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!
Monday, March 10, 2008
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?
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Week Seven Thing #16
Wikis
This is probably what I’ve been looking for in oreder to set up our collaborative book review space. I gathered from the samples that I viewed that Wikispaces, Pbwiki and Mediawiki------ are some of the places to create a wiki. Has anyone used these sites or any others?
Again the questions of editorial control in a school setting…
Do these programs allow the creator to choose who can edit? If so, does the creator see the posts before they are published? A wikispace would be great for group work as well. I like the idea of collaborative note taking. We do a controversial issues project in eighth grade. We often have kids work together to find information and then write their essays separately. This would certainly streamline the process.
This is probably what I’ve been looking for in oreder to set up our collaborative book review space. I gathered from the samples that I viewed that Wikispaces, Pbwiki and Mediawiki------ are some of the places to create a wiki. Has anyone used these sites or any others?
Again the questions of editorial control in a school setting…
Do these programs allow the creator to choose who can edit? If so, does the creator see the posts before they are published? A wikispace would be great for group work as well. I like the idea of collaborative note taking. We do a controversial issues project in eighth grade. We often have kids work together to find information and then write their essays separately. This would certainly streamline the process.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Week Six Thing #15
Library 2.0
A few comments:
Storey: “The Web becomes the center of a new digital lifestyle..”
Horizon Report: “The way we work, collaborate, and communicate is evolving..”
I couldn’t agree more. But what about the digital divide?
I work in what I consider a solid middle class Massachusetts town. Our technology capability, however, decreases and degrades each year. Our school libraries have always been strong advocates of change. But resources from our local budget, state funding, and eligible grants do not come close to supporting what that change demands. In addition, about 20% of our students have no or limited access to technology at home. Where do we fit in this world of the future? Anderson said of the print era: “It worked moderately well for those privileged with access to a good library.” Does not the same apply now?
A few comments:
Storey: “The Web becomes the center of a new digital lifestyle..”
Horizon Report: “The way we work, collaborate, and communicate is evolving..”
I couldn’t agree more. But what about the digital divide?
I work in what I consider a solid middle class Massachusetts town. Our technology capability, however, decreases and degrades each year. Our school libraries have always been strong advocates of change. But resources from our local budget, state funding, and eligible grants do not come close to supporting what that change demands. In addition, about 20% of our students have no or limited access to technology at home. Where do we fit in this world of the future? Anderson said of the print era: “It worked moderately well for those privileged with access to a good library.” Does not the same apply now?
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Week Six Thing #14
Well at least I have some idea of what Technorati is......
I think it is just a matter of information overload at this point in our to-do list. This site was the straw that broke the camel's back. I did manage to do a blog post and tag search-- but why?
The result list was confusing and gave little information about what the post was. Who are these people? Why do I want to know what they are saying? I searched for YA literature and had posts from the editor of Horn Book as well as several middle schools and moms. OK.
I tried to determine how the rating system worked, but was unable to see what exactly a "26" or a "144" means. What does rank mean? Out of what number?
RE: Advantages v Disadvantages of tags. Great insight into the thought processes of others v anarchy; power in variety of perspectives v stagnation in tradition; multiple ways to the same end v multiple ways to nowhere
I'm really not a Luddite-- I'm just very overwhelmed.
I think it is just a matter of information overload at this point in our to-do list. This site was the straw that broke the camel's back. I did manage to do a blog post and tag search-- but why?
The result list was confusing and gave little information about what the post was. Who are these people? Why do I want to know what they are saying? I searched for YA literature and had posts from the editor of Horn Book as well as several middle schools and moms. OK.
I tried to determine how the rating system worked, but was unable to see what exactly a "26" or a "144" means. What does rank mean? Out of what number?
RE: Advantages v Disadvantages of tags. Great insight into the thought processes of others v anarchy; power in variety of perspectives v stagnation in tradition; multiple ways to the same end v multiple ways to nowhere
I'm really not a Luddite-- I'm just very overwhelmed.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Week Six: Thing #13
Another site that I tried a while back and completely forgot about--- much to my chagrin. A few months ago my computer crashed and with it all my bookmarks. I had used del.icio.us to bookmark a few sites but not many.
So -- with my new computer I am starting fresh. It actually is quite liberating. I had begun to treat bookmarking in much the same way that my eighth graders treat underlining or highlighting to take notes --- they exercise no discrimination whatsoever-- everything is important. I promise to become much more selective in my bookmarking in the future....
I hope that I have sucessfully added my membership in del.icio.us to my blog. I haven't quite figured out what that will do or me. Next step is to add a roll?
I have yet to explore the social aspect of tagging and social book marking. I am so far behind that I didn't realize that the size of tags in a cloud was an indication of frequency. Fascinating peek into how people think.
So -- with my new computer I am starting fresh. It actually is quite liberating. I had begun to treat bookmarking in much the same way that my eighth graders treat underlining or highlighting to take notes --- they exercise no discrimination whatsoever-- everything is important. I promise to become much more selective in my bookmarking in the future....
