Thing 14 - Flowcharts & Mind Maps

I used Bubbl.us to create a mind map about Natural Disasters - a topic our ICT students complete research on during the fall semester. Last year our students were introduced to Thinking maps and this is very similar. I attempted to send it to Mary so we can collaborate. I really like this idea to share these organizers. It was a little frustrating at first, but once I got the hang of it, it really was easy. Of course, I didn't know how to create a different type of map.
I tried to access gliffy.com, but I was not able to sign up. I kept clicking next to the email line, but nothing would work. I am waiting on an invitation to flowchart.com
in order to complete the exercise. I know that my husband loves flowcharts, but I'm not very savvy using them. I DO NOT like these. I tried to complete a simple family tree in both flowchart and gliffy. I don't know how to make these work and I can't find a help or tutorial. After reading a few blogs of people who have completed #14, I don't feel so bad about not liking flowcharts.

Thing 13 - Zoho Writer

Thing 13 - Zoho Writer

This is an experiment to try Zoho Writer. I believe that the ability to collaborate and share documents is a wonderful idea. So many times I have wanted documents that are on my school computer to have at home, but forgot to send it.  Oh isn't that emoticon cute; it was very easy to add. My favorite font is comic san souci, but it's not available. It was very easy to find the special symbol for copyright as shown here.©© I guess I got carried away. Whew, I thought I had lost this document. I also like the idea of going offline so easily. Documents being available online eliminates the need for flash drives, etc.

Students working on a group project would love the idea to share it so easily. I believe students and teachers would really benefit from this. The use of this tool seems unlimited both personally and for educational purposes. 

P.S. I did publish this directly from Zoho which was easy the 2nd time I did it. I'm disappointed that the emoticon didn't work.

7-2-08 I missed the Google Spreadsheet instruction. I have created a spreadsheet for the Lone Star reading list. This was very easy and I hope to continue to use it this year to track students who read the books. Should this be marked private? I am thinking it should.

Thing 12 - Google Toys - oops Tools

First, I seem to have lost the "add link" icon on my comment post. I tried to make several links in my #11 post, but it just wasn't there. Where did it go? Ok, this is weird. I am having trouble with Safari randomly closing all open windows. I switched to my other laptop and my add link tool is here. Where is it on my other laptop and why does Safari keep closing?

I have explored Google Calendar and entered a few events. This would be very helpful to combine my home and school calendar into one. I am going to try to add it as a page element. I did not like the "quick add" element because it wasn't quick. I probably did something wrong though. Unfortunately, it doesn't work as a page element on my blog. This could be very useful for setting up the school & library calendar.
Google Notebook would be VERY helpful for teachers working on advanced degrees or certification. Students could definitely use this when doing research. The sharing idea may not be a good one for students as they share enough as it is. They might just share their entire research. That said, ICT students doing the group research would benefit from the ability to share their findings since it is a group effort. I explored the Picasa tool and had trouble either signing in or becoming a new user so I just went through the Picasa tour. Wow, if you put their pictures of Las Vegas in a slideshow, it makes me want to go to Vegas. We've never been there. I also like the map features. Since I am new to photo sharing, several of my friends have suggested Snapfish. Does anyone have an opinion which is better, Flickr, Picasa or Snapfish? I noticed that Flickr has a limit to the number of uploads or photos you can store.

I added Google Alerts for Texas Tech Football (news) and Teen Reads (Blogs) with notification of once a day. If this gets to be too much, I will edit the notification. Also, I think this is how Max Anderson tracks blogs that include the phrase "reluctant reader." He posted a comment on my #11 thing about becoming a writer of books for boys Ages 8+ who are reluctant readers because he grew up as this type of reader.

Thing 11 - Finding Good Feeds

Several of the feeds were interesting and I'm slowly getting the hang of it because it seems as though the ones I select do not have the easy RSS feed symbol so I have to do it manually. I've added Library Thing which most of the librarians learned about earlier this year. I definitely will use this tool to promote books, series, and suggestions to read. I hope to add it to the library web page as well. My favorite thing to do is connect a reluctant reader with a book that they really enjoy reading and I hope to add the covers of some of my favorite books. I am also trying to connect to Ultimate Teen Reading List, but have been unsuccessful at this point.

