Thing # 16 Library Thing

Library Thing is a site where "everyone can be a Librarian." In fact, when trying to link it, I kept reaching my own "lynkay" site rather than just plain Librarything.com. On this site one can connect with people who like to read the same books or types of books, comment on books, tag books, sort by books read/books owned/books wished for, interact with others, view author groups, and the list goes on of ways to "socialize" via cyberspace with book lovers.

I did join and create a library of books I have particularly enjoyed reading and tagged them. It seemed to give importance to my preferences to realize I can customize my own choices and that others can view my decisions about tags, relate to them or even be inspired to read them---or not. The Suggester was an Amazon.com books-type feature, although each time I tried this I got an error message. More interesting, was the Unsuggester, turning, "Other people who bought this book also bought . . ." on its head to "did you like . . . ? You will not like . . ."

Since I do not have a lot of time for reading for pleasure, it was astounding to me to see the great variety of books people enjoy. I conclude that many people are prolific readers and do not read just for professional requirements but find/take time to read what they want to for pleasure. I was envious. So many great titles, so little time.

This is way off topic in a way, but I liked scrolling at the bottom through the many interesting and creative names of people who joined Library Thing, located together on this part of the site 50 Books Challenge. The Zeitgeist feature (firehose meets mouth) is an amazing array of Top books, ratings, authors, collections, etc. It also was a hoot scanning all the interesting name of people populating these lists.

Library Thing is definitely not just a book thing. It's a whole huge library---a plethora of titles and book-related things-type thing. It's truly a fascinating Web 2.0 avenue for social networking.

Thing # 15 Social Bookmarking and Tagging with Delicious

Exploring delicious.com was, to me, more user-friendly than some of the activities in the "23 Things" course have been. I was able to navigate the site and requirements a little more easily and quicker than other processes.

The concept of sharing sites with others according to personally-chosen tags, or topics, was appealing in that it gives identifying information to other people who share the same interests. It makes locating information on the web quicker and to the point, profiting from other people's searches, bookmarks and tags.

It was cool to see my bookmarked sites (TasteSpotting | a community driven visual potluck by lynkay2463 Yesterday 6:23 pm;lynkay2463's Bookmarks on Delicious by lynkay2463 Yesterday 6:35 pm) on the "misd23things" wikispaces site soon after tagging them with the same. The skill of embedding with an RSS feed was directly applicable to this activity.

I enjoyed viewing the delicious.com sites of other "23 Things" participants. There were topics and sites I would not have thought of and outside of my usual range of interests. The idea of social networking is more real to me by experiencing the offerings of delicious.com

Things # 7a and 7b Google Reader Revisited

Checking my Google Reader today I found an especially appropriate article from Tech & Learning. On this Halloween weekend, creepy, morbid and disgusting things are in order. This theme prevailed in "You Wouldn't Want to Be a Mummy! Disgusting Things You'd Rather Not Know," which is the title of an actual web book. It gives a detailed account of steps in the mummification process, the funeral, burial, etc.of an Egyptian person in a humorous way that addresses the reader as though they were the mummy, warning what is about to happen or is at the moment happening to them.

Students would enjoy learning these facts because of the satire and dark humor, along with drawings, pictorials and designs. This is one of several books by Salariya Book Company, each elaborating on grisly facts about subjects like Whaling, Gladiators, Explorers. The use of first person mixed with humor makes these free web books attractive, especially to students who prefer online reading to a traditional book.

I found the combination of technology and content learning, along with the timely, seasonal monster-like topic of dead people being mummified, an unbeatable mix for this assignment. There were a lot of other good reads in my Google Reader, but "mum"'s the word on those for now, ghouls and boys!

Thing # 14 Discovering Web 2.0 Tools

Trying some of these tools was entertaining, enlightening and amazing. I found that some of these offered the option to use Flikr and the Commons section, with which I was familiar from previous Thingstering. But it was also frustrating to try to experience some of these tools.

I tried creating a newsletter for family and friends called "The Fall Sun Fun Times," on one favorite site, and I repeatedly attempted to create on it but I could not figure out how to complete it, save it and upload it to my blog--all in proper sequence. The one I ended up managing to apply to my blog was not my favorite, but one I could figure out.

Toondoo allows one to customize cartoons and speech bubbles, using image selections provide or one's own. It's a clever way of getting content into students' hands without their being bored or turned off. They would have to know something about the content before they could put it into a fun, student-friendly cartoon.

The tools are so versatile and helpful in countless ways. They can save busy people--which educators are not busy?--lots of time in putting out excellent products in 21st century web work. The fact that so many of the numerous ones listed are interactive and can be uploaded by various means--to email, blogs, social network sites, etc., makes them have wide appeal in this very cyber-socially-oriented world of today.

