August 7, 2008
August 6, 2008
My daughter's wedding
The newly weds are my daughter Jennifer and her husband Julian with my other children Jessica, Melissa and son Christopher. I am in the back somewhere crying. I couldn't stop crying.
My Daughter Jennifer
This is a photo of my daughter Jennifer. Her photo shoot was at the Houston Butterfly Museum. She loves butterflies and hoped she could capture real butterflies landing on her or her dress. Unfortunately, they all landed on her sister and me instead.August 4, 2008
Thing#23- Summarizing
Hallelujah!!! Hallelujah!!! Hallelujah!!!! Hallelujah!!!!Hallelujah!!!
After starting late because of my daughter's wedding, experiencing computer technical malfunctions and diffficulties, getting interrupted to play TAXI driver for my 3 working teenagers,taking my mother to the doctor,driving to Galveston to pick up the newly weds from their Honeymoon, only having eight days to finish this project and having to prepare for a possible hurricane, I CAN'T BELIEVE I FINISHED THE 23THINGS!!!!!
1.What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey!
My favorite thing had to be this blog. It was so nice to be able to keep track of what I was learning. I was not very confident or comfortable about leaving comments on a strangers blog. But after scrolling up and down the scroll roll for 5 to 10 minutes(by this time I was tired, worried I would not complete this project, and feeling more and more dejected) my mouse stopped at the "Angels Among Us" blog. The mention of Angels caught my attention so I opened this blog and found myself awestruck and amazed at how much in common I had with this person's taste in videos and music. The spiritual messages themselves were enough to convince me that a divine power had directed me to this blog. I then began to feel motivation and inspiration from these messages. As I continued on this journey I found comments from hebrews13.2 and vwb. . Thank you for taking the time to post your heartfelt words of advice and encouragemnt on my blog, they were the force that inspired me to continue on this journey and not give up.
2. How has this program assisted or affected you life long learning goals?
As far as life long learning goals , I would have to say this project has filled me with so much confidence with my computer skills and more importantly I found a new way of making friends through blogging.
3.Were there any take a ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you.
You bet, I am so amazed and surprised as to what I am now capable of doing on this computer. I went to pick up my newly wed daughter from her honeymoon cruise and couldn't stop talking to her about what all I had learned. She turned to her husband and said" can you believe this, we were only gone for a week and we come home to find that my mom has a blog with an avatar and embedded videos from You Tube" I never thought I would see the day". "This is the same woman that did good to check her emails".
A week ago I didn't know what a podcast was, but now I know how to make one up. I have learned so much about things I may not use now but eventually will later down the road.
4.What could we do different to improve upon this program's format or concept?
As far as I am concerned everything was perfect. There were a lot of times when I had to read and re-read things over and over again or burn the midnight oil trying this or that until I finally got it figured out. But it was this "Old Dog" learning new tricks and not the fault of the program.
5.If we offered another discovery program like this in the future would you chose to participate?
Yes, I would most certainly do this type of course/program again and again!
6.How would you describe your learning experience in one word or in one sentence, so we could use your words to promote 23 Things.
Library 2 Play is an easy and refreshing way to learn how to "TRANSFORM TEACHING THROUGH TECHNOLOGY'.
After starting late because of my daughter's wedding, experiencing computer technical malfunctions and diffficulties, getting interrupted to play TAXI driver for my 3 working teenagers,taking my mother to the doctor,driving to Galveston to pick up the newly weds from their Honeymoon, only having eight days to finish this project and having to prepare for a possible hurricane, I CAN'T BELIEVE I FINISHED THE 23THINGS!!!!!
1.What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey!
My favorite thing had to be this blog. It was so nice to be able to keep track of what I was learning. I was not very confident or comfortable about leaving comments on a strangers blog. But after scrolling up and down the scroll roll for 5 to 10 minutes(by this time I was tired, worried I would not complete this project, and feeling more and more dejected) my mouse stopped at the "Angels Among Us" blog. The mention of Angels caught my attention so I opened this blog and found myself awestruck and amazed at how much in common I had with this person's taste in videos and music. The spiritual messages themselves were enough to convince me that a divine power had directed me to this blog. I then began to feel motivation and inspiration from these messages. As I continued on this journey I found comments from hebrews13.2 and vwb. . Thank you for taking the time to post your heartfelt words of advice and encouragemnt on my blog, they were the force that inspired me to continue on this journey and not give up.
2. How has this program assisted or affected you life long learning goals?
As far as life long learning goals , I would have to say this project has filled me with so much confidence with my computer skills and more importantly I found a new way of making friends through blogging.
