Things to try

I've decided that I can't keep up with technology. Every day I get new websites to go and visit...rarely do I have the time to try them out to their fullest extent. I'm going to have to try to schedule in some time to "play." www.toondoo.com is a site where you can build a cartoon. www.gcast.com allows you to create a podcast or MP3 file. I've gotten hooked on www.zamzar.com where you can convert YouTube videos into MP4/AVI files to show at school. www.sparklebox.co.uk is a good site for the young children on literacy, numeracy, books signs and labels. All in all, just a few clicks and you learn all kinds of new things. My list just keeps growing.

Election Project

The fifth grade students at Rummel Creek will be doing an election project, really a "So I want to be President" project. As I shared the project yesterday, I was so impressed about their knowledge of the current issues being discussed on the current national election. Their projects should be outstanding. I shared the final product with a short sample using photostory incorporating several web 2.0 tools. Before I could finish explaining the sample, the students were already shouting out ideas...WOW! These projects are going to be great. I can't wait to see where the students go with their creativity. Today, several had cameras and had begun writing. This is exciting to see the students go after and activity so quickly. More on the election project soon.

Just Thinking Out Loud

It's been a wild week in the Rummel Creek Library, students are busy with research and projects. I also checked out Mrs. Davis' homeroom Wiki...such good writers. Things would have gone even better if all of the technology had worked...by Friday I thought I might pull my hair out. I hope the teachers and the students don't give up on technology...it's going to be better real soon.....we're learning patience. The first of the activboards just arrived...we can't wait to try them.
Rummel Creek students are always interested in a contest...check out this site for a fun contest... http://www.cobblestonepub.com/kids.html ...
Hope you all enjoy the festival tonight.

Open House at Rummel Creek

I was able to sit in on fifth grades open house - as a result, check out the Rummel Creek Website, in particular the library website with links to curricular materials.
Try this site: Rummel Creek Curriculum Links. Look for links to typing lessons, math fact practice and more. The general curriculum links are under subjects; grade level assignments are under the specified grade level. Spend some time clicking around to see what is available...lots of good "stuff" to do with your children.

Please drop by the library for the list of passwords to the databases on the Library Resources Page. If you are not familiar with the Library Resources Page...click here. The resources available are amazing. I am glad to work with parents as well as students on utilizing the resources or using technology...just drop by anytime. TumbleBooks are great for primary grades...Again...just drop by and I'll be glad to share the information with you.

Wordle

This week, we've been having fun in the lab trying to create wordles. What is a wordle? It is a word cloud that the students create. The students type in words, then hit the create button and a neat word cloud is created. We have had fun creating wordles about characters, about ourselves, and about school. At RCE I have not let the students save their wordles on line, we paste them into powerpoint to use later. We have had great fun playing with colors and fonts. Click on http://www.wordle.net. Enjoy!

Back to School Again

I had really planned to write weekly on my blog and provide information about how the students at RCE were using the Web 2.o tools....well....things have not started off well, we're into the end of September and I haven't written a thing....I thought I'd write from home, but the last few weeks have been home without power...so today I write.....

After spending so much time at home without power, internet, or phone....I have come to the conclusion that balance is so important....as a librarian I can share both the wonderful world of books (and how children can escape into a new world) as well as share the newest technology available. Students need to have access to both...they each have a place in our lives. I have been so excited to hear my students return from Ike talking about the books they read and shared over the days they were at home. It's nice that they went back to the books.....they were probably more exciting than the hot nights at their homes. Next week we'll hit technology again when we're all up with power....tonight...I think I have power at my house (I've heard it through the grapevine)....so I'll enjoy a read at night with a real light. Maybe tomorrow my internet will be back up and I'll find the web again....

