Finito!!

Wow I'm finished...I really enjoyed this journey. It has introduced me to many programs available I was not aware of and de-mystified many I had been aware of but not brave enough to look at further.


Thank you so much Dione for all your lovely encouraging comments...and sorry I didn't respond more!


I really hope I keep using many of the new programs. My home page is now a buzz of activity thanks to iGoogle. And when I get some free time I will definitely have a more in depth look at the online image generators...there was so much in that one tutorial!


The fact that we could work at our own pace, was fantastic and it was lots of fun to follow other people on their journeys too...Sorry Michelle I didn't comment anywhere near enough for you, but please know I was VERY impressed by all you did and wrote!! You are an amazingly creative person!!

So thank you once again.... So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu

#22 Audiobooks and #23 Downloadable Media

I loved looking at all these websites...I think the copyright laws are quite a problem as there are e books out there and available, but when I tried to purchase one they are 'not available in my area'. So that was a bit frustrating, after going through the sign up process etc etc.  Oh but it teaches me patience!!!!

Two other websites I had previously found were books on board and an audio books website We read for you. I don't think they were on the extensive list...I missed them if they were.

One of my passions is travelling, so personally I love the idea of the e book, just the convenience of having a book and multiple books there at a click of a button, without the bulkiness and weight is FANTATIC! I believe the younger generation are going to fuel the desire to have more and more books available in this format as they are so use to everything being 'just a click away' on the latest gadget they have purchased.

From a schooling perspective, how much easier (and hopefully cheaper) will it be when all the students textbooks are available in a downloadable format...their bags will be so much lighter!

HOWEVER in saying all that. travelling aside...On a lazy Sunday afternoon. nothing can take away the feeling of curling up on your couch with a cuppa, blankie and a 'proper' book and settling in....I did try this ritual with an e reader...and I must admit I'm not there yet!!

#21 Online Video - extra

I spent time today doing this online course, but just had to add this...Tonight I was curled up on the couch with my latest book by Nick Vujicic 'Life without Limits' (Nick was born without arms or legs) and on page 123 he refers to a YouTube clip which shows how everyday things have been adapted for him so he is a bit more independent. So of course I had to put the book down and check it out...hope you enjoy it too...he is an amazing guy.

#21 Online Video

Well this one I know and have used before... when we had the big floods in Narre Warren recently it was amazing how quickly people had shared their videos on You tube! It was the same with the Christchurch earthquake.

I still remember the first You Tube clip I saw...hope you enjoy it too...It's all about being a mum!

My husband also You Tubed to find some good recipes and methods for cooking in a Dutch oven on a camp fire before going camping at Easter.

There is a You tube video on everything!!

For education...I think there are some very clever and creative videos out there... however unless you get sent a link or know exactly what you are looking for , you can waste a lot of time searching!! TeacherTube seems to have some interesting videos on it...I enjoyed the Abbott & Costello one!

#20 Podcasts

I have heard of podcasts before and I prefer video to audio as I find myself not listening if there is no visual to attract me. I listened to an audio on Paris and found the voices a bit too monotonous to hear what they had to say! ...and found myself distracted.

For educational purposes I know many missed lectures can be listened to...so my son tells me!

I  think students would have fun making their own podcasts for homework, rather than the normal assignment, allow them to podcast what they have learnt!

#19 Rollyo

I love the name of this...and I had never heard of it before...Would I use it? Probably not as I have my trusty bookmarks all in one spot anyway...I did create a search roll of airlines, which fits in with my love of travelling...my computer ( and Internet connection) really needs to get updated though, it is VERY slow and driving me crazy!!! So this is my  My Rollyo Travel - Airline search.

I can see the benefit for teachers however to have a link of websites that they want students to research from.

# 18 Wikis

Wiki's are a great idea...It is good to know that false info gets picked up quickly on Wikipedia, I was unaware of this...

For a classroom setting this would be a good way for students to brainstorm ideas and thoughts, with the teacher being able to edit where necessary.

#17 Delicious

I have not been introduced to Delcious before...except the wonderful cooking magazine!! Anyway I think this would be a fantastic tool if you were travelling or just moving between computers from work and home, laptop and iphone etc..

I had a look at Diigo also, and have signed up...It does look as though it has more flexibility with personalising the sites you visit with highlighting and adding your own notes...I love the screenshot ability so if a website becomes unavailable you can still see it!

For students I can also see benefits in sharing sites...I can also see how the 'lazier' students would LOVE this...just use on of the more enthusiastic students links to do their research, without having to do any research of their own....mmmmmm

#15 & #16 Feed reader and RSS

I had heard of RSS and had previously used it - to a certain degree....I had subscribed but didn't get around to reading what I had subscribed to, as I was usually subscribed by email as well and tended to use that to keep up to date, rather than using the RSS feeds.

So I have now subscribed again to The Australian Travel blog and Taste on my Google home page...time will tell if I utilise that more or just stick to my email for updates!!

