Trolling through the Delicious list of cpd23 participants' blogs was a bit like our first visit to the neighborhood Chinese restaurant in Beijing in 2005 - the very brief English descriptions gave fragmentary and puzzling glimpses into what might arrive at the table if those items were selected!
Many cpd23 blogs had cryptic names (as mine admittedly does) which don't tell the reader what to expect. Other blog names were subject-specific yet painfully plain. Experience levels range from newest of newbies (blog set up, but not even an intro post) to average library folk (know the tech, have a fair-decent blog, perhaps LibraryThings veteran) to the superstars (customized blog w/uber-relevant blogroll & detailed posts). If the blogger told us their location & library type, that was a definite plus.
So, I wandered through the list, checking on blogs by librarians in different sectors and geographical areas, and selected 9 that I've subscribed to during our cpd23 voyage together. I've learned that it's far easier to have a workable number of blogs to follow and comment on when it comes to these sorts of LibraryThing online 'classes' than to try to rush through a section of the blogroll for this Thing, then another section for the next Thing.
And to add to the fun, I've also signed on for the eduMOOC (Massive Open Online Class) about Online Learning from the University of Illinois Springfield USA which begins June 27 and runs for 8 weeks, discussing "Online Learning Today...and Tomorrow." Almost 2,000 other folks are already signed up, so this ought to get interesting! Earlier I tagged along on CCK2011, a MOOC about Creativity, Connectivism & Knowledge, so the broader-yet-narrower scope of eduMOOC looks to be a bit more manageable.
Plus the Ultimate Blog Challenge begins on July 1 for my "real" blog - BooksYALove - where I recommend YA books beyond the bestsellers, especially books by first-time authors and smaller publishers, so that's 31 days of specific blog-a-liciousness to play with...
Also dipping my toes into Thomas Dolby's new sorta-MMORPG called The Floating City, which requires cooperative trading strategies to discover the detailed rules of the game. Completed my first trade and received download of "She Blinded Me With Science" (love that song!) - ultimate prize for winning team is live concert...ooohhh.....
Let's get rolling, cpdsters!
**Katy
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Running with cpd23
Ah, more tools for my arsenal of research & social connection skills! I did my first 23Things a few years back (the impetus for starting this blog), and I know how much has changed in the social media spectrum since then.
Then, I was a high school librarian; now, I'm sorta-retired (not working, but no retirement pay coming yet), and busier than ever as an independent book reviewer (as guest on www.abookandahug.com - best books for babies, kids, tweens, and teens) and blogger (my own http://BooksYALove.blogspot.com - recommending YA books beyond the bestsellers).
I remain active in the International Association of School Librarianship http://www.iasl-online.org/index.htm as Treasurer and continue to promote IASL's GiggleIT Project http://www.iasl-online.org/sla/giggleIT/ our free online student writing project, most recently at the Texas Library Association annual conference in April.
Looking forward to the 'new' Things which have appeared since my last go-round - Zotero, Prezi, etc. I'm finally on Twitter ( @BooksYALove) and am having such a good time following YA authors (some even follow me - eeep!) and movers/shakers in the library world - adding to that useful folks list will be great.
**Katy M
Recommending YA books beyond the bestsellers at http://BooksYALove.blogspot.com
Follow me on Twitter @BooksYALove
Then, I was a high school librarian; now, I'm sorta-retired (not working, but no retirement pay coming yet), and busier than ever as an independent book reviewer (as guest on www.abookandahug.com - best books for babies, kids, tweens, and teens) and blogger (my own http://BooksYALove.blogspot.com - recommending YA books beyond the bestsellers).
I remain active in the International Association of School Librarianship http://www.iasl-online.org/index.htm as Treasurer and continue to promote IASL's GiggleIT Project http://www.iasl-online.org/sla/giggleIT/ our free online student writing project, most recently at the Texas Library Association annual conference in April.
Looking forward to the 'new' Things which have appeared since my last go-round - Zotero, Prezi, etc. I'm finally on Twitter ( @BooksYALove) and am having such a good time following YA authors (some even follow me - eeep!) and movers/shakers in the library world - adding to that useful folks list will be great.
