Thing #17

I had no luck with PSD Wiki. I couldn't figure out how to log on. I feel like a broken record, but at this point I can't find much of a need in my life for wikis. I think I just need to spend more time with it.

Thing #23

What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
My favorite discoveries are Flikr, Rollyo, Zoho Writer, and NetLibrary.

How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
It has moved me toward my goal of incorporating more technology into my personal life and my teaching life. It has helped me to overcome some of my fears around technology.

Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
I am still amazed at just how much is out there on the net. There seems to be a whole world that I am barely participating in. This overwhelms me, yet further motivates me to keep learning.

What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
I think it is a sound format.

If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you again chose to participate?
I probably would not. I procrastinate too much, which left me frustrated at the end because there was too much information to cram in. I also need more guidance where technology is concerned. Luckily, my husband helped me out.

Thing #22

How cool is this! I must get an MP3 player! Two titles I ran across are Annie Oakley: Woman at Arms, and Authentic LIfe of Billy the Kid (we just finished a Fort Collins History Unit, and western expansion is where my mind it). What a great way to pass the time on my long drives to Nebraska!

Thing #21

I spent time looking for education and literature podcasts on the Odeo site, but to no avail. The only education sites I found were for higher education. I have listened to funny podcasts before (Ricky Gervais for example), but have yet to run across any that would help me in the teaching profession.

Thing #20

You can find the funniest things on You-Tube, most of whcih I would not use in my classroom. There are some good videos made by students. I probably wouldn't have my students make videos and post them on You-Tube, but I could show them some examples of videos other students have made. Below is a School House Rock about grammar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7S_B9GcRI0k

Thing #19

I think mango and spanishpod both sound very cool. I did not sign up for the free trials, as I am getting uncomfortable having parts of myself flying all over the internet (not that I'm worried about security, or even anybody caring at all, it just feels weird to me). I could see mango being very useful to students as it exposes them to conversations in different languages by native speakers. Not as good as visiting the country, but better than hearning an English teacher speaking Spanish.

Spanishpod sounds like it might be helpful for teachers trying to learn Spanish (or maybe students, I'm not sure).

Thing #18

Zoho Writer could not have been any easier to sign up for. Although I didn't spend much time on the site, I love the idea of having access to my documents on any computer. I can't believe I haven't heard of this before. Teachers are always tryin to do work at home and them end up e-mailing things to themselves at school and then reformat them. What a pain.

Thing #16

I really like the idea of a wiki for a specific upcmoning event, not just for a library, but for any event. I've heard of people having a wiki for their family reunion, for example. I also liked the wiki book review from a library. As with the rest of the tech I've learned about in this class, I don't fully understand the benefit of a wiki, but I'll get there.

Thing #15

There will always be a need for libraries filled with books. This I know, because I prefer reading books over reading a computer screen. My eyes get tired. A laptop would help, so I could at least get comfortable. I'll have to get one of those.

My understanding is that in it's most agreed upon definition, Library 2.0 means that libraries will have to change in order to accomodate the patron's need for access to technology. (This doesn't sound exactly right, but I know what I'm trying to say.) Beyond that, I think Library 2.0 looks many different ways to many different people. Some of the articles I read seemed like people except an awful lot from libraries. Our local libraries already struggle financially. Where is all of the money going to come from?

The possibility of libraries become tech. oriented and collaborative between libraries and its patrons is an exciting one. I do not have a clear picture in my mind of what libraries should look like in the near future.

Thing #14

This class is beginning to make me fell like an old fuddy duddy. I did not enjoy perusing around Technorati whatsoever. I do not find it an efficient to search for information. Maybe I am not using it to its fullest potential. Maybe it's because blogs, aside from this class, are not a part of my life. At some point will I feel completely out of the loop because of this?

Thing #13

For now, I am content with using 'favorites'. Which is 'old school', I know. Just browsing around briefly I can see the value of delicious, but I 'm not drawn to it at the moment. I could see it being a useful tool for research and communicating with other professionals.

Thing #12

I created my own search roll, but I'm not sure how it is more beneficial than making a file in my favorites, and grouping related websites together that way.

