Saturday, March 7, 2009
Monday, March 10, 2008
Week Nine Thing #23
Final Thoughts
The concept of Creative Commons was new to me---like almost everything else the past two months. For time stressed professionals, however, the idea is welcome. Knowing that one can stand upon the shoulders of others-- legally-- and with blessings-- is most helpful.
I visited the original blog Learning 2.0 created by Helene Blowers. Although I liked the structure/ graphics of the School Library Learning blog better---it seemed less busy---, I enjoyed the addition of the podcasts to introduce each week's discovery on Learning 2.0.
I will not begin to appreciate-- or even know-- what I have learned in the past few weeks until I have a chance to decompress
What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
I have not updated my skills and knowledge in a few years. The opportunity to explore in a structured environment was most welcome. Two months ago I didn't know what I didn't know.
What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
I would love to participate in another investigative journey in a more formal setting perhaps using an online course structure to offer the opportunity for chat or more exchange between participants.
If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate?
YES!
How would you describe your learning experience in ONE WORD or in ONE SENTENCE, so we could use your words to promote CSLA learning activities
Invigorating! Challenging! Overwhelming! Fun! Worthwhile!
The concept of Creative Commons was new to me---like almost everything else the past two months. For time stressed professionals, however, the idea is welcome. Knowing that one can stand upon the shoulders of others-- legally-- and with blessings-- is most helpful.
I visited the original blog Learning 2.0 created by Helene Blowers. Although I liked the structure/ graphics of the School Library Learning blog better---it seemed less busy---, I enjoyed the addition of the podcasts to introduce each week's discovery on Learning 2.0.
I will not begin to appreciate-- or even know-- what I have learned in the past few weeks until I have a chance to decompress
What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
I have not updated my skills and knowledge in a few years. The opportunity to explore in a structured environment was most welcome. Two months ago I didn't know what I didn't know.
What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
I would love to participate in another investigative journey in a more formal setting perhaps using an online course structure to offer the opportunity for chat or more exchange between participants.
If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate?
YES!
How would you describe your learning experience in ONE WORD or in ONE SENTENCE, so we could use your words to promote CSLA learning activities
Invigorating! Challenging! Overwhelming! Fun! Worthwhile!
Week Nine Thing #22
eBooks
I visited World eBook fair and had mixed reactions. I can't see how any of the titles would be of value to our middle school library, but perhaps I did not search extensively enough.
I enjoyed the LibriVox site. Again application for our middle school would be limited to some of the classics or poetry that are read in class. I listened to several selections and found that the quality of the readings varied.
I visited The Best Places to Get Free Books--- another sites with an overwhelming amount of information! I did find a few sites to explore further this summer:
Bookcrossing or " the practice of leaving a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do likewise. "
Adobe Acrobat ebook Reader 2.2....your computer will read your ebook to you....
We have used the ebooks that are available to use through our Western Massachsuetts library consortium C/WMARS. Our use has been limited to non-fiction titles to supplement our collection for special projects. We do encourage our kids to use their public library cards for downloadable fiction books. Our C/WMARS digital collection has many of the new titles and series that our age group is reading. These can be downloaded to computers or many hand held devices. Unfortuantely, they are in a format that is not compatible with iPODs.
I visited World eBook fair and had mixed reactions. I can't see how any of the titles would be of value to our middle school library, but perhaps I did not search extensively enough.
I enjoyed the LibriVox site. Again application for our middle school would be limited to some of the classics or poetry that are read in class. I listened to several selections and found that the quality of the readings varied.
I visited The Best Places to Get Free Books--- another sites with an overwhelming amount of information! I did find a few sites to explore further this summer:
Bookcrossing or " the practice of leaving a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do likewise. "
Adobe Acrobat ebook Reader 2.2....your computer will read your ebook to you....
We have used the ebooks that are available to use through our Western Massachsuetts library consortium C/WMARS. Our use has been limited to non-fiction titles to supplement our collection for special projects. We do encourage our kids to use their public library cards for downloadable fiction books. Our C/WMARS digital collection has many of the new titles and series that our age group is reading. These can be downloaded to computers or many hand held devices. Unfortuantely, they are in a format that is not compatible with iPODs.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Week Nine Thing # 21
Podcasting
Understanding the basics was a challenge. My brain is trying to wrap itself around so many new terms. I am using a new language and just "talking the talk" without really knowing what I am doing. I'm beginning to feel a new sympathy with my students when they have a hugh learning task thrown at them. I'm dismayed at the dates on many of the articles that I've read. "Its not too late for podcasting"... dated 2006! I'm trailing far behind.
I had a lot of problems with the podcasting directories such as Educational Podcast Directory. Many of the files that I wanted to listen to were unavailable.
I need to sit down with our building tech to see what is possible. I consider it a good day when my computer don't freeze using WORD.
We do a sixth grade project "Be a Local Hero" that encourages families to eat locally grown food. We usually resort to brochures or posters, but podcasts would certainly add to our campaign.
