Friday, August 3, 2007

Week 9, Thing 23

#23 Summarize your thoughts about this program and learn more about where to go from here

1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?

To be honest, I already use many of the sites and services covered in the program. I mainly wanted to take the class to explore podcasting (which I haven't been brave enough to try on my own). However I learned about many other things like the Google online productivity site. I plan on using that service regularly.

2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?

I always try to learn about the newest trends in technology. Its hard to stay on top of everything -- there is just so much going on! This program helped me learn some new things that I had missed.

3. Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?

Yeah I like many of the google services. I've been using the search engine for years, yet I've never really looked around at their other services.

4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?

Not really sure what you could do to improve the program. I enjoyed all the different exercises.

5. If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you again chose to participate?

Yes!

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?

Learning by doing.
Not getting left behind...
Okay, I'm terrible at this kind of thing... it always comes out so cheesy!!

Week 9, Thing 22

#22 Learn about Audiobooks

I decided to use Project Gutenberg because I already use this for regular ebooks. It is an amazing service, that should receive more recognition than it does.

I decided to download Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. I was a little overwhelmed by the long list of downloads so I randomly picked something from the itunes section. It download quickly and opened right into itunes.

However, I am not a big fan of audio books. I prefer to read books then listen to them...most audio books put me to sleep!

Week 9, Thing 21

#21 Discover some useful tools for locating podcasts

Amy's First Podcast
This podcast was fun to make! I used audacity to record it and exported the file as an mp3. (I did have to download a dll file first though and that was kind of a pain.)

When I tried to use Odeo, it would not allow me to upload a file. I could record one at their site or link to an existing file on the internet, but no option to upload directly form my computer! So I used podbean instead, a podcast host site that was recommended to me by Steph.

Minus the problems with Odeo, overall it was a great experience.

Monday, July 30, 2007

Week 9, Thing 20

#20 Discover YouTube and a few sites that allow you to upload video

I decided to be brave and use the first video I uploaded to youtube.



This is a video of my nephew, Westley. It was made for his father, who was stationed overseas at the time. It was my first attempt at making a video and I learned a lot from the experience! I know, I know... its high on the cheese factor, but it was a year ago!

Music: You'll Be In My Heart by Phil Collins

Week 8, Thing 19

#19 Discover any site from the Web 2.0 awards list

Since we've already covered most of the basic categories, I chose meebo.

Meebo is a great little web page that allows you to use your all instant messenger accounts on one site. I particularly like this service because you don't have to download any software! This makes meebo useful when using public computers! I like it because I hate downloading updated versions of software every other week!

Test Entry

Test Entry

I am testing this GOOGLE's Docs & Spreadsheets service out for my 23 Things! Check out my 23 Things journal at http://amysbloggertestblog.blogspot.com/

My Character in second life:



Week 8, Thing 18

#18 Take a look at some online productivity tools

I decided to try out the Google version, simply because I already have an account with them. I'm glad I did because this service is something I am planning on using often in the future! I can't believe all this is free to use!

I found the interface clean and very easy to use. Some of the features I especially liked are:

Publishing - I really like the option to publish to your blog or on the free online service provided for you. I especially liked the republish your change option which makes updates a one click operation! Here is my test entry as a blog post or as an upload.

Insert Image - There were a couple of options I liked, especially the resize field.

I haven't played around with the share options, but they look like the have a lot of potential. My co workers and I will have to play around with these!

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Week 7, Thing 17

#17 Add an entry into the Sandbox Wiki created with PB Wiki

I've wikied before and I like pbwiki. Its free, simple to use but has some powerful options.

I've added my blog to the favorites here.

I have to say I did enjoy nosing around the wiki. So far my two favorite pages are Random thoughts by matterhorn and WE WANT MORE CEUs FOR LEARNING. I found them quite amusing! LOL! Not sure yet if I'm going to create a new page. I'll have to think of something interesting first!

