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.