Thing 21: Podcast/Videocast

I have tried for days to get Thing 21 to work. I created my podcast on Photostory and put music to it too. But when it comes to uploading the video, it takes forever to process. I have been working on this particular part for days!!

Thing 23: Summary

What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey? I like Thing 17: Rollyo the best. I loved how as a teacher I could find certain websites for my students to research and they could take their research home with them and Rollyo does not limit you to just the databases in the library.

How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals? Well although I thought that this would be a huge task and thought I would not be able to get finished with it in such a short period of time, I DID IT!! It did help that I had dealt with blogs before. I set a goal to finish it and I did!

Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? Hopefully this blog will come in handy in my future LLLS classes, we will have to wait and see.

What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept? Some of the hotlinks were overwhelming, sometimes less is more.

If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate? If it were for a class or continuing education hours!

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? STEP-BY-STEP

Now go and comment on some of the other Players' blogs? I did!

Thing 22: Ning

From my understanding, Ning is like Facebook status and Twitter tweets. At most schools those things are blocked, so I see the positive in Ning because it is education based and hopefully would not be blocked at your school computer. Ning could also be helpful to communicate with other librarians. I looked at all the Ning sites and like the Texas School Librarians one the best. I noticed that our own Mitch joined!!

Thing 20: Part II: YouTube/TeacherTube

I have used Youtube numerous times, but this was my first experience with teachertube. I liked it, it was more precise what I was searching for and didn't have the extra unnecessary information that did not pertain to education.

Thing 20: Part I:YouTube/TeacherTube

Thing 19: Web 2.0 Awards

Some of the tools we have learned about/used in this course were listed on the award list. Some tools even made first place; Delicious, Google Docs, Furl, Technorati and Google Bolg Search. This list of web 2.0 tools becomes handy when you are searching for the best web 2.0 tools out there. There are thousands and this site narrows the list down to the winners. Librarians need to know what is the best of the best out there.

Thing 18: Google Docs

I recently learned about Google docs last semester, in my applications of technology class. I recently used Goolge Docs in this class when I was doing my group presentation. I was able to teach my group members what I knew about google docs and educate them on the best way to use it. I like google docs, it minimizes how many documents are being sent via Internet. With google docs, the sender can allow the receivers to edit the document being sent therefore the less paper work the better. If you are working on a class project all the gorup memebers can editr the paper instead of dozens of copies being sent over and over again. Goolge Docs saves time and is effecient.

Thing 17: Rollyo

Rollyo reminds me a lot of Delicious wesite, but with Rollyo you use it with your students. Rollyo is great for studnets who have the internet connect at home to great ahead with their reseach projets. A lot of the times teachers do not allow students to use GOOGLE, and Rollyo there are pre approved websites to use. The research software that schools provide is not avaible outside the library, Rollyo is free and easy to use! I will definalty use it in my classroom!

Thing 16: Wikis

I liked the sandbox tool SBISD had to offer, it is a great way to share ideas or ask questions to your collages. I just recently started useing wikis in my graduated courses, every teacher has their set up differently, but like I stated on the SBISD wiki, they are pretty easy to navigate once you get the hang of them.

Thing 15: Web 2.0 Library 2.0/ Furture of Libraries

The video was POWERFUL!! I feel the same way walking into a classroom that is full of chairs and desks. Some teachers teach the way that they were taught, and that is not how I learn or most children today learn. It is the 21st century, let's start teaching in it! The librabry science courses that I have taken so far have proved that this is the best way to teach, that children are not pencil and paper learners anymore, I am not either! The articles that i read do nothing but support the changing times, i wish i could go back and shoe this to some of my undergrad teachers that are still living in the Ice Age. Welcome to the 21st Century!!!

Thing 14: Technorati & Tags

Before watching the Technorati video, I did not really understand why people blogged, i thought it was a waste of time, why would people care about what strangers were doing. But now I see the purpose of it, so that real people can learn things from real people. Sometimes the news does not dish out the best information or critics that get paid to talk about certain things i.e. food, movies concerts etc. are just one sided. If you are a blogger, you can get multiple opinions and base your decision after hearing different views on subjects. The Technorati video was interesting and helpful for the people who really weren't sure why people blogged.

Thing 13: Tagging and Delicious

I can see the potential Delicious has to offer and it is a great tool for taking book marking to another level. I also like the tagging option that allows the sites that i have book marked to be organized for me. I love it when things are simple and easy to use, this site was one of them. Out of all the sites that I looked at I perferred to use Delicious, I will introduce it to my new colleges and hopefully we will all use it together.

