is a great international culture tool. You have to download Real Player to hear radio shows and music but its worth it. The disadavantage is that you can't watch television programs. Nonetheless, students can listen and hence learn about a culture different than their own.
Frappr rocks! It a fun way to learn geography. Using photos and comments that pop-up when you move your mouse over them, students can mark areas of significance on a map. Email addresses are needed.
Last is a music source that plays the top music genres. You do not have to join to obtain music clips, biographies or photos of today's top celebrities.
BBC Player is a great international culture tool. You have to download Real Player to hear radio shows and music but its worth it. The disadavantage is that you can't watch television programs. Nonetheless, students can listen and hence learn about a culture different than their own.
Frappr rocks! It a fun way to learn geography. Using photos and comments that pop-up when you move your mouse over them, students can mark areas of significance on a map. Email addresses are needed.
Thing #18 Online Productivity Tools
Google Documents is a keeper. It is compatible with and functions much like the Microsoft Office Suite. This makes it user-friendly. You can upload existing files. If you are familiar with Microsoft Office, you don't have to go into learning mode.
What sold me is being able to access your work from any computer. This eliminates the need to use or carry any saving device. Also, students cannot use the "I forgot my homework on the computer."
Google Docs is also a wonderful collaboration tool. This opens up communications between teachers and students, the staff and teachers, teacher and parents, class and community, etc. It opens up the possibility of groups doing wonderful projects that can later be shared. It, like Microsoft, allows for all sorts of things to be imbedded or attached.
Google is very conscious of the lifestyles that exist within communities. Thier products come to you.
What sold me is being able to access your work from any computer. This eliminates the need to use or carry any saving device. Also, students cannot use the "I forgot my homework on the computer."
Google Docs is also a wonderful collaboration tool. This opens up communications between teachers and students, the staff and teachers, teacher and parents, class and community, etc. It opens up the possibility of groups doing wonderful projects that can later be shared. It, like Microsoft, allows for all sorts of things to be imbedded or attached.
Google is very conscious of the lifestyles that exist within communities. Thier products come to you.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Thing # 17 Rollyo
The Rollyo concept is reminscient of Del.icio.us. They both are about webpage collecting. With Rollyo you are keeping favorites which reminds me of Library Thing.
I'm not still out on Rollyo. Del.icio.us has already spoiled me. I did not like having to type in URLs. For this site to be effective it needs to have a toolbar "tag" feature similiar to that of Del.icio.us.
I created a health and nutrition searchroll. In doing so I discovered the dashboard and realized they have ready available search engines that could suffice.
I'm not still out on Rollyo. Del.icio.us has already spoiled me. I did not like having to type in URLs. For this site to be effective it needs to have a toolbar "tag" feature similiar to that of Del.icio.us.
I created a health and nutrition searchroll. In doing so I discovered the dashboard and realized they have ready available search engines that could suffice.
Thing #16 Wikis
I created my first wiki about two years ago. I couldn't keep it up so I let it go. Wikis are a great way to check for understanding. A good way to do this is to assign each student in a particular class a number. They are to place their assigned number at the end of each response. This helps keep everything anonymous. Anonymity helps as some kids have difficulty writing. This can cause complaints and unintentional negative criticism. This approach helped keep things moving.
The other thing you have teach is how to link or attach effectively. If not, every other word could be a link. Kids can really get creative with images, color and fonts.
I used wiki matrix to help chose a wiki that met my needs. This site was very helpful. It allows you to compare all the wiki engines currently available. I found Wikispaces to be the most user-friendly. It had a feature that allowed the public to view but not respond. I wanted to limit vandalism and protect the students.
The other thing you have teach is how to link or attach effectively. If not, every other word could be a link. Kids can really get creative with images, color and fonts.
I used wiki matrix to help chose a wiki that met my needs. This site was very helpful. It allows you to compare all the wiki engines currently available. I found Wikispaces to be the most user-friendly. It had a feature that allowed the public to view but not respond. I wanted to limit vandalism and protect the students.
Thing #15 Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and the Library of the Future.
Can we think about or ponder the future of libraries or the library's future without considering present and future modes of communication? Modes of communication are books, telephones, ipods, GPS, OnStar, computers, etc. etc., etc. If we are going to adequately assist our patrons, we are going to have to stay abreast of technology developments.
Who are the Gate Keepers? What organized library organization or entity is watching technology trends, such as when will next generations computers hit the market and how will they impact the library services and programs? Where is the five or ten year plan that communicates this amongst other things.
Where is the continuity? Some libraries are using and facilitating the use of Web 2.0 tools while others are not. Do we need a governing body with decision-making authority to ensure continuity. This applies to all areas of librarianship.
