Hmmm...well, we don't do a whole lot with mobile devices in the library other than help people with downloading books or their wi-fi connection, but I think it is good that I got to try this because we may use mobile devices more and there are a number of tools I can use for presentations,etc..
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Thing 23 (finally)-
Go back to your thoughts/ideas about mobile devices and apps. Has anything changed as a result of this experience?
Hmmm...well, we don't do a whole lot with mobile devices in the library other than help people with downloading books or their wi-fi connection, but I think it is good that I got to try this because we may use mobile devices more and there are a number of tools I can use for presentations,etc..
What were your favorite Things and discoveries?
I definitely liked the Dragon Naturally Speaking-that I am using at home. I have a presentation for a program and I'm going to see if I can use HaikuDeck or Lensoo or Educreations and I think Magistro or Social Cam may be good for clips of kids participating in activities.
How did you connect with others doing the 23 Mobile Things?
I didn't connect with others, other than I did tell some people about some of the apps like VidRhythm and Dragon Naturally Speaking. I guess I did talk with some co-workers a bit. Didn't connect with anyone through their blog..was I supposed to do this..?
Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
I am pleased with myself that I finished this one! I started the very first one and did a few postings, which you can see on this blog, and then I told myself I had too much to do and I didn't pursue it..you really have to just keep getting it done. I never even tried the 2nd one..I then went back and thought I'd finish the original and 2nd when this 3rd one started and also our library system had a mini learning exercise called Discotechque where you could try different social media and other online doodads..so I have finished the 3rd and the inhouse one and I am feeling somewhat acomplished, enlightened, and that my horizons have expanded...
What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or content?
Hmm..tricky..sometimes it felt like there were too many things to try and/or not enough time...that is even though you only had to comment on one thing when there were several types to try it felt like I should try several and that got tricky with time. Also sometimes, at least when I do it, I don't master something the first time..I've tried some apps that I think are good, but I'm not getting the results I want and I'm not sure if it's the app, or that I just need to play around with it more...so will have to go back and explore as I can.
If we offered a another 23 Things program like this in the future would you participate?
I think so.
How would you describe your learning experience in one word or in one sentence, so we could use your words to promote 23 Things learning activities to others?
Is it to cliche to say that it "expands your horizons and opens your mind to new possibilities. It inspires you to think of new and different ways to approach your work and life."
Hmmm...well, we don't do a whole lot with mobile devices in the library other than help people with downloading books or their wi-fi connection, but I think it is good that I got to try this because we may use mobile devices more and there are a number of tools I can use for presentations,etc..
Thing 22: Discovering Apps-I have tried Quixey and it seems useful..a little overwhelming when it keeps adding on apps like the search for Whiteboard..who wants to try all those apps, but still after a bit of purusing there are 2 I think I will try.
I do wonder about when there is more than one version and 1 is free and the other or others has/ve a charge...then you have to look through and see what do I get with this and what with that..and then I feel guilty because I feel like people need to eat so maybe you should pay for an app..it's complicated.
I haven't downloaded Apps gone free, because I am on-desk and so I don't have the ipad at the desk with me..I guess I could, but it's not de rigeur...(spelling?) so...in any case, it sounds like this could be useful and most of the reviews seem fairly positive. This could be handy in helping people find low cost apps or apps to try..
websearching seems okay too, but maybe more pokey...
I do wonder about when there is more than one version and 1 is free and the other or others has/ve a charge...then you have to look through and see what do I get with this and what with that..and then I feel guilty because I feel like people need to eat so maybe you should pay for an app..it's complicated.
I haven't downloaded Apps gone free, because I am on-desk and so I don't have the ipad at the desk with me..I guess I could, but it's not de rigeur...(spelling?) so...in any case, it sounds like this could be useful and most of the reviews seem fairly positive. This could be handy in helping people find low cost apps or apps to try..
websearching seems okay too, but maybe more pokey...