**Katy M
Recommending YA books beyond the bestsellers at http://BooksYALove.blogspot.com
Follow me on Twitter @BooksYALove
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Pretty darn wonderful
Some things are just flat-0ut wonderful and must be shared:
Jake Shimabukuro performs Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" - on the ukelele!
http://blog.ted.com/2011/01/28/bohemian-rhapsody-jake-shimabukuro-on-ted-com/
If the Moon were centered over Alice Springs, Australia, using BBC's Dimensions mapping app
http://howbigreally.com/dimension/space/moon
Today's front pages from over 750 newspapers in 79 countries - Newseum
http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/default.asp
Jake Shimabukuro performs Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" - on the ukelele!
http://blog.ted.com/2011/01/28/bohemian-rhapsody-jake-shimabukuro-on-ted-com/
If the Moon were centered over Alice Springs, Australia, using BBC's Dimensions mapping app
http://howbigreally.com/dimension/space/moon
Today's front pages from over 750 newspapers in 79 countries - Newseum
http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/flash/default.asp
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Dogpaddling in CCK11
In the vast MOOC of CCK11 http://cck11.mooc.ca, trying to get a handle on Connectivism as a theory and as practice, I feel like I'm dogpaddling against the current. The gRSShopper comment/thread system is still a bit hard for me to navigate - I wind up replying to a whole herd of folks instead of the thread I intended to answer... perhaps with practice...
But I may be getting just a bit closer to the other swimmers, as I've found the CCK11 Facebook group, where there are real people to 'talk' to, including fascinating discussions about PLNs (personal learning networks) and the personal search for information.
Hoping to find a place for the K-12 folks in the MOOC to hang out and share ideas. Compared to those in higher education and business, we have rather a different take on connectivism and learning.
But I may be getting just a bit closer to the other swimmers, as I've found the CCK11 Facebook group, where there are real people to 'talk' to, including fascinating discussions about PLNs (personal learning networks) and the personal search for information.
Hoping to find a place for the K-12 folks in the MOOC to hang out and share ideas. Compared to those in higher education and business, we have rather a different take on connectivism and learning.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Thing #11.5
1. Favorite discoveries - I loved finding out how easy Screencasting is! Wish I'd known about it long ago so that I could have created myriad "how-to-do-it-online" demos.
2. Toward lifelong learning goals - Rather than being drowned in new tech apps, I am at least treading water! Many school librarians that I know haven't even put on their floaties yet...
3. Unexpected outcomes - Delighted with the sheer quantity of offerings on Slideshare for great presentations that I never could attend in person. I'll never run out of things to explore and learn there.
4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept? Thing 10 took so much more time than the other Things because SL has a steeper learning curve than most of the other tools explored. Perhaps need to divide it into smaller parts with specific focus, like reading about SL in education in one Thing and exploring SL with your avatar in another Thing.
Thanks again to Spring Branch ISD, Dr. BB and all our great Lifeguards for developing the 23 Library Things and the 11.5 Things and allowing the out-of-towners to come over and play! I would have never discovered all these things on my own...
Next stop - Italy! Heading for the International Association for School Librarianship conference in Abano Terme, Italy (with a few days in Venice, too!)
2. Toward lifelong learning goals - Rather than being drowned in new tech apps, I am at least treading water! Many school librarians that I know haven't even put on their floaties yet...
3. Unexpected outcomes - Delighted with the sheer quantity of offerings on Slideshare for great presentations that I never could attend in person. I'll never run out of things to explore and learn there.
4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept? Thing 10 took so much more time than the other Things because SL has a steeper learning curve than most of the other tools explored. Perhaps need to divide it into smaller parts with specific focus, like reading about SL in education in one Thing and exploring SL with your avatar in another Thing.
Thanks again to Spring Branch ISD, Dr. BB and all our great Lifeguards for developing the 23 Library Things and the 11.5 Things and allowing the out-of-towners to come over and play! I would have never discovered all these things on my own...
Next stop - Italy! Heading for the International Association for School Librarianship conference in Abano Terme, Italy (with a few days in Venice, too!)
Thing #11
Digital Citizenship lesson for 9th graders (H.S. Freshmen) - based on Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship found at http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/Nine_Elements.html
In junior high, students have limited access to technology and online resources due to equipment and scheduling constraints. Therefore freshmen need to be introduced to the ground rules of digital citizenship before they are set loose in the more freewheeling world of high school online access.
The lesson will focus on 5 Key Principles (conversation points for librarians to present are in quotation marks):
1) Digital access - "School technology resources are tools for all students. Using just your fair share of computer time, bandwidth, printer ink/toner, and paper are ways to show you are prepared to be a good digital citizen." [Reinforces school rules on computer time and printer limitations in a positive way]
2) Digital rights & responsibilities - "With the right of free speech online comes the responsibility to communicate appropriately online. The right to use information found online brings the responsibility to give proper credit for the sources of that information. By signing on to any computer in OurSchool ISD, you agree that you will act responsibly as you exercise your rights." [Reminds of rights & restrictions contained in AUP which they and their parents have already agreed to in writing]
3) Digital communications - "As a school user of information technology, you will use a more limited set of digital communications than you would at home. Your use of school-approved e-mail, wikis, blogs and other communication options will continue as you prove that you can use them effectively and correctly." [Reminds that responsible online communication is allowed on school computers even though several limiting factors prevent use of cell phones, instant messaging, social sites, etc. at school]
4) Digital law - "You are responsible for your actions online and must act ethically when it comes to the property of others, including their websites, coding, music, and so on. Avoiding unethical behavior online means knowing the difference between sharing and stealing - it's not just a good idea, it's the law!" [Remind that downloading music, plagiarism, hacking, etc are illegal and unethical and can result in real legal penalties from the school district and law enforcement agencies]
5) Digital literacy - "Learning to locate, assess, and utilize information from online sources should occur in many of your classes and projects, not just in computer/BCIS class. It's up to you to practice these skills until you are good at them so that you will be prepared for the new technology tools and skills that are ahead of you." [Reinforce IT-based skills and learning throughout the curriculum and as widely applicable to a wide range of projects and problems].
