Week 3: Technology Related Post - Thing #7

I was interested to read in October's Smart Computing Magazine that Microsoft has a new Web Site to check your existing hardware and software to see if it will work with Microsoft's Vista Operating System. www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility



On the website you can search products in many different categories to provide compatibility for both its 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the OS. The website provides a link to a product vendor's site where you can download updated drivers that might be required.

This site would have been helpful when we upgraded to Vista at its launch. While most of our software and hardware eventually had "fixes" to allow them to operate with Vista, we had a few items that still do not work...or have glitches, and have been replaced with newer products.

Week 3: Flickr fun - Thing 6

I have just been totally submerged in the seemingly endless 2.0 applications available in this section. While I have lost total track of time over the past 3 hours, I think what is most intriguing and amazing is the number of applications that can be connected with student learning opportunities. The "wow" factor...combined with "this would work great with this (class) project" was truly overwhelming.

I fell in love with mappr for middle school social studies project and intro to language classes studying different countries, cities, landforms, etc. I can see huge curriculum connections to just this one application. In addition, the trading cards are amazing. While our 8th grade history classes do a trading card project with revolutionary war "characters", this simplifies the current construction process, and will allow students to focus more on the content, and the "electronic coolness factor" that will motivate them to complete the research so that they can get on with the fun of creating their fabulous final product. I can also see huge application of just this one tool across the curriculum...using it for promoting favorite books & authors, and creating cards for topics in math and science.

I could go on for pages about each of the tools that I explored over the past 3 hours. What I have discovered is a tiny thread of what Web 2.0 can provide to the learning community. I guess what was most surprising and amazing at the same time was the mere number of applications that we saw in just this session...knowing that there are thousands+ more out there. I think what might be frustrating to me is trying to keep up with so many new tools. It is like being that kid in the candy store...where do I go first!

Week 3: Flickr - Thing 5

I picked this image from the photos on my camera. I visited Fallingwater in May to attend a Discovery Educator Network event. This is one of my favorite places. It is a place of wonder and inspiration that energizes me. Maybe it is all of the fresh air. the sound of the water fall, and the quiet of the surrounding woods.



During this exercise, I have had a chance to tour Flickr. I have spent several hours unfolding many of the options, and am looking forward to taking even more time to become more experienced in using all of the features. I was surprised how easy it was to upload pictures and amazing options that this tool provides. I was a little confused about the difference between "Tagging" the images and developing a title.



I was also very impressed with how easy it is to add images to blogger, and am thinking about the many ways that these tools can be used in our middle school library.

Week 2: Blogging - Thing 4

My Blog is registered as KOMS Cyber-ary. I discovered how easy it is to create a blog, and that you can have fun being creative in naming and setting up the look and organization of the blog.

Week 2: Blogging - Thing 3

As you can see, my blog is up and running. I have been posting and I am still trying to publish my Avatar.

Week 1 Lifelong Learning Habits - Things 1 & 2

I think the habit among the 7 & 1/2 that is easist for me is goal setting. I have always been a planner and "project manager". Looking at tasks and breaking them down into manageable pieces that are put to a timeline (goal setting), is something I do naturally in all aspects of my life. Somethings lend themselves to a more elaborate plan, others may have a few steps from start to completion....but it helps to have a plan in place to complete what you start. You may find a few "challenges" or "learning opportunities" on the path to completion. These may cause you to alter your initial plan, or completion timing. But without the plan I could easily be distracted and never get to the satisfaction that you come to by completing what you start, or attaining a goal.





The habit that is probably the hardest (or seems a bit daunting) is feeling like I am keeping up with the pace of technology. I feel confident that I have the capability to learn, and am someone that doesn't shy away from trying something new and learning from my experiences. But I sometimes feel as if I am on an endless treadmill...trying to keep up with the latest technologies without the luxury of the "play-time" that was outlined in the presentation that is so critical.





My thoughts about life-long learning are basically this. As a school librarian, life-long learning is as important as my love of reading and promoting the love of reading, and the love of working with students. It provides me with the spark and enthusiasm, and the fuel to continuously provide a learning environment that is interesting & inviting. Moreover, it fosters new opportunities to teach and inspire new learning opportunities to reach even our most challenged students.

Created Avatar

I created my Avatar, but am having trouble posting it to the blog. When I get to the part where I am to copy and paste the the HTML code, I am not sure where to paste it.