Is it time for us to reconsider how we are governed? Is it time for librarian's to be governed under a corporate or business model? Entities that know their value or that they add value and hence plan strategically to survive.
Who are the Gate Keepers? What organized library organization or entity is watching technology trends, such as when will next generations computers hit the market and how will they impact the library services and programs? Where is the five or ten year plan that communicates this amongst other things.
Where is the continuity? Some libraries are using and facilitating the use of Web 2.0 tools while others are not. Do we need a governing body with decision-making authority to ensure continuity. This applies to all areas of librarianship.
Is it time for us to reconsider how we are governed? Is it time for librarian's to be governed under a corporate or business model? Entities that know their value or that they add value and hence plan strategically to survive.
Thing #14 Technorati and Tagging
I find tagging interesting. As a consumer of 2.0 tools and online products, I'm concerned. Why? Because tagging allows businesses to identify consumers.
Each occupation has its own specialized vocabulary or buzzwords. Many of us, at least some of the time, are online looking for articles, products, websites, etc. that are work related. In using open source tools, we will, more often then not, tag something using a work related buzzword. In doing this, we allow ourselves to be tagged by retailers. While initially they don't have specific personal information, they will eventually get it. Because of tagging and sharing we are becoming "easy-to-identify" communities.
Although this could be seen as a downside, there are upsides to these tools and Technorati has some. Technorati allows visitors via blogs to obtain quality information. It has a blog rating system. It has blogs with limited and high authority. Also, when searching for a blog, you can use tags to a narrow or a broaden your search. This can be done in looking for a blog, within a posting, using a tag from a post, etc.
Each occupation has its own specialized vocabulary or buzzwords. Many of us, at least some of the time, are online looking for articles, products, websites, etc. that are work related. In using open source tools, we will, more often then not, tag something using a work related buzzword. In doing this, we allow ourselves to be tagged by retailers. While initially they don't have specific personal information, they will eventually get it. Because of tagging and sharing we are becoming "easy-to-identify" communities.
Although this could be seen as a downside, there are upsides to these tools and Technorati has some. Technorati allows visitors via blogs to obtain quality information. It has a blog rating system. It has blogs with limited and high authority. Also, when searching for a blog, you can use tags to a narrow or a broaden your search. This can be done in looking for a blog, within a posting, using a tag from a post, etc.
Thing #13 Tagging
Web places, like Del.icio.us, that allow users to save favorite or found websites are what I call "new-age" libraries. Subscribers are basically building virtual libraries and maintaining them in a way similar to that of present or past day ones. What's different is that the collection contains one medium (web pages) versus the varying ones collected and maintained currently. Present as well is the overall mission of "sharing".
So in looking at this from the perspective of assisting people with research, the old or past approach librarians used with books is still effective. Which was, to help a student or teacher find a book (website) around a particular topic and then assist them in organizing the information in a way that would allow them to develop and share an effective product. The "name has changed but the game is the same".
There a only few diffences. One that comes to mind is that you now have access to comments made by past readers or users of the information your seeking. For the most part, input from those who used books for research was often nonexistent. Keep in mind, with the latter statement I'm talking physical library, not virtual.
As the saying goes, "its all good". With these tools you're building a reading list that has the potential of having added to it quality articles and insight because a community is part of the package.
So in looking at this from the perspective of assisting people with research, the old or past approach librarians used with books is still effective. Which was, to help a student or teacher find a book (website) around a particular topic and then assist them in organizing the information in a way that would allow them to develop and share an effective product. The "name has changed but the game is the same".
There a only few diffences. One that comes to mind is that you now have access to comments made by past readers or users of the information your seeking. For the most part, input from those who used books for research was often nonexistent. Keep in mind, with the latter statement I'm talking physical library, not virtual.
As the saying goes, "its all good". With these tools you're building a reading list that has the potential of having added to it quality articles and insight because a community is part of the package.
Thing #12 Commenting
The blogger, Cool Cat, offered suggestions that were not only useful but unknown to me. She commented on two useful tools, Cocomment and Tag Clouds. Cocomment is a site that follows or tracks your comments and that of other bloggers and lets you when someone has responded. Tag Clouds let you categorize your comments based on word frequency. These are two great tracking tools given time limitations.
I liked the idea of asking questions within your posts or comments. Sometimes I'm big picture and will respond as such. Some times I see one aspect of a situation. I like being given a choice. I like, at times, not having to comment on a overall thought but on a particular aspect of it. This has often led to varying answers which has created some varying and interesting discussions.
I liked the idea of asking questions within your posts or comments. Sometimes I'm big picture and will respond as such. Some times I see one aspect of a situation. I like being given a choice. I like, at times, not having to comment on a overall thought but on a particular aspect of it. This has often led to varying answers which has created some varying and interesting discussions.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Thing #11 Library Thing
What a user-friendly cataloger! I can't recall having an easier cataloging experience. I plan to catalog my recipe book collection. I have so many that sometimes I can't remember who borrowed what. Library Thing will be my maintenance tool.
