Niij

Springing Ahead. More Things #1 :-)

2009-04-05T20:14:00.003-05:00

More Things has a grip on me -yes! I'm slow getting going. As you can read, I have personalized my blog since the last 23 things. I updated my avatar to the new me. I added National Geographic photos because I have always loved their photographers' amazing work.
I feel alittle out of practice blogging, but do like it. I have wanted to become a local community journalist with my blog. It is on my "things to do" list. Becoming more connected with Facebook and the groups there has become a favorite thing to do, as well as Skype. Keep stopping back...more to come.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-10T09:38:00.002-06:00

Hope to the world 2009 brings peace.

Truly Winter

2008-12-20T07:27:00.003-06:00

It must be the sluggishness of the Makwa (bear) in me, because I have not kept up with the 2008 calendar. From sunup to sundown, actually 2 hours before and 6 hours after I march to the season's activities. Many are "traditions" and most in the daylight are manditory paycheck duties.

Falling ice crystals, actually horizontally-racing frozen fluffinesses, have found their spots in the north woods with more expected. They are so welcomed in my sentimental heart for the season, but in the 21st century with human fliers and drivers it makes my stomach dull-ache. Best to all the travelers this week.

An update on Niij, our mascot. We suspect she had never seen the county snowplow, so she got too close and was clipped. After hiding under the sauna for hours, her friendly vet stitched her back paw with about 20 stitches up and down and in and out. The healing broken toe (I've actually had one of them!) makes her paw somewhat clubbish. But not to worry, you will still get jumped on when you arrive. And yesterday it was reported she was running her normal(?) racing circles around the lightpole (our cheap treadmill).

Please smile this holiday and have a very merry time!

It's almost winter AGAIN!

2008-11-09T14:32:00.003-06:00

Just to let every one-person that stops in here that I didn't fall off the earth. I am just in my prime-laborer-for-K-7th-graders time of year. Book Fair on Monday, teaching groups of students in St. Paul on Friday, and 2 evenings of conferences all in one week. Wish me luck. Here's a picture of Garrett's Groupies at the 2008 Buddy Walk in Canal Park, Duluth.

The Mighty Miisi-Ziibi

2008-08-06T20:36:00.007-05:00

A peaceful Saturday paddle near the headwaters of the Mississippi. It was warm, calm, and quiet (except for the twilight zone screams of our frenzied deer fly victim) . One could float all day if necessary. This yaking trip was one of many for me. I was able to spend a day in the Boundary Waters at Hegman Lake, and other days at Lake Vermilion, St. Mary's lake, Ely Lake, West Two Rivers, Pfeiffer Lake, Strawberry Lake and Arrowhead Lake. Let's do it all again soon...where next?

July! Aabita-Niibino Giizis wa'aw giizis!

2008-07-10T22:28:00.002-05:00

Howah, Wow!
It has been some time-flying summer days, smelling the roses, tossing a fetch ball, paddling the kayak across the sparkling ripples. It has been wonderful to have my daughter home relaxing after her first year of medical school.

My favorite moment was getting a big wet mouth blowing tickle on my neck from our nephew. His responding concerned look when he saw laughter tears running down my face was priceless. I guess he had never caused laughing and crying at the same time before!

This summer has seen a return of Ojibwemowin to my thoughts and learning. Being a teacher at my aunt's language immersion camp for kids, writing the language column for the Masina'igan newspaper and creating an online high school language course to be offered this fall has brightened all my thoughts. It leads me forward, I guess.

West Two Rivers Rec Area

2008-06-14T21:29:00.000-05:00

Kayaks hit the water today. It was a partly cloudy, breezy, and cool day skimming across the reservoir. The Pungo made it's maiden voyage. The sun was wonderful. Upon the wing were at least a dozen white pelicans (really!), red winged blackbirds galore, three eagles, blue herons, loons, and one float plane. Only two boats with motors were sighted.

We missed our buddy Garrett as he has a fever and was a clingon. Darn, he would of loved the kayaking, playground and DONNA. Maybe tomorrow.

