Thing 23

I can not believe I have finished. It seems like I just started. This was a fantastic learning experience. I can not wait to start using many of the things I learned when school starts. I also have my list of sites to revisit and spend more time learning.

1.What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
There were so many things that I really enjoyed. I liked NINGS. I plan to follow education thread of interest. I also think this will be a fun way to collaborate with others.
I also liked Image Generator. I can see so many ways to use this with students and teaches as well as library applications. Photo Story and Flicker were also favorite new things. I will use this in the library and with presentations.

2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
I think this experience has inspired me to seek out ways to learn to keep up with new technology. I now have a new excitment and can't wait to use the new technology in the library.

3. Were there any taka a ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
I thought this would be hard and boring---boy was I surprised. The program was fun, interesting, challenging but not difficult. A take away was that I found many things I will be using and exploring in more detail. I also will be sharing things I learned.

4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program;s format or concept?
I liked this format. I enjoyed having control over the pace of my learning. I also liked being able to read others blogs to get insite from what they were learning. I would not change the format.

5.I we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate?
Yes I would. I really appreciate Spring Branch allowing other districts to participate. I have peeked at Library2Play2 but don't think I can complete it in time so I hope that Library2Play2 will be offered in the fall.

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?
A fantastic, fun way to learn new technology.

7. Now go and comment on some of the other players blogs?
I am going to enjoy reading and commenting on others blogs.

Anna

Thing 22

I looked at severalof the Nings. I explored Texas School Librarian. I thought this would be a good ning to join. My only concern was there was not a group for Elementary Librarians....I did love the videos and the forum entries were interesting. I will probably go back and join this ning.

I also explored Teacher Librarian Ning. I joined this ning. I think that this will be a great way to connect and share with other librarians. I think that we can learn from one another and this will be a great help. I have been a librarian for 25 years now....wow time flies....and I am always looking for new ideas or ways to do things. I think the nings will help me.

Once again I have found a new form of technology to share with others.

Thing 21

This was fun but kind of confusing...I can see that this would be wonderful to use for
Booktalks/reviews
research projects
how to presentations
showing students at work and play

So many uses you just have to use your imagination

Ok so now I am going to try to upload my photostory....I am in the process of selling my moms house. One of my favorite things is the Azala (probably misspelled) bush ....I used the pictures from this bush...

Thing 20

I explored Youtube and Teachertube. What fun ! I know we have access to Teacher tube now in Aldine and I can't wait to use it. Like any other media I think this can be useful as long as it is used in connection with the curriculum.

I found a really neat video on Library Orientation.


You Tube was fun also. I got a little off topic and found this video that made me smile....


I think both You Tube and Teacher Tube can be used as an educational and entertainment tool.

Anna

Thing 19

Wow so many sites so little time....I will be going back to #19 and playing when I have more time. I tried several of the sites. Picnik looked good. I take a lot of pictures at school and this would be a great site to touch up the pics and make collages. Spanishpod might also be a site I could use....to learn Spanish on my own would be great. I also tried Twitter. I actually signed up and made a list of people I will be following. I belong to several listserves so this allowed me to pick and choose some of those I wanted to follow. This was fun and I can't wait to go back and try some more.

Thing 18

I tried seveal of the tools. I think they were all intesting to explore. I will have to practice with them more before I share these tools.

I can see the advantage of using Open Office. This will help in collaboration, availibilty and it is fairly easy to use. This will make it possible to transfer documents from home ot school. I am used to using office so this will take some getting used to.

I hope to have access to Open Office in Aldine.