Understanding the basics was a challenge. My brain is trying to wrap itself around so many new terms. I am using a new language and just "talking the talk" without really knowing what I am doing. I'm beginning to feel a new sympathy with my students when they have a hugh learning task thrown at them. I'm dismayed at the dates on many of the articles that I've read. "Its not too late for podcasting"... dated 2006! I'm trailing far behind.
I had a lot of problems with the podcasting directories such as Educational Podcast Directory. Many of the files that I wanted to listen to were unavailable.
I need to sit down with our building tech to see what is possible. I consider it a good day when my computer don't freeze using WORD.
We do a sixth grade project "Be a Local Hero" that encourages families to eat locally grown food. We usually resort to brochures or posters, but podcasts would certainly add to our campaign.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Week Nine Thing #20
Believe it or not this is the first time that I have visited YouTube. We cannot access it at school and up until a month or so ago I did not have the bandwidth at home. Needless to say I have been having a great time watching.
I looked through several of the educational and library related pieces. Another thing to ponder this summer. I would love to see us rework our seventh grade biography projects into a "You are There" or "Person to Person" format. Is anyone old enough to remember actually watching those shows in the 50's?
Hopefully you will be able to find a piece called "Medieval Help Desk" also known as "The Book." I think I could substitute some of my eighth graders for the perplexed monk. Hopefully this URL will work. Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQHX-SjgQvQ
Step Two:
I was able to embed--but again-- only where the Page Element place markers exist. I tried a page element marker on the right column of the blog, but this resulted in only half of the show appearing. My only other option was to embed at the bottom of the page. This results in a huge clip. I'm not happy.
Step Three:
I actually remembered a little HTML and played around with the height and width. It now fits in the sidebar where I want it.
Step Four: Of course, now you cannot read the English subtitles because the text is too small.
To be continued......
I looked through several of the educational and library related pieces. Another thing to ponder this summer. I would love to see us rework our seventh grade biography projects into a "You are There" or "Person to Person" format. Is anyone old enough to remember actually watching those shows in the 50's?
Hopefully you will be able to find a piece called "Medieval Help Desk" also known as "The Book." I think I could substitute some of my eighth graders for the perplexed monk. Hopefully this URL will work. Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQHX-SjgQvQ
Step Two:
I was able to embed--but again-- only where the Page Element place markers exist. I tried a page element marker on the right column of the blog, but this resulted in only half of the show appearing. My only other option was to embed at the bottom of the page. This results in a huge clip. I'm not happy.
Step Three:
I actually remembered a little HTML and played around with the height and width. It now fits in the sidebar where I want it.
Step Four: Of course, now you cannot read the English subtitles because the text is too small.
To be continued......
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Week Eight Thing #19
I've posted a sample library from Library Thing at the bottom of my blog. I haven't decided if this is the format I would use.
Again I'm stymied by my lack of understanding with regard to page format in this blog. I haven't successfully been able to insert HTML elements where I want them to go.
I've been to Library Thing several times for a brief visit. I plan to visit this site in more detail later. Aren't I saying that about a lot of sites lately???
Again I'm stymied by my lack of understanding with regard to page format in this blog. I haven't successfully been able to insert HTML elements where I want them to go.
I've been to Library Thing several times for a brief visit. I plan to visit this site in more detail later. Aren't I saying that about a lot of sites lately???
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Week Eight Thing #18
I had a very mixed experience on two separate computers both home and at school. The site behaved erratically..
I also had to enter my Bogger username and password multiple times before it allowed me to post to my blog. I created the post below in the word processing portion of Zoho and used the publishing option to post. That in itself posed a problem because the "publish" tab appeared and disappeared sporadically. In all a humbling experience.. I seem to be having many of those lately!
Trial post from Zoho writer
Another possibility to explore....
We do have some issues in the LMC with different versions of software-- particularly Microsoft Works vs Word. We do have a translator piece that we can load to some of our computers, but others are so old and sad that we cannot do this everywhere. Perhaps this online document sharing would be the answer. I've noticed with some of the online sharing sites that even our newest computers seem to freeze easily when using them. A function of our end?
My main concern is again all the registrations, usernames, and passwords to keep organized.
Free is good. Once the logistics are smooth, I think this and others like it.... (I seem to remember something similar a few weeks back... but my overloaded brain can't seem to recall just what).. would offer solutions for collaborative projects both with students and staff.
I then tried a presentation with Zoho. I thought I would make a simple scrapbook of my four legged buddies. I was able to use some pictures, but not others because of size restrictions. Only part of the slide show appeared when I published it to the blog. It seemed to be too large in width and only part of each slide was visible.That brings up a problem I have had with my blog since I began. I've tried to copy and paste HTML code from outside sources within a post, but cannot. The only place that my format will allow is at the "add a page element button." When I try to move the "add a page element " place holders to different spots I cannot. Any ideas anyone?
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