Thing #8

For Thing #8 I went with Google Reader. Since I already had a Google account, all I had to do was sign in. It was very easy to start and once I started searching for blogs, I was addicted. I started with news sites, then moved to library blogs, then blogs my family has, and then onto scrap booking blogs. I probably spent a good hour just searching through sites.

I like Google Reader because it allows me to have all of the sites that interest me in one place. I usually spend at least 30 minutes every day looking through all of my favorite web sites. With Google Reader I will be able to see them with one click of the mouse. It has made things a lot more convenient for me. I will definitely be using the RSS technology in my personal life, but I think I might be able to use it at work. I could make the information I want my teachers to know public and then send them the link to the public web site when needed. Librarians could use the RSS technology to keep updated on important information about what is happening with libraries, new and upcoming technology, etc. Librarians keep track of a lot of information and the RSS technology can help them to stay updated, without spending a huge amount of time on the web.

My public Google Reader - http://www.google.com/reader/shared/06577930041527627102

Thing #7

I really enjoyed all of the Google tools. I had a lot of fun exploring all of them. I choose to use Google Notebook. I created a list of useful web sites that I possible can use for an upcoming project. This would be a wonderful tool for students that are researching topics. It can keep track of the entire web page or just bits and pieces. I really liked this tool - I usually cut and paste the URLs into a Word document and now I just have to open my Notebook. The following link will allow you to see my recent Google Notebook:

http://www.google.com/notebook/public/07732991803185455141/BDQGkIgoQjurNjscj

The other tool that I really enjoyed was iGoogle. I had a blast creating my own web page. There are a lot of features to iGoogle. I put most of the games on my page, but also included news, headlines, and weather. I was unable to figure out how to make it public and I was going to put a print screen of it on the blog, but that has not worked out for me.

Thing #6

Picture created with the Warholizer

While looking at the different types of mashups, I found two that I really liked - Flickrvision (http://flickrvision.com/) and the Warholizer (http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/warholizer.php). I became addicted to flickrvision because I didn't want to miss any pictures. For the ones that don't know, flickrvision shows pictures as they are downloaded and the location were they are downloaded. Most of the pictures were downloaded in the US, but every once and a while a picture would get downloaded in another country. The Warholizer turns your own pictures into a piece of art.

Thing #5

.Larry Page's http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

I really like flickr. When I was in the classroom I was always looking for real photos to show my students and I did not know about flickr. Now that I am in the library, flickr will really help me with my lessons. I am usually using the clipart that comes with the Microsoft programs (and sometimes I am limited). I can't wait to start using the photos from flickr.

I chose this group of photos because the life cycle of a butterfly is a big unit in 1st grade. The 1st graders spend 6 weeks learning about butterflies and I like to incorporate it into library lessons.

Thing #3

This was my third experience of creating a blog. I have a personal blog that my husband and I post on to keep our family and friends up-to-date and then I had to create another blog for my technology class. I actually had some problems with Blogger this time around, but finally got everything where I wanted it.

I had never made an avatar and I enjoyed it a lot. There were so many things to choose, that I will probably be going back to my avatar page and changing outfits a lot.

Thing #2

After watching the video 7 1/2 Habits, I think that the easiest habit for me would be number 2 - accept responsibility for your own learning. I have always paid my way through college, undergraduate and graduate, and I know that if I do not pass my classes that would be more money out of my pocket. I have always tried my best in all of my classes and made sure to ask for help when I needed it. The hardest habit for me would be number 3 - view problems as challenges. I am one that sees a problem and thinks that everything is falling apart around me. While I am facing my problems, I do not see them as stepping stones or learning opportunities. But once I have solved them, I then see that I needed to have that problem to learning something new.