I am not using all of the 23 things that I learned, but I am using some very frequently. I have used Flickr to send photos to Grandma, photos to my son's friends mom and dad to send "trophy" fish photos :-) and most recently to help sell our International 656 Tractor. I LOVE that I can upload photos so quickly and send the link--we still have dial up at home and sharing photos used to be quite painful.
Thanks 23 Things!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Boys and Books
Very interesting article about boys and books....
I have heard other reports on Sax's research as it applies to teaching boys in a classroom/homeschool setting.
Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails: Every BOY Ready to Read @ Your Library
Tuesday, July 3rd, 2007 by Anne Robert
On Sunday, June 24, I attended the program “Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails: Every BOY Ready to Read @ Your Library,” presented by Dr. Leonard Sax, M.D., Ph.D. He explained the gender differences between boys and girls and how we could use this in our storytimes. A few highlights from his Powerpoint presentation:
•Gender gap
-Between 1980-2004, gender gap of leisure-time reading
-1 in 10 boys now reads for fun
-Gender gap has become a chasm (“…a marker of gender identity: girls read, boys don’t.” –Bauerlein & Stotsky 2005, Bauerlein 2007)
•Sex differences in brain development (Harriet Hanlon, et al. 1999)
-studied 224 girls, 284 boys, ages 2 months to 16 years
-fine motor skills and language : girls develop faster
-gross motor skills, spatial memory, visual targeting : boys develop faster
•Learning styles
-Boys listen better when they are standing (rather than sitting – “their brains shut off”)
-Most young girls learn better when sitting
-Does not mean there is a difference in rank (or abilities)
-Boys are taught to sit still in school like the girls (so then school = girly … why they hate it)
-Best temperature to learn: 60 degrees boys, 75 degrees girls (children and young adults for normal size) – 6 degrees of separation
•Extraneous noise (Colin, Elliot and assoc.)
-Bother girls and women at sound levels 10 to 40x lower than boys/,men
-Girls are aware of what’s going on around them
-90-92% of boys not bothered by noise
•Storytime
-Offer Noisy Time Story Time (and Quiet Time Story Time)
-Noisy:
-Turn the thermostat down
-Seats are optional (bean bag chairs?) – boys love to crouch
-Rule: No hitting, can’t disturb others
-Choose stories boys enjoy (Watch out for “demand characteristics” – what’s the right choice?)
-Allow buzzing/tapping/clicking
For more information, visit Dr. Sax’s website: www.boysadrift.com (same title as his new book, being published in August 2007)
I have heard other reports on Sax's research as it applies to teaching boys in a classroom/homeschool setting.
Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails: Every BOY Ready to Read @ Your Library
Tuesday, July 3rd, 2007 by Anne Robert
On Sunday, June 24, I attended the program “Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails: Every BOY Ready to Read @ Your Library,” presented by Dr. Leonard Sax, M.D., Ph.D. He explained the gender differences between boys and girls and how we could use this in our storytimes. A few highlights from his Powerpoint presentation:
•Gender gap
-Between 1980-2004, gender gap of leisure-time reading
-1 in 10 boys now reads for fun
-Gender gap has become a chasm (“…a marker of gender identity: girls read, boys don’t.” –Bauerlein & Stotsky 2005, Bauerlein 2007)
•Sex differences in brain development (Harriet Hanlon, et al. 1999)
-studied 224 girls, 284 boys, ages 2 months to 16 years
-fine motor skills and language : girls develop faster
-gross motor skills, spatial memory, visual targeting : boys develop faster
•Learning styles
-Boys listen better when they are standing (rather than sitting – “their brains shut off”)
-Most young girls learn better when sitting
-Does not mean there is a difference in rank (or abilities)
-Boys are taught to sit still in school like the girls (so then school = girly … why they hate it)
-Best temperature to learn: 60 degrees boys, 75 degrees girls (children and young adults for normal size) – 6 degrees of separation
•Extraneous noise (Colin, Elliot and assoc.)
-Bother girls and women at sound levels 10 to 40x lower than boys/,men
-Girls are aware of what’s going on around them
-90-92% of boys not bothered by noise
•Storytime
-Offer Noisy Time Story Time (and Quiet Time Story Time)
-Noisy:
-Turn the thermostat down
-Seats are optional (bean bag chairs?) – boys love to crouch
-Rule: No hitting, can’t disturb others
-Choose stories boys enjoy (Watch out for “demand characteristics” – what’s the right choice?)
