Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and the Future of Libraries
First of all, I loved the YouTube video! I am giving a workshop this summer on K-20 learners and I think I will use this to show that our students today have quite different learning styles that those we have seen in the past...very good video!
In reading the articles on Web 2.0, I find myself a bit overwhelmed. I love technology and feel like I am a pretty frequent user and what I don't know, I strive to learn (hence, this venture). But there is so much coming at us all of the time that it feels very difficult to keep up. We have purchased our first ebooks and now I am not quite sure what to do with them. With stimulus money, our school is buying Ipods...now we have to think of how to use them and what policies to put in place, etc. I work with high school kids and they are so techno savy, I find myself peeking over their shoulders to learn the latest things! Don't get me wrong, this has to be one of the most exciting times to be a librarian! It's just getting myself, the tech department, the principal, the teachers and the students on the same page to embrace these changes and what the library can do for them. I loved the comment this section began with-"reworking the library services to meet users in their space". That will be my goal...now off to achieve it!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Thing # 14
Technorati and How Tags Work
I enjoyed exploring and trying to understand Technorati. In searching for information using School Library Learning 2.0, using the tag search provided much better results for me. I even came across an interesting blog by an elementary librarian that I have now saved in my del.icio.us account! I can't wait to get time to go back and read through her posts.
When looking at the most popular blogs, I have to admit that I haven't heard of any of them before!! I guess I was a little surprised to see so many tech blogs listed..(not my idea of popular reading???).
I think what I have gained most from using Technorati is that it organizes blogs quite thoroughly and will be helpful when looking for curent information on libraries from the librarians actually out there in the trenches....I also ran across many blogs with various reading lists. These are always interesting to me as I look for great books for my students.
I enjoyed exploring and trying to understand Technorati. In searching for information using School Library Learning 2.0, using the tag search provided much better results for me. I even came across an interesting blog by an elementary librarian that I have now saved in my del.icio.us account! I can't wait to get time to go back and read through her posts.
When looking at the most popular blogs, I have to admit that I haven't heard of any of them before!! I guess I was a little surprised to see so many tech blogs listed..(not my idea of popular reading???).
I think what I have gained most from using Technorati is that it organizes blogs quite thoroughly and will be helpful when looking for curent information on libraries from the librarians actually out there in the trenches....I also ran across many blogs with various reading lists. These are always interesting to me as I look for great books for my students.
Thing #13
Tagging and Discover Delicious
I have heard lots about Delicious from various workshops and conference but I had never sat down to explore the site. This was interesting for me. I have always kept a Favorites list of websites on my personal (and school) computers but was frustrated by the fact that these links were unique for that particular computer. Now that I have created a Delicious account, I can save all of my links there and can access from any machine! Very nice!
As far as using in the library, I can see this being very helpful! I am a high school librarian and many times when we have the students research, they end up printing out their articles because they don't have time to read everything or they don't want to forget the site address. With a Delicious account, they can save their links and go back to them at home or from another computer. I like!!!
I also took a look at the sharing possiblities. This would be great for students working in groups...the can all be contributing to the Delicious account rather than having one student that ends up doing all of the work!
I have heard lots about Delicious from various workshops and conference but I had never sat down to explore the site. This was interesting for me. I have always kept a Favorites list of websites on my personal (and school) computers but was frustrated by the fact that these links were unique for that particular computer. Now that I have created a Delicious account, I can save all of my links there and can access from any machine! Very nice!
As far as using in the library, I can see this being very helpful! I am a high school librarian and many times when we have the students research, they end up printing out their articles because they don't have time to read everything or they don't want to forget the site address. With a Delicious account, they can save their links and go back to them at home or from another computer. I like!!!
I also took a look at the sharing possiblities. This would be great for students working in groups...the can all be contributing to the Delicious account rather than having one student that ends up doing all of the work!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Thing #12
Creating Community Through Commenting
Two points of importance that came from the reading in this section have to do with the commenter etiquette. This was addressed by the CoolCat blogger in which she says don't be afraid of the Darth Vader that lies in wait. I feel like I am always a fairly positive person and I easily get offended when others are negative. I haven't had to experience that but she stated that it's out there and you can't take anything too personally!! I also found it interesting from one of the links about how few people ever really respond to posts on blogs. I read a couple of blogs daily and have always felt a bit "weird" contributing to them...it's time to put myself out there!!
I read an author blog daily...I am interested in her writing and just her insights as a person. She also has very interesting links within her blog that I have enjoyed viewing. A blog that has a little of everything is http://thepioneerwoman.com/.
This is a beautiful blog with many fabulous recipes and stories...Enjoy!
