Thing #23-Summary of My Thoughts

Completing 23 Things has been quite an experience. It has been overwhelming at times, but I have learned so much. My favorite discoveries included Library Thing and Image Generators. It was amazing learning about how blogs allow for worldwide communication about issues that matter to individual people all across the globe.
This program has helped with my lifelong learning goals by allowing me the opportunity to explore technology in ways I hadn't thought about before. The biggest surprise that I have taken away from this experience is how much I truly like the idea of blogging and all it encompasses.
As I have said,the idea of 23 Things is fantastic, yet I am concerned that there was not enough support for some of the "things", including Avatar and the Podcast. I definitely struggled with both "things" and had to be "rescued" by a very patient and technologically literate colleague. I worry for other participants who do not have that same support system available to them.
If you were to offer another sequenced learning program such as this, I would participate. More complex areas of technology would require a bit more support, however.
If I were to assign a word or sentence to describe my 23 Things experience, it would be the sentence, Learning like this requires a leap of faith, but is well worth the jump.
Thank you for allowing me to participate, and I am dedicated to the idea of continuing and reevaluating my learning.

Thing #22-Nings

I constantly watch as my son uses Facebook, but I've known very little about it for someone like myself. Nings seem like a good way to connect with specific groups of people from all over. The notion that two heads are better than one is now multiplied thousands of times over. It would be great to have a network of educators to share ideas with, yet this "thing" is probably not the one I will refer to the most.

Thing #21-Podcasts

I definitely struggled with creating a podcast. At first I attempted to download Audacity and to save a sample audio to my blog, but it did not work. Because I am fortunate enough to have a friend and colleague who is technologically saavy, she was able to guide me through setting up my podcast using Photostory more effectively. Learning this "thing" really does require outside assistance for those of us who are more inexperienced. Of course, in the end, I realize that podcasts are an amazing resource. The students in my class will love using it for their own book reviews and research presentations. My first Photostory podcast is rather basic. It will be fun to make them continually more complex.

http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=734fe93831e3fb400ce8

#20-You Tube, Teacher Tube, Zamzar

It has been frustrating trying to download the Teacher Tube video I chose onto my blog page. With the help of my son, I was able to complete the task. The URL address was further down the page than I perceived when reading through the instructions. I downloaded a perimeter rap that was catchy. (See link above!) Every year my students continue to confuse perimeter and area, and it doesn't matter how many cute pneumonic devices I give them. This rap may just make a difference in this concept formation.
I had fun going through the You Tube videos and I loved Technology-Looking Backward and Thinking Forward as well as The Top Ten Things You Don't Learn When Student Teaching. What a combination of entertaining and educational.

Thing #19-Web 2.0 Awards List

What a great resource this list is to begin to make sense of all the sites that are out there. It narrows in the choices. Some categories were a bit general in nature; for example I was drawn immediately to the retail category and was a bit surprised that the #1 ranked site was Threadless, which sold t-shirt logos. I ws expecting more choices like in Style Hive. Going into the book review site, Lulu was intriguing. I noticed a book review from George W. Bush as well as a link on how to download, bind, and self publish a book. Pretty cool! I also enjoyed I'm Cooked and will download some cooking demonstrations soon.

Thing #18-Online Productivity Tools

I wasn't able to successfully download Open Office, but I did go through Google Docs. What I loved about it was that it seemed so user friendly, but I wonder about the issues I've read with being able to access the program consistently. I would love to hear from those who have used both to hear what they have thought.

Thing #17-Rollyo

Rollyo is an fascinating "thing". At this moment I'm not quite ready to create an elaborate list of search engines. I began by linking to a recommended list of reference sites which I will use frequently. This is definitely one of the "things" I've learned about that I will spend more time on and add to.

Rollyo: morpheys

Rollyo: morpheys

Thing #16-Wikis

Even though I have seen and been referred to Wikipedia when doing Google searches, I was unaware of the fact that users could go and make edits to the information. This is a wonderful way to share volumes of information, but a huge disadvantage, as many of the informational articles cited, is the validity of the information. This aspect could be taken advantage of to distinguish fact from opinion in class lessons.
I personally would love to begin a Wikispace with my students. It would be a great way to refine peer editing, and include parent responses in the learning.

Thing #15-Web 2.0, Library 2.0, and the Future of Librarians

The role of the librarian has certainly changed since I was in school, and that really hasn't been so many years ago. When I browsed through Away From Icebergs it mentioned that a library's primary function is no longer to hold a large and elaborate collection of printed material. In the article To a Temporary Place in Time it suggests that it is the purpose of a library and librarian is to provide people an Avatar-like personality to the books. Wow, that's no small responsibility to teach and promote, yet at the same time so critical.

Thing #14-Explore Technorati

I began this section of 23 Things by watching the informational video recommended. Most of what the people were talking about went over my head at this point. What I did get out of it was that the members of the leadership team were constantly finding ways to update and improve upon what has already been done.
I did get a chance to explore some blogs on my own regarding the success or lack of success with Apple's new updated IPhone. It was an interesting perspective that I didn't get while on Apple's website a week or so earlier. Later I went into Popular Blog Searches and Tags to see that the most popular site was one designed to learn about the latest inventions and gadgets. It was pretty amazing, and it was no surprise as to why it was so popular.

