Thing 23

I can't believe I'm writing my blog for Thing 23! It seems like just yesterday I started this journey of discovery, which is exactly what it was. Well, here are my replies to the questions for Thing 23:

1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercise on this learning journey? I think my favorite was creating my blog and my avatar! I really enjoyed that. I know it was a small thing to do, now. But at the time, it made me feel like I could really do something!

2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals? I’ve always considered myself a lifelong learner. This program has reinforced this belief. I know that I will always be striving to learn new technology, and not be so scared of it.

3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? One surprise was teacher tube. I didn’t know such a thing was out there. Another surprise was how easy some of this is to do. Many of the tools are so user friendly.

4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept? My suggestion is to offer 11 ½ Things, or some such smaller version. The format was fine – although everyone knows that you end up learning so much more than 23 Things!

5. IF we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate? Yes. I have learned so much from this – much more than I have from any other technology class I’ve taken.

6. 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? Worthwhile!

Thing 22

I looked at teacher lingo. I guess I'm just not a "social networking" kind of person. I can see how Nings could be useful, but I was not too impressed with what I saw on teacher lingo. It seemed like a bunch of people posted blogs on things that were not very serious. Many were just complaining about the way things are. My time is more valuable than that. IF you could get a Ning started that was for sharing ideas related to say, 5th grade science concepts, then that would be useful. But, the "social" part, I don't have time for.

Thing 21

This was fun! I explored Photostory and created the video below, using some photos I had taken during a science class this year. I just had to make sure that all the students in the photos had permission by parents for their photos to be used (you know, that form that students take home and return with signatures at the beginning of the school year).

It was very easy to do. I can see how this would be fun for students to do, as well. I plan to use this one!

Thing 20

There are some really funny videos out there! You can spend unrealized time viewing them all. I found several good science videos on Teacher Tube. It's great to have this resource available to use. I've added one here for others who might be wondering "How else can I possibly teach about erosion?"

Thing 19

There are lots of websites to look at for this Thing! I chose netvibes to explore. This is a site that lets you make your own webpage and have everything you want all in one place. You can have your favorite websites, blogs, email, search engines, podcasts, widgets, all there in one place. It looks really useful. I know I'm so confused by all the different Things I've joined to explore, but this is a way to organize all those Things.

In a Library setting, I can see this as useful to me as a Librarian, having all the different web info I need to manage my library linked to one page, so it's easy to find what I need when I need it. I'm really glad I chose this site to explore, because I was wondering how I was going to keep everything straight! I think this one is worth checking out, if you haven't already.

Thing 18

Open Office is great! I haven't had much experience with it, but it seems very easy to use. I have used Google Docs. Once you play around with it, it's also pretty easy to use. But Open Office has so many more options. I plan to use Open Office on my home desktop computer -- it came with a 3 month trial version of a popular word processing and office tools software program, which has long ago expired. It seems that one advantage of using the free program is that you don't have to worry about expired licenses, not to mention expenses!

Thing 17

The Sandbox was easy to sign in to and to edit. I'm not sure what all the trouble was for others, based on their comments. I have vista, and was able to sign in and edit the page from home. I think wikis could be used in the classroom for many projects, but especially for book clubs or book reviews.

As a student, I am planning on using a wiki to share ideas for questions we need to come up with for interviewing current librarians. Since we (the 4 students) do not all have the time during the day to meet about this, it's a great way to communicate our ideas!

Thing 16

Wikis aren't totally new to me (a couple of months ago, I joined one as part of a team in one of my classes, for the purpose of sharing information for a project). But, I do wonder about using them as a classroom teacher now, and as a librarian in the future. I enjoyed looking at ways they are used. I especially like the example at Book Lovers Wiki. This is now a "snapshot in time," capturing the book reviews offered during one particular library's summer reading program. That's something I could see myself doing. I especially like how this wiki looked. It looked like a "regular" website. Sometimes, wikis look stark, plain, and drab. This one had flair.

I could see having a wiki for library programs you might conduct -- book fairs, bluebonnet book reviews, etc. But, when I create one, I want it to look interesting, like the sample one I mention above.

Thing 15

I really like the article at 2cents worth -- the suggested list for learning more 21st century skills is great -- because it includes accountability (working with a few others who also want to learn the same things). But, I especially like how it ends -- reminding us to model (as any good teacher should) being an master learner. Isn't that what we really want to do as teachers? We want to create life-long learners, so we do need to show that we are that.

To me, Library 2.0 means being a truly effective librarian, striving to meet the needs of my consumers (students and staff). For school libraries, it means being willing to change, to keep up with technology and the times, and our consumers!

Thing 14

Search results were definitely different when searching in blog posts versus blog directory. Now that I've played around a bit with Technorati, I think it will be a helpful tool. Too much of the web is so commercialized, but Technorati helps you see what "real people" see as important, useful, or interesting. Tags are very helpful for sorting and finding information -- like a filing system.

