Molecules in Motion

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Thing #23

I've enjoyed this summer learning opportunity more than I thought I would. I liked having someing to work on periodically and didn't realize that there were so many other resources out there. I need to be more like a curious child and just explore. Here are some of my thoughts...

1. My favorite exercises were the media exercises like photostory. I really see myself using those in the near future.

2. This program has affected my lifelong learning goals by really encouraging me to explore and not be timid about trying something new. You've probably guessed that I'm a bit reluctant to "click the wrong button."

3. The unexpected outcome of this program is that I now know how much the internet has to offer. Items outside the realm of basic information.

4. To improve on this format...gosh the only tricky thing was getting started. That was a shade confusing...signing up for the blog I mean.

5. If you offered another discovery program like this in the future I would defineatly participate.

6. EYE-OPENING!

7. Okay!!!

Thing #22

Alright, I ranted and raged on one of the NING social blogs. I became so upset by what I was reading that my bloodpressure went up and I've vowed never to go back to that site again. It just made me upset and I don't need that. I choose to be happy!

So, as you can tell, I won't be using the NINGs so much. I've noticed that some of these blogs are places for people to vent their anger about a topic but really have no intention of changing the situation or even their attitude. They're simply looking for validation for and converts to their way of thinking. Sorry, that won't be me.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Thing #21

This is by far the best! I feel so computer savvy! Creating my little video was so interesting and easy that I emailed it to my family to show them what I had learned to do. The program on photostory is simple and user friendly. I can see my students using this to create an end of the year project . Wht else can I say....it's awesome!

Making Microscope Slides

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Thing #20

The tubes...I couldn't get on to Youtube since it is blocked by the server..I'll try again tonight when I have more free time to spend. I did get onto teacher tube and found it really neat. I looked up science and although they are limited in their selection, I was able to find some high quality introductory videos that I think can be used as springboards for new topics. I've found that the shorter videos work best with my students attention span. I suppose it is like chunking information into digestible bites.



I shall now try and embed this video and if you click on the link and see "molecules in motion" then I was successfull!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Thing #19

I chose to keep it familiar for the first adventure on the Web 2.0 awards list, so I looked at Google blog. I looked up parenting and found myself watching a TODAY SHOW clip about Tim Russert and his son. It was quite a tear jerker. I also found "mothersclick" under another topic and found it quite interesting so far. Sorry, not finding any use for this stuff in the science world, but it might come in handy for discipline issues that might arise.

Not that I am any sort of a writer (that would be my husband's gift) I took a peek a LULU. I thought it interesting that here was a site that will let you publish pretty much anything regardless of whether it's good, bad or ugly. Of course it's dependant upon the depth of your pocketbook but I'm sure they take credit.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Thing #18

As my students would text....OMG! This is a wonderful "thing" that I never knew about. For those who do not have access to Microsoft Office or (as is probably the case for most of my students) cannot afford to purchase it, this is an awesome resource! They could save their product on the web and then access it from any computer... say at the library or a friends house. Then they could email the assignment to you!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Thing #17

Okay, I've set up my own Rollyo, but since I don't frequent many websites, I have only 4 listed. By the time I leave this world I would like think I could cook reasonable well. Alas, I am a frustrated "chef" trying to get better. If you share this hobby even a little bit, try these sites out. The searchroll is "RECIPES"

http://rollyo.com/index.html

Friday, July 18, 2008

Thing #16

Great resource! This would be great for note taking/generation in any area of education. I would have to wonder how accurate the information is on some subjects since they can be edited by anyone and everyone. I still find it a bit hard to find blogs and pieces of info on specific topics sometimes. So much to choose from.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Thing #15

The first article titled " Away from Icebergs" really opened my eyes to what a library needs to become. If I understand the reading correctly, a library is no longer the only source of information, but is a source to help us collect our information from sources other than a traditional library. It's sort of like ordering many different products from one source on the internet, such as amazon.com. I love this thought!

The idea that a library is a life in itself I found poignent and inviting. How many times have I retreated to the library to find a calm and quiet place to focus on reading and information related tasks? Too many to count. Even when my son attends story time at our local library, I enjoy the atmosphere and learning opportunities created by the librarians and library aids.

Ahh....warm fuzzies and hot chocolate for libraries!