Thing #13-Social Bookmarking

Thing #13 was a bit more cloudy for me in terms of utilizing into my everyday life. I think it is because I do not have very many sites bookmarked. I do like the concept itself and have tagged several of my favorites in categories. the power for me will be in the social aspect. Because I have just a few bookmarks, I will be able to access other people's tags as my own. This idea of sharing with so many of my knowledgable peers is truly a win, win situation.

Thing #12-Creating Community Through Commenting

Since 23 Things is one of my first experiences with blogs, I have been initially reluctant to do more than "lurk" through other people's blogs. I am learning so much from other people's postings, and I am now beginning to feel more bold to post some of my own comments. This "thing" really helped me to see that the whole point of a blog is to interact with others in a community. I like reading through 10Techniques to Get More Comments. One suggestion was to remain humble when making postings, so that people feel you are approachable. I also liked the idea of posting questions to get responses. I'm not sure that I am ready to be controversial as of yet.
In How to Comment Like a King or Queen it mentioned that oftentimes new bloggers get discouraged by some negative comments that are posted. This was something important to be aware of.
When searching for blogs in a Google search, I found a children's lit blog and a desgn and decorating blog called Design Talk. I really liked this one because you could view rooms that designers created in their own homes. Right now I'm in the process of remodeling a bathroom and need all the inspiration I can get.

Thing #11-Library Thing

Library Thing is something I felt comfortable using and experimenting with right away. When I added my books, I went to other related books to get some ideas for some new titles I could read. After adding Among the Hidden I found a book I am recommending to my son called Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It sounds suspenseful, and the reviews on this book were strong. He is a very particular reader and is intrigued. This site is definitely something I will go back to again and again. I also think Library Thing Local will be fun to try. It connects readers to local events.

Thing #10-Online Image Generators

Completing this exercise was really fun. I can think of many ways to use these in my classroom. I liked the comic strip generator and was shocked at how easy it was to create. I've posted an example below. I also liked playing around with Image Chef and Happy Face. It would be interesting to have students use the various letter styles in Happy Face to create titles, main ideas, or poetry.

Thing #9-Library Related Blogs and News Feeds

There was so much to look at. I probably shouldn't have started with Edublogs, because looking through blogs from the best of the best made me realize how far I have yet to come. Later on I will better appreciate the blog itself for the value it will have in and of itself. At the same time I am trying to accept responsibility for my own learning and to have more confidence. (Those habits really can come in handy.)
Before I began this journey of discovery into the 23 Things, my background and knowledge base was limited and I am slowing picking up lingo and the processes involved. I will feel better when I can slow down a bit. I felt this same way when beginning my Activboard training last year. I did really enjoy the Quotes of the Day I found.
The most confusing part for me has been taking these new blogs and sites and saving them to my Google Reader. I clicked on the icon, but I seem to be missing a step and will continue to experiment.

Thing #8-RSS Feeds and Readers

This "thing" truly overwhelmed me. I know that RSS contains "simple", but all this new information has placed me on overload. What I like so far is that I can condense all the things that I will use most to one place, and this organized way of looking at information makes sense. At school I could use a reader to access everything I use in curriculum planning and research in one place to save time. So far I have saved some cooking, science, and entertainment bundles. This is something I will have to work more methodically through as I continue to access my Google Reader account.

Arizona Sunset Found on Picasa

Thing #7-Exploring Google in a New Way

It was fascinating looking through all the things Google has to offer. Google Earth is amazing, and it was fun to find my own address by satellite.
I set up a customized page on iGoogle which will meet my needs perfectly, and was so simple I almost couldn't believe it.
Picasa is just another great spot to find all types of images. You can never have enough sites for this. What great sunsets I found!
I also set up a Google Alert on the Cubs. I never have the time to tune into WGN in Chicago, and now I don't have to to know how the first place team is doing. My dad would be so proud.

Thing #6-Mashups

Wow, the lingo I'm learning! This idea of mashups seems logical-I loved the Flickr Color Fields. It reminded me of the show on HGTV that incorporates color design with real world objects, representing each part of the color wheel. The warm tones of oranges and yellows actually gave me inspiration as I am in the process of redecorating my master bath.
I also really enjoyed playing around with the Trading Cards. Students could create their own for Open House or Curriculum Night, and certainly they could be an interesting way to research key people in history or book characters. I can't wait to try something with my students!

Thing #5-Flickr

I can use Flickr for so many things. I can now access so many pictures for class projects.

Thing #4

I will email Vaughn right now.

Thing #2-Reflecting on 71/2 Habits

I have to say that I really believe that the most important habit is to begin with the end in mind. If you can do this, you will continuously be motivated with "your eye on the prize". Otherwise, what is the point?
I think the hardest thing is to constantly have faith and confidence in yourself. When I begin to encounter challenges, I sometimes become discouraged and find it hard to move on.

Thing #3-My Blog is Created

I would have never imagined that I would actually be posting ideas on a blog! Up until several minutes ago, I was not entirely clear on what an blog was. This is pretty amazing.