Technorati Profile

Thing 13

I looked at del.icio.us, and also digg. But they are confusing to me. I could not get the buttons to install on my browser for del.icio.us. I've sent in a request to their support link. Digg was a bit easier to use, but when I tried a couple of searches, some of the stuff that came up was very inappropriate. I would not feel comfortable using this with students. I'm interested in seeing how others think it can be used in school.

Thing 12

Using rollyo, I made a customized list of the websites I use most frequently for grad school.

I think rollyo can be useful for research purposes. I'm sure I'll be using it for much of my school work!

Thing 11

Library Thing is very easy to use. A colleague had told me about it, so I had already begun my library. The first books I put in were my "cat books," which I love (see my listing, in the left sidebar). I was pleased to see that so many others like these books, too! I did learn how to add the list to my blog, which wasn't too hard, once I found the button for editing the html.

I think this could be a useful tool to put on my school library blog, for most frequently checked out books for different grade levels -- to spark interest in books. I plan to continue adding to my list as I read books. For now, I just started with a few of my favorites.

Thing 10

This was a fun activity. I made a comic (right) using comic strip generator. It was pretty easy to do, very user friendly.

I also made a fake magazine cover (below) using fake magazine cover, featuring my hubby and manx. The magazine cover was fun -- but confusing. I had to try it a few times before being successful. It could certainly be more user friendly.

I am a little shy to use most of these generators in the classroom, simply because many had inappropriate images available (nude woman, etc.) And I know many of my 5th graders would go right to those images, unless they were blocked. Not that I'm for blocking everything! I think trading cards could be used for fun vocabulary reinforcement.

Thing 9

I think there is too much information out there! I still don't know how to sort through it all. I didn't like the Google Blog Search. For fun, I put in "knitting," one of my favorite past-times (before I started this class!). All kinds of blogs came up -- more like on-line journals where someone just happened to mention knitting. Annoying, to say the least.

I found some useful and interesting blogs on Edublogs' award winners. Also, School Library Blogs on Suprglu had some interesting blogs, following the links under the posts. I think that the posting from The Cool Cat Teacher blog on How to Create Your Circle had some good advice. One part that really struck me was to subscribe to blogs outside your area of expertise. Something I'd not thought to do. I know some teachers who I wish had blogs -- they are such an inspiration, I know I'd read them daily! I think I'll suggest they start their own blogs.

Thing 8

I really like the fact that RSS and newsreaders will bring the information you're searching for straight to you. I think you need to subscribe to many different sources in order to get the best results.

For myself, I think this will be a good way to keep up with current ideas in teaching, and of course, library issues!

RSS will save time -- time from reading blog after blog. Now, I just need to add all the URLs from my favorites list!

Thing 7

I can't believe I spent so long playing with the google tools! I really like the Google Calendar. I set up one for me, one for school, and one to keep track of my son's events. It's great to see all three at once on the calendar, in an easy to follow format (I like the month view best).

I also downloaded Google Earth. I see lots of potential for this gadget in science. It can be used to help students see actual landforms, but the sky view can also be used to help them understand space concepts more.

Thing 6

So many toys, so little time! I really like the Mosaic Maker on FD Toys -- I could spend hours on that (I love scrapbooking!). I also like the Cube and even made one!

I think the Trading Cards would be useful for vocabulary building or connecting events (like field trips) to curriculum. I think the Cube could work for vocabulary, too -- picture on one side, and word/definition on the opposite side. Lots of potential for these toys.

Thing 5

Flickr is fun. I uploaded some pictures I had taken on a visit to the Space Center this past summer. My first set! What an easy way to share photos. I will be exploring Flickr even more -- I'd sure like to know how to do the picture books! Now, if only I can get my school to invest in a color printer accessible by me!

Thing 4

Registering my blog wasn't difficult -- just an email. However, I managed to forget my sign-in email address overnight! Now, I'm wondering, how long will it be before I hear back? When will by blog be on "the list" as a player? I'll just have to wait to find out.

Thing 3

I did it! It took me quite a while, but I did it! I love my avatar -- it was fun to make. Uploading it to my blog wasn't that hard, thanks to the instructions on Library2Play's webpage. I looked at other people's blogs -- some people are very creative. I'm looking forward to working on Thing 4, but have spent enough time on the computer for tonight.

Thing 2

I think the easiest habit for me is Habit 4, Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner. I've always loved learning -- I wish I could get paid to learn! The hardest habit for me is Habit 5, Create a learning toolbox. But, I guess that's what 23 things is all about!

I think the 7 1/2 Habits are what we try to do with our students. I know I've been telling my students for 13 years that readers are life-long learners!

Thing 1

Twenty-three Things looks like a fun way to learn more about current technology. I think I'll just need to be careful to watch the time. I spent over an hour on Thing 1 alone!