Thing 21 - Podcasts and Audio Books

I've had a bit of difficulty with this one. I've got several slideshows to pick from to narrate - but that's not the problem. The problem is getting my microphone to work... My husband is trying to help.

I've tried uploading files that I've found elsewhere but I'm having trouble doing that even. How do I get the podcast to play on here??? I'll have to work on these problems at home tonight so I can get my hard-earned credits!

Thing 23 - Summarize Your Thoughts About This Program

1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
I enjoyed setting up and playing with my blog, avatar, WetPaint, TeacherTube, and Nings.

2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
I am going to try and incorporate more technology into the classroom which means I'll need to learn how to use it first!

3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
I was surprised at how many new tools are available on the internet!

4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
Perhaps allowing a menu style selection where we could pick from a larger pool of tools to complete our 23 Things would make it easier to complete - I've been stuck on 21 for over a month due to technical difficulties.

5. If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate? Maybe.

6. 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? Enlightening.

7. Now go and comment on some of the other Players' blogs? Previously done! (I can probably fit in some more though.)

Thing 22 - Ning

I like the idea of using Nings in the classroom. I actually think that this format may be more helpful than a Wiki - for me at least. I can see my students getting into this or WetPaint.

I do plan on joining Ning for Teachers as well! There appear to be many helpful conversations going on there.

Thing 20 - YouTube, TeacherTube, and Zamzar

I think Zamzar will be a very useful tool - especially for those good YouTube videos the district blocks! Blinkx also looks like it could be quite useful.

I liked this video (just under 5 minutes). Very educational, yet the student tastefully voiced opinion at the same time.

Thing 19 - Web 2.0 Awards List

What is special about the tool?

• I really like Wetpaint! It has so many templates to start you off - unlike WikiSpaces. I also like the attachments area on the Wiki. That will make it much easier to post assignments.

What are it's useful parts, especially with regards to Libraries and school?

• This will allow students/teachers to easily have group discussions without sending out tons of e-mail. Everyone can add their two cents if they feel like it, or they can sit back and watch what everyone else has to say.

How might you use this tool in your own setting?

• I could use Wetpaint to post assignments and let students converse about them. I'll see how the set up of one wiki goes before I make another - perhaps for teachers in our school.

Thing 18 - Online Productivity Tools

I like the idea of Open Office and that it is compatible with the popular (and expensive) softare that is so common today. I like the sharing capabilities of Google Documents, but I wish it would allow PDF upload.

Thing 17 - Learning 2.0 Sandbox Wiki

I like the idea of using Wikis for projects and as a collaborative notebook for meetings. The SBISD Library Sandbox is filling up with some good ideas for use of new technologies! Check it out.

Thing 16 - Wikis

I really like the Wikis in Plain English video!

I'm wondering what our administration and other teachers will think of creating a class or grade-level Wiki... I can also see using a Wiki for class or group projects. Could be interesting...

Thing 15 - Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and the Future of Libraries

I agree with Rick Anderson's perspective on Library 2.0 - Away from the "icebergs". We do need to start changing now so we're not ages behind in a couple of years.

Heck, at this rate, books will soon be obsolete relics like the abacus! With all the books on CD/MP3/DVD and the new Kindles coming out, why would anyone want to lug around 10 pounds of paper for entertainment?

Thing 14 - Technorati and How Tags Work

I like how Del.icio.us gives you the most popular tags. For those of us that don't read the paper because of so many irrelevant items this is a great tool. If I, or my students, want to know what the current hot topics are we could use Del.icio.us. However, Technorati sorts tags based on how often they're linked - which, in my mind, equates to relevance in a way. Also, Technorati's layout seems more professional than Del.icio.us'.

I like the idea of tags, but at the same time I don't. I see so many people tagging their sites with irrelevant tags to try and redirect business. There should be some kind of tag filter that looks for relevance within the site.