Web 2.0 Continues in Ely

2008-06-11T14:19:00.000-05:00

Today I attended the RAMS-ATLAS Summer Technology Academy to introduce teachers to WEB 2.0 concepts for the classroom. I updated my Avatar to my summer farm scene and helped my awesome friend, Judy get to 23 Things on a Stick. I also traveled with three other MIB teachers who are the trend setters for our high school! We are in beautiful Ely, Minnesota, eh!

Summer Vacation Rug

2008-06-03T17:23:00.000-05:00

Perfecting certain aspects of rag rug making is a constant. I dug out some long lost, dusty quilting tools (cutter and board) and it made the rag prep faster. Quilters are REAL special people in my eyes. My neighbor Jan, for one. She creates and donates themed quilts to a local foster care program. I found quilting wasn't for me years ago and my first project is still hidden in a far corner closet unfinished.

The rag rug shown is #3. It was made on the 1930s Finnish loom in a 1-2 and 3-4. It is 30"x 53" excluding tassels. It is made with heavy cotton. I was speedy at this one...three must be the charm.

Memorial Day

2008-05-26T12:24:00.000-05:00

It is difficult to find words to express feelings today. So many people sacrifice so much for others, for us. A young widow, mother of three help her children send messages to their Iraq soldier Dad in heaven via balloons. A father kneeling at a son's headstone in quiet meditation. A small Finnish cemetery on a northland's hillside hosts the Color Guard ceremony for kin. The flag, waving many messages.

Finnish Colors

2008-05-04T08:18:00.000-05:00

Here is the second rug off our 1930's loom I acquired recently. (See picts in earlier posts.) My reaction: It is longer than it seemed on the loom. It was great fun to make because the pattern was easy. It is 10 shuttle lengths of fabric 1" wide for each stripe. I think those people who have experience at this would call me a tight weaver...I need to be more relaxed. I think I transfer all my pent-up stress into it. And..."Heres to you Gramma!". See this in person at the Finndian Farm, The Bakka Place.

May!

2008-05-04T00:46:00.000-05:00

Back again. I want to drop this in here for the fun of it all. Good luck in the playoffs!

Thing 23. Final Thoughts

2008-04-11T17:28:00.000-05:00

Thank you to everyone who worked to make this available for us!

Looking at what I have been able to share others has been a great part of 23Things. Online tools have already made some aspects of my work much easier. For work my favorite things are the web-based tools for getting news RSS feeds and bookmarking. For personal fun, I like the photographic and media tools to jazz things up. The best was that I am comfortable blogging! And my kids are flipped out that I am on Facebook. If you could of heard my 21 year old son...."What are you doing having an account on FACEBook!"

I would definitely do 23 Things again and bring more along with me!

One word for 23Things - FUN. Sentence: A handy online learning network of internet tools and people!

Thing 22 What did I learn today?

2008-04-11T13:59:00.000-05:00

I make a promise this will not be like my diet promises. I like this stuff. I will be keeping up on several levels, most will be utilized to make my classroom and media center curriculum more relevant for Jr. High Students. And to keep a network for home, work and business.

Del.icio.us is already filling with 23Things suggested weblinks and networked with other of our high school teachers. It seems I have a following to this blog from friends and family locally, in W. MN, St. Paul, and Michigan. I have a technical degree in photography, so it is just fantastic to become brave enough to share photos online. How far I've come since the 110 camera-ha!

My awesome high school co-teachers are jumping in with me, so podcasts are on the horizon, as well as links to many of these online tools (that aren't blocked). One teacher wants to use LibraryThing to list her classroom collection of books, so I will be there to support her project.

The new skills I have acquired will help me network with others interested in Ojibwe language and art. Last but not least my Muskrat Sisters with their talents and the Bakka Place project we are working on will benefit by using various Web2.0 tools. Off into the wild blue yonder then.

