Thing #11.5: Finished with Air Left in the Tanks

About 5 days ago I didn't think I would make it to the end. Wasn't sure I'd get to declare myself a certified diver...thought I still be playing along the shore and dipping my toes in the water here and there. But I jumped in with both feet late Friday and kicked my way to the bottom of the pile. And so glad I did! It was worth all the time and trials I went through to get thru all of these things!

1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
I loved the image generators as I always do. I think Glogster holds a lot of promise...if I can just find the time to create the ones I already have formulated in my mind. The places to park resources are also important finds to me...be it YouTube or Slideshare, I like having a place to easily put things that will also be available easily.

2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?

Just made me remember it is a consistent, on-going thing and I can't rest on my laurels or the things I learned a while ago...have to keep moving forward.

3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?

That I didn't get nauseated over my voice in the screencast means I must be getting used to the idea. And that my existence remained in SL from my previous venture there.

4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?

Stop the clocks and prevent the updating of the firewall right in the big middle of our PJPD...o, wait we aren't in control of those things are we. Ok...Make it clearer that comments are JUST as important to beachcombers as they were (and are)to Players.

It's been a blast...and I didn't get too sunburned!

These tools don’t get socially interesting until they get technologically boring." ( June 09, Clay Shirky)

Thing #11: Being a Responsible Digital Citizen

In talking about digital citizenship, I think a lot of the discussion needs to be with the adults in the school setting first and foremost. The teachers in particular set the tone of learning in their classrooms and even in common areas such as the library. But other educators such as principals and librarians need to be ready, willing and able model and demonstrate appropriate online behavior.

For me, it breaks down into cyberbulling, identity protection, copyright issues, and the care of hardware and other resources. We all have to share the hardware and the materials. The abuse of such makes it hard on others. A perfect example was the inappropriate use of Wikipedia made it impossible for our group to work in and learn about adding and editing info to that particular resource. We all know what happens when computers and other "machines" are not treated carefully. This includes going behind the scenes and doing malicious things that cause problems. Again, it affects the success of all.

We teach our students to be careful in the real world about talking and interacting with strangers. Things can happen at the corner bus stop. Why we think we do not need to teach those same types of things for the protection of our students online concerns me. We need to be sure that the students understand appropriate behavior and then we must trust them to do the right thing. We can not control their every move online, just like we can not monitor their every move at the bus stop.

The same goes for being nice and polite to each other online. We don't accept bullying on the playground; we should not accept it online. In some ways, I think this might be hard to accomplish. Many facets of society now days do not reflect much respect for each other. I am afraid the anonymity of the online world makes this even more of a problem in some cases. But I try not to surrender to the accepted norm; I try to rise above it.

Copyright issues have always been a concern in education. We need to be sure we encourage our students to credit others who provide the information and resources they choose to use. The copyright changes of a few months back have made it a little easier to use things...provided credit is properly included.

Each participant of 11.5 More Things has addressed this topic of digital citizenship. The Lifeguards have placed all those thoughts and any resources included on a wiki page for eveyone's use.

Thing #10: A Second Chance at Second Life

I entered Second Life under pretty controlled conditions about a year and a half ago because of an event I was attending. It wasn't easy for me to do, but I managed to create a very basic character and managed to do 3 trips into SL with specific locations given me.

This weekend I dusted off my account, took my character named Maribelle Jaxxon out of mothballs, downloaded the software onto my new computer, but only after I kept getting a message that my browser couldn't handle the site I was trying to visit, and went for a walk to the visit the virtual Alamo.

It was an interesting, although lonely visit. No one was around today anywhere I went around the place. I still have not mastered the controls and therefore, did not fly today. I did a little jumping, but no sitting. Some things never change!

I visited Second Life in Education for some more information about the Alamo site and other interesting sites like The Weather Channel, Ancient Rome, the Language Lab for ESL students and so many more I can't listen them! You just need to go visit for yourself.

I would like to go an adventure with others, especially if they are moe skilled in details. Maybe like some of the other Things I have been thru this summer, I'll find a willing participant and we can have some virtual fun. Heck, I might even spend the time finding a new outfit!

