Monday, April 21, 2014

Thing 8

Today all of the social media is causing me anxiety. I don't want to be connected all the time. I don't want to be responsible for knowing things the minute they happen. Sometimes I just want to create my own pace and not feel bombarded. So, an app like Hootsuite to manage all my social media makes me even more anxious.

I have FB, LinkedIn, and Twitter on Hootsuite. I never tweet and rarely look at Twitter. I watched the Hootsuite video for iPad, but I'm not sure my Twitter account was showing up, and I don't care enough to try to figure out if it is or isn't. I didn't try any of the other apps because my friend in-the-know uses Hootsuite. Also, I'm not feeling very social today. Hootsuite looked pretty much like my FB page. If I was into all this social media, I think Hootsuite would be swell. But, I'm not.

I hope I find more things to my liking in future Things.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Thing 7

I very much enjoyed learning more about Pinterest. I had an account but didn't have the app on my iPad. I used Pinterst on my computer so infrequently that I actually didn't know how to use it. These instructions helped and I added two new boards and a few pins. I searched for people to follow, but I didn't find a particular person I was looking for and I can't believe she is not on Pinterest. I'm not sure how often I will go to Pinterest, because though I see it is a valuable tool, I could get sucked down a time loss hole, and I don't have time to spend that way. Where do people find the time to use all these tools? I am too busy reading books in what little spare time I have.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Thing 6

I tried CloudOn and it worked just fine. I pulled up a document from my Google drive, but I didn't edit it. It's nice to know that I can if I am traveling and need to do some committee work. I'm actually on a committee now and we are revising a document we created. One thing about Cloudon is that I couldn't see all my documents and folders in Google drive. I don't know why they all didn't appear in my list.

I looked at SignNow, but I would so rarely, if ever! use it with my iPad that I did not download it. It's nice to know that it's available.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Thing 5

I looked at all the apps, but I don't think I would take notes on my iPad, though the Bamboo app looks nice, and I could see how it would eliminate carrying assorted notebooks for students. If I had a smart phone, I think the Remember the Milk app might be useful, but I don't carry my iPad with me, so even if I made lists on this app, I wouldn't have my lists with me.

I did download and try out the Dragon app. It worked pretty well. I used it while I read scholarship applications on my laptop. Instead of writing my comments, I spoke them. I don't see a frequent need for this app, so I probably won't use it often. But, it is a nice option.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Thing 4

📖I just spent over an hour playing with Flipboard. I didn't even try the other app. I'll have to go back to it, maybe during the summer. I was able to add several items to my Flipboard such as "Children's and Teen Books" and other book sites. I finally watched the trailer for "The Fault in Our Stars." It took me a few tries to rearrange my board, not an individual page, but moving items from one page to another. But, I managed to get it arranged the way I wanted. I need to do some more playing around. I'm wondering when anyone has time to do all this reading. I'm too busy reading books! 📖📖📖

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Thing 3

Last month I was at Ranch LaPuerta, sort of like a fitness camp for adults,only it was more than just fitness. It's in Mexico. I learned that sitting is the new smoking. So, I was happy to see StandApp and I'm trying it out. I made my alarm intervals for 60 minutes, and it hasn't been that long since I downloaded it, so I have't really tried it. I think this would be very handy with a smart phone, but alas, I don't have a smart phone yet. I own a stupid phone. I have the app on my iPad, and I don't usually take my iPad to work. I guess this app may give me an incentive to purchase an iPhone. I'm not sure I'll take my iPad to work each day...but maybe I will if I really like the app.

I also downloaded Google Chrome as it was recommended to have more than one browser. I placed it in my dock next to Safari.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Thing 2

I watched the iCopilot video and learned about the control panel accessed from the bottom of my screen. Ispent way too much time listening to all the alarm sounds. I think I set my iPad for one called Stencha.

The most useful thing I learned was how to multitask seeing all the apps I had open. I didn't realize, or forgot, that they remain open. I learned I can just swipe up on the screen to close them.

I looked at some more "helps" offered on Thing 2, but these were the most helpful.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Thing 1

Creating a Blogger account was not possible with my St. Kate's google account. We are denied access to Blogger, so I used my University of Minnesota Google account. I'm not sure why St Kate's doesn't allow access to Blogger.

Participating in "23 Mobile Things" is required in LIS7250 Curriculum and School Libraries, one of the courses I'm teaching this semester at St. Kate's. I was a high school librarian when "23 Things on a Stick" was offered, and I thought it would be a great opportunity for my professional development. I began eagerly and completed Thing 1, and maybe Thing 2, and then just became too busy with my work to continue. I want to give my students time for this, because like me, if it's not required, they will find other work crowds out this opportunity. By requiring it of my students, I know that I will complete it, too. I'm looking forward to learning a lot!

I will be using my iPad as my mobile device. I'm excited to learn educational apps and also apps for personal use. I've barely scratched the surface of my iPad's capacity because I've not made time to explore it. I will make time now.