I hope that I have sucessfully added my membership in del.icio.us to my blog. I haven't quite figured out what that will do or me. Next step is to add a roll?
I have yet to explore the social aspect of tagging and social book marking. I am so far behind that I didn't realize that the size of tags in a cloud was an indication of frequency. Fascinating peek into how people think.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Week Five Thing #12
My attempt at Rollyo
What's New?
Another site that has me perplexed and flustered! Several tries to get a list created... Several tries to figure out how to post? Did I?
Love the idea of an accessible list of sites with one stop searching-- however-- do not like the almost seamless-- interwoven-- commercial sites listed among the "chosen ones." I know my middle school kids will have a hard time keeping them straight.
I noticed on my pop list of chosen sites that there is "entire web" listed at the bottom. I did not put that there and could not find a way to remove it. Does it automatically appear? and if so-- what is the point of choosing?
What's New?
Another site that has me perplexed and flustered! Several tries to get a list created... Several tries to figure out how to post? Did I?
Love the idea of an accessible list of sites with one stop searching-- however-- do not like the almost seamless-- interwoven-- commercial sites listed among the "chosen ones." I know my middle school kids will have a hard time keeping them straight.
I noticed on my pop list of chosen sites that there is "entire web" listed at the bottom. I did not put that there and could not find a way to remove it. Does it automatically appear? and if so-- what is the point of choosing?
Monday, February 4, 2008
Week Five Thing # 11
Explore Web 2.0 and Ning
Naturally I gravitated to the Library Thing site and found out that I had already signed on last year-- so much for sticking to it. Actually these days its more of a problem remembering that I've been somewhere. Each day I hear about something new and exciting, but don't have the time to fully explore the richness of a site or a tool. This tool does hold promise for the type of blog? that we hope to have.
I also played with the online collaboration tools-- in particular --Google Docs. Has anyone used them with their students? How do you get around privacy issues with all the sign-up info required at these free sites?
On the other hand...... this introduction to these wonderful tools only emphasizes my frustration in the amount of time that I willingly want to spend sitting at my computer. Yes, these virtual tools are great, but I want to go outside and walk in the woods when the sun is out, and in the evening I want to sit on the couch and talk to the husband who is in the room with me instead of turning my back to him while I tag, blog, and RSS.... UGH!
I'm lost at Ning. Are you required to sign up for an ID before you can lurk at the sites? Each time I click on a group a sign-in screen appears.
Naturally I gravitated to the Library Thing site and found out that I had already signed on last year-- so much for sticking to it. Actually these days its more of a problem remembering that I've been somewhere. Each day I hear about something new and exciting, but don't have the time to fully explore the richness of a site or a tool. This tool does hold promise for the type of blog? that we hope to have.
I also played with the online collaboration tools-- in particular --Google Docs. Has anyone used them with their students? How do you get around privacy issues with all the sign-up info required at these free sites?
On the other hand...... this introduction to these wonderful tools only emphasizes my frustration in the amount of time that I willingly want to spend sitting at my computer. Yes, these virtual tools are great, but I want to go outside and walk in the woods when the sun is out, and in the evening I want to sit on the couch and talk to the husband who is in the room with me instead of turning my back to him while I tag, blog, and RSS.... UGH!
I'm lost at Ning. Are you required to sign up for an ID before you can lurk at the sites? Each time I click on a group a sign-in screen appears.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Week Five: Thing #10
As you can see I'm not a football fan and needed something to do while the fans in my family were watching.... I visited Image Chef and just randomly chose something to do.
Image Generators. I thought my post would be here.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Week Four Thing #8 and #9
RSS & Newsreaders
OK.
I'm glad that I have the summer off to re-explore all these new tools. I'm also glad for this course that has just forced me to actually subscribe and try out RSS. It was one of those things on my "to- do" list that never got done. I've subscribed using Bloglines and added two from their lists of suggestions: NY Times Book Reviews as well as The Shifted Librarian. I then went to the SLJ site and subscribed from there to the news for Grade 5 and Up.
Now... the time to read all this so easily accessible information...... and I'm right in the middle of Pillars of the Earth
Are we supposed to figure out how to add our blog to a list? I'm purposely not using any of the terminology I just encountered for the first time because I haven't exactly figured it out yet!
OK.
I'm glad that I have the summer off to re-explore all these new tools. I'm also glad for this course that has just forced me to actually subscribe and try out RSS. It was one of those things on my "to- do" list that never got done. I've subscribed using Bloglines and added two from their lists of suggestions: NY Times Book Reviews as well as The Shifted Librarian. I then went to the SLJ site and subscribed from there to the news for Grade 5 and Up.