Thing #9: Slideshare-ing Information

I made myself create a slideshow on my Mac so that I could practice using Keynote and saving pictures from FlickrCC, as well as the skill of uploading to Slideshare. I did go ahead and create my free account so that I can move lots of PPTs and future Keynotes to this site so I know where they are...and anyone else who might want access to the info will be able to find them too.

The process was simple...there was some waiting time while it was being converted, but I just went off and did some other chores so it wouldn't feel like it took "forever!"

Descriptive Words

View more presentations from vbranom.

Thing #8: Screen Casting My Attempt Upon the 'Net

All of these sites for making video tutorials present very necessary resources. It only makes sense to capture "how-tos" and save them for others to use. I am trying really hard to get over the feelings I get when I have to listen to my own voice. I am just going to do what I need to do an let it go!

I looked at Screencastle, but could never really get it to start. It might have been the fact I was working on my MAC. I ended up making a sample using Screen-o-matic. Seemed pretty simple although I did "lose" the toolbar and could not end it exactly where I wanted. But I know with practice it will come easier. I also hope to talk to other Beachcombers and see how they handled the details with these things!

So here is my creation.

It is a very small version because of the limitations of the Blog.

I did upload the mp4 file to the Curriculum Wiki sidebar so you could see it in a larger form if you want. Scroll way down the sidebar to How to Grab a picture on the Mac.

Thing #7: Fodder for a TV Junkie

I admit it. Having to check out video resources is a difficult task for me...like a kid trying to pick one type of ice cream at Baskin-Robbins or one type of candy in an old-fashion candy store! It was painful, but somebody had to do it! Folks, I'm a TV junkie! I only purchase so much cable, less for budget reasons than I would never get anything done if I had any more choices!


I have always tried to add video to my teaching in whatever form was available ever since the days of the 3/4 in. video tapes and the 2-man size players we had way back in the late 70s! One of my first responsibilities as a librarian was managing the in-house video distribution center for my my school.


To have video on demand from numerous sources at our fingertips is just wonderful! No timelines to maintain, no schedule books for limited equipment, and choices for all levels and all needs...not to mention the uploading of student projects with the freedom to view whenever!


I have visited and used videos from all of the sources included in this activity. I really hope our district eventually will make YouTube available, but the ease of converting a video with a program like Zamzar makes me ok with the restriction if it has to be.


I do worry that like VHS and DVD movies, some of this video will be used for babysitting purposes and not as support for teaching and learning situations. But as with the previous formats, good uses make its availability necessary. I am really anxious to see home-grown products added and shared. I hope this summer activity will lead to such projects in many classrooms and libraries.


For my samples, I pulled some YouTube videos showcasing one of my favorite authors who died a few days ago. Frank McCourt always fascinated me, not only with his writing about his family, his life in Ireland, and his teaching experiences, but with his outlook on life in general. I would have loved to have known him in real life and had dinner conversation with him. But I get to read his words and hear his voice. That's good enough.

Thing #6: I Touching an I-Phone

Loving my MAC as I do, I was prepared to enjoy my experience with an I-Phone and/or I-touch. And I did, with one exception.

I seriously thought about trading in my Blackberry for an I-phone when my contract ended this month, but after spending time with my daughter's I-phone a couple of weeks ago, I am unsure that would be a good move. I don't do well with the keyboard! I also had an opportunity to see an I-phone sync with my car and it wasn't as successful as my Blackberry.

So I think for me personally, I will invest in a I-touch so I can continue to play around with and learn about the various apps. There are so many interesting things to choose. I did work with the gps while in Dallas and that was pretty cool. I do like the ones like the level and all the math flash cards. And the various map apps were fun too.

I got to see lots of elementary PBL students using the I-touches during their summer session and am firmly convinced that the kids will take hold of these and find uses that we can't even imagine. We need to give them ample opportunity to experiment with them.

Some of the sites that I have investigated looking for apps info include:

The Apple Store Web Apps

I-Phone Application List

AppSafari

Here is an article about creating art using an apps called Brushes (don't know if it is free or costs $) that looks very interesting.

Here is a video that shows some of the features of the latest version of the I-phone. This video was released in June 09 and is available at this location should this embeded version not work.