3.Were there any take a ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you.
You bet, I am so amazed and surprised as to what I am now capable of doing on this computer. I went to pick up my newly wed daughter from her honeymoon cruise and couldn't stop talking to her about what all I had learned. She turned to her husband and said" can you believe this, we were only gone for a week and we come home to find that my mom has a blog with an avatar and embedded videos from You Tube" I never thought I would see the day". "This is the same woman that did good to check her emails".
A week ago I didn't know what a podcast was, but now I know how to make one up. I have learned so much about things I may not use now but eventually will later down the road.
4.What could we do different to improve upon this program's format or concept?
As far as I am concerned everything was perfect. There were a lot of times when I had to read and re-read things over and over again or burn the midnight oil trying this or that until I finally got it figured out. But it was this "Old Dog" learning new tricks and not the fault of the program.
5.If we offered another discovery program like this in the future would you chose to participate?
Yes, I would most certainly do this type of course/program again and again!
6.How would you describe your learning experience in one word or in one sentence, so we could use your words to promote 23 Things.
Library 2 Play is an easy and refreshing way to learn how to "TRANSFORM TEACHING THROUGH TECHNOLOGY'.
Thing #22- Explore Nings
I almost joined www.teacherlingo.com but opted not to at this time.I don't feel comfortable about joining until I become a certified teacher. Instead I will share this information with the teacher I work with. I found these to be great social networking sites where teachers can go and discuss ideas with other teachers of the same grade level. I even found a site for pre-school teachers. I also searched Google for "nings" and found a site that lets you create your own social networking site. It is nice to know that some day when I become a teacher I will have a place to go and get feedback, vent, share ideas, discussions with someone other than my spouse and someone who can relate to me.
August 3, 2008
Thing #21- Find, Create, and Use Podcasts and Audio books
I found this video and believe it expresses exactly how I feel about what I have learned from this project so far. That, Transforming Teaching Through Technology is what teachers need to embrace and implement in their classrooms in the 21st century. I think podcasts and vidcasts could be great tools for students. Students would love to be able to create podcasts about things they know or would like to know more about. This is a wonderful interesting way to extend learning in the classrooms.
While working in a bilingual Pre-k classroom I have worked with a veteran teacher who believed that our Pre-K students were still babies and didn't need to be taught or disciplined and just needed to stay in centers all day. Needless to say she has now retired. I am fortunate enough to now work with a wonderful teacher who does believe that Pre-K students can learn about social skills, reading, writing, computers and in two languages. Our little angels are like little sponges waiting to absorb anything they are taught. We just need to know how to teach them. I hope to someday be a bilingual teacher who will be open to embrace new and better ways, ideas, methods,concepts of teaching young children.
August 2, 2008
Thing #20-Explore You Tube and Teacher Tube
It is great to have so many resources available and there are so many interesting and creative videos to capture the students attention and in the case of Teacher Tube opportunities to inspire them by other student performances and creatures. The drawback would be that you still have to go through quite a bit to find what you want tags only get so far and the quality of some of these videos is no so great.
I found things at both the video links that would be neat to have access to. You Tube was easier to embed than Teacher Tube.I chose this video since it is relative to the Pr-K classroom I work in.
August 1, 2008
Thing #19 Web 2.0 Awards
I will definitely keep this website bookmarked to help me with different aspects of my life. Before today I had never heard of some of these websites. Now this "Old Dog" is so full of wonderful informative helpful websites. My kids are getting jealous because I now know as much as they do if not more. Never thought I'd see the day.
This tool shows what is the best website for specific concepts you may use.
Libraries can post these awards and constantly update them so the students know which sites are the best to look at for their studies.
This tool shows what is the best website for specific concepts you may use.
Libraries can post these awards and constantly update them so the students know which sites are the best to look at for their studies.
Thing# 18- Online Productivity Tools
I tried to download Open Office it was a little confusing and my dinosaur computer would not let me download. I then went to Google Doc which was much easier since I had a google account. It was so easy and it has everything to replace Word excel and Powerpoint plus. While Open Office required a download Google Doc did not. The advantages of having an online tool is being able to access the material anywhere and anytime.They also allow the user to escape the clutter of Microsoft Office.
This is a wonderful tool for someone like me who has a dinosaur computer and with my future courses I will be taking. I can't count the number of times I was given a group project and always had someone in the group we couldn't count on. With this tool when I am asked to collaborate on a group project eveeryone in the group can be on the same page and not have to be present.
This is a wonderful tool for someone like me who has a dinosaur computer and with my future courses I will be taking. I can't count the number of times I was given a group project and always had someone in the group we couldn't count on. With this tool when I am asked to collaborate on a group project eveeryone in the group can be on the same page and not have to be present.
