Friday, September 25, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Week 9 Discoveries (Thing 23)
What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
There were a few weeks in which I couldn't figure something out. As I proceeded through the weeks, I would learn something and could go back to a previous post and make additions/changes. This happened with Rollyo. I wanted to post the search box into my blog, but couldn't figure it out. When I worked through the YouTube exercise and added a video, I went back to Rollyo and was able to post it as well. It seemed if I kept returning to things that confused me, eventually I could figure them out.
I used YouTube quite a bit to watch tutorials to figure out how to use various tools. I think this is one of the biggest things that will stick with me. If I am stuck or need a basic overview of a particular tool, I can search to find tutorials to help.
How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
I feel like it has been difficult over the past few years to participate in staff development because I have a 3 year old and 1.5 year old at home. I have been wanting to learn more. I saw a two day course on Flip cameras that I was interested in, but don't have daycare during the summer. Participating online during hours that worked for me (nap time) was exactly what I needed. It has also sparked me to begin thinking about the upcoming year and how to incorporate more 2.0 tools into my life and my teaching. I am still thinking about what is appropriate for the elementary school level. I would love to have more conversations about this.
Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
I don't think I knew exactly what web 2.0 is or how HUGE web 2.0 is. I still have some uncertainty about the way many things are positioned due to their popularity. There could be quality research hiding...
What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
I would like to see more classroom applications of various tools at all levels. Concrete examples how some librarians/teachers are using various tools would help me envision possibilities that might work for me.
If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate? Yes.
How would you describe your learning experience in ONE WORD or in ONE SENTENCE, so we could use your words to promote CSLA learning activities?
Challenging and gratifying.
There were a few weeks in which I couldn't figure something out. As I proceeded through the weeks, I would learn something and could go back to a previous post and make additions/changes. This happened with Rollyo. I wanted to post the search box into my blog, but couldn't figure it out. When I worked through the YouTube exercise and added a video, I went back to Rollyo and was able to post it as well. It seemed if I kept returning to things that confused me, eventually I could figure them out.
I used YouTube quite a bit to watch tutorials to figure out how to use various tools. I think this is one of the biggest things that will stick with me. If I am stuck or need a basic overview of a particular tool, I can search to find tutorials to help.
How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
I feel like it has been difficult over the past few years to participate in staff development because I have a 3 year old and 1.5 year old at home. I have been wanting to learn more. I saw a two day course on Flip cameras that I was interested in, but don't have daycare during the summer. Participating online during hours that worked for me (nap time) was exactly what I needed. It has also sparked me to begin thinking about the upcoming year and how to incorporate more 2.0 tools into my life and my teaching. I am still thinking about what is appropriate for the elementary school level. I would love to have more conversations about this.
Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
I don't think I knew exactly what web 2.0 is or how HUGE web 2.0 is. I still have some uncertainty about the way many things are positioned due to their popularity. There could be quality research hiding...
What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
I would like to see more classroom applications of various tools at all levels. Concrete examples how some librarians/teachers are using various tools would help me envision possibilities that might work for me.
If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate? Yes.
How would you describe your learning experience in ONE WORD or in ONE SENTENCE, so we could use your words to promote CSLA learning activities?
Challenging and gratifying.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Week 9 Ebooks (Thing 22)
When I was working on my library credential at SJSU, I had an assignment to read an ebook. This was my first and last experience with ebooks until now. I don't remember what I read. I think I downloaded it from a Los Angeles public library. Reading on screen took some getting use to.
I looked at LibriVox and my public library catalog. I found it a little difficult to search for books. I think the biggest reason I had trouble was I didn't have a particular title in mind. Browsing isn't really that easy. I tried numerous titles, but there seems to be a limited offering of ebook titles.
One of our parents at school came into the school library with a new Kindle. She was so excited! I had a hard time being excited for her. However, I read a blog post from a middle school librarian who thought it would be a great tool for students to carry their textbooks, instead of lugging all those books around. In my mind this would be an excellent use for a Kindle.