On a personal note, I love to cook so check out Allrecipes

Blue Skunk is a very popular blog to read.

Thing 20 - You Tube

I jumped to #20, Youtube, because I heard that the movie trailer for Twilight by Stephenie Myer is being previewed. The movie will be out Dec. 12, 2008. This is the #1 book checked out from our library closely followed by her other books in the series, New Moon and Eclipse. The 4th book and final installment in the series will be published in August and the students cannot wait for it.

I am familiar with Youtube because my sons are easily entertained by it and often share with us funny and amazing videos. Last week I was looking for a spoof on Tiger Woods sinking his incredible putt to win the 2005 Masters. Many of these videos are still available, but the one I was looking for has been pulled. It can definitely be addicting. Check out the link to "Dan Dunn's Patriotic Painting" Dan Dunn has other paintings you should watch.

Students love these videos. They would have fun creating a video based on the research they complete and post it on this website. I believe it would thrill them to death to see their creation. Just think of all the skills they'd learn and use as they complete the assignment.

For comparison reasons I used Twilight on each of the video websites. Teachertube videos frequently stopped for "buffering" including short ones. However, most everything that I opened was created by students. I thought the students did a good job on this American History Idol video. Perhaps it is my laptop, but it became very annoying.

I tried to embed the video, but it didn't work.

P.S. Oprah featured You Tube on today's show (6-25-08). She had the guy that does "Evolution of dance" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNgwhich is the most watched video on You Tube. He was hilarious.

Thing 10 - RSS Feed and Google Reader

I think I have vaguely figured this out. I added TopShelf to my del.icio.us account and Google Reader. Top Shelf was created by our teacher, Mary Woodard, and is a great site. Not just for librarians, but teachers can easily see how to incorporate the library into their curriculum. There are so many ways the librarian can help and yes even with the TEKS and TAKS including Math. Did you know that we still use the Dewey Decimal system? Do your students need help with decimals? Let me develop a fun lesson on math functions that the students will enjoy, i.e. Find 796.332 (sports - football) -(subtract) 597.96 (snakes) = 198.372 Write the title and call # of the book closest to your answer that you MIGHT like to read in this section. [My answer: 154.6 G - The Mystery of Dreams]


P.S. I've decided that it's important to include the Title so that I can go back and check out how to use the tool.

Thing 17 - Social Bookmarking - Del.icio.us

I HAD to jump to this one because my husband has a delicious account on our computer. When I tried to add several bookmarks for this class, it insisted that I login. Not knowing how to access his account, I was forced to learn about it. The CommonCraft video was very helpful. The recommended tutorial on delicious was not as helpful because I couldn't make it full screen.

I created a del.icio.us account and immediately started saving bookmarks. I LOVE this, but I'll let you know if it really works (yes, I'm a skeptic). I found the comments and especially liked this comment about Spell with Flickr "Just try to stop playing with this lmbrowning". The one thing I don't like about the comments is that the pink highlight makes the text difficult to see. I checked out the MISD 23 things, joined the network, and saved 12 bookmarks to MY del.icio.us account.

I definitely see this as a positive for collaborative research. On our Library web pages, I use the Class Projects page a lot, so this would be very helpful since it's easy to add bookmarks. I am hopeful that this wouldn't be blocked so that students could easily access it. Perhaps they would stumble across some other site that would appeal to their interests and they'd learn something other than what they were researching. Imagine, expanding your knowledge about so many different things because the bookmarks are available unless marked private.

I absolutely LOVE that my bookmarks will now be available from any computer. Now, I'm off to teach my husband about del.icio.us

P.S. I am able to access del.icio.us at school; unfortunately, it is blocked.

Thing 9 - Image Generator

The license plate was easy to do using imagechef and creating the banner in spiffytext was easy, but then getting it changed and posted is another story. As you can see, I still don't have it correct, but I'll work on it. I chose "gold-rubies" as a font effect because rubies are my birthstone. I selected 4th of July background since that's just around the corner. It would be fun to make it a seasonal banner, but not until I figure this out. I read the "Help" in blogger, but that didn't work for me.