Monday, July 16, 2007

Week 7, Thing 16

#16 Learn about wikis and discover some innovative ways that libraries are using them

I don't know about innovative, but I think wikis would be a great place for Library staff to share resources, program ideas, recommendations and so on. This would be very convenient with libraries that have multiple branches! The main thing I would worry about of course would be privacy and security.

I also liked the Bullrun Libray wiki that is run by a patron (with the all important disclaimer). Again with all the Web 2.0 sites, making collaboration easy is the key! Wikis are great for book recommendation, program listings, webpage link directories and more. The main benefit being that it can be created and updated easily.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Week 6, Thing 15

#15 Read a few perspectives on Web 2.0, Library 2.0 & the future of libraries

Seriously, I loved To a temporary place in time... by Dr. Wendy Schultz. It's not just about redesigning the concept of what a library is but looking forward what is it's potential in the future!

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. Libraries are not merely in communities, they are communities: they preserve and promote community memories; they provide mentors not only for the exploration of stored memory, but also for the creation of new artifacts of memory.


In another great article, Away from the “icebergs” by Rick Anderson the redesigning theme is also carried over. Though in this piece the author focuses more on which current ideals have to be let go in order to keep up with the future.

No profession can survive if it throws its core principles and values overboard in response to every shift in the zeitgeist. However, it can be equally disastrous when a profession fails to acknowledge and adapt to radical, fundamental change in the marketplace it serves. At this point in time, our profession is far closer to the latter type of disaster than it is to the former.


I would love to see Library 2.0 be the first step to which the public begins viewing Libraries as something they can contribute too not just use! Interactivity is the cornerstone of Web 2.0. It's not just learning...but sharing as well. To break away from the idea that the library is only a place of brick and mortar (with moldy reference books) in the real world, but to see its relevance in their online "virtual" world as well.

Of course, I'm ready for library 3.0 now. I just hope I will see the vision of Library 4.0 come to fruition within my life time!

Monday, July 9, 2007

Week 6, Thing 14

#14 Discover Technorati and learn how tags work with blogs

Don't know exactly what to say about tags. I love them, the idea of them are so simple yet revolutionary at the same time. They are a key part of web 2.0.

When using Technorati, I found so many interesting people doing the same exercise as me. LOL! Though at of all the search fields I liked the Blog Directory results the least. I would just use the main search box myself.

Here's the Technorati tag:

Week 6, Thing 13

#13 Tagging and Discover Del.icio.us

Friday, July 6, 2007

Week 5, Thing 12

#12 Roll your own search tool with Rollyo

I like the idea behind Rollyo and it has a lot going for it, but I don't think I will use it much after this. It's a no-brainer concept with so much potential. Take all the (similar content) sites you like to visit and create a one-stop site search tool. I liked that it was easy to set up and use. I also liked that I could easily add my Rollyo to my blog! I've already added to my sidebar!

The main problem I had with Rollyo was that I could not customize the search results page. I would have liked to opt out on the Sponsored Links (the ads on the side should be enough) and the Custom Blog Results sections at the top of the page. I would have also like to be able to rank my sites, so my best sites always results at the top!

Also not sure if it was something I did or not, but I originally had this blog as one of the search options. When I tried to use it, Rollyo would always return with no results! Not really sure why...

Monday, July 2, 2007

Week 5, Thing 11

#11 Take a look at Library Thing and catalog some of your favorite books

I love LibraryThing!
I use it to catalog my own personal collection at home. I've been a member since March but I'm still not finished inventorying my books! The free account is limited to 200 books, but a life time account is only $25.00. It is well worth the money.

LibraryThing is such a wonderful service! It has so many great features.
- Add Books! The adding books feature is extremely easy to use (though I find it easier to use the ISBN number to add older books).
- Tags! Tagging your books is an easy way to categorizes them. (I try to keep the tags general and limited to three per book. It’s so easy to go a little crazy with the tagging...)
- Mobile web! This service allows you to check your inventory on the web browser of your cell phone. I use this often because I am bad about buying duplicate books.
- Tools! They have neat little tools like a blogging widget.