Library Inservice Follow-Up

I'm finally able to sit for a second to finish posting about the Library Inservice. I've been on the road taking my daughter back to college...hard to get internet service driving!
Anyway...I enjoyed taking the time to "play" with the web 2.0 tools again....I had done a lot over the summer, but putting things into practice was good.
Table 1 - Saving images from discovery learning - put into powerpoint and using image generators. II had to make new slide shows for KRCE...so I took photos from Discovery Learning and put the pledges. I had an error from the blog service trying to upload the video.....I need to call and find out what the problem is.
Table 2 - I was successful in using audacity - I had used it a lot last year. I added the sound track I created to my orientation lesson on Photostory...but hit a snag trying to upload the wmv file. I'll have to work on it. ....I'd love to be able to post my lessons for parents to see.
Table 3 - I used photostory for my library and computer lab orientation lessons. This way they will be on the shared folder and hopefully at one point I'll have them on a video podcast for new students to view....still working on that one. Again...I'm having a problem posting on the blog....I think the videos may be too big...when I have time I'll call and talk to tech services...they left me a "problem number" each time I tried to post.
Table 4 - A second part of my library orientation lesson is made up of clips from discovery education. This year I dumped the clips into movie maker. I made title clips and credits at the end so all I have to do is run the movie instead of stopping and starting...I would like to post...but again...I got an error.
Table 5 - Made an animoto to use as a "set" for my orientation lessons...hopefully it will get the children's attention. I have not attempted to post yet....but....I will.
I can't wait to show my teachers the Time Rime...I think they will enjoy it.

It has been fun...and yet a little frustrating wanting to get it all done...but patience will get me through....I did find that the animotos I tried to do on Wednesday went through real fast on Sunday evening...it's all about the time!

Library Inservice

Just completed trying to do image manipulation. I think this would be good for kids to try as an activity in the lab in the first weeks of school to help their classmates learn information about each other.

Thing #23 Summarize Your Thoughts about This Program

Well, it's nearly the deadline and I'm finally finishing! I do make deadlines...I had done so well working regularly at the beginning...and then life took over. This was probably one of the most enjoyable trainings I've done...especially since I could do it when I wanted and could spend as much time as I needed (or repeat and watch those videos over and over and over!) I am definitely going to try this again and see how much deeper I can get into some of these things...and then I'll click to more links and see where it takes me. I have enjoyed sharing with my staff and I think many of them will partake in the summer version. Thanks for offering this!

What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey? I just loved learning it all....it was great learning things that I could immediately put to use at school (trading cards have taken over my school!).
How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals? This program has encouraged me to continue to learn...I've always wanted to keep going...but having the "lessons" ready to go made it easier than me seeking out information. This also made me look at how much I wanted to take on at a time.....I've learned to pick and choose a little bit better
Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? I found out that I had already stepped out into Web 2.0 with my readings in journals and other classes that I had taken. I also learned that even an "old" person can learn new tricks!
What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept? It was fun as it was...however a few times for face to face discussion would be good too....some of us did that on our own!
If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate? DEFINETLY
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? Fun!

Thing #22: Nings

I like the idea of the Ning...however I need to think carefully on which one I'd want to participate in.....as I've tried all of these things...I see that I need a "second life" to keep up with it all. I could see spending a lot of time reading the Ning's ....I know now why my daughter dropped trying to keep up both facebook and myspace! After using it completely for a while, she now rarely signs in...it took over her life. I can see how a Ning would be a great way to keep up with people that you meet at trainings or staff development that are not from the school district...but again...how much time do I have to give?!? I can also see that it would be another way to keep learning...if each person in a group shared one new thing...the mutiplication of knowledge would be outstanding....hence...needing the "second life"! I spent some time looking at some of the sites and am considering trying one, however I need to spend a little time deciding which groups to join...

Thing #21: Podcasts and Audio Books

I am really excited about podcasting and videopodcasting. I have been working with my students to produce a podcast going along with our battle of the books. The students have enjoyed using Audacity to produce their podcasts. One of the highlights was being selected to make the podcast. I am now ready to try video. A project that I can't wait to try....I just need a little uninterupted time and more information.
Check out our podcast - War of the Words (Otherwise known as Battle of the Books.) The students even created the beginning in audacity.

Thing #20: YouTube, TeacherTube and Zamzar

I always enjoy playing around with teacher tube and youtube. I forget about the time as I watch the various videos. Even the high school students I work with will send me links to videos I need to watch. I have just purchased some cameras that I hope will enable me to create some videos easily that can be sent to either teacher tube or youtube. I have forwarded several on to teachers, epecially some of the ones about integrating powerpoint into their lessons...then they understand some of the reasons I give students such guidance on how many bullets, how many photos, etc. In digging around I found this powerpoint teachertube that I thought would be interesting for a project for one of my classes...the kids would enjoy producing one. Only I may switch it into Photostory...who knows.

