Thing #8

I viewed the short video and learned about RSS feeds. I had trouble with the sound. After several tries, I was able to view. Then I set up an account with Google Reader. I wasn't sure which blogs that I should include. I typed in several different keywords and searched various blogs. I was interested in "elementary school librarian" and technology with elementary students". I found some interesting blogs to read and put those links into my Google Reader. At least all of the "similar" blogs are together for searching.

As the video said, "Get it all in one spot!" I'll have to see if this works. I'm excited about learning new technology. I know that reading the blogs will support my efforts to teach students new technology. I am always "on the go" so having all my news in Google Reader will be helpful. I'd like to begin using this technology on my Elementary Library Page, especially as someone else said, "I'll use this for book reviews."

Thing #7

I set up a Google notebook. I am always "on the run" and need a central place to "record" my findings. I especially look for new websites for my school website. Now I won't have to send the information to my e-mail or put it on my flash drive. I think it is wonderful that I can "have it all there" within the Google notebook.

http://www.google.com/notebook/#b=BDT3iIgoQzrHF3Y8j

I have also used the Google advanced for finding PowerPoints relevant to what information I was wanting to learn or use with my students. Last year I went to a session at TLA where Google demonstrated "Google Earth". I've used it with students and you hear, "Ooh, ahh!"

Thing #6

Wow! Flickr is so easy to use. There is a trick though getting your digital images to look right in the various activities that I explored. I found so many ways use Flickr mashups! I can think of a new way to write a brief bookreport with the trading cards or advertise National Library Week. I have a class that has written a book and its looks like Flickr creates books. Also, my third and fourth graders study the different areas of the United States so a Flickr toy-trip planner or mappr would be easy to create.

Thing #5,

I explored Flickr further. (I've used it some for our high school class reunions). It is so important to tag your pictures. I noticed that libraries used Flickr to advertise their programs, show new books, show images of their libraries, information to get patrons involved in the library, and social networking.

What's New With Media

As you can see I created a blog and avatar. I worked and worked with the directions on creating an avatar (I didn't even know what an avatar was before I started this assignment.). I had set up my blog before putting the avatar in. Well...I worked and worked until I completely deleted my blog and re-created it with the avatar in it. Wow! I finally was able to follow the directions when I started over. Now the avatar doesn't look like the one I set up with my yahoo account, but believe me...I have learned so much!

Also, I had worked with Flickr before. I had set up an account for our high school class reunion pictures. But now I understand what tags are and I even joined the librarians' "share your pictures".

What's New With Media

The easiest thing is goal #7. I love to help children and adults learn about technology after I have learned how to accomplished using it. My greatest times mentoring adults were when I taught adults in the public library how to set up an e-mail account, create a webpage, use Excel and Word, and use the public libraries' online databases. I often heard, "Now I know how to use the computer like my children do."

The hardest thing is goals #1. I can easily determine what my goal will be but then I'm unsure how I'll accomplish the goal and especially how long or what I'll need to do to completely finish the goal. It always takes me a lot longer to correct my mistakes and keep continuing the goal until finished. But then I gain confidence in myself and look at the problem as a challenge and learning opportunity.