Thing 23---Final Thoughts

It took a second time around but I am proud to say I was able to stick with it and finish all 23 things. No comments about the timing of my last entry.

23 things has been stretching. Though I use the Internet and Web, I don't spend a lot of time using the tools, so most of the things were new to me. Though there are some things I will continue to use, many I will not use again, others I may just need some time to "warm up" to.

I echo the comments of Sandals and Sand, "I've come away with some very valuable knowledge. I do know that learning each of these tools was not the primary point of the challenge. The point really was to expand the way we think and interact. Thank you for that opportunity!" I would say that at times the experience was almost uncomfortable because it was so challenging and "foreign". That probably is a good thing because it means I was learning.

I would be willing to try another challenge but I need a break right now. Thanks for developing the program and making it available to the rest of us. It was well worth it.

Thing 22---What have I learned today?

I added more RSS feeds from the list. Put some sites into Delicious. Thought about what I am going to do with today's challenge. I will definitely keep the blog active and use it to dialogue on things I have learned. I have found that 15 minutes a day is a challenge even when I am committed to finishing the 23 things by the deadline. Can you say "watch the clock"? I know I won't do 15 minutes every day but I think I can do 15 minutes a couple times a week. I do need to go back to some of the "Things" I wanted to use more and work through the sticking points. I want to make more use of delicious and library thing. There is also the suggestion "Friend of Franklin" offered to do the next 23 things. It might be interesting.

Must go, I have a deadline to meet.

Thing 21

I'm a member of:


Visit 23 Things on a Stick


Ning is interesting, it is nice to have a built in connection at one site instead of wandering among the masses to find (or not) a kindred spirit.

Thing 20

Social networking sites.

I chose to explore MySpace mostly because I did not want to register on Facebook. The MySpace accounts I checked out were the library accounts listed in the blog post of "Information wants to be Free". I appreciated the insight and comments in the blog. The author, Meredith Farkas, feels libraries should not be in Facebook or Myspace unless they are there to provide a quality page that also provides a library service. A presence to only be a "friend" is of no value and perhaps even an invasion of privacy. However, I don't consider a presence of Facebook or MySpace to be private, so how can privacy be invaded. In fact, that privacy, lack of privacy, or illusion of privacy is a huge challenge for many people, especially children and teenagers. Many do not understand their page is available to everyone not just the people they think will look at it. This is one of the important roles of library/technology instruction in our schools, teaching students to recognize the potential risks, to erect appropriate boundries, and to protect their privacy.

As for the content of MySpace accounts by libraries, I was looking for items that would provide information resources through the page. One site included a homework help page, another a teen page with links to a large variety of homework helps, access to a librarian, catalog access for the library, etc. These definitly provide a positive presence for a library on the internet. A presence on the social network site that is well worth the time and effort.

As for social networks and me ... though I would explore these accounts, I am not ready to set up my own account as I have no purpose for doing so. I have no need for another "black hole" or dead account.

Thing 19

I have not listened to podcasts before today. I started with education podcast directory. While searching for information available under computer/technology, I found a podcast by Alan November. I have seen his web site and found his techology education materials outstanding. I tied up all my time listening to his podcast. I found the information interesting. Because the podcast was a presentation at a conference, we miss out on the information provided visually. Too bad, it would have been very applicable. I needed to pause the playback and unfortunately hit stop. Of course, now I can't figure out how to return to the point I left off. I really don't want to start from the beginning.

Listening to podcasts can be quite time consuming. I use a laptop and feel tied to the computer instead of listening while doing other things. Also the format of listening to an entire presentation doesn't allow me to scan for useful content or look ahead to whether it may or may not be worth continuing the podcast. These limitations will influence how much I continue to listen to podcasts. However, this was a nice introduction.

Thing 18

I love the sound of loons and it is awesome to see the loon caller in action. Check out this YouTube video.

Thing 17

Our school uses EBSCO, Proquest, and Gale. I cannot access ELM when I am not at the library so I cannot do the extras and challenges. Based on the experience of our middle school students, they have a difficult time finding enough information using these tools. Sometimes it is because the materials are either too advanced or too simple for their education levels and needs. As a result, they prefer to use the Internet for their research as they feel they find more and better information.

At some time in the future, I will work through each of the tools to see how we can make them more useable for our students.

Thing 16

Kudos to elm4you for sponsoring the Research Project Calculator. I love the support materials included in the Teacher Resources. I specifically liked the Boolean Basics, Improve Your Google Search Tip Sheet, and 10 questions for evaluating web sites. One of the ways I support our middle school program is by helping students think through the Internet--research, search and credibility. I like the conciseness of the tools and will incorporate them into the technology/lesson plans.