-Allow buzzing/tapping/clicking
For more information, visit Dr. Sax’s website: www.boysadrift.com (same title as his new book, being published in August 2007)
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
It's Alive!!
I did it! I made it work!?! "What is it?" You might be thinking.... It is my cell phone which doubles as a mp3 player. I finally got the software from verizon that I needed and now it is working. I synched my first songs today from my PC. I am moving into a new era. How exciting!!!
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
Thing #23 The Final Thing
1.What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
One of my favorite discoveries was Flickr and the ability to share photos without emailing them. Also finding out that I still love learning and I can still have fun with technology.
2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals? Maybe I am not as afraid as I was to play with new things. And also to not feel guilty for experimenting with new technology on work time -- all of this applies to our jobs in more than one way.
3. Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? I was surprised that it wasn't as difficult or monumentous as I had anticipated looking at it from the beginning.
4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
Wow...tough one. I will have to think about that for a while...Right now I would have to say it worked very well for me.
And last but not least…
5.If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you again chose to participate?
Absolutely. I would participate. But just don't assume that I will ever get high speed internet at home?!?
6. How would you describe your learning experience in a few words or a few sentences, so we can share our successes and promote this program?
This was learning by immersion. I needed to get my hands, arms, and the rest of myself immersed in the Web 2.0. It was high time to know about it and experiment with it. I am hopeful that I will be able to be a resource for others--not because I feel like I can do it better or understand it all perfectly, but just to say if I can do it, so can you! We have to be willing to learn new things and move forward. I don't want to be ignorant of what is out there. It doesn't mean that I have to embrace all of these new things, but I do know about them and how they work now. I also have an opportunity to harness their powers for good instead of evil... (ha ha ha).
One of my favorite discoveries was Flickr and the ability to share photos without emailing them. Also finding out that I still love learning and I can still have fun with technology.
2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals? Maybe I am not as afraid as I was to play with new things. And also to not feel guilty for experimenting with new technology on work time -- all of this applies to our jobs in more than one way.
3. Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? I was surprised that it wasn't as difficult or monumentous as I had anticipated looking at it from the beginning.
4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
Wow...tough one. I will have to think about that for a while...Right now I would have to say it worked very well for me.
And last but not least…
5.If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you again chose to participate?
Absolutely. I would participate. But just don't assume that I will ever get high speed internet at home?!?
6. How would you describe your learning experience in a few words or a few sentences, so we can share our successes and promote this program?
This was learning by immersion. I needed to get my hands, arms, and the rest of myself immersed in the Web 2.0. It was high time to know about it and experiment with it. I am hopeful that I will be able to be a resource for others--not because I feel like I can do it better or understand it all perfectly, but just to say if I can do it, so can you! We have to be willing to learn new things and move forward. I don't want to be ignorant of what is out there. It doesn't mean that I have to embrace all of these new things, but I do know about them and how they work now. I also have an opportunity to harness their powers for good instead of evil... (ha ha ha).
Thing #22 Downloadable Ebooks and AudioBooks
Well, if I didn't know anything about ebooks or audiobook borrowing libraries, the tutorials would most assuredly scare me off. It can't take as many steps as described, can it??!?!?!?!? I am also a bit sad that there are not more children's titles to choose from. Yes, I know there are some, but I would like to see more. My children and I are addicted to recorded books. I wish that there were more choices. Maybe as time goes on, there will be more added.... I did experiment with downloading one. At home it would be the overnight thing and I DON'T like to leave my computer online and on its own over night. I guess this one will have to wait until we get a better connection. I assume we are not to do this from work???
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Thing #21 Podcasts
I have a podcast from NYT Book Review on my Bloglines account. I had some difficulty finding other "library" related podcasts that would be useful to me using the search features. I did like MERLIN's list, though and found some of the booktalk and story time podcasts for kids. Is there any copyright concern for the story time podcasts-- not sure how that works? I think it is a really neat idea....
Thing #20 You Tube--Dan Zanes - Malti - Disney MGM Studios
Here is one of my favorite groups for family music.
