Thing #6 extended

Rusty and Duke
Originally uploaded by Bobbie Johnson

Here is the trading card mentioned previously. It seems I can't get both images in the same post.

Anyway, some of the other applications that I explored included Fastr (a game where you are shown a series of pictures and attempt to guess the tag), TagMan (played like the familiar game of Hangman), and Flickr Flash Puzzle Zone (make an online jigsaw puzzle from a photo). I made a puzzle of Rusty and Duke's picture on the trading card and thought I could include the html link to it, but that's not working.

These games were fun but I mainly see them as a way to waste time. I doubt that I will use them very often.

Thing #6 - Flickr Mash-ups

Magazine cover
Originally uploaded by Bobbie Johnson

I have had a good time exploring the Flickr mashups and third-party tools. The number and variety of applications is mind-boggling and a lot of the 3rd party tools use terms that I don't even understand in their descriptions. I have created a magazine cover and a trading card from photos I added to my Flickr account and will attempt to include them here.

Thing #5 - Flickr

Cal Ripken Jr 2000 Bowman Early Indicators
Originally uploaded by http://www.flickr.com/people/9444161@N04/

I have explored the Flickr website. I have chosen to add this photo of Cal Ripken, Jr. from Flickr to my blog because my husband and I are traveling to Cooperstown along with friends this weekend for Cal's induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Of course, with more than 60,000 expected attendees, it remains to be seen how much of the ceremony we will actually see!

Thing #4 - Register Blog and Track Progress

Yes, my blog appears to be registered. I have downloaded the 23 Things Tracking Log and will now get busy on exploring and completing the Things.

Weeks 1 and 2

I have read the information about the program and feel that I have a good overview of the 23 Things. Obviously, I have set up my own blog which was not difficult - except for figuring out all the various user names, passwords, identities, etc. that were asked for. It didn't help that I am using a computer at the Ocean City, New Jersey public library and have to keep my eyes on the clock in the right hand corner of the screen as it ticks off my 30 minute session. Luckily, I have been extended several times, but that can never be taken for granted.
I think I have my blog registered, but it has not showed up on the Blog Wall as of this posting. I know that that can take a few days so will keep checking for it. It has been quite interesting to look through some of the other HCPL blogs.

A main goal of educators is to instill in students the desire for knowledge and the motivation to keep exploring new ideas and challenges long after school days are through - in other words, to become lifelong learners. How appropriate that I, as a retired teacher with 28 years in the field of elementary education, am now involved in lifelong learning about such things as Blogs, Flikrs, Wikis, and various other terms that are as foreign to me as words on a printed page were to my first-graders each September. Hopefully, it will be an enjoyable experience. Maybe I'll be calling on some of those former students, now tech-savvy teens, for help!!