Librarian Letty's pursuit of media skills

Thing#23-Summary

2009-12-01T15:33:00.000-08:00

1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
My two favorites were photostory and exploring the web 2.0 awards list. I can't wait to start using photostory and mango languages in the library with my students.

2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
This program has changed the way I see learning. I can honestly say that I sort of tend to procrastinate when working on projects. With this program, I learned that the more time I took with each thing, the more I got out of each exercise. Also, I am starting to realize that I really don't' know that much about technology. I've just become more eager and curious about the possibilities that are out there. Web 3.0 anyone?

3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? Is this a trick question? Many of the take-a-aways from this program were unexpected.

4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept? I would do nothing. I really enjoyed "discovering" a lot of it on my own.

5. If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate? Absolutely!

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?
How about a song? "Elevate my mind!"

7.Now go and comment on some of the other Players' blogs? I have and will continue to comment!

Thing#22-Nings

2009-12-01T15:00:00.000-08:00

I joined the Teacher Librarian Ning. I really liked the Forum feature where I could read other librarians opinions on different topics dealing with library issues. I also got ideas to use in my library by reading the blogs of different librarians.

Nings are a great way to work with students in the technology world, which they are already familiar with. Nings could be used to engage students in discussions for class projects.

http://teacherlibrarian.ning.com/

Thing#21-Podcasts and Videocasts

2009-12-01T14:56:00.000-08:00

This thing is very exciting. However, I am having some technical difficulties. I'll be back a few things later...

Okay! I'm back! How exciting is this tool! The possibilities for using this tool in the library are endless. I can see the students really going to town with this. I bet book reporting and book talking will be a lot more popular at our school.

This photostory I created includes a few pictures from our Hawaii trip in 07!

Thing#20-Utube, TeacherTube, and Zamzar

2009-11-30T16:49:00.000-08:00

Having videos available for educational purposes is priceless. I already use various other video resources. I like using videos because they really get difficult concepts across to the students, especially the younger students. It is definitely a valuable teaching tool. The following video I embedded is a good idea. I hope to create a similar video for my patrons.

Thing #19-Web 2.0 awards list

2009-11-30T14:31:00.000-08:00

This has been hands down, my favorite of all the things. I must have visited at least 10 of the award willing tools. I would like to talk about a couple. The first tool I really liked was mango languages. This tool is really neat because it teaches you foreign language using the conversational approach vs. the more structured grammatical approach. As you learn each phrase, you are given a literal translation. This is helpful, so that you are able to form other phrases and sentences as you acquire new vocabulary. I also like how it continues to build on what you learned in previous lessons. The tool is interactive and I found the pronunciation native and precise. I think I will try this tool out with our dual language students.

The other tool I really liked was Lulu. This tool allows you to to publish your work. They offer choices such as books, photo books and calendars. I plan on using this tool for making photo books as Christmas presents. I would highly recommend this tool to any writing teacher. In addition, I hope to take on a project with Lulu to get some of my students published.

Thing #18-Online Productivity Tools

2009-11-29T21:02:00.000-08:00

I'm really impressed with the Openoffice project. It's exciting to think that a comparable office software suite similar to word exists. I listened to various online tutorials and found it to be very similar to microsoft word. One thing I like is that you don't have to open different windows for other applications. So, you can find the word processor, the spreadsheet and the presentation software all in the same place. I found the following utube tutorial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a3Ku4MCHHg

I also took a look at google Docs and it is now one of my favorite web 2.0 tools. My group and I have been collaborating via google Docs and it has made things easier for us to keep up with the same document without having various versions of the same document. Also, I like that we don't have to meet in person as much because we can also comment about the project as the presentation progresses.

Thing #17-Rollyo

2009-11-29T19:04:00.000-08:00

Rollyo is something I will definitely use. I really want to share this resource with my teachers. I am still finding that many of our students are being referred to google. Rollyo could definitely help decrease the use of google. Once teachers learn how easy it is to create a searchroll, they will probably jump on the bandwagon and start to discourage google. I created a searchroll for world news. I did so because I find that our kids are not exposed to world events as much as the local news. To be honest, I wasn't exposed to world news until college. I hope this searchroll will given them a broader perspective on things. Rollyo was working awfully slow today, but hopefully I can add my link later.

Thing #16-Wikis

2009-11-29T17:30:00.001-08:00

Since I am a huge fan of language, I found the origin of the word very interesting! It's fascinating to learn that "wiki" originates from the Hawaiian language. Well, I have to start by saying that I feel so "left behind," I mean so many librarians have already started wikis, or are involved with a wiki. I am glad I have a better understanding, but I am a bit overwhelmed with the number of wikies out there. I can say that I found myself liking Joyce Valenza's wiki very well. I hope to join that wiki.

Will I use wikis as a librarian? Yes, I probably will. How? I plan to start using it with the upper grades. I hope to discuss a social studies concept on our wikis. I find that students tend to get really bored with social studies because it can be too abstract sometimes for them.

Thing #15-Web 2.0, library 2.0, and the future of libraries

2009-11-29T15:30:00.000-08:00

Library 2.0 is about responding to the way things are today. It is about taking the technology we have coming at us and using it to the best of our abilities. Students today process and use information differently from the more conventional paper and pencil way. So, libraries should be prepared to serve their patrons in a way that is best for the patron. library 2.0 is also about making library services available to the patron everywhere and not just physically in the library. Here's the catch, we must do all this while still incorporating our special librarian expertise because if not, we could find software/computer engineers trying to do our job. Yikes!

Thing #14-Technorati and how tags work

2009-11-29T12:26:00.000-08:00

I have one question for everybody? Am I the only one being sucked into these blogs and articles. I simply clicked on some of the "tags" that I thought sounded interested an the next thing you know, I was reading article after article about that given topic. Wow! Well, what can I say, the tags are like a Type A personality's dream come true. I may not be Type A, but I am still darn excited about getting organized lists/tags. I did notice a difference in search results depending on where I ran my search.