Thing 21-Free for All: I was looking at my ipad to see what apps I might have that weren't added from this whole endeavor. I already mentioned VidRhythm in the video exercise (Thing 14)..this is really cool..so try it..unless you don't like being silly:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vidrhythm/id457548851?mt=8
If you go to: http://sites.mnhs.org/civil-war/ and look in the lower right hand corner there is an icon for MN and the Civil War which is a free app that was publicized when mnhs had the Civil War exhibit. It is an interactive text book with some audio and you can look at exhibit items and hear/read stories and look at some charts and graphs. It's interesting enough that my son has actually browsed on occasion without my asking him too.
MNHS also links to a website with other educational apps from other museums: http://appsineducation.blogspot.com/2011/10/12-museums-apps-from-around-world.html
I also have an app I haven't played with much yet that I got for free from the Minneapolis Institute of Arts called History Hero: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/history-hero/id661731419?mt=8
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vidrhythm/id457548851?mt=8
If you go to: http://sites.mnhs.org/civil-war/ and look in the lower right hand corner there is an icon for MN and the Civil War which is a free app that was publicized when mnhs had the Civil War exhibit. It is an interactive text book with some audio and you can look at exhibit items and hear/read stories and look at some charts and graphs. It's interesting enough that my son has actually browsed on occasion without my asking him too.
MNHS also links to a website with other educational apps from other museums: http://appsineducation.blogspot.com/2011/10/12-museums-apps-from-around-world.html
I also have an app I haven't played with much yet that I got for free from the Minneapolis Institute of Arts called History Hero: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/history-hero/id661731419?mt=8
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Thing 20-Games
Well, I found a free Frozen Game..I don't entirely understand how to play..it seems you are swiping and knocking down jewels of the same color and sometimes something freezes and more things break which seems to equal points..it gives you chances to buy more ways to earn points..could have a little more variety, but the music is nice and it's strangely addictive.
Am excited to try Frogger. I like Frogger-it reminds me of junior high when I went and played it in the arcade, but I think it may be buggy and not in a good way like bugs for the Frog, but in that after a few times of crossing or trying to cross the road, it kicks you out..wah,wah....
Found a Monsters University game for my son..did pay money for that.
Could be used for educational games for kids/adults in library....work together or on own.
Well, I found a free Frozen Game..I don't entirely understand how to play..it seems you are swiping and knocking down jewels of the same color and sometimes something freezes and more things break which seems to equal points..it gives you chances to buy more ways to earn points..could have a little more variety, but the music is nice and it's strangely addictive.
Am excited to try Frogger. I like Frogger-it reminds me of junior high when I went and played it in the arcade, but I think it may be buggy and not in a good way like bugs for the Frog, but in that after a few times of crossing or trying to cross the road, it kicks you out..wah,wah....
Found a Monsters University game for my son..did pay money for that.
Could be used for educational games for kids/adults in library....work together or on own.
Thing 19-Hobbies:
I tried Road Ninja because we like to take road trips. I think this could be nice. I am still getting used to it. I wonder..does it work if you don't have a wi-fi connection because unless my husband borrows a hot spot from work we often don't when traveling in the car...will have to experiment with this.
I have used Spotify not as a mobile device but at home. It seems nice. Not sure if I will download it since I have Freegal from the library. Maybe Spotify is better in some sense?
Not sure. I am reading the description and it talks about playlists which although you can create lists of songs in Freegal I guess you can't really make playlists that other people could access unless maybe you could create a library Freegal account? Hmmmm....
Okay, I tried it and it is fun to make playlists, plus they have one of my favorite songs from the 80's "I want to be a lifeguard". I had to buy the cd a few years ago, because I couldn't get it from ILL since it was only on record albums....oh, my.
I tried Road Ninja because we like to take road trips. I think this could be nice. I am still getting used to it. I wonder..does it work if you don't have a wi-fi connection because unless my husband borrows a hot spot from work we often don't when traveling in the car...will have to experiment with this.
I have used Spotify not as a mobile device but at home. It seems nice. Not sure if I will download it since I have Freegal from the library. Maybe Spotify is better in some sense?
Not sure. I am reading the description and it talks about playlists which although you can create lists of songs in Freegal I guess you can't really make playlists that other people could access unless maybe you could create a library Freegal account? Hmmmm....
Okay, I tried it and it is fun to make playlists, plus they have one of my favorite songs from the 80's "I want to be a lifeguard". I had to buy the cd a few years ago, because I couldn't get it from ILL since it was only on record albums....oh, my.