I plan to create an account for my school and have teachers and staff members catalog at least five personal professional books. We will then use the library to share.
I wish Library Thing had a "SWAP" icon. Why buy a book, if its cheaper to swap or share.
Library Thing has good book discussion potential. I followed a discussion on Book Repair that was quite useful and interesting. In my travels both domestically and abroad, I've visited a number of libraries. After reading the discussion, I was tempted to start one on the most interesting or unusual libraries visited.
I plan to create an account for my school and have teachers and staff members catalog at least five personal professional books. We will then use the library to share.
I wish Library Thing had a "SWAP" icon. Why buy a book, if its cheaper to swap or share.
Library Thing has good book discussion potential. I followed a discussion on Book Repair that was quite useful and interesting. In my travels both domestically and abroad, I've visited a number of libraries. After reading the discussion, I was tempted to start one on the most interesting or unusual libraries visited.
Thing #10 Online Image Generators
I was able to use comic strip generator but others such as Fake Magazine Cover and Fake Body, I was not as there was a long waiting line. I found it neat that they tell you how many people are currently waiting to create thier product. This would be a problem for classes like 5th grade who could use Fake Magazine covers to make U.S. government history figures or use Fake Body to put thier faces on the body of a historical figure. Having to wait would be a problem. Given this, perhaps they'd make good homework projects.
Thing # 9 Blogs and News Feeders
I liked Technorati for finding Blogs and Syndic8 for finding feeds. Google Blog Search (Advanced Search) is a second favorite for finding blogs.
Technorati offers a directory of topics that allows you to choose from a broad list. After you choose your topic, it is narrowed, allowing you to find exactly what you are looking for. However, the list is not as extensive and specific as you can get with an advanced search in Google Blog. I was able with Technorati to find a great Blog called, Mystery Book Reviews.
Syndic8 is great for finding feeds. Unlike the others, it has a "bio" feature that provides pertinent information about the feed. This feature, I believe, would better serve searchers if it were provided with the results found versus having to open each result which could be thousands to get the information. I was able to find a very good feed that I added to my Google Reader as well, Health Made Easy.
For finding blogs, SuprGlu was too many steps, but it did provide information about the blogger and hence the blog that would help you narrow your search.
Technorati offers a directory of topics that allows you to choose from a broad list. After you choose your topic, it is narrowed, allowing you to find exactly what you are looking for. However, the list is not as extensive and specific as you can get with an advanced search in Google Blog. I was able with Technorati to find a great Blog called, Mystery Book Reviews.
Syndic8 is great for finding feeds. Unlike the others, it has a "bio" feature that provides pertinent information about the feed. This feature, I believe, would better serve searchers if it were provided with the results found versus having to open each result which could be thousands to get the information. I was able to find a very good feed that I added to my Google Reader as well, Health Made Easy.
For finding blogs, SuprGlu was too many steps, but it did provide information about the blogger and hence the blog that would help you narrow your search.
Thing #8 Google Reader
Google Reader allows you to get your news in one area via a subscription icon.
What I liked about the reader is that you can paste a URL of a favorite site that has Real Simple Syndication (RSS) and receive updates as they happen. I attempted to put in sites that did not have RSS, it would not let me do this and informed that they were not RSS sites.
I also liked how such a reader brings the news to you in short synopsis way. You can quickly get an update or click on the article's title and read it entirely. I'm time conscious and so is it. The teachers would love it. It so quick. We can use it to stay current as someone is always inquiring about the news.
I'm on a librarian distribution list and sometimes other librarians send dead links to articles that sound interesting. With Google Reader, they can share the article with a note and we can have a discussion around it.
What I liked about the reader is that you can paste a URL of a favorite site that has Real Simple Syndication (RSS) and receive updates as they happen. I attempted to put in sites that did not have RSS, it would not let me do this and informed that they were not RSS sites.
I also liked how such a reader brings the news to you in short synopsis way. You can quickly get an update or click on the article's title and read it entirely. I'm time conscious and so is it. The teachers would love it. It so quick. We can use it to stay current as someone is always inquiring about the news.
I'm on a librarian distribution list and sometimes other librarians send dead links to articles that sound interesting. With Google Reader, they can share the article with a note and we can have a discussion around it.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Thing #7 Google
I really liked Google Alert and Google Earth!
I set up Google Alert to send topics to me about Diet and Nutrition. I recieved some wonderful articles. Attached is one that discusses how fructose sugar impacts the body. What's interesting is that this is a Texas study done by SMU. Texas ranks top among the fattest cities in America.
