bookstar

Thing #11.5

2009-11-09T12:52:00.000-08:00

1. What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
I have to say my favorite discovery was the screencasts. I think it is an incredible tool to use to show how to use difference resources in the library. Unfortunately, I was unable to transfer the screencast I created to my blog. I feel like I would benefit from more training on this resource.

2. How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
This program has made me feel more confident using the web 2.0 tools that are so important to 21st education.

3. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
I can honestly say that I was surprised by all of the things we had to learn and apply. I was surprised that we didn't have to create a facebook page or twitter though, but imagine that will happen in the future.

4. What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
I could use some more help in using some of the tools especially the screencasts and virtual world. I felt like those were two things where we could use some real hands-on training by other users who are more familiar with these tools.

Thing #11 - Digital Citizenship

2009-11-05T11:54:00.000-08:00

First of all, I'd emphasize the importance of not sharing personal information on the internet in order to practice internet safety.

Second, I will tell them to make sure that the sources they access online for research are accurate and current by teaching them how to evaluate websites.

Third, I would teach them the importance of internet etiquette.

Fourth, I would teach them the importance of digital security. In other words, students need to know that their computers need to be protected from viruses and their files need to be backed up and saved.

Fifth, I would teach them the importance of digital law. They need to know that information on the web is copyrighted and cannot be copied. They also need to know that it is illegal to hack other user's nformation or download videos and music without permission or payment.

Nine Themes of Digital Citizenship- Copyright 2007-2009. Mike Ribble.

#10 Virtual Worlds

2009-11-03T13:05:00.000-08:00

Second Life and other online virtual sites can be used by students to develop global literacy skills. Virtual worlds also offer students a chance to immerse themselves in a 3-D environment much like the gaming worlds that many of them are already familiar with. It offers them the chance to build their own environment or work in a team in order to meet teacher or librarian guidelines. I know that other librarians in the district use it to help their students take a virtual tour of sites around the world with a virtual tour guide. I, however, think that elementary students need to be guided by and adult when visiting these sites.

Thing #9 -- Slideshare

2009-10-29T12:52:00.000-07:00

I definitely think that slideshare and 280 Slides is an indispensable collaborative online tool for students to use to create multimedia platform presentations that can be shared and viewed globally or locally. These presentations can also be saved online rather than on the computer hardware.

Thing #7 - Video Resources

2009-10-16T12:15:00.000-07:00

For your blog posting, select two videos from any of these sources and discuss how you would be able to use them in your library or classroom. Do you have any additional sources of videos that your have found on the web. Tell us about them!

As a librarian, I would definitely use the PBS video resources site to enhance what students are learning in the classroom. I watched an episode of NOVA Science Now on how dinosaurs became extinct and think it can be used in the library or classroom. I like the way each episode of Nova Science Now has links for only the part you would like to show to your students instead of having to watch the whole thing to get to the part you want. I also liked the Blinkx site for kids and would show the how to make puppets video to students in order for them to recreate the stories they hear in the library or in their classroom.

Thing #6- iTouch Apps

2009-10-13T12:37:00.000-07:00

Wow! The question should be changed to what can't you do with iTouch Apps in the library. I would obviously recommend downloading Bookshelf, which allows students to use their iTouch for reading, Talking Phrasebooks to get commonly needed foreign language translations, Birthdays in History to learn about famous authors, inventors, artists, etc., WeDict to look up words, WordPress for blogging, and Brain Tuner to keep students' minds sharp.

Thing #5 - Microblogging

2009-09-23T11:22:00.000-07:00

For your blog post, describe your experiences with Facebook and Twitter. Give suggestions as to how these resouces could aid students in and out of the classroom. Give ideas for using back-channeling at school.

My experience using Facebook and Twitter is limited at this time, but from what my friends, family and colleagues say and judging from the many links provided by Library 2Play, these two forms of microblogging are becoming the new way to communicate and keep in touch with people around the world. According to what I read, this is how students prefer to communicate today and if we want to reach them as educators, then we need to learn how to use these tools and how to access them in order for us to be truly innovative. Students who are studying a topic in government or social studies can actually twitter someone in Washington to directly ask them how they feel about a particular issue.