Thing #13-Learn about tagging and discover Delicious

2009-11-29T09:23:00.000-08:00

This thing has proven very useful for me. I created my own delicious account and have enjoyed having all my bookmarks "everywhere" instead of on one computer only. In the past, I've had to compare folders and update them as I continue to find new websites. In addition, I like taking advantage of everyone else's tags. I can see myself using this in education to help me organize the various websites and resources I find for the library and the classroom.

Thing#12-Creating Community Through Commenting

2009-11-12T17:35:00.000-08:00

The first point that has stuck with me during this thing is the fact that when you do comment, it should be about something you you are passionate about and that you genuinely care about. I think readers will be able to sense whether or not your tone is natural or forced. So, although commenting is important, it is more important to care about what you are saying. I totally agree with this...the best public speaking advice anyone ever gave me was to focus and care about what I was saying instead of worrying about what people think. I think this somewhat transfers into virtual "speaking."

I also like the point made about inviting comments. I know I am a lot more likely to comment when someone has made a direct invitation, or has posed a question. These types of posts just lend themselves for more interaction.

Thing #11-Library Thing

2009-11-10T16:55:00.001-08:00

Wow! I really like Library Thing. I think Library thing could be very useful for various book clubs. For example, I know my book club sometimes isn't sure what we should read next. Well, with the various suggestiong provided by Library Thing, we could easily come up with a title. I also think that highly motivated students could keep track of what they have read and what they think about the various books. Again, it would be a good place for readers to get other suggestions for reading. In addition, reluctant readers sometimes get "hooked" onto reading because of one particular title, and it just excites me to think that they could independently find other titles similar to that one book.

Thing #10-On-line Image Generators

2009-10-24T17:11:00.001-07:00

I was a bit frustrated with this thing. Some of the generators often directed me to other generators. Most of my photos were too big for upload when using the comic strip generator. I was so excited about using it too. I did manage to complete an Elvis cartoon comic strip. I turned out to be a much bigger fan of bighugelabs.com. It was very user friendly and I loved the puzzles! Check out my little Boston Terrier's puzzles. His name is Memphis and soon he will be a dog model!

Thing #9-Useful Library

2009-10-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

I have spent the last two hours exploring all the different blog search options out there. I'm glad there is a place for searching such blogs. Being that there are so many out there, I am also glad to learn that you can search specific subject blogs. I liked topix, it was neat being able to search so much news information in one spot. I also liked how you were able to change the location. I went to New York City just out of curiousity. Google blog search was simple and convenient, since I already visit google often. I did find us on there! At first edublogs was confusing because of the voting. However, I quickly scrolled down and found a few library blogs. I joined "Hey Jude" The name caught my eye because it's one of my favorite songs. Anyhow, the British author author says some interesting stuff and is very much into travel like myself. Plus, it's a totally different place and perspective.

Thing #8-RSS Feeds and Readers

2009-10-24T14:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Librarian Letty,
I can't belive you have not been using the RSS reader. Wow, didn't you know that you can have various websites including blogs and news sites all in one place. The days of opening various windows at once is a thing of archaic times.

You know, you could share a wealth of information with your colleagues and other librarians using the RSS reader. Maybe you should get your other teachers and principal on board.

Start RSS reading...now!

Thing#7-Super Cool Google Tools

2009-10-11T11:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I knew about some of these tools, but had never really played with them as much as I have in the past few days. First of all, how cool is google earth! I just love it! I already traveled back to every state I have ever lived in. Also, I can view my actual building...kind of weird. I set up an alert for news information on Juarez, Mexico. Below I have added a link to my calendar. So the possiblities for these two tools used in education are endless. For example, everyone on a team could set up the same alert and then discuss it via blog/email. The calendar is a good opportunity for educators to not only get organized, but to keep everyone posted on all the events and trainings coming up in the near future. Also, the calendar could help prevent double booking. Everyone can be on the same page. Good Stuff!

http://www.google.com/calendar/render

Thing#6-Mashups

2009-10-10T13:24:00.000-07:00

This assignment was a lot of fun and interesting to see the different mashups out there. The one that I really played with was the trading card maker. I think that we could use this in the classroom/library for various writing assingments. Also, there are endless possibilities for book related ideas such as book summaries. They can also be used for social studies and science as concept reviews.

Thing#5-Flickr

2009-09-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

I had heard of flickr, but never actually used it myself. I knew it was a photo sharing website. The amount of photos actually found on this website really surprised me! The two photos I borrowed are good examples of erosion. I think our students would get a lot more from various real photographs versus some random sketch of erosion or one simple photo found in a textbook. I also like that the sign gives an alternate definition to erosion. This is real life application in learning! Fun!

Thing #3-The Avatar Experience

2009-09-22T19:49:00.000-07:00

I had fun with this assignment. At first I wasn't sure how to personalize my avatar, but after playing with the features a bit, I felt like a true pro. I wasn't sure though whether I should have the summer, fall or winter version of myself. Also, I almost did my lounging at home with a book look, but then opted for the more professional look. I do look pretty professional, don't I?

Thing #2-The 7 1/2 habits

2009-09-22T19:47:00.000-07:00

I think the habit that is easiest for me is to teach/mentor. My mother has always said that teachers are naturally born and I think that this is true to a certain extent. Teaching has always come naturally to me and I can genuinely say that I truly enjoy doing it. The most difficult habit is probably viewing problems as challenges. With age and maturity, this habit has improved for me, but I must admit that at times, I can get tunnel vision from the frustrations of certain obstacles placed before me.