Big Red

THING#11.5 EVALUATION

2009-08-05T11:50:00.000-07:00

1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?I loved the image generators especially wordle. I have plans to use that one the first time I teach Library Resource Page. Also, I really like GoView and think that will be a favorite to use because it is so user friendly.
2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?Let’s say it encouraged me to go out of my comfort zone again. I think it was very thought provoking and makes you realize all the possibilities out there for education. Digital Citizenship really lays resposibilites and safety issues on the line and that is something we know but so good to see it in print and read about how to handle different situation when they happen.
3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?Even though 11.5 Things took lots of my summertime I think it was well worth the time and effort. I tried to do something with it everyday because I wanted to finished weeks ago but that did not work out for me. I do feel encouraged, succesful and motivated to start a new school year.
4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?Nothing, you have been such an awesome group to take care of us every step of the way so do not change anything now. I loved the beach theme even though I never saw real sand I thought I was there, ha!

THING #11 DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

2009-08-04T16:07:00.000-07:00

WOW what a responsibility we have as educators to teach our students Digital Citizenship. I have read everything suggested on Thing#11 plus numerous blogs and I do feel overwhelmed. But as I start making plans to see students and orientate them to the library I am beginning to settle down. Also I Google Digital Citizenship and found lots of interesting though provoking reading.
Things to tell students during Library Orientation:
1. The goal of Spring Branch ISD is to educate students. Technology is playing a role in how students will learn reading, math, science, social studies, etc. SBISD has spent money for students to learn out to us iMac, iPods, document cameras, etc. (I will show parts of the power point on Bond tools from the LibrariansShare folder).
2. Responsibility and Etiquette
There is appropriate and inappropriate behavior using technology. We will learn how to be responsible with the freedoms that are extended to each student, teacher, etc. Copyright laws are very important when using technology just like when you are using books.
3. Safety
Texas School Safety Center has lots of material to use including flyers to have up in the library. It is important not to tell anyone personal information about yourself. Talk about Cyber bullying! Barbara Holt does a great interview with Fox News found under Texas School Safety. http://www.cscstxssc.blogspot.com
4. Explore
Get out of comfort zone and learn to use Slideshare, Image Generators, Skype, Social Networking, iTouch, Video Resources, etc!
5. Evaluate websites by showing the treeoctopus lesson (http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/sightings.html). Do not believe everything that you read.

THING #10 VIRTUAL WORLD

2009-08-03T17:36:00.000-07:00

Oh my this virtual world. It took me forever to get dressed and I am not sure I matched at all! My hair ended up striped for some reason I will work on that one some more. My gestures was so funny and for some reason I like flying around with the birds. Once I was going in circles and that was fun and I did not even get dizzy. I like it though and had fun playing for hours and hours. I was telling my grandaughter about Second Life and she was like yes I did that several years ago and you paid for it??? They are always one or maybe two steps ahead.
I visited Rebecca Zebendein world and she owns a castle with some cool things like the Alamo. Rebecca already has great plans for her students. I have thought about it a lot and not sure of all the ways that it can be used. I know safety is very important! Teen Second Life will be a place for students ages 13-17 to explore a virtual world. Right now I think a facilitator and exploring the possibilities will be a good place to start!!! Keep a look out for Maryhele Caggle.........

THING #9 SLIDESHARE

2009-08-03T16:49:00.000-07:00

I spent some time reading and learning about Slideshare and came to the conclusion that is was just another power point. But when I read and watched a 9 minute video on Comparison of PowePoint Hosting tools I decided I like Slideshare. Like the guy said it is a way to 'jazz up a power point'. Wow the ease of uploading videos or pictures into the Slideshare seemed effortless.
Students love to create power points and will spend days creating and admiring their work plus share it with whoever will look even long past the assignment deadline.
I wanted to checkout Slideboom but did not want to pay or register for the trial run right now but might later???
280 Slides looks amazing and with great reviews! I also looked at the Prsentation Power Online about 280 and it looks easy enough.
Students love to make power point presentationS and they will really like SLIDESHARE.

THING #8 SCREENCAST

2009-07-08T12:51:00.000-07:00

My goodness I have spent many hours on this Thing#8 and have had so much trouble trying to get this done. Finally after deciding I would be a 11.5 Things drop out I did try GoView and was somewhat successful. I did the video on how to save to a San Folder but did not like it. So I am just teaching the students how to play Freecell. It is one of my favorite card games so here goes...

