Library Learning 2.0

This class has been the most frustrating and the most interesting class I have ever taken. Sometimes I thought a brain transplant would have been easier. I would love to have all the knowledge that Myra has, she is amazing. It is not only all that she did to put this class together, without her enthusiasm and passion for what she was teaching us, I would have never made it through this class.

A whole new world opened up to me and even with all my complaining, Beckie our librarian wants to now take some classes in all that we learned. I was so amazed at what all is available for free to those of us with computers, and with the time to search it out. I think that was one of the frustrating things, time, do we ever have enough? We work, put in a full day, family, and then whatever is left over I personally don't like to spend by myself on the computer. I found I was dragging myself in there more times than not.

Would I do it again? yes, and especially now that I have been introduced and had my appetite wheted. I would like to concentrate on some specifics so I could feel a better sense of mastery.

How has this added to my job skills? I think I understand a new language, computer, blogs, twitter, rss feeds, google apps etc. the list goes on. I know a lot more than I did coming in.

I feel there is such a gap between the world the students live in, technology and the world most of us oldies live in. I think if we could do a better job of integrating technology into their classrooms, it would expand learning in a way that they can relate to. I think it would make learning more exciting. However, we need to get our teachers up to date first, too many have no clue the different resources that are out there.

What did I learn about myself? I learned that my first reaction is to balk at anything that means I have to really be patient and take my time, and trial and error. I found I was impatient, and wanted to throw up my hands and quit rather than hang in there. My husband was very helpful in encouraging me.

Thank you Myra, and you do not get paid nearly enough!

Thing 23 Expand Your Mind

I have learned so much and definitely have had my mind expanded! Some of my favorites was creating my blog, I think it was so great to read others blogs and use this as a method of staying in touch and seeing how each thing was perceived. I like the Podcast creating the avatar, that was also fun, a little too time consuming, but the end product was really fun. I know I will use Library Thing to keep my books in order, and depending on where I land next year, hopefully in a Library, it will be a useful tool. Google Apps, was a great way to keep information coming to me.
I have throughly enjoyed being a part of this class, and seeing all the amazing cool things there are available. I definitely want to continue to expand my mind, and dig deeper into the things that I want to learn how to do better.

Thing 22 Cell Phone

After looking at some of the links on using cell phone at school, I was very impressed. I didn't even know all thse things existed. I also am quite aware that the students use and understanding of cell phone use far exceeds my own. I think for some students using the cell phone to create and display information might really help, and it could be a wonderful tool for students who have learning disabilities. However, we get back to the fact that they are not allowed in school, and they are difficult to monitor. How can we know how they are being used? It would create much more work for the teacher to monitor the use and abuse of cell phone use in the classroom. I think a lot of what was presented would work better in the upper grade levels. Or, the student would have to show the teacher what they worked on before leaving class, again more monitoring.

I liked the questions; What technology do you use outside of school that would be good for the classroom? Why? How would that work? I am going to ask a teacher to pose those questions and see what responses they get.

Our school is 1/2 free and reduced lunch, most of them do not have computers at home, but most have cell phones. I think this again would be a dividing point between those who have access, and those who do not.

I do think that students love technology, and they are adept at learning how to use it. They might find school a lot more interesting if technology was a bigger part of the process.

Thing 21 Copyright & Freedom of Information

We have an ongoing problem with students misusing copyright laws. They really do not understand, and some do and choose to ignore because of their own needs. I thought the Disney video was great, you had to really pay attention, but it was done so well that you were definitely drawn in. I learned some things I didn't know. So, I think it would be excellent for a teacher before, during and after an assignment was given to play a video, and have some dialogue about the Copyright laws.

Thing 20 Social Networking

I found the social networking site fascinating, so much to look at. I think the Denver Public Library My Space was up to date, interesting, with so much to look at. I think the younger population would love going to that site and connecting. It was creative, colorful, and had hip music playing while visiting. I think our libraries would get a lot more activity if we updated our web pages, and went to a my space format. That being said, we need the personnal to run the libraries and make them more up dated and user friendly. If we want to compete with the market of technology, and individualism with myspace and the internet we really need to get with it, spend more money and time fixing our libraries so they come up to date.
I looked at Myspace with teens, another interesting site, librarian bloggers where you can connect with libraries around the world, incredible.
All in all an interesting site, but again needing a lot of time to look around.

Thing 19 Microblogging

I looked at the twitter video. I think it will be a way for me to stay in contact with my friends who live in other states, and with the people I will no longer be working with. It will give them quick opportunities to give me updates on how things are going, and to let me know if there are any job opportunities instantly. I like the fact that it is quick small entries, rather than lengthy conversation. I am not a phone talker, and this would eliminate long conversations to get to the meat of the conversation. I also don't like being at the computer for long periods of time, so this would be an instant way of knowing what is going on, or what the needs might be of friends.

