It's been awhile since I've written on my blog... I wanted to make sure I remember how!
I forwarded the "Winter 2.0 Fun" information on to my Library Tech. friends and hope that some of them will join in the great, wonderful, fun, enlightening journey.
I will be right there to cheer you on as you embark on this adventure of "new" learning!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
I did it!
Week 9: thing 23 This Jewell in the rough has become a more polished gem thanks to School Library Learning 2.0. I have learned so much and will go back to many tools and continue to learn. Life Long Learning!
The fact that I could learn and play at my own pace was wonderful. All the tools were given to me to peruse. I could take what I liked, learn about the rest and just feel more knowledgeable about online tools. I think I can now intelligently discuss blogs, wikis, RSS feed, etc. Woo hoo!
There are many discoveries that were my favorites. I know that I will use these tools again for fun, information, lessons, notes, thoughts. Included in this group are: Library Thing, ZOHO, del.icio.us, Yahoo! Answers, Image Generators, Wikis and blogs.
What surprised me the most was that almost every "thing" was simple enough to do. The School Library Learning 2.0 team did such a terrific job in writing out the lessons, explaining what each "thing" did and could be used for, and giving examples/web sites that made sense.
I do plan on forwarding my LibraryJewel blog to the library techs. in my district and the staff at my school. Everyone is so busy and doesn't have time to discover new things on their own - this is a perfect way to see and learn. I would definitely take more discovery programs in the future. OK - I know this is two words but I would describe my learning experience as...
Joyfully Enlightening! Thank you so much for the learning, discovery journey!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
I Love Books!
Week 9: thing 22
I love printed books! I love the smell, the feel, being able to study the illustrations close up. I love taking a book with me everywhere I go - the dentist, doctor, airplane, bus, on vacation. I love knowing if I can't sleep, I can pick up a book and read. Printed books are awesome!
Along comes eBooks. I can't hold them, smell them, look at the pictures closely. I can't take them to the dentist, doctor or on vacation. I will have to sit at my computer and read. I am not against eBooks, but I prefer the real thing. I can see a use for them at an elementary school if the library doesn't have enough of something to go around and the classroom has a classroom full of computers. Project Gutenberg is a wonderful source for a book in a different language. A library might not have a book in a student's native language, so eBooks could be handy for that purpose.
Audio eBooks could serve, as many people have noted, ESL or SDC students. Some students learn by listening - I would like the student to have a printed book to follow along. I know several people who car travel long distances and have checked out audio books from the public library. They love them. Of course, the reader has a very big part in if the audio book is going to be enjoyable or not. In our library, we do have a few audio books. They are very seldom checked out by students or teachers.
If people read or enjoy a story for pleasure, information or assignments whatever method works for them, is fine with me. The bottom line is to get books to people and read, read, read!
No iPod Needed
Week 9: thing 21
It was interesting looking at the different Podcast sites. I guess I am still a dinosaur because I do not have an iPod or MP3 player or even a cell phone for that matter. Never the less....
I typed in Read Across America on Podcastnet, Podcast Alley and Yahoo Podcasts - nothing came up for the Read Across America celebration. I did find on Podcast Alley, "A good read" which was a nice listen. Then I typed in Children's books. On Yahoo Podcasts, "Booktalks Quick and Simple" showed up. That is a podcast I would listen to and suggest to students to get a quick book review. Nancy Keane does a wonderful job, lots of expression and the talks are just the right amount of time.
I did like the way Podcast Alley has the "see details" button and I like Yahoo Podcasts descriptions. I think for myself, it might be a long time before I use this feature on a regular basis. I do like listening to music. But I do not concentrate on tasks real well if someone is talking - so the listening to a Podcast would have to be during quiet time which I don't seem to have much of.
It was interesting looking at the different Podcast sites. I guess I am still a dinosaur because I do not have an iPod or MP3 player or even a cell phone for that matter. Never the less....
I typed in Read Across America on Podcastnet, Podcast Alley and Yahoo Podcasts - nothing came up for the Read Across America celebration. I did find on Podcast Alley, "A good read" which was a nice listen. Then I typed in Children's books. On Yahoo Podcasts, "Booktalks Quick and Simple" showed up. That is a podcast I would listen to and suggest to students to get a quick book review. Nancy Keane does a wonderful job, lots of expression and the talks are just the right amount of time.