This is from You Tube . I also found some great Muppet Show and Mr. Rogers videos, too.
Thing #19 Web 2.0 award winners
What about a peer trainer group within HCP? Sort of like our Walking program that we had this spring, but more anonymous and interbranch....
Encourage us to be healthier and meet our health goals?
I also liked the Guess the Google game where you had to choose a keyword describing the images you saw. Fun brain exercise!
Thing #18 Zoho Writer--Publish to Blog from Zoho
Okay, Thing #18. This seems too good to be true. I will have to play around with some of these templates. I especially like the idea of creating my own student IDs for my children--one thing you don't get as a home schooled child--and they actually have a template for it!
I use Word at home, but we don't have Powerpoint. I would like to find out more about the Zoho presentation tools. Seems pretty similar to the microsoft products.
This is entry was typed in Zoho.
Thing #18 Zoho Writer- Copy and Paste
Okay, Thing #18. This seems too good to be true. I will have to play around with some of these templates. I especially like the idea of creating my own student IDs for my children--one thing you don't get as a home schooled child--and they actually have a template for it!
I use Word at home, but we don't have Powerpoint. I would like to find out more about the Zoho presentation tools. Seems pretty similar to the microsoft products.
This is entry was typed in Zoho.
I use Word at home, but we don't have Powerpoint. I would like to find out more about the Zoho presentation tools. Seems pretty similar to the microsoft products.
This is entry was typed in Zoho.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Thing #17 Wikki Sandbox
I experimented with the Wikki Sandbox. Really easy. I like the ability to edit quickly. I hope to try more wikki posting on topics of interest as time goes by.
Thing #16 Wikki Mania
I find wikkis very interesting. I don't think I would trust one for research unless I was really desperate or knew alot about the topic to begin with, but as far as using it as a tool for building and collaborating on projects it ROCKS!
I really liked the http://libsuccess.org/ wikki. It had a programming area that was searchable by 4 different categories. NICE! I would love to start something similar for HCPL or even MD Public Libraries to share our program ideas in such a searchable and simple manner. Might help as far as piggybacking goes and the way in which we share ideas for summer reading etc.
I can't wait to explore a few more wikkis.
Gotta Go...
I really liked the http://libsuccess.org/ wikki. It had a programming area that was searchable by 4 different categories. NICE! I would love to start something similar for HCPL or even MD Public Libraries to share our program ideas in such a searchable and simple manner. Might help as far as piggybacking goes and the way in which we share ideas for summer reading etc.
I can't wait to explore a few more wikkis.
Gotta Go...
Thing #15 Thoughts on Library 2.0
"Librarian 2.0 will help users become their own programming director for all of the content available to them."
Michael Stephens
"What are libraries? Libraries are not just collections of documents and books, they are conversations, they are convocations of people, ideas, and artifacts in dynamic exchange."
"Librarians today are not just inventory management biobots: they are people with a unique understanding of the documents they compile and catalog, and the relationships among those documents."
Dr. Wendy Shultz
These are a few quotes that struck me as very interesting as I read the articles on Library 2.0. I have mixed feelings about it all. The first feeling I have is that I am sorry I waited so long to jump into learning about this level of service and technology. I feel behind the times in some ways. I also feel very empowered by starting down the road to understanding how Web 2.0 is working in the world of information and how to harness it to benefit my customers.
I agree with the thought that there is no longer a need for a "just in case" collection in libraries. Especially in satellite libraries within a system. I have always respected the fact that patrons want information quickly and also at no cost to them. Thanks to the web, this is getting more reliable and user-friendly by the day....BUT there is also so much to wade through, that some patrons are getting overwhelmed or are not able to discern between really good sources and marginal or questionable ones. I feel like our job is to continually be proactive in sharing with them that there are different methods for using the web and help them to be more efficient and productive in their web use.
Much of the jargon of the articles left me bored, but the youtube presentation left me feeling absolutely stunned. Wow.
Michael Stephens
"What are libraries? Libraries are not just collections of documents and books, they are conversations, they are convocations of people, ideas, and artifacts in dynamic exchange."
"Librarians today are not just inventory management biobots: they are people with a unique understanding of the documents they compile and catalog, and the relationships among those documents."