Applicable portions of the AUP will be briefly noted in each section. Finishing off with an exploration of a "spoof site" like Tree Octopus or Whale-Watching in the Great Lakes can reinforce that all online sources are not equal, that digital literacy tools will help students sift the true from the false, and will foster critical thinking.
In junior high, students have limited access to technology and online resources due to equipment and scheduling constraints. Therefore freshmen need to be introduced to the ground rules of digital citizenship before they are set loose in the more freewheeling world of high school online access.
The lesson will focus on 5 Key Principles (conversation points for librarians to present are in quotation marks):
1) Digital access - "School technology resources are tools for all students. Using just your fair share of computer time, bandwidth, printer ink/toner, and paper are ways to show you are prepared to be a good digital citizen." [Reinforces school rules on computer time and printer limitations in a positive way]
2) Digital rights & responsibilities - "With the right of free speech online comes the responsibility to communicate appropriately online. The right to use information found online brings the responsibility to give proper credit for the sources of that information. By signing on to any computer in OurSchool ISD, you agree that you will act responsibly as you exercise your rights." [Reminds of rights & restrictions contained in AUP which they and their parents have already agreed to in writing]
3) Digital communications - "As a school user of information technology, you will use a more limited set of digital communications than you would at home. Your use of school-approved e-mail, wikis, blogs and other communication options will continue as you prove that you can use them effectively and correctly." [Reminds that responsible online communication is allowed on school computers even though several limiting factors prevent use of cell phones, instant messaging, social sites, etc. at school]
4) Digital law - "You are responsible for your actions online and must act ethically when it comes to the property of others, including their websites, coding, music, and so on. Avoiding unethical behavior online means knowing the difference between sharing and stealing - it's not just a good idea, it's the law!" [Remind that downloading music, plagiarism, hacking, etc are illegal and unethical and can result in real legal penalties from the school district and law enforcement agencies]
5) Digital literacy - "Learning to locate, assess, and utilize information from online sources should occur in many of your classes and projects, not just in computer/BCIS class. It's up to you to practice these skills until you are good at them so that you will be prepared for the new technology tools and skills that are ahead of you." [Reinforce IT-based skills and learning throughout the curriculum and as widely applicable to a wide range of projects and problems].
Applicable portions of the AUP will be briefly noted in each section. Finishing off with an exploration of a "spoof site" like Tree Octopus or Whale-Watching in the Great Lakes can reinforce that all online sources are not equal, that digital literacy tools will help students sift the true from the false, and will foster critical thinking.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Thing #10
Wow, it's harder to walk and turn and pick things up than it seems when "your fingers do the walking" on keyboard to keep your SecondLife avatar moving... I don't think I've graduated to being a toddler yet!
I love the museums and demos in SL and can see the benefit of allowing students to view, try, and do things in those scenarios. Alas, most school districts won't allow students to experience SL and the problem-solving that it takes to accomplish the smallest functions because of the the small potential hazards on SL. Also, the 'strain' on the school/district networks and computing resources for such graphic-intensive app usually limit the use of such resources at school.
I tried to attend a virtual seminar, but had so much trouble getting from place A to place B that I decided to step out of SL for a while (so I can read up on using movement commands and such).
Someday, Katri Easterwood will stroll with confidence through SL, discovering new, cool things serendipitously, just like wandering the stacks of a new library to see what neat books come into view! Except I cannot fly in a physical world library!
I love the museums and demos in SL and can see the benefit of allowing students to view, try, and do things in those scenarios. Alas, most school districts won't allow students to experience SL and the problem-solving that it takes to accomplish the smallest functions because of the the small potential hazards on SL. Also, the 'strain' on the school/district networks and computing resources for such graphic-intensive app usually limit the use of such resources at school.
I tried to attend a virtual seminar, but had so much trouble getting from place A to place B that I decided to step out of SL for a while (so I can read up on using movement commands and such).
Someday, Katri Easterwood will stroll with confidence through SL, discovering new, cool things serendipitously, just like wandering the stacks of a new library to see what neat books come into view! Except I cannot fly in a physical world library!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)