23 Things FLE

SMART Recertification

2008-07-07T14:35:00.002-05:00

SMART Training Re-certification Video
Joy Sietsema - Forest Lake Elementary
jsietsema@forestlake.k12.mn.us
408 4th Street SW
Forest Lake, MN 55025

Thing 23

2008-03-11T19:47:00.003-05:00

Wow - I did it! I was one of those who almost missed the registration deadline, but I'm so thankful I got in! Completing the 23 Things has required a lot of my time, but it was worth it. The lessons were explained so well, and directions were easy to follow. Thanks to all who were involved in creating these learning tasks! I'm hoping you will keep the directions online so we can refer back to them when we need to!

One of my favorites things was del.icio.us. I've known these sites were out there, but never took the time to find and use them. It's always so frustrating to go between my computer at home and at work and not have the same bookmarks - but that is no longer the case.

I also enjoyed all the tools for pictures and graphics. Now I need to get going on a new web page for school and incorporate all this "cool" stuff!

Hopefully I will continue to update my blog, check my googlereader, etc. I know it will take time to all sink in, but with persistence I will succeed!

Thanks again - this was a wonderful learning experience!

Thing 22 - Keeping Up

2008-03-11T19:19:00.002-05:00

Keeping up - that's going to be the hardest part! There is always so much more to learn, and it's changing constantly. I'm going to do my best to keep adding to all the things I've started, and try to find more ways they can be used in an elementary media center. I think I need to set a specific day and time to intentionally check my sites, otherwise it will never get done. I don't want to lose what I've learned! Not all of the 23 things pertain to what I do, but I'm still glad I learned about them so I have at least an idea of what other people are talking about! I also want to take time to see how I can use all of this to explore some of my hobbies, not just my work.

Thing 21 - Social Networks

2008-03-11T18:58:00.002-05:00

Once again, I am amazed at what is available to all of us! (I'm also finding that I am using some of the "Things" - I added some of these sites to my del.icio.us account!) I joined the 23 Things Ning and added the badge to my blog. I also visited a couple other sites. What's on My Bookshelf looks like an awesome site! What a great way to find others who want to trade books. I also went to the TeacherLibrarianNing. I was so excited to see a spot specifically for elementary media specialists! I'll have to keep an eye on that one.

I don't know that I'll ever start my own social network - but who knows? I've learned so much through these past few weeks that anything's possible!

Thing 20 - Facebook

2008-03-11T18:27:00.003-05:00

I got my Facebook page created, but can tell I'm in the wrong generation for finding friends - nobody from my high school class, and only 4 others from my college class. Oy! I joined two groups - Librarians 2.0, and Librarians and Facebook. There were a couple others who wrote on those walls from 23 Things on a Stick, also. I was able to import my picture, but couldn't find a way to do it directly from Flickr. I need to do some more exploring to see if we can post some of those other fun applications that we learned about earlier!

It will be interesting to see ways libraries are actually using Facebook. I can see it for communication when you join a group, but is it being used in other ways? So much to explore!

Thing 19 - Podcasts

2008-03-11T11:33:00.004-05:00

This was fun! I've heard about podcasts for so long, but have never taken the time to check them out. There is so much out there! I did a search (at podcast.com) for some podcasts of booktalks or author interviews, and found a great website at http://www.justonemorebook.com/index.php?s=jack+prelutsky

This particular link will take you to an interview with Jack Prelutsky, and talks of some of his books. I think students would love to be able to "tune in" to a podcast to hear about some books, rather than just reading the summary, or always listening to what I have to say. I'll have to look into it more, but if I could find a bunch that are already done, we could easily set up some links for students to go to. Making my own is also a possibility, but of course that requires the element of more time . . .

Thing 18 - YouTube part 2

2008-03-08T16:04:00.003-06:00

I can see why people can spend so much time browsing through YouTube! There is so much there! I looked at some videos from some elementary libraries, and also looked at some handbell videos (part of my life outside of school). It would easy to get totally lost in time, and not get anything accomplished while going through this site. I was also amazed at how easy it was to post a video on my blog! Everything that I thought would take so much work is actually just a couple of clicks. I'm so thankful there are people out there who know how to make Web 2.0 easier for the rest of us!