Things about Things 5 & 3: Tying Up Loose Ends

Need to spend a few minutes updating and bring closure to some thoughts so I can move on and (hopefully) complete all my other tasks!

I finally got the issue with Twitter straightened out that allows others to sign up to follow me without me having to know about them first. Not that I feel important, but it was causing others distress because they thought they were doing things wrong!

As to what was the issue, I don't really know. I signed up and my account acted like I had reached the follower plateau that causes new ones not to be added. It took several sessions with another member to compare our settings. Could not resolve anything before I had to put it on the shelf. When I received notice that another player had added me, that's when I knew the unknown problem was resolved!

I am still firm on what I will be using it for...I want to follow folks who are basically only going to report about professionally related things. Included on my current list are David Warlick (2 Cents), Joyce Valenza (Neverending Search), Vicki Davis (CoolCat), Michael Stephens (Tame the Web), Scott McLeod (Dangerously Irrelevant), Barry Bishop (Librarian Philospher), Lynette Breedlove (To Be GT), my school district and eSchool News. I have chosen to add one local personality who tweets about Houston traffic. JUST today I found out that one of my favorite bloggers who I have been reading for almost 5 years is thinking she will be doing more tweeting than blogging and I will be adding her...she is worthy of my time because her motherhood and dog stories make me laugh out loud ...and I will treat myself to those when needed!

I still am not sure about the phone part of this. I made some modifications for doing/receiving by phone but really have not pursued it. A personal event (aka my daughter's wedding) has been first priority this summer and some of my learning curve has taken a dive and I just need some time to get back on track. And I will because tweetering by phone seems to make more sense.

So if you want to follow me and see what is on my mind professionally look for VWBrarian.

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Facebook update:

Regarding Facebook, I did fall into the social part of it a little deeper than I thought, but am not sure all the fun and games will continue after school starts back and the work schedule becomes more normal. I did enjoy sharing things about the wedding with everyone as it unfolded, especially the week it was all happening. I do like having a place to put pictures that can be shared. I have enjoyed some of the little tests and writing about the results...it has been fun to see others reactions as well.

One of the nicest things to come out of the experience is the rekindling of a friendship that because of life interruptions had somewhat become dormant. But we have gotten back together, mostly over sharing our common theme of raising girls!! And that has been a lot of fun. I said it before in my original post about FB...it is the virtual watercooler. I get to interact informally with people whom I do not see regularly, be they local or long-distance. And I like that very much. The nature of my work currently does not allow me much daily contact with a group of people since I am no longer on a campus. Ilike sharing tidbits of news and passing thoughts.

For those who have written about being too tied to the computer and they would rather enjoy "real" life, I agree with you and I do what I can to keep in touch with people in the real world. I plan encounters regularly, I see people regularly, but it is so nice to have a way to interact with family and friends daily...if I want to! And that is a nice feature...FB is structured so that I can interact when I want...I am not "tied" to it unless I want to be!

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A Skype Adventure

A good friend and colleague, Grendel from GOI-BOK and I found ourselves in different cities a few weeks ago and wanting to catch up, we decided we would have a Skype session. It turned into more of an adventure and a late night full of laughs, but it ended successfully. It did take two cells and three computers to accomplish, but we both learned lots and had fun at the same time.

I am totally convinced I will be using Skype in the future once other family members get set up and we have a chance to work together on making it happen. I am not sure I will be thrilled using a camera, but I will work hard in overcoming that feeling.

2.0 Librarian-AT- Work

Not a Librarian?

You supply the title!

2.0 Teacher-At-Work, 2.0 Educator-At-Work, 2.0 ____-At Work

Thing #5 Microblogging: Face(book)ing the Truth

I joined Facebook about 8-9 months ago when the district opened it to track graduates and our department was asked to offer some introductory classes on it. It wasn't an easy thing for me to do ... no, it's not hard to get signed up and start...it's just hard for me because I am an anti-social social networker! I ABSOLUTELY see the value in all of these 2.0 tools for educational production, learning and interacting...I am not good at the social side of it.