Back-channeling can be used to help engage students in a skype presentation, or an online conference or even when they are viewing a film. In this way, the presenter and viewer can become more in sync. Also, according to the links posted, this method allows the playing field to be levelled between the speaker and the audience. It also gives a voice to those students who might not participate verbally, but don't mind texting in their opinions, questions or suggestions.

#4- Uploading Videos

2009-09-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

What would be some advantages of having teaching/learning videos available on online at sites like these?What about student created work -- would there be advantages to having it uploaded?

Some of the advantages of having teaching/learning videos available online at sites such as YouTube and TeacherTube is that they can be shared throughout the school, district, city and globe making the classroom a truly virtual world where ideas are no longer enclosed by walls. Creating these videos in and outside the classroom/library will enable students to take ownership of what they have learned and synthesize it using technology much like they will have to when they leave school. Another huge advantage is that students and teachers can find videos on just about any topic which will help them further enhance their knowledge of that subject. As many teachers know, when you teach a topic, you really learn it. Students who create videos that teach others about a topic are probably learning it better than those students who just sit back and listen to the teacher deliver a lecture.

Thing #3 - Skype

2009-09-11T13:05:00.000-07:00

Skype can be used in a myriad of ways to connect students around the world. Students in the library could maybe even set up a book club where they get to discuss the same book using Skype. That would be so interesting for the students.

Thing 2 - Wordsift and or Wordle

2009-09-09T08:29:00.001-07:00

Students can spend time exploring this site in order to extend their knowledge of math, science, social studies and language arts. I especially think the word lists based on subjects taught in school are extremely valuable for both students and teachers. These lists can be used as starting points to create a modern word wall or wordle instead.

Thing 1

2009-09-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

I was amazed at how the student had integrated their knowledge on the topic of the American Pyche using Web 2.0 to synthesize the information he gathered using the internet and other live sources through blogs. I also like the fact that he could access top notch universities on the topic that used to be closed to the public in the past. I think the role of the teacher and librarian is interchangeable in this student's assignment. However, if the teacher is not tech savvy, she can collaborate with the librarian to help student become connected to all sources.

Image Manipulation-Table 1

2008-08-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

Yeah -- I made it. I love Image Chef. I can use it to make fun frames for my students this year.

Video-Table 4

2008-08-20T11:00:00.001-07:00

These exercises took longer than I anticipated even by my I want it right now standards. I only got to the point where I sent my converted video to email. When I downloaded it, I was unable to locate it to import it into MovieMaker. Will need to spend more time on this one later, but must move on.

Audio Manipulation

2008-08-20T09:12:00.000-07:00

These exercises really helped me feel more competech manipulating audio--one of the things I ignored during the 23 Things due to incompetech. I felt like a DJ remixing tapes - well, not quite yet, but at least I understand the concept better now. I also enjoyed exploring iTunes briefly, especially the podcasts-- I'm a big NPR Fresh Air fan.

Photostory-Table 3

2008-08-20T08:49:00.000-07:00

This is a very short photostory of my trip to Guatemala this summer 2007. I am standing in front of an active volcanoe after hiking thru molten lava. This exercise really helped me review the skills I learned playing 23 Things. The only thing I didn't do was narrate this clip.

Thing 23

2008-07-24T15:47:00.000-07:00

What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
Flickr Toys, Photostory, Blogger.
How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
It has made me feel more confident using some of the library 2.0 tools.
Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
Yes. I was surprised by how enjoyable it was and that I actually received comments on my site even if two of them were negative. ;)
What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
I would consider going more in depth. I would like to learn how to use Blogger more effectively and make my site more user friendly. Also, I would like to learn how to use Photostory better. I couldn't even turn my picture around so I had to choose horizontal ones.
If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate?
Possibly.
How would you describe your learning experience in ONE WORD or in ONE SENTENCE, so we could use your words to promote 23 Things learning activities?
Houston--we have a solution. -- 23 Things
Now go and comment on some of the other Players' blogs?
Maybe we should vote on our favorites in fall and you can give awards to the top 3-like an academy awards for best blogs. I think that would be fun.