Oh yes I did have trouble with the sound but I will deal with that another day, whew!!!
I can see how students would enjoy using GoView to make videos for their own projects/assignments. The jouralism class did a 'Me' project at the end of the year and the teacher showed the students what she wanted several times using the computer, LCD projector and screen. I think she could have produced a GoView video and the students could view it on a need to bases.
I still want to do the 'Saving to san folder' video but I have to move on for now...

THING #7 VIDEO RESOURCES

2009-07-03T19:14:00.000-07:00

I watched Creative Common Licensing several times and it reminds us to give credit when we use others videos just like we give credit when we use peoples words.

Blinkx
OMG over 35 million hours of video. You can find out about anything and everything 'you always wanted to know about but afraid to ask'. I searched how to do wordle, use smartboard, info about different countries, sports, Every subject is on this thing. I have bookmarked it! Blinkx will come in handy helping students find out information for assignments, class projects, etc! I have added a how to video for wordle because I think they are cool!!!

THING #6 iTouch Apps

2009-07-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

I think it is was cool that there were apps for all the core classes plus everything else offered at school. I read an article and Steve Jobs refered to the iPhone as mobil learning and that is what all of this is about. Another article talked about a school giving iPods to all the students and teachers to use. The article was very positive. It talked about students need to thrive in the world that they find themselves in. Students are not passive observer learners anymore but participants. An example was used that they do not need to know the date of a battle but how to google and know it within seconds.

I understand that everything is at your finger tips and right now I am a wannabe.

Okay I have spent some time with an iPod, iTouch, iPhone and WOW. I kinda seem to be all over the place with this one, as usual! I have played with, read articles and now all that is left is for me to buy an iPhone.

THING #5 MICROBLOGGING

2009-07-01T17:21:00.000-07:00

facebook
I like facebook. I do not check my account everyday or even everyweek but have enjoyed visiting with people I have not seen or heard from in a number of years. I have heard from a number of past students and that is cool to catch up on what they are doing. For that reason I am a facebook fan. I think the Book Clubs for Kids on Facebook would be way cool.

twitter
One good thing about twitter is the 'shortness'. Yes it was simple to join! I have joined yet another 'thing' I am a twitter! After watching the Twitter in Plain English I thought of something I would like to follow, books. Lots of time I just want to know what someone is reading and nothing else. This is a way to do that one because of the shortness.

back-channeling
I like this concept! The only one I have particpated in is the one we did at our library meeting in April and I thought that was cool. We have all passed notes during conferences or lectures why not do them electronically.

Facebook and Twitter are social networking blogs that can be used by students in and out of the classroom. The idea of driving to meet face to face for group meeting can be thing of the past! These can be used for individual assignments, group and class projects, announcements the use is certainly unlimited.
Back-channeling for the student that is not sure of self, quieter, thinkier to participate by either asking or anwering questions.
I am trying to get into the SBISD twitter page but so far no luck.

THING #4 VIDEO HOSTING (YouTube)

2009-07-01T16:36:00.000-07:00

I am apprehensive about YouTube! I guess because all or most of my experience with YouTube has been problems. I usually can view them okay at home when they come in emails or I see one on the web. Of Course viewing at school is a problem because our District does not allow them, yet. I hate it when you can see a few seconds and then have to wait for buffing or whatever it is doing and see another few seconds. I love the concept and I think schools will catch up to using them.

Actually this was very easy and that is close to a miracle for me, YEA!!!

Thing #3 Like Skype

2009-06-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

I remember having penpals in elementary school and if you got one or two letters the whole school year that was awesome! This Skype thing is something else. First thing I thought of was 'ask the expert' on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire because that is how that are contacted and connected. I set up my account using my school email and several names came up. I guess that means they have Skype accounts, too? Actually my grandaughters name came up, she is out of town so I texted her, and I know we will do some serious visiting on Skype and that will be fun. For school there are all kinds of opportunities to use this. Librarians can visit about issues! I know the students will love this both individually and as a whole classroom.

Thing #2 Image Generators 2

2009-06-21T15:59:00.000-07:00

I chose The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost because that has always been my very favorite poem. How cool is it to play with the words like this!

WORDLE

This is cool and I look forward to using it next year starting with the 6th grade Language Arts classes. I wondering to start with if the teachers would like to Wordle. I am thinking of some fun ways to get them involved.

