Reflection

Media 2.0 has contributed to a gauntlet of emotions. I began hearing the term 2.0, increasingly during a monthly Media Clerk meeting. Bud Hunt came to a meeting and did a presentation on what is "1.0 vs 2.0". Prior to that presentation I had not even know what either term meant. Bud came to another Media Clerk meeting and gave a presentation on Publisher. That program is on my work desktop and I did not even know it was there. When Myra menitoned this class , during a Media Clerks monthly meeting, I figured that this was time to get my skills updated. Even though I had heard the phrase "2.0", I did not have a clue as to what to expect for the class. I registered for the class and just showed up for the first class. I was in shock during the first class; that I needed to make a blog. As the class progressed I began to feel frustration; when am I going to have time to use these tools at work, outdated with my skills, and finally excitement when I finished a difficult task. Looking back on my blog, I feel that I have explored areas that are relevant to my job, such as working with photos, copyright information, and Library Thing. My biggest accomplishment was learning how to put a link on the blog. Adding a link became a source of frustration for me because I was doing it incorrectly. Once Myra showed me how to do this this correctly, I was very successful. The best feeling about adding a link to my blog, was a week after learning this skill, a teacher at work asked me to research a specific source, that she was unable to locate. Once finding this information, I was able to email her the web URL to her via a link. That felt wonderful! Some weeks doing the assignment I felt irrelevant for my life, such as Twitter (my life so dull who cares about what I do?) and using a cell phone as a tool (I do not even have a cell phone). I do not have enough work hours or energy to add some of the 2.0 tasks to my day. The teacher librarian at my school enjoys doing the technology tasks, that I really have little need to do it on a daily basis. Now that I have taken 2.0, I feel that I will be able to help him with the technological aspects when he gets swamped. Doing Media 2.0 as a group, at times, made me feel inferior because it seems as if maybe I am skipping out on a pertant duty in my job. Other Media Clerks seemed to be expanding their knowledge by being able to go back to their library and then use the tool on the job. I have had little use to use 2.0 on my job. My days at work are filled with getting the books checked out, getting the books checked in, putting the books back on the shelf, catalouging new books, etc. In addition, I do computer lab schedules for three computer labs and entering the reservation on the schedule. I would like to adjust theses calendars used for scheduling because I feel it is confusing. Maybe during those weeks, when I am working and school is out, I will be able to edit the claender using Google Aps. Myra has been wonderful at teaching this course. She has been very patient and knowledgeble. It was also nice to get to know the other Media Clerks better during this setting. This PST has made me feel that I am expanding my knowledge in the expanding world. I am still a very old fashion person when it comes to libraries. I enjoy the feel and smell of a new book. Reading and researching on a computer is not stress free for me. I do not want to be on a computer at home and at work. Reading a book curled up on my sofa is a great stress reducer and entertainment for me. Social networking will never be a priority for me. All in all, I am glad I took the class. I would like to expand my use of a ditigal camera and uploading photos. Thank You Myra!

Thing #23 -- Expand Your Mind

Looking at this set of resources, I put most of my effort into Atomic Learning. Atomic Learning has been a resource that has been mentioned in the clerk meetings, but I have not made time to go and utilize it during work time. It was nice to have time to go and look at the various tutorials that are available. It overwhelms me at times, the list of resources available. Too bad I end up fogetting about these sites when the need arises for me to learn a new procedure. I am a menitor this year for a new clerk and that is why I have enjoyed being one. It has made me expand my knowledge to help the new clerk; I would not have done it for myself. I also liked going to look at The Complete 2.0 Directory. It is really nice when I find a place that has a link to all the sites. I am a person that likes simplicity and this site is nice so that I don't need to rely on my memory of all the different web addresses. This allow me to go and link on the location I want to. I also looked at the site Second Life. That was interesting. I would like to learn more about what this really entails. For now, I just was willing to learn its name. That will be a future project.

Thing #22 -- Your Cellphone as a Tool

More to a cellphone than making phone calls!! Wow, once again I am being reminded about what a dinosaur I am. Remember, I am the one without a cellphone. When looking through some of these sites regarding education and using cellphones my first impulse would be it will not be workable; too many poor kids without cell phones, too much playing and not learning. However, after I started thinking about it more, I realized that was just my bias. When I leave work at the days end, I am aware that I see kids with phones I had not expected to have a cell phone. I see in the hallways kids using the phones during school hours even though it is prohibited. The kids would really get into using a cell phone for all of the methods stated in the articles. They would most likely be on task too. The cost would likely cause some parents, like myself, to bock at the idea. Why do I need to pay for it? However, I need to find ways to keep my son interested in high school. Aren't I the one worried that he is going to drop out because of feeling school is "not important and just a waste of his time". The cellphone would be really good for a teacher to remind the class of assignments. I really liked the idea of having google maps on the cell phone.

Thing #21 Copyright and Freedom of Information

This task was very, very informative. I liked how it gave links to information that I will need in my media clerk position. It got me thinking about a teacher that used a rap video in her class, copied the lyrics onto an overhead. Prior to reading this I had not even thought about if this was permit table. Is this my responsibility as the media clerk to know? Thank you for providing the links, I am now going to mark these when I return to work.
It is important to continue to bring up the ethical use of copyright in the library. It is the spot where teachers bring classes in for research on computers or text books. At times, everyone forgets about the legal aspect when doing the research. Remembering that someone else wrote this is sometimes over shadowed by just "getting it done" and how does my little research paper in where ever America, pertain to copyright. The teacher librarian, class teacher, and media clerk need to constantly remind students about citing one's score. I feel this is the most important part of the class so far. When I began my job during the training, I received minimal information on this. This is something that must continue to stay in the front of my thoughts.

Thing #20 Social Networking

When I first began reading about Social Networking, my first thoughts were that this would not be something for me. I envisioned only myspace.com and facebook.com, as being the entire realm of socializing on the web. Once I spent more time reading and going through the links I began to realize that I was wrong. I was fascinated with the cooking and baking sites. I must admit that I marked those in my favorites. Reading Steve Campion's article posted on webjunction.com allowed me to think about the vaious ways that a library can assist in linking groups of people together. Prior to reading his article I did not perceive how this could be used in a library. I also enjoyed looking at the Denver Public Library, myspace account. This site was very eye catching and youth friendly. After doing this excercise, I still do not want my own social networking site but I can see why it has become popular.

Thing #19 -- Microblogging

I went thru the process of looking at "twitter" and the various other links; these did not appeal to me. I decided not to add this to my many new logons. To make twitter work I would need to "talk up" this tool with many individuals. I am thinking that face-to-face and calling is becoming a lost art.

Thing #18 Computer generated videos

I went through and looked at the various resourses regarding video hosting sites. Some of the sites I really enjoyed, i.e. 60's and 70's musical videos and 1970 commericals. These were fun to go and remember the many days of yesteryear. (Wow, I had forgotten all about some of these. FUN) I did not enjoy some on TeacherTube because they had sound bad quality. The sound and volume was bad. The one video I did like on TeacherTube was a Mentos and Diet Coke. It was called the Menthos and Coke Geyser. The quality of sound was very good and I found the content interesting. I was unable to upload the video or add a link Mentos

Thing #17 Exploring Web 2.0 Award Winning Apps

Beginning this lesson, I went to the top winners short-list. I began to get frustrated. It seems as if I am the only one that does not seem excited about 2.0, then I came across a health site. Wow, it was nice. Recently, I was surfing the internet looking for and never came upon anything that was helpful.

Then I came upon this health site using Web 2.0 Awards. I liked how the search page looked neat and organized. It was very eye pleasing and had a large number results. I also liked that it showed a lot of results from my search and the information was written in terms that I was able to understand.

I am a failure at putting a link onto my blog. I have tried and it never works. I have been unable to figure out what I am doing wrong. I liked arthrithis.org and health.orghttp://www.healia.com/healia

Thing #16 Learning a Language

This site would really appeal to me if I wanted to learn a second langauge. I feel that it is wonderful to be able to interact with other language learners. This site would have been wonderful when my children had a foreign lanugage class. It is vitual to be able to use it more than during class time.

