Podcasts & Videocasts - OH, MY!!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
THING 23
I DID IT! AND! I'm glad that I did. I truly consider this quite an accomplishment for the summer. I was introduced to a number of apps, tricks, and techniques for Web 2.0 of which I knew nothing in June. I don't really feel proficient in very many of the THINGS but I'm not worried about that. I've taken good notes & have my blog to which I can refer if I need help in a task. I do believe that many of the THINGS are easily applicable to education and library skills.
QUESTIONS:
1) LibraryThing & RSS
2) Increased the arrows in my quiver. I think I am a LLL and my example is that I decided to become a school librarian at age 62.
3) Some of the tasks took longer than I wanted them to but it's user error -- not 23THINGS. For instance, I've created 2 stories for THING21 that I haven't been able to publish because I can't get technical details to work. But -- I'll get the 3rd one published!
4) I think I might like doing 23THINGS during the school year in a group with a schedule of 3THINGS/month in stead of 3THINGS/week. However, the intensity probably helped productivity. I just wish I felt proficient in more THINGS.
5) Yes
6) 23THINGS expanded my knowledge.
7) I'm really not good at looking at other blogs -- but I'm gonna get better!
QUESTIONS:
1) LibraryThing & RSS
2) Increased the arrows in my quiver. I think I am a LLL and my example is that I decided to become a school librarian at age 62.
3) Some of the tasks took longer than I wanted them to but it's user error -- not 23THINGS. For instance, I've created 2 stories for THING21 that I haven't been able to publish because I can't get technical details to work. But -- I'll get the 3rd one published!
4) I think I might like doing 23THINGS during the school year in a group with a schedule of 3THINGS/month in stead of 3THINGS/week. However, the intensity probably helped productivity. I just wish I felt proficient in more THINGS.
5) Yes
6) 23THINGS expanded my knowledge.
7) I'm really not good at looking at other blogs -- but I'm gonna get better!
THING 22
NING -- and the world of internet community.
I like it and I appreciate the individuals who contribute information. NING is very user-friendly and does seem to be for discriminating souls.One of the NING's at which I looked was on travel and I was able to see more information about Petra. I also looked at some of the ones on education and libraries. Perhaps all social networks do this -- but I really liked having the information about the members available.
Maybe it's just because I'm an old lady -- or maybe because I'm a Type A personality but the amount of time it takes to be a part of a social network intimidates me. But then, I probably don't keep up w/face-to-face friends like I should either. Again, I like finding out information -- but don't immediately think about checking a social network on the computer. Maybe I will now that I have an RSS.
I like it and I appreciate the individuals who contribute information. NING is very user-friendly and does seem to be for discriminating souls.One of the NING's at which I looked was on travel and I was able to see more information about Petra. I also looked at some of the ones on education and libraries. Perhaps all social networks do this -- but I really liked having the information about the members available.
Maybe it's just because I'm an old lady -- or maybe because I'm a Type A personality but the amount of time it takes to be a part of a social network intimidates me. But then, I probably don't keep up w/face-to-face friends like I should either. Again, I like finding out information -- but don't immediately think about checking a social network on the computer. Maybe I will now that I have an RSS.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
THING 20A
This is also about THING 20 because I don't want to mess up the posting w/the embedded video. I'm not quite sure how I did it -- but there it is! I like the feature but need to perform the exercise more than once in order to be sure I know what I'm doing.
This exercise did answer my queries and concerns about allowing students full access to things like YouTube. I'm moving on!
This exercise did answer my queries and concerns about allowing students full access to things like YouTube. I'm moving on!
Monday, August 3, 2009
THING 20
This my 2nd time to try to embed a video. I really don't want to write anything here until I'm sure that my video will play.
THING 19
I know -- I know-- I'm the only person on the planet you hasn't explored YouTube but there you are. I guess I thought I needed to work or eat or READ or something else. I've played with YouTube & searched for Petra again. Found some neat videos and info about that exciting place. I've looked at lulu.com & even though I don't have anything to publish, I do have some friends who might; I'll tell them about this site. I explored shows on YouTube & found a jillion Paddington videos. And then I played games. I couldn't get on zango.com (it wouldn't ever download); I went on Galaxiki -- but I'm not into scifi -- if that's even a genre anymore. Doof was fun: I played a crummy game of Mahjong but was invited to play again so they were nice. Does this cost money? Saw a game called WORDS that I'll go back to.