Great resource.

Thing 15

On-line Games and libraries. Of the two choices recommended, I would rather have visited Puzzle Games but it was not available when I clicked on the link.

I tried Second Life. I guess I am too impatient to read what I need to navigate the online world well. I explored the Help Island but find it rather purposeless. I suppose there are constructive uses but until something becomes worth my while, I will stay out of second life.

Thing 14

I like LibraryThing. I love the cataloging information included under work details. I will definitely use this site again. My library runs on the work of volunteers. I can use the information to increase the speed and accuracy of our cataloging. Thanks for cluing me in on this tool.

Thing 13

On-line productivity tools.

I actually already have an igoogle home page. I chose it because it is compatible with my e-mail program. I don't always use the igoogle home page because it can take longer to load. The widgets are interesting and like so many online things, they can also be time wasters.

I also use an online calendar for work. It is helpful to schedule something and be able to access it from work or home. It does require I access it through by work internet exchange but I can do it from anywhere.

I don't think I would use the to do list tool at this point. It may become an option if I have a large project.

Thing 12

After wandering through these social media sites (Digg, Reddit, Newsvine, Mixx), I started wondering how I was going to sift through the tabloid type content to things I would consider worthwhile. Of each of the sites, Newsvine had the best pieces of journalism. I was reminded that, as with all Internet content, the source needs to be considered and evaluated to determine if something is credible. I guess I prefer some filters to reduce the trivial instead of depending on popular vote.

I don't think I would spend much time on sites like these. Just because a site or article is popular doesn't make it worthwhile...think celebrity babies.

Libraries need to be aware of the public's viewing habits, but this one is not for me.

Thing 11

Del.icio.us is a tool I really look forward to using. There are many times I have wanted to continue research but wasn't at the computer I usually worked. I chose not to do the work because I didn't want to duplicate sites or start from scratch. I intend to build a list of sites I continue to use in library education curriculum.

I also think it will be a great place to keep the list of resources and tools we are using in 23 things on a stick. I really don't want to have to go back to the website whenever I want to go back to one of the things we have sampled.

Thanks for the introduction to this tool.

Thing 10

I explored some of the wikis listed in 23 things on a stick. I especially enjoyed the MN 150 wiki. However, as with many of the other things we have explored, I find that there is so much to sort through that I end up feeling I am in information overload. I haven't figured out how to narrow down the topics and as a result end up spending far too much time wandering through the sites.

How have others focused their searches and improved their use of time?

Thing 9

The online collaberative tools could be very useful. I have occasionally lost track of which version I am using and what changes I made or others have made.

One challenge would be to make sure there is a backed up copy of the document in another location on a regular basis should the content by lost, blocked, or unavailable for whatever reason.

I did find that google doc was initially easier to use but zoho writer could be quickly learned also. However, I don't know if I would use the collaberative online tool for the following reason--I am uncomfortable with the heavy handed grab for power and ownership of individual intellectual property.

In the article, Life Without Desktop Tools, in PC World, RastaMon expressed concern that any document or content placed in google doc would become the property of google doc. I read the terms of use document and after reading paragraph 9.4, I thought the intellectual property ownership to which google doc laid claim, refered to programs they host on their site, not the content that individuals puts on the site. It seemed that content remained the individual's intellectual property. However, the language in Paragraph 11 is very different. I don't think I could agree to those terms just on principle.

Thing 8

PictureTrail is fairly user friendly. It was nice to see the ease of transfering code into the blog with the click of a button.

Thing 8

Cool Slideshows

23 Things on a Stick--Round 2

Somehow, best intentions aside, I was stalled in completing the 23 things the first time around. Thanks to 23 Things for opening it up again. Hopefully I will make better progress this time around. I have found the time demands greater than the 15 minutes implied by one of the earlier writers.

Thing #7

Web communication tools. Though I am familiar with each of the tools, I have used only two. E-mail is definitely an intregal part of my work and personal life. The article about productivity had some helpful suggestions. My work e-mail is continuously updated. I will reset it for less frequent updating. I have used web conferencing several times, both MINITEX webinars (Setting up a Google Homepage) as well as web conferences through continuing education. The web conferences are a great way to learn without travel, housing and time costs with conferences.

Before it would be practical to use IM or text messaging, I would have to begin to use it personnally. At this point, I am not ready to add the tool for time and cost reasons. Because the population most likely to use IM and Texting is the population group that libraries are most likely to lose, it seems like a good tool to incorporate into the library communication toolbox.