Thing 17 Rollyo

The video was fantastic. By following the steps I created my rollyo.
I decided to create a search that I could possibly use later. One of my favorite children's authors is Laura Ingalls Wilder. So my search is several sites I can use in February when I feature Ms. Wilder.

http://rollyo.com/arussell2/laura_ingalls_wilder/

I have used Delicious and this will be a great alternative to make a list of sites for the students to use when doing research. I can't wait to get back to school to see if the district allows us to use Rollyo

Thing 16 -- Wikis

I love Wikis. Last the library had a Wiki for librarians. It was a great way to share information. I then sat down and watched the video on Wikis. I went to PBworks.com and create a rough Wiki for my library. Afterward I attended a district workshop on how to create a wiki...and fine tuned my Wiki. I think Wikis will be great to use with students. For example the librarian and teacher could work together to create a wiki for students to use for a research project. I created one for my 4th grade students. (if they are set up as public they can be accessed easily from any computer.) I included the requirements for the project and websites they could use. I also did a presentation for the district on research for the primary grades. I made a wiki page and gave the link to the participants. This will enable them to have access to the links, information, etc without having to keep up with a paper handout. It will also be there anytime they need it. I plan to use link this page to my library wiki.

I really think wikis can be used in collaborative planning

Thing 15 Web 2.0

Web 2.0 to mean means interactive or websites that involve participation and are constantly changing and updating.

Libraries and Librarians must grasp Web 2.0 and lead the charge in sharing the new way of exchanging information with our clients---students, teachers, parents. By exploring and sharing the new Web 2.0 with teachers, students and parents we helping to promote the latest tools available.

Students with happily accept the Web 2.0 tools with ease and without fear. Adults are usually a little harder to convience to try the new and unexplored. As a librarian I feel I must accept the challenge of being a pioneer in Web 2.0.

I read several of the readings
http://www.oclc.org/nextspace/002/1.htm

Thing 14 Technorati

This summer not only have I started expanding my technology with 23 Things, I went to high speed internet and wireless....I am having to get used to using my laptop and watching the battery meter.....Doing 23 Things this can be dangerous. What I have decided is that I can read and research several of the Things and then go back and do my blog.

Anyway back to Technorati....I think I am avoiding Technorati....Technorati was a bit over my head. It was interesting but a little beyond my level at this point. I watched the video several times to understand how to navigate the site. I found a couple fo blogs that I would like to follow.

I will need to revisit Technorati

I found this photo on Flicker and it reminded me of how I felt using Technorati

Thing 13

I love Delicious. I had a brief intro to Delicious at an inservice last year. It was a great inservice but it was fast and not hands on. I have been reading a lot about using Inquiry with students...they say that inquiry is active and hands on and leads to learning for understanding and longterm...this is 23 things. By doing the activities with Delicious I will remember more than just having it presented orally to me.

I can see lots of ways to use Delicious. I plan to introduce this to the teachers next year ( I think I will need to speak with my principal because I think I will have lots of things to share). This is fantastic no matter what computer you are at you can still retrieve things from your favorite list. This will be great for students to use in the library during research. All of the computers have had "Deep Freeze" installed so whatever you save erases when they are closed down. This would enable students to save their information sources and be able to retrieve them.

I plan to start using Delicious at home and school.

Thing 12

The two points that I think are important about commenting on blogs are:
1. Think about what you are going to comment. The person behind the blog is real. Criticism should always be constructive.
2. The blogger does not have to answer all comments. Many people write blogs to express their thoughts and opinions. Others are trying to create a discussion.

There are so many blogs and not enough time. Just reading the blogs on the 23 Things site can be overwhelming. As I read the blogs I thought maybe I was not posting enough and then I thought maybe I was saying too much. But I guess that is up to the individual.

The five 23 Things Blogs I browsed were Ginny's Blog, 3rd Grade with Miss Davis, Country Booker, Amy in the Library, Elmore's Glue. These were all really fantastic and different. I enjoyed exploring the blogs.

Two blogs outside of 23 Things that I browsed and plan to go back to are Library Thing and Thinking About Learning.

I am thinking of when school begins to start a blog on my day to day activities as a librarian.

Anna

Thing 11 Library Thing

I created an account on Library Thing. It was simple and quick. I selected 5 books from my shelf to add. I was easy to add books. I thought it was also interesting to read the reviews others had written about books. I read about signing up to receive books to review...I plan on doing this soon when I know I have time to put into it. I always have books that I need to catalog. I think Library Thing will be helpful with some of these books. I have saved Library Thing to my favorites and plan to make this a regular place I visit.