Dr. Wendy Shultz
These are a few quotes that struck me as very interesting as I read the articles on Library 2.0. I have mixed feelings about it all. The first feeling I have is that I am sorry I waited so long to jump into learning about this level of service and technology. I feel behind the times in some ways. I also feel very empowered by starting down the road to understanding how Web 2.0 is working in the world of information and how to harness it to benefit my customers.
I agree with the thought that there is no longer a need for a "just in case" collection in libraries. Especially in satellite libraries within a system. I have always respected the fact that patrons want information quickly and also at no cost to them. Thanks to the web, this is getting more reliable and user-friendly by the day....BUT there is also so much to wade through, that some patrons are getting overwhelmed or are not able to discern between really good sources and marginal or questionable ones. I feel like our job is to continually be proactive in sharing with them that there are different methods for using the web and help them to be more efficient and productive in their web use.
Much of the jargon of the articles left me bored, but the youtube presentation left me feeling absolutely stunned. Wow.
Thing #14 Technorati
This is not my favorite thing so far. Technorati is okay, but I don't really like the layout. A bit cluttered for my taste. Maybe even a bit eclectic in results as well. I liked the Google blog searching better.
I am really not inspired at this time to "Claim" by blog. Maybe I will change my mind, but for right now I will decline.
I am really not inspired at this time to "Claim" by blog. Maybe I will change my mind, but for right now I will decline.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Thing # 12 Rollyo
Wow! At first I thought -- "I would never have a use for this" I never seem to get obscure questions like those in the examples. Then I started thinking out of the box.... What topics do I have to search in multiple sites? CRAFTS! Whenever we are searching for a drop in or holiday craft idea, or even story time craft idea, I usually end up searching each of my favorite sites individually. Now, thanks to the good folks at Rollyo, I can search them all at once!
Woo Hoo!
Woo Hoo!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Thing #11 Library Thing
I love this site! I have placed a small list of books together and placed the html into my blog. I want to go back and add some more...this is one site where I can really see the value of tagging. How fun to see names and lists of others books that have the same obscure children's titles that I love...I really didn't think anyone else had read Beyond the Paw Paw Trees?!
Thing #10 Avatars and Fun
So, you can see I had some fun with this. The only thing I am not sure I like is the advertisments that will show with my talking avatar. I wish I had some control over the type of advertising that you see, but that is the price you pay for FREE.
Thing #9 Merlin and Feeds
I must admit that I am already warming up to the whole Bloglines idea. I checked my list today and in a very short time was up to date on my favorite sites, and even had time to view some fun things like Unshelved that I had never thought to view before. I like the idea of Library Journal as a RSS because often by the time I get a copy to read, some things are "old news".
I linked to Merlin, and am looking forward to exploring that site further.
After I had placed a few RSS links into my bloglines, it became very easy to do. also very easy to read the feeds and move on with life. Nice. Very nice.
I linked to Merlin, and am looking forward to exploring that site further.
After I had placed a few RSS links into my bloglines, it became very easy to do. also very easy to read the feeds and move on with life. Nice. Very nice.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Thing #8--RSS Feeds
Here is the link to my bloglines feeds:
http://rpc.bloglines.com/blogroll?html=1&id=librarylady2
Gosh. I had to really work on this one. I don't normally go to the web for news and such. Only when I specifically need something and then it is usually hot and right on the front page. I don't know how others can spend so much time reading news and feeds and such. I just don't have the hours in the day. I can skim magazines, newspapers, and journals (professional and other) so much faster than I can skim text online. It will be nice once I practice with it and can really learn to harness the possibilities for good and to avoid the evil time sucking qualities that checking multiple sites can involve. I will let you know more as my feelings develop over time....
http://rpc.bloglines.com/blogroll?html=1&id=librarylady2
Gosh. I had to really work on this one. I don't normally go to the web for news and such. Only when I specifically need something and then it is usually hot and right on the front page. I don't know how others can spend so much time reading news and feeds and such. I just don't have the hours in the day. I can skim magazines, newspapers, and journals (professional and other) so much faster than I can skim text online. It will be nice once I practice with it and can really learn to harness the possibilities for good and to avoid the evil time sucking qualities that checking multiple sites can involve. I will let you know more as my feelings develop over time....
