Summary

I guess for me the most important thing I learned was that there are all kinds of tools out there to really do exciting things. I also learned that I have a lot more to learn! And, perhaps, that I also knew more than I thought in the beginning. Knowing about the different options out there really helps me to be able to find and choose the best alternatives, in the best way possible. It helps me be more connected with the students I teach (because most of them will already know all this stuff!) and to plan in a broader way. Some of it will also help me same time.

The most challenging part was, initially, finding the time to do the work because I was working full time in Toronto, but since there was flexibility in the time lines that helped tremendously. The other thing that was challenging was staying focused on the task because I found myself going off and looking through other bit and pieces - which is all good - but again, chewed up time really quickly! I still feel I want to go back again in each of the areas and explore more. At least now I know where to go!

The self-directed model for this course was excellent because I could do it in my time and there were all the options for help built in, if needed. It made for a relaxing and interesting course.

This course definitely filled my expectations and I'm sure I'll be using lots of it as I go through this next year as a teacher-librarian. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking to increase their web understandings.

I really appreciate the humour, flexibility, and process, and would like to thank all those who were involved in causing this course to exist! You have done an amazing job at simplifying and clarifying all kinds of web 'stuff'. THANK YOU!

All the best to you all!

Library Thing

Here is the link to my library......

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/vivavoces

I really like library thing. It's easy to use and the chat rooms also look very interesting. I can see myself spending way too much time there! I will definitely use it again and explore it more thoroughly.

RSS feeds

I subscribed to MENC - a national site for music educators. I also subscribed to the staff picks. Google reader was easy to set up. I found it frustrating that when I actually clicked on a site I couldn't just go back to the list - I got kicked right out and had to log in and begin again. Maybe I'm missing something? I also found that I got sidetracked easily and spent too much time reading through various posts. I don't think I would use this. I understand that it could be helpful to stay current and perhaps I may find a site I'd like to have that connection to, but for me I find it faster to just go to the ones I'm interested in from my bookmarks.

Wikis

I am bringing devilled eggs to the picnic. It certainly does get more challenging when you are one of the last ones to join in! Too bad we aren't really going - what a feast!

The wiki was very easy to use. I can see using it for many reasons - most of which you already mentioned in your overview! The fact that it is more like an editable document than separate posts, like a blog, make it very friendly. It would be most suitable for smaller groups so that everyone is respectful of each other's comments.

A baker I am NOT!

A baker I am NOT!

When I was a teen my mother tried to teach me how to bake, so we started with a simple swiss roll.  It had about 3 ingredients.  I managed to mess it up 6 times - and each time did something else wrong!  After that, I think she gave up on me..... so now, I'm just a good baking consumer instead!

Heide

Picasa

There were no tags on the picture I sent to my dear library lady. :(

Picasa is an interesting site, and would be a great way to find pictures of places you might like to see. However, I prefer to use my iweb for sharing, as I have a mac.

Until next time!......

Facebook....?

Facebook is not a vehicle that I would choose because it is too public.

Social networks have the potential to be both very beneficial- eg. getting information to members of a group quickly, and very hurtful because they can be too public and people seem to share very personal comments at times.

I was registered with Facebook before this course, but mostly because my sister added me and my children are on it. I don't check it very often. There are so many things to stay on top of already!

Tagging

The websites I added to my bookmarks in Delicious are:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1343

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/08/15/the-35-best-iphone-apps-of-the-year-so-far/

I tagged: iphone, mac and shortcuts

Delicious seems to be a really good way to be able to access your book marks and create fingertip resources for anything you might want to go back to more than once. I am quite certain I'll be back!

Youtube - a great way to find examples for my bands and choirs! I love checking out the various versions - quite a variety out there.... Streaming is a great way to get what you've found to someone else to see first hand - no need to explain - just have them watch. I will definitely continue using youtube!

Youtube has some really wonderful 'stuff' on it - and perhaps some not so wonderful too, but I must admit it was really cool to find someone had videotaped and posted our choir performance in Germany! The original posting was in German! It was also really neat to see that people like it. I'm not sure what the stars mean but I am assuming 5 stars is good.....

Streaming has probably become so popular because it makes things easier. You can access through your home computer (or any computer) instead of going out to find things. You don't need lots of other equipment, you can't 'scratch' it or lose it and you can get the most up to date info.

I will absolutely continue to use youtube. It is a great resource.

Until next time......

signing off.....

Vivavoce

First youtube posting

This is my choir performing in Germany this past March

why this?

So the question is...... why am I doing this?!   

Answer:

I am a full time teacher - part-time librarian, and really wanted to do something that would make me a better resource for the students and teachers in our school.  This seemed to be perfect.  I can learn more about online 'stuff', while, it seems, having some fun.  It's also great that it's during the summer and therefore not as busy as during the school year.