It took me a little bit, but I was finally able to get somewhere with this venture. After much searching and exploring dark corners I found a cute digitized book which appeared to be an early children's story. The illustrations were simple black line drawings.
Our local public library has a link on their website for Tumblebooks, audio eBooks which have been animated. Students can select to read the books themselves or have someone read the book to them. Many of our primary teachers are utilizing this resource in their classroom centers.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Week#9, Thing #21, Podcasts
Okay... this was my first venture into the world of podcasts, and I am not impressed. I looked at three of the directories and was not able to find anything that struck me a stellar. I tried to download a podcast receiver, and I think I now have at least two of them, but still no real idea or understanding of how to use them. Probably the easiest thing I was able to do was to randomly pick one to add to my blog reader account.
I'm not giving up on podcasts just yet - maybe I'll wait until my daughter is home on break and she can guide me down that path. I will try this again.
I'm not giving up on podcasts just yet - maybe I'll wait until my daughter is home on break and she can guide me down that path. I will try this again.
Week #9, Thing #20, YouTube
I've wandered through YouTube before, often with my daughter after she had seen something funny from a friend or at school. I am often amazed and befuddled at how long kids can sit and flip through YouTube. Every visit is something new, depending on where you begin.
You can find a video about almost anything, both the good and the bad. I like that anyone can post a video, from the amateur to the professional - they run the gamut. I came across a classic clip from Sesame Street: Cookie Monster in the Library.
If nothing else, the librarian in the skit can serve as a visual reminder of what we do not want to become. (Originally I found a version from Sesame Street which was a little more clear, but they had disabled embedding and I really wanted to include the video in my blog - so I went with the one above. The original can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3ZHPJT2Kp4.)
It would be neat to have video booktalks on a library website, along with previews of other video booktalks on the side similar to the "more" and "related videos" boxes in the sidebar on YouTube.
You can find a video about almost anything, both the good and the bad. I like that anyone can post a video, from the amateur to the professional - they run the gamut. I came across a classic clip from Sesame Street: Cookie Monster in the Library.
If nothing else, the librarian in the skit can serve as a visual reminder of what we do not want to become. (Originally I found a version from Sesame Street which was a little more clear, but they had disabled embedding and I really wanted to include the video in my blog - so I went with the one above. The original can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3ZHPJT2Kp4.)
It would be neat to have video booktalks on a library website, along with previews of other video booktalks on the side similar to the "more" and "related videos" boxes in the sidebar on YouTube.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Week #8, Thing #19, LibraryThing
Where was this when I was taking cataloging?! It's almost too easy - I had to pinch myself to make sure I hadn't fallen asleep at the computer. Admittedly I only added the five titles required and it was a mix of personal, professional, and "on the job", so my catalog is very eclectic a this point. The popularity ranged from 16 to 869. However, I didn't find any discussions about them.
It was super easy to link to my LibraryThing catalog. I might have to try adding a widget in the future. At first I was a little skeptical as to how likely I might be to use this. Then I had my AHA! moment. I am always questioning if I have a certain title in my collection of children's books, many of which I use at school, but keep at home. If I catalogued my collection in LibraryThing then I could always tell at a glance if I had the book here at home. Further I occasionally raid my mother's collection - if I catalogued her books as well in another "library" I would know which books belonged to her and to look at her house rather than mine.
I am also thinking I would like to share this with my colleagues to keep track of their classroom libraries or personal collections. Thanks so much for this great tool.
It was super easy to link to my LibraryThing catalog. I might have to try adding a widget in the future. At first I was a little skeptical as to how likely I might be to use this. Then I had my AHA! moment. I am always questioning if I have a certain title in my collection of children's books, many of which I use at school, but keep at home. If I catalogued my collection in LibraryThing then I could always tell at a glance if I had the book here at home. Further I occasionally raid my mother's collection - if I catalogued her books as well in another "library" I would know which books belonged to her and to look at her house rather than mine.
I am also thinking I would like to share this with my colleagues to keep track of their classroom libraries or personal collections. Thanks so much for this great tool.
Week #8, Thing #18, Zoho blog
This is my experiment with Zoho. I like that all of the tools are so close and handy. I'm thinking my daughter and I could have used this just today. She has MS Office 2007 and I have XP, so when she sent her paper to me as an attachment I could not open it. Wouldn't it be great if she had used Zoho - then no problem and I could easily edit it bymaking my correction in a different color. Or I could have added a comment. This would be great for group projects too - there were a few times in my online course work at Mansfield1 that it would haved saved endless attachments in groups of three or more.