Two points of importance that came from the reading in this section have to do with the commenter etiquette. This was addressed by the CoolCat blogger in which she says don't be afraid of the Darth Vader that lies in wait. I feel like I am always a fairly positive person and I easily get offended when others are negative. I haven't had to experience that but she stated that it's out there and you can't take anything too personally!! I also found it interesting from one of the links about how few people ever really respond to posts on blogs. I read a couple of blogs daily and have always felt a bit "weird" contributing to them...it's time to put myself out there!!
I read an author blog daily...I am interested in her writing and just her insights as a person. She also has very interesting links within her blog that I have enjoyed viewing. A blog that has a little of everything is http://thepioneerwoman.com/.
This is a beautiful blog with many fabulous recipes and stories...Enjoy!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Thing # 11
Library Thing
I am way into things like this....it is what sweeps away a lot of my time. I will find something I am interested in and then I am gone!!
After I set up my account (I re-used my avatar..yaya!!), I added several books that I have read and will love for an eternity. Then I began perusing the groups. This is where I go nuts...there where many library groups-the one I spent time reading was the group Read YA Lit. It was interesting because within the group, they had tried to set up a "book Club" where someone named a book and all members were to read it. Well, there were thousands of memebrs so it seemed to bog down a bit...I'm not sure that they ever got a discussion going!
I even stumbled across a group for tea lovers..whatever!!
I can see a use within a school environment by setting up an online "book club" for your students. They could read and react to the book through Library Thing. I will use it for the book lists that are provided...there's a little something for everyone. Lots of interesting posts!
I am way into things like this....it is what sweeps away a lot of my time. I will find something I am interested in and then I am gone!!
After I set up my account (I re-used my avatar..yaya!!), I added several books that I have read and will love for an eternity. Then I began perusing the groups. This is where I go nuts...there where many library groups-the one I spent time reading was the group Read YA Lit. It was interesting because within the group, they had tried to set up a "book Club" where someone named a book and all members were to read it. Well, there were thousands of memebrs so it seemed to bog down a bit...I'm not sure that they ever got a discussion going!
I even stumbled across a group for tea lovers..whatever!!
I can see a use within a school environment by setting up an online "book club" for your students. They could read and react to the book through Library Thing. I will use it for the book lists that are provided...there's a little something for everyone. Lots of interesting posts!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Thing #10
On-Line Image Generators
This has been my favorite category to explore!! I guess I just love to play! I made a magazine cover of my son the "Drama Queen" just to freak him out (I'm mean like that) and I also played around with Dumpr and Amazing Goo.
For my image, I used Comic Strip Generator. This was very easy to use and would be a fun project for students in an art class or any class. You can be creative with the backgrounds and captions.
I really wanted to work with Wordle but had trouble using it on my computer at home...some conflict with Java apparently. Anyway-Enjoy!!
Thing #9
Useful Library Related Blogs
I enjoyed exploring these various sites! The easiest of the search tools to use for me was Goole Blog search most likely because Goole is such a part of my everyday life-the screen is easy to navigate and familiar. I also liked the Blogline search tool. It was very easy to use as well.
The most confusing site for me was Syndic8. I am a failry visual leaner and I didn't like the screen (wasn't visually appealing to me!) and it seemed that there was too much going on! When I searched forthe RSS feeds, the screen beacme less busy, but still confusing for this newbie to RSS!
I loved the Cool Cat teacher blog-full of lots of great information. I also discovered a fun library blog through Suprglu-"Gargoyles loose in the Library"..loved it!! The librarian has lots of interesting things going on in her high school lilbrary. I will definitely be re-visiting that site.
I enjoyed exploring these various sites! The easiest of the search tools to use for me was Goole Blog search most likely because Goole is such a part of my everyday life-the screen is easy to navigate and familiar. I also liked the Blogline search tool. It was very easy to use as well.
The most confusing site for me was Syndic8. I am a failry visual leaner and I didn't like the screen (wasn't visually appealing to me!) and it seemed that there was too much going on! When I searched forthe RSS feeds, the screen beacme less busy, but still confusing for this newbie to RSS!
I loved the Cool Cat teacher blog-full of lots of great information. I also discovered a fun library blog through Suprglu-"Gargoyles loose in the Library"..loved it!! The librarian has lots of interesting things going on in her high school lilbrary. I will definitely be re-visiting that site.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Thing #8
RSS Feeds
When looking at RSS feeds, I like the organization factor. I am a daily blog reader and I do spend a lot of time pulling up the web addresses and thinking about the ones I want to read for that day. Now I just log in to my Google account and I can see the new blog postings. This works really well for the news sites.
For my personal and professional life, using RSS feeds should save me vast amounts of time. I have a tendency to get very sucked in to the web...which is fine when there is time...but usually I don't have time! The feed gives me the newest post to the blog and keeps me up to date without me spinning around in Interent world!
This is a great tool for teachers-they can have feeds for their specific subject area and take a few minutes to glance each day and tehn decide what they really want to spend the time reading. Great for debate coaches that are already sifting through great amounts of information.
