1. My favorite discoveries/exercises:
*Just to mention a few of my favorites I must include Flickr, the online image generator, and Big Huge Labs. These are all fun sites that one can easily sit down and create something in a short amount of time. I know not everything can be completed so quickly in life, but it seems that in our professional lives, we are often more apt to include those new applications that can be mastered relatively quickly.
2. How has the program assisted or affected my lifelong learning?
*One of the best lessons or reminders while working through this program was the constant reminder that we must remain lifelong learners. Several times I thought I was on the right track and then had to make myself stop, back up, and regroup to accomplish my tasks. I have had the opportunity to work on computers for the better part of my educational career, but I do not consider myself an adventurous computer user. I pretty much keep myself in safe territory and don't go out on too many technology limbs. Working through this program forced me out of my comfort zone and proved that it's good to try something new-- and valuable because you learn along the way too!
3. Take-aways or unexpected outcomes from the program?
*Flickr will definitely be a site that I will use more frequently when I need pics. I like the aspect of using actual photographs as opposed to 'clip art' for presentations for my students. I often make vocabulary powerpoints and like to not only display the word, its meaning, but also an image. I think the kids enjoy real photos more than clip art. Sometimes the clip art generates a chuckle, but I think the actual photos are more meaningful.
4. Improvements to the program's format or concept?
*I can't think of any improvements to the program that would be necessary.
I can think of ways that I could have improved my approach, staying on track and completing a few Things per week, as opposed to craming one-third of the program into the final week, but that's just me!
5. If another discovery program was offered, would you choose to participate?
*Absolutely! How likely is this to happen?
Additionally, will we still have access to the Library2Play site as needed? I can imagine that there will be times that I will need to look back at particular 'things' for a refresher.
6. One word description of the learning experience:
*perseverance
7. I will now go forth and visit other blogs.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Thing #22: Nings
I can see great value in using Nings. I visited all of the listed Nings. I spent more time exploring Ning for Teachers AKA TeacherLingo. As a current classroom teacher I liked the new resource for lesson plans and ideas. It is always nice to learn from another person's prespective and this Ning allows you insight to other ways of teaching the same concept. The concept of building a community of folks with similiar interests is appealing. It's nice to know you can communicate and learn from people in your own neighborhood or from an entirely different hemisphere than yourself.
I also checked out the Teacher Librarian Ning. I think this will be an invaluable resource to me in the near future. I am looking forward to spending more time with this Ning.
I also checked out the Teacher Librarian Ning. I think this will be an invaluable resource to me in the near future. I am looking forward to spending more time with this Ning.
Thing #21: Podcast and Videocast
I enjoyed this Thing. Before today I had never created my own PhotoStory. I have seen products from others. For some reason I always thought it would be harder than it turned out to be.
I created a PhotoStory about Pearl Harbor. It has been four years since that trip, but it was a very moving vacation. I opted for silence over a music selection. I thought the silence would better lend itself to thoughtfulness while viewing. In hindsight I now think Taps would have been a fitting musical tribute as well.
Ok, I am SO aggravated right now. I easily created the PhotoStory, but now I'm having trouble adding it to my blog. I'm throwing in the towel for now. When I can see straight, I'll try it again.
After my up-teenth attempt, I know I should not give up, but for the time being, this 'Thing' has beat me! Maybe today is just not my "Thing 21" Day.
New day, tried it again, unsucessfully! Phew! My hat is off to those of you that easily made this appear on your Blog. Kudos to you all!
I created a PhotoStory about Pearl Harbor. It has been four years since that trip, but it was a very moving vacation. I opted for silence over a music selection. I thought the silence would better lend itself to thoughtfulness while viewing. In hindsight I now think Taps would have been a fitting musical tribute as well.
Ok, I am SO aggravated right now. I easily created the PhotoStory, but now I'm having trouble adding it to my blog. I'm throwing in the towel for now. When I can see straight, I'll try it again.
After my up-teenth attempt, I know I should not give up, but for the time being, this 'Thing' has beat me! Maybe today is just not my "Thing 21" Day.
New day, tried it again, unsucessfully! Phew! My hat is off to those of you that easily made this appear on your Blog. Kudos to you all!
Thing #20, part 2: YouTube, TeacherTube and Zamzar
Beginning Monday I will be teaching my second graders how to subtract two digit numbers with regrouping. We taught 2-digit addition before the Thanksgiving holidays. Addition went surprisingly well, but most of us are pretty nervous about the subtraction piece. This is always a difficult concept for our students. I think this TeacherTube video will help. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing my students' reactions!
