Google Reader

I use iGoogle as a homepage and have added Google Reader to stay on top of the Blogs I am following, and boy is it helpful. I don't have remember URLs, I don't have to go hunting. I just have to open my iGoogle account, and there they are. Any new postes from any of the blogs just come up on my feed. I really like this way of organizing the blogs I am following. Quick and easy, no hassels. What a great tool.

My Blogger account also lists the Blogs I am following, so if I havn't gone to iGoogle yet, I can just scan through the posts on my blogger Dashboard. Out of the two I think I prefer the Google Reader, as it keeps track of the posts I have read, and they don't show up again unless I go to the actual blog.

So many options to try out and trying to keep it all organized.

Too Much!

Okay, so firstly my husband has been making fun of my Web 2.0 knowledge and keeps giving me a hard time about how 'connected' I am to everything. But really I am feeling overloaded. I have been reflecting lately about my online use. Yes, I frequently check my email, but I have realized no one really emails any more, they use Facebook. Then I thought about how oftern I Facebook. I post a status maybe once a week, but usually it is only if something important has happened in my life. I rarely comment on other people's statuses unless it is meaningful to me.

Then there is Twitter, so I started an account last week. I have posted four Tweets, and am following about 20 different people or groups. I stopped following The National news, because they were taking over with all of their tweets. I am also considering un-following The Globe and Mail, because I have to sift through all of their tweets to get to imporant ones. Additionally, I am finding a lot of the Tweets I read confusing. Half the time I feel like I am trying to crack a code because the Tweets seem so cryptic. Perhaps I just need to spend more time on it, but I am finding it to be a waste of time. On the plus side I have found Tweets that refer to upcoming conferences that would be helpful to my professional development.

Twitter

Prior Knowledge:

I am aware that Twitter is a social networking platform where 'twits', can message or 'tweet' posts. The subscribers can follow people, groups or industries or be followed by others. Kist explains, "Twitter is an online social network that asks participants to update their 'followers' as to what they are doing in fewer than 140 characters. Some 'twits' choose to 'tweet' many times a day to hundreds, sometimes thousands, of followers" (2010).

The Process:

I just created a Twitter account. (Lisa Price or @lisa_c_price). This was a big step for me because in the past I have felt like Twitter was a virtual stalking system. I am hoping my past feelings change over the next few weeks as I integrate myself into the Twitter world. My initial goal was to follow 5 professionals and 5 personals. I am already following 16 different Tweeters. Some are groups such as the BCTF or the SPCA, others are friends from work or my personal life. I am also following 5 people that my professor suggested to follow and some websites like Gizmodo, Globe and Mail, A Googler, and Gadget Lab. (I did not intend for all of those to start with a 'G.'

Classroom Applications:

William Chamberlain, quoted by Kist, states "I discovered the Classroom 2.0 Ning and started Twitter. Both of these sites really helped me find new and innovative tools to use. I have experimented with many different tools to see what can be useful to me and to my class" (2010). Kist quotes George Mayo who used a Twitter account "called 'Manyvoices" where students collaboratively created a story working from "six different countries" (2010).

I am not sure I would feel comfortable using Twitter in the classroom to communicate with students, however, I believe the social network between teachers is very beneficial. I currently follow several teacher librarians and other teachers. They freely share ideas and communicate with each other. As teacher we need support structures in place. Twitter can be one of those supports and a wealth of ideas for this industry.

References:

Kist, W. (2010) The Socially networked Classroom: Teaching in the new media

     age. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.

Inquiry Project Proposal

Web 2.0 Tools under investigation:

Survey Monkey

Skype

Podcasts

Twitter

Nings

Digital Storytelling Tool

Create a Podcast

Rationale:

Currently, I have Facebook and Pinterest accounts. I have used VoiceThread to present my Autobiography as a Tech User. I have had experience with Google apps, and have an iGoogle account where I follow blogs, read Calvin and Hobbes, access my email, latest news feeds, recipes, the phases of the moon and famous artists. I love using Google Earth as a learning tool. I have used iWeb, iMovie, iPhoto and its editing tools, iChat, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, and Fire. I have experience with Microsoft software such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint. I also have used several web browsers: Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox and Chrome. I prefer Chrome or Firefox.

