Library2Play's 23 Things really introduced me to several new resources. Like I mentioned in a previous post, I have always been one who only used a resource if I was introduced to it and it was well received by the majority. However, upon completion of this program, I now feel that it is important that librarians become active in finding new resources. To do so, I will subscribe to various newsletters and seek professional development courses that are beneficial.
By far, my favorite discovery were the online image generators! If it was entertaining to me, I can see it being a big hit with the students! I already know that I'd like to include the comic strip generator to reading and BigHugeLab to individual projects. I would classify this Thing as one of the first surprise outcomes of this assignment. Usually, when I think of assignment, I think of work. Well, I did work, but I chose to spend time creating my images and perfecting my vidcast because I had so much fun!
Perhaps it is just me, but there are some resources that were introduced that I did not like very much. For example, I did not like Rollyo's tool where you can specify to only search from certain sites. I felt that by doing so would limit by options. Also, another resource I was not too fond of was Technorati. I felt the page was cluttered and the materials it contained was little when I clicked on the category Education. Other lack of support for some of the resources, I felt the format and concept of this assignment was great. Because I feel this way, I would most definitely choose to participate in another program like this in the future! Not only would I be gaining knowledge about new resources, I will obtain professional development hours on a session that is useful!!
How would I describe my learning experience in ONE WORD or in ONE SENTENCE?
Informative yet fun interactive professional development that beats others!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Thing #22
I checked out Ning for Teachers and thought it was an interesting concept: to be surrounded by others with the same interest or profession as you. Of course, like many websites for teachers, Ning for Teachers has a link that leads to lessons and classroom resources. You can also peruse the various blogs to get ideas and leave feedback for other teachers. If you are unable to find the answer to your question from the blogs, you can post it in the forum for a general discussion too.
Thing #21
This is not my first time working with PhotoStory. The first time I used it was to create a bridal shower for a coworker, which she and the rest of the staff absolutely loved. I can see this would be a better form of presentation for the students because I am sure they are all PowerPoint Presentationed out! This would also be a great way for them to create a presentation of their project. One year they used MovieMaker instead of PhotoStory. It presented so many problems for the students and was not user-friendly at all!
Here is the book review I created for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson.
Here is the book review I created for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Thing #20
I thought the above video was mindblowing! It can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPO_HGafBsE. The facts that the video presented only makes our job as librarians even more important. With technology changing so fast (as indicated in the video), we must take it upon ourselves to stay up-to-date with new resources. If it was not for Library2Play, there would be many resources I would have been oblivious to. I have already solicited my cousin (who is a techie) to help me stay abreast of new materials and ideas.
I like the above video's thought provoking content. I feel that it would be a great addition to the Africa unit in 6th grade because it will spark a great discussion in the classroom about current events in Africa. I think that it is our duty to not only teach them world geography and culture, we must educate them of what is going on in our world. This video can be found at http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=91259&title=Child_Labor_and_Soldiers_in_Africa_C_Class
Having choices when choosing videos for the classroom helps us locate videos that are more meaningful and on target with the TEKS standards. I feel it is a hassle that Youtube is not available to teachers in the classroom. Hopefully, after I put a request in, I can access it through my computer!
Thing #19
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?
As I looked through the awards list, I saw a lot of familiar sites. Bypassing those, I tried to look for something new. And I found DocStoc. It placed 1st for Education, which peaked my interest because, of course, I am in that field.
When I came to the homepage I thought it was interesting to see that I can search through over 3 million documents. Below that, to the left of the page, listed the categories in which those documents would be tagged as. I really liked this because, after testing out Rollyo, I felt this had a good layout. (I will return to Rollyo and give it a whirl again, just in case.) When I clicked on the subject Education, I REALLY liked how the documents were subcategorized (Is that a word?) by grade level and usage. I can see myself coming back to this site in the future.
As I looked through the awards list, I saw a lot of familiar sites. Bypassing those, I tried to look for something new. And I found DocStoc. It placed 1st for Education, which peaked my interest because, of course, I am in that field.
When I came to the homepage I thought it was interesting to see that I can search through over 3 million documents. Below that, to the left of the page, listed the categories in which those documents would be tagged as. I really liked this because, after testing out Rollyo, I felt this had a good layout. (I will return to Rollyo and give it a whirl again, just in case.) When I clicked on the subject Education, I REALLY liked how the documents were subcategorized (Is that a word?) by grade level and usage. I can see myself coming back to this site in the future.
Thing #18
Given the choice to choose between Open Office and Google Docs, I chose the latter. I feel that Google Docs is better because
(1) I will not be able to download Open Office onto all computers that I access (such as my school's) and
(2) Google Docs is more readily available anywhere.
Like I mentioned in a previous post, Google Docs makes it convenient for all to access their files more easily without the need of a jump drive, external hard drive, or floppy disk (if anyone still uses these). Not only that, we can pull up a file, make revisions, and save it for future uses. I also like how I can easily share files with whomever I choose without having to send it as an attachment via email.
In the end, if I can remember to save my files to Google Docs, it will help me in those situations where I need my materials but did not grab my jump drive, cannot access my school's server, or did not upload an item from my desktop.
(1) I will not be able to download Open Office onto all computers that I access (such as my school's) and
(2) Google Docs is more readily available anywhere.
Like I mentioned in a previous post, Google Docs makes it convenient for all to access their files more easily without the need of a jump drive, external hard drive, or floppy disk (if anyone still uses these). Not only that, we can pull up a file, make revisions, and save it for future uses. I also like how I can easily share files with whomever I choose without having to send it as an attachment via email.
In the end, if I can remember to save my files to Google Docs, it will help me in those situations where I need my materials but did not grab my jump drive, cannot access my school's server, or did not upload an item from my desktop.
Thing #17
It took me awhile to get used to Rollyo. When I first customized it, I was not able to tell whether it worked or not. However, as I went through it a bit more, I could see that it did indeed delete the some of the references that I chose. Afterwards, I created a new searchroll titled Teacher Resources. I continued feeling like I was lost. Here is a link of this searchroll: http://www.rollyo.com/search.html?q=library&sid=569154&x=0&y=0
Maybe because this is not such a big hit yet and I did not have someone to show me, but I found it a bit difficult to maneuver. I am a Google fan all the way. My husband uses Chrome all the time. I would have switched over to it if my email account was able to open within it. In the end, I was not impressed with Rollyo.
Maybe because this is not such a big hit yet and I did not have someone to show me, but I found it a bit difficult to maneuver. I am a Google fan all the way. My husband uses Chrome all the time. I would have switched over to it if my email account was able to open within it. In the end, I was not impressed with Rollyo.
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