Blotto - I Wanna Be A Lifeguard (1980) - YouTube
Thing 18-Education
So ironically I already have the Bill Nye app-yes we love all things Bill Nye at our house and we eagerly awaited the free app from Disney. It si fun in that you have to "scan" your finger to get in. There are about 6 experiments you can try, Bill Nye Clips (attached to ways to download more for $), a space game, other alien games, a periodic table..not bad..could be a little less commercial, but fun for Bill Nye fans.
I was looking for an app to help my son learn the letters of the Russian alphabet and more importantly be able to practice writing them and I found this one. It isn't free, but it isn't very expensive and I like it because in the study mode you can click on the leters, hear the letter and a word the letter appears in and when you click on the pencil icon you have a screen where you can trace the letter with your finger or a stylus and you can remove the letter so you see just your own writing and you can change colors of the writing if you like. There are also quizzes. It's not too bad.
The 3d Brain is cool to look at, spin around, and find different areas..this could be good for studying and I think my son will have fun looking around it.
So ironically I already have the Bill Nye app-yes we love all things Bill Nye at our house and we eagerly awaited the free app from Disney. It si fun in that you have to "scan" your finger to get in. There are about 6 experiments you can try, Bill Nye Clips (attached to ways to download more for $), a space game, other alien games, a periodic table..not bad..could be a little less commercial, but fun for Bill Nye fans.
Russian Alphabet
By Hamdouchi Interactive, LLC
I was looking for an app to help my son learn the letters of the Russian alphabet and more importantly be able to practice writing them and I found this one. It isn't free, but it isn't very expensive and I like it because in the study mode you can click on the leters, hear the letter and a word the letter appears in and when you click on the pencil icon you have a screen where you can trace the letter with your finger or a stylus and you can remove the letter so you see just your own writing and you can change colors of the writing if you like. There are also quizzes. It's not too bad.
The 3d Brain is cool to look at, spin around, and find different areas..this could be good for studying and I think my son will have fun looking around it.
Thing 17-Well, I wanted to download the Mpls. skyway app, but although I can find it, I can't get to a page where I can download it..the closest I get is a white box in the middle of the screen..arrgh! Can't get it to bring up Minnesota Explore or Saint Paul Connect either..maybe bad wi-fi connection at library..will have to try at home..sigh!
Did manage to load Minnesota 511 which is not quite as exciting as I thought it would be, but it does show highways and if there is construction, or whether there are accidents, etc. You can search by place or by highway and then you can click on the symbols to see what exactly is going on. You get lots of pop-ups making you promise not to drive and use the app and to be sure you are being safe. You can put in other cities, states, etc, but it doesn't show the construction/accident symbols.
I couldn't get the Mpls skyway app, but I did find one called Citybot that has an app for Minneapolis. You can create an itinerary where you select a starting spot, ending spot and then can select where you would like to stop in between like events, museums, snacks, etc and you can say whether you want to walk or drive (wish there was public transit option and/or skyway option...), this could be pretty handy for trips to Mpls. They have apps for other cities as well (not St. Paul, but San Diego, Washington D.C., etc..) You can also search a particular location. A nice feature is it does show hours and it does give other people's reviews of places.
Did manage to load Minnesota 511 which is not quite as exciting as I thought it would be, but it does show highways and if there is construction, or whether there are accidents, etc. You can search by place or by highway and then you can click on the symbols to see what exactly is going on. You get lots of pop-ups making you promise not to drive and use the app and to be sure you are being safe. You can put in other cities, states, etc, but it doesn't show the construction/accident symbols.
I couldn't get the Mpls skyway app, but I did find one called Citybot that has an app for Minneapolis. You can create an itinerary where you select a starting spot, ending spot and then can select where you would like to stop in between like events, museums, snacks, etc and you can say whether you want to walk or drive (wish there was public transit option and/or skyway option...), this could be pretty handy for trips to Mpls. They have apps for other cities as well (not St. Paul, but San Diego, Washington D.C., etc..) You can also search a particular location. A nice feature is it does show hours and it does give other people's reviews of places.
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