Thing #17 -- Explore Web 2.0 Award-Winning Apps

I am simply amazed at how in-depth you can go into this. There's some really cool sites. What I'm finally realizing is that everything Myra has taught us is all tying together. I'm just getting that.

Thing #15 -- Audio Books

I can honestly say I have never listened to one before. I always have good intentions when we go on road trips but I never have gotten into listening to them. I always recommend them to my farmer friends who spend countless hours in their tractors. They mention how tired they get of hearing the same songs over and over! I've even suggested foreign language tapes. They could actually be learning another language while they're working. As for pulling a book up on the computer and reading it I think I would rather have the copy. I don't do well sitting at the computer reading for very long periods of time but now a good book I could sit there all day.
Erie has a brand new library and I'm hearing very good things about their books on tape section. I'm thinking this summer might be a good time to visit the library, check out a good audio tape and pick up a paint brush.

Thing #14 -- Podcasting

I have tried in vain to get a Voki on here but I just end up with either a bunch of mumbo jumbo or nothing. The directions say anyone can do it.....except for me. I'm still trying to work on getting some links on here as well. Trying to master some of this technology has proven me to be very techno illiterate. One thing I was quite impressed with is a teacher here is going through the masters program and had to do a blog. Image that!! It does make me feel better knowing it might be a little more challenging then I thought.

Thing #13 -- Google Apps

Okay now this is great! iGoogle is a lot of fun to play with. In fact I'm playing around with the calendar but again I'm thinking the change from the old fashioned signup book could be a bit difficult with the teachers. They're so use to emailing me for just about everything. So many of them don't get on their computers much for lack of time so it would force them to learn something different. I'm willing to try it though and see how well it does.

Thing #12 -- Open Source applications

I had a hard time getting into this "thing". I didn't quite understand some of it but I did get the fact that Microsoft office if not the thing to use and is almost obsolete?? I just learned how and have been playing with publisher which I really like. But with most things "change" is hard and eventually we'll adapt to it.

Thing #11 -- Wikis

The wiki we're doing for the clerks is kind of fun. Makes you have to sit and think about all the things you do on your topic. I need to write down all the things I do in one day. Of course, like everyone else somedays are busier then others. Our labs are what keep the teachers sane.

Thing 10 -- Working with photos

As I was walking around the library I starting realizing the kind of world we're living in right now. Students were sitting at the computers working on powerpoints, surfing the web, doing current events etc. Most of them were listening to their iPods which amaze me because some of them can hold thousands of songs or movies. last summer I did get a little more technology advanced and moved up from my CD player to a shuffle which is similiar to the iPod but doesn't hold near as many songs. That's ok because I'm completely happy with what I have for the time being and it does hold most my favorite George tunes. I'm sure in time I will advance. I also became addicted to my new digital camera that I got for Christmas. My kids are hoping I'm better at using this then the old fashion camera that I have about 100 + rolls of undeveloped film. It's a slow process but when I look at what we all have done so far in our class (thanks to Myra) it amazes me that I've came this far with so much more to go. :)