Turn Out The Lights....23 Things is Over

What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
Wow, where to begin. Just this project itself just immersed me in new ways of using technology. My favorite was photostory and animoto.

How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
This program has taught me that technology is ever changing. New ideas and trends are being created as I type and how are they going to affect our internet world. These tools that I have learned will help with passing on some great resources and tools for collegues and also students! Isn't this what it is all about-teaching our students!

Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? Well, I really wanted my photostory to come up. I was a little sad. However, as soon as I get this posted as well as INST 6031 assignment posted I will have time to come back and adjust. In reality, most of the tools were user friendly when trying to create or having to upload or download. That itself really impressed me. Again, I am ready to show my principal or my Dept Head on what I can try to help implement this into a staff development that fits our needs. I am glad I had suggested it when Dr. Bishop asked us in class and he allowed us to use any part of Library2Play - 23 Things for our use.

What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
Format and Concepts, both were good. Time constraints was my only issue. I guess because I have another class (INST 6031) which is demanding for a summer class, workshops, as well as being a mom during the summer- Reyna had to start school earlier because I needed some time for school because my library classes are a BIG part of my schedule right now.

Having Library2Play 23 Things as a blogging style of staff development has many benefits. One part Technorati needed more one-on-one style for me to understand.

If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate?
Yes, sign me up!!! I loved it. If I get the opportunity to create one for my campus or collegues I will show you our "10 Things!!!"

How would you describe your learning experience in ONE WORD or in ONE SENTENCE, so we could use your words to promote 23 Things learning activities?
License to Blog with specialty classes of various endorcements.

Now go and comment on some of the other Players' blogs?

Thing 22 Ning

I liked Nings for Teachers. This tool is great for social bookmarking and help have a place where to meet up and have dicussions or postings. It is more like having a MySpace or Facebook but better. I think I could use this with my staff or with my GATE students to make sure they have a "virtual" place for us to meet and discuss our projects.

Thing 21 Photostory

Photostory is wonderful. I have used it before but never had embedded into a blog. So as time as getting near for me to finish my 23 things...I must move on. I will come back tomorrow and try again or see if support had an idea about the problem why it could not save into my posting.

Thing 20 Those "Two" Tubes

They are such unique tools that caputures the attention of our students. Then, we can take it to the next step. They can create one themselves. Mostly, these are great aids to help with students that are visual learners. As I mentioned before it will entice the learner to "Get The Picture" while learning a topic.

Why Let Our Students Blog?

Interview With A Librarian

Thing 19 Web 2.0 Awards

This was a great site to visit and share with collegues. It must be something to take time and invest in if it makes an award list. Some of the places I liked was Lulu just because that is what I call my niece! But it was a great site. It reminded me of Amazon with more glam. I am interested about find more about the publishing section! Another great tool of course is Upcoming. I have used this website already on del.icio.us. For my classes and library I thought about the My Heritage - I even remember working on a geneology project in 7th grade. Most likely Flickr will be something I start off with first because I want to teach my students about copyright and how important it is to follow the law.

Thing 18 Google Docs

Since I have been in Dr. Bishop's class this is one tool I want to make sure I incorportate with my fellow library collegues in my district. When we gather in my other departmental meetings there is always getting off the beated path of our meeting with their questions. Yes, they are great questions, but there still needs to be focusing on our goal of the meeting. Plus it allows you type a question or a comment and there might be a moment where the facilitator can elaborate as you go on. Another benefit is that you can see the postings that people have and not worry about hearing their questions, or maybe asking the same question twice.

Thing 17 Rollyo

I liked this website, but I agree with others it was a tad bit too much to consume. I liked how you could personalize your searchroll to fit your needs. I especially liked Shopping with Debra Messing!!!! There are so many ideas on how to create, but at his time I was glad that there were searchrolls ready for you to incorporate on your listing. I am not sure if I got the Rollyo tool embedded into my blog correctly-I will have to go back and examine.

Thing 16 Wikis

This a great way to incorporate book clubs with wiki spaces. I created a wiki space for the first class with Dr. Bishop called Tiger Shout Outs. I think students will be excited about logging in and writing about their personal views and they can add or edit other.