I did like the way Podcast Alley has the "see details" button and I like Yahoo Podcasts descriptions. I think for myself, it might be a long time before I use this feature on a regular basis. I do like listening to music. But I do not concentrate on tasks real well if someone is talking - so the listening to a Podcast would have to be during quiet time which I don't seem to have much of.
Week 9: thing 20
Oh my, I went to edit my You Tube page and ended up losing what I had done. So here I go again! I have been a You Tube fan for quite awhile. You can indeed find the good, the bad and the ugly. It is a very inexpensive form of entertainment with so much to look at and the ability to just click it off if you don't like it. The clip that I picked is "Sesame Street at your library." I am also a big Sesame Street fan. I love the line by Oscar the Grouch, "I wonder if they have any books in the library that might be interesting to a grouch." This is a great clip to introduce different genres. A student might become interested in a subject that he/she didn't even think of before. It is good for an elementary school web page or blog. The line, "You'll find good books for everyone at your library" is repeated in a catchy little song.
You Tube after thought...
I can understand why districts would block You Tube from the district server. There are so many clips and not all of them are totally appropriate (language, gestures). A great You Tube clip could be put in a blog or on a web page. But it is another one of those sites where I feel students would have to be constantly policed...
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Books I Read This Summer
Week 8: thing 19
Library Thing offers many ways to review books - Groups, Talks, Search, Suggestions. You can create "Your Library" and add books you like, books you read, books you would recommend and then post them! It is a great source to get ideas on what others are reading and recommending. Library Thing has also made it easy to follow the instructions and jump right in and start creating.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
From ZOHO Writer
ZOHO Writer
Week 8: thing 18 
I found ZOHO to be a very complete word processing tool. It is easy to use and offers many great features (more so then Microsoft Word). I have used DreamWeaver to create a web site, and I find many of the same features in ZOHO. I especially like all the templates that are available and plan on using some of them to create library tests, ID badges, etc. I will definitely come back to ZOHO for my word processing needs!
Monday, September 3, 2007
Sharing is good!
Week 7: thing 17Thank you for the California 2.0 Curriculum Connections wiki. What a great way to get ideas and let others know how you plan on using tools. Great minds think alike - as I saw several of my very own ideas already posted! I did post idea #12 on the Image Generators and web award winners page...I think I may have been a little long winded and should have just posted how I was going to use Trading Card Maker. Shucks, I was so excited!
There are several ways I can see using wikis. For book reviews, ideas between the librarians and library techs., classroom and the library connecting (for book suggestions, resource information, an "Ask the Librarian" type of thing). I think that this is another of those please find some more hours in the day for me tools!
Wiki Wiki
Week 7: thing 16
From looking and reading through the wikis, it seems that elementary school libraries are far behind others. On the Library Bloggers Wiki, there are 61 listings and 7 of those are elementary with 2 sites, not linking.
I found Eatons Hill State School Blog on the teacherlibrarian wiki (under links to our blogs). What a great way for elementary students interaction!
I also found Kathy Schrock's on the same page - it is a great site for seeing what is new in the world of educational technology!
Wikis should have a specific purpose in mind. Since anyone can post, it needs to be understood that sources need to be checked, information verified - if a student is using information for a report.
I can see using a wiki in the elementary school library for posting book reviews. It would be a great way to have students telling others what they like or don't like. With book reviews, there is neither a right or wrong, it is a sharing of what one has read and thinks. As a library media technician, I would love to get students interested in adding to a book review wiki. As hard as I try, I just don't have time to read everything!
If a student does not have time to post during library time - a wiki would be a great tool for collaboration between the library and the classroom and the computer lab (which doesn't happen often). A wiki for the library is definitely something I will pursue.
From looking and reading through the wikis, it seems that elementary school libraries are far behind others. On the Library Bloggers Wiki, there are 61 listings and 7 of those are elementary with 2 sites, not linking.
I found Eatons Hill State School Blog on the teacherlibrarian wiki (under links to our blogs). What a great way for elementary students interaction!
I also found Kathy Schrock's on the same page - it is a great site for seeing what is new in the world of educational technology!
Wikis should have a specific purpose in mind. Since anyone can post, it needs to be understood that sources need to be checked, information verified - if a student is using information for a report.