I have been reading blogs seriously since about 2004 (and teenage angst since 2001), found the edubloggers very soon, and decided to throw my hat into the ring 3 years ago...NOT because I thought I had important things to say, but as a way of storing information I needed and wanted to share with my circle of influence. I would always know where links and directions to things would be if I put them in a blog...and I could share them with anyone who needed the info. Yes, EVERY once and a while I throw a little something into it that is more social/personal than normal. And yes, I have 3 blogs that I read regularly simply because they write the best little short stories I have read in a long time!

I didn't use my cell phone much until I learned to text...now I use it even less as a phone than before. I love being able to leave the info/message and let the other person get it when they want. There are about 5 people I will have a social phone call with...and 3 are family members so they don't count! You have to talk to family anytime!

So along comes Facebook...all these people wanting to be my friends. I added a few to have something to practice. I have ignored a lot. Not an easy thing to do...I would love to acknowledge all of them as friends, but I really don't want to know what they are doing every day...sometimes all day long...and as to what friends of friends are doing...well, you get the picture.

As I learned more, I was able to tighten things up and got it down to the basics...still not sure I have all the settings set correctly and every time I see a new article or posting about how to tighten it down, I look at it carefully for more help.

But you know what happened...I'd check in every once and awhile and a friend would have a thought up that deserved a comment...and then one weekend a fellow dinosaur and I happened to get on together and played around with those goofy little survey tests. Absolutely no redeeming qualities, but harmless fun. Remember, I was doing this in the name of research...how to help others with it.

A longtime friend that I don't get to see very often and I started mixing busniess and folksy news thru the message board instead of going to email...yes I know it is essentially the same thing, but it's all combined here.

And then I had a lightbulb moment...something I knew intrinsically, but an idea that bubbled up and explained why we must do what we do as we play with the 2.0 tools...why I must play around in Facebook and not feel silly about it.

I heard the statement

"These tools don’t get socially interesting until they get technologically boring." ( June 09, Clay Shirky)

Until we get comfortable using them, we can't see their true value. I thought about it a long time. I remember how years ago, when computers came on board, supervisors often gave time to play the games included so that everyone would gain keyboard and mouse skills...and then we could take up the business at hand.

I know that is why I have loved all the interactions that revolve around the L2P sessions. Non-threatening opportunities to learn how things work so, that in turn, I can make them work for me.

So I surrender...I'm still not the most consistent visitor, I still have not befriended everyone (PLEASE don't take it personally), I will one of these days, I play a few games, I have uploaded a few personal pictures.

And I definitely have been watching and listening to everyone's educational plans for Facebook ...and there are some great ideas and plans out there. Congratulations to all of you who made it work for you in the teaching/learning world. I am your biggest cheerleader and I will do my best to spread the word, I promise!

Points:

1. You can FB (a thing that has morphed into a verb into an acronym) from your phone. I still don't have all my settings correct there...I get the messages but can't respond from the phone. Need another trip to the AT&T store...AW now.

2. Have you discovered the Chat feature...lower right corner...watch for green circles. Discovered it about 2 weeks ago. Works just like IM (which I haven't done in about 4 years)

3. Have you joined the group that one of the L2P2 beachcombers created? Might be a way to keep the community of sharing going after the beach party ends?

4. Does anyone know how to fix the badge that you can add to your blog? It did not change my status. I tried throwing it away and starting over (3 times!) Shows the change on the badge in FB, but when I add to Blogger, the old status pops up...

See you around the virtual water cooler for some catch-up!

Image from Microsoft Clipart

A Funny "Thing:" Social Networking in Another World

No avatar, no password, no computer, heck, no electricity needed for this form of social networking!

This company is using 2.0 terms to make a new brand for themselves. I laughed out loud when I saw the first one on TV this week.

Coleman - The Original Social Networking Site

Shared via AddThis

They have a Facebook presence...you can become a fan, not a friend.

They even have Itouch apps!

If you still doubt why 2.0 tools MUST be taught and used in school, let this company's branding program be "real-world" evidence.

It's not the future, it's not fluff, it's now, and like it or not, the 2.0 world is here to stay.

Thing #4 An Uploading Experience!

I have been a YouTube consumer for a long time and now I am a contributor!
I signed up for an account...the same ol' same ol' info required. In doing so I also became my own channel! Who knew!

