Thing 23 - One Last Thing

I've completed the online survey and as I mentioned in the survey, thank you, thank you! 23things is a terrific professional development opportunity. I am excited to continue learning about library 2.0 tools.

Thing 22 - What did I learn today?

1. I resolve to stay current and keep up with my blog. Since I cannot access many things at school I might not be able to commit 15 minutes a day, but hopefully on a weekly basis I can further investigate somethings such as some of the challenge ideas.

2. I certainly can ask myself "what did I learn today?" on a daily basis to blog these ideas.

3. One way that I've kept up is the intrigue of these 23 Things. This definitely was an adventure. I've shared some ideas with teachers at school and hope to continue to do so. Webjunction-Minnesota is a great resource and I hope to share aspects of this with collegues.

Thank to all who helped to put 23thingsonastick together and for promoting this across the state! As I mentioned earlier, this is a wonderful adventure that goes on and on!

Thing 21 - Beyond MySpace: Other Social Networks

Other than Facebook, I've joined Ning. I think after more exploration I'd like to join Bakespace and Teacher Librarian Ning. I enjoy baking...although I haven't had much time lately. I think that the Teacher Librarian Ning would be a wonderful resource to share and receive ideas!

Thing 20 - Libraries and Social Networks

I already have a Facebook account. I keep in contact with some Australian friends. Matter of fact they were students that I taught when I was there teaching for my student teaching experience. This is a great way to be in touch!

I joined Library 2.0 interest group, Librarians and Facebook, and Librarians Using Facebook Pages. I joined these groups because I feel that these groups were more appealing to me and seemed to have aspects about them that interested me more than American Library Association Members. I feel that I will encounter pertinent information or ideas from these groups.

Thing 19 - Explore Podcasts

I love to listen to Car Talk on Minnesota Public Radio on Saturday mornings, but sometimes I miss it so listening to it via podcasting is awesome! I don't have to worry about missing it on Saturday mornings anymore.

I feel Podcast.net, Yahoo Podcasts, and Podcast.com were easiest to use. I was actually surprised and disappointed that Educational Podcast Directory wasn't as easy to use as I had hoped. I was hoping that this directory was going to be something to share in our Professional Learning Communities (PLC groups). I hope to try this directory again and hope that I can figure out why I had difficulties with it.

I must be honest that I am not sure that I am ready to do any podcasting myself yet. I plan to look at All You Need to Know to Podcast in Podcast.net to investigate this further.

Thing 18 - You Tube and other sites

I cannot say that I spotted a Minnesota Librarian in the YouTube video.

Adding this YouTube video was easy! I am a native of Green Bay, WI and a faithful Packer fan. This is a favorite in our house since Brett Favre announced his retirement. This is fun! I think students would have fun with this too, but it would not be possible in school since YouTube is blocked for all of the reasons listed in the instructions for this Thing.

Thing 17 - Minnesota Library 2.0 ELM

I've tried to set up a search alert using the new directions from newsletter #8, but seem to be having difficulty. I know it is quite late so I will try again when I am a little more awake:)

I tried it again today 4/16 and it worked.

The ProQuest create a web page and Ebsco page composer are convenient short cuts to searching databases. I think students and teachers would like these and find them helpful in searching databases for research. I noticed in ProQuest that there is a way to format the citations in MLA format for a bibliography, which is another helpful tool especially for students.

NetLibrary is a wonderful find! I haven't looked at this before, but will include this in my weekly newsletter at school as a terrific tool both for teachers and students. I imagine teachers will be excited to learn about this resource.

Thing 16 - Minnesota Library 2.0 Research Project Calculator

The RPC and teacher guide can help students plan and manage research projects through a step-by-step process. It provides a rubric to help students know what is expected of them with the research process in addition to an evaluative component as to what they felt they did well and what they felt they should do differently next time. It guides them as to what parts need to be completed by certain dates in order to pace themselves in the project rather than procrastinate and cram.

I see the RPC being a valuable tool to complete annual personal professional goals or library projects such as patron surveys for patron satisfaction and improvement.