While we all realize showing a video must have merit, not simply a time-filler, the access to videos is very rewarding. I have found this to be very true time and time again in Science and Social Studies lessons while integrating Discovery Education (old timers-- United Streaming)video clips. I used to use the videos as an introduction, but now I use them more for reviews or extra support. I have found that the kids seem to enjoy them more when we can "review" the concepts. They enjoy feeling proud of their knowledge and seeing the information as a review as opposed to being exposed to new information. I have found this use to be more effective.
Disclaimer: I couldn't figure out how to post two videos in the same entry. It is after 1am and I'm tired, so I opted to create two posts for Thing #20.
While we all realize showing a video must have merit, not simply a time-filler, the access to videos is very rewarding. I have found this to be very true time and time again in Science and Social Studies lessons while integrating Discovery Education (old timers-- United Streaming)video clips. I used to use the videos as an introduction, but now I use them more for reviews or extra support. I have found that the kids seem to enjoy them more when we can "review" the concepts. They enjoy feeling proud of their knowledge and seeing the information as a review as opposed to being exposed to new information. I have found this use to be more effective.
Disclaimer: I couldn't figure out how to post two videos in the same entry. It is after 1am and I'm tired, so I opted to create two posts for Thing #20.
Thing #20, part 1: YouTube, TeacherTube and Zamzar
I found the following video clip on YouTube. I think it does a nice job of explaining the role of a teacher-librarian. It seems so many folks believe the only job a librarian has is to shelve books. Sit back and enjoy this one!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thing #19: Web 2.0 Awards List
OK, so my choice is not one that would be the first to apply to a library theme. I chose Urbanspoon.
http://www.urbanspoon.com/c/8/Houston-restaurants.html
This site is a cool way to search for a restaurant in your area or another area you choose. The restaurants may be grouped by top neighborhoods or top types of foods.
After a quick search I found my favorite Rice Village Thai restaurant and was happy to see that others agree. My family has frequented this restaurants for decades. It's delicious and very reasonably priced.
I could see a teacher and/or librarian tying this site in with a food study or possibly a social studies lesson about multiculturalism. It would be neat to poll the students for as many different types of foods as they could think of, have the students ask their parents, and then compare your results with that of the restaurants in your local neighborhood. How does each type of food compare with representation in actual polling and eateries in the area?
Additionally, after a tough day on the job, you could do a quick search for take out for dinner! Ha ha-- I think about food WAY TOO MUCH!!
http://www.urbanspoon.com/c/8/Houston-restaurants.html
This site is a cool way to search for a restaurant in your area or another area you choose. The restaurants may be grouped by top neighborhoods or top types of foods.
After a quick search I found my favorite Rice Village Thai restaurant and was happy to see that others agree. My family has frequented this restaurants for decades. It's delicious and very reasonably priced.
I could see a teacher and/or librarian tying this site in with a food study or possibly a social studies lesson about multiculturalism. It would be neat to poll the students for as many different types of foods as they could think of, have the students ask their parents, and then compare your results with that of the restaurants in your local neighborhood. How does each type of food compare with representation in actual polling and eateries in the area?
Additionally, after a tough day on the job, you could do a quick search for take out for dinner! Ha ha-- I think about food WAY TOO MUCH!!
Thing #18: Online productivity tools
I worked with Google docs. I had explored it previously, but it was nice to get back to it again. I have Christmas shopping, gift giving, etc... on my mind right now. I took a few minutes and created a quick spreadsheet to organize who and what gifts I already have purchased. This was an easy way to see what projects I still need to complete and what purchases still need to be made. Then I was able to make a quick action list for tomorrow!
I also revisited a family calendar that I had created some time ago, including all family members' birthdays and anniversaries. In the past I have printed this out for each 'family' group. This year I plan to email the link to all and go from there. I have dangled the idea at recent family functions. It seems most everyone still wants a paper version but maybe in time, we can convert to the Google docs calendar alone... Only time will tell!
http://www.google.com/calendar/render?tab=oc
The obvious advantages include ease of access to Google docs, providing that the user has Internet access. Additionally, the price is just right! I like the idea that multiple people may view, access, and adapt the docs as needed.
A disadvantage that comes to mind is Internet access. Sometimes we have computer access but the Internet connection may not be readily available.
I also revisited a family calendar that I had created some time ago, including all family members' birthdays and anniversaries. In the past I have printed this out for each 'family' group. This year I plan to email the link to all and go from there. I have dangled the idea at recent family functions. It seems most everyone still wants a paper version but maybe in time, we can convert to the Google docs calendar alone... Only time will tell!
http://www.google.com/calendar/render?tab=oc
The obvious advantages include ease of access to Google docs, providing that the user has Internet access. Additionally, the price is just right! I like the idea that multiple people may view, access, and adapt the docs as needed.
A disadvantage that comes to mind is Internet access. Sometimes we have computer access but the Internet connection may not be readily available.
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