Thing 18..You Tube, Teacher-tube - User Generated Video

In viewing some of the videos on You tube and teacher tube I thought some of the videos were silly, and did not make sense at all, and some were insightful. The one I watched on Oprah's religion gave me information on her new book club that she is doing on the internet. I had been wondering what it was all about. I think it is an excellent way to obtain information, and hear it from the horses mouth so to speak. It is a unique and creative to get your ideas across, whether or not anyone understands them or not.
I like some of the resources and will explore more. I also think it is a great tool to be used by teachers who want there students to explore and create ways to communicate with the class, their interests and their personality.
More and more I see technology used in ways to help students express themselves creatively.

Thing 17 Ex;lore Web 2.0 Award-Winning Apps

I have spent countless hours looking through a variety of information. I felt that unless you know exactly what you are looking for, researching, you also will spend a lot of time looking.
The two sites I found that would be of interest in the Library, were One Sentence. I showed it to one Language Arts teacher, who is very creative and loves to do different things in class and she liked it. She thought about using them as prompts. The other teacher that was interested, had emergency surgery, but I think he will find ways to use it as well.

The other site I thought would be helpful is the Med Story Beta under health. We have students on a continual basis looking for information on depression, suicide, cutting, anorexia etc. It would be a site that they could use to find up to date information.

I personally liked the cooking sites, I am always looking for quick ideas for cooking, when I cook!

Thing 16 Learning a New Language

In exploring Learning a New Language, I thought of several cool things. One, we have a secretary at work that just completed a course of study in Spanish. She lives in Erie and had to travel to Longmont on Saturday to take the classes. She is our attendence clerk and wanted extra help with her Spanish. It is almost becoming a requirement in many positions in this area, at the very least they will take a Spanish speaking person over a non-spanish speaking person.

My husband works at Seagate, they do most of their test equipment builds in China now. He has traveled extensively to Singapore in the past, and knows a little Mandarin, but wouldn't it be great if a trip comes up for him to brush up on his language skills.

Now, for our students. We all struggle anymore to speak and understand Spanish, and vice versa English. What a great tool to help at school.

Thing 15 Audio books and E books

In our library we just recently acquired play-a-ways. They are audio books, very small and only one book to be played. The costs run from $39.00 to $59.00. We check them out, without the headphones. We make them sign a ledger, with their ID number and explain they must pay for it, if it is lost. So far, and we have only had them since January, one was lost, paid for then found.

It makes me extremely nervous to hand them out, and we do not give them to students who have a bad history of loosing and not paying for books.

The kids love them, and we give them the book to go with it. So far it has been successful, and I think a great idea for 2nd language learners, and kids who struggle with reading. We have not tested yet whether or not there has been more success with the Accelerated Learning Program as a result.

I looked at several on line audio books. This is what I found:
Libri Vox, had not been updated since Nov. '07. However I did listen to a sample of a Sherlock Holmes book read by a volunteer who was British and it sounded good.
Audible.com, you had to pay a fee.
Learn out Loud - you had to pay a fee. I did listen to a short interview with a man who knew and had a romantic relationship with Ayn Rand. She was a huge influence in my eary, wild life. I love The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged. Today, I am not a follower.

Thing 14 Podcast

I just created an avatar, on volki. It was not as easy as I thought, it took me several hours of messing around with it. I hope maybe next time I will be able to do it much faster. Also looking at the different podcasts was very slow. I spent a good portion of my afternoon looking around at them. I think too many of them would not be accessible for our students. They wouldn't even let me log into them.

I spoke to a 7th grade teacher today and he indicated that he will be using podcasts next year. We plan on collaborating together. This is great news for me, because I really want to use some of the tools we have been learning about.

Thing 13 Experiment with Google Apps

I was able to creat an iGoogle account and put my tabs on Music, Politics, News and Weather. it is great. I can just go to my account and the days happenings are right there. It is a great tool, and want to put it on my computer at work so I can see it when I log in, in the morning. I am not sure how the students can use it, will have to explore more about all that is available. I will look forward to reading all the other blogs to get ideas.

I set up an iGoogle account, and have my weather, news, entertainment.... information posted when I bring it up.

Thing 12 Open Source Application

When I went in to look at Open Source, I found that I had already been invited by a group at my church. A new program was started a month ago, and in an effort to get feedback from a rather large group, they put it in an open source document. How cool!!!

We have trouble with our computer labs, a lot of vandalism happening. In an effort to clean up the labs, and control the situation, we have changed the locks. We put numbers on each computer and a seating chart to see who the culprits are.

I think the Open Source application could be helpful in this situation. Will definitely look into it, and ask for feed back from Cerks a Rockin!

Thing 11 Wiki

I like the fact that we will be putting into print how all of us do what we do. What an excellent idea. I like reading all the ideas that others are doing, and to put down exactly what I do. It will be good to see the ideas of others, and possibly learn new ways of doing old things.

