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.

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

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!

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.