CPD23: Week 3: Thing 4

Current Awareness: Tweets, RSS & Pushnote

Twitter: Thing 4 has pushed me to try some new things which is exactly why I signed up to do Nebraska Learns 2.0! I have always thought I would try Twitter but didn’t get around to it, so now I have made my first Tweet and will test this out through the 23 Things. Not sure how I feel about it, but always ready to learn new technology and how I can connect with others or use it in a lesson.

RSS: I have used RSS for a couple of years through Google Reader and love having all the blogs I follow in one place. I don’t think I would follow many blogs if I didn’t have the ability to see all of them at once. I will admit I get an overload of them to go through and feel overwhelmed by the information I feel I need to read through to stay informed as a Library Teacher. I love technology, but feel at times that it has taken over my life…..does anyone else feel this way?

Pushnote:  I have to say I was not going to try Pushnote, but again that is the reason for taking part in 23 Things. I have registered, but not sure how I will use it. I do think it is odd that there is not an IE user button — what’s with that? I understand it is not the same as delicious (which I love), but pretty similar to me. I will try this out through October and make my decision at that time. Hopefully I will get some ideas on how others are using it by reading some of the other postings.

CPD23: Week 2: Online Presence

As I started this “Thing” I realized I had not given much thought to my brand so to speak. I spent some time trying to come up with a name for my blog and had made a list of names that I liked. When I went to make my blog I was disappointed that all the names on my list were taken….so I just picked something generic. Still wondering if my name needs to be connected so that it comes up in searches?

My blog is more about my professional identity, but I did add one of my favorite pictures that I took while biking and thought in the future I would add some of my quilts to give a better picture of both my professional and personal identity. I enjoy reading other blogs that show the complete person and it helps me connect with those that share more of their interests and ideas. When I searched my name I didn’t come up with much that surprised me except to see my home phone number all over the place even though my number is unlisted--so much for paying for an unlisted number!

Changes that I would make after doing this activity: I added my picture to my blog and will also add it as my identifier. I also like the idea of coming up with a consistent theme or visual to use for my blog, Twitter and school library page. After reading the ALA article about personal branding and a few of the links within the article I realize the importance of fine-tuning until we find what works best for each of us....I'm sure as I work through the 23 Things I will do just that!

Thing 2-Viewing other blogs

Nice to find another quilting librarian from NE! She has been blogging for several years so I enjoyed reading through her past entries. We have even finished the same quilt....I love all the pictures that she has posted on her blog (especially quilts) and seeing the many interests we have in common! What I found to be a nice surprise was that she knows a great deal about computers and that is my main professional goal right now....increasing my computer ability in the way of tinkering and fixing! After reading Quiltin' LibraryLady's blog I can see I have much to learn in the way of tinkering with computers! Great first blog to visit!

Thing 1- Blogging

As I start 23 Things I am excited to get a chance to try some new technology ideas. I am going into my third year as the librarian of an inner-city school in Omaha, but don't get the opportunity to use as much technology as I would like since we also have a technology teacher. Even though this has been my past situation, I would like to continue to learn new ideas and discuss ways I might increase collaboration with the tech teacher as well as my classroom teachers. Besides learning the 23 Things, I am trying to spend more time learning about fixing computer connections and general computer maintenance this summer. My goal is to increase my confidence in computer technology, try new things and not be afraid of messing up my computer. It is so old that I really can't do much damage to it!

As for blogging, I have used Google reader for a couple of years as I have enjoyed reading other blogs, but have not taken the time to set one up myself. I am excited to read the other blogs and hope to gain a number of new ideas to share with my students and fellow teachers this fall.

7 1/2 Habits Video

I have always been a Lifelong Learner! I have taken so many classes for hobbies that interest me and have even talked others into taking different classes because it was the only way I could get a teacher to teach me!


The two questions asked were what do I find the easiest and which one is the hardest...Since much of this is about technology I will say that viewing problems as challenges is the most difficult for me and accepting responsibility for my learning is the easiest.


After reflecting on this topic of lifelong learning, I realize that I have mastered many of the 7 1/2 skills when it comes to a topic that I view as "fun" but am lacking the 7 1/2 skills when it comes to learning as it pertains to my career! I get nervous about not knowing enough about technology (fixing co-workers computers and such at school) that I give up too easily. I would never give up on any other new skill, but fool myself that I am in over my head on much of the technical skills I would like to learn.


This was a good exercise as I was able to see that I view my continued learning in two very different ways and need to make some adjustments to my thought process. I think this was a good start and look forward to more discoveries.


Note** The photo above is from the Wabash Trace Trail in Council Bluffs. It is one of my favorite trails to bike ...life is a journey and this is one of my favorite paths!

Beginnings!

Well, today is my first day to take part in Nebraska Learns 2.0. I have wanted to take part in this for the past year and was thrilled to see that it was beginning again! I am looking forward to trying new things and using them in my classroom. I love learning new things--especially technology so this will be push me to make the time to expand my toolbox!