I can see using a wiki in the elementary school library for posting book reviews. It would be a great way to have students telling others what they like or don't like. With book reviews, there is neither a right or wrong, it is a sharing of what one has read and thinks. As a library media technician, I would love to get students interested in adding to a book review wiki. As hard as I try, I just don't have time to read everything!
If a student does not have time to post during library time - a wiki would be a great tool for collaboration between the library and the classroom and the computer lab (which doesn't happen often). A wiki for the library is definitely something I will pursue.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Library 2.0
Week 6: thing 15
I read all the articles and for me "Wikipedia Library 2.0" explained what the concept of library 2.0 is while the other articles were personal thoughts. I realize the Wikipedia is also personal thoughts but the way it was written, seemed more factual. There were parts I liked and parts I didn't like in all of the articles.
I hope that books are never totally replaced by a computer. At my school, several students still do not have computers at home and especially not laptops (I don't even have a laptop!), you can't take a computer on vacation, a grown up sitting in front of a computer reading a good night story isn't a pretty picture. Should all those quaint practices disappear?
I do agree that as technology advances and the times change - libraries need to be part of the change. The old card catalog needs to be replaced with an online search engine (such as OPAC). Being online with a card catalog allows teachers, students and parents to see if a library has what is needed or desired. Resources should be available online (encyclopedias for example). A library should have a website (both public and school). A library website is able to cover a wide scope of information - hours, links, events, etc. Not every book or even enough of needed subject books (such as planets) can be purchased by most school libraries - so online resources are great. The need for technology in a modern day library is necessary.
When I read the Wikipedia 2.0 article, I felt pretty good about where I am in our elementary school library. We do have OPAC, I do have a library website, I do ask students, parents, teachers for ideas on how to improve or what they would like to see in our library, I do work with students on how to do research online. But, I also love books! I read to most classes, I booktalk, I genre talk, I encourage checking out books for not only school work but for pleasure.
Library 2.0 - What does it mean to me, what does it mean for school libraries?
Library 2.0 is learning what tools are out there. I know that I would not know of many of the tools I have learned about without School Library Learning 2.0. Library 2.0 is embracing new ideas/concepts and realizing you don't have to use them all. It's the idea of being open to new things and willing to try them out and finding ways to tie it all together to make learning come alive for students.
What does it mean for the school library? The answer to that lies in how much a district is willing to put into their school libraries. A brand new library with super technology is not going to matter or help students if it isn't staffed! This is not a rant paper, so I will just leave it at that.
I read all the articles and for me "Wikipedia Library 2.0" explained what the concept of library 2.0 is while the other articles were personal thoughts. I realize the Wikipedia is also personal thoughts but the way it was written, seemed more factual. There were parts I liked and parts I didn't like in all of the articles.
I hope that books are never totally replaced by a computer. At my school, several students still do not have computers at home and especially not laptops (I don't even have a laptop!), you can't take a computer on vacation, a grown up sitting in front of a computer reading a good night story isn't a pretty picture. Should all those quaint practices disappear?
I do agree that as technology advances and the times change - libraries need to be part of the change. The old card catalog needs to be replaced with an online search engine (such as OPAC). Being online with a card catalog allows teachers, students and parents to see if a library has what is needed or desired. Resources should be available online (encyclopedias for example). A library should have a website (both public and school). A library website is able to cover a wide scope of information - hours, links, events, etc. Not every book or even enough of needed subject books (such as planets) can be purchased by most school libraries - so online resources are great. The need for technology in a modern day library is necessary.
When I read the Wikipedia 2.0 article, I felt pretty good about where I am in our elementary school library. We do have OPAC, I do have a library website, I do ask students, parents, teachers for ideas on how to improve or what they would like to see in our library, I do work with students on how to do research online. But, I also love books! I read to most classes, I booktalk, I genre talk, I encourage checking out books for not only school work but for pleasure.
Library 2.0 - What does it mean to me, what does it mean for school libraries?
Library 2.0 is learning what tools are out there. I know that I would not know of many of the tools I have learned about without School Library Learning 2.0. Library 2.0 is embracing new ideas/concepts and realizing you don't have to use them all. It's the idea of being open to new things and willing to try them out and finding ways to tie it all together to make learning come alive for students.