So then I had to figure out what I was going to contribute and that took awhile...I don't have any clever, cute, and worthy kids' projects to share. I only have samples of different things that I use to demonstrate to folks who are going to end up with lots of clever, cute, and worthy kids' projects!

I decided to upload one of my many Animotos that turned out pretty nicely...I threw some "B things" pictures from FlickrCC together one day and discussed how it could be an alphabet lesson, an opportunity to use and think about descriptive words (or as we used to call them in the olden days--adjectives) and even as writing prompt ideas....that all just happen to start with B!

After reading about how to upload and watching the videos provided at YouTube, including an updated version of one, I decided it sounded pretty simple, BUT I also decided to let the power of these programs help me. Animoto has an automatic upload to YouTube feature so I used that and it was very easy...hardest part was waiting the 10-15 minutes...so I folded clothes and put in another load of washing...the fun stuff of life!



Because I did it that way, I didn't have to worry too much about the extensions or other technical needs. The two services already know how to talk to each other! Cool tools.

Now...the issues I did have. I could not locate my video without signing into my account and getting it that way. That can be a good thing and a bad thing! Good in that it is just not widely available to just anyone, but it is not the most interesting subject so I really am not worried. The bad thing...the title "B Things" is too generic...there are all kinds of videos that come up when that term is search. Ditto for the tags...alphabet, adjectives, descriptive words. I also tried searching by my username. Nope, nothing, nada! So for now (and probably forever) I will have to supply the link to anyone who wants to see my creations.


I do need to practice with something that I actually have to upload and so I am going to sign off my MAC and move to my PC and see if one of my Photostories is worthy. (Yes, I need to get organized with one or more of the many tools available and bring my resources together in one place.)

So until later...see you on a channel somewhere!

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Ok, I found a Photostory so I could practice an actual uplaod to YouTube. Again, my choices were slim and none, but it provided what I needed... a wmv file to upload. Yes, be sure you use the finished version of your Photostory--wmv, not the working copy (editable)--wp3.

The video uploaded quickly to Youtube, BUT the processing took "forever" in relationship to the very short length of the PhotoStory itself...I just did more chores around the house. There were plenty to choose to fill the time.

Here it is. Remember, it is nothing more than a demo for training purposes.



Yes, you are noticing the different sizes. Both are the smallest versions available so what it was originally may affect the sizes you have available to you to upload. I purposely messed with the borders as well to see if that affected the size...nope. The Animoto upload is jsut going to be larger than the blog space...oh, well! Remember, every bit of all of this cost me zero! That fact makes it look great, doesn't it?

O, another bit of an update. I used my initials as part of my title...and yes, that DID help my video to float to the top of all the pumpkin videos! So, at least I will be able to find it when I need it. I think I might do that to any others I upload.

I do plan to spend some time with TeacherTube and SchoolTube to see what do at those locations. I have basically run out of samples so I'll have do uploads at some other time.

Can't wait to see what you upload!

Thing #2 More Notes...

This beach blog is truly an exercise in learning and sharing...I am all over the place working on this and that and getting information and ideas from various places and people, and trying to answer questions posed in comments or asked thru emails. My head is spinning, but I LOVE it....there are so many good ideas flying around about how to use all of these image generators!

I have seen two Voice Thread examples...one I could comment on because I was invited to do so and one that was embedded and I wanted to comment, but couldn't...but neither one mentioned being asked for $60 so I am ready to go after that resource again.

The Glogster folks have been monitoring my struggles (without me asking) and sent me a help line and even congratulated me upon my successful piece! A little bit Big Brother-ish, but I am so impressed they want their Thing to be successful that they want to help!  Have you seen all these school examples?

I was contacted by one beachcomber who was having trouble emailing a bookr...so I went into the archives and emailed one from there to myself with no problems. I am hoping the email issue was temporary. Has anyone else had email issues with bookr? Were you finally successful?

Also, the issue of using flickr pix based on tags...if you uploaded your own photos and used a unique tag, could you make a personlized bookr that way? Has anyone thought about this or better, tried it?