I just posted this from Zoho - it was REALLY easy.
Week # 7, Things 16a & 17, CA & PA Curriculum Connection Wikis
I was really impressed with some of the ideas included in California's wiki. How great that you can quickly share ideas with colleagues without having to go through extensive formats or forms to submit that idea. One thing that came to mind as I was reading the posted ideas was that some of the ideas suggested would require students to register - how does this work with COPPA? Or is it okay as long as they are over 13 years old? Doesn't this unfairly exclude our younger students - or is there a way around this?
I was equally impressed with the PA version as well. It will be interesting to see if what I posted gets edited. I like the idea that there needs to be an "invite key" to be able to edit which helps to control who can alter your wiki. One wiki/blog I saw, which was created for student use, included a disclaimer reminding students that AUP guidelines applied to the use/posting of the site. The only negative thing I could see was that I couldn't find an easy way to include a link to an image I created elsewhere other than hyperlinking the URL. It would have been nice to include a thumbnail of the image.
I was equally impressed with the PA version as well. It will be interesting to see if what I posted gets edited. I like the idea that there needs to be an "invite key" to be able to edit which helps to control who can alter your wiki. One wiki/blog I saw, which was created for student use, included a disclaimer reminding students that AUP guidelines applied to the use/posting of the site. The only negative thing I could see was that I couldn't find an easy way to include a link to an image I created elsewhere other than hyperlinking the URL. It would have been nice to include a thumbnail of the image.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Week #7, Thing #16, Wikis
I checked out the School Libraries in the Blogging Libraries Wiki. I thought it was interesting that many of the libraries were international. Many times when clicking on a link, you would find that the blog had not been active for a year or more. It makes me wonder if any of the blog hosting services have a policy about inactive blogs - perhaps a crawler that cleans them out? Anyway, I found a couple of add-ons (widgets maybe?) that I can't wait to try to add to my blog. They were Feedjit, a real-time traffic feed listing visitor city and state along with how you navigated to the blog, and ClustrMaps.
When I checked out the sample school page, I liked the disclaimer at the bottom of the page that stated not to ask to join if you were not a student at their school. I also checked out the library instruction wiki and found a great wiki on Library 2.0, but the creator had to move it to a different location due to issues with spam.
Applications for libraries and schools:
When I checked out the sample school page, I liked the disclaimer at the bottom of the page that stated not to ask to join if you were not a student at their school. I also checked out the library instruction wiki and found a great wiki on Library 2.0, but the creator had to move it to a different location due to issues with spam.
Applications for libraries and schools:
- This would be great to create pathfinders for both teachers and students
- You could hold book discussions and use it in preparation for reading competitions
- It would provide a great place for communication between school and home - no more excuses that you couldn't remember what homework you had
- Great place for online discussions/responses, plus it eliminates paper
Week #6, Thing #15, Library 2.0: Where do we go from here?
One of the perspectives I read was Dr. Wendy Schultz's to a temporary place in time... I thought the way she illustrated the evolution of the library, from the past to the future, was very interesting. Who would have thought we might look back on where we've come from and coin the term "library 1.0"? She talks about how the library is "dynamic" - evolving with the needs of its patrons. The library will progress to an even more virtual experience, reaching its patrons almost anywhere in the world. I liked Schultz's remarks that users/patrons will still seek out librarians as "tour guides" to their information and that even in a virtual world users will still seek out human contact to point them in the right direction. I chuckled when I read the predictions for library 4.0 - in that the library would become spa-like and users would come in to get away from the hubbub going on outside those walls.
Library 2.0 represents the way that the library and library services are evolving. The same old, same old of the past will not work here. It includes many tools which I can utilize to best meet the needs of my students. What does library 2.0 mean for school libraries? My first thought is that it means schools, especially at the elementary level need to reexamine how they view the library program. No longer are we just the "keeper of the books", and we cannot continue to be viewed as "prep providers". We also need to have the technology to meet our students needs (not just for technology's sake or because it was available through a grant). Until these library 1.0 standards begin to evolve, school libraries may be falling behind.
Library 2.0 represents the way that the library and library services are evolving. The same old, same old of the past will not work here. It includes many tools which I can utilize to best meet the needs of my students. What does library 2.0 mean for school libraries? My first thought is that it means schools, especially at the elementary level need to reexamine how they view the library program. No longer are we just the "keeper of the books", and we cannot continue to be viewed as "prep providers". We also need to have the technology to meet our students needs (not just for technology's sake or because it was available through a grant). Until these library 1.0 standards begin to evolve, school libraries may be falling behind.
