May Flowers

What happened to the flowers?

I'm trying to finish up Web 2.0. It seemed funny not seeing Week 16, Week 17, etc.
I guess that is up to me to move on with my blog.

Week 15 Wiki

Wikis
I signed into 23 Things Kansas Participants an visited 23 Things Kansas Wiki and added a new page to share what I enjoyed about 23 Things Kansas. It shows the wordle that I scanned to paste in my screen slide.
Have you ever used a wiki? You can make your own. Use this link to find out how to do set up your wiki.
http://www.23thingskansas.org/week-15-wikis/

Week 14 Library Thing, Etc.

I have a LibraryThings account. It is very helpful to me to see what I have in my collect. I am going to explore more ways to use LibraryThing.

I set up a Shelfari account. I do like the visual appearance of Shelfari however I have all my books on LibraryThing. I will occasionally check Shelfari and add some books I am reading to become more familar with it.

Check this out to find new ways for readers to connect with other readers and books in new ways.
http://www.23thingskansas.org/week-14-library-thing-etc/

Week 13 Slide Show

This is a simple slide show of photos of my mother who will be 100 on May 8. I made a power point with titles but apparently it was too large a file to upload. Copy this URL and paste in address box to view the slide show. http://www.slideshare.net/rgarard/bertha-simple
I had fun doing this but I found out titles and music make it too large to upload.
Learn how to make a slide show to share with others. You can even have a link on your blog.
http://www.23thingskansas.org/week-13-slide-sharing/

Week 12 Screencasting

Yes! It worked! Here is the jing that tells how to do a visual search of our online card catalog.

http://www.screencast.com/users/rgarard/folders/Jing/media/9a0e637c-a7d4-4ce7-bb75-f3dd91c28bdb

It took me several tries to get the video that would work.

Check this out if you are not familar with screencasting. Jing is one of several programs that you can use for screencasting.
http://www.23thingskansas.org/week-12-screencasting/

Week 10 Video on the Web

I have a digital camera that does take videos. I have used it once to make a video. I tried to download or import the video to my computer but I did not have any success. Now I will do some troubleshooting to see if I can experience success.
I talked to my tech person to get help. I have the video on YouTube. Here it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjvOwTQlWJc



This gives directions how to use a video that you have made to connect with you community.
http://www.23thingskansas.org/week-ten-video-on-the-web/

Week Nine Instant Messaging

Instant messaging is very similar to talking on the telephone however you have to use your hands to communicate. I have instant messages with my techie at the other building when I needed to tell her something. It works well if she is at her computer. I tried to IM #23ThingsKansas but I was way to late. I am surprised when I get a message while I'm at my computer, trouble is I am not at the computer very long during the day.

Want to learn more about instant messaging services and the easiest one to use? Check here.
http://www.23thingskansas.org/week-9-instant-messaging/

Week 8 Cloud Computing

I have been using Google docs. It is wonderful. I have saved lists of books that are used to teach problem/solution, sequence, etc. I can access it from any computer.
Check out the URL for more information about cloud computing.
http://www.23thingskansas.org/cloud-computing-2/

Week 7 Microblogging

Twitter is a way to communicate quickly with others. It may save time, however I am not very savy using twitter. I did try it.

This gives directions on how to start microblogging along with six different tools that you can use to start.
http://www.23thingskansas.org/week-seven-microblogging/
I have set up a twitter account. Now I have to tweet some to become familar with microblogging.

Week 6 Tagging and Social Bookmarking

This link takes you to information about Delicious and four other soical bookmarks that you can use to bookmark and access later on any computer that you are using. Tags can be added to organize the information.
http://www.23thingskansas.org/week-six-tagging-and-social-bookmarking/
I've started using Delicious to bookmark my favorite sites and sites that I use all the time. You can find my bookmarks at http://delicious.com/r_garard
I started adding the essential sites and then realized how convenient this would be to have all the sites in one spot. I bundled a tag for my recipes. I also bundled a tag for libraries in my area that I frequent for books for the teachers. I just need to visit Delicious more often.