I am including the archived bookr sample here just because the photography is so beautiful and the message a good example of some nice writing I think... 

YES, it is a beach theme. Yes, I'm a little obsessed with the theme....and all the rest...does that make me a Blog Bum?

P.S. An issue that we have been working thru over at the 23 Things playground is the hiding avatars! If you have noticed, your Yahoo avatar is not showing. There is an issue with the html code. The work around is to go back to the avatar site and save your avatar as a picture (jpg file) then go to your blog layout screen and save it using a picture gadget, not html!

Glogster -- SUCCESS!

Patience...it pays off!
Of course, I think I have used a month's worth and will have to save up.

Thing #2 Glogster, Part 2 and Some Help

Glogster update...I said I was not giving up and I haven't...although this morning I came VERY close again when my password would not work. Big Red will tell you that!

Of course, it works much better when you finally realize that you NEVER created a password, you never registered for an account, and that is the reason I kept having to start over the other day!

So...be SURE you create your account before starting! You glog will disappear after a very few minutes if you step away...yes, I had that happen to me today!


With an account, you CAN stop working before you are finished, but you will want to save you glog as private...means no one can see it until you are ready for all of it to be seen!


o and btw, a Glogster person read my frustration from my previous post and gave me a help number. So if you need help, 888-GLOGS4U.

So I feel much better about the whole Glogster thing. I am going to shelve my serious project for a bit and play with one not so important...and therefore, needing less attention. I want to get one posted!

Thing #3 Skype's The Limit

Have talked all around Skype for years. Never had anyone far enough away who was interested. Have now seen it in use enough times at conferences that I know I need to know how. And now I have some long distance reasons for using as well. My daughter is finally going to have internet at home (another benefit of marriage) and my sister is getting a new computer, so not only will we share pictures, we will be able to converse!

So I downloaded it to my work PC. No problems. Then I started reading... and reading ... and reading...

I have to find my headset...in the back of my mind I knew that, but I don't where I put it and I can't get one from the office this week...so...


Headphone means I have to use the audio part of my computer and we have had less than a stellar relationship. For some reason, audio, headphones, and recording are not my strong suit. BUT I am determined to make this work...and not just work sporadically!

I would prefer to have someone who already has successfully set it up and used it show me what to do, but that is not always possible in the 2.0 world so I am going to try to get this going on my own! The perfect setting would be two of us sitting next to each other talking to each other from Skype until I "get it!" (Remember I learned email by sending one and then walking across the hall to see my friend received it!)

And yes, I will do it on my MAC as well, but my work PC has way more support should I mess something up. My MAC is still new enough, I want to get the bugs outta my brain before playing on it.

In the meantme, if you are willing to be the other half of my practice team, let me know, and when I find my headphone, we can take dip in Skype!


P.S. So here goes ANOTHER Thing half-done. This is not the trend I intended to set with my visit to the beach. Stay tuned...I'll load up the ice chest, get some more suncreen and be back to work on the sandcastles.


Credits:
Skype symbol from site
Character from Microsoft Clipart

Thing #2 Glogster, Hanging by a Voice Thread

I REALLY want to learn about Glogster and Voice Thread and I just can't seem to string enough uninterrupted time together to get far enough in either one to get the job done.

I want to create a Glogster to overlay our Curriculum wiki opening screen and jazz it up a bit. It is not the concept of what to do that is getting in my way. I really do understand how to do it, but between the zillion choices that I HAD to go thru and all the color changes I insisted needed to occur, I kept forgetting there is no way to save a partially made Glogster...it is either all or nothing!! Grrr.

Tonight I decided to move onto Voice Thread. I created an account and then carefully re-registered for an educational account because I thought I saw where a basic k-12 account was free. However, after filing out several information sheets and getting the email that signified I was accepted, every time I tried to move forward to actually creating something, I kept getting a pop up asking for $60 dollars!!

So I quit that also...for now! I will try again to see exactly how I went from free to 60 in less than 6 minutes! A challenge for another day. I am only temporarily defeated.

photo credit: by JunCTionS in Flickr CC

Thing #2 Bookr Your Thoughts, Ideas and Even Memories

This is just a quickly thrown together sample of a Bookr possibility. I knew one of my favorite beaches in the world would be available in the picture file...not the best photos I know could be available but enough to get the job done.