WORDSIFT

This was okay but I think I want to Wordle first!

GLOSTER

This thing is a mystery. I have created several but never can find them. This one may become a RTI (round to it)! Actually I can see students would have lots of fun using Gloster. I loved the ease of making the bulletin board and all the different ways to personalize them.

Okay after another full day learning about gloster I think I have it for this 11.5 Things!

now it is too big and I will get back to this one later!

Thing #1 Registration

2009-06-18T18:32:00.000-07:00

OKAY HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!
I watched the video and it was plain and easy to follow. He did a good job explaining the process of the project and the student freedom to research and add as much or as little information necessary creating a vitual texbook. The fact that students can share work on wikispace for future researchers is very cool. I was glad to see that the teacher will still plays a huge part in the students learning by modeling, giving guidance, getting help from experts, organizing mountains of information, etc.

Thing #23 THE END

2008-03-17T20:34:00.000-07:00

I know that this is the end of the project and I have the notebook to prove it! Yes, I did keep a paper trail mainly because of all the registering, usernames and passwords.
1. Favorite discoveries
A discovery about myself and probably not a favorite but I really wish I was younger, smarter, could see and hear and had my mind back. I seem to have to go over things a lot and the 18 hours credit would not even touch the time that I spent on this project and I know I still have things I want to do to my blog.
2. Program assisted of affected lifelong learning
I find myself identifing wikis, embeded videos and wondering how they do that on news casts, commericals, etc. This program or project has raised my awareness to the possibilities of what is out there to create using computer programs and even to what I can do! I thought of myself at about 30-35% computer savvy but now I would raise that to about 60%!
3. Unexpected outcomes
I like what I have completed. I want to learn how to do more projects being stress free or maybe not so apprehensive to try new things. I think working with students and say teaching how to use wikis will be one of the best ways for me to gain confidence.
4. Improve the program
Really this is great. I just needed a few more steps on the 'how to'! I looked at a program at the bottom of the 23 Thing page named 5 week and I think I will take a serious look at it later.
5. Another discovery program
Yes, I would participate. I like projects like this one. I already know that I will be doing several days at the library media center this summer working or having recess... I have lots of questions now that I would never had thought of before this Thing 23 program, project.
6. Learning experience in one word or one sentence
I have been happy, sad, excited, confused, mad, sleepy, weary...hummm all the dwarfs!!!
7. Go Play
Off to see the bloggers....

Thing #22 Nings

2008-03-12T17:27:00.000-07:00

NINGS is a cool social networking platform. I could have used this so much back in my college days instead of driving to study groups! When I was in West Texas and the only librarian in the district Nings would have been great to communicate with other librarians. Even here I can see how it would work for us to use this networking for a particular subject like Karen's 'how to emails'!
I did spend a lot of time looking at the suggested Nings. I liked visiting with school librarians even made a few comments and of course created another account.

Thing #21 Podcasts and Audio Books

2008-03-12T16:51:00.000-07:00

I have worked on a podcasts but cannot get it into this post....stay tuned! To date I have produced 3 podcasts but cannot get them into the blog post. I know how to do them and will spend time later learning this one.
I did spend time looking at a number of podcasts and have plans on using them in the future.
I had fun with my flip video and emailed some video of my gradkids but they cannot be very long at all or they will not email. I did download it to YouTube but still could not get it into my post. This will be an all day session with Vaughn this summer, sorry!!!

Thing #20 YouTube, TeacherTube and Zamzar

2008-03-12T15:59:00.000-07:00

This is a cool food fight from YouTube!

This is a cool video about a library.

This is a video about math, not my favorite subject.

I really had fun learning how to embed these videos. I was very apprehensive about it at first but just jumped in and it worked. The usefulness is self evident. I can see how you could use an individual video for a particular lesson or embed a video into a power point. The use is endless.

Again I had problem opening YouTube in the district but was able to open TeacherTube at school!

Thing #19 Web 2.0 Awards

2008-03-11T19:05:00.000-07:00

Under BUSINESS I found a great website, woofoo.com! I looked at this several different times and it seems to be like they claim easy, fast, fun, secure, etc. The form gallery is really cool. To design a custom made form all you do is click and drag info like name, address, text. There are wonderful templates to use for invitations, address book, exercise log, and many more. The district blocks it but take time to look at it at home.