Thing #18: Online Productivity Tools

I spent quite a bit of time exploring the Open office tools when experimenting with the lap top design for SBISD. I found that it was very simple to use, a little different than the commercial office suite, but not too hard to figure out the changes. One of the only problems I had was the Open office powerpoint, I tried to insert a downloaded clip like I do with Powerpoint (a project I do with my students) and was unsuccesful. Other than that I didn't have any problems with the Open Source. I was so glad to see that you could save a document in different formats, one of my concerns was that if we moved to Open source, our parents would not be able to open documents ...no problem with the Open Source! I also investigated Google Docs when working on the lap top project...I do believe that Google will over take the world. With Wiki's, Google Docs, and other sources, I think I can begin to cut down on e-mails and editing! Hallelujah!

Thing #17: Learning 2.0 Sandbox Wiki

After playing with PBwiki, I kind of like the sandbox better...but I'll stick with the other while I learn. It was simple to add a comment. I've designed a Wiki on PBwiki, but I have tried to edit yet....just need a few more hours in the day! I really do think that my students would enjoy this, especially my small interest groups.

Thing #16: Learn about wikis

I have been wanting to investigate WIKI's...but never took the time. After watching the video and reading through the various WIKIs on the page, I decided to make a few. It was easy to make, now I just have to get others to help out in writing. I think that several of my student writing blogs will actually merge into WIKIs over the coming months....then I can step back and let the students have access to do the work. I'll have to play with responsibility and more. I can see the PTA having a WIKI to do committee work and my Tech team at school will soon have a WIKI...I may go crazy with WIKI's...but it should cut down on the physical meetings and e-mails! Thanks for making me step up to the plate to learn! As soon as I get actual information in my WIKI's....I'll let you know the links.

Thing #15: Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and the Future of Libraries

Even before I had signed up to take this Web 2.0 class, I had realized much of what was mentioned in these articles. I knew my role as a librarian and the tools I used had changed drastically, and would continue to change if I choose to stay in this job! I loved the video! The notes that each of the students held up was sooo true. I spend much of my "spare" time working with middle and high school students....even those students spend much more time on my space/facebook than their textbooks. I've learned to "call for cell phones" before we try to have class or Bible study. I have to admit, that since I have been reading up and exploring for this "class" I have "risen" in their eyes. We can have discussions and share things that I don't think they ever thought the "gray-haired" lady would ever know. I've watched their eyes pop when I mention something that I've learned from web 2.0. Tonight on the national news they had a short clip that I thought relates very much to the video on this "thing", it was talking about how smart this year's class of students are, yet they can't recall a date from history, or name a specific author of a work of writing. But as the article went on to explain, should these students be required to memorize and recall mundane information when in moments through "Google" or other sources on the internet they can pull up the information needed. Although it will be difficult, I realize that we (educators, librarians, parents) need to allow these students to use the tools that are available to them to acquire the knowledge they need. The exposure that I have had through this class has opened my eyes and let me see a lot of things that I would otherwise have never explored. Even my own children are amazed at some of the things I now know....I guess I'm glad I'm a life long learner...but I think it goes with the job!

Thing #14 Explore Technorati and learn how tags work

I've been negligent in writing on the blog...so tonight I'll try to catch up. I spent some time last week exploring Technorati - never took the time to write it up...so now...yes, I realize I should tag more. It's a box I just miss. My biggest problem through this whole process is getting distracted and clicking on a link...more tags...more links...I think some nights I just get lost in my "exploring" ...thank goodness there's a home button and I can start over. I have learned a lot about tagging and will try earnestly to tag my sites. I will probably refer to other sites for a while for terms. I've had some difficulty in claiming my blog...all of the log ins and passwords are coming to get me....thank goodness for my RED folder! Now that I've claimed my site, let's see if it is worth reading!

Thing #13 Delicious (misspelled!)

I'm a little frustrated right now. I tried to install the buttons to explore and import my bookmarks. So far, totally unsuccessful. I tried a few times, but my computer and I are NOT getting along tonight!
So anyway, I decided to just explore the site. I have a bad habit of not tagging anything. I now realize how important this could be. By exploring Delicious - I found examples of tags. I think I'll spend a little more time exploring at the lists of upon lists of tags. I will dutifully try to add tags on my blogs. On most of my blog enries, I have not put any tags at all. ...I'll have to do better.
It would be nice to get all of my bookmarks from my home computer imported...I do most of my searching at home!
I'll try to install the buttons again tomorrow. I am frustrated!

