Friday, July 27, 2007

Gracias


Thank you one and all for making this such a worthwhile and fun experience.
I shall have a margarita or two in your honor.
Here's to a job well done, on your part and mine!

Week 9, Thing 23

1. My favorite discoveries were LibraryThing and the Flickr mash-ups.
2. The entire process encourages me to continue to explore and learn about the new technologies and resources. I will also share much of what I learned with my colleagues and students.
3. The ease of blogging (and most of the other activities) was a pleasant surprise, as was the sheer number of tools and resources available for free.
4. Perhaps a bit more feedback and encouragement would be helpful for those who may not be as comfortable with technology or who become frustrated with some of the more difficult activites.
5. If a similar program is offered in the future, I will definitely participate.
6. To describe the experience in one word, I would have to say "enlightening". The program gave me a reason to play and explore online and to discover some incredible tools and resources that I would otherwise not have taken the time to find.

Week 9, Thing 22

Anything that encourages people to read and enjoy books is OK with me. Ebooks and audiobooks are just two more tools in our toolbox to encourage our patrons to become lifelong readers and learners. They both make books more accessible. With an Internet connection or the appropriate audio equipment, one can enjoy a good book even when no where near a library or bookstore, or while in the car, train, ship, or plane, or when busy with other tasks that prevent the turning of the pages of a book. These book formats are also helpful for language learners and special needs patrons. Just this past year I purchased a few Playaway Digital Audiobooks from Follett, and they are already quite popular with our students. As our budget permits, I will probably purchase more. I applaud those individuals and organizations that are making more and more books available online and in audio form.

Week 9, Thing 21

Podcasts are not really new technology, but they can still be effective tools. As technology advances, I think Vlogs and other video creations will probably become more popular than the audio-only podcasts. On the other hand, just about everybody has an ipod or similar device.
Being a devoted Prairie Home Companion fan, one of my favorite podcasts is Garrison Keillor's The Writers Almanac. (See link below.) You can also find this in my "RSS Google Reader Shared Items" list on this blog.

http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast.php?id=510101

Week 9, Thing 20

What can you say about YouTube?! Just about anything imaginable, and somethings I would never have imagined, can be found on this hugely popular, and just plain huge, site. YouTube is a great PR tool to promote your library and special programs. It is also useful for locating video footage for research projects. I already played with YouTube during Week 5, Thing 11, but here is another library video I enjoyed. This one is for all of us who do way more than just shelve books . . .

Week 8, Thing 19

I absolutely love LibraryThing!!! What a brilliant concept. It is quite possibly my favorite resource thus far. I can think of so many ways to use it professionally, with students, and personally. I opened an account and quickly entered a few of my favorite books. I can't wait to take more time to investigate LibraryThing more thoroughly, and to monitor the popularity and discussion of my titles and authors. What fun!

Here is a link to my library:

Week 8, Thing 18

I explored Zoho Writer and found it to be very user friendly with great integration with other online tools and applications. I particularly like how easy it is to post one's work to a blog. I will probably not use Zoho Writer myself, because I have been using Google Docs and I am quite comfortable with it and pleased with its functions, but it is nevertheless a very useful tool.
Personally, my family uses Google Docs to collaborate on our geneology research. It is so easy to share stories, new leads, and discoveries with the entire family.
My students could also use Google Docs to complete a team research project. Each team of four students will be expected to collaborate, organize, and write their group reports through their Google Docs accounts. It will be especially useful for our students since we are a private school with students from many parts of the area. Since they are so geographically spread out, they often find it difficult to physically meet outside the school day and work together on projects. Using Google Docs can solve this problem.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Week 7, Thing 17

I purused the California 2.0 Curriculum Connections wikki and added this entry:
Idea#29: Work with other librarians in developing district documents like curriculum guide or tech plan.

I also did the PB Wiki tour and read the tips. That's enough of wikis for me, on to the next thing.

Week 7, Thing 16

Wikis - I just don't know how I feel about them. I was predisposed to dislike them since I often find myself reminding students that Wikipedia is NOT accepted as an authoratative source at our school. Honestly, before this activity I did not have any idea that there were so many other uses of wikis. I still have reservations, but I can see their value in facilitating lit circles and book reviews, and perhaps as a notetaking tool, especially when a student misses a class. However, I use Google docs for similar purposes, and find it quite easy and useful. So, can anyone explain the advantages of a wiki over a ning or Google docs? They seem quite similar to me.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Week 6, Thing 15

Ramblings about Library 2.0:

The future is now . . . it's a Brave New World . . . are we to become the Burgess Meredith character in "Soylent Green"? . . .

As a librarian, I often feel like a trend setter and guide to the world, but other times I feel like a dinosaur.