Rag Rug Loom Weaving

2008-04-11T12:42:00.000-05:00

I was asked to put up some loom pictures. I will put a couple I took when I first picked up the loom. It isn't fully strung and ready to weave in these photos. It is a 1930's Finnish rag rug loom with 4 heddles. I have finished the first rug in a tweed warp design! It is 29x54" (with tassles). It was a longer project than I imagined, but it wasn't difficult. The most stressful thing was figuring out the amount of rag strips needed and hoping I would not run out. The most time consuming was counting and tying the tassles as well as cutting the fabric into 1" strips and putting them on the shuttles. The actual weaving was easy enough but I kept forgetting the heddle placement. I used a 1&2, 2&3, 3&4 and 4&1 footwork to get the tweed design. I guess that is pretty common (?). Who's next? Start cutting your 1" strips and away we go!

2nd Snow Day in One Week!

2008-04-11T10:22:00.000-05:00

Greetings Neighbors on VACA in UTAH! Here's the extent of the snow so far on Milroy and it is still snowing. At least we still have power! It is really April 11th. See the plowed bank in front of our house in one pic? Keep in touch.

Thing #21 Beyond MySpace, Others

2008-04-07T18:04:00.000-05:00

In the WebJunction article Pearce County Library's social network took off easily because of active participants. It would be fun to work in a place where innovation and trying new things are encouraged and embraced. I am so amazed as I continue learning from components of FaceBook. There are 7 million accounts on Facebook! These social circles must be filling a need in our fragmented society. We don't visit with neighbors over coffee like our parents did, so this is one way to keep up with our "friends" or "interests".

I had not been a member of an online community. I am interested in keeping up with an online community for my hobbies and communicating with my kids. Because we block much of the social sites at our schools (and there isn't any free time anyway), I will do this more at home. I liked getting ideas from the Teacher Librarian Ning.

I also joined the 23 Things On a Stick Ning. I replied to a forum and uploaded some photographs (tags: Finnish). It was a fairly simple layout. I plan to check out he Classroom 2.0 Ning as well.

From the weather we've had, I now was brave enough to register at www.wunderground.com, a weather site. I uploaded snow storm photos for the world to see...that was exciting. My neighbors are on vacation and called to check on conditions. I was able to show them their home and snow banks as you can see in other post here. I used PictureTrail. It was a fun snowy morning. Now we have to dig out.

30" Snow Day!

2008-04-07T11:52:00.000-05:00

The Taurus is the big snow bump on one picture!

Thing #20: Facebook and MySpace

2008-04-06T13:12:00.000-05:00

Facebook is the social network I joined. I like that is it growing and an older crowd is using Facebook. In a business sense, I think it would be the place to network.

I asked a few college students to be my friends as for now that was all I could think of. I know there is a level of social privacy these young people want so I don't really think I will be invited to be their friends. So then I decided to just send messages to them and was able to get an immediate reply from my niece!

I chose the Library 2.0 Interest Group. It is a great way to read more about it. I already got some ideas about using Google maps in a lesson plan. I also checked out the Marketplace and searched the want ads in the Duluth network. I couldn't post to a wall yet because I need to have "friends".

In a related note, by the sheer way Facebook's network is, I was asked to do some communicating/teaching through a college student's need to educate a "friend of a friend" on the topic of cultural bias and stereotyping. I turned out to be a great discourse on the subject with several posts and emails. All the students involved realized how "privacy" is really limited when you post even within your "friends" network.

Thing 19 Podcasts

2008-04-06T12:22:00.000-05:00

The educational podcast links were good. I have spent time with Radio Willowweb (5th grade) and the MN public radio (favorite). I made a RSS feed for Willowweb. I have had students listen and it is a skill they should practice.

Our district recently updated iMac computer labs and podcasts are something several teachers have an interest in. We have GarageBand, ITunes and next fall we intend to create our own. Gcast looks to be a simple, telephone-based tool that let's you "phone in" your podcast. http://www.gcast.com/?nr=1&&s=2920074
I set up Niij's Podcasts and plan to introduce this option to teachers at this weeks staff development based on technology integration.

Thing 18 YouTube and other

2008-04-06T11:43:00.000-05:00

YouTube is great for adults. I use TeacherTube at school. It comes from schools and is monitored, but I always review anything. I enjoyed the videos posted in Thing 18. As they give you various related videos, I watched the Chinese dominoes video (game show). It was pretty amazing.