I chose this Arthur video because it is something I could actually use in my teaching. My only question - what about copyrights? Would it be legal to show this to some of my classes without purchasing something? I realize a lot of the videos would be free, but since this has copyrighted characters, I have to wonder. Anybody have an answer?

Thing 18 - YouTube

2008-03-08T16:03:00.003-06:00

Thing 17 - ELM

2008-03-02T17:39:00.003-06:00

I have used ELM with some of my classes, but it was great to find new ways to use this tool. On GALE , it took me awhile to remember how to do my alerts, and also to find the NPR news feed on Children's Health, but I finally got it! I also tried making a web page on ProQuest. This was totally new to me! I had no idea I could make a page, email it and save it. Web 2.0 continues to amaze me!

I have used Kid Info Bits, and also the Junior Reference Collection with my students, although it's something I need to improve on and get into even more. The more I can introduce them to now, the better they will be at using it when they get to Junior and Senior High School.

Thing 16 - Research Calculators

2008-03-02T14:39:00.003-06:00

Both of these calculators are wonderful tools for guiding students through a research project - especially those who have no idea where to begin. The teacher's guide for the RPC does a very nice job of having things matched up with what the student sees when they are online, and how you can help guide them through the process. Once again, I didn't spend too much time on this Thing as it is aimed for an older student than I am working with at the present time. Just reading through the steps, however, can help show students even in upper elementary the process that should happen when taking on a research project.

Thing 15 - Online Games

2008-03-02T14:01:00.003-06:00

I had fun playing a little bit of pirates. Didn't have a lot of communication going, but maybe part of that was due to being at an entry level. I know this game will not have any use in my media center, as you have to be 13 to play, and our students are 12 and under. I looked a little bit at Second Life, but again, it's not for my students so I didn't want to spend too much time there.

Truthfully, I didn't see any reason to have Pirates at any library. Is it just to bring them in so they at least get through the door? I don't really want to see libraries become a place just to play games - people get enough of that without us. I can see much more use for something like Second Life, especially the Infoisland, but again, that will be for a different group than I am currently working with.

Thing 14 - LibraryThing

2008-03-01T21:32:00.003-06:00

How cool is this! This site is so easy to use - it found the titles quickly and easily. This would be a great way to advertise new titles, themes, Maud Hart Lovelace nominees, etc. on my media page. One of the books I listed only had ten other listings, but another had over 1100. It's fascinating to see what other people are reading! I'm really hoping to get my husband to list his books on here, as he collects a multitude of "old" books. It would be helpful when he's looking for new ones to help him remember what he already has.

Thing 13 - Online Productivity Tools

2008-03-01T18:40:00.002-06:00

I chose to set up an iGoogle page since I already have an account with them. I found it very simple to set up and rearrange. It was great fun to look through some of the widgets and add a couple of them to my web page. I stuck with google for the calendar, and also used the Remember the Milk list, which was easy to add to my iGoogle page.

We might be able to use one of the calendars as a media group to help set up our meetings. One of the biggest issues for me is to remember to go online to check my calendar. I'm still pretty tied to my paper one, and don't have to have internet access to check my schedule. I'll have to play with it some more to see how valuable it will be for me.

Thing 12 - Social Websites

2008-03-01T16:45:00.003-06:00

I can see where these sites could be addicting! One of the things I found interesting in looking at the four sites was that there was very little that was duplicated. Maybe certain types of people use each of the websites? Not sure.

This is another one of the "things" I found fascinating to learn about, but doubt that I will use much in either my personal or professional life. It does help me know what those little "digg" icons are whenever I'm reading an article! Again, it was amazing to see how easy it is to share an article - just a click away.