Audio ebooks would be good tools for both ELL and resource students. One of the titles our fifth grade teachers read every year is My Brother Sam is Dead. This is a difficult title for many students, but it wasn't offered as an ebook. Audible.com has a good selection of children's books, but it is $7.50 per title. I will have to explore audio ebook sources more.
Students at my elementary school love books-on-tape. I now provide portable tape players for students to check out because many children don't have a way to play tapes at home anymore. I'm not exactly sure where I am going to go with this collection: Books on CD, Play Aways, ... , but it seems like audio ebooks may fit some where.
I looked at LibriVox and my public library catalog. I found it a little difficult to search for books. I think the biggest reason I had trouble was I didn't have a particular title in mind. Browsing isn't really that easy. I tried numerous titles, but there seems to be a limited offering of ebook titles.
One of our parents at school came into the school library with a new Kindle. She was so excited! I had a hard time being excited for her. However, I read a blog post from a middle school librarian who thought it would be a great tool for students to carry their textbooks, instead of lugging all those books around. In my mind this would be an excellent use for a Kindle.
Audio ebooks would be good tools for both ELL and resource students. One of the titles our fifth grade teachers read every year is My Brother Sam is Dead. This is a difficult title for many students, but it wasn't offered as an ebook. Audible.com has a good selection of children's books, but it is $7.50 per title. I will have to explore audio ebook sources more.
Students at my elementary school love books-on-tape. I now provide portable tape players for students to check out because many children don't have a way to play tapes at home anymore. I'm not exactly sure where I am going to go with this collection: Books on CD, Play Aways, ... , but it seems like audio ebooks may fit some where.
Week 9 Podcast (Thing 21)
I thought Podcast.com was the most user-friendly directory out of the ones I previewed. I subscribed to two NPR shows: Terry Gross' Fresh air and StoryCorps. I was also able to add my podcast page to Bloglines.
The most useful piece for me was the Educational Podcast Directory. There was a link for Elementary School Podcasts that illustrated the possibilities for me. I worked with a second grade teacher who wanted to try podcasting with his class: interviewing older generations and having students draw comparisons about life then and now. I didn't know enough. I still don't know exactly how to orchestrate a podcasting project with kids, but I would love to try.
Last year one of the fifth grade teachers at my school did an oral history project with kids. She received a grant to buy the equipment she needed. The students interviewed immigrants to the United States. I believe they created short videos, but this could also work as a podcast. I'll have to keep my ears open this year and see if I can get my hands into a project. We are still on a fixed schedule in the library, so seeing classes once a week doesn't really allow the time needed to assist students through projects. I fit in a lesson here and there and most of the work is done in the classroom or at home.
The most useful piece for me was the Educational Podcast Directory. There was a link for Elementary School Podcasts that illustrated the possibilities for me. I worked with a second grade teacher who wanted to try podcasting with his class: interviewing older generations and having students draw comparisons about life then and now. I didn't know enough. I still don't know exactly how to orchestrate a podcasting project with kids, but I would love to try.
Last year one of the fifth grade teachers at my school did an oral history project with kids. She received a grant to buy the equipment she needed. The students interviewed immigrants to the United States. I believe they created short videos, but this could also work as a podcast. I'll have to keep my ears open this year and see if I can get my hands into a project. We are still on a fixed schedule in the library, so seeing classes once a week doesn't really allow the time needed to assist students through projects. I fit in a lesson here and there and most of the work is done in the classroom or at home.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Week 9 YouTube (Thing 20)
I have spent too much time on YouTube! I started with Sesame Street, ABC Songs, the Wiggles and everything that caught my 3 year old's interest. We do not have a TV at home and she was very interested. Then I started searching under current news stories. I also found and watched Michael Wesch's "An Anthropological Introduction to YouTube" presented to the Library of Congress in 2008. I knew YouTube was huge, but he said over 9000 hours of video are uploaded each day. He also showed how videos can connect people all over the world. I learned the term, "vlogs." I was amazed at the YouTube home page, dividing videos into categories, even displaying ones that were being watch at a particular moment in time. While the majority of YouTube users are between the ages of 18 and 25, the videos show people of all ages.