Thing #14

Thing #14 is for the birds! I don't like it. I found it very confusing and not able to find any blogs worth my reading time. Now I understand that I was bound to hit a bump in the road eventually, but this is more like a curb. The only way I found "school library learning 2.0" was in the blog tab. I couldn't find the TAG section. I'm sorry to admit that I will not e using this "thing" anytime soon in my teaching. I'd spend more time learning how it works than benefits gained.

I hate to say that I don't love everything that is in this learning opportunity, but I have to be honest.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Thing #13

Okay, Del.icio.us was alot easier when I realized that you can click on the tag words! Before that it I just thought it was a list Now this is a tool that I see as being very useful in class for research. I could tag certain websites to help students sort through the maze of information that comes up. As a social blog its wonderful! Imagine a project already set up with online resources that are tailored to the topic and safe for all stachers to use with their kids. So little prep...

Personally I've been looking for carpet steamers (anyone want a cat...just joking) and I used del.icio.us to tag some sites that I'll revisit later. WooHoo!

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Thing #12

I think the very first tip about commenting was very improtant "write a meaningful comment". I'm not blessed with the gift of gab and tend to get to the nuts and bolts of a discussion. I'm very factual but really appreciate those people out there who can express themselves with beautiful language and build upon information already.

The third article had a tip stating "When in doubt...ask". Where do I start? Commenting is like being in a room full of strangers and you're trying to make friends by joining a conversation you know nothing about. But...How do we learn????? ASk!

More to come...

I really like working in the kitchen and trying to cook. "trying being the operative word here. So, I checked out a menu planning blog and found a really interesting recipe for potroast.


Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Thing #11

Library Thing is clever and very useful. What better way to get information about good books! No more wondering if a book is good...just ask someone who has read it. Or better yet, get recommendations for interesting reads. I will completely use this! I love how it is categorized by topic.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Thing #10

Thing #10 is pretty neat. I can see if being used in a history class to help follow historical events. I created the comic strip or I should say a comic frame. Seemed simple enough.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Thing #9

1. Technorati seemed pretty easy to use. I didn't get as specific as I wanted it to, but I will learn the best ways to search the engine with more practice.

2. more to come...

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Thing #8

I am now moving into the realm of confusion. Not in the sense that you might think, but as I had mentioned before there are soooo many "things" to sign up for that need passwords....I'm getting lost in the number of them!

The RSS is neat and I like the idea of saving time searching for information.

I suppose I could use this to help my students with research by having the information directed to a RSS page. Personally, I don't see myself having much time to read the information too often. I don't feel drawn to computers and technology like others might be.

This would be a great resource for finding information fast on a particular topic.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Thing #7

I investigated the igoogle and set up my own google page with the tabs that interest me. Although not important I am interested in trying to set up my own theme. Not being very computer savvy...it'll be a "challenge".

I already use google calendar and find that sort of helpful. I still prefer the printed out kind that I can quickly glance at and write on rather than firing up the computer all the time.

I enjoyed the advanced search and will definately use that in the future to narrow down what I'm looking for.

Next, i'd like to visit the notebook feature....in my abundant free time (yea, right)

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Thing #6

I explored the jigsaw and the trading card maker. I plan to go back tonight and try some of the other technology they have to offer. I created two trading cards about lab equipment that I think could be used as review in class. I wonder now how to print them out and how do I find these websites again without using the Library2play page?

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Thing #5

This is going to be awesome! Seeing as all my warm ups are on powerpoint presentations, it will be wonderful to have a new pool of images to select from!

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Thing #4

First challenge to be faced. Since I set up my blog during Thing#1 I didn't really understang what I was doing. I filled in information that I thought would be good at the time but may not be now. Registering this blog for credit in Thing#4 asked for information I used, and I hope I sent the right stuff. I think I should write up a flow chart to organize my thoughts on this process. Summer is here and my mind is a jumble. Add two kids under 4yrs and i'm lucky I can remember to brush my teeth.

Thing #3

I think I set up my blog on Thing #1. That was by accident but neat nonetheless. The avatar was really great! I can see myself wasting several evening hours just playing around with all the options!

Monday, June 9, 2008

Thing #2

The hardest thing for me is seeing problems as challenges. The easiest thing is starting with the end in mind.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

first time blog

Okay, I'm going to be honest...setting up this blog scares me. I know it is professional developement, but I'm going into this blind due to lack of instruction of what is expected of me. I really don't want people knowing personal information about me.