What does it mean for the school library? The answer to that lies in how much a district is willing to put into their school libraries. A brand new library with super technology is not going to matter or help students if it isn't staffed! This is not a rant paper, so I will just leave it at that.
Technorati - Yikes!
Week 6: thing 14
I admire all the work that the designers/programmers at Technorti did over the past three years. Taking something from "idea" to "product" is a wonderful accomplishment.
I would never use Technorati in an elementary school library as a way for students to do a search nor do I think our district would allow it. Why? When I did the discovery exercises and typed School Library Learning 2.0 and clicked posts - some of the sites that came up surprised even me. A few had such things as "hairy ass" and "sexual massage", others had exotic cars. Which ever site had the word - school, library, learning or 2.0 in came up. Under tags, I got the same thing. The only click that came up with blogs from School Library Learning was the blog click.
It seems like sometimes we spend too much time policing students when they are online. Technorti would, in my opinion, make it very difficult to keep students on task.
As for keeping track of the millions of bloggers out there - good for them. I don't think that I would search for blogs. If someone I knew had one, I'd look at it. With Library Learning I check out other blogs to see what others have learned. If I came across a blog by accident that interested me - I'd del.icio.us it. Even for my own blog - I don't expect it to be read by anyone other than those taking the library learning class (or other library techs. in my district for information reasons).
Looking at the popular blogs, searches and tags - I don't get it. What is popular for some, sure isn't for all. I didn't really find one thing that I cared to read all the way through.
I admire all the work that the designers/programmers at Technorti did over the past three years. Taking something from "idea" to "product" is a wonderful accomplishment.
I would never use Technorati in an elementary school library as a way for students to do a search nor do I think our district would allow it. Why? When I did the discovery exercises and typed School Library Learning 2.0 and clicked posts - some of the sites that came up surprised even me. A few had such things as "hairy ass" and "sexual massage", others had exotic cars. Which ever site had the word - school, library, learning or 2.0 in came up. Under tags, I got the same thing. The only click that came up with blogs from School Library Learning was the blog click.
It seems like sometimes we spend too much time policing students when they are online. Technorti would, in my opinion, make it very difficult to keep students on task.
As for keeping track of the millions of bloggers out there - good for them. I don't think that I would search for blogs. If someone I knew had one, I'd look at it. With Library Learning I check out other blogs to see what others have learned. If I came across a blog by accident that interested me - I'd del.icio.us it. Even for my own blog - I don't expect it to be read by anyone other than those taking the library learning class (or other library techs. in my district for information reasons).
Looking at the popular blogs, searches and tags - I don't get it. What is popular for some, sure isn't for all. I didn't really find one thing that I cared to read all the way through.
mmmm, mmmm del.icio.us
Week 6: thing 13
I admit that I did not quite get Rollyo - but I do get and love del.icio.us! I even added it to my AOL toolbar. First off - when I viewed the 12 minute Del.icio.us tutorial, it was very blurry. I found Us.ef.ul to be very helpful. I do think that the instructions to create an account and use the site were easy to follow (not like Rollyo) and it is easy to figure out what del.icio.us can and will do. I know that I will continue to use this site and keep adding. The idea of the tags make finding something much easier than using the "favorites" on my homepage.
This tool would be wonderful to share sites from one district library website to another. It is so nice to not always have to do your own searching, or reinvent the wheel as the saying goes!
I spent hours looking at the SJLLibrary's del.icio.us page, I need to remember to add it to my del.icio.us page. I have read on other blogs that some have used this tool for several months and love it - I will become one of those people!
I am LibraryJewel on del.icio.us
CONGRATULATIONS!
I just want to congratulate all of you who have finished Learning 2.0. I would send you all a personal congrats. but.....
As I go along, I'm finding that I am spending a lot of time reading and exploring and enjoying what others have done and found. You are all mentors for me. Thanks and congratulations!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Rollyo!
Week 5: thing 12
I am learning that I need to keep learning. Rollyo took some time to figure out. I think the instructions they give on how to use it and link it are a little vague - maybe it's just me or I can blame it on the heat!
I do like the idea. It's a great way to organize sites I have marked as favorites, rather then scrolling up and down my long list.
I can see students using this to keep track of sites for, perhaps, homework help, animal, explorer, planet report sites, graphic sites and the list can go on and on.