I'm not sure how to use this in the library. Personally, once I figure out how to change the banner, I can change it on my blog. Doran's Documents suggested that she could use it on the TV bulletin board for announcements. The character generator at my school does not allow this.

Why is this all so difficult?! I keep thinking about the suggested 15 minutes each day to spend on this, but at my pace I wouldn't finish until 2010. I've already spent 2 hours just on the banner and trying to get it inserted correctly.

Thing 8 - Flickr Mashups

I have spent days going through Flickr and trying some of the cool tools. I found the Motivator and thought that I could use it to make some "posters" to display in my new digital frame. (Ok, I know I'm obsessed with the frame and I'm anxious to learn how to add things like this to it. = Will this be possible?)

I think I could upload pictures of book covers with a student's "commercial" about the book. I used this tool "Created with fd's Flickr Toys". I had to join/subscribe to "Big Huge Labs." It was a little trying at first to "Join" because when I clicked to register it said I already was a member. Prior to that I tried to sign in because I thought it was just Flickr.

P.S. Does anyone have a better "Title"? How do I make it smaller?

I also tried Spell with Flickr and loved it. Finally, a very simple thing to complete.

Thing 7 - Welcome to Flickr

I've been waiting to learn about the photo websites. I have never used a photo service at all, but lots of friends and family have. Thank goodness Flickr was fairly easy to navigate; I don't think my nerves would have survived another difficult ordeal. I only meant to tag one picture, but somehow it looks like I sent all three, but isn't she cute?! I'll have to work on this part so I don't send too many pictures. Well, maybe you didn't get all 3 photos - you're loss!

Since I have a new digital photo frame for the library, I know I will use it whenever I can. I'm sure my concerns of privacy will come in to play. Our day at Celebration Station for the Lone Star Readers would be fun to share so that the kids can show their parents what a great time we had.

Thing 6 - 2.0 Tools

I went down the short list (better not have too much to overwhelm me). I found several categories that I will explore later. I checked Travel and found hotel reservations for my son in San Antonio, but couldn't get back to it when he came in from work. Oh well, I tried.

I love to cook, so I explored iFood. It has all the categories you need to find new recipes. Since we're having a library get together in August, I clicked on Desserts. The first one was for Never Fail Souffle. I became frustrated on just line 1 because you had to click "here" for the "Creme Patisserie" recipe which wasn't there. I then looked at the Sunday roast dinner which I'll definitely try soon. The membership is free, but I didn't sign up because I don't like to get thousands of emails, but I will visit when looking for new recipes.

Next I took a quick look at the Pandora's music on the recommendation of Doran's Documents. I have a new digital photo frame for the library and will use this site to download music for the pictures and slide shows I use next year.

Thing 5 - Web 2.0 Perspectives - Skipped

I'm finally back tracking to complete Thing 5 - Web 2.0 and more specifically Library 2.0. The move from Web 1.0 to 2.0 has been emerging just as print textbooks moved away from the chalkboard of the pioneer days. We are now moving away from print and to a paperless classroom. Web 2.0 is designed to enhance creativity, allow information sharing and collaboration. Librarians have been promoting the collaboration concept for at least 15 years. We want to interact with the students and what they are learning rather than just attempt to teach library skills in isolation. So for this reason, we have been ahead of the game. However, it was often the classroom teacher who did not see the value of coordinating the library with the classroom. The article, "Away from Icebergs" is becoming the norm. Materials are no longer purchased "just in case" they will be needed. I rarely purchase reference materials because there is so much available through online services and reference is very expensive. The last encyclopedia set purchased was 2000 or 2002. More time is spent teaching and training the student how to access information using online services and we're available 24/7. We have so many wonderful resources that provide accurate information for our students we just need more time to teach them. Wikipedia's article indicates constant updating; we're doing this now. Each year we evaluate our online databases - which ones to keep or "discard." Nettrekker is a wonderful search engine with websites evaluated by educators. No longer do we have to worry about the research posted on the internet by "Tanner Toogood" - my border collie. These services obviously cost a lot of money and we need our students to use them in order to justify the expense.
I realize that I am slow to come on board with all of this technology. However, we need to be cautious about so much incorrect information and train the students how to recognize right from wrong. We must guide them through the process which we can accomplish through our many wonderful sources. Library 2.0 is definitely creeping into my world. I am not ready to give up print books for complete online research and discovery. Often when students are working on research and the internet connection fails, they realize that books are helpful and necessary. The district's filter also prevents us from totally embracing these applications. It takes time for all of this to occur and it will take me time to become knowledgeable enough so I can teach our students.