Thing # 12 Rollyo

At first I was a little confused about Rollyo, but I think it's because I didn't go in with a plan....I wasn't looking for a specific topic. Once I thought about how it could be used, I got excited. I use IKeepbookmarks for sites for students to go and use. I now see how I could set up a search strategy for the students, yet give them a little more freedom to do some general searching. You are able to set the parameters for students to be successful in anything they do. I also see how we could set up some good searches for teachers to help them narrow their searches. At first I got a few strange results, but then I noticed that on the first page, I had a few extra things clicked.
The Rollyo I created tonight is entitled "Lesson Plans." I constantly am looking for a quick idea to share, I put the sites that are usually successful on my rollyo. I of course included two that link to sites with integrated technology. I'll have to share this link with my staff....perhaps they'll be able to give me topics to work with.

Thing # 11 Library Thing

I had actually run across Library Thing a few months ago and kinda of looked at it and moved on...figuring that I really wasn't too interested. Taking this Libary2Play class, I'm trying to relate everything to school as much as possible and seeing how I can use the different pieces to get my teachers interested in using technology. I have showed Library Thing to one teacher and she was most interested in getting her classroom collection put in (she's a new teacher and is just started in the collection of materials). I think I'll make a handout to share with the staff...this would be a great way for some of them to "catalog" their rather large collections...one of the neat aspects of the service is having a picture of the front cover. One of my teachers has an enormous collection, but he can never locate the book he is looking for because he doesn't know what he's looking for...having the cover will make life easier. Also, having a tag that you could place the level or the box the book is stored in would make life easier for those teachers with large collections. As mentioned before, I'm looking for the hook to get teachers to try some of these new things...I'll have to let you know how it goes. If it takes off even half as good as the trading cards, I'll have a lot of groups to teach!

Thing #10 Image Generators

Okay, this is very scary! It's too addicting....I've totally lost track of time as I've played on these websites! I can't wait to share it with the students at school! I could easily see this as a way for students to give a quick synopsis of something they have read. I'll have to get with fifth grade teachers to see if they are interested in seeing what kind of humor their students have. My problem...I have no sense of humor! I can't think fast enough with a quick whit. I'm really a boring person. I think if I take a computer to the teacher's lounge and have the teacher's play with it...we'd have a rockin' good time though. I enjoyed each of them, but spent a good part of time on Imagechef...I like the animations! Big problem....too many choices.

Thing # 9 Useful Library-Related Blogs

It is too hard not to do thing 8 and 9 together! I had a long list of library blogs that I wanted to add, so this was a perfect time to do some additional searching. I'm a real Google lover - so I loved searching with the Google Blog Search....found some obscure things I would not have thought of. I am not to fond of the news searches - I'm already a news junkie, so adding news blogs are a bit too much....I found my self reading too much just from the home page of Technorati.
Thank goodness for Atomic Learning...I've spent some time watching the videos. I'm a real slow learner, so watching things several times allows me to finally "get it!"
I did not like syndic8, I think I'm just too elementary! Pages were not graphically easy for me to read.
I did do some searching for my other blogs for students - we're listed! It was exciting to see your blog listed on the Google Blog Search! I've got a stack of student work to add to RCE Musings. I did a lesson and the students got too busy writing. Didn't find a match for my newly established Podcast....could be because we haven't posted an actual podcast yet?
Blogging is still a new idea for me, but I did enjoy reading what others had to say. It is an addictive behavior, you almost seem like a stalker reading what some people have to say. This being a political year...WOW...the stuff that is out there...you could make any candidate be great - or cause him to fall.
Spent enough time on the computer tonight...it's time to call it quits.