I did take some of my favorites from my online account and put them into a Rollyo. I hope that it works!
I am learning that I need to keep learning. Rollyo took some time to figure out. I think the instructions they give on how to use it and link it are a little vague - maybe it's just me or I can blame it on the heat!
I do like the idea. It's a great way to organize sites I have marked as favorites, rather then scrolling up and down my long list.
I can see students using this to keep track of sites for, perhaps, homework help, animal, explorer, planet report sites, graphic sites and the list can go on and on.
I did take some of my favorites from my online account and put them into a Rollyo. I hope that it works!
Yahoo! Answers
Week 5: thing 11
I spent quit a bit of time looking at the award winning sites - the one that I picked as a favorite is Yahoo! Answers. I typed school library in the search box and there were questions ranging from overdue book problems to "Why are there problems in not having a school library?" The answers are listed with the readers best answer at the top of the list. I like this site because lots of times I do have a question and am not sure where to find the answer - this site is worth a try. I have used Ask.com but I like this format much better. You can join or just type a question in the search box and read answers that are there. The site also has a time feature so you know how long ago the answer or question was posted. Plus there is a "report abuse" button.
I have a question of the week in the library and I can see students checking for the answer on Yahoo! Answers. It would be a good site to remind students to double check or search another source for the answers, because anyone can answer a question and might just be making it up.
I have joined the Library Technicians United Ning Network and look forward to spending more time on the site learning and sharing.
I spent quit a bit of time looking at the award winning sites - the one that I picked as a favorite is Yahoo! Answers. I typed school library in the search box and there were questions ranging from overdue book problems to "Why are there problems in not having a school library?" The answers are listed with the readers best answer at the top of the list. I like this site because lots of times I do have a question and am not sure where to find the answer - this site is worth a try. I have used Ask.com but I like this format much better. You can join or just type a question in the search box and read answers that are there. The site also has a time feature so you know how long ago the answer or question was posted. Plus there is a "report abuse" button.
I have a question of the week in the library and I can see students checking for the answer on Yahoo! Answers. It would be a good site to remind students to double check or search another source for the answers, because anyone can answer a question and might just be making it up.
I have joined the Library Technicians United Ning Network and look forward to spending more time on the site learning and sharing.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Love those generators....
Week 5: thing10
I have always loved to play around with images! There are so many great sites out there that allow you to do stuff for free. This is another one of those projects where I could use a few more hours in the day. Webmaster Paste has free online banner generators, banner blanks, headings, 3D Textmakers, logos and more. (some of the links on the page do not work). I also like Cooltext which even has free fonts you can download. Both of the "Love Our New Library" banners were created on Image Chef.
Not a WOW
Week 4: thing 8 and thing 9
I signed on to Google Reader and added five subscriptions. But, the RSS feeds were not something that wowed me! Maybe with more sites getting on the band wagon, I will learn to like and/or use it more. I like the listserv that I'm on along with checking my "favorite" sites. I don't really have a desire to be that up to the minute. To enjoy the newpaper in the morning with a cup of coffee works fine for me!
I can see RSS feeds working for an Economics teacher. But I tried and can't think of any way that I would use it on a personal or library level especially in the elementary library. I do know now to look for the little orange RSS box if I do find something that I want to be kept up on. And so I thank Learning 2.0 for exposing me to something new.
Up to this point I have enjoyed all the activities - but this one was my least favorite so far. Some of the feeds wouldn't work when I tried to add them to Google Reader. As a matter of fact, the San Jose Mercury News link on the Learning 2.0 site comes up with a list of blogs from the Learning 2.0 students! I did like the Edublog Awards search - it made it easy to see what is considered the best of the best - added Hey Jude. I do like a search page that tells you what the site is going to be about in detail and most of them did that.
For now, I'd have to give RSS feed a thumbs down!
I signed on to Google Reader and added five subscriptions. But, the RSS feeds were not something that wowed me! Maybe with more sites getting on the band wagon, I will learn to like and/or use it more. I like the listserv that I'm on along with checking my "favorite" sites. I don't really have a desire to be that up to the minute. To enjoy the newpaper in the morning with a cup of coffee works fine for me!