Thing # 17-Rollyo
I can see why teachers would value using Rollyo in the classroom since they can input only those sites they want their students to access.I could see how the search rolls would help teachers help students find quality information. Students would be able to seacrh sites directly related to their content. I also found that it is a way to search for videos.Rollyo allows educators to create Kid friendly search rolls.I signed up to Rollyo and even created a Searchroll myself. I spent most of the morning trying to copy and paste it to my blog. This "Old Dog" still needs to learn some more "Things".
July 31, 2008
Thing #16- Wiki
The Common Craft video gave a great explanation of a Wiki. After watching the video I can understand Wiki's much better. I liked "A Library by any other name" it was friendly reading, it was not too overwhelming for this "Old Dog". There are so many great things to use a wiki for in the library! Teachers can post websites to find information for projects or topics of interest. I can see parents and teachers using a wiki to communicate ideas, needs, concerns or help.
Thing #15- Web2.0, Library 2.0 and the future of libraries
This "Old Dog" is used to "old school" libraries where the librarians gave an orientation of how to use the library. We would then fumble through the catalog of cards and the shelves looking for our resources and praying we would be able to find what we needed. With Library 2.0 all of this seems a thing of the past. Now the information you are looking for is so easy to access with a computer.
The video was great food for thought. It is so exciting to see the direction libraries are taking. I liked the articles on library 2.0. We do need to work on updating our libraries. The problem with this is funding. There are schools that barely have enough money to pay the librarian, much less keeping up with technology.I believe that librarians are becoing more and more as facilitators to and of information.
I just pray that the wonderful librarian at my campus will continue facilitating our Pre-K students with access to computers as well as sitting down and reading them a great book!
The video was great food for thought. It is so exciting to see the direction libraries are taking. I liked the articles on library 2.0. We do need to work on updating our libraries. The problem with this is funding. There are schools that barely have enough money to pay the librarian, much less keeping up with technology.I believe that librarians are becoing more and more as facilitators to and of information.
I just pray that the wonderful librarian at my campus will continue facilitating our Pre-K students with access to computers as well as sitting down and reading them a great book!
Thing #14- Technorati and How Tags Work
I learned abour Technorati and how I can search blog post,blogs and tags. In the video clip I watched it said I can even search blog directories. I did search "school library learning 2.0"and was amazed by the amount of "hits" I found. This "Old Dog" is learning all kinds of Things! I like the way Technorati tells you how long ago something was posted on a blog. I just spent too much time trying to claim my blog with Technorati. I still get overwhelmed with some of these things and my dinosaur computer had to act up today. I'll have to come back to this later.
Thing#13- Tagging and Discover Del.icio.us
Boy, oh boy, this "Old Dog" is learning so many wonderful new things! What a wonderful Thing this Del.icio.us is. I love to share websites I encounter every once in awhile with the Pre-K teacher I work with but often forget the address or lose the site. I thought that using my favorites was a great thing, but Del.icio.us has taken over now.
The Common Craft video was great! The information presented was easy to understand with three easy steps. It was very helpful for someone who is new to this, like me.
The Del.icio,us site was also easy to use. I know I will be using this site often. I have already begun using it and didn't want to stop. I can see how teachers and their students will find this useful. I believe teachers and students will enjoy using many of these features. I know I certainly will!!
The Common Craft video was great! The information presented was easy to understand with three easy steps. It was very helpful for someone who is new to this, like me.
The Del.icio,us site was also easy to use. I know I will be using this site often. I have already begun using it and didn't want to stop. I can see how teachers and their students will find this useful. I believe teachers and students will enjoy using many of these features. I know I certainly will!!
July 30, 2008
Thing# 12 -Creating CommunityThrough Commenting
I found the tips for commenting to be very helpful. I agree that it is important to write a meaningful comment. It is a shame that because some people choose to be anonymous they think they can be mean, rude and condescending. I believe that the 10 Commandments of Blog Commenting were very important to note and everyone should read them and follow them.
The two most important things to remember when commenting should be not to leave mean, hostile, rude or condescending comments but rather be polite. Like, I tell my own children regularly, "there is no excuse for bad manners". I also tell them to remember the Bambi rule" if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all".
I did leave comments on blogs that I found to be interesting subject matter or comments I agreed with. But I am still feeling a little awkward and a little shy about commenting. I'm still working on that.
The two most important things to remember when commenting should be not to leave mean, hostile, rude or condescending comments but rather be polite. Like, I tell my own children regularly, "there is no excuse for bad manners". I also tell them to remember the Bambi rule" if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all".