I work in an elementary school, so I searched for book reviews, information literacy, and lessons that would be appropriate for a younger crowd. I read about King County Library's teen program, Read. Flip. Win., in a School Library Journal and looked up 2009 entries to watch. Above is a video introducing the project and showcasing the winners for summer 2008.
Throughout the 23 things, I have been watching videos by the Common Craft Show giving Explanations in Plain English. I really like watching these for basic background. I was looking ahead to Podcasting and went right to YouTube to watch "Podcasting in Plain English." I think YouTube will become my source for "how to" videos for technology.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Week 8 Library Thing (Thing 19)
I tried to add a variety of genres to my Library Thing list. The adult novels seemed pretty popular. The children's novels were less so and the educational title only had 15 other readers.
As I added tags to the titles on my account, I felt like I should be a little more thoughtful. I typed in the keywords that popped into my head. I thought I should be more systematic by thinking of genres or books that I would like grouped together.
We have a teacher summer book club at my school and we decided to read, Teaching with Intention by Debbie Miller. I noticed David Loertcher was one of the members who read this book and was curious to read his review. It was not very favorable. The school library, library teacher, technology are all absent from Miller's book. From the comment I clicked over to Dr. Loertcher's library. It was fun to look through his titles and than to look for other name I recognized.
I am amazed at all that is connected in this site: reviews, recommendations, discussions, public libraries, book sellers...
As I added tags to the titles on my account, I felt like I should be a little more thoughtful. I typed in the keywords that popped into my head. I thought I should be more systematic by thinking of genres or books that I would like grouped together.
We have a teacher summer book club at my school and we decided to read, Teaching with Intention by Debbie Miller. I noticed David Loertcher was one of the members who read this book and was curious to read his review. It was not very favorable. The school library, library teacher, technology are all absent from Miller's book. From the comment I clicked over to Dr. Loertcher's library. It was fun to look through his titles and than to look for other name I recognized.
I am amazed at all that is connected in this site: reviews, recommendations, discussions, public libraries, book sellers...
Friday, July 24, 2009
Week 8 Zoho Writer (Thing 18)
Below is a document, Summer Reads, that I created in Zoho Writer and posted to my blog. I also made it a read/write document and shared it with the other librarians in my district.
I found Zoho Writer very similar to Google docs. It took a little while to figure out how to share the document. I spent some time looking at the templates that are available to use. I think these are great in Google docs. One of my colleagues used one of the templates to assess 6th graders \ and the template helped analyze each answer by putting it in a pie chart and figuring how many students got various questions correct, etc. It looked pretty cool. I would like to try more templates and really survey the teachers that I work with and find out how I can help them better.
The great thing about Zoho Writer is being able to work offline and sync the changes later. I also really liked the speech bubbles that collaborators can add to offer feedback on a document. I thought I should try creating a spreadsheet, but I hardly ever use them. Importing photos was easy. Google docs/Zoho Writer -- which one to use?
I found Zoho Writer very similar to Google docs. It took a little while to figure out how to share the document. I spent some time looking at the templates that are available to use. I think these are great in Google docs. One of my colleagues used one of the templates to assess 6th graders \ and the template helped analyze each answer by putting it in a pie chart and figuring how many students got various questions correct, etc. It looked pretty cool. I would like to try more templates and really survey the teachers that I work with and find out how I can help them better.
The great thing about Zoho Writer is being able to work offline and sync the changes later. I also really liked the speech bubbles that collaborators can add to offer feedback on a document. I thought I should try creating a spreadsheet, but I hardly ever use them. Importing photos was easy. Google docs/Zoho Writer -- which one to use?
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