Week 5 RSS

I have iGoogle set up so I am using Google reader for my RSS feed. I have the bloggers from 23 Things that I follow. I added a recipe subscription for my own person use at home. I evidentally added my recipe subscription twice. I must have thought I didn't get it added and added it again. I was going to include a question on this post how to delete one of the subscriptions. I noticed the "Manage subscriptions" in blue below my subscriptions so I clicked it and was able to unsubscribe one of the RSS feeds. I browse some of the blogs to see what others have added. When I see RSS feed that intrigues me, I will add it to my RSS feed. I'm sure that I will change my subscriptions as I see the need. I may delete the recipes and add more education/library feeds. I will make it meet my needs. I have heard about RSS feeds before but never explored it. I'm glad that I can use it now. It will save me some time.

Did you ever notice the orange icons on some of the websites that you view? They are letting you know that you can get RSS feeds each time the website changes with new information. Once you get RSS (Really Simple Syndication) set up to your account, you will receive information as the website adds it so you do not have to go back to the website continuely to see what's new.
http://www.23thingskansas.org/week-five-rss-and-feed-readers/

Week 4 Photo Sharing

Library Bear
Originally uploaded by r_garard

Library users love to sit on the bear's legs and cuddle while listening to a story or reading a story.

I finally completed Week 4 Photo Sharing. I had to view Heather's example several times before I finally completed the task.

Flickr is only one of six sites that you can us to share your photos with your friends. Follow the link below to get started or check out sites that you may not be aware of to save your photos.

http://www.23thingskansas.org/week-four-photo-sharing/

Week 3 Online Meetings

I worked backwards on this topic. How did that happen? I signed up to participate in a live webinar at BrainPop titled “BrainPop to the Rescue: Using Multi media to teach Health.” I am somewhat familiar with BrainPop so I had a general idea about the site. The topic focused on the different areas on Brain Pop that have activities, games, etc available for teachers and students. I signed up for this webinar because it was occurring after school. The After School Club students came into the library to get books to read so I had many interruptions. The webinar used a live chat that had us type in our questions and comments. Questions were answered as they came up in the webinar.
I just finished viewing an archived webinar from infopeople. Andrew Sanderbeck’s webinar ”Way to Manage Your Email that Saves Time and Headaches” lasted one hour. I had to take a phone call so I paused the webinar. When I came back, I had to start from the beginning. I could not fast forward to the place that I left. Mr. Sanderbeck suggests taking 10-15 minutes of uninterrupted time to process and organize email each day. Group reference emails in folders according to topic, context, etc. Use 4 D’s on the action information emails: Delete it, Do it in 2 min. or less, Delegate it, or Defer it. Email messages should be brief and concise. Emo at the end of a message shows good use of time. The message is concise and clear. The question was asked about emails going directly to folders. Mr. Sanderbeck says that he color codes the email to sort so he can see at a glance if he has an email that he needs to take action. If an email needs an urgent reply and you don’t have the answer, reply that you have received the email letting the person know that you will get back to them as soon as you can answer. This was useful information. I can see webinars in the future to inform users of current trends. The archived webinars can be viewed when it is convenient. The only problem with archived webinars is not being able to ask questions. I can see webinars being used a great deal in the next ten years.

To learn more about online learning meetings, webinars, and archived sessions, follow the link below.

http://www.23thingskansas.org/week-three-online-meetings/

Week 2 Social Networks

Now that I am familar with blogging, I can tweek my blog. There are still things that I am not sure how to do to jazz up my blog.
Oh well, it's now on to deciding which social network platform to use. Hummmmmmmm?

I have a facebook account now. Earlier I established another account on Good Old Days Want Ads not realizing that it was a social network. I was searching for something in particular without success in the hobby and craft stores so I expanded my avenues. Yes, I was successful. I did get the information that I was searching.

I have many friends on my facebook account but I have not posted on it very much. I'm busy working on the other 23 things to spend too much time there. I guess you would say that I'm one of the lurkers that are out there.

Want to find out about more online communities and how to set up the online community that is right for you? Follow the link to get more information.

http://www.23thingskansas.org/week-two-online-communities/

End of the Week

I made it to the end of the week and was able to make a change or two. I really enjoyed looking at the creativity of the bloggers.

Week 1 Blogging

I am the MdCV Elementary Librarian as well as Title Teacher and I work with small groups for interventions. MdCV Elementary is located in Quenemo, Ks.
I am participating in 23 Things Kansas to learn more about and work with the things that I have been introduced to previously. I need to get my feet wet so I can share my knowledge with my colleagues.
I enjoyed viewing the different platforms available. I used this the help me determine the right platform for my blog.

To find out how to set up your own blog check this out!
http://www.23thingskansas.org/page/2/
It even shows more than one platform you can use to make your own blog.