This website, woofoo.com, is special because it is so user friendly when it comes to designing custom forms for class. Designing forms to keep up with books for interlibrary loan is the first thing I will use it for. Students are always asking for paper to write down information when using Meriwether and a form to fill in title and call number will help them locate material a lot faster.
I did look at GAMES and some were okay. I am really not a game person so they were easy to pass on!

Yes, so many wonderful 2.0 resources...so little time!!!

Thing #18 Online Tools

2008-03-11T18:47:00.000-07:00

I spend a lot time with openoffice.org and I liked it. The download took a long time but I will go back to it and play with it some more. I found it to be more complicated then using Microsoft.
Googled Docs was a little more user friendly maybe because not having to wait for the download.
I guess it is just good to know that there are other tools to use besdes microsoft.

Thing #12 Roll Your Own Search Tool

2008-03-10T19:31:00.000-07:00

I have developed my customized search, Rollyo, and used Granmommie for my password, just wanted to share that. I like that I could pick and choose the sites that I was interested in keeping up with top news stories, sports, health.
I did download Firefox onto my computer and want to spend more time learning all I can do with it.

Thing #17 Wiki Sandbox

2008-02-25T16:51:00.000-08:00

I played with this about four hours today and I did learn a lot. I know how to create wikis and I understand how to use them. I still need to learn how to add animated images into the wiki but that will have to be another day. The sandbox that created is cool it simply says 'finish Thing 23 now' and I am enjoying it on my desk top here at home.
I watched wet paint video and that is a great concept. I enjoy cats and that would be something fun to talk about with other cat lovers.

Thing #16 Wikis

2008-02-25T16:47:00.000-08:00

How do you spell collabration? WIKIS

This is an awesome way for a group to organize a party, shower or even a lesson. I really liked the video clip showing how easy wikis are to use for collabration. This might even take the place of meetings how about that! Thinking back to all the planning meetings that I have gone to for school, church or social events wow this could have saved so much time and lots of trees. One thing that I worked on at church before moving to Houston was our 100 year church history anniversary. We were always meeting to check off what had been taken care and a wiki could have been a lot quicker way to manage all of the planning.

I used Wikipedia with students and they like it. I am not sure that they really understand what all they can do with it but that will come.

I did look at most of the wiki blogs and saw lots of interesting things happening. The book lover wiki gave me some thought on developing a book club wiki with junior high students. I spent time looking at the library designed wikis and wow there is lots of information out there. I looked at atomic learning pb wiki workshop because I love atomic learning. I think it is one of the best tools that we have to offer in our school district.

Thing #14 Technorati

2008-02-25T16:40:00.000-08:00

Okay I have set the Technorati account and claimed my blog!
I watched the Technorati video and I get it. This is like the old conference calls people use to make, connecting people to people. I like what was said about regular people having conversations about what is interesting to them and not what CNN says is interesting to hear about.
I like searching using tags because that narrows down the information to what you are interested in checking out.

Thing #13 Del.icio.us

2008-02-24T19:45:00.001-08:00

I was so excited to see my del.icio.us button on my computer. Wow this is a great way to organize receipes and keep up with them.
My husband and I have colleced cookbooks for years and I will am so excited for him to use this instead of printing out receipes and having them all over this place.

Thing #15 Library 2.0

2008-02-21T13:15:00.000-08:00

I read 3 Library 2.0 articles and wow could not help but think back to my first years as a librarian and the job that we were trained to do. The days of the patron signing their name to check out a book, teaching how to use periodicals for research, checking out filmstrips and dukanes to teachers are just a memory. I remember doing inventory using my selflist drawers.
I think I like the computer age better. Students being able to check out books using computers and sometimes scanning their own has made the student more independent. Also, they love computers and getting to do research has been wonderful for them. I know that there are bad things out there for students to get into but with supervision we can guide them away from them.
I read the article 'On the way to the library experience of the future'. It did a great job of describing what our libraries will look like in the future.

Thing # 11 Library Thing

2008-02-19T13:28:00.000-08:00

My Shelfari!
I like this one and see how it will work keeping up with all of my books. I love books and buy a lot of them for my own personal use. Sometimes I buy them, read them and then lose them in my bookcases. I have always intended to organize them and now maybe library thing will be just the way for me to do just that. Also, I like to share my books and maybe bloggers can see what I have and just ask!