I had earlier posted Ojibwe language teaching videos here for easy access. I check the tutorials available on YouTube and TeacherTube quite often and want to do more myself.

Here's my YouTube first in December. It actually looks like the snow we've gotten today!

Thing 17 ELM Productivity Tools

2008-04-06T10:41:00.000-05:00

I LOVE ELM!
The ELM Portal (http://elm4you.org/)
This is a mainstay in our school libraries. I am so confident now that my students, grades 2-12 know this is where they can go and get their research done effectively and efficiently. We use KidsInfoBits or InfoTrac everyday. We have the direct links from our homepages and ELM comes up front and center as soon as a student logs in. With regional training offered, webinars, and easy online help it has made this service so successful in my libraries.
One goal I have is to utilize eBooks so I read about that. The tutorial page (www.netlibraryebooktoolkit.com) wasn't working just now.
I tried to create a Search Alert but it didn't work out. I want to try later.

Thing 16 Research Project Calculator

2008-04-06T10:39:00.000-05:00

http://www.lib.umn.edu/help/calculator/
The Research Project the the UMN and it accompanied blog: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/jveldof/calculator/
would definitely be a way to help procrastinators and crammers.
My interest is to convince the high school English and Social department to teach students to use this service. I know many teachers already have their own timelines which don't include adding more curriculum to an already overpacked list of expectations. In a library media or computer class these tools could be introduced as well. There are also a lack of computer access time in smaller schools, so getting online for many students is not happening unless they are fortunate enough to have home access. This is where the availability of computer in public libraries in our small towns are so important. Thank you Public Libraries! For coursework aid, I downloaded the hard copy documents which help students create their slideshows or video presentations.
http://rpc.elm4you.org/support_materials.php

April 6 Snow

2008-04-06T08:10:00.000-05:00

Thing 15 Libraries and Games

2008-04-05T23:23:00.000-05:00

I beamed into Second Life, read about the concepts which I have heard of before. I continued by viewing about 25 tutorials dealing with things such as the sandbox creations (play nice), voice chat features, particles (beams of light and such), using the SL world map, muting jerks and spam objects, flying to outer space (there is a pirate ship and Torley Linden's castle up there), working with your inventory of things, and using the building blocks called prims to build everything. Rez (rez a prim, derez, rezzing) is actually the word for building and creating things. So, do I jump in and get beat up because I am obviously a newbee?! Not today. I figure I have enough in my first life to content with, I don't need to figure out who to be, who to converse with, what more to have, and how to use Linden dollars. But...this is a huge market if I wanted to open a little shop and create another "existence". Wow.

Then I worry about the time wasted when we only have such a short "First Life". Where will it all lead?

Second Life in Libraries? The flow of information by the huge number of people that utilize this online "game"(?) makes it apparent that libraries should become fluent in these types of new "creations". Does the State of MN public libraries warrent a presence (an island) in SL? If that is where SL=human characters are and spend time (and money), maybe it is the next building to rez!

I have listened to quite a few video tutorials on other topics, but as Torley Linden narrated SL tutorials and spoke in the more youthful slang SL lingo, I accept that the digital natives are taking on great controls over others. As far as information literacy, there is more and more and more to conceive.

Thing 14 LibraryThing

2008-04-05T22:54:00.000-05:00

I just added a few books I have used in some other work I am doing today. I add them today, but will add more as I can. I see the Detroit Lakes Middle school librarian is keeping track of books she reads with the kids.
LibraryThing would be a great way to list the new books that come in. I could put the lists of Accelerated Reader books available. It would take some time, but it could be a convenient spot for middle school readers.
To share booklists, the ideas could come from the large varied reader groups in LibraryThing and using those topics to generate reading groups within the school or with coworkers.

