Between the Lions: Song - "Read a Book Today"

Thing Twenty-Three

So Creative Commons is the reason why I kept on seeing "Essential 23 Things" as part of other blogs and libraries during my explorations for this session! Aha-ineresting! Just visited Helene Blowers "Original Learning 2.0" program blog and did notice some differences in the order of the "things" in the original program and in the Region One's. I also found that participants were offered USB/ MP3 players as incentives for completion of the course. Where are ours?! Just kidding, I am happy to have completed this session without the prizes...the hands on learning through exploration was incredible. Yes, it took time but I feel much more confident now in my knowledge of web 2.0 tools and have ideas for applications. I would most definetaly recommend this or a similar session to other library/teaching professionals as there is so much out there that is free and ready to be used to enhance the learning experiences of our students. Most importantly they are ready to be used so that we can address their changing learning needs based on the explosiveness of technology and what they are being expected to be competent in in these modern times.



One option that might improve the overall learning experience for participants of this session in the future could be the inclusion of a live chat every so often. In an online course that I took for my master's degree, we had this option and students who had questions and needed further clarification about a topic could pose questions and receive immediate feedback.
One important discovery...Helene Blower's original 23 Things session made use of podcasting to deliver content...This would be a great addition to the Region One's session being that many of us are usually on the go and being able to download information and then listen to it later would really help.

Thing Twenty-Two: LibriVox

I enjoyed the use of LibriVox more than the Gutenburg Project. (I've RSSd to keep updated of new audiobooks) It was quite easy to find books that are downloadable to MP3s. While ebooks are becoming quite popular, I find that following an audiobook without having the print to track is quite difficult for me to follow. It is easier for my mind to wander and feel that my participation as a reader of the text itself is necessary for really following a story. Ebooks offer a better opportunity for success for those who want to read, but not have to carry an actual book.

Thing Twenty-One: Podcasts

I'm a bit familiar with podcasts due to the fact that they really come in handy when going out for a walk (and hopefully progressing to a jog soon). Most of the learning I've done through self exploration. I did not have iTunes dowloaded in my computer so I tried this being that it is a free product and I liked that podcasts are displayed with an image and a brief summary and that they are free, of course. I'm having a bit of trouble being able to synchronize with my MP3 player device, but I really want to learn how to do this through iTunes because this way I can upoad daily updated podcasts which I have subscribed to. I've included two podcasts which I've included in my blog to follow. They're not library related as I did not find one, but they are of personal interest.

The Dewey Decimal Rap

This is great! Would serve as a great focus for introducing students to the Dewey Decimal System.

Librarian's Blues

This seemed personally relevant and funny, specially at the end of the school year.

Thing Twenty: You Tube

I enjoyed the video Introducing the Book and just like written in the comments area, it is indeed the reaction of many who are not used to computers, Internet, or many of the tools we have discovered this summer through this session.

Likes from YouTube: Suggetions in topic related videos, ease with which videos can be shared through e-mail or added to Blogger.
Dislikes: Little moderation of course in what is added or comments. One might be better of using TeacherTube.com

I believe some of the videos can be used as part of library instruction, such as the Dewey Decimal rap found although they probably have to be saved as many school districts will block YouTube.