Okay the video is hummmm good. I just need to get a pink hard hat and a cup of coffee and I will be right back..........

Thing #10 Play around with image generator

2008-02-18T19:39:00.000-08:00

I found this butterfly from Free Clip art. This is a great way to make lessons much more attactive. I have always like to use clip art on worksheets, information bulletins, etc. I played with the suggested online generators Comic Strip, Custom Sign, Image Chef, Happy Face and Trading Card Maker.

My favorite was Custom Sign Generator and I have it on my desk top at home cause I could not get the thing into my post. I am still working on that and will have to get bact to you...

Thing #9 Library-related blogs

2008-02-18T19:36:00.000-08:00

I did read many different blogs. I seem to get interested in what the blogger has to say and get involved with there thoughts I forget what I am looking for to begin with. I really would like to meet some of these people but know that will never happen so will just be content to communiate via blogs.
I especially liked what Cool Cat Teacher had to say about herself.
I could not open a few of the sites for some reason. Google Blog Search was very easy to read and navigate around. I looked at the rest of them and then they all begin to look alike. Atomic Learning has great videos on RSS.

Thing #8 RSS Feeds and Readers

2008-02-18T19:35:00.000-08:00

Okay I have set up my account, now here I go!!!
I have gone back and looked at this plus added 5 different feeds on my google account. I want to add it to my post but have not been able to do so yet.
I like the concept behind RSS.
Many times students have to write papers and have problems deciding on topics, especially the older student. Sport issues are always popular topics that they like to choose from. Subscribing to sports will give plenty of information to deal with plus being able to check off the articles read or favored.
RSS is a great tool to use to organized favorite reads about people or topics.

Thing #7 Google Tools

2008-02-14T08:12:00.000-08:00

I love Google Calendar! I always have lots of calendars around me and it looks like there will be more.
OMG (oh my gosh) the google notebook is the answer to making research fun! I have always enjoyed finding information but could not always remember where I got it or where I saw it since the internet has taken over my life. Now, this notebook will help me organize all this information. I think students will enjoy using this for their projects because they do not usually like to do research but enjoy the computer and by using google notebook they will love it.

Thing #6 Mashups and 3rd party sites

2008-02-02T19:04:00.000-08:00

I love the beautiful bright colors from Flickr. I see them being used to teach texture. I have spend time using magazine pictures to teach texture and boy this is a lot easier, faster and fun.
I can see how mashups could really work helping students understand more about geography and understanding facts about a particular region or state. An example would be putting the symbols on the states, adding economic facts, weather info, etc.
I have spend some time with mosaic maker, calendar maker and trading cards. I like the calendar the most and want to do something with that one in the future.

Thing #5 Explore Flickr

2008-01-22T19:54:00.000-08:00

I have looked at Flickr and do not have a full understanding of how it works but will! I can see how wonderful it will be to organize and catalog my pictures, my memories!

Tags: help to locate individual pictures
Groups: sharing photos with members with same interests like family, work, friends, etc.
Libraries: sharing images of the new look of library 2.0

Wow I can see lots of projects that me and Flickr will do this summer!

Thing #4 Blog, Blog, Blog

2008-01-22T19:50:00.000-08:00

Okay I have registered my blog and I am ready to play. I have spend some time looking at other blogs. My confindence is not there yet but my eagerness is going full speed ahead.

Thing #3 Avatar

2008-01-17T18:34:00.000-08:00

I did it! Creating the avatar was so much fun and exciting. I only had to make one or two phone calls for encouragement!!!
I liked getting to choose the clothes and the background. I did feel quite the satisfaction seeing her on my blog.

Thing #2 LIFE LONG LEANERS

2008-01-17T06:53:00.000-08:00

Bad Habits oh no me!!! Yea, I do! I love unscheduled time and then actually getting something productive done to show for the time.
I am a goal setter. I love to obtain goals. I do take responsibilty for my learning and have always been willing to put the time needed to complete these goals.
Now number #6 is the one habit that intimidates me, using technology! I am willing to play the game 'Thing23' and hopefully overcome #6....

Thing #1 Blogging

2007-12-13T12:42:00.000-08:00

I am excited about the 23 Things to do for Professional Development. I love to make lists and check things off so the 23 Things will be a welcome challenge to work through to completion.
Librarians need to be aware if not masters of new technology. Although I am intimidated by lots of what is out there I am ready to jump in...