Wrapping It Up...

• What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey? I really enjoyed learning about all the new tools...I particularly enjoyed flickr and how to add widgets and photos and videos to my blog. That was fun for me. I also really liked (and appreciate!) the google tools...those are very cool and user-friendly.
  

• How has this program affected your lifelong learning goals? I LOVE being a student...always have...hopefully I always will. This was a new mode of learning for me, and I like the self-paced aspect. Of course, I procrastinated at times...sort of like the term paper that was being typed up the day before it was due! But I got it done!
  

• Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? Can't think of any at all...
  

• What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept? I don't know that there is anything I'd suggest to improve. I thought that it was a format that was easy to follow and understand...I really like the embedded tutorials.
  

• If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate? Absolutely.
  

• How will what you have learned influence your practice as a teacher or school librarian? I hope it will make me more comfortable with utilizing the tools we have...and maybe more vocal about getting the tools we don't have???
  

• How do you plan to keep up with new developments in web 2.0? Recommend a way that you have found to be useful. I'm glad my partners did this with me...it's through collaboration that things get done, more often than not.
  

• every day, ask yourself, "What did I learn today?" Record your responses in your blog. I love this idea!!!

• add your blog URL to your e-mail signature line Great idea, too!!!
  

• re-purpose your blog as your classroom/school library blog Yes!!!
  

Thing 23

YAY! I embedded my badge! And I added the Weather widget!!!

What were your overall impressions?
I kinda' like Ning...I think it's got some neat options and information, if you have time to visit regularly.

Did you find any discussions or resources of value?
I didn't really find any resources I found particularly valuable, except I really like the widget additions! I'm sure there are things there for me...I was kind of curious about reading other people's questions and seeing the responses. That's kind of a neat concept...throwing out a call for help and getting it from strangers!

Do you have any ideas for using social networking in your own professional or personal learning, or in classroom learning?
I can see using the networking for my own personal growth because people seem so willing to comment and reply. I commented on a blog I'm following, and the man responded by saying he actually lived in Mesquite and vacations in Destin...just like me! I'd gathered that he works in Dallas...never dreamed he could be my neighbor! That was kind of cool...Maybe it'd be okay to use social networking in the way we used to use pen pal-ing. I think that would be cool to communicate with a group of kids from another state or country, or even within Texas. Kids would like that.










Visit 23 Thingsters

Thing #22

I've officially entered the world of Facebook. I can certainly take it or leave it...and how all these friends have time to post about every breath they take is beyond me...but I must admit the familiar faces that have popped back into my world is kind of fun. My own page is not much to look at...only sports one family pic, and that only out of necessity so it'd have SOMETHING on it! I am not so very impressed with all the social networking...just don't have the desire to commit to doing it right, I guess. I don't know that I see a whole lot of application at the elementary level....unless it was somehow a special 'class' facebook that was available to my students for some reason. There are just so many other ways to connect with them technologically...I want to know how it works in case I see inappropriate uses during the school day, but other than that I don't think there's a need for it where I am in my job.

Thing 7C

From Google Reader I read a new post by called Good Luck With That One, a blog created by a male elementary school teacher in DISD. His blog name is Learn Me Good...and he's pretty clever and amusing. His postings aren't necessarily enlightening, but are fun to read and easy to relate to. This particular has him musing about the photography company that came to his school, sent all kinds of photos home with students, and THEN asked him to pay for them. Familiar??? I always hate hounding the kids about returning the photos if they don't pay for them...I'm basically telling them their parents are thieves when I say "it's STEALING if you don't bring money or pictures back to school!" It's kind of interesting that the things that bother me are somewhat universal!

Thing #21

I was really impressed with Google News Timeline that I found on GoogleLabs. Plug in any topic at all and you get pertinent newspaper headlines from the week. It was pretty cool...I searched the Mavs, price of oil, Hugo Chavez, and TAKS testing and found some interesting articles to scan and/or read. It was interesting and seemed like it could be a great tool for research. Used in conjunction with Google Notebook, we have no excuse for not keeping up with the world around us. I can see great applications for Google Notebook...what a super way to find sources to cite for research and keep them handy until time to use them. All the more reason for a kid to start the school year with a parent-supplied gmail address.

Thing 20

I had fun with Google Docs. At first I was having a bit of a tough time coming up with a need for a document, but I spent the day with family and conversation naturally drifted to books and Destin, so I took my inspiration from there. I made a set of tables for each family to list titles they wouldn't mind traveling with and will invite everyone to collaborate by filling in their tables. Then we'll have a good list of a traveling library...I asked people to indicate which title they'd like to read during our week on the beach by coloring in the cell the title is located in. Easy enough! We'll see if it gets response...I've only shared with my Mom and Dad so far...we'll see how far it goes from there. I LOVED the linking tool...linked my list with this blog so people could use my shelfari to get descriptions of my titles. My book list is far from complete...it's a work in progress! That could be a good way to use Google Docs at work...make a collaborative list of book titles that were read aloud and enjoyed by a class. Or make a book list that students use to post their fave reads of the year. I liked the drawing tool...it could be used as a collaborative 'doodle' where people are invited to add to a drawing. For classroom use...maybe post a math problem and invite online collaboration until a solution is found????