Thing # 13 Image Generators - B

On Techy Learning Mawmaw's blog I particularly enjoyed seeing the combination of music with videoed flowers (one of my favorite subjects, as you'll notice on my own blog page). On the Blog called "23 Things to Learn About Web 2.0" I liked seeing the two of the image generators I did not try and seeing them cleverly: Smiley Face Logo Creator and Comic Strip Generator.
Visiting others' Blogs made me want to explore some of the ones I did not and wish I had not spent so much time trying to master some instead of going on to try others.

Thing # 13 Image Generators - A

It was cool exploring all the wildly creative avenues available on the online Image Generators. One of my favorites was this compilation of favorite images on flowers on Mosaic Maker using photos from Flickr.

Spelling out my Blogger name (shown below)with Spell With Flickr was both fun and fascinating, as there were hundreds of options of photos of every letter of the alphabet. Choosing from the treasure trove--which letter style and which mix of letters--could entertain one a great while.

My attempts at making a banner with Happy Face Generator were very frustrating. I spent way too much time trying to get the banner to upload, after designing it several times and trying on two different computers. I also was unable to save the photos onto my hard drive or locate them in the downloads when I needed them. I really wanted to put that banner as a gadget on my Blog, but I finally had to let it go.

My desire to conquer the task at hand drove me to spend hours, which I cannot really afford to do if I finish the course on time. Following the instruction of having several created images is going to have to be more loosely interpreted, as far as how many "several" is.

Wikipedia's article explaining Mashups certainly was enlightening about how merging, combining digital data into new creations can be done with these imaginative Image Generators. Using them for professional or personal correspondence, student reports and products, or fun hobbies, are just some of the possibilities.

Thing # 12 Created and Embedded Slideshow

While wandering through the wonderland of Flickr, many photos caught my eye because of their outstanding light features. I was not successful in copying these for my themed group slideshow, but I still want to share them here.

Light and its various accents used in photography, makes for stunning effects. These photos are examples of the marvelous beauty changing aspects in light can add to a subject. Light can even be the subject.

While I was not successful at using the selected Flikr photos in my slideshow, I was able to upload some of my own and link the slideshow here. Reminiscent of Psalms 119:9 and Ephesians 5:26, it features a young man being washed both spiritually and physically. Then I embedded a slide show with the same selected theme from another source, Picasa Web Albums.

This was the most complicated assignment for me so far. I missed those training wheels of support in each previous assignment and was forced by sheer determination to repeatedly hunt, search, review and finally learn how to execute this important Web 2.0 skill of making and embedding a slide show. Whew!! Can you smell the sweat? I feel like I need to jump into those refreshing waves above! I do not feel the freshness of each new morning depicted in the slide show.

Yet, I am still not sure I have accomplished the intended goal. I created and slideshow and I embedded a slideshow, alright, but they were two different siideshows and the one I embedded was not using Flickr photos or ones I uploaded to Flickr. For me I will call it good, though, as I have given it my best shot after many, many hours of work. I'm moving on to the next Thing.

Be my friend

Be my friend
Originally uploaded by dellafels

uploaded onto Flickr by dellafels on 19 October 10, 2010. Part of my "23 Things" online technology class' slideshow images revealing interesting uses of light and shadow.

October 22, 2010 sunset 030

October 22, 2010 sunset 030
Originally uploaded by matt44053

This is part of an amazing progression of photos posted on Flickr by matt44053 on 22 Oct 2010. He captured the process of setting sun in an array of shots.

Thing # 11 Fabulous Flickr

Flickr photos are eye candy! My trail through photos upon hundreds of photos posted online was so amazing that it tempted me to take up photography as a hobby. It made for vicarious visits to gorgeous places, a chance to "meet" some very interesting people via their photos, and rare views of some intriguing artistic creations. One series of photos, when I happened upon them, had just moments earlier been posted. The progression of setting sun with it's glorious, blazing sky was a special treat I enjoyed discovering.

It is hard for me to grasp what must be like a hobby for people investing time taking photos and downloading them onto the web. Then others can come along and sort, tag, and catalog myriads of photos to suit their own needs.

The generosity of photographers in sharing their work must bring pleasure to them as well as to those who relish viewing the photos and using them in their own work. Thanks to the wonders of Web 2.0 and the freedoms that come with Creative Commons licensing, the possibilities are endless. Uploading one's own collection for safekeeping is an extraordinary paperless option rather than keeping stacks of photo albums on a dusty shelf somewhere. Flickr, you are fabulous!