Thing 22

2008-07-24T15:25:00.000-07:00

I like the social networking features found on Nings. I especially like that you can pose a question or ask advice and receive feedback from other librarians. I even recognized a fellow librarian on the 2nd Ning you recommended we view. What I don't like is the lack of privacy so I'm not sure if I would join one yet.

Thing 21

2008-07-24T12:30:00.000-07:00

Creating a vidcast using Photostory was mucho fun. Trying to register for Switchpod to share it with everyone was not. I am going to email you the result, Vaughn. This assignment has converted me to vidcasts & podcasts. I think the kids will love using these tools as part of their learning in the 21st century.

Thing 20

2008-07-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

I think having all of the videos available on YouTube and TeacherTube is invaluable for student-teacher-librarian learning. I conducted a few searches in both and found some great videos to share with students and teachers. I like many of the booktalks created by students in TeacherTube. I especially liked a funny video I found in YouTube called No Cookies in the Library-Classic Sesame Street that I'd like to share with the kids in k-1st. Here's the link if it is blocked. My computer froze when I tried to access Zamzar to convert it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJlkplvYdgA

Thing 19

2008-07-22T12:24:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness -- I just got lost in the library 2.0 award-winning site Biblio.com. This site is perfect for locating hard-to-find out-of-print books. So many children's books and teacher manuals are impossible to find on Follett. This is a good place to look for that tattered copy of a teacher or student favorite and it uses carbon neutral shipping methods. The prices are amazing. I am going to start using Biblio instead of Amazon for my personal and professional book orders. I also think that Writeboard is an excellent online tool for collaborative writing and can see it being used with Whiteboards.

Thing 18

2008-07-22T11:51:00.000-07:00

One of my friends who is a programmer just recommended I use Open Office instead of Microsoft. He uses it at work/home/coffe shops to create PDF documents instantly and because it allows him to see an outline format while creating a document/presentations for work. I like the fact that it is free and is offering a strong alternative to Microsoft. This friend also thinks that Firefox is superior to internet exporer as a browser. What do you think about firefox vs. explorer?

Thing 17

2008-07-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

I'm not a true believer in Rollyo just yet. I found it rather confusing and time consuming, but I can see the value of inputting only those sites you want your students to access. However, when I put in a keyword to look up my searchroll, I was overwhelmed by the number of searchrolls I had to view to find it which I never did. Thank goodness I could find it by opening my profile. I'd rather not publish my searchroll on this blog because I accidentally used my real name.

Thing 16

2008-07-21T12:52:00.000-07:00

I might use a wiki as a forum for planning technology day projects. I could also use it with students who are participating in the Bluebonnet Reading Program. Students could review and rate each book on the list. I also think the wiki could be used when students make observations of nature for the outdoor classroom grant our school received. In addition, the Writers-in-the-School program may be coming to our school this year and this might be a good place for students to collaborate on pieces they are writing as a group.

Thing Fifteen

2008-07-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

Library 2.0 - It's many things to many people. What does it mean to you? What does it mean for school libraries?
It means rethinking the way we manage our school libraries. Rather than the traditional mode of school library visits, where teachers have a preset schedule each week, we need to come up with a model whereby we can train teachers and students in how to access information 24/7. As Tom Storey says in Where Will the Next Generation Web take Users?, we need to let go of the they come-to-us model and stop spending all of our budgets on just-in-case collections that will soon be out of date. As Michael Stephens says, we need to use a strategy guide whereby we can help users find info., gather knowledge and create content in order to enter into a new world.

