Thing 9

After trying out the different search tools, I would say 95% of my votes would go toward Google Search Blog. It always had great links for my search topics. The most confusing one for me was Topix.net because it was too wordy. I felt overwhelmed by it. Using Google search I was able to find information for my husband who is interested in a new car as well as science experiments. I just used the news button to get the most recent news information. I think I feel the most comfortable with this one because I have already used it so much prior to this project.

Thing 8

Boy! I think this RSS "thing" should count for a lot more than 18 hours alone. It took me so long. I understood the concept, but I struggled with the basics to actual start creating this. I went ahead and shared some of the sites I liked. I thought 1 news site was enough for me but still needed. Then there are the movies that I never manage to get to but can't wait to one day. I put a children's book site as well as a children's experiment site. I thought I could get some good ideas from these for the school year. For motivation, I added quotes. I usually like those and they are nice and simple. What I like about this tool is that it is right at my finger tips. And I finally understand what that orange symbol stands for. I think that I will be able to best use this technology in school because I can find the book site quickly to help decide what would be a good book to use for the class lessons. As far as how it will benefit me in life well, I can look up books for myself and or family as well as movies that we want to know when and where they are playing without starting from the beginning each time. I can also find out what is going on in the news. In fact I should add a weather site. I think libraries could use RSS by setting up content specific sites for certain topics with appropriate information for users. For example, experiment sites for those who need ideas, or computer game sites for extra practice. If one gets bored with a site, he only has to go right back to the RSS to find another appropriate one. Anyway, I think it will take some getting used to as I move along the web and my thing 8 RSS page. Yuck!!! Hopefully I will start to enjoy it more than I loathe it! :)

Thing 7

I tried out the Google Advanced Search as well as the Google Calendar. I tried some other things as well, but these were the easiest for me to manipulate at this point. The calendar seems great. You can set it up for different people in your family so you know who goes where when. I could set it all up and send it to my husband so he could help me get kids going in the right direction. As far as how I could use this at school, I could set it to anything assigned throughout the year and I could share it with my team or parents. I really enjoyed this tool, but I think it will be difficult for me to remember to open it daily.



I also did the Google Advanced Search. I really like that you can look up particluar power points that someone else researched and completed on their time, not mine. I could use this to share new concepts with the class on whatever unit we are working on. My concern would be that I would need to make sure the information is accurate. I also don't know other uses for it right now besides power points.

Thing 6

Okay, this looks like a lot of fun. I have done trading cards from this site with my class, which was a bit of a struggle for 2nd graders. But it can be done! I am eager to start getting more pictures downloaded from my own albums, so I can really start exploring. But here's what I have so far.

Thing 5

Wow! This activity was a little too much for my liking! I struggled with understanding the purpose and the 7 parts of Flickr like Tagging. Anyway, I think I get the jist of it: looking at and sharing pictures with private friends or with anyone. This one was a bit much for me. But here is the picture from Flickr. I chose this one because my husband and I went to Greece last summer. We were able to go to Rhodes and actually see this landmark in person. It was nice to see other people's pictures and what they were able to capture. This picture to your right was by pantherina_hd.

Thing 4!

I am registered! And I am ready to explore!