I plan to definitely show teachers how to use Google Alert. This is a tool that can help them stay abreast of changes that are taking place in education and their particular areas of study.
I loved playing with Google Earth! I flew to my house and just about everyone I knew. This is a great geography tool. Third graders have to make maps of their communities. They can be shown via Google Earth a true depiction of their neighborhood and then use it make one using technology.
I set up Google Alert to send topics to me about Diet and Nutrition. I recieved some wonderful articles. Attached is one that discusses how fructose sugar impacts the body. What's interesting is that this is a Texas study done by SMU. Texas ranks top among the fattest cities in America.
I plan to definitely show teachers how to use Google Alert. This is a tool that can help them stay abreast of changes that are taking place in education and their particular areas of study.
I loved playing with Google Earth! I flew to my house and just about everyone I knew. This is a great geography tool. Third graders have to make maps of their communities. They can be shown via Google Earth a true depiction of their neighborhood and then use it make one using technology.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thing #6 Mashups and Third Party Sites
I enjoyed making a trading card. I made a Sherlock Holmes' card. He's one of my favorite slueths. I have favorite mystery slueths, authors, movies, etc.
While the card was easy to make, I did run into a challenge. I'm going to have to figure out how to edit a card once its made and saved to My Pictures. I did not see an editing tool at the trading card site. I'm hoping one is available and I just missed it.
I plan to make a special "trading card" iron-on as a way of encouraging students to make one of a special storybook character, personal name, native american topic, math problem, etc. They will probably enjoy it as their generation is known as the "graphic-T"(t-shirt) generation. There are so many things that can be done with mashups. It will be interesting to see student ideas.
While the card was easy to make, I did run into a challenge. I'm going to have to figure out how to edit a card once its made and saved to My Pictures. I did not see an editing tool at the trading card site. I'm hoping one is available and I just missed it.
I plan to make a special "trading card" iron-on as a way of encouraging students to make one of a special storybook character, personal name, native american topic, math problem, etc. They will probably enjoy it as their generation is known as the "graphic-T"(t-shirt) generation. There are so many things that can be done with mashups. It will be interesting to see student ideas.
Thing #5 and Flickr
Flickr is a worthy photo-sharing tool. You can a have a family photo-album with family members that live around the world. What a great way to communicate and keep in touch both personally and professionally.
Not only is it a great place to get photos but a great way to encourage students and teachers to use technology. They can learn a number of technology skills, i.e., how to upload, download, edit and share photos.
Teachers and parents concerned with internet safety can relax as who has access to thier works is determined by them. Can't argue with its user-friendliness. User friendly in my line of work really means stress friendly. We all want win-win.
Not only is it a great place to get photos but a great way to encourage students and teachers to use technology. They can learn a number of technology skills, i.e., how to upload, download, edit and share photos.
Teachers and parents concerned with internet safety can relax as who has access to thier works is determined by them. Can't argue with its user-friendliness. User friendly in my line of work really means stress friendly. We all want win-win.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Creating a Blog and Avatar
I enjoyed creating the blog, it was very easy. I guess the hardest part will be developing it into who I am or my reason for having it in the first place. I thought about this as I created the different names I would use. I tried to make my avatar consistent with it. I wanted everything to be obscure or mysterious. That's me. I love mysteries.
Habits Hardest and Easiest to Accomplish
I like a tutorial that makes you think, personally. After viewing 7 1/2 habits, I thought about who I am and what makes me tick. In doing so, I was able to narrow down what about my personality and experiences makes which habit easiest or hardest to achieve.
The habit easiest to achieve is habit #2, "accept responsibility for your own learning." This is what I practice and preach. Having difficulty with math during my college days helped develop this habit. I wanted to do well in this particularly subject area and understood its significance so I taught myself what the professors or high school teachers could or did not. It was a rewarding experience. I use it now to remind patrons that they can be equally satisfied.
The hardest habit would be #7, "teach or mentor others." I would want to be successful in my parting of knowledege. This would require alloting an adequate amount of time towards preparation. Time is what I don't have a lot of. I guess I'm thinking too formal when I would probably be just as successful doing something informal. See what time does to my thinking.
The habit easiest to achieve is habit #2, "accept responsibility for your own learning." This is what I practice and preach. Having difficulty with math during my college days helped develop this habit. I wanted to do well in this particularly subject area and understood its significance so I taught myself what the professors or high school teachers could or did not. It was a rewarding experience. I use it now to remind patrons that they can be equally satisfied.
The hardest habit would be #7, "teach or mentor others." I would want to be successful in my parting of knowledege. This would require alloting an adequate amount of time towards preparation. Time is what I don't have a lot of. I guess I'm thinking too formal when I would probably be just as successful doing something informal. See what time does to my thinking.
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