Thing 11 Pagekeeper

2008-03-01T16:11:00.003-06:00

OK - This just answered my own question from my previous blog! There is a place where we can set up websites/bookmarks for our students without them having an email address. It still doesn't give them a place to mark their own pages, but at least it's a start and will show them what is available.

Thing 11 Del.icio.us

2008-03-01T15:51:00.003-06:00

Wow! This will be so helpful for getting all my bookmarks in one place! I have some on my computer at school, some at home, and some on my laptop. I love the ability to search for bookmarks by using tags, rather than just trying to google something.

One of the problems I see in using this with my students is that they have to have an email address. While many of our students do have one, we also have several who don't even own a computer. I'd love to teach my upper grade students how to use this when they are working on a research report. Has anyone else had this problem?

I appreciate the chance to see how other libraries are using all these tools, but almost all of them are public or higher education libraries. Are they being used by elementary schools at all? If so, I'd love the chance to see what they are doing!

Thing 10 Wikis

2008-03-01T14:30:00.003-06:00

Common craft videos are one of the greatest things I have learned about doing my 23 Things. They have wonderful way of explaining things so even I can understand them!

The wikis I looked at were wonderful, but I'm not sure about how much I will use them. Maybe if I can find some that pertain to the elementary media center, I'll be more likely to join in. I do think they are a wonderful tool and can see how they would definitely cut down on emails when planning any event with a group. I have some ideas for personal uses that I'll have to try out.

I did go in and add a line to the 23 Things wiki. It was so easy! The more I learn, the more amazed I am!

Thing 9

2008-02-27T16:57:00.002-06:00

I'm really not sure if the shared documents is something I would use. I looked at it, but was not allowed rights to do any editing. (I sent an email, and will try again later). We have a shared file on the district server that allows all the elementary media specialists in our district to share our work already, and those are the main ones with whom I would want to share work.

Added note: I was able to get in to the document. It's a fascinating tool, but I'm still not convinced that it has a lot of application for me.

Media Center Tour

2008-02-25T15:43:00.000-06:00

Thing 7

2008-02-25T14:46:00.001-06:00

Most of the email, IM and text messaging info was stuff I am already familiar with. In an elementary school library, I really don't see much use for IMing and text messaging with the students. Most of the items covered in Thing 7 seem to be more practical for public libraries, or those involved in higher education. If anyone has seen a good way to use it in the elementary setting, please let me know!

Thing 6

2008-02-25T12:23:00.000-06:00

Wow! What fun to try out all these generators! I had no idea all this was available on the web, free of charge. I'm still not sure of all the ways I can use them in my media center, but the creative juices are starting to flow.

More on 5

2008-02-24T20:40:00.001-06:00

This trading cards are so cool! I can think of several ways we could use them for students to show their research - animals, people, countries, etc.

I am so amazed at all that is available with just a couple clicks!

Thing 5

2008-02-24T16:31:00.001-06:00

Thing 4

2008-02-22T15:06:00.000-06:00

This is photo taken during last fall's Bookfair Blizzard. I got into flickr, then copied the URL to paste it here. I wasn't able to do it by clicking on the "Blog This" button. What type of blog should I have clicked on to make it work?

Thing 3

2008-02-22T08:02:00.000-06:00

I found the directions for thing 3 very easy to follow. The video clips did an excellent job of explaining the concept of the RSS feeds. It's amazing that we can have all this information come to us, rather than having to go out and search for it ourselves! I put a couple library/book feeds on my reader, so hopefully I'll now remember to go check for the updates! Has anyone found some sites that truly helpful for the elementary media center?

2008-02-20T10:24:00.000-06:00

Finding the time to do all 23 things will be a challenge, but I agree that we can always find time to do the things we really want to do. I am hoping to get through all 23, partly for my own growth, and partly to see how I can fit these things into my media center. Is there a way to use them to get more students - and teachers - excited about using the library again?

Brand New

2008-01-30T09:42:00.000-06:00

I am brand new to blogging, but am hoping to figure this out. I'm looking for ways to use a blog with my elementary students - mainly in regards to literacy. Any suggestions?