Thing 23 - Evaluation

• Go back to your thoughts/ideas about  mobile devices and apps. Has anything changed as a result of this experience?  I think I understand my device a lot better. I'm more comfortable with downloading apps (and deleting them if I don't think they're worthwhile).

• What were your favorite Things and discoveries?  I have never really been much for games - but I can see myself playing lots of word games!

• How did you connect with others doing the 23 Mobile Things? I actually enjoyed reading other participants  blogs.  Since I'm using a borrowed device, everything is new.  I found a couple blogs that seemed to reflect my own opinions, experiences, and interests, so I could try some of the same apps that they did.

• Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you? Yes, I want one of my own!  There are several apps that I would used regularly if I had them at my fingertips.

• What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or content? 

• If we offered a another 23 Things program like this in the future would you participate? Yes.

• 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? It made me look at the electronic world a bit differently.

Thing 22 - Discovering Apps

With Apps, just like finding good books to read, I count on lists or recommendations of friends and trusted sources.   

There were quite a few apps on Apps on today's apps gone free that I could see spending an inordinate amount of time with!

SLJ and YALSA put out lists as do many other organizations.  

My kids, co-workers and friends also have devices - so that when I actually do break down and get a device of my own, I'm sure there will be no shortage of apps to try and use.

Thing 21 - Free-for-all

Since I don't own my own device, I asked a coworker what apps he liked.  He came up with Akinator.  It is a web game  much like twenty questions where you think of a character, (obscure characters from novels are good). Through questions and answers, the app correctly identified Junie B. Jones, Scarlett O'Hara  and Bess Truman.

I also used the weather underground app.  I think I would use that one a great deal.  

Thing 20 - Games

I didn't think that I was much of a gamer - but I just spent an inordinate amount of time on word collapse!  (I guess I did know that I would like the word games).  I remember watching/helping my kids play the Sims when it first came out in the '80's.  It was fun, and I can see how much time goes by when you're focused on the details.  I get lots of notices about friends finishing many levels of candy crush saga among others on Facebook, and my daughter be oblivious to the time and miles on long drives in the car when she has a "game" going.

Of course I can spend an inordinate amount of time on crossword puzzles and soukous in the newspaper too!  

Again, some of these games leaves me wanting my own device...sigh

Thing 19 - Hobbies

What? No knitting?  Well, I signed up for Gardner.org to get ideas of plants to put in my yard that the deer and rabbits would not demolish in minutes.  Unfortunately, Gardner.org seems to be just a blogging spot - or a place to post photos of plants that you woul like someone to guess identification.  Not useful for me.  (And I couldn't figure out how to un-subscribe either).

I might like the vivino scanner app - but thought it might be inappropriate to download it onto the library's device :). 

Thing 18 - Education

There are so many fun apps out there.  I'm not exactly sure how I would use them professionally, but they sure could keep me entertained for hours.  I checked out the rhyming app - it might be fun to use in a writers/poetry. workshop with kids.  Bill Nye fascinates me though I sped through that sight pretty quickly.  I managed to find luminosity - and spent an inordinate amount of time training my brain!  I forwarded Thing 18 suggestions to my sister, a grade 5 teacher who is new to iPad world.  I hope she finds much to use with her kiddos next year.

Thing 17 - Connecting to the Community

I can see why these connect to the community apps could be pretty handy.  I checked out my alma mater SCSU.  It was fun to "see" the campus, as I have not been there for years!  The app was easy to use, but looks like it was really set up for recruitment rather than alumni.

St. Paul Connect seems like a good idea for residents to connect with street maintenance and public officials - since I'm not in St. Paul I didn't spend much time with it. 

I was lurking on some of the other 23 things blogs and found out about MN 511 app which would be really useful.  I often check the MN Dot cameras to find out about major traffic issues.  If I actually owned a device, you can be sure I would be using that one.

The Minnesota State Fair app looks pretty "sweet" too.  Maybe one of my state fair companions will own a smart phone and I won't be passing the same vendors as I walk in circles to get to my favorites.