Thing # 8 RSS

The rain outside put me in the mood to just sit at the computer...I have totally lost track of time, I've been on now for way too long....but I had wanted to learn about RSS. New Year's day I spent hours reading blogs and bookmarking the pages.....now I've been able to go back and add the links to my Google Reader account. Much better than looking at "My favorites"!
It took a little while to figure out the adding of a subscription..I think at one time I had too many accounts opened. Finally got it figured out....then I got lost reading blogs! It is truly an addictive behavior! I'll be glad to only have to check my reader now. Having a reader should definitely shorten my time spent checking blogs.
I found a lot of blogs that I will want to keep up with for school...I didn't really play around for myself. That will come next. I'll have to think about what I'd like to read about...I really am a children's book person...always have been.
As I read through blogs, I can see many ways for libraries to use RSS...what a way to keep up with all that's going on. I didn't link all the blogs I want to read...most of them are linked on the pages that I put on my blog roll. I can see that I will spend hours reading.....may the rains come back!

Thing # 7 Google

Google - the possibilities. I had begun to explore all of the things that Google has to offer when I was asked to test out a new lap top. I learned about many Google Aps that I didn't know existed. It's almost as if we could "do it all" with Google!
For this experience, I checked out Google Calendar and Advanced search. My younger sister, a fellow teacher at my school - and totally non tech, was raving about Google calendar. I had put it on the back burner to try one day. She has her whole life charted and listed on her calendar...so I thought I'd try. Boy is it easy! I was even able to sync to my phone! I'm a visual person, so I like being able to see my calendar without having to carry around my 10 pound notebook. I think this will be put to good use. I'm thinking of doing somekind of enrichment calendar for my students....not sure yet. If I make the calendar public, I'm wondering if people would use it to sign up for the various areas in the library...it would make it easier than keeping up with "the facilities book" on the circ desk. Perhaps next year.
Advanced search. I loved being able to look up by type...I had been asked to prepare a powerpoint for a teacher's lesson. One quick look and I found the lessons already prepared and by downloading I'm ready for her class next week. WOW! It's amazing what is out there to use.
I'll have to keep coming back to #7 for more...it's got a lot to offer.

Thing #6 continued

Well, I thought I'd move on, but I've gotten stuck here. It's a good stuck though! The trading cards have been a hit. I've taught several classes, individual students and teachers and my schedule is full of classes for next week. If nothing else, the trading card experience has been worth doing Library 2 Play!
My PGP students want to do nothing but make playing cards, they came up with a list of activities to do for the spring semester...nearly all had to do with playing with trading cards. I may have created a monster! Tomorrow they are going to bring what they made at home. I've got to get to Thing #7!

Response from faculty meeting....a success...I'm scheduled to teach at least one class of everything I shared.....still need to get a few teachers on board...but I'm getting there. Hopefully soon we'll have technology (in whatever form) embedded in every curriculum topic at school.

Thing #6 Third Party Sites

Well, after spending a few days reading and rereading the article, I think I finally have a grip on Mashups. I think I have used them, just not knowing that's what they were. I have had a difficult time staying on task....so many of the sites have additional links that of course I must go out and see what they are. I spent about an hour chasing rabbits last night! I got to the trading card site and played around a bit there. My second grade students are doing their biography unit on heroes right now and I could definitely see the students making trading cards using the heroes they are researching. What fun it would be! The end result would be fun to actually print and trade. So far everything I have explored I can put directly into use in a classroom situation. I will be sharing several of these things tomorrow at the faculty meeting. I can't wait to see the reaction of my staff. Hopefully my schedule will fill up with classes so I can share the knowledge before I forget it. This has so far been a fun experience, giving me the "right" to play and explore all kinds of new things!

Thing #5 - Flickr

So today I spent quite a bit of time on flickr. Just in the nick of time. Tomorrow I am doing part of the inservice and was wondering how I would share photos....Flickr to the rescue! In a manner of time I was able to take photos, put them on line and now they are ready for the teachers to access tomorrow. I am sure that I will be upgrading soon as I will use up space. My mind is going fast with all of the ways that I can use this wonderful little thing!
The biggest problem I am having is how I will keep up with all of these things....and with life. I enjoy the time I "play" EXPLORE.....but right now I am not too busy with life!

This has been fun, and definitely stretched my brain a little!

Thing #4

Okay, so I've registered. ...and I'm on PDLC...yeah for the credit!
I meant to work a little over the holidays...but time escaped and little was done. I did spend one afternoon just looking a various blogs. It's amazing what you can read about in blogs...I kinda got lost for a few hours. It made me feel a little bit better about keeping a blog as I saw how short and simple some of the entries were. I also realized that in reading someone's blog, you can learn something especially if you follow some of their links. I kept getting deeper and deeper into links.