Learning 2.0 Master

Woo hoo! I am a learning 2.0 master!

I really enjoyed learning about all the "things" that can be done to improve our online presence and to have fun.

With my new job, I use Twitter to tweet what I accomplish. I never thought I would use Twitter, but it's a great way to push information to various people (just make sure you have followers and use the # and @ symbols correctly). I still love blogging with Google and Wordpress and getting information out to everyone. Google Docs are one of my favorite things to use. I use them every single day and have a lot of collections/folders in my account.

I think that Wordle is really fun to use to make word clouds from tags or just words you manually type in. I like Skype because it keeps me connected with my family in Washington and in other cities.

I really enjoyed learning and refreshing my mind with online tools. It has been a great experience and I highly recommend it.

Skype Me!

Skype is a neat way to stay in contact with your loved ones, but it is also a great way to bring in guest speakers or chat with another colleague. Skype is fun to play around with and especially for me, since I am far from my hometown, it is a great way to see my parents and talk to them.

Perhaps a cool idea would be to have people that cannot make it into the library for story time or reading time and use Skype for them to see and hear the kids. I also think that Skype would be beneficial for a kid if they are stuck at home with a contagious disease, but can still learn. Skype would alleviate the contagious disease but also let the kid learn!

I think back to when I was growing up, and instant messaging was all the rage. Now it is video calling via Skype or another video conferencing program. Skype would be a great way to include those that are not usually included in a lesson. You can also employ the instant messaging with Skype. It is pretty cool.

Another point for Skype is that you can call phones from the program (if you pay a subscription fee).

So, download Skype and get calling.

Lifelong Learning

Lori Reed's Seven and 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners allows us to view a slideshow on how to become better learners.


She discusses the seven and half habits of lifelong learners which are as follows...
Habit 1 : Begin with the end in mind
Habit 2 : Accept responsibility for your own learning
Habit 3 : View problems as challenges
Habit 4 : Have confidence in your as a competent, effective learner
Habit 5 : Create your own learning toolbox
Habit 6 : Use technology to your advantage
Habit 7 : Teach/mentor others
Habit 7 1/2 : Play!


I love learning and that's one of the reasons why I decided to go to graduate school. The habits that come easily to me are the following...


Habit 1 : Begin with the end in mind
I like knowing where I am going and how I am going to get there. Of course, I am always learning and changing my ways, but knowing the "end result" helps me direct the process.


Habit 2 : Accept responsibility for your own learning
I am responsible for myself and what I do in my life. I react to my surroundings but they do not define me. I learn because I want to, not because I have to.

Habit 3 : View problems as challenges

This habit is easy, yet difficult for me. I like being challenged, but at the same time when I first hear or read the problem, I automatically think about everything that could go wrong. I guess I need to be more positive in my outlook of challenges.

Habit 4 : Have confidence in your as a competent, effective learner

Confidence is something that I have to work on. I know I can do a lot of things, but I usually have to build my confidence up before I can accomplish the task. I am constantly working on this habit.

Habit 5 : Create your own learning toolbox

I would like to say I have my own learning toolbox, but I don't know if I do to be honest. I have certain ways I learn and things I like to use while I learn. But I am always adding to it and taking things away.

Habit 6 : Use technology to your advantage

Technology is great. I like to use it as much as I can, but sometimes it is difficult to use it correctly. This is another habit that I need to work on.

Habit 7 : Teach/mentor others

This habit is very important to lifelong learning. I like how I can learn by teaching someone something I learned before. It solidifies the concept and allows me to serve others.

Habit 7 1/2 : Play!

When you work hard, you should take time to play and relax. I always need a few hours or a day when I can just take a mental vacation and let my brain take a rest. I usually end up reading or designing something. 

I always am learning and always will learn. I never want to stop learning, even if it is just random facts.