After looking through another clasmate's blog, I found out that a search roll can be used from any computer, and favorites just from the computer they are saved on. Ah-ha!

Thing #11

I added five books to Library Thing. As of right now, I don't know how to add a link from my blog. I'm sure it's not that difficult (for most people), but I'm not up to it today. I'll get to it sometime.

I just got dome searching the house high and low for a pair of goves for my 7 year old to wear. Who is breaking into my house stealing gloves? These are the things that concern me today.

I figured it out, it's right here.

Thing #10

This is from Generator Blog (Miracle Maker). It's an image of my two sons. I really had fun playing around with the many options on generator blog. If I can figure out how to post more of my results, I will.

Thing #9

I must move on from thing #9. I never used feeds before this class, still am not quite sure what I need them for, and until I figure out a reason, probably won't. Perhaps I am missing something, but if I live in ignorance, I'll never notice!

Thing #8

What do I like about RSS and newsreaders?
Hard to say, I have no regular feeds that I view, but this tool will have me looking some over now. I can see it will be convenient to have everything combined on one spot. I'm still not sure why I want to subscribe to feeds. So far, I just like to cruise websites.

How might I be able to use this tech. in my work or personal life?
I could see the usefulness of having feeds all in one spot. I just need to search out feeds that interest me.

How can schools use RSS?
Not sure yet, but I'm thinking on it.

Thing #7

I have been reflecting about technology, and even though I don't claim to be a techno-wizard, technology really has become an important part of that way I do business in the last 5 or so years. I use technology in several forms daily in my teaching. I do research on the internet, communicate through e-mail, use the computer with my students for things such as AR, Funbrain, Coolmath, etc. I use an avatar instead of an overhead projector. I project videos from the computer (United Streaming) onto a screen. There's always room for growth, but I never pictured how far technology would take me several years ago.

At home, I e-mail, facebook, download pictures and send them to relatives, look up everything on the internet (recipes, who was that actress that starred in that one movie, does my dog have a cyst, you name it). I even let my inner rock star come through while playing Guitar Hero. Again, always so much more to learn, and this class is inspiring to keep learning!

Thing #6

Just checked out www.befunky.com Very cool! It was simple to use. It could even be a possible place to get gifts (a picture of my kids 'Warholized' for the grandparents, for example). I would love to somehow share my work, but am virtually braindead at this time of night.

Thing #5

I did it! I posted 5 pictures on flikr (unexciting school pictures, but who cares, I did it)! Trickier than I thought it would be. Could be because I started before break, took a break, came back to it and couldn't find any of my passwords, so had to re-set them. Ah, now I get the significance of the suggestion of putting all passwords on an index card instead of on fifty million sticky notes! My Flikr URL: www.flikr.com/photos/oliversmithers or check all photos tagged with psd23things.

Thing #4

Finally I am rolling. Took a while for me to realize (ok, it took my husband to help me realize) that in order to hop around from blog to blog, I needed to add all URLs to my 'blogs to follow' list.

One thing I've noticed is that not everyone labels their blogs 'thing#', and since I am a concrete/sequential type person, I only comment on those who label their blogs that way. It's easier for me to keep track of whose blogs I have commented on and whose I haven't.

Thing #3

I set up my blog over two weeks ago, and have not spent time on it until today. Once I get caught up on my assignments, I hope to make it prettier. Right now I am having blog envy after checking out so many of my classmates' sights. Good inspiration!

Thing #2

The easiest habit for me in regards to being a succesful learner is having confidence in myself as a competent, effective learner. I know when I put my mind to learning something, and see the value in learning it, I can do it. The most difficult of the habits for me is to begin with an end in mind. My goals tend to be too general. For several years now I have been saying that I want to use technology more in my classroom. That goal is too broad. I just need to define what that looks like for me, and then I'll have a better chance of utilizing technology in my classroom.

Thing #1

Here I go! I know how important it is for my students to have technology as an integral part of their learning, and I know how far behind I am in this area. No more excuses! I have to dive in, no matter how uncomfortable it is for me!