It is our professional responsibility to be aware of all sources and types of electronic and print information, provide access to this information, use the new tools available to us to provide better service, and to be knowledgeable enough to guide our patrons to the appropriate tools and information they need.

We must model the behaviors of lifelong learners for our patrons and teach them media literacy skills so they might be more independent and competent users of media.

We need to help our patrons find information more effectively, allowing them to spend more time reading and learning and less time searching.

Our concept of library collections must change to reflect a balance of electronic and print resources that support the needs of our patrons.

I agree with Dr. Wendy Schultz http://www.oclc.org/nextspace/002/6.htm, that libraries must evolve and embrace the new technologies, but still provide refuge for those who just need a real (not virtual) place to sit, relax, commune with other humans, and feel the weight of a book in their hands, turn its pages, and enjoy the timeless pleasure of sharing the printed word. I still love a good library!

Week 6, Thing 14

I got so involved in searching for various keywords/tags in Technorati, that hours went by before I realized it. What a great tool for finding specific information in blogs.
I did the suggested keyword search for “School Library Learning 2.0”, and the results included 1,230 blog posts and 11 blogs, and countless tags which included photos. I loved the "everything in the known universe" phrase that is part of the tag search. I also found that the results constantly change, allowing for the most recent postings.
After this activity, I have concluded that tagging can be quite advantageous if used prudently and thoughtfully, creating an easy and efficient means to find information about a specific subject. However, I can also see a disadvantage when tagging is overused and tags are not created with logical terms. I think that is why I still marvel at the effectiveness of library organization. Keywords and subjects are logical and standard, with the added benefit of cross-references and local subjects. Does that make me an old-fashioned librarian?

Week 6, Thing 13

Social bookmarking? Before exploring the del.icio.us site and completing the suggested tutorials, I thought social bookmarking was a way to rate and organize potential dates and online friends.
I am not convinced of the overall benefit of del.icio.us to me. I understand how it might assist one in organizing and retrieving favorite websites and finding similar sites, but I happen to be one of those people who do indeed keep their bookmarks well organized (alphabetical, appropriate subject folders, descriptive names, etc.). The primary advantage for me would be having access to my bookmarked sites from any computer. I do not foresee the service being used in my day-to-day Internet use, and I am also unclear as to how I would use the service with my students. It seems that there are better places to find related websites and better ways to share appropriate websites with students and/or colleagues. That is just my very humble opinion, and I am certainly open to the suggestions of other, more expereinced users of the service. I suppose it is always better to have many tool options in your toolbox, since no one tool can do everything for everybody.
I found these resources to be most helpful as I researched social bookmarking with del.icio.us:

Next up: technorati

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Week 5, Thing 12

Rollyo is a fascinating tool and relatively easy to use. I like the idea of specific, preselected, appropriate, and safe sites for younger student to search rather than giving them free access to the entire Internet. I also can envision using it myself to find information rather than reinventing the wheel. I created a searchroll with preschool websites for this assignment.
However, as part of an online BREEZE class I took earlier this year through CTAP, I created a free Google webpage that serves some of the same purposes as Rollyo. It is a simple page with lists of links for various student projects. My students, staff, and parents love it since they can access it from any computer with an Internet connection. They can also save the lists to their own computers, since I created them in MS Word. Our network manager loves it because Google stores all the files and no one accesses our system; plus it does not add to his workload since I update and maintain the site myself.
The big advantage of Rollyo is that it allows one to search for keywords within the websites, and of course my simple lists of websites do not.

Here is a link to my Google elibrary webpage, but please remember that it is a work in progress.
Here is my Rollyo searchroll for preschool websites.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Week 5, Thing 11

I've gotta get one of these costumes.

Week 5, Thing 11

Doesn't it make you feel empowered?

Week 5, Thing 11

What an amazing selection of websites and tools there is on the Web 2.0 Award Winners list, and I only looked at the short list! Here are a few of note:

  • Had loads of fun with the Cocktail Builder. It goes way beyond margaritas.
  • Loved the creative writing attempts on One Sentence. Who knew one could say so much with so few words?
  • I use Picasa often to organize, edit, and share my photos at school and with family and friends. I even took an online BREEZE class from CTAP last month to learn more about it.
  • I looked at my home on the Zillow site and found several errors, so I'm not convinced of its accuracy, which could be bad if you are selling your home and the information is incorrect for potential buyers.
  • I used CraigsList this year for the first time to sell my baby grand piano. It was quite an effective sales tool. I did not know about Oodle or vFlyer until now.
  • Some of the lists on 43 Things are just weird.
  • I love Google Maps and use it often with students and personally. It justs keeps getting better.
  • Farecast seems like a great site for airline flight information.
  • And then there is YouTube. There is nothing you can say that could possibly capture the scope of what you find on this site. I will post two clever videos I found with the keyword "librarian".