Thing 12: Creative Community

Taking advise about blogging from someone like Cool Cat is better than someone who can't take the advise they are dishing out. We have spoke about Cool Cat before and all the amazing things that she does not only in blogging but as an educator too. I like getting advise form people that actually do the work!

I also liked the 10 techniques to get more comments on your blog. Asking questions is a big one along with asking open ended question and responding to the comments that are left for you. Not just moving on the the next post, but really connecting with people who take the time to read your blog.

I follow the Pioneer Woman, it is a blog not only about this woman's life, children and husband who she calls Marlboro Man, but she also has AMAZING recipes!! They are yummy, if you are not afraid to eat butter. My friend, Mindy introduced me to her. To let her followers know that she is invovled with her blogging, she gives away prizes everyday! Kitchen Aide Mixers, cookie sheets, cook books, etc.

Thing 11: Library Thing

Ok, once I finally got past the sign up box (was not that easy) I enjoyed what the site had to offer! I do wish that once you added a book to your library, they would send a list of recommended books that they think you might like, kind of like NetFlix. That would be a great feature!

Thing 10: Online Images

I love plays on words, with the studnets I could shoe them different cartoon Characters and they could help me come up with different sayings for them.

Thing 9: Blogs and News Feed

Which Search tool was the easiest for you?
I liked topix.net, it was simple, and you could type in your address so it would share with you local news in your community.


Which was more confusing?
Syndic8 was busy and complecated. One look at that and I closed the window. I like things that are easy, clean and simple to navigate.


What kind of useful feeds did you find in your travels? Or what kind of unusual ones did you find?
It just crazy to me the things that people blog about. And how many there are out there.

I added Fox News to my blogger, to keep me posted on todays current events, much better that E! that I really wanted to add!!!

Thing 8: RSS

What do you like about RSS and readers? I like how I already had a Gmail account set up for my poersonal email, so now I will be able to get updates from my favorite sites without have to go to them. I do not like how on my blog I am only able to display one bloggers new feed at a time. I wish that I could post all the feeds I am following on my blog.

How do you think you might be able to use this technology in your school or personal life? Being able to know how to work and navigate around a blog is a shoe in. Most people understand what they are and the concept of them, but some people get scared of the creating part or think it is too time consuming. As an educator I will educated others on the easy process in creating a blog. Great for parents to understandi what is happening in the school and in your classroom. we know that somethings not all paper work makes it home.

How can libraries/teachers/administrators use readers or take advantage of this new technology? The RSS feed coming to them instead of you going out to find it makes life easier! That is one fewer step that you have to do.

Thing 7: Google

I google everything! I have a gmail account, so i have used Googledocs before, I actually helped someone in this class create one the other day when emailing our group members the revised lesson plan. Googledocs help cut out all the extra emails. You can revise the document right on the spot.
I also use Google Earth as well, I use it to find directions, a few different places on the Earth. This is a great tool to use in a classroom, much more interesting that a boring map or globe. Goolge Earth allows you see "the real thing"

Thing 6: Mashups

Out of all the things Mashups offer, I personally liked the Bookr. Like Flickr, it is creating a book with photos. Bringing this into the library would be great too, students could create their own Bookr books. Maybe after a book report they did or book talk. Integrating technology into the curriculum is always a plus. The trading cards are also a cute idea, especially if it is something that you as a librarians could introduce it to the rest of the teachers

Thing 3: About Blog

reading the directions does make it less difficult. Creating the blog was not difficult, its reading and following directions that make it difficult ( but that is my fault). Sorry this one is out of order.

Thing 5: Flickr

I like how you could tour the site before registering on it. Great place to keep all photos organize. They could be arranged by holiday, year, special events etc. Sending them to family and friends is easy too, with the cost of printing them off for them, just send them and the ball is in their court for printing them off. I chose to upload a picture of an ipad, because I would be able to use it in any subject or classroom or library.

Thing 2: Life Long Learners

Here are a few thoughts about 7 1/2 Things.
It is easy to set goals, what is difficult is following through with those goals. Problems popping up can and might slow you down or make you want to stop striving the goal you have set. Using technology does make things easier, it is easier to hop on the computer and search for directions or "how to" videos if you are stuck on something. Number 7 1/2, Play! I think is the most important. After all your hard work is finished and you have learned something new, the best way to celebrate that is to PLAY!!!!