Interesting website -- and, goodness! so many things to do. But, WHEN AM I SUPPOSED TO READ MY BOOK??? All of this stuff is fun & interesting -- but it is surely cutting into my available reading time.
USEFUL PARTS FOR SCHOOLS & LIBRARIES: I'm not sure because I don't know how to filter these sites. I'm not sure that all of them would be available (thank goodness!) at HISD schools. And I'm not sure I'm ready to let my 5th graders just go look at some of these sites.
What am I missing? I'll read some other blogs & see if other 23THINGERS have had the same reaction I did to this site.
Interesting website -- and, goodness! so many things to do. But, WHEN AM I SUPPOSED TO READ MY BOOK??? All of this stuff is fun & interesting -- but it is surely cutting into my available reading time.
USEFUL PARTS FOR SCHOOLS & LIBRARIES: I'm not sure because I don't know how to filter these sites. I'm not sure that all of them would be available (thank goodness!) at HISD schools. And I'm not sure I'm ready to let my 5th graders just go look at some of these sites.
What am I missing? I'll read some other blogs & see if other 23THINGERS have had the same reaction I did to this site.
THING 18
Thank you very much! I've just added Openoffice.org to my Desktop & tried out some of the apps. (See -- I said "apps" because I can talk computerese.) which look & act so much like Microsoft Office products that they are a snap to use. I had already used GoogleDocs when I explored "More" and "Even More" under Google. Lots of stuff to make my life easier.
THING 17
Really like ROLLYO! I created a searchroll for Petra because we are planning a trip to Jordon & Israel. It is really easy to use -- and much easier to shift through than Google.
I also really appreciated & enjoyed the video by Bruce Goodner. Made the entire process very clear.
I'm hoping that I can create a SEARCHROLL using the HISD search engines -- I think. Or, maybe I'd rather create SEARCHROLLS using other search engines for specific topics. I've got to think about how to use this tool effectively -- but I love it!
I also really appreciated & enjoyed the video by Bruce Goodner. Made the entire process very clear.
I'm hoping that I can create a SEARCHROLL using the HISD search engines -- I think. Or, maybe I'd rather create SEARCHROLLS using other search engines for specific topics. I've got to think about how to use this tool effectively -- but I love it!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
THING16
Now, this is fun! I've enjoyed Wikipedia as a baseline to get information on a topic although I've cautioned everyone that info needed to be verified. I hadn't thought about developing a wiki as a teaching tool -- but now, I'M THERE!!
I have something called Library Club that I started last year for the classes that I see twice a week. Centers with magazines, checkers, games on the computer, sets of reference books that the students might not look at otherwise, vocabulary games, etc. are available; students change centers after 15 minutes. Next year, as I stated in an earlier posting, I'm going to call it, LIFELONG LEARNERS CLUB.
I think it would be really neat to have a wikis up on computers where the students would contribute to a creative writing exercise. Each story would start with the same opening paragraph but each student would add a paragraph. The completed stories would be read and compared.
And I'm going to come up w/other lessons as well. This is good stuff!
I have something called Library Club that I started last year for the classes that I see twice a week. Centers with magazines, checkers, games on the computer, sets of reference books that the students might not look at otherwise, vocabulary games, etc. are available; students change centers after 15 minutes. Next year, as I stated in an earlier posting, I'm going to call it, LIFELONG LEARNERS CLUB.
I think it would be really neat to have a wikis up on computers where the students would contribute to a creative writing exercise. Each story would start with the same opening paragraph but each student would add a paragraph. The completed stories would be read and compared.
And I'm going to come up w/other lessons as well. This is good stuff!
THING 15
Library 2.0
Well, it's just gotta be. I really want to incorporate the concepts of "User-centered Library" and "User participation in creation of content & community" into my library mindset.