I can see RSS feeds working for an Economics teacher. But I tried and can't think of any way that I would use it on a personal or library level especially in the elementary library. I do know now to look for the little orange RSS box if I do find something that I want to be kept up on. And so I thank Learning 2.0 for exposing me to something new.
Up to this point I have enjoyed all the activities - but this one was my least favorite so far. Some of the feeds wouldn't work when I tried to add them to Google Reader. As a matter of fact, the San Jose Mercury News link on the Learning 2.0 site comes up with a list of blogs from the Learning 2.0 students! I did like the Edublog Awards search - it made it easy to see what is considered the best of the best - added Hey Jude. I do like a search page that tells you what the site is going to be about in detail and most of them did that.
For now, I'd have to give RSS feed a thumbs down!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
GOOD OLD EMAIL
Week 3: thing 7
There is so much new stuff out there in cyberspace but I really like the fact that I can email. It is such a simple way to keep in touch with family, friends, staff and even students. Most every email provider allows you to add pictures, color, sound, links. You click the send button and your message is delivered in an instant! I think emails are a wonderful way to get a message to several people at the same time. I can email the entire staff a list of new books or videos. I can email questions and get an answer rather quickly. I can choose to print or just delete emails that I receive. I can forward on emails that might be of interest to others.
I am also mystified at how it all works... From my computer to anywhere in the world - wow!
There is so much new stuff out there in cyberspace but I really like the fact that I can email. It is such a simple way to keep in touch with family, friends, staff and even students. Most every email provider allows you to add pictures, color, sound, links. You click the send button and your message is delivered in an instant! I think emails are a wonderful way to get a message to several people at the same time. I can email the entire staff a list of new books or videos. I can email questions and get an answer rather quickly. I can choose to print or just delete emails that I receive. I can forward on emails that might be of interest to others.
I am also mystified at how it all works... From my computer to anywhere in the world - wow!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Mashups
Week 3: thing 6
And now I know what a "mashup" is. I can see where people could spend hours and hours creating online. I think it gets to a point where we have to pick and choose what will work best for our needs - I know that I can't do it all. But once again, all the sites I have perused make it so easy. I'm sure by the end of Learning 2.0, I will have found sites that are my favorites.
I really like FD Toys' Trading Card Maker! Wow - all the educational, exciting, creative, fun trading cards that could be made. The possibilities are endless and it's free!
Now if someone could please just find me a few more hours in a day.......
And now I know what a "mashup" is. I can see where people could spend hours and hours creating online. I think it gets to a point where we have to pick and choose what will work best for our needs - I know that I can't do it all. But once again, all the sites I have perused make it so easy. I'm sure by the end of Learning 2.0, I will have found sites that are my favorites.
I really like FD Toys' Trading Card Maker! Wow - all the educational, exciting, creative, fun trading cards that could be made. The possibilities are endless and it's free!
Now if someone could please just find me a few more hours in a day.......
Discovery...
Week 3: thing 5
Woo hoo, learning can be so much fun!
I am exploring all these new websites that I never knew existed. There is so much that can be done with thoughts and ideas one might have. The great thing is - all those talented people have made it so easy (well, rather easy) for us to use their tools.
Flickr gives us creative ways to show our pictures along with ways to use pictures all ready out there. It can be confusing to download, upload, transfer, etc. but I believe the more you do it, the easier it becomes. I'll keep you informed if indeed that is true as I plan on exploring and adding to my Flickr account.
Woo hoo, learning can be so much fun!
I am exploring all these new websites that I never knew existed. There is so much that can be done with thoughts and ideas one might have. The great thing is - all those talented people have made it so easy (well, rather easy) for us to use their tools.
Flickr gives us creative ways to show our pictures along with ways to use pictures all ready out there. It can be confusing to download, upload, transfer, etc. but I believe the more you do it, the easier it becomes. I'll keep you informed if indeed that is true as I plan on exploring and adding to my Flickr account.
Blogging
Week 2: Thing 3 and Thing 4
Well, here it is - I've set up my own blog and added an avatar!
I think that the idea of setting up a blog is much more intimidating then actually doing it. Blogger makes it so easy to set up a blog and we'll see how easy it is to keep it up as I go along. To me, the hardest things about a blog would be the content and presentation. With so many people online and so many blogs out there - how do you get yours to be the one that people want to look at and read?