Thing 4 - Commenting

Several of the suggested readings made the same points. Don't comment just to be commenting. If you have an opinion or response, write it down first and then post it. Comments should be meaningful. These help draw attention to your blog according to CoolCat's "How to comment like a King (or Queen)." It connects you with the entire world, gives bloggers a sense of belonging to a group of people with similar interests and allows us to interact. Several of our classmates suggested problems they had getting started. I agree wholeheartedly and didn't feel like the Lone Ranger. In the 10 commandments of blog commenting, the suggestion to use emoticons appeared as #4. I love the smiley face and it was so high on the list. :-) (I thought it would make a smiley face.) I have read through several of our classmates blogs and will go back and make a few comments.
Each day I check each blog to see what people are doing, their educational ideas, etc. I've left several comments for people. AMSHistory posted about the MISD block which is a problem, but we're hopeful that something will be done so we can share this new fun with others easily. Teachart is at my school, so I definitely check out her blog except I'm not sure that I left her a comment. Ms Brownie selected a great font so I asked her what she used. It is very clear and easy to read for this old grandmother.
I've made several more comments to several classmates since the start of the class. Since I added everyone's blog to my Google Reader, it reminded me of A Teacher's Summer' surgery so I wished her a speedy recovery. Boog-phil suggested setting up groups in Flickr in order to share photos with family and friends. I will definitely go back and try adding groups. Parmentersplace used Spell with Flickr to create the word "Read". Naturally, I agree with this. She has thought of ways to use this tool with her ESL reading students. I believe it would help a lot of students with spelling to have fun playing with this and changing the tiles in the words.
I still need to comment on 2 at large blogs; I'm working on this last step.
7-2-08 I have left comments on the Top Shelf blog and also Wikispaces Connecting Teachers, Students and Parents. Perhaps this completes this Thing.

Thing 3 - Register Blog

Everywhere you turn people are blogging and posting things. I really haven't heard middle school students talking about blogs, but maybe they could be introduced. Since I am a librarian it would be a great way to share opinions and reviews about the Lone Star books or any book the student has read. They could encourage others to read some of their favorites just like on Amazon.

It could also be a way to share information when doing the research project in ICT. Our students do a project in the fall on various types of social issues. They could post some websites that they find with current and statistical data.

Unfortunately, a draw back to blogging is access to the sites which are blocked at school and students cannot get in. Part of my initial frustration was having to override everything at school. It is much easier when you don't have to do that.

Thing 2 - Avatar

My blogging name is from my granddaughter. I was staying with Brynlee when I started this class. She is only 16 months old and comes up to me and says "Gigi read." It seemed appropriate since I'm a librarian. Creating the blog was not easy for me even though I've tried to do this before. Previous experience didn't help here.

Whew designing the avatar was a little trying. I selected one of the favorites that reflected summer. The boat is supposed to move behind "me," but doesn't. Since I live near Lake Ray Hubbard, this is what I imagine the lake COULD look like.Even though I'm still working at school trying to finish, the scene reflects my summer wishes to take me to a relaxing spot. I used brown hair side-swept which was the closest to my style. So I suppose one could say that it looks a little like me. Then I tried to post it to my blog. That took 2.5 hours. I couldn't ever find the export. Apparently, I did find the export because I had 4 avatars on the page. Oh well, it's a learning experience.

Thing 1 - Life Long Learning

I believe that the easiest task of the 7 1/2 Habits is to accept responsibility. All others will be very difficult. I always try to be responsible for my actions, but like everyone , I encounter difficulties along the way.
The most difficult task will be the 1/2 - Play. I am easily frustrated by technology and quit if I become overwhelmed.