The question that has come up and I have it too. How can you use "better" pictures be they yours or someone else's? I think it may be the search term you select. I am pretty sure you have to open an account and upload your personal pictures and add a tag that you can later use to have them come up as bookr choices. I will see if I can find out any information to make these even more personal. Maybe someone who has used it longer can help with this question.

More samples from the tag cloud:

A Day at the Beach

My Poems book

A Moment I'll Never Forget

See lots more in the BookrArchive

Thing #2 Wordle Action and Word Sifting Some Thoughts: Sea Fever

I must go down to the sea...

I actually prefer going the way of a Wordle than actually going...at least to the Gulf. Now if it is Hawaii...we might have to talk!

I think using a Wordle to study poetry would present an interesting way to pull things out of the poetry that may not come in the more traditional way.  The classic poem Sea Fever by John Mansfield came to mind recently (as I was collecting all my bits and pieces of beach/sea trivia in light of this current adventure!) I learned it in 6th grade as part of our monthly poetry memorization work. Not sure I really understand it any better all these years later, but I do get a sense of  longing when repeating "I must go down to the sea..."

It's good to have something pulling you...be it the sea, the mountains, a time, a memory, a passion...for something or someone...  Anything tugging at you these days?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Putting the poem through Word Sift brought up some interesting visual cues...what a tremendous benefit for anyone who tries to help students understand vocabulary on any level of any kind!

Just look at the visual cue that came out my Word Sift of Sea Fever for the word spum...

How can you not now understand what it means when you connect "foam or froth on the sea"with this exquisite view.

Credits:

Wordle: http://www.wordle.net/

Photo: Bob Harris

http://www.treknature.com/gallery/North_America/United_States/photo171637.htm

Thing #2 Animoto Sample: Bluebonnet Titles

It's no secret that I love Animoto. And I am so impressed how they continue to add more excitement to the site. You can go here to see all kinds of samples that librarians and teachers have shared. Some of them were created way back before some of the features were available, but still serve a purpose. Would you like to add one to the collection? Share the link and I will add it!

PS: Can you guess which title is my favorite?

Thing #1 Networked Student

If the video is not viewable, click here for another source

Connectivism is an exciting learning theory in light of the digital world and how easy it is for students to learn from many more individuals in places that just a few years ago were only pinpoints on a wall map in the classroom.

With all the cool tools available, hopefully in school, students can learn in so many different ways and are not so totally dependent on the teacher to bring the information (aka knowledge) to the table. Learning styles are more easily accommodated through the variety of means, and that in turn means the students are more likely to take responsibility for their own learning. 

The teacher's position, and yes, the librarian-teacher, too, is to facilitate and guide the learning. The learning can come from so many directions and in so many ways, the teacher/librarian must surrender the position  of "know-it-all" and be willing to learn along with and from his or her students.

This is a hard concept for many educators...that of giving up control and I think is one of the major reasons teaching-learning methods haven't changed in many classrooms and libraries. 

We just have to accept the fact that world is a different place, our students are different learners, and we must adapt in order to help our students be successful in the appropriate ways. 

Besides...it is a WHOLE lot more fun this way!

Leapin' From the Lily Pad to the Deep, Blue Sea

I am looking forward to leaving the comfort of the 23 Things environment in which I have spent an exciting two years learning and sharing...and just plain having fun using all the great stuff that is out there on the Web for the taking...to take on an even wider range of opprtunities found in the 11.5 More Things.

I have met and worked with some great new friends through this online way of learning. Can't help it, I'm still a fan of f2f learning. I need the body language and "intimacy" of being in the same room with others while learning...if that choice is available. BUT, I would not have had opportunity to work with most of the people who shared the 23 Things adventure with me had it not been for the online world. I am very grateful I had the option!

Although frogs don't venture to the sea (I did do some research...there is one salt-water species) in real life, the virtual world we find ourselves in so much these days allows for adventures of a magical sort so that is what I'm doing.

Froggy is off to play at the beach and see what happens. Grab your sunscreen and your towel and come along. The water's fine!