Thing 10 Working with photos

Ahhh! the first signs of spring, and new life. I never appreciated Spring before moving to Colorado. In California it is always green and there are always flowers, and green everywhere. I love Spring. I love the variation of days, cooler, warmer, cooler etc. It is not cold, cold, cold, or hot, hot, hot. I love seeing things come back to life, I love hearing the birds again. It renewes my faith, that nothing stays the same, there is always change.

I learned a lot this afternoon, working with photos. I used microsoft editor, it was very easy.

Thing 9 Technology

I really don't have much in the way of technology. I use a cell phone, but only for calls, not photos, or text messaging. I just got my first thumb drive, and I like putting my photos on it, but I only use it for this class. We do not have much technology in the library, I realize that is the direction we are moving, but not very many people in my building use a lot of gadgets, even the young ones. It is rather amazing to me.

Okay, after much deliberation I decided that my motorcycle helmet is a good technological gadget. It is a flip up which means that the whole bottom half of the helmet lifts up so I can talk, and even eat with it on. It also has air vents to cool me off when it gets hot in there. My husband and I just recently found some friends that love to ride, so when the weather is nice we take a short ride, find somewhere great to stop and eat, and then cruze home.

Thing 8 Library Thing

I really liked this excercise, and will definitely use it. I have a zillion childrens books that I have bought for all my grandkids, this would be a great tool to get them organized.
Yeah!
I have also thought of another way of using this. Beckie and I read a lot of books from our library in an effort to keep up with the kids. We like to be able to book talk with them about the books they like. This is a way we can keep a list of the books we have read, and a short critique of the book.

Thing 7 Tagging and Social Bookmarking

Well, I don't think I fully understand this, and really did not get much from the U-Tube, except that it replaces files???? Anyway, don't exactly know how I would use it. I need to read more from you all, how you are using it, or plan to use it.

cowgirl blogger: Practice funny

cowgirl blogger: Practice funny

Howdy Cowgirl, I am with you, I have a difficult time just looking at the text and trying to figure out what to do. I run into roadblocks, and get frustrated, then quit. I know I need to learn to persevere, but don't always have the time. I like what I am finding out about, all these different tools to work with, but what I would prefer to do is after this is all said and done, go back and choose a couple that I would love to implement in the library and learn them well.
clerkwork

Thing 6 Image Generators

This is my name in Chinese. What does that have to do with anything, well, I was just trying something out. I think the Image Generators are kinda fun, had a hard time getting what I wanted, frankly didn't see much I wanted, so that is why you see this image. I probably need to explore this more, but gotta move on to Thing 7.

Thing #5 Flickr

I was able to upload my photos from my flashdrive and post it to my blog. YEAH!!! I really like using my own photos as opposed to ones I find. SO, I will have to take more photos.

Summer '07 023

Summer '07 023,
originally uploaded by kmbenning.

This is not all the gang, but a good potion of the group that went hikking. Really, it is the ones that enjoy the great outdoors. We like wearing the kids out, so hikking is good for all.

Thing 4 Technorati

Okay, well I looked up some interesting things. I went to young adult literature and listened to a book talk. I tried another site titled adolescent girl literature, and it came up with 13 thoughts about banned book week. It then went to Teen Book Week, with reviews. I am having trouble finding blogs of interest. Right now I am very interested in book reviews for teens, since we are always trying to decide what is in good taste for our readers.

Personally I am also interested in the economy, getting close to retirement and want to know more about investments.

I am of course interested in politics. I never feel like a get a unbiased report on TV.

Anyway, that right now are some points of interest. If any of you have any great blogs on any of the above topics, please share.

Thing 3 RSS Feeds

I think the RSS feeds is a great idea, and as I find out more about them I want to find some interesting blogs to have fed to me.

I think it would be great to have RSS feeds in the library, blogs that we know deliver acurate and interesting information that is looked for on a on-going basis. It would definitely speed up the process for students who need to get information on topics that teachers require each year.
I really like the idea, I just need to get going on searching for good blogs.

Thing 2

For a while now I have observed how much life in the Library is changing. The students already know so much more than I do when it comes to technology. I often feel embarassed that I am not quite up to speed. I am looking forward to understanding bloging, myspace, facebook, etc. I want to better understand and appreciate what is out there, and to be able to guide the students more successfully. I love being able to connect with the students that is revelant to their culture, and up until now have not been too successful.

Thing 1

I loved reading everyone's blogs. Thank you all for sharing. It is a unique opportunity to open up, to get your thoughts out there without being interrupted, to share challenges. I am definitely looking forward to this journey with you all. I apologize right now for possibly taking too much of Myra's time in class, I do process slowly, and get lost easily. Bear with me. I am interested in how this will all work. I see from some blogs that some of you are already way ahead, and Myra, well what can be said up at all hours of the night.

It's cold outside

January a very cold dreary time of year. Looking forward to Spring, flowers, green, longer days, and more sunshine.

My times are in your hands

I have started my new blog today. I am excited to be learning some great new tools, with some great people. This will be on going for 11 weeks, wow! I will know so much, and be able to help kids at Longs Peak with their computer work.