Thing 23--YEAH!!!

Reflections on Library 2 Play:

1. I have many favorites: I enjoyed setting up my blog, and making my avatar. We always seem to enjoy personalizing our life!
I use iGoogle as my homepage and go to my google reader almost daily to check everything--now I actually keep up with the news.
Making a widget (which I used in another tech class) and Library Thing are also things I enjoy.
The Common Craft videos were very well put together, and I see me using them with kids and teachers.
2. One of my goals was to find a quick way to stay current on current events and the google reader-feeder has accomplished my goal. I also wanted to find places that teachers could find lesson plans to help them with their needs also--and I did that also.
I also was always trying to find ways to keep up with technology and what is new, since it increases at an accelerated rate. The Web 2.0 award list and of course the wonderful people at SBISD will keep me up to date!
3. What surprised me the most out of this program is how much that is out there that I didn't know about. Not that I knew a lot but there is SO much, it was almost overwhelming at times. Another unexpected thing was the amount of stuff I could teach the staff and students. I am very excited about all the lessons I can teach and things that I can share.
4. The Program was very thorough and I found the format very easy to follow. I could do these types of learning programs EVERY summer! I hope to do the next Library 2 Play II next summer and elicit some teachers to do the Library 2 Play program next summer.
5. I will be checking on this program and its future frequently, to check for any new programs.
I actually put all the websites included in the Library 2 Play program in my favorites, delicious site and power point for teachers. As I mentioned above, I thoroughly enjoyed this type of program.
6. Stay Tech Savvy through Library 2 Play!!
7. On to commenting!!!
Thanks this was GREAT!!

Thing #22-Nings!

The Texas School Librarian Ning reminded me of the listserv, topics of converstation, etc. The Teacher Librarian Ning was really interesting. I found a really good topic on making widgets for databases that I will definately being making for this coming school year.
Since I am always finding ways or thinking of ways to help my teachers, the Ning for Teachers will be a great thing to show the staff. It has a lesson plan tab that I know the teachers will appreciate.
I could see myself really getting excited about making a Ning for my district librarians. We never get to talk or discuss things, or meet as often as I feel we should, so....having a discussion online would be a great way to share and collaborate!

Thing #21

Photostory is a lot of fun. The "core" teachers use it for projects. I have used it introducing Lone Star Books, and my favorite is for banned book week. I wish I could find someone better than myself to "voice" the movies...maybe like Leonard Nemoy!

Thing #20-TeacherTube

I have used TeacherTube videos a few times. Now that "book trailers" are becoming popular, I will probably use it EