Thing 27: Twitter

OK, so I finally got in and tried Twitter. It's definitely been the media darling this past 1/2 year. I think it translates well with media folk because it embodies what they do--get information out to people. I've noticed it has gotten really hot with celebrities and news personalities. They seem to be almost panicing to get people to follow their posts, as if their worth as a reporter was dependent upon how many followers they have on Twitter. I've also noticed multiple sports figures using Twitter--and getting themselves into trouble because they don't think before they post. It'll be interesting to see if this sticks.

My account is http://twitter.com/HSMediaMusings

I first put my account as private and then opened it up again. I probably won't post too much here. I honestly get a little fatigued with information overload, and I don't want to compound the problem by posting pointless personal ramblings like I'm seeing on some of the posts I'm following. For instance, I'm not sure I need to know Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows pulled his hamstring on a treadmill and then used a friend's sports cream to heal himself.

I can see some potential in libraries and schools. I've been toying with the idea of posting school news updates (upcoming events, etc.) on a school account, but I'm not sure I have the time to religiously post to it. I know that if I do it, it needs to stay updated or people will never check back or get annoyed. I liked some of the things Hibbing was posting--events, library updates like added wifi. I liked one blogger's suggesting of informing patrons of new books. These all have potential. However, my tech guys are not very big on Twitter. They see it as a virus nightmare. This puzzles me a little as I haven't heard much talk about this part of it. I'll continue to follow it and think about it, but for now, I don't have big plans for it.

This activity, however, was good for gaining a better awareness of this popular tool.

Thing 26: Join Ning

I actually joined the Ning during the first 23 Things on a Stick, but it was good for me to go back into it. I must admit, I haven't really used it since the first round, but I've always meant to go back to it. It might be a way to get an online community going at school. My teachers would probably be a bit apprehensive about anything that is too public since kids have a way of pulling information from the web and doing odd and embarassing things with it. We'd have to work through those potential conflicts.

For this go around, I updated my account, posted a response on the discussion forum and added a badge to my blog. As time goes on, I will continue to dig deeper into this. I've investigated several groups, but I'd be interested in becoming more involved in a few and possibly starting my own.

Thing 25: Blogger Toolkit

I'm not to excited right now. I had finished this post with the addition of 6 blogger tools, and then the whole post disappeared, even after I'd gone in and out several times. I guess I'll post again, but I've already speant about 3.5 hours on this "thing." There are so many of them. As I mentioned in my deleted post, I'm most interested in fuctionality that could also be pasted into teacher web pages built with Publisher. All our teachers are required to have one, so these tools could be slick. I had uploaded a picture from Flicker CC. I'll try again. Here is the attribution. Image: 'untitled'
www.flickr.com/photos/68114626@N00/103450022

I also set up a Site Meter Account to check on site visits. I set up a gVisit account, but it didn't work correctly. I pasted in the code, but it didn't do anything.

In inserted a PollDaddy poll which did work. I'll post it again below.



I also put in a search box to the left. I really like that one.

Finally, I put in a Google map below. That's easy too. I think pasting the code works well. I wish it was easier to see what you'd get before posting, however.

Thing 24: Refresh Your Blog

It was good to get back into the blog again. I haven't really used it much since finishing 23 things, except as a way to get back to some of the resources I worked with.

I did give my blog a new look and added some links at the bottom. Some of the new gadgets might be useful if I get into using this more consistently. I switched out my avatar for a traveling photographer. We're heading south for spring break, and I'm ready!

As for blogging, I'm still considering setting up a media center blog to post on my main media center page. I just haven't had the time to get it done. We've been heavy into technology training for our teachers, and that has taken most of my time.

I did work with one of my English teachers this winter to start a blogging activity in his Explorations in Literature class. He had all the students set up blogs in blogspot. They put the settings to private and shared access with him as the teacher. It seems like a nice safe way to set it up in the classroom. We also took the advice of the teachers in Edina and sent a parent permission slip home. So far, it has been a nice way for him to get his students writing and reacting to literature.

So with Thing 24, I start my journey discovering more things on a stick.

Thing 23. Final Thoughts

I am certainly more aware of what's out there. I have had a general understanding in the past, but having to actually "do" the things in this program helped to make it more real. I also really liked the informational links provided and the short video segments. Those helped to give integration ideas which are so important.

As for a tool, the file type converter will be awesome! I've already used it. I was never a big blog guy before, but I think I will start that now. It can be a way to connect with my students and staff if I promote it well. Also, the RSS reader will be great to keep up on trends and topics.

Much of my connecting has happened in-district as several of use have undertaken this journey.

There's something about completing all the things that provides an overall understanding that you can't get from just one or two. It was also good to see how many of these tools intersect and interconnect. That is where much of the power comes from.

Yes, I would do this again, but I think I need a little time to better digest what I've now done. As I said, it did take a pretty big time commitment.

The 23 Things On A Stick program has been a great way to stimulate learning and growth among library staff in regards to web 2.0, and it has provided many tools to help us be more productive and to better connect with others. We need to keep up with the ever changing web, and the 23 things has allowed us to do that.

Thanks again for this opportunity!

Thing 22. What Did I Learn Today?

I resolve to keep up with web 2.0 tools. In fact, we're planning some summer tech training, and one of the courses will be web 2.0 tools. That way I can share what I've learned with my colleagues. Also, by teaching it, I will better remember and keep these tools at the front of my consciousness.

I have a lot of irons in the fire right now with new technology--tech training, new video server, website work, project lead the way, a Moodle online classroom for my independent study students and TV staff, staff websites, etc. but I will find time for web 2.0. I'd like to try a couple new tools each year and really integrate them. I'd like to make my main website page (library research page) the place where I can link these tools. That way students/users would regularly see them. After all, if no one uses them, it's a waste of my time. Again, I think if I do one or two at a time and really concentrate on those, I can better commit to keeping up with them.

Also, I do intend to keep up with my RSS reader. I'd never used that before, but I've already learned several things that way that I'm glad I didn't miss!

Thing 21. Beyond MySpace: Other Social Networks

I like Ning. In fact, I like it much better than Facebook or MySpace. It's probably because the network more closely meets my needs. I also find it more user friendly. It is easy to navigate and easy to add elements or use the widgets.

I have used the webjunction site before and have an account there. I like the training pieces and have used some with my paraprofessional for training purposes. The interface is not real dazzling, but I'm OK with that as long as the content is good.

I liked the Teacher Librarian Ning. I might actually start using that one. It's sort of like a list serve, but more personal. There's also something nice about seeing a face with the words. It's much more personal.