#23 Summarize your thoughts about this program and learn more about where to go from here
Well, I finally made it! For awhile there I was afraid that I would run out of time. Thank heavens for the extension! I never would have completed the program otherwise.
I have to admit that week 5 (Play week) was my favorite. I found so many fun things to do and spent way too much time looking! I've already thought of a good way to use Rollyo - students do a research project in French class and I think it would work well there.
I also really enjoyed Flickr and all the mashup sites - I've bookmarked several that I plan on visiting in the future. I am so totally amazed at all the free sites available to do fun things!
I would definitely do another discovery class like this one. I liked the self-pacing aspect - but I would really have to set myself some personal deadlines! One of the drawbacks to a class like this is that there are so many opportunities to get sidetracked. The assignment would say to 'choose one', but I had to look at 5 before I could make up my mind which 'one' I would explore. Self discipline is not one of my strong points, especially on a computer.
To sum it up: I learned a lot from the program. I just hope I can remember how to do some of the things. I like knowing what they are referring to when they are talking about tagging, podcasts, bloglines, etc. My frustration comes in knowing that I will forever be behind in all that the internet has to offer. I am totally overwhelmed with all that is there that I know nothing about and probably never will. Isn't there a saying 'The more I learn, the more I learn how much I don't know' ? Or something like that?? Oh wait. Let me go check the Rollyo on quotes......
Friday, August 21, 2009
Week 9: Podcasts, Video & Downloadable audio
#22 Learn about Audiobooks
The Illustrated History of Furniture is listed as number 8 in the Top 100 Downloads on the Gutenberg site. Maybe I should add this to my reading list...
Seriously now, I went to the audio listing and browsed the list of human-read audio books available. I found that most of the ones listed are considered to be the great classics. I listened to a little Mark Twain and also a reading from the Bible. Then I switched to computer-read books and listened to a few selections. I didn't like them at all. If I'm going to listen to a book, rather than read it, the voice must be human!
I then visited the Allegany County Public Library homepage and read about Overdrive. What a fantastic resource! So many titles to choose from and listen to! These would be great for vacation. I'm thinking that an audio book would come in handy to download for a reading teacher to preview books she wants to purchase for her students to read. I browsed for a few young adult authors and there are many to choose from - including a new title from Richard Peck.
The Illustrated History of Furniture is listed as number 8 in the Top 100 Downloads on the Gutenberg site. Maybe I should add this to my reading list...
Seriously now, I went to the audio listing and browsed the list of human-read audio books available. I found that most of the ones listed are considered to be the great classics. I listened to a little Mark Twain and also a reading from the Bible. Then I switched to computer-read books and listened to a few selections. I didn't like them at all. If I'm going to listen to a book, rather than read it, the voice must be human!
I then visited the Allegany County Public Library homepage and read about Overdrive. What a fantastic resource! So many titles to choose from and listen to! These would be great for vacation. I'm thinking that an audio book would come in handy to download for a reading teacher to preview books she wants to purchase for her students to read. I browsed for a few young adult authors and there are many to choose from - including a new title from Richard Peck.
Week 9: Podcasts, Video & Downloadable audio
#21 Discover some useful tools for locating podcasts
I spent a lot of time looking through the podcast directories and discovered that almost any subject can be found. In fact, one needs to be careful when looking for subjects - I submitted 'young adult fiction' and some of the results weren't so 'young.' The results list contained some titles that were perfect for my library, but also some X-rated!
I downloaded i-tunes and played with that site for awhile. It seemed to be the slowest site that I visited today, but I did find some things I can use.
I finally found a podcast for middle and high school book reviews so I added that to my Bloglines account. I intend to download the reviews for the books they covered that I have in my library. They are on break for the summer, but it will be interesting to see what titles are added this fall.
I spent a lot of time looking through the podcast directories and discovered that almost any subject can be found. In fact, one needs to be careful when looking for subjects - I submitted 'young adult fiction' and some of the results weren't so 'young.' The results list contained some titles that were perfect for my library, but also some X-rated!