Thing 15 Audiobooks & ebooks

This unit was not as enlighting for me as some of the other tasks during this class. The school library has purchased ebooks for our collection. The main problem I have with ebooks seems to be that ebooks need to be bought initially and then there is a yearly fee to be able to continue using ebooks. Trail Ridge has tried to get the students to use the ebooks, however they have not been very enthustiast. Students prefer to GOOGLE search options.
Trail Ridge, in addition to ebooks, has purchased a small number of audiobooks for checkout, it is required that the hard copy title is also check out at the same time. Some kids have caught the audiobook fever. Yesterday a good reader wanted to check out the audiobook of "Hoot". Today, she returned the audiobook to the library. She stated that her mom would not let her use the audio because it was cheating.
When looking throught the course links for this lesson, I preferred the "Google Project" and "Gutenber Project Top 100". These sites had the book cover nice and big; the displaying of the book was very appealing. I also liked that I was able to read the book on line or at least have a chapter to read. This allows me to see if this book is interesting to me. Booksites.org. The use of these websites would be useful for helping students find out if this book is an interesting read. I also like that it is genre listed. I have many students that continue to want to read within a specific genre.
I must admit, for me, that ebooks and audiobooks will never be replace my love for holding a book in my hands and getting lost in a storyline.

Voki again

Get a Voki now!


I was very hestitant to do podcasting. It too me longer than I felt was appropriate for me to get the link to post to my blog. I do not know why but that seems to be my biggest challange. I most often am able to do the assigned task, but then I loose the information once I try to post. Once I got the sign on information and it posted correctly, I was hooked. I can see why the kids want to keep doing this. My daughter and I watched OPRAH today and she was promoting podcasting. Prior to the assignment I do not recall hearing the term.
The use of podcasting could be used in a school or library setting by having the students sign on to the VOKI to get an assignment and then having to write an answer bad.

Thing #14

Get a Voki now!



My first attemp at doing a VOKI. This really felt good to get this posted!!

Thing #13 Expermenting with Google Apps

I went to google applications and explored around the different sites. I am really confused as to how this will benefit me. I played with making a calender for the computer labs at work. I would like to find a calender that makes it easier to view and show the diffent class periods. As of now I am using an Excel spread sheet and I feel it is confusing to look at availabity. I really like the book search application. It was nice to see reviews and be able to read a small summary of the book content. I feel that the book search would be my favorite.

Greetings, Thing #12 Open Source Application

I have finally been able to get into my account. I used the same log on information yesterday as I did today. In class on Wednesday, I kept attempting to log on and was unable to get this far. This happens often to me, I have to be typing incorrectly.

Oh, well at least on finally got on.

I went and explored this site googles.doc. The more I clicked and played with it the applications, it became less overwhelming. I liked that I soon was able to get items to got to my blog. I feel that once I am an empty nester or a retiree I might get really hooked onto this site. Right now there is just too much to really do justice with. Thanks for showing this to me MGier

Thing #11 Wikis

Reading this week required readings was very interesting for me. When I went to the links, I found the information easy to follow. Some prior assignments seemed very complex to my thought process. I liked that I did not need to worry about HTMLs.
With this week's reading links, I was so intrigued with looking at the different WIKIs, that I realized I was still need to do the homework assignment. For some reason I am unable to edit my assigned section. When I logged on it had me as a guest.

Thing #9 Technology

This sounds really simple for people that are computer literate, but I really have never worked with pictures and digital cameras. I also continue to use the same commands on EXCEL and MICROSOFT. So for me, I took this time to compose emails and sent them with a photo attachment. I also needed to make a library pass for a teacher; I never have done this on my own. The template was alread made before by someone else. I used the drawing function. I am always being interrupted at work by students or teachers that I am unable to spend time on the computer getting better at the programs

Thing #10 Still working with phots

A wonderful part of the family. Buster has been with us for 12 years.
I love knowing that I am able to get photos from a digital camera. Prior to this class, I was unable to use a ditigal camera; let alone downloading the pictures and posting them.

Figuring_out_the_walker

Figuring_out_the_walker
Originally uploaded by heltemes_luann

A little cutie

Thing#10 Working with Photos

IMG5
Originally uploaded by heltemes_luann

My family and I are looking forward to going to the Grand Canyon in June of this year

Thing #8 Library Thing

I went to Library Thing and decided to register. This is something that would be really appealing to me. I have a way of reading books and forgetting that I read them. I often have times when I am reading a book and I think to myself "this book seems familiar". If I would use this tool, it would allow me to keep track and maybe even leave notes.

Thing #7 Tagging & Social Bookmarking

I have went and explored the various aspect of del.icio.us/. I must be frank and state that I am tired of having to register for all of these sites. I did the screen about using del.icio.us./; this gave me a tutorial about the tagging and bookmarkings. I stopped at getting my own account. I do not know if this is something that I would use often.

Posting #6 Share FunPix (Skyline Band 05/07)

When I looked at some other blogs from the group, I noticed that a few had a photo from "slide my space". I really liked it, so I added one of my fun.

Thing #6 Photo Generator

I have played around with various generators. I can see why the kids think this is fun. I was really intrigued with a snowglobe generator too. Hope this works as well as I think it will

Update on Thing #5 Flicker

I have spent two hours on the computer dealing with downloading pictures in Flickr. I am frustrated and unable to link it to my blog. I also tried a picture from my computer and it did not show up.

Postscript: I went back after an hour break, was able to get a photo attched to my blog. I will still be attempting to find out my error with FLICKR.

Thing #5 Discover Flicker

It is Wednesday night and I am sitting down to the computer for the first time since last week's class. I was so positive that all I would have to do is add new photos. Once again, I have forgotten everything. I feel so embarrassed about how far behind I am in this class. I can not even remember how to do this. Help!

Thing #4 Technorati

I went into Technorati. This did not feel successful to me. I put in a few search words, then my brain went blank. Did not remember how to add these onto my blogline for future reference.

At this time, I would like to continue using Technorati. It was great to know that this search engine was out there for me to us. This will definitely be a "favorite". I am wanting to read more infomation on health issues, i. e. arthritis.

The biggest frustration for me at the moment is finding time to get onto the computer and type in the blog.

Thing #3

RSS. A new acronym for me to try and remember. I like the way Oprah stated it "ready for some stories". It will be nice to have the news or stories come to me instead of thinking about "surfing" for the story.

I am still trying to get use to the different thoughts and area, i.e. blog vs.bloggerline. Will be looking forward to getting the blog decorated. I am really liking the ones that have gotten dressed up.

Thing #2-Blogging

This is my second attempt at "Thing 2". I clicked on Save as Draft and then failed to click on publish. How does one find a draft that has been saved; maybe I don't need to be rewriting this.

Blogging is referred as journaling. It will allow me to sit down and do something that I have not done since I was in Middle School. Most days I just do tasks that need to be done at work or around the house not really thinking about relating it to another person.

Sure hope this gets easier!

Thing #1

It is Saturday night and I was going to work on my homework. I am a little frustrated because I worked on Thing #1, Thursday night. Now I am unable to see what I typed; wonder what I did wrong that it don't gave. Hope this one works. If this post gets void too, I will start to wonder if I should really be taking this class.

When I read some of the posts, it was so insightful to read about the ladies that I have know for two and a half years and realize that I really don't know much about their lives outside of work. I realize that, I am a difficut person to get to know. I am very private and I hate to talk about myself. I have always been in awe of people how can talk and make you feel as if you have known them already a lifetime.

Doing this class and reading about how 2.0 is used in everyday life, it really does make me feel as if I need to get "with it". My husband and I have never been comformable with letting our kids do "myspace" or texting. In fact is has only been the last year that we bought a cell phone and that was so my daughter could get in touch with us going to college. We thought that she would need it with all the driving she had to go to once she got acceptbled in the Radiology program.

My son is using a "pay as you go" phone. He is frequently saying that it doesn't work when he needs it. I think he just wants something fancier like a lot of his friends.

This will be a new adventure for me. Hopefully, I will handle it with grace/

Virgin Blogger

Hi Media Clerks,
I am just beginning as a blogger. I have never done this before.
Blogging seems really confusing.