Thing # 10 Creative Commons

Along with other mind-blowing aspects of technology this online course has opened up to me, the concept of Creative Commons is an idea, as they say, "whose time has come," by virtue of the fact that the world wide web is accessible by anyone, anytime, anywhere. The volume of material on the web is staggering, so it is appropriate to realize that the constraints of the old terminology of full copyright is not flexible enough for the interactive internet arena.

Since ordinary people have the right and ability to access and post freely, it seems ideal, even expedient, to give them the liberty to use others' material in certain ways skipping the intermediaries. It is very freeing to the creative spirit to be able to share, reuse, remix items others authored in ways that fit one's own ideas or products. Without the hassle of seeking permission, or going through a legion of lawyers, people may more easily participate in a richer, more vibrant, creative world.

I have not noticed the CC logo on websites I visit, but I will certainly be on the lookout for it. I do not consider myself a frequent enough user of posting on the internet--other than for this class--to be particular about my work being used by others. But I am well aware of fair use and copyrights in photocopying, etc. from classroom protocols. So if I do use other people's internet material in the future, I am confident that I will do so with an awareness of the license stipulations, especially if it is marked with the CC logo.

Thing # 9 Playing in the Wiki Sandbox

This one has been the most time-consuming Thing yet, as I have hit snag after snag learning to read carefully (and read again, and reread, then read what I read). It was truly a trial and error experience that I would not always label "play," which to me indicates fun and pleasure.

Alternating frustration and elation came as I misunderstood and wasn't successful at some parts and completed others. I did have to seek help from another "23 Things" graduate. Even discovering how to operate features on the computer, as well as navigating the instructions, was challenging.

Moving back and forth from home computer to school computer, from Safari to Firefox, from monitor to printed page, from instructions to play area involved some fancy dancing! All the above, while keeping up with the Rangers and their quest to win the ALCS, mind you, was tricky!

I tried to be Anal Annette in following instructions to the letter. The sample helped as---I confessed this in my first Blog post---I am not good at visualizing a finished product. The leeway given to be creative and add my own style and touches was the fun part, once I had a handle on the operations needed.

Finally, with great relief, I feel the finished product, my very own wiki page, is one I am pleased to let others know about. My evaluators may not be as thrilled, as I am still not sure about the Table of Contents. It does not look right to me, but I am pressing on in this technology trek . . . to Thing # 10.

Thing # 8 Stretch

While exercising I watched a PBS special, "Michael Feinstein's American Songbook," because I enjoyed his singing and piano playing, the old World War II songs, Gershwin and other eras of music. As for the content of the program, it is astounding how much memorabilia the artist and many others have collected related to American music history. Sheet music by the tons, recordings of radio programs, recordings of WW II presentations heard only by our troops and then spirited away, video and tape recordings are in abundance in folks' personal and professional collections. People have built and arranged entire rooms to house such items of American music history.

Looking up Michael Feinstein in Wikipedia, I thought surely a person's bio would be straightforward, cut-and-dried, simple. I did find factual and pertinent information and even mention of many of the topics in the television special. But a visit to the Discussion tab revealed substantive exchanges among people about information appearing in the original post which no longer appears. The Revision History of the wiki was amazing in the length of the list of input by many participants---53 additions, changes or deletions on the first page alone, just dating back to 2009. My understanding of the Wiki dynamic grows by visiting Wikipedia. Since it is "open to the public" for editing, it was quite interesting to examine how the interactive process of a wiki works.

Thing #8 What in the World is a Wiki?

A few of the wikis I looked at are:
1001 Flat World Tales
Code Blue
Discovery Utopias
Dr. Reich's Chemistry Wiki
Go West
Kindergarten Counting Book
Primary Math
Wikis are quite interesting items of technology that seem similar to web sites yet have distinct differences. Each one is individual in appearance and layout, with or without photos, graphics or art work. The intent in the educational ones are for Teachers to disseminate information to their students, with course syllabuses, instructions, explanations, schedules, assignments, projects, etc. Student comments, questions, work, photos and projects can also appear on educational wikis. Even young children can post writings, diagrams, etc. in a meaningful way for all to access.

The aspect of this tool for many people to participate in is a difference in a wiki and a web site. Material in a wiki can be input by many participants, edited, added to, etc., in a dynamic way, whereas a web site is static, to be changed only by the designer or web master. Contrary to building a web site, "There is no HTML to learn or any programming interface to master. You simply click on the wiki page’s 'Edit' button" to add, delete or change something.

Another refreshing difference in a wiki from a web site is the absence of advertising on most wikis. The wiki focused and to the point about the topic or project, with no distracting frills, no flashing messages, no tricky paths to follow to other areas of the web.

