Thing 23: Final Reflection
This class took far more time than I expected, but it was well worth it. I have learned many things and do not feel as “out of the loop” as I used to. The amount of information is overwhelming and I am only now able to sit and truly plan which piece(s) of this course I want to spend my time utilizing. I know that creating a wiki is in my immediate future. I have been using my Google Reader, delicious, and podcasts on a regular basis. With the changing pace of technology, I have no doubt that I could take this course again next summer and learn 23 more “things.”
1 comment August 23, 2009
pinkesmerelda
Thing 22: Social Networking
Social networking is here, for better or for worse. As an educator, I truly enjoyed exploring Classroom 2.0, which led me to Library 2.0. This will be an invaluable tool for me as I “listen in” on discussions and learn from colleagues around the world. I have not had an opportunity to read the report on this topic by the National School Board Association, but it is on my “must do” list. This topic interests me, not just as an educator, but as a mother. I have a middle school boy who is desperate for a Facebook account and I have held off for now. Maybe it is selfish, but it is one more thing I need to monitor and I am a bit overwhelmed. My husband has a Facebook page and my son sees him modeling responsible use of the tool. I know it is coming for my children, so I guess I just have more work cut out for me!
Add comment August 16, 2009
pinkesmerelda
Thing 21: Pageflakes
I enjoyed exploring Pageflakes and love the fact that it is interactive. I currently have an igoogle page, which is basically the same thing without the interactivity. As a school librarian, I can see using Pageflakes to share information about new books, links to great websites using delicious, pathfinders for projects that students have been assigned and podcasts relating to particular subjects. I have not begun a Pageflake yet but I will probably do so in the future, after I have set up my wiki, continue to build my Library Thing, add more bookmarks to my delicious account that I find through my Google Reader, and complete this course.
Add comment August 16, 2009
pinkesmerelda
Thing 20: Google Docs
As you can see from the post below, embedding the YouTube video was not exactly successful. I followed the directions exactly, and choose the smallest size available, but it was still too big for my particular blog theme.
Googledocs, however, was a success. I created a document and shared it with a first grade teacher and our LS technology teacher regarding lessons that we will be doing together. It is a great way to collaborate with my colleagues. I also run a Fifth Grade book club for my . I will be able to use Googledocs to find out who is coming and what they are bringing regarding the snack. This way we don’t end up with too much food, nor do we have 15 plates of brownies and no drinks. Finally, Googledocs can be used as it was for this assignment: to keep students on track when I give them a project.
Add comment August 15, 2009
pinkesmerelda
Thing 18: Podcasting
This was a difficult experience for me. I really enjoyed searching for podcasts and I now have an exclusive ipod just for those that I download regularly and listen to them on my 40 minute drive to work. Authors on Tour is fantastic! My problems began when I tried to record my own podcast. I planned to share a poem that I keep on my desk for those days when the job becomes overwhelming. I used the program that comes loaded on PC’s. Recording went smoothly, the sound quality was good, but it wouldn’t let me speak for longer than 60 seconds and I couldn’t figure out how to increase the time.
I proceeded to Vocaroo. I had no problems recording, but the sound quality was not as good. I right-clicked to download the recording onto my desktop and it downloaded as a “php” file. I don’t know what that is, but Zamzar didn’t like it. I spent over an hour fooling with it and simply ran out of time. I’m not sure what I did wrong.
Add comment August 12, 2009
pinkesmerelda
Thing 17: Podcast Exploration
I was vaguely familiar with podcasts before this particular assignment; however, this part of the course gave me the resources I needed to find some great stuff. I listened to several podcasts and discovered that I tended to choose what I wanted to listen to in the same way I listen to music. Even if the lyrics are great, if the “tune” doesn’t grab me or the singer’s voice annoys me, I will move on. Some podcasts must have been recorded in a publice place because the background noise was overwhelming. Other podcasts were recorded by someone who had a voice that was, to me, like nails on a chalkboard. I regularly listen to “Grammar Grater” and this assignment led me to discover “Authors on Tour.” The first podcast has interesting tips on confusing words in the English language and the second allows you to “visit” with an author without the travel. For a book lover, it’s fabulous!
Add comment August 2, 2009
pinkesmerelda
Thing 16: Library Thing
As a school library media specialist, Library Thing will be very helpful to me. I will definitely use it to keep track of what I have read and what I thought about the books. I currently keep a reading log for this purpose, but LT will make it much easier to keep track of because of the tagging feature. This will come in handy when I am asked to book talk to an entire grade level. This request is often made with one day’s notice and I am supposed to talk about a book I read years ago. I am still in the process of exploring its many uses and I am sure that I will be able to incorporate it into my job as I continue to play.
1 comment July 31, 2009
pinkesmerelda
Tags: book_talks, library_thing
Thing 15: Delicious
I have enjoyed exploring and creating my delicious account. I am teaching a class at Lakeview Academy’s Summer Laptop Institute at the end of this month about great websites for Lower School teachers. Delicious has helped me organize all of the sites that I use and those that I recommend to my colleagues. My account is still a work in progress since I am adding to it between summer activities!
Add comment July 14, 2009
pinkesmerelda
Thing 7b: More Web2.0 Tools
I admit, I have become addicted to to my Reader. I have found so many interesting things, including more websites to check out, more blogs to read, and more web2.0 tools to explore. For more tools to explore, including an on-line grade book and classroom management tool, check out “20 Communication and and Networking Tools for Teachers” which appeared in “Successful Teaching.”
Add comment July 8, 2009
pinkesmerelda
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