Week 5, Thing 10

What a fun assignment -- play! I did indeed enjoy playing with the various online image generators including FD Toys, Comic Strip Generator, and Image Chef. They are so unbelievably easy to use. Here are two I created thinking they would be fun to use with a list of great summer reading titles.

Beach custom comment codes for MySpace, Hi5, Friendster and more - ImageChef.com ImageChef.com - Custom comment codes for MySpace, Hi5, Friendster and more

Created at http://www.imagechef.com/ .

Monday, July 9, 2007

Week 4, Thing 9

I added these feeds to my Google Reader account:

I particularly like Edutopia (from the George Lucas Foundation) and The Writer's Almanac (who wouldn't enjoy a daily dose of Garrison Keillor reading a poem?).

I also selected items to share with the public on a separate page within Google Reader, and added a widget with these items to my blog. You can view my selected items in the widget below or at this address:

http://www.google.com/reader/shared/03992700200505525390

I will think about Thing 10 . . . tomorrow.

Week 4, Thing 8

After four and a half hours of online oblivion, I am finally posting something about my exploration of RSS feeds. I am overwhelmed with the sheer number of feeds, blogs and various subscriptions available. It would be impossible for me to effectively monitor more than one or two with what little time I have to spare. Quite often, I can not even keep-up with CALIB. However, I can appreciate the organizational benefits of a single service to monitor all of them.
With that said, I completed the eighth thing by creating a Google Reader account and adding eleven subscriptions to it. Whether I ever actually use the account and read the entries is the big unknown.
Next up: Thing 9

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Week 3, Thing 7

If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.
~Cicero
I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.

~Jorge Luis Borges

OK - maybe these two quotes have very little to do with technology, but I love them just the same, and I found them online, so perhaps they belong in this blog after all. I spent entirely too much time in the virtual world this past week and not enough time in my garden nor enough time reading. Therefore I shall dedicate this next week to gardening, reading, visiting with friends and family, lounging about the pool, and drinking margaritas.
I shall return to this space in a week or so to continue my learning adventure.

Week 3, Thing 6






The Flickr mash-up and third party sites were so much fun that I completely lost track of time as I created trading cards, magazine covers, and Warholized prints of myself, family members, and my pet bunny. The process to create and edit the images was very easy. What fun!



Here is a trading card I created for SnugB at http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/.









Week 3, Thing 5

I spent way more time than I intended exploring the Flickr site and the mash-up and third-party sites, but it was quite fun. I use Picasa to store, organize, and share my photos; however, now I am considering a Flickr account, too. They provide a similar service, but there are some unique advantages to both.
I found Flickr's Magical Feature Tour of the six steps well done, informative, and easy to follow and understand. The screen shots interspersed within the tutorial complimented the text.
I also spent time admiring the splendid photography in the "Last Seven Days" section, especially this particular shot of some sort of insect, <http://www.flickr.com/photos/mendistan/662269498/>. Absolutely amazing!

Friday, June 22, 2007

Week 2, Thing 4

I played with the Yahoo Avatar options, but decided in the end that I prefer to use a real photo on my blog and not the images that Yahoo Avatar creates. I can imagine some fun uses for such creations though, and I am sure that kids have a blast with them (an avatar to represent a book character, one that shows their personal interests and hobbies, etc.). These images are also significantly safer than photos of students.
(OK-I added an avatar. It was too much fun to resist.)
I registered my blog with CSLA, so on to Thing 5.

Week 2, Thing 3

Obviously, I have set-up my blog, or you would not be reading this. It was quite easy to do using Blogger. Aside from use for this online learning opportunity, I am not so sure that I would choose to use a blog as my journal. I think I am a more private person who does not wish to share my personal thoughts with millions of people. Not that anyone would necessarily read my blog, with so much more interesting discoveries out there in the virtual world. However, since blogging is the communication of choice for many of your students, it is important that we are at least aware of it and how it can be used appropriately.
On to the next thing.

Week 1, Thing 2

The 7.5 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners online tutorial was well done and informative. It made me pause and think about what I am indeed good at doing and what perhaps I need to improve. I have always been eager to learn new things and to share what I learn with others, so I suppose that makes me a lifelong learner. But then, can we not say that about all educators? Why would anyone be in education if one was not a lifelong learner?
On to the next thing -- blogging.

Week 1, Thing 1

Why 23 things? Why not 25 or 20 or 21? OK - just go with it. I read the blog and and found out about the program. Pointers for lifelong learners is next.