Random Manga from Woobaby's Library

Week 5, Thing 10

#10 Play around with an online image generator

I like making avatars. I think its because I have no artistic talent of my own, so I have to use fun little programs like these.


Yahoo Avatars

Here is the EVIL me:

Dookyweb (en espanol)

And finally (for now), here is the South Park version of me:
Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us
South Park Character Generator

Monday, June 25, 2007

Week 4, Thing 9

#9 Explore MERLIN and then locate a few other useful library-related blogs and/or news feeds

Okay, I tried to browse through Merlin's educational content... but of course the Gaming, Avatars, Virtual Worlds is what appealed to me. So I spent my time making meez. These little avatars are so much fun to make!



But back to work. I tend to use Technorati for most of my blog/rss searches. I want to find more blogs/rss/websites featuring good reviews of graphic novels, anime and manga. So far I've found:

~ Govel - A UK site that reviews Graphic Novels and Manga Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

~ Newsarama - A site mostly for comic books and graphic novels Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

~ Between the Staples - another comics blog
Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

Week 4, Thing 8

#8 Make Life Really Simple with RSS and a News Reader

Today I set up a RSS work account with Bloglines.

I really like the idea of RSS feeds. I can keep track of all the blogs/websites/etc that I want to read/browse all on one site. No need to bookmark and visit each one as I remember them... RSS suits my lazy soul!

Bloglines Blogroll: (sorry this is getting so long)

Monday, June 18, 2007

Week 3, Thing 7

#7 Create a Blog Post About Anything Technology-Related

I've just started playing around with Second Life. I'm still a little unsure of where all the cool stuff is, but I've learned how to manipulate my avatar. I'm finally out of the starting area and ready to go to all the great events that are being offered! (Tho I think I'll wait until Heather is online with me since she knows where all the trendy places are...)

Feel free to friend me! My avatar is named AmyRebecca Martinek.

Week 3, Thing 6

#6 Flickr Mash-ups & Third Party Sites

Trading Card!

LOL! This was so much fun to make! I can't wait to show it to my teens in the anime club!



(This is a picture of the anime club during a bake sale!)

Week 3, Thing 5

#5 Explore Flickr

Flickr Love!

I already have a flickr account.
* My personal Flickr

I also use flickr for the teen anime club I run here at the Centre Branch.
* CBAC Flickr

Feel free to check them out! We have quite a few talented artists in the teen club and they LOVE people looking at their fan art!

Here's a picture from a recent family program:

mdlearning2

This is one of our new programs Step it Up (Dance Dance Revolution). We were actually surprised how many families showed up and more importantly how many Moms participated! Everyone had a blast!

Monday, June 11, 2007

Week 2, Thing 3

#3 Set up your own blog & add your first post

Life Long Learners!
Which habit among the 7 & 1/2 that is easiest for you and which is hardest?

The easiest is well easy - I love to use technology! I try to integrate my toys into everything I do. Whether its online or on my ipod, I use it! For me it makes learning more enjoyable.

What do I find the hardest...
Hmmm, I guess what I find most difficult is I rarely have a real goal in mind. When I come across something new, I want to learn everything I can about it.

Monday, June 4, 2007

First week of 23 things - Notes

Highly Successful Life Long Learning

1. Begin with the end in mind
2. Accept responsibility for your own learning
3. View problems as challenges
4. Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner
5. Create your own learning toolbox
6. Use technology to your advantage
7. Teach mentor others
7.5. Play


Learning Contract:
• Goals
• Obstacles (not enough time, too many other projects going at once)
• Toolbox (what materials are needed?)
• Resources for help (google!)
• Path to a goal (Timeline?)
• Check in (re-evaluate your Learning Contract?)
• Sign it

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

New Layout

Here is the new layout!

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

First Post

Test Entry