When looking at RSS feeds, I like the organization factor. I am a daily blog reader and I do spend a lot of time pulling up the web addresses and thinking about the ones I want to read for that day. Now I just log in to my Google account and I can see the new blog postings. This works really well for the news sites.
For my personal and professional life, using RSS feeds should save me vast amounts of time. I have a tendency to get very sucked in to the web...which is fine when there is time...but usually I don't have time! The feed gives me the newest post to the blog and keeps me up to date without me spinning around in Interent world!
This is a great tool for teachers-they can have feeds for their specific subject area and take a few minutes to glance each day and tehn decide what they really want to spend the time reading. Great for debate coaches that are already sifting through great amounts of information.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Thing #7
Using Google
Of all of the 23 things, this is the one I have the most confidence using. I have had an igoogle account for over a year and actually have many of my photos saved to Picasa. I even shared them with my brother and sister last year after a family vacation..I was quite proud of myself. I have also set up Google calendars...but as with any kind of technology, you have to be diligent and keep up with them which I am not! I sponsor the Interact Club at our high school and set up an Interact calendar with one of my officers. We had great plans to post all events to the calendar and have it linked to our school web page...we got it set up and then just stopped. It was a great idea but we both got busy with other things.
A google application I had not explored before was Google scholar. What a great way to steer students to more scholarly articles (and Google book links also appeared frequently).
Our students are addicted to Google earth. I see them searching for their houses or friends houses daily! Maybe we can encourage them to look a little broader than Waxahachie, Texas...hence the name "earth"!!! Another great google tool.
Of all of the 23 things, this is the one I have the most confidence using. I have had an igoogle account for over a year and actually have many of my photos saved to Picasa. I even shared them with my brother and sister last year after a family vacation..I was quite proud of myself. I have also set up Google calendars...but as with any kind of technology, you have to be diligent and keep up with them which I am not! I sponsor the Interact Club at our high school and set up an Interact calendar with one of my officers. We had great plans to post all events to the calendar and have it linked to our school web page...we got it set up and then just stopped. It was a great idea but we both got busy with other things.
A google application I had not explored before was Google scholar. What a great way to steer students to more scholarly articles (and Google book links also appeared frequently).
Our students are addicted to Google earth. I see them searching for their houses or friends houses daily! Maybe we can encourage them to look a little broader than Waxahachie, Texas...hence the name "earth"!!! Another great google tool.
Thing #6
Mash-ups
Creating the trading card was fun! We have a wonderful World History teacher at our school-I am going to show this application to her. I can just imagine the kids creating trading cards of the various countries/customs that they are discovering. She could have them posted to her blog or her school website. Great fun!
Thing #5
Using Flickr
I have used Flickr in the past to view photos that were added by friends. I didn't realize the extent of the site nor the various ways it can be used in the classroom or library.
I chose this picture because it reminds me of the old bookmobile we used to use in our school district. Ours is an old equipment truck that was painted with images of fairy tale characters not so unlike this!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Thing # 3
Setting up a blog:
I have actually had a blog before but decided I was too boring to write anything interesting each day. I am a loyal blog follower of other blogs (some I read daily). The actual creating of the blog was not difficult...making it pretty was a bit harder. I played around with it for awhile. A storm hit so I lost internet access in the middle...but, it appears I have an active blog with a lovely avatar of myself in a kilt....(my dream). I am still learning where to place things on the blog and I sure my background will change daily. Cheers!
I have actually had a blog before but decided I was too boring to write anything interesting each day. I am a loyal blog follower of other blogs (some I read daily). The actual creating of the blog was not difficult...making it pretty was a bit harder. I played around with it for awhile. A storm hit so I lost internet access in the middle...but, it appears I have an active blog with a lovely avatar of myself in a kilt....(my dream). I am still learning where to place things on the blog and I sure my background will change daily. Cheers!
Thing #2
71/2 Habits of Life Long LearnersOf the 7 1/2 habits, the hardest for me is confidence. In my profession, new ideas and technologies bombard me daily. I often feel I lack the confidence to deal with everything. I like to be good at what I do and some days, I just feel lost!!
The easiest of the 71/2 is having a goal and seeing the end product before the beginning. I have always felt that I was a bit of a visionary! I know how I want things to be and I will do everything I can to see it come true!
71/2 Habits of Life Long LearnersOf the 7 1/2 habits, the hardest for me is confidence. In my profession, new ideas and technologies bombard me daily. I often feel I lack the confidence to deal with everything. I like to be good at what I do and some days, I just feel lost!!
The easiest of the 71/2 is having a goal and seeing the end product before the beginning. I have always felt that I was a bit of a visionary! I know how I want things to be and I will do everything I can to see it come true!
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