Reflection -- looking back

First of all I want to say how much I enjoyed being with the other Media Clerks. They're so much fun and down to earth. I haven't gotten to know them like they all know each other because of my attendance at our meetings. I always looked forward to class and being with them.
When I first started this class I thought “what have I gotten myself into”? This was a really in-depth class and a good look into how far you can go on the worldwide web. There is so much its overwhelming…..well for me anyway. I didn’t exactly know what to expect but did go to class with an open mind. After all I’m more what you call “old school” when it comes to libraries. I love it when I see a kid with an opened book or when a student needs help finding something in the non-fiction section I’m all over that.
Actually this class took me beyond my wildest dreams. We were exploring things I never knew existed. I think the most exciting thing for me is using my digital camera and posting pictures on my blog along with downloading Avatars which are fun.
Myra was amazing. Her knowledge for teaching this class I’m sure has gone beyond the Districts expectations. She was very patient with everyone. She went around us every class making sure we were doing good and asked if we had any questions. I certainly don’t think this class needed any improving but with my technology experience how would I even know? What I do know is that we covered A LOT and she did a heck of a job! I learned so much that I was excited to do our assignments. What made it even more exciting is a teacher mentioned she had to do a blog for a Masters class she was taking. That was very cool knowing I was learning something that they teach in college.
I’m hoping to pass on this valuable info to students. I’m working hard to be able to answer their questions on Word or Xcel but to be able to sit down and show them what I’ve learned would be fun. I don’t know that I’m ready to teach a class but a one on one would be ok. The girls talked in our class about learning how to put video onto a power point sounds interesting and that’s something to look forward to in the future. Learning that I can actually learn technology is great. Overcoming my fear of trying to learn something new has finally arrived and I will continue to explore and blog in the future. Thanks again Myra. You Rock!!

Class and loss

I received some bad news today about my dog. It was a freak accident that took him a way from us. We've been blessed to have him for 13 years. He was my best friend. There wasn't anywhere or anything I did on the farm that he wasn't by my side. Just recently I've had to leave him in the house while I fed the horses because he would give them "what for" and I was afraid he would get kicked which wouldn't have been the first time. That was hard because he loved to go down there for his walks. But long story short I'm using my blog as a healing tool and a while back I did post a picture of him. He will be missed...

Thing #21 Copyright and Freedom of Information

Very interesting! This goes so into depth that it's almost hard to understand. I'm sure there's so many different kinds of Copyright. You can download music from Limewire illegally but why is it out there to downloaded? You can copy and paste something from the internet but why does it allow you to and then say it's copyright infringement. Why is it out there then?? Simple guidelines would be okay. I had a Teacher Librarian who shall remain nameless that always told the teachers he was going to rat on them for breaking copywrite laws and he could get a $10,000 reward. He is long gone now but I wouldn't have put it past him.
Thing #21 is very useful and I will certainly explore it more extensively.

Thing #20 Social Networking

Social networking is okay. I think there's a time and place for it. I'm finding more and more students abuse their priviledges on the computer by getting into chat rooms, myspace, facebook. I see a time when the district lifts the block on these (there's back doors into them) because students are getting on to them anyway. Maybe social networking is a good thing in school I don't know but when someone finds a good reason as to why a student can chat instead of doing their work would you please let me know and I will be more then happy to lighten up on them. :)

Thing #18 -- YouTube, TeacherTube, and User-Generated Video

TeacherTube is fun. In fact, my son did a video of our Spanish teacher rapping. She did it all in Spanish and I really wanted to download it onto my blog but just didn't get the time. I did get her permission to use it as long as it wasn't going to be on the internet. Shucks!!

Thing #17 Explore Web 2.0 Award-Winning Apps

The website is incredible. There's just so much to explore here. I decided to go into "Fun Stuff" because life is just so serious. Cocktail Builder sounded interesting not that I'm really into alcohol but to know all the different kinds of liquor and where they all come from is fascinating.

Thing #16 -- Learning a language

Learning another language would be interesting. We're heading to Mexico for spring break and it would be nice to get there and know what they're saying. BUT a wise taxi driver once told us you need to live it to speak it. We have a Spanish teacher here that spends her summers in Mexico brushing up on their culture.