I downloaded i-tunes and played with that site for awhile. It seemed to be the slowest site that I visited today, but I did find some things I can use.
I finally found a podcast for middle and high school book reviews so I added that to my Bloglines account. I intend to download the reviews for the books they covered that I have in my library. They are on break for the summer, but it will be interesting to see what titles are added this fall.
Week 9: Podcasts, Video & Downloadable audio
#20 Discover YouTube and a few sites that allow you to upload video
I am not a stranger to YouTube, but I generally watch clips that people have sent me via email. I decided to search for something that I might be able to use at school and struck gold on my first attempt. I searched for clips of the author Sarah Dessen and found her talking about one of her books and giving a quick tour around her home town! I can use this for a booktalk! Here's the address http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uspZwzad6tA&feature=related There are also other clips of some of her other books that I might be able to use. Some are trailers for movies that have been made. I will definitely search for other authors and/or books that I could use with classes or that I could embed on my library homepage.
A disadvantage to using Youtube in the public schools is that our Board of Ed has blocked the site. Any video that we would want to use would have to be downloaded and saved to a flash drive or burned to a cd.
I am not a stranger to YouTube, but I generally watch clips that people have sent me via email. I decided to search for something that I might be able to use at school and struck gold on my first attempt. I searched for clips of the author Sarah Dessen and found her talking about one of her books and giving a quick tour around her home town! I can use this for a booktalk! Here's the address http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uspZwzad6tA&feature=related There are also other clips of some of her other books that I might be able to use. Some are trailers for movies that have been made. I will definitely search for other authors and/or books that I could use with classes or that I could embed on my library homepage.
A disadvantage to using Youtube in the public schools is that our Board of Ed has blocked the site. Any video that we would want to use would have to be downloaded and saved to a flash drive or burned to a cd.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Week 8: Online Applications & Tools
#19 Discover any site from the Web 2.0 awards list
I went straight for the short list of award winners because at this point in time, time is of the essence! I still found way too many places that I'd like to look at.
I glanced at Im Cooked and found a neat place to watch experts cook, but decided to move on to something more fun. I chose Hairmixer.com. and found that it was similar to a website that I had played with before called Elf Yourself.
So I moved on again and found MyHeritage.com. It is a website that will build your family tree. Within minutes I was able to build my family tree using my immediate family members. It is very easy. Directions for inserting the information comes in the form of pop-up boxes. I's easy to add pictures and all kinds of information. You can also search for ancestors, although I don't know how to add them to the family tree that you've started. Maybe I'll have to start a new one a few generations back.
This is a website that I hope to have time to use. I have a lot of family tree information and this would be an easy way to organize the information and share it.
Week 8: Online Applications & Tools
#18 Take a look at some online productivity tools
I was aware of Google docs, but had never looked at it. I chose Google to play with, mainly because I already had an account set up!
I played around with the word processing app and found it to be quite comparable to Word. I tried to insert a picture from my picture file, but it was taking forever to upload so I finally cancelled. I then tried to create a simple spreadsheet, but it disappeared when I tried to save it. Of course, this happens with Microsoft Office too!
I will definitely let students know that these are available.
I was aware of Google docs, but had never looked at it. I chose Google to play with, mainly because I already had an account set up!
I played around with the word processing app and found it to be quite comparable to Word. I tried to insert a picture from my picture file, but it was taking forever to upload so I finally cancelled. I then tried to create a simple spreadsheet, but it disappeared when I tried to save it. Of course, this happens with Microsoft Office too!
I will definitely let students know that these are available.
Week 7: Wikis
#17 Add an entry into the Sandbox Wiki created with PB Wiki
I followed the adjusted directions for Thing 17 and went to http://allco23things.pbworks.com/ to post a comment. It was a simple thing to do. It was interesting to read the comments of my colleagues and to see when everyone had posted!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)