Week #6. Thing #14, Technorati
When I completed a search on Technorati, I got the same results for my search of "School Library Learning 2.0" in blog posts and blog directory (5) and no results for the same search in tags. As I further explored the site, it appeared that the authority linked with each site seemed to be based on the number of reactions posted. While searching what was popular, I thought it was worth noting that all of the movies were Paul Newman movies - I'm certain a direct result of his death. I also found it interesting that popular videos were determined from You Tube, and music, games, DVDs, and Books were determined by activity on Amazon during the past 48 hours.
So what do I think of tagging...
So what do I think of tagging...
- Helps people find you & your blog (perhaps even people of like mind or interests)
- You have to tag following protocol to be included on Technorati
- The tags can be very subjective - if you get too specific in your tagging, you might get "overlooked"
- tagging is only beneficial if you know the lingo
Week #6, Thing #13, Del.icio.us
My mother taught me if you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all. I'm struggling here. It's not that I hated my wanderings through Del.icio.us, just that I've lost nearly three hours and I'm not sure where they went. I managed to find some really great teacher-librarian blogs, but I could have lived without them. (And I found them about 5 clicks/tag searches away from where I started.)
It is not without it's merits. I can see it being a great tool for anyone who presents on the go and may not have their own laptop (or for those times when your equipment will not work). It does allow you to access your links from anywhere. I can see students getting "lost" in their exploration, even if being guided, and realizing they did not get anything new for their assigned project/task. Although, they may have had fun in the process.
Libraries could use this site to create their own lists of bookmarks, and store/maintain them somewhere other than their own desktop. They can also "shop the lists to find potential sites to add to their lists. It might also help you decide on tags to use once you look at what tags others are using.
It is not without it's merits. I can see it being a great tool for anyone who presents on the go and may not have their own laptop (or for those times when your equipment will not work). It does allow you to access your links from anywhere. I can see students getting "lost" in their exploration, even if being guided, and realizing they did not get anything new for their assigned project/task. Although, they may have had fun in the process.
Libraries could use this site to create their own lists of bookmarks, and store/maintain them somewhere other than their own desktop. They can also "shop the lists to find potential sites to add to their lists. It might also help you decide on tags to use once you look at what tags others are using.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Week #5, Thing #12, Rollyo
Okay, I think this is the task I have struggled with the most so far. The process of registering for Rollyo was very easy, but then I had to create my list. I tried checking out some of the others, perhaps I need to broaden my horizons a little bit. Suddenly it was like - Eureka! and I came up with my Rollyo Children's Authors. I "grabbed" links to many of the children's authors my students "flock" to. I also was able to create a search box very easily.
Maybe I'm stating the obvious, but the best way I can see to use this would be for creating pathfinders for students.
Maybe I'm stating the obvious, but the best way I can see to use this would be for creating pathfinders for students.
Week #5, Thing #11, Wikis
I selected Wetpaint, one of the hosted wikis from the Web 2.0 Awards short list. As I was exploring, I checked out the education theme and found Wikis in the Classroom. I was able to check out a few examples. I loved that they are free and you can apply to have your wiki be ad-free. While I did not commit and actually sign up to create a wiki, the process appeared to be very easy - three basic screens/steps. As part of this process, you can control who can edit your site. There are two different templates to help you create your site. I found one for PTO wikis and plan to try to get my school PTO to set up a wiki.
The applications are endless and the site provides you with a list of some from group projects to a communication platform between classroom/education stakeholders. I can see it being useful in my library to post items about our reading competition.
In regards to education wikis, Wetpaint is aware of COPPA, therefore they do not permit students under 13 to register on Wetpaint.com. It is also possible to make your site private, open only to invited members.
My previous knowledge of Wikis extended only to Wikipedia, which has been at the center of many conversations among library media specialists. Many of the sites on Wetpaint were fan sites for various celebrities and television shows.
The applications are endless and the site provides you with a list of some from group projects to a communication platform between classroom/education stakeholders. I can see it being useful in my library to post items about our reading competition.
In regards to education wikis, Wetpaint is aware of COPPA, therefore they do not permit students under 13 to register on Wetpaint.com. It is also possible to make your site private, open only to invited members.
My previous knowledge of Wikis extended only to Wikipedia, which has been at the center of many conversations among library media specialists. Many of the sites on Wetpaint were fan sites for various celebrities and television shows.
Week #5, Thing #10, Fun Break
I think I could spend hours just playing around with things. I started out in FD Flickr Toys. There were a lot of things I would like to try, but I have to admit I was too lazy to try to find my Flickr account information to sign in. However, I could see real potential for using photos for story starters since one of our current focal points is writing.