Thing 15 Web 2.0 & Library 2.0

Libraries are just not about books anymore! I have to admit when I step into that library this upcoming year I plan on making those few changes...increasing the technology part of the library. It maybe by just allowing the students to do Book Talks on my Wiki Page or create their own online product of their choice. Its about choice in today's world-more than just writing a paper and researching from articles and journals. There's is so much more we can offer these students. We have to contiue to change with what our future holds. Perhaps there want be blogging anymore we will just do something else. I have to say that the YouTube video got my attention!

Thing 14 Technorati & Tags

The YouTube video was very informative and understand how it works. I like how the tagging part works. It reminding me of how some search engines use "clustering" such as Clusty. I think if I could get searches down to a number that could be useful would make blogging a great idea. Especially to relate to those experiences from others in bloggerland.

Thing 13 Del.icio.us and Tagging

This was so awesome. I am going to have to move into my library and leave my computer behind in the classroom (our equipment is assigned to the room). Anyhow, I am going to have to get all of my bookmarks and move them to a del.icio.us account so I can have them.

Also, I am very thrilled to find out how social bookmarking works. Thanks again to Lee Lefever's video it was easy to understand how this all works. I still have some more sifting to go through, to get more confiendent.

Thing 12 Creating Community Through Commenting

Cool Cat Teacher had great tips on how to comment to others like a king or queen! I think commenting is somewhat like we post disscussions in class and also add a comment to a collegue's posting. We want to say somthing and it needs to be meaningful. I also have thoughts such as "is anyone else thinking the same way I am?" Here is a chance to "feel" the crowd and see if so.

I think of myself as a social person and feel comfortable, but I tend to agree about keep identity through an alias. I know it is impersonal so I might try to combine the two some how. I will work on it.

Thing 11 Library Thing

What a great tool to use. I found myself putting in books I just purchased along with books Ive checked out over the year or currently reading. This is something I want incorporate into my blog with widget so views can see some of my favorites that I would love to recommend.

Thing 10 Image Generator

So...I found this comicstrip maker at www.makebeliefscomix.com and I had a great time. These are great for students who are into graphic novels to help them create their own type of projects. I had given a choice when we were working on biographies that the student could create a graphic novel about their research. This would have been a great site to have recommend them to. I will make sure to save this site for future use for those students who want to submit a project that is more than a written report!

Thing 9 - Useful blogs/News feeds

Google Blog Search was easy to use. I just typed a few of ideas and bam…there they were. My daughter wanted me to Blog Beauty and The Beast; well we found a blog about the Broadway Show and says lets go now, Mama! I also liked the Topix.net- the web page was eye appealing and easy to maneuver through. I had difficulty with technorati-this one I need a staff development on in person. I was so overwhelmed. I am going to go through the tutorial again and see where I get.
I liked giving my zip code in Topix.net and then they pulled several blog listings from my area. That felt close and personal and knew some of the items of discussion. I am going to try to keep up bloglines and see where it leads me.

Thing 8 RSS

Lee LeFever's YouTube video is great. I had never paid attention to what some of those icons could do if you had add them to a reader. I created and subscribed to google reader and added Kathy Schrock, KHOU tv, Cathy Nelson, and one cool teacher and some "fun" others so I can see some new information coming in. What a great way to save time...like I have a lot of it!

Thing 7 Google Tools

I like using Google Earth with my students. Show them land forms and where some famous landmarks are and what the computer has generated an image. They like to find their house and the school or a friend's house.

I also like using Google Calendar. I like how you can let others view the calendar add events. I would like to try to see this with my family so maybe we can catch a soccer game or a dance recital of the nieces and nephews!

Thing 6 Trading Cards

I liked using Trading Cards. I had some difficulty fitting my picture in just in the right place. But I will get better with more practice. I think Trading Cards will gain the patrons attention and be fun for them. I would like to make Trading Cards for different genres of study.

Thing 5 Flickr

It was fun using flickr - you never know what kind of picture that you will find that could add to your posting or project. This picture is found by luck just searching for "reading" and it corresponds with a book my daughter Reyna and I read this evening. She loved counting the ladybugs and at the age of 3 she could inference what was going to happen on the next page. I am a Very Proud Mama!

I love to take pictures so maybe if I have capture an image that is posting worthy - maybe you will find it on flickr!