Thing #23 Summarize Your Thoughts About This Program)

What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
I enjoyed learning about the Web 2.0 Awards List. I found some new sites that I will definitely use and recommend to my colleagues and some sites I’ve been using for a while— wufoo, flickr, Pandora, Google Earth.

There were some sites that looked interesting, but unfortunately were not functional any longer—Yourminis and goowy.com.

I also enjoyed learning about Photostory and exploring Big Huge Labs again.

How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
This is my second foray into 23Things. I feel that I've learned much more from the double exposure, although I have to admit that I realize that I have MUCH more to learn. I can't wait to start exploring the various applications with actual students!
I've been touting this course to my colleagues and friends, and they seem excited about taking the course this summer.

Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
Nothing really surprised me, but I am pleased with my increased confidence and knowledge using technology. I also appreciated the opportunity to read the blogs of my colleagues and learn from their own experiences.

What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
I still believe that it would be helpful to have face-to-face opportunities for those participants new to this technology.

If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate?
ABSOLUTELY!

How would you describe your learning experience in ONE WORD or in ONE SENTENCE, so we could use your words to promote 23 Things learning activities?
TIMELY

Thing #22 (Nings)

Ning is “an online service that allows users to create their own so­cial networks and join and participate in other networks.” It seems to me that it’s like a Facebook or MySpace network that is customized to meet the users’ specific interests or needs.

I checked out the Teacher Librarian Ning, and found a couple of

Spring Branch folks that were members. I also looked through the different forum topics. I feel that this would be a good place to come to post question and get answers from people who have experience in those areas in which I need help. It also seems to be an excellent place to learn from my colleagues in other parts of the state and country.

Thing #21(Podcasts and Videocasts)

I used photos from a trip I took to Spain a few years ago on a Fund For Teachers grant. This is a wonderful way to record memories. Photo Story can be used for many activities both in and out of the classroom. Students can create beautiful and meaningful videos with photos they take of their educational experiences.

Thing #20 (YouTube, TeacherTube, and Zamzar)

1. Go to YouTube and find a video using the search box. Search for something such as libraries, librarians, learning and teaching, Web 2.0, Library 2.0, educational technology.

I found this interesting video --JISC - Libraries of the Future. It highlights technology as a change agent for libraries. It was prepared by JISC , a company that "inspires UK colleges and universities in the innovative use of digital technologies, helping to maintain the UK’s position as a global leader in education."

Here's another interesting video: What is the future of the library?

2. Go to TeacherTube and locate a video for a subject of your choice...math, science, social studies that might be useful for students or teachers in your sphere of influence.

Pay Attention is a good promo for all of the technology we are learning about in this class. It shows the importance of reaching our students using the technology THEY are using daily.

3. Write a post for Thing #20 about your video finds and the value of having access to so many video resources. Embed at least one of the videos you selected into your post.

These sites provide another avenue for learning and teaching in an interactive and focused manner. I found some really interesting videos, but I had to cull through some really boring and irrelevant ones in order to find them. Some videos in YouTube were actually quite offensive. This is something to take into consideration when using sites that allow users to freely upload videos.

Thing #19 (Explore the Web 2.0 Awards List)

What is special about the tool? What are its useful parts, especially with regards to Libraries and school? How might you use this tool in your own setting?

Pandora is a free internet radio website. I love it! I listen to music from my computer wherever I can get WiFi service. Since my taste in music is eclectic, I can create stations tailored to my interests and needs. For example, when I want to chill, I listen to music on my New Age station. When I am in a more energetic mode, I listen to my salsa station featuring the music of artists similar to Marc Anthony or Celia Cruz.... AZUCAR!!! What's YOUR listening preference?

I just checked out Wufoo. What a great tool! I could have really used this site to organize my family's potluck dinner during the holidays. I also liked the substitute feedback form and the emergency contact form in the educational section. Libraries andn schools could really use many of these forms and even customize them to meet their specific needs.
Can you think of other ways to use Wufoo?

CitySearch is a site I've used on and off to find dining spots around town. Has anybody found a great restaurant here?

Thing #18 (Online Productivity Tools)

Using Google Docs is like using an interactive notepad. One of the advantages is the ability to collaborate with peers, students, or other users. Once the document has been created, the users can simultaneously edit the active document. This eliminates the need for multiple e-mails and confusion over which version is the most recent (updated) version of a document. This would be effective in a high school or university classroom where discussion could take place and students can constantly update and change a group project seamlessly.
A disadvantage of using online productivity tools such as Google Docs is the constant need to "refresh" while others are actively editing in order to see the changes. Otherwise, multiple users could be editing the exact same portion of the document, wasting time and ending up with a product that doesn't make sense.

Thing #17 (Rollyo)

It seems to me that Rollyo is a hybrid of certain attributes Delicious and Wikis. It allows users to create a hand-picked list of websites on a given topic where users can perform keyword searches within each area of interest. Additionally, the lists are made public so that users can tap into other users' lists. What a great idea!

I created a Rollyo search roll for YA Literature:
YA Literature