So then I ventured to Image Chef. I was instantly searching for just the right thing to try out - so many choices, kind of like walking into a bookstore for me. I finally found a pattern I could use, R. L. Stineish since that's all my students have been looking for the past two weeks. It was so easy. I could preview the text until I liked what I had created. Then with just a couple of clicks it was posted to my Blog! Although, when I posted it to my sidebar part of it was cut off. Then when I sent it as an entry, it went to the middle of my blog posts. That would have been okay if I wasn't going to post any text/comments with it or if I were little more savvy with how to move things around in my posts. In the end, I deleted that post and created this one by pasting the link from Image Chef into my post for adding a picture.
Speed bumps aside, I can't wait to get creating again.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Week #4, Thing #9, Adding RSS feeds
Now that I'm savvy to the RSS feed icon, I will be seeking it out more often - and hopefully making use of it to add to my reader.
I found Blogline's "quick picks" to be very dull, especially compared to the groups I could select from in Google's Reader. Once I made use of Blogline's "Easy Subscribe" button it made things much easier - although I was often overwhelmed when I might get back a dozen to choose to subscribe to. Blogline was also good to search using the "search for feeds" from the drop down search box. I also really liked Google's Blog Search. It was very easy to use and use my link to add it to my Bloglines reader. The only drawback was that sometimes I thought I might have found the perfect site and when I clicked on the link, it opened up to a blank page - perhaps because a subscription/membership was required.
I'm not sure how much time I will spend actually searching out additional feeds. I think for my own use, I will simply add the feeds when I come across a site which I would like to monitor or stay up to date with - especially if it has the Rss feed icon.
I found Blogline's "quick picks" to be very dull, especially compared to the groups I could select from in Google's Reader. Once I made use of Blogline's "Easy Subscribe" button it made things much easier - although I was often overwhelmed when I might get back a dozen to choose to subscribe to. Blogline was also good to search using the "search for feeds" from the drop down search box. I also really liked Google's Blog Search. It was very easy to use and use my link to add it to my Bloglines reader. The only drawback was that sometimes I thought I might have found the perfect site and when I clicked on the link, it opened up to a blank page - perhaps because a subscription/membership was required.
I'm not sure how much time I will spend actually searching out additional feeds. I think for my own use, I will simply add the feeds when I come across a site which I would like to monitor or stay up to date with - especially if it has the Rss feed icon.
Week #4, Thing #8, RSS feeds and such
I can comfortably say that I fall into the category of someone who has heard of RSS feeds and thought it was one of those things I really should learn more about. They are great in that they save you the time of going out to find all of this stuff on your own... however, you still have to have the time to actually read/check them. Kind of like you can get good information by subscribing to LM Net, but it only works if you have the time to read them. (I'm still trying to get all of my new books catalogued and out to students.)
I am thinking that this would be great for use with classes at the high school level which utilize current events. If you set up a public account, your students could access news feeds you have selected for all kinds of projects, etc.
I am thinking that this would be great for use with classes at the high school level which utilize current events. If you set up a public account, your students could access news feeds you have selected for all kinds of projects, etc.
Week #3, Thing #7, Wireless COWs
I remember thinking how great it was when I started in my position 6 years ago that there was a wireless COW (cart/computers on wheels) in my library. Six years later, that same COW is back in my new library. And possible or not, I think they are slower than ever.
My students look forward to using them and begin the year by asking if we will get to use the laptops. Being the glutton for punishment that I am I get them out to allow the students to use the computer catalog. (Lesson learned - I now make them partner up rather than trying to get 20+ computers connected to the network and the catalog simultaneously.) No matter how many times I use the analogy of all of them trying to access the wireless hub/network being like all of them trying to "squeeze" through a mouse hole at the same time, they still complain about the speed of the laptops (or the lack thereof).
I suppose that should be inspiration for me to apply for an LSTA grant. Oh yeah... I have to have time for collaboration with my colleagues. What is life without goals?
My students look forward to using them and begin the year by asking if we will get to use the laptops. Being the glutton for punishment that I am I get them out to allow the students to use the computer catalog. (Lesson learned - I now make them partner up rather than trying to get 20+ computers connected to the network and the catalog simultaneously.) No matter how many times I use the analogy of all of them trying to access the wireless hub/network being like all of them trying to "squeeze" through a mouse hole at the same time, they still complain about the speed of the laptops (or the lack thereof).
I suppose that should be inspiration for me to apply for an LSTA grant. Oh yeah... I have to have time for collaboration with my colleagues. What is life without goals?
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