I feel I am in between an intermediate and expert Web 2.0 user. There are some areas in the novice I have not used before such as Animoto and Voki, however I feel I am more an intermediate user. Web 2.0 is not a linear object so to say I was in one particular area does not stay true to the Web 2.0 philosophy. I plan to use a mixture of intermediate and expert tools to help me progress toward an expert in Web 2.0. I will begin by creating a Twitter account and will continue to monitor my experiences throughout the project. Each week I will work with a new tool beginning with three intermediate tools and progressing into three expert tools. I plan to use my laptop, Mini and two iPods to stay connected and interact.

I use my iPod Touch daily. I have 79 different apps divided into these categories: Books, Cookbooks, Education, Entertainment, Finance, Games, Health, Lifestyle, Navigation, News, Photography, Shopping, Social and Utilities. I want to incorporate its use into my Inquiry project. I will be downloading apps that are applicable to Twitter, Skype, Ning, and I added VoiceThread as well. 

Timeline:

Jan 29 - Feb 4:  Twitter

   Objectives: 

      Create a Twitter account

      Download Twitter App to iPod Touch

      Start following at least 5 people professionally and 5 people personally

      Participate (don't just observe)

      Make posts

      Reflect on process

Feb 5 - 11:  Survey Monkey - Create a short survey for personal use

   Objectives:

      Observe how to set up a survey

      Observe how data is forwarded and collected

      Reflect on process

Feb 12 - 18:  Online communication - Skype

   Objectives: 

      Create an account on laptop

      Download Skype App to iPod touch

      Communicate with a friend

      Reflect on process, post screen shots of a conversation in progress

Feb 19 - 25: Podcasts - for listening

   Objectives: 

      Use iTunes to find Podcasts relevant to Libraries

      Download Podcasts to computer

      Sync to iPod Classic

      Listen to Podcasts

      Reflect on process

Feb 26 - Mar 3: Nings

   Objectives: 

      Create a Ning Network for the staff

      Download Ning App to iPod Touch

      Add colleagues

      Use both laptop and iPod Touch to maintain network

      Make posts

      Reflect on process

Mar 4 - 10:  Create a Podcast

   Objectives: 

      Research methods to create a podcast

          Suggestions -  

             Apple - Podcasts

             How to Podcast Tutorial

             How to Podcast

             Create a Podcast

      Choose a topic to Podcast

      Write a script to record

      Use methods

      Record procedure

      Post podcast on Internet

      Choose an audience to listen to Podcast (dependent upon topic)

      Get audience feedback

      Reflect on process and audience feedback

Mar 11 - 17: Digital Storytelling Tool

   Objectives: 

     Research different tools and methods:

       Suggestions -  

          Digital Storytelling   

          Electronic Portfolios

          iLearn Technology

      Choose at least three tools or methods

      Use these tools to create a digital story

      Post Story

      Present story to my Grade 1/2/3 class on Mar 16, get class feedback

      Reflect on process and student feedback

Mar 18 - 24: Extra Reflection Time

Mar 28 - All Blogs Complete

Apr 1 - Final Reflection

Goals

* Research Web 2.0 tools I have not used in the past
* Use Web 2.0 tools I have not used in the past 
* Share my Web creations with friends and colleagues
* To become confident enough with some of these tools to use them in the classroom or library

A little about me...

Hello Virtual world,

My name is Lisa Price. I live in Prince George, B.C. with my husband, two dogs and three cats. I am currently working on expanding my technology knowledge. This blog will be expressing my journey through technology starting with a VoiceThread - Autobiography of a Tech User. This VoiceThread will demonstrate my technology background, and my plans for the next few months. I am excited to explore new Web 2.0 ideas and formats, especially ones that I have been avoiding.

voicethread.com/share/2640963/

I hope you enjoy my VoiceThread, and continue to check into my blog.