However, I am somewhat slowed down by the reality of my educational situation. I love my elementary school & have support from the principal & teachers. But our mission has to be different because of our students. We are an "overflow school" and 0ur population is made up of students whose zoned schools don't have enough room for them. Our population is 95% Hispanic for whom English is a second language and, until the 2009-2010 school year, all textbooks for K-4th grade were in Spanish. All of our students are on free breakfasts and lunches.
Our primary responsibility is to raise the reading level of our students. I see every student every week; 2/3 of them twice a week. I have few students -- regardless of grade -- who read above a 3rd grade level.
Our students do have computer classes and the library did receive 8 new laptops last year. I do have a SMARTBoard & am trying to incorporate its use into my instruction time.
I need to focus on change but I mustn't be discouraged when my steps are small.
Well, it's just gotta be. I really want to incorporate the concepts of "User-centered Library" and "User participation in creation of content & community" into my library mindset.
However, I am somewhat slowed down by the reality of my educational situation. I love my elementary school & have support from the principal & teachers. But our mission has to be different because of our students. We are an "overflow school" and 0ur population is made up of students whose zoned schools don't have enough room for them. Our population is 95% Hispanic for whom English is a second language and, until the 2009-2010 school year, all textbooks for K-4th grade were in Spanish. All of our students are on free breakfasts and lunches.
Our primary responsibility is to raise the reading level of our students. I see every student every week; 2/3 of them twice a week. I have few students -- regardless of grade -- who read above a 3rd grade level.
Our students do have computer classes and the library did receive 8 new laptops last year. I do have a SMARTBoard & am trying to incorporate its use into my instruction time.
I need to focus on change but I mustn't be discouraged when my steps are small.
THING 14
Don't know what I'd do w/out the Dancing Librarian! She has walked me through choosing the correct profile so now! I'll go back to THING 12 & start making comments. BUT I DIGRESS. . . .
This is about Technorati & Tags. I've watched the videos & read the postings but I'm not quite a believer yet. I understand some pretty amazing things: 1) the number of blogs are doubling every 6 months; 2) blogs present the "human experience raw & uncut." 3) blogging presents a way to know what "real people" -- unedited -- are thinking about what is going on in their lives. 4) bloggers talk about happenings that don't make it to CNN or NBC. 5) blogging builds communication & community 6) people check their RSS 7 times a day!!
My problem is that I'm overwhelmed w/the amount of information -- and opionions -- that are available on blogs & I'm not sure I want to deal w/info that hasn't been filtered. Stream of consciousness & blithering forms of communication are frequently a waste of time. There are nuggets in there -- but who can spend all day on the computer reading through dribble to get a nugget?
And community & communication is a wonderful thing -- but I have teachers, students, family, neighbors & friends for whom I find it difficult to have time. How can I add a jillion blog friends?
Ah, well -- this is just the ranting of a soon-to-be 65 yr old who is trying to keep up!
I did do the exercise about searching for "School Library Learning 2.0" in blog posts, tags & blog directory. I did find a blog I intend to add to my RSS -- The Unquiet Librarian.
This is about Technorati & Tags. I've watched the videos & read the postings but I'm not quite a believer yet. I understand some pretty amazing things: 1) the number of blogs are doubling every 6 months; 2) blogs present the "human experience raw & uncut." 3) blogging presents a way to know what "real people" -- unedited -- are thinking about what is going on in their lives. 4) bloggers talk about happenings that don't make it to CNN or NBC. 5) blogging builds communication & community 6) people check their RSS 7 times a day!!
My problem is that I'm overwhelmed w/the amount of information -- and opionions -- that are available on blogs & I'm not sure I want to deal w/info that hasn't been filtered. Stream of consciousness & blithering forms of communication are frequently a waste of time. There are nuggets in there -- but who can spend all day on the computer reading through dribble to get a nugget?
And community & communication is a wonderful thing -- but I have teachers, students, family, neighbors & friends for whom I find it difficult to have time. How can I add a jillion blog friends?
Ah, well -- this is just the ranting of a soon-to-be 65 yr old who is trying to keep up!
I did do the exercise about searching for "School Library Learning 2.0" in blog posts, tags & blog directory. I did find a blog I intend to add to my RSS -- The Unquiet Librarian.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