Thing 13 Online Productivity

2008-04-05T21:33:00.000-05:00

IGoogle is a sensible choice. Pageflakes has much more style, really. I liked the easy page of additions and widgets. Okay so then I go to Yahoo and it seems so familiar because I have used it for years...and then up at the top - MY Avatar greeting me. Now I know I have been around!
I choose Pageflakes, but won't make it my home page. I have my school's page.
Online productivity just seems to take too much time :-(
But.....
The link to Wired.com article on calendars: http://www.wired.com/software/softwarereviews/news/2007/02/72750?currentPage=1
Calendars: 30 Boxes. http://30boxes.com/
I know of a group in our school that want a shared calendar, so this maybe okay, but it is almost too simplistic. Backpack looked like it was more professional, but the Calendar comes with a cost which I will have to look closer at with my coworkers.
http://blog.spanningsync.com/ is the site to learn more about Spanning Sync and how to Google calendar and iCal sync'ed. It is presently (last 72 hours) not working correctly and is in Beta stage.
After it is said and done, I think I would spend my time using Google Calendar. It is free, packed with options and can be shared.
I lose lists in my pocket, I do not need any online lists. I do still have a memory, if I remember right!

Thing #12 Do you Digg?

2008-03-29T19:13:00.000-05:00

Digg, Newsvine, Mixx and more. These could be the history books of tomorrow today. Writing news from any and maybe-all voices. Vote on the favorite? If it isn't a favorite, it isn't worthy? This is definitely a place to read, read and keep reading. I know what I want and should be reading, I suppose. But do students? Will these types of news stashes miss the topics that are paramount?

I Digg, so I choose "educational" "digg'ens" in my blog's Digg widget (Did I just write that? :^). This is how I can use it for work and it can be productive too, but I really wanted the "odd stories and hockey digg'ens. Adding something more in a daily routine always takes time from something else. That is why we are such great prioritizers. It can an enhancement if you are stepping forward.

Thing #11 Tagging and Del.icio.us

2008-03-24T12:53:00.001-05:00

I definitely see the potential of this tool for research assistance and it is an easy way to create bookmarks that can be accessed from anywhere. I am amazed how often I now see the tagging or del.icio.us links on pages I go to.

The school library or media center can take advantage of tagging and del.icio.us by listing out weblinks matching the curriculum units students are working on throughout the year. This site could be easily linked from the school media center website or even on the parent portal site for easy access from home.

I put "classroom use" Blogger labels on a few Blogger posts . From the Dashboard, I went to Manage Posts and chose the posts wanted to add labels to.

http://del.icio.us
is a social bookmarking manager that allows you to bookmark a Web page and add tags to categorize your bookmarks. Tags can be used in Del.icio.us to organize your bookmarks--and let others know what you have bookmarked. I listened to the video about Del.icio.us and created an account with some of my new "favorites". Because I have home, school and business favorite websites, Del.icio.us will be a good management tool for me.

Thing 10 Wikis

2008-03-21T11:14:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone! Yes, I did find the the wiki concept interesting because it can be so freely edited. As a newbee I feel so inept when adding to a wiki. Wikipedia is used by the public, but it is used by the educated public, so I believe it can be quite reliable. (My U of Mich Medical schools student uses it all the time to study anatomy.)

In the k-12 environment, we utilize specific databases that are monitored and have the kid-stamp of approval. Wikipedia is sometime too much information or at a higher reading level for younger learners. I want to use this for the students to develop reading lists from books we have in our school library or from new books they are accessing via Interlibrary loan. It is easiest to collaborate with teachers. I edited the 23Things on a Stick wiki under the Easter Bunny image.

Thing 9 Online Collaboration Tools

2008-03-21T11:09:00.000-05:00

Google Docs and Zoho Writer lets you upload or create your docs. online and share them for collaboration with others. In Google Docs (EZ) I created a document for my sisters and I to collaborate on. It is part of an online presence we want for a small business we are starting. So be on the lookout for the Muskrat Sisters and all that we can do for you!
And to the question of what the Founding Fathers would think of changing the Constitution online: Snake oil....snake oil I tell you!

#8 Cont. Niij PictureTrail

2008-03-21T10:46:00.001-05:00

This is greater than a barrel of monkeys. For our library, I surely could do marketing for the web-set of patrons, kids, and parents. Of course I have to be busier getting the photos in the first place. At the school the regional CIPA filters block most of these sites I am learning about. I will continue to ponder the solutions. So for the sake of time and bandwidth usage at the schools during the day, I am doing this at home. I can see why students love these sites and complain about the filters blocking their social networking. :-(

For my Muskrat Sisters: Here's one we are going to use for sure!