I did leave comments on blogs that I found to be interesting subject matter or comments I agreed with. But I am still feeling a little awkward and a little shy about commenting. I'm still working on that.
Thing # 11- Library Thing
Wow! This has been my "favorite" Thing so far. I love books,reading, sharing, collecting. I have been needing and wanting to catalog or inventory my home library and now I know how to do it. As a bilingual Pre-K Asst. and a Faith Formation Teacher at my church I have lots of books in the various genres. I cataloged 2-3 books in each genre and was pleased to find that a colored picture of these books was printed along with all the other information I had entered. It was so easy that this "Old Dog" almost jumped out of her chair with joy. I love this wonderful Library Thing. I was also impressed with some of the groups I checked out.
Thing#10-Online Image Generator
After an hour of going from website to website I finally found one that was relatively easy for this "Old Dog". There were websites that were too cluttered with advertisements and content that could be used inappropriately in the classroom. But this website www.imagechef.com was fairly easy to download and paste. I liked this picture since I've been dreaming of going to the beach all summer. Maybe I'll be able to catch those waves before school starts.
After an hour of going from website to website I finally found one that was relatively easy for this "Old Dog". There were websites that were too cluttered with advertisements and content that could be used inappropriately in the classroom. But this website Thing # 9 - Useful Library-Related Blogs & News Feeds
Yes!! I found out that my computer isn't quite a dinosaur as I thought. After much searching here and there I came upon the standard feed icon and to my amazing surprise I found it on my computer tool bar. In my search for Library related blogs I encountered some very "odd" blogs. But then I found some really great ones. I added these to my RSS reader.
I found that bloglines and google blogs were the easiest and Topix and Technorati were a little intimidating and confusing to me.
I found that bloglines and google blogs were the easiest and Topix and Technorati were a little intimidating and confusing to me.
Thing #8 - RSS Feeds abd Readers
I could spend hours just reading blogs and news feeds. RSS really lives up to its name" Really Simple Syndication". If I could subcribe to all these wonderful PRE-K and news blogs then I think anyone can. I can see why libraries and classrooms would use the bundeling to organize topics of interest and study. It is easy and efficient.
Thing #7 Cool Google Tools
Wow! How cool can "Google" get! I never knew that google had so much to offer. There is so much more to google than simple searching. I was able to set up a bad weather alert and a calendar to remind me of upcoming insevices and important events.
July 29, 2008
Thing #6 - Mashups and 3rd Party Sites
I discovered some mashups,3rd party sites and found I could make name badges and mosaics. Wow! This old dog is really learning some new tricks. All I need now is a camera and some pictures so I can try these all out.
Thing #5- Explore Flickr
My oh my, how Thing # 5 has opened my eyes to new adventures . My daughter just got married and I have lots of pictures from my camera that I need to share with everyone. My daughter was such a beautiful bride, of course I am just a little biased. But, I can't wait to use Flickr here at home and at school.
Thing # 4- Register Your Blog
I finished Thing #4 and I heard an earthquake hit California today, I hope it wasn't because I'm finally getting this blogging thing. Or at least I think I am! I have registered my blog and am ready to start blogging.
Sincerely,
bateyl
Sincerely,
bateyl
Thing #3- Set Up Your Own Blog
Thing #3 after muddling through this and that I finally did it!!! I set up my very own blog and added an avatar to it. Not bad for an old dog!!!
Sincerely,
bateyl
Sincerely,
bateyl
Thing # 2 - Pointers From Life Long Learners
Thing # 2 was very informative. I learned alot about myself and the learning process. I'm on my way to the finish line.
Thing #1
Thing # 1 was fairly easy, I hope the rest will be the same. This old dog has much to learn. But thanks to all who developed this project for us.
Sincerely,
bateyl
Sincerely,
bateyl
Old Dogs Learn New Tricks
Boy! Oh, Boy! what a challenge this new technology is for all us old dogs. Learning new tricks, or rather all these new computer programs, blogs, avatars,etc is not easy for those of us born in the stone ages. At least that's what my kids keep telling me. Just when I had just gotten the hang of sending emails now comes the blogs. I guess going back to good old paper and pencil is not an option. It's rather embarrassing when my six year old nephew knows more about the computer than I do.
Well, we'll have to see if this training can teach this old dog new tricks or not. It'll be short of a miracle if they can pull it off!!
Bow wow!!
Old Dog
Well, we'll have to see if this training can teach this old dog new tricks or not. It'll be short of a miracle if they can pull it off!!
Bow wow!!
Old Dog
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