Thing #14

2008-07-19T11:02:00.000-07:00

Create a blog post for Thing #14 and express your thoughts regarding how Technorati and its features could assist you. Since you have now looked at several tools that use tagging (Technorati, de.licio.us, & Flickr), add your thoughts about the value of tagging information.
Exploring Technorati was a blast. I wish you hadn't included the popular searches link because now I'll never want to go back to work. Found a blog with 10 tips to find time to do 23 Things by a university librarian in Cananda that was helpful. Also, loved a youtube video by a singer I like who appeared on Sesame Street. The students will love using Technorati and tags to help them find other students with similar interests or to just research a topic. My only concern is that there might be predators out there looking to speak with students. Does the district allow the use of Technorati or is it blocked?

Thing #13

2008-07-19T10:17:00.000-07:00

Can you see the potential of this tool for research assistance? The far-reaching potential for research assistance. I was able to research a topic that would have taken me hours in minutes. Or just as an easy way to create bookmarks that can be accessed from anywhere? This is one of the best features of this site--ease of use. How can libraries or classroom teachers take advantage of social bookmarking sites? Now, instead of manually putting bookmarks on all of our student computers in the library, I can put them all on de.li.cious and share them with both teachers and students. Amazing.

Thing #11

2008-07-18T19:57:00.000-07:00

How do you think it could be useful to you in your situation? I wish Marc Magician were as simple as LibraryThing. If I could catalog this easily in the library, I'd catalog everything that moved. Did you check out any of the groups? I did, but I wasn't exactly sure how to interact with them. Did you find a group of users that share your interests? I found several groups that looked interesting. I am going to share this site with the people in my bookgroup.

Thing # 9

2008-07-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

For me, the easiest way to locate sites I'd like to include on a personal RSS is to look for the RSS feed icon. Next, I would use the award winning edublogs to find sites that are considered high quality. I also think it is easy to use the sites that our friendly captains have compiled especially since they relate directly to my job as a librarian.

Thing # 8

2008-07-17T11:56:00.001-07:00

What do you like about RSS and newsreaders? I like having the exact information I want to read at my finger tips. I also like that you can add items in bundles by theme saving time.
How do you think you might be able to use this technology in your school or personal life? I can use this as a selection tool and to share ideas with other librarians and teachers.
How can libraries use RSS or take advantage of this new technology? Librarians can use RSS as a forum to keep abreast of the latest technology that affects our students.

Thing #7

2008-07-17T11:18:00.001-07:00

I explored just about all of the links you shared on Google. The two that I especially liked were Google Alerts and Google Scholar. Teachers can use Google Alerts with their students when they want to find up-to-the-minute information on topics they are studying in class. The 2nd grade teachers do a unit on weather phenomena and I think this would be a great site to use to find out about natural disasters occurring in the world bringing the topic to life for students. Google Scholar is good for older students who need to find articles related to their topic. Unfortunately, I was only able to access an abstract of the article I was looking for. Google Earth takes up way took way too much space on the harddrive. I had to remove it right away, but it's really cool to look up places and I know the students really like using it.

Thing #6

2008-07-17T10:22:00.000-07:00

Wow. I was blown away by all of the things you can do using that bighugelab website. I am definitely going to share this site with our technologist, teachers and students. Loved playing with the trading cards. Plan on using them with the upper grades. I also like the mosaics you can create with your own photos or borrowed ones. Loved the idea of showing the students how to creat a poster or billboard for their in school assignments. I think the students would really get into it. http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/ Saving this site to share with coworkers.

Thing #5

2008-07-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

Enjoyed browsing thru flickr. Chose the photo next door because I think it's a good metaphor for reading, books and technology and how they provide a window on the world.

Thing #3

2008-07-16T12:03:00.001-07:00

That was lots of fun, especially the part where I got to create an avatar-was a super big fan of paper dolls when I was little. A bit frustrating coming up with a yahoo id that wasn't taken. Worried that I may not remember all these new passwords and id names.

Thing #2

2008-07-16T11:20:00.000-07:00

The easiet habit for me is 7 1/2. It has been since I was little. Hardest habit is number 4-- need to develop this one. Also, number 3 can be a problem for me as well. I used number 6 last week. I looked up how to make a cup of pakistani tea on youtube for a book club I'm in and decided it takes way too long to follow the guy's instructions for one cup of tea.