Thing 8 - Share your creations

2008-03-20T17:39:00.001-05:00

These tools have several uses for library or educational use, not to mention small business marketing.
Zoho presentation was easy to navigate and understand.
I am recommending these to others by using all this in technology integration staff development. We just finished 2 buildings with 19 teachers participating. Two of us are doing 23 Things.
I have used eFolioMN for several years. Two years ago I had a high school students in a computer applications class create their own portfolios. It is definitely a great resource for college and job applications.

The short video is a presentation sample from a group in slideshare. It is in-depth and totally relevent for this audience! Thank you teachers! :^))

| View | Upload your own

Thank you Teachers!

2008-03-20T17:19:00.000-05:00

Thing #7 Web 2.0 Communication Tools

2008-03-12T15:53:00.000-05:00

1. Email: I have too many accounts! Personal, work, business, of which each have the software mailbox on each computer I operate which is downloaded from the online host that has the base mailbox all of which also "hold/trap/whitelist/blacklist/delete" the Spam and Maybe-Spam and Not!-Spam...augh. I did read the "Tips" which should help save me some minutes a week.
2a. Just not seeing the video. I'll try later.
2b. IM Library usage wouldn't work in our k-12 environment as it is blocked with our CIPA mandated filter. I think it would be beneficial in a large high school, where many students were researching. It may be perfect for 10 to 2 p.m. online library help. I don't see our school board or administration even able to imagine it or prepared to offer compensation. So much of the newest technology tools just don't fit the current public school "box", in regards to timeframe, safety, teacher training or equitable student access. The closest comes with the online courses now being developed and offered in the software framework and tools such as Moodle.
2c. We (2) set up GoogleChatGadget. I haven't caught my coworkers or invited family online. I think this is for the population that doesn't juggle the Things -- & the things I juggle in a day. Working in education, managing a family, juggling hobbies and home-based businesses doesn't allow for much time to chit-chat keyboard in real time. I think it is fun and with me it has to be by appointment...so I may as well call, email, or do what I like I do...disappear from all radar :-)
3a. SMS - UC Merced, you can text message a librarian video. That is great. Where I work now, they don't spring for cell phones for staff. I think my son would be the first to use it as he is always texting, is in college and always needs the librarian's help!
3b. Silent communication. As early as 5th grade, I have had this interruption in classrooms. From boyfriends to Mom, extended family messages, bus transportation changes to cheating on tests, SMS by cell phones are popular communication tools. If I see them, they actually are frequently stored in a student's underwear. I see the negative. It is a way to be secret, but can be used for safety. Appropriateness needs to be taught, especially with kids.
3c. text message
4a. Web Conferencing - Web Junction pdf. This is already in the hands of our staff. A great quick guide. I am getting an unbelievable education and one-stop-shop for helping with staff development.
OPAL: Online Programming for all Libraries
I attended the Minitex webinar entitled ELM Overview. I want to review these so I can offer them to our high school teachers.

Thing #6 Online Image Generators

2008-03-02T15:13:00.000-06:00

Well this is our hot tub sauna building recreated with
http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/beads.php
I definitely could play all day with this. I see this could be used to make patterns for cross stitch or loom beading. Interesting.

Now, http://www.imagechef.com/, and I am off to the races. This is what I like because it is hard to have images created for small business, for the school media creations and for the library marketing.

Thing 5 More Fun

2008-03-02T14:42:00.000-06:00

This is too cool: Tagnautica- http://www.quasimondo.com/tagnautica.php
These tools are fun. I am most interested in the photo mosaics at Splashr. Any thematic curriculum our school's teachers are working on could include an online slideshow to visually depict the subject. I want to keep this in mind for writing prompts, poetry details, and even teaching how to tell the time (clockr).

Now that our classrooms are high speed, updated with hardware, wired and wireless, and projecting supportive curriculum, I can see these sorts of simple tools to be used more and more.

