Week 9: Thing 23

Wow! Hard to believe this journey is over. It was a rocky one at times - I got really bogged down with Rollyo (I just could not think of anything)- but overall had fun exploring. There is so much out there to explore and incorporate into my life, my professional development, and my library. This was an excellent way to explore the tools and I am going to return to them again and again. I like the idea of tagging - it is a way for students to think and work on the creation of search terms. I also am exploring incoporating blogs, wikis, and podcasts into my library. They are powerful communication tools.

A disappointment was not being to add to the PA curriculum connection wiki - I was ready to add and couldn't find the key. This is something that I am going back to to try again. Really valuable and I think more PA librarians should take the time to explore and incoporate the ideas - what's the worst that can happen? It flops and you modify and try again.

Week 9: Things 20. 21, 22

You tube is so much fun. It is easy to just get lost exploring. There are lots of library videos that are funny or interesting. I searched my town and found a video of a neighbor skateboarding - I wondered what he was doing skateboarding for all those hours:) You tube is a wonderful resource for spreading ideas, thoughts, theories, and viewpoints. Useful for conversation or lesson starters.

Podcasts are something I am interested in creating. I think it would be a great way for students to share ideas and information - eliminates the speaking in front of people factor. I already subscribe to several for pleasure (jazz music) and am going to look at more professional development ones. A way of incorporating learning with exercise (listen to the ipod while walking).

Ebooks and audiobooks are something most people are unaware of. Project Guttenburg provides an alternative for many classics. The audiobooks are of great interest - they address the needs of a variety of learners and allow content to be delivered in a variety of locations and situations.

Lots of no options to consider. Podcasts are the piece from this section I am going to take with me and try first.

Week 8 Thing 19 and 20

Google docs is wonderful!! I just used it in a class and we were able to complete a document with 1 person in Pennsylvania and 1 person in Wisconsin. A fabulous collaborative tool. Students could use Googledocs to create something and go home and continue working on it and then have the teacher log in and assess it all with no paper exchanging hands. A great way to make sure you have the assignment or presentation wherever you go - as long as you have a computer it is available.

LibraryThing is so much fun. I have a feeling I will be putting on my own collection this summer just for fun! This could be really useful for personal or classroom libraries. I can see groups froming to discuss favorites and recommend others. It is a social networking tool that adults can get behind.

Week 7 Thing 16, 16A and 17

Wikis are an amazing concept. I am fascinated by the possiblities of their use - book reviews, study groups, pathfinders, science observations from the Outdoor classroom. This is one I am definitely going to explore. What puzzles me is how we are going to be able to use them successfully when they are blocked in so many places. For now I guess they will be for professional development.

The CA sandbox was a source of great ideas. I am ready to add to the PA sandbox but can't find my invite - I will work on that tomorrow. Tonight I am going to continue to explore and think about ways to use wikis.

Week 6 Thing 14 and 15

Technoratie was interesting. Useful for adults and professional development but I am not sure about it being useful in the classroom setting.

The articles about Library 2.0 got me thinking what will the school library of the future look like? I would hate to completely lose the physical space because it is part of the joy and allure of the library. But there is something to be said for not having to leave the house - today my daughter searched the regional public libraries to find and reserve a biography for a project. What is the balance? Something to consider on the nights I can't sleep.

Week 6 Thing#13

I am intrigued by del.icio.us. It is another way to provide information to a variety of people which is something librarians love to do. Tagging and sharing links will help users locate information in a more efficient manner - what is not to love about that. Students could share their finds with classmates and other students from all over. Teachers could share the good stuff not just in their schools but across districts and the country.

Of course the downside is that it is available to everyone and when I just checked the recent activity there were several that would be inappropriate in a school. Is there an educational version of social bookmarking?

Week 5 Thing#12

Rollyo really got me bogged down. It is a great idea for searching but I got so stuck come up with what I wanted to search and what sites I want to include. I am going to hold on to it and when I am inspired Iam going to go back and try it again.