Now... the time to read all this so easily accessible information...... and I'm right in the middle of Pillars of the Earth
Are we supposed to figure out how to add our blog to a list? I'm purposely not using any of the terminology I just encountered for the first time because I haven't exactly figured it out yet!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Week Three -- Thing #6
I am over whelmed!. I visited the Flickr fun sites-- but I'm lost. I guess I just need to jump in and practice. My attempt at a trading card..... I tried to use Flickr to upload it, but got hopelessly lost. I used the import feature at Blogger instead. I managed to post the card, but have no idea how I was able to do it!
I can see now that if I am going to make any sense out of this site or any other, I will need to spend a lot of time practicing. For me the best way is to teach it to other unsuspecting adults. I see an afterschool workshop in the making... a little coffee, brownies, and fun...
Week Three-- #7
Anything Technology
I feel so far behind. Our school has had a network/equipment/ infrastructure problem for several years. Rather than waste our time and energy trying to do new things that our hardware could not support, we all made the unofficial decision to try and do what we could do well and stop wasting precious energy complaining about what we could not. Now that we are hopefully poised to refurbish our "stuff" I'm finding that I am light years behind.
Has anyone used a blog with students to post book reviews? Is this the proper venue or is there something else more suitable.?We need something that will allow editorial control. How do you allow other people to post? Or to add comments? Is there a way to categorize the posts-- for example --by genre? Or would all the posts end up together in order of the date posted?
I feel so far behind. Our school has had a network/equipment/ infrastructure problem for several years. Rather than waste our time and energy trying to do new things that our hardware could not support, we all made the unofficial decision to try and do what we could do well and stop wasting precious energy complaining about what we could not. Now that we are hopefully poised to refurbish our "stuff" I'm finding that I am light years behind.
Has anyone used a blog with students to post book reviews? Is this the proper venue or is there something else more suitable.?We need something that will allow editorial control. How do you allow other people to post? Or to add comments? Is there a way to categorize the posts-- for example --by genre? Or would all the posts end up together in order of the date posted?
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Week Three - Thing # 5 -
Explore FlickrI enjoyed my brief-- so far-- visit to Flickr. I hope I tagged the photo correctly.
I was surprised to find that I could upload a picture so easily to my blog. I think I added it as page element first and then discovered that I could add it directly to my post. I must start reading directions before I do things!
I would like to explore the map feature of Flickr-- that has interesting possibilities for our 7th grade geography.
Week Two - Thing #3 and #4
Create and register a blog and avatar.
I had a difficult time registering and beginning my blog. My home computer was unavailable and our school network was very uncooperative. Now that the kinks are worked out I'm somewhat more relaxed and have found Blogger to be relatively easy to use. I enjoyed creating my avatar. I thought the process was somewhat tedious and I would have liked more choices. Where's the gray hair?
I'm a raw beginner and I'm rather overwhelmed with all the new passwords and email addresses required.
I had a difficult time registering and beginning my blog. My home computer was unavailable and our school network was very uncooperative. Now that the kinks are worked out I'm somewhat more relaxed and have found Blogger to be relatively easy to use. I enjoyed creating my avatar. I thought the process was somewhat tedious and I would have liked more choices. Where's the gray hair?
I'm a raw beginner and I'm rather overwhelmed with all the new passwords and email addresses required.
Week One Thing #1 and #2
About this course
Sorry about the delay. A series of unfortunate and somewhat comical events that prevented my participation have now been rectified. I'm excited about the chance to have a structured environment to explore. My blog takes its name from a group of my retired school friends who meet at least once a month. For twenty years we shared our lives at the middle school where we teach. One of our favorite things to discuss was the literature that we love. I am the only one left still teaching and I miss the conversations about the books they are reading. After this course I will use this experimental blog to eventually prod them into sharing their thoughts. Hopefully, I will work out the kinks for a projected student blog for sharing literature.
Lifelong Learning-- the Seven and 1/2 Habits of Effective Learners
I'm a lifelong learner-- aren't we all in this profession? If I have to admit to a weakness, however, it would be #4-- confidence. I often freeze when I'm about to begin a new project or travel down an unknown path. I think part of my problem stems from wanting to do everything at once. Eventually I remember-- once again-- that each journey begins with the first step and I take it..
Sorry about the delay. A series of unfortunate and somewhat comical events that prevented my participation have now been rectified. I'm excited about the chance to have a structured environment to explore. My blog takes its name from a group of my retired school friends who meet at least once a month. For twenty years we shared our lives at the middle school where we teach. One of our favorite things to discuss was the literature that we love. I am the only one left still teaching and I miss the conversations about the books they are reading. After this course I will use this experimental blog to eventually prod them into sharing their thoughts. Hopefully, I will work out the kinks for a projected student blog for sharing literature.
Lifelong Learning-- the Seven and 1/2 Habits of Effective Learners
I'm a lifelong learner-- aren't we all in this profession? If I have to admit to a weakness, however, it would be #4-- confidence. I often freeze when I'm about to begin a new project or travel down an unknown path. I think part of my problem stems from wanting to do everything at once. Eventually I remember-- once again-- that each journey begins with the first step and I take it..
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