Thing #4 Flickr

2008-02-11T21:39:00.000-06:00

How might I use Flickr in our media center? Definitely marketing. I would love to make a quick slideshow of the newest books and link them from our school's homepage. My problem is the fact that Blogger and Flickr are blocked by our regional filter (CIPA). It would have to be a private site and get the site unblocked. It could be a possibility. Something I want to look into.

I haven't used an online photo service, but as I peer across my living room to the huge chest of photo albums I have accumulated in the last 40 years...hmmm, it would make for a great project of scanning and uploading. I wonder if at some point the internet-powers-that-be-money-hungry-system may hold our digital files ransom. It is always that futuristic change of "being". And again, my old photo albums are always closeby if I need to hold them.

I really enjoy looking at others photos. There are wonderful photographers on earth, wow. To stop and grab an instant through the lens and share the view is simply amazing. Anywhere on earth, an instant visual is available for others. It seems crazy to be greedy and not share. I am wary of people pictures and we can not use student images without written consent.

This is Niij, the dog. She doesn't read much, but she chews on my feet when I am blogging.

I really like the Common Craft Videos to learn the concepts in a no nonsense way. People have such creativity.

(This is from Flickr. http://farm1.static.flickrcom/019/290510690_ 6a9f433396_m_d.jpg Steve took it's photos.)

Thing #3 RSS Feeds

2008-02-11T21:38:00.001-06:00

# 3 has me a little frustrated with RSS feeds. It is because I should be able to get a nice list for my blog and it wasn't happening (?). I think I know it backward and forwards as I played with Google Reader and Bloglines for hours. It was overtaken by RSS feeds there for awhile, but now just resorted to one of my favorites. My list remains where it is for now. I jumped through so many different tools that my legs got tired.

I've been a fan of the The Shifted Librarian blog for awhile now. I think education faculty can save some time be getting specific "feeds for the needs". Real time or up-to-date information does help bring relevancy to old textbook learning.

Subscribing and reading professional forums, then posting reflection notes should be a form of staff development.....hmm.

Thing #2

2008-02-11T21:33:00.000-06:00

There was plenty of relevant reading here.
In general, I think as we forge ahead in the knowledge age there will be a balance of traditional library usage and new technologies available. Just to keep abreast of the newest access to information available from the State Dept of Ed is a challenge.

In my realm there is a VERY real time factor to content with. I am a department of one in our district's educational media. I will make time as two other educators are joining this challenge with me. YES! And thank you ladies! Collaborative ventures are always more appealing and successful.

I feel I must make the time to keep current with the explosion of new tools I can use in education. Perhaps not to personally use them, but understand the concept of tools and devices the students are using. I am a believer in training students today to be independent learners. This program will help me be an independent learner as well.

I hope to learn about the "free" tools available. The ability to have specific content activities (like creating a blog and avatar) and links to the sites, directions and leaving it open ended for individual exploration is the greatest.

23 Things asks: "How has the Internet and the vast resource affected your use of time at work and/or at home?" What a loaded question. My first thought was our home use. I have been thrilled to live in the northwoods 10 miles from town and have DSL. I am operating a small business online, do all my research and work-"homework" online, as well as communicate with friends and family around the nation. I can grade my students, create traditional curriculum and use software to create an online course.

Today ask my daughter the same question and you will get this answer: "I am attending 75% of my freshman U of Michigan Medical School's lectures at home online with all the bells, whistles, streaming video, and communication tools needed to be a highly successful med student. It is all about time management." Wow.

I am looking forward to finding more tools for work and personal goals I have. And to offer myself as well as my students the ability to keep up with the newest trends.
I think the forward thinking of libraries (and usage) will be positive for people in areas such as Gene Smith's Social Software Building Blocks" concepts of
•Identity
•Presence
•Relationships
•Conversations
•Groups
•Reputation
•Sharing
This network framework is thought-provoking.

Thing #1 A blog.

2008-02-05T16:53:00.000-06:00

Greetings! Well this looks comfortable enough for the first day.
The sun is shining but sinking fast, so I will just be happy to say I am a blogger now. I leave to get a ray or two of today's winter setting sun. It's the drive at 5. More tomorrow!
Wow, I can add video!
23ThingsOnaStick looks to be a fun experience. Thank you.