I can imagine how useful a wiki would be in a collaborative project with other teachers, with students to directly communicate crucial information, or to plan events involving many people. Even large family reunions, as a personal use, could be managed more easily than making a lot of phone calls or exchanging emails. They are superior to conference calls because there is a black and white written record of each participant's input. Wikis open up a new world of learning and communicating interactively, such as the solicitation for thousands of responses from students over the world to input on the Thousands Project.

Thing # 7 Commenting On Blogs

At the onset of this online course I did not really understand the difference in social networking and blogging. I surely did not understand that commenting was important in blogging. So I appreciated the insights shared on blogger commenting protocol. It just makes sense that if people take time to share their thoughts, they welcome and deserve to have readers respond. Conversation is at the core of learning, whether in person on in print.

After reading comments to my own blog, I experienced the value in commenting. We hear so much about dialoguing and discussing issues, as that is how people are generally programmed to be social and interactive by nature. What better way to be connected to a worldwide community of learners than to blog and exchange thoughts via comments. We can reach out to people all over the globe via the blogosphere with its aspect of commenting.

I understand and appreciate blogging more now and discern the difference more clearly in it and social networking. While both have great capacity for change and definite uses, I feel the educational value of blogging is invaluable. The interplay of thoughts at perhaps a more cerebral level than activities of social networking tools make the two animals by nature very different.

While both types of cyberspace connections cry for responses from the readers, I understand why commenting on blogs is different. It's a tool for confirming, sharing, rethinking and shaping ideas. Without commenting there would be only one voice, a monologue rather than a conversation.

Thing # 6 The RSS Adventure

As I wandered through various blogs out there in the blogosphere I realized how much reading there is to do daily to keep up with all the interesting matters. I also became aware of how focused I needed to be in such a pursuit to satisfy the 23 Things requirements, changing from one browser to another, one bookmark to another, noticing whether to copy and paste, click subscribe, add, follow, edit, preview, etc. The sheer mechanics of this adventure demand lots of concentration for me as well as visual memory and a kind of innate sense about finding one's way around the screens and layouts of so many pages of text and formatting.

One topic may contain so many titles to choose from that time could easily get away following various threads. It was intriguing and tempting to get off course. I am, again, amazed at the sheer volume of information out there to be sifted through. It is like the proverbial use of a straw to take tiny sip from a gushing fire hydrant.

It is fascinating that "techno geniuses" have devised a means for bringing the "news we want to use" to us by means of RSS feeds on topics that are pertinent to us. What a time saver. What a tool this would be for those doing research, as well as for the average lifelong learner who wants to stay current. Ah, technology! Thy name is truly incredulous!

Thing #5 Loss of Trees and Honeybees

Tornadoes in New York City? In Kansas, Oklahoma or Texas, for sure, but one rarely hears of them in The Big Apple. It was moving to read the personal comments of people who'd lived and worked around the earth-friendly giant trees ravaged and lost during the September 16, 2010, tornado that ripped through Brooklyn and Queens.

Perhaps a most unexpected and destructive aspect was that a huge colony of honeybees lived in one large tree cleft by the storm. The impact devastated the colony because of the demise of the one on whom its existence and operations depend, the queen bee. In a time when honeybees are dying in high numbers across the country, it is a double tragedy to lose both the bees and the trees, both of which are so necessary in our literal and figurative ecological landscape.

To think that a community of millions of bees was decimated due to the queen being lost and presumed dead, is sad. Marauders from other bee colonies came and stole the honey so that people could not salvage even it. Noble efforts to relocate the honeycomb, thinking to attract the queen and survivor bees, were not successful.

Reference was made to thousands of other trees throughout the area destroyed by the tornado, some in poignant detail. The piece was a sad commentary on the wrath of Mother Nature's less kinder side.

Thing # 4 - Blogging About Blogs

After sampling several blogs I realize they are as varying as individuals are, as creative as anyone cares to be, and as subject-specific as anyone has thoughts to share. The fact that blogs publish in a world-wide arena, and invite comments from world-wide readers, makes blogs an incredibly interactive tool and source of shared thought.

"How refreshing was the insight by on education's age-old quandary, to give homework or not. How paradigm-shifting was allowing blog-reading in SSR time, which introduces the idea of students having the choice to read blogs not just books at SSR time. How solid and convincing are the 13 reasons blogging is educationally sound for students in our time."

Blogging by its nature has students taking initiative to shape and express their own thoughts, to use their own voice in expressing thoughts, and to invite and evaluate others' thoughts. All these have built-in personal growth and ownership of learning in the blogging process. I understand and appreciate the value of blogging as never before.