Thing #7--Techno comment
I am now officially commenting on technology....
I think that it is great how easy flickr and blogger and such are to use. But I have to say that it is only easy from work. At home I have dial up access and we are so rural we would have to pay more than I can imagine for a faster connection. At work (here in the library) I am once again reminded what an awesome service we deliver. It really levels the playing field for those of us that are not able to get the speed and support we need on our home computers.
Thanks HCPL!
This self directed learning is really working well to encourage me with my own techno issues at home. I recently was given a cell phone that is also an mp3 player. I have a goal that by the end of the week I will have it up and running!
PS> I commented on someone elses Blog--Thanks Irm.
I think that it is great how easy flickr and blogger and such are to use. But I have to say that it is only easy from work. At home I have dial up access and we are so rural we would have to pay more than I can imagine for a faster connection. At work (here in the library) I am once again reminded what an awesome service we deliver. It really levels the playing field for those of us that are not able to get the speed and support we need on our home computers.
Thanks HCPL!
This self directed learning is really working well to encourage me with my own techno issues at home. I recently was given a cell phone that is also an mp3 player. I have a goal that by the end of the week I will have it up and running!
PS> I commented on someone elses Blog--Thanks Irm.
Flickr
Wow! I am really having fun with this. Check out my trading card that I made for my dog.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8703272@N02/532065488/
Isn't she a cutie?!
I am really impressed with how easy this is. Somewhere in my mind I had placed a block on this type of thing, thinking that it was all cost based (not free) and that is would be very complicated.
I really enjoyed playing with the trading card application. It makes me want to get a better camera, though. My digital is from the dark ages....
I can't wait to be able to share this with patrons and with my family...Grandma Reda in NC will be so pleased when she can get photos without having to wait...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8703272@N02/532065488/
Isn't she a cutie?!
I am really impressed with how easy this is. Somewhere in my mind I had placed a block on this type of thing, thinking that it was all cost based (not free) and that is would be very complicated.
I really enjoyed playing with the trading card application. It makes me want to get a better camera, though. My digital is from the dark ages....
I can't wait to be able to share this with patrons and with my family...Grandma Reda in NC will be so pleased when she can get photos without having to wait...
Monday, June 4, 2007
I Can't Believe I am Blogging....
I never though that I would actually "BLOG". I always enjoyed looking at others, and sometimes even commenting to others, but to create my own?!?! NEVER~
But, once again, I am reminded to "Never Say Never"
I am glad for this opportunity to experiment and have fun with a technology that I should have been bold enough to try sooner!
Thanks, HCPL!
But, once again, I am reminded to "Never Say Never"
I am glad for this opportunity to experiment and have fun with a technology that I should have been bold enough to try sooner!
Thanks, HCPL!
7 and 1/2 lifelong learning habits
Ah...the lifelong learning habits...
I guess I have some special feelings about the whole life long learning thing...I mean, that is one of the main reasons I am home schooling my children. I want to help them cultivate a love of learning that will carry on through their lives.
I think the easiest element for me is to "View Problems as Challenges". Questions, problems, etc are always divine opportunities for growth spiritually as well as logically. Also , "teaching others" has always encouraged me to keep on learning and also taking time to organize what I have learned into bite size pieces that are easy to share with others.
The hardest element for me is "beginning with the end in mind". Sometimes I am afraid to commit to a learning goal when I know that the outcome may not be fully accomplished to my satisfaction (ah..the pitfalls of perfectionism...). Knowing that goals can be modified as you go is very free-ing.
I guess I have some special feelings about the whole life long learning thing...I mean, that is one of the main reasons I am home schooling my children. I want to help them cultivate a love of learning that will carry on through their lives.
I think the easiest element for me is to "View Problems as Challenges". Questions, problems, etc are always divine opportunities for growth spiritually as well as logically. Also , "teaching others" has always encouraged me to keep on learning and also taking time to organize what I have learned into bite size pieces that are easy to share with others.
The hardest element for me is "beginning with the end in mind". Sometimes I am afraid to commit to a learning goal when I know that the outcome may not be fully accomplished to my satisfaction (ah..the pitfalls of perfectionism...). Knowing that goals can be modified as you go is very free-ing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