Thinking ahead, I can see where (if I get good at this) a blog about current books would be great. Since our students only have a half hour library time I don't always get to book talk. A book blog hooked up to the library website would reach more students and give them ideas about which book they might want to check out before coming to the library.
As for the avatar... once again, it was an easy process to follow. I just love those step by step instructions! Something I did learn was to write down the page number of an item I thought I might want to use. With so many choices, I'd find something I liked and then keep looking and then have to go back and find what I liked again. Yup, writing down the page number makes it much easier. One problem I did have was that I kept getting a Yahoo error message while using avatar. The program would not open. Frustrating - nay. I had a good book to read while I sat waiting for it to come back up!
I received an email of welcome - so Thing 4 is complete. Now on to the next lessons....
Well, here it is - I've set up my own blog and added an avatar!
I think that the idea of setting up a blog is much more intimidating then actually doing it. Blogger makes it so easy to set up a blog and we'll see how easy it is to keep it up as I go along. To me, the hardest things about a blog would be the content and presentation. With so many people online and so many blogs out there - how do you get yours to be the one that people want to look at and read?
Thinking ahead, I can see where (if I get good at this) a blog about current books would be great. Since our students only have a half hour library time I don't always get to book talk. A book blog hooked up to the library website would reach more students and give them ideas about which book they might want to check out before coming to the library.
As for the avatar... once again, it was an easy process to follow. I just love those step by step instructions! Something I did learn was to write down the page number of an item I thought I might want to use. With so many choices, I'd find something I liked and then keep looking and then have to go back and find what I liked again. Yup, writing down the page number makes it much easier. One problem I did have was that I kept getting a Yahoo error message while using avatar. The program would not open. Frustrating - nay. I had a good book to read while I sat waiting for it to come back up!
I received an email of welcome - so Thing 4 is complete. Now on to the next lessons....
Sunday, August 26, 2007
What's a blog?!?!
Week 1: Thing 1 and Thing 2
Who would have thought that I'd be setting up my very own blog? I guess this is a part of the "life long learning" that I so often remind others of!
Sometimes we don't want to be left behind or out of the loop when it comes to the relatively new computer jargon that the younger generation is so aware of. For that reason, I want to learn! When students or younger teachers come to me and start talking about blogs, wikis, You Tub, podcasts and what-not - I would like to have something other than a blank "duh" look on my face. Being a hands on learner, Learning 2.0 seems like the perfect way to expand my horizons. Through new learning, I am able to reach and impart knowledge to others.
I'm sure that I will make mistakes along the way and have to do and redo many things. Learning by trial and error is good, right? But I'm ready to start on this new journey. "I know I can, I know I can...."
So, out of the 7 and 1/2 lifelong learning habits which is easiest and which is hardest for me......
Let's start with the hardest. For me, being confident in myself as a competent, effective learner is the most difficult. I think that I am too critical of myself - my skills, abilities, talents.
The easiest - viewing problems as challenges. I believe that every obstacle is indeed a learning or growing opportunity. Because of things that have happened in my life, this has been put to the test for me. We all need those little detours to keep our life in perspective. I also seem to have no trouble playing!
Who would have thought that I'd be setting up my very own blog? I guess this is a part of the "life long learning" that I so often remind others of!
Sometimes we don't want to be left behind or out of the loop when it comes to the relatively new computer jargon that the younger generation is so aware of. For that reason, I want to learn! When students or younger teachers come to me and start talking about blogs, wikis, You Tub, podcasts and what-not - I would like to have something other than a blank "duh" look on my face. Being a hands on learner, Learning 2.0 seems like the perfect way to expand my horizons. Through new learning, I am able to reach and impart knowledge to others.
I'm sure that I will make mistakes along the way and have to do and redo many things. Learning by trial and error is good, right? But I'm ready to start on this new journey. "I know I can, I know I can...."
So, out of the 7 and 1/2 lifelong learning habits which is easiest and which is hardest for me......
Let's start with the hardest. For me, being confident in myself as a competent, effective learner is the most difficult. I think that I am too critical of myself - my skills, abilities, talents.
The easiest - viewing problems as challenges. I believe that every obstacle is indeed a learning or growing opportunity. Because of things that have happened in my life, this has been put to the test for me. We all need those little detours to keep our life in perspective. I also seem to have no trouble playing!
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