#10 Image Generator

This was fun. I played with several of the suggested generators. I played with several and plan to return to these again and explore further. This will be great to use with the students. I already can see several uses in using these in reading programs, student projects, etc. There are so many uses for these. I think the students and teachers will love these. I am planning to add a folder to my library Wiki with the links to these.

I used Comic Strip http://www.comicstripgenerator.com/

Image Chef was also fun. I can see so many uses for this. All of our teachers have projectors with elmos and computers attached. I can see Image Chef would be fantastic for vocabulary or an introduction to their units.

http://www.imagechef.com/

I also played with the kid friendly generator. http://www.customizemagnets.com/ecards/childrens.asp?page=4

I can already think of a lot of ways I can use this.

Thing 9---Useful Library Blogs

Oh my gosh.....this was so interesting....I think I could become addicted to reading blogs. I tried Google, Edublog and Suprglu. Google was easy---since I have used Google I guess I felt more comfortable with it. Edublog had some fantastic things. I really liked looking at the best blogs and the winners. Free technology for teachers is one I subscribed to so I can go back and play some more. Suprglu was confusing...maybe I was just tired. I will go back tomorrow and try that one again.

So many bogs so little time.

Anna

Thing 8 Google Reader

This was easy. I saved a few things to read. This will be a great time saving tool. I am always finding things I want to read and then forget where I found them. This will be a great way to keep track of things and organize them. I can also use this to share with teachers. Using google reader I will be able to organize topics that I find when researching topics for teachers or for activities I am planning in the library.

As I complete these activities I am finding so much I want to go back and play with and at the same time I am anxious to go forward and see what is next.

Is it possible to get addicted to Library2Play?

Anna

Thing 7 Google

I did not know there were so many things you could do with Google.

I know a little about Googl Earth. I pleayed with it and found my house...I think the picture was pre Ike--my roof is now a different color. I also am a big Laura Ingalls Wilder fan. I searched for Walnut Grove...this will be great to show the students where it is actually located (that it is a real city) and to show some of the historic sites.

I also used Google Advanced search and found a great power point on Laura Ingalls Wilder jessicabednarski.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/webquest.ppt. I think being able to find power points that are already made will be great and I plan to share this with my teachers.

I found Googl Calendar intersting. I do a weekly calendar for our school. I am thinking this would be a great way to go. I made a calendar for myself for this summer... http://www.google.com/calendar/render?pli=1

Well this is actually fun. I this is something I would like to share with my teachers in the fall.

Anna

Mashups # 6

Wow there are a lot of really cool sites available. I can see how lots of these can be used by teachers and students. I am making a list of things I want to introduce to the teachers after school begins.

I played with several of the sites. FD Flicker Toys is interesting. I can see how this could be used. My Favorite was Trading Card. This would be fun to do with kids. It would be a great motivator or reward for kids. I am thinking maybe I could use this with my Book Club kids or as part of a reading program. Every kid would want their own trading card.

I made one just for fun...I used the picture from Flicker....

Anna

Flicker Thing 5

This was fun. I am always looking for pictures to use and this will be a good site. I loved the directions on How to Capture and Save Images. I looked through several selections and could see that there is a wide variety of pictures available.





When I saw the picture I selected I knew immediately that was my picture. This is could be me...

And uploading was so easy...

Creating my Blog

Wow that was not hard at all...the avatar was fun. I hope to go and read other blogs and continue to add to mine. I did panic because I did not see my first post. I then discovered I did not click on publish post.I think I will enjoy this.

7 1/2 Habits for learning

I think one of the hardest habits for me is to use technology to my advantage. With the hustle and bustle of the everyday schedule in the library and working without a para, I find that I often don't have time to use technology to my advantage. I often feel I don't have time to explore new technology. I hope by completing these activities I will feel more comfortable and use technology to my advantage.

The easiest habit for me is to view problems as a challenge. I enjoy tackling a new challenge and setting a goal and achieving that goal.