Thing 13 - Tagging and Discovering Del.icio.us

I might have our students start at Del.icio.us for their next research project. I'll have to see what their comments are to see where to go from there. I know they don't like using the Library Resources page. (I think the layout is a huge drawback there - WAY too cluttered.)

I have not yet linked my blog to any other blog. I think I'll try that next - if I can find something I like.

Thing 12 - Roll Your Own Search Tool

Rollyo is easy to use. However, I don't care for the pop-ups associated with it.

Here's my custom Anatomy & Physiology search.

Thing 11 - LibraryThing

I put up all of my favorite Crichton books to start! I started on my Nancy Drew collection also. But, with over 60 books - this may take a while. (I'll come back to it later.)

I like it to catalog my books - don't know that I'd use it in the classroom though.

I don't like that you have to add books one at a time. I would like it better if you could use checkboxes next to the search results and add several at a time.

Thing 10 - Online Image Generator

This was made with Comic Strip Generator: (I don't know if I like not seeing the pic though.) frog-hidding-in-plant comic strip



This was made with Danger Sign Generator: (not bad)





This was made with Image Chef: (I like the animations.)


This was made with Smiley Generator: (not bad)

I already tried the Trading Card Maker. I might be able to use it in class.

I would probably end up using these resources to make cartoons to go on a webpage. I might use the Danger Sign Generator to make warning signs for the classroom.

Thing 9 - Library stuff (finding feeds)

I liked using Google to search for blogs - very easy. I thought that following one blog to another would just get me lost - didn't like that at all. I found a couple of feeds that I liked - only one that I subscribed to though: Blog. The only other way to find feeds that I might use would be to look for the little RSS links on various pages that I happen upon.

I really didn't find this section too enjoyable - too much random surfing.

Thing 8 - RSS Feeds and Readers

I really like the Google Reader! Easy to edit and add feeds.

All info you see is relevant to what you want!

It would be nice to have students AND parents subscribe to a Teacher/School Blog. They could get up-to-date information without having to go to each teacher's web page to get assignments!

Libraries could use RSS Feeds to notify teachers, students, and parents of new additions!

My shared feed.

Thing 7 - Cool Google Tools

I like the Google Calendar! I need to see about transferring my info from Yahoo! Calendar... iGoogle is alright - I like the games page! The notebook looks interesting... Google Advanced Search and Google Earth really aren't that new to me - already use them.

I decided to try the Alerts and Calendar. I'll have to wait and see how well the alerts work. I like the color-coding/bars in the calendar already though. I'm not sure if I like how public the calendar is... I'll have to really watch what posts publicly vs. privately. Maybe there is a password option I have not found yet...

I could make a classroom calendar with assignments and due dates - I've already got a dry-erase version in my classroom. Maybe more kids would look if it were online...

Alerts I'm not too sure about - other than reminding me of personal or work events. I'm not sure how to use these in the classroom.

Thing 6 - Mashups & 3rd Party Sites

I like the Trading card site! We could make cards for many identification activities in science! Many possibilities here...

Thing 5 - Explore Flickr

Flickr looks easier than Shutterfly! I may have to switch.

Thing 4 - Registering my blog for credit

I hate how e-mail addresses need that passport sign-in - uggg! I always end up having to copy the address into my e-mail. I know it's not difficult - just another step.

Thing 3 - Setting up the blog & avatar

There are so many components!!! This could take a while to learn about all of the pieces and parts.

Creating the avatar was fun. It would be nice if it would automatically update as I edit on Yahoo! though.

Thing 2 - 7 1/2 Habits

I suppose the easiest habit for me is "Begin with the end in mind". I am an organization person! Heck, I've already got the next 6-weeks planned out and we're barely 1/2 way through this one.

The hardest habit for me would be "Play". I don't usually give myself any play-time. I get up in the morning, get ready for work, go to work, usually stay late to grade papers, go home or grocery shopping, cook dinner & eat, get ready for bed, go to bed, then repeat the next day. Not much time for play figured in. Although, I am going to try and work in some physical fitness starting next week!