Thing #16: Learn about wikis

I have been wanting to investigate WIKI's...but never took the time. After watching the video and reading through the various WIKIs on the page, I decided to make a few. It was easy to make, now I just have to get others to help out in writing. I think that several of my student writing blogs will actually merge into WIKIs over the coming months....then I can step back and let the students have access to do the work. I'll have to play with responsibility and more. I can see the PTA having a WIKI to do committee work and my Tech team at school will soon have a WIKI...I may go crazy with WIKI's...but it should cut down on the physical meetings and e-mails! Thanks for making me step up to the plate to learn! As soon as I get actual information in my WIKI's....I'll let you know the links.

Thing #15: Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and the Future of Libraries

Even before I had signed up to take this Web 2.0 class, I had realized much of what was mentioned in these articles. I knew my role as a librarian and the tools I used had changed drastically, and would continue to change if I choose to stay in this job! I loved the video! The notes that each of the students held up was sooo true. I spend much of my "spare" time working with middle and high school students....even those students spend much more time on my space/facebook than their textbooks. I've learned to "call for cell phones" before we try to have class or Bible study. I have to admit, that since I have been reading up and exploring for this "class" I have "risen" in their eyes. We can have discussions and share things that I don't think they ever thought the "gray-haired" lady would ever know. I've watched their eyes pop when I mention something that I've learned from web 2.0. Tonight on the national news they had a short clip that I thought relates very much to the video on this "thing", it was talking about how smart this year's class of students are, yet they can't recall a date from history, or name a specific author of a work of writing. But as the article went on to explain, should these students be required to memorize and recall mundane information when in moments through "Google" or other sources on the internet they can pull up the information needed. Although it will be difficult, I realize that we (educators, librarians, parents) need to allow these students to use the tools that are available to them to acquire the knowledge they need. The exposure that I have had through this class has opened my eyes and let me see a lot of things that I would otherwise have never explored. Even my own children are amazed at some of the things I now know....I guess I'm glad I'm a life long learner...but I think it goes with the job!

Thing #14 Explore Technorati and learn how tags work

I've been negligent in writing on the blog...so tonight I'll try to catch up. I spent some time last week exploring Technorati - never took the time to write it up...so now...yes, I realize I should tag more. It's a box I just miss. My biggest problem through this whole process is getting distracted and clicking on a link...more tags...more links...I think some nights I just get lost in my "exploring" ...thank goodness there's a home button and I can start over. I have learned a lot about tagging and will try earnestly to tag my sites. I will probably refer to other sites for a while for terms. I've had some difficulty in claiming my blog...all of the log ins and passwords are coming to get me....thank goodness for my RED folder! Now that I've claimed my site, let's see if it is worth reading!

Thing #13 Delicious (misspelled!)

I'm a little frustrated right now. I tried to install the buttons to explore and import my bookmarks. So far, totally unsuccessful. I tried a few times, but my computer and I are NOT getting along tonight!
So anyway, I decided to just explore the site. I have a bad habit of not tagging anything. I now realize how important this could be. By exploring Delicious - I found examples of tags. I think I'll spend a little more time exploring at the lists of upon lists of tags. I will dutifully try to add tags on my blogs. On most of my blog enries, I have not put any tags at all. ...I'll have to do better.
It would be nice to get all of my bookmarks from my home computer imported...I do most of my searching at home!
I'll try to install the buttons again tomorrow. I am frustrated!

Thing # 12 Rollyo

At first I was a little confused about Rollyo, but I think it's because I didn't go in with a plan....I wasn't looking for a specific topic. Once I thought about how it could be used, I got excited. I use IKeepbookmarks for sites for students to go and use. I now see how I could set up a search strategy for the students, yet give them a little more freedom to do some general searching. You are able to set the parameters for students to be successful in anything they do. I also see how we could set up some good searches for teachers to help them narrow their searches. At first I got a few strange results, but then I noticed that on the first page, I had a few extra things clicked.
The Rollyo I created tonight is entitled "Lesson Plans." I constantly am looking for a quick idea to share, I put the sites that are usually successful on my rollyo. I of course included two that link to sites with integrated technology. I'll have to share this link with my staff....perhaps they'll be able to give me topics to work with.

Thing # 11 Library Thing

I had actually run across Library Thing a few months ago and kinda of looked at it and moved on...figuring that I really wasn't too interested. Taking this Libary2Play class, I'm trying to relate everything to school as much as possible and seeing how I can use the different pieces to get my teachers interested in using technology. I have showed Library Thing to one teacher and she was most interested in getting her classroom collection put in (she's a new teacher and is just started in the collection of materials). I think I'll make a handout to share with the staff...this would be a great way for some of them to "catalog" their rather large collections...one of the neat aspects of the service is having a picture of the front cover. One of my teachers has an enormous collection, but he can never locate the book he is looking for because he doesn't know what he's looking for...having the cover will make life easier. Also, having a tag that you could place the level or the box the book is stored in would make life easier for those teachers with large collections. As mentioned before, I'm looking for the hook to get teachers to try some of these new things...I'll have to let you know how it goes. If it takes off even half as good as the trading cards, I'll have a lot of groups to teach!

Thing #10 Image Generators

Okay, this is very scary! It's too addicting....I've totally lost track of time as I've played on these websites! I can't wait to share it with the students at school! I could easily see this as a way for students to give a quick synopsis of something they have read. I'll have to get with fifth grade teachers to see if they are interested in seeing what kind of humor their students have. My problem...I have no sense of humor! I can't think fast enough with a quick whit. I'm really a boring person. I think if I take a computer to the teacher's lounge and have the teacher's play with it...we'd have a rockin' good time though. I enjoyed each of them, but spent a good part of time on Imagechef...I like the animations! Big problem....too many choices.