#13 & #14 My Space/Facebook

Well I must admit I was hoping to not have to join Facebook, while doing this course...and this week that was one of my tasks!  So I did what anyone not wanting to join up did...signed up under an alias!!! So no you won't be able to find me...My son was actually still signed on, so I did what any non-prying mother would do and logged out, rather than checking it out!!!  I'm not sure what my problem is...I think it would be very good when you are travelling around to keep in touch with people...but seeing I don't have many long distance friends, I guess I don't feel like I need it...To contact someone, I can call or sms or even visit...yes personally in the flesh!!! very old fashioned isn't it!!!  Although my older son told me that this week both his Nanna and Grandma both invited him as friends!!!!  He has accepted one so far.....

I think all the information on how to stay safe on facebook is really needed.

My space looks more appealing as it can be personalised much more... My husband is on linked in! although I did notice he doesn't include a photo of himself, neither does my brother! The Ning page said isn't doesn't exist, so I didn't find much there....

#12 Flickr #2

I found this photo, unfortunately it is very small, but I love the colour of the red parasol in contrast to the white blossoms.

#12 Flickr

Well I had lots of fun doing this...although I wanted to include a slideshow of my photos rather than a photostream...I have ended up dong both and despite my attempt to 'unlink' my blog from Flickr I cannot get rid of the photostream?????

I have since had a comment that my view from Mt Bogong from the road is in fact the horn at Mt Buffalo...I checked with my husband and yes he had saved it in the wrong folder!! Despite changing the wording on Flickr...the wording when you hover over the photo still reads the wrong description...little things like this irritate me...it should be easier!!!

mvdk2011's photostream

mvdk2011's photostream on Flickr.

MY TRAVEL PICTURES

Activity #11 Library Thing

Well it took a long time for me to work out how to get it onto my blog site...but I did it!!!

This was fun...I don't think I would use it as an ongoing library...but I found it useful to read other peoples reviews about books.

#10 Online image generator #2

Well It has been a while...I have had some home computer/internet problems...hopefully they are all fixed now!!!!


Dione suggested a program called picnik, in response to my request for pixelated photos...which I had to try before continuing on...I think  I could have lots of fun with this!!!!! There are LOTS of great effects you can choose to do to pictures and photos...



http://www.picnik.com

#10 Online image generator

Well this is my wombat collage...yes I really do love wombats!!!! They are all photos of wombats that I have taken.

I had a lot of fun playing with this.

I went to this website and used the http://www.bighugelabs.com/mosaic.php mosaic maker.

I would love to turn a photo into a 'pixelated' photo if anyone knows a website that can do this, so that the photo looks clear only when you  look at it from a distance...I couldn't find one!

#9 Virtual worlds

:( This doesn't really interest me, I think you would get caught up and waste A LOT of time!!! I think I have enough going on to fill my time in my first life, and if i'm loving my first life why would I ever want a second life? Now if I was disliking my first life this could be an escape!!!  MMMMM I think that could get dangerous!!! Would it be good for students??? Not sure...Would they learn or would they just find a place to escape?? 

#8 igoogle

Well my first experience of igoogle...I love it but now want my own laptop that I can customise just for me!!!! Google looks like a fun place to work and as long as they keep creating free gadgets and programs for me to use, I don't really care what environment they work in!!!!

#7 Google Books

I may use this at home but will definitely use it working in the library at school.
It is very easy and a great way to get blurbs about different books.
For buying books however, one of the best online book sellers I have found is book depositry in the UK, they have cheap books and free delivery!

#6 Google maps

Now this is something I have used before and enjoy.
My husband & I LOVE travelling, so we are always looking and seeing other peoples photos.
It is fascinating how they have photographed many of the streets around where I live, unfortunately the photo of my house was taken when our hedges were not neat & tidy...I hate that!!

#5 Google Docs

Wow!

I never knew you could do this. 

How easy this would be when you need people to update the same document, no multiple copies, just like the 'old days' when there was just one hard copy!


WOW WOW WOW We just worked out that that we can when each of us is typing, and we can type on the same document at the same time, with our email address letting us know who is typing what.


This is great if you have to update documents etc or even just for brainstorming!!

#4 web 2.0

Well I am on the journey, learning all about Web 2.0.
Web 2.0 has made the computer in a way 3 dimensional not simply 2 dimensional.
Where as we use to research a topic and discover the answers, the internet has now allowed us to not only do that, but also discover what others have researched and discovered as well, all in the click of a button.
It also allows people with similar interests and knowledge to interact, share and brainstorm together on a global scale.

My first Blog! Activity #1-3

Well this is my first blog. It is all very new to me. I had fun changing the background and text colours and will get more inventive and creative as I go on...I hope!
I am doing this as a personal development course with the school where I work as a library assistant. Our Library or Discovery Centre as we call it, has a wonderful open and sunny area for the students and staff to learn in.