Reflections

Hi,
I'm a librarian at 2 schools, Meadow View and Summit Elementary in Oconomowoc, WI. Today I'm learning how to make a blog, using blogger.com., as well as how to make a wiki. It's pretty cool.

Currently I'm working on my Masters of Education in Instructional Technology. I'm learning about many new things on the internet, such as google notebook, google calendar, wiki's, blogging, and how to share information. We're learning and discussing many things about the educational aspect of blogging. The information presented is awesome!

The class started out with an introduction to the internet and world wide web. We learned about the various web browsers, such as Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, Flock, and Safari. We created a pbwiki, which is free, and shared our information with our instructor. I had trouble saving on my home computer, so I called my instructor and he very kindly showed me over eluminate, where to find Active X on my computer and enable it. Otherwise, none of my changes would have stayed.

When we were given the assignment about the comparisons of web browsers, I spent three evenings until 11:00, searching for information. I learned about the various different web browsers when looking at each site, and then went to wikipedia for information! Wikepedia is amazing in what it has to offer. I should have looked there first. Almost all the information I wanted was there about the comparisons of web browsers. I used it as a check on what I already had done. I did look at each web browser, though, to get a feeling about what each one is like. I have Internet Explorer at home, which I'm used to. When I took a look at Foxfire, I liked that one better.

The class was told we'd be merging as small groups, so we formed groups and met to work on the History of the Internet Webquest. I really liked the way the webquest was laid out. We had four questions to research, so we met on Monday, October 15 at Summit, and decided what question each of us would like to do and what presentation design format we'd like to have Then we each worked on our question, researching and putting our parts together. We emailed each other throughout the week, working out sources cited questions. I had everyone email me their presentation and put it together.

We also learned how to use google and create calendars as well as notebooks. There are so many things google has to offer, it's a wonder more people don't use it! I created 2 calendars, one for school and one for birthdays. I liked the fact that the birthday calendar lets me continue the birthdate for as many years as I want it to go. It really helps! Now I have them for as long as I and the persons are living. I can add, delete, and edit this calendar, as well as link it to other areas. I can share it with whomever I want, so they can see what's up, too.

The notebook feature in Google is equally as nice. I like that I can cut and paste websites, make annotations, or paste information in there as well. Saves time in writing down information. Very useful for students, too. The education applications would be great for webquests, class notes, projects.

Another aspect of Google is the Blogger.com area, where anyone can create a free blog! It's amazing how easy it is to do. This is a great place to keep a journal, and it can be shared, or not.
I wasn't sure I'd like to do one, but I'm catching on.

We learned about searching via boolean searh strategies, which is something I start teaching with fourth graders. They learn the basics ones: and, or, not, and how to combine them in their searching. I had them use those three so far in subject seaching our library database. The fifth and sixth graders are reintroduced to the terms when they're doing research. I add the brackets, quotation marks and plus sign to their searching strategies, as they will be doing more extensive research on the internet than the fourth graders. It's not an easy concept for them or even for some adults!

All in all, it's been a very enlightening course to take.