Thing #6

This is how I spent my evening and before I knew it the evening was gone. I did like the concept of trading cards. I presently use a set of cards in some of the library classes to illustrate the Dewey classification system. It would be great to have a complete deck of cards. I haven't figured out how to make the program do what I want yet but may be worth the effort.



Here is another item from the image generators.

Thing #5

The reading challenge for the winter is to read enough books (or chapters) to match the current year. Go readers.

It took me a minute or so to realize that I needed to copy the Html to move it to the blog.

It worked great.

Thing #4 again

I wanted to do more with Flickr so I created my own account. I have added a couple of pictures from our library. One in particular I plan to share with one of the classes. This particular group of students doesn't seem to realize the mess they leave after they leave the library. I hope by showing them the picture they will see the need to be more careful and responsible. It will certainly be an opportunity to encourage better library behavior.

I am not sure why the picture from Flickr is not showing up in my posting. However, you can view the picture by clicking on the X in the picture box. Can anyone tell my what I am doing wrong? I followed the directions provided on 23 things on a stick blog.

Thing 4

I had fun looking through some of the Flickr collections. I enjoyed the results of my search of National Park photos. As I narrowed the search to specific national parks I have visited, it was fun to see if I could recognize where the pictures were taken.

It seems appropriate to add one of mine. Grand Teton National Park.

I'll bet you didn't know that Grand Tetons are the retirement home of Jabba the Hut.

Thing #3

My comments will reveal what a newbie I really am. I had never heard of RSS. As we started our blogs and were encouraged to read and comment on the blogs of others, I wondered how I would have the time to wander in and out of the blogs on 23 things or other blogs I might choose to visit. It hardly seems worth it when I thought I will visit once and never make it back. I can see how the RSS can be a huge time saver. I look forward to using Bloglines to streamline and even expand my information gathering.

I have a follow up to Thing #2. I was reading through Ruth's blog at http://nlln23.blogspot.com/. She referred to an article by Marshall Kirkpatrick listing objections to applying Library 2.0/Web 2.0. I personally used a few of those objections. It is an interesting read. See the following web address. http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/ten_common_objections_to_socia.php

I haven't looked through the rest of the Things, but I hope one of them will walk me through how to do these links without writing out the web address.

Thing #2

After reading the Library 2.0 links in Thing #2, I feel like I stepped into a swirling cloud of information. Library 2.0 presents an interesting challenge for libraries to wed the literal and virtual worlds. It is hard to wrap my mind around the concept, much less specific ways to do it. At first I thought our small K-8 school library was completely in the musty, old book era. On further thought, I realize we have made some small steps into the world of the virtual library. Very small!


At this point, I have no idea what to do with the information in Library 2.0. Where will it take us? Amazingly a few general ideas have surfaced. I don't know whether anything will come out of these ideas. The discussion of Library 2.0 presents a lot to think about even if it is the mental equivalent of wandering around in whiteout conditions.

Thing #1

Well, I just deleted an entire entry. So let's try this again.

When I recently read about "23 things on a stick" on http://23thingsonastick.blogspot.com/, I was intrigued with the idea of using the online challenge to learn about webtools. But I didn't know if I was ready to start the project. I consider myself to be a busy person, two jobs, volunteer with several organizations, home and family duties. I didn't know if I wanted to take on additional obligations. If I start the 23 things, I want to not only finish it, I want to "finish well" and get a good understanding of the tools.

After a week of pondering, I have decided to give it a go. Where to start...?

Thing #1

Set up a Blog.

Oh, brother. I do not have a great respect for blogs. I have run across too many mudslinging, gutter dwelling bloggers who don't have respect for themselves or others on the blog. Other blogs are just random musing of ordinary people who are expressing opinions that are just that, opinions. I have other ways I choose to waste my time. Oh, does that sound harsh?

No matter, I am now adding to the random musings of ordinary people expressing opinions about personal matters. I don't expect my contributions will do much to increase the body of the world's knowledge. But Thing #1 is thing #1 and a blog is the goal. Ready or not here I come.

Creating the blog is really very easy with the template provided and specific instructions. I was running into a wall with exporting my avatar to the blog. What to do? When all else fails, read the rest of the instructions. They are very well written, thank you to the staff of 23thingsonastick.

The blog is rather empty so I decided it needed a picture that reflects the northern climate we enjoy, tolerate, and loathe on a rotating basis. So enjoy a stroll along the Red River and see what is around the next corner.

Nett.B

Join me as I travel through an exploration of web tools found at 23 things on a stick. You might get a good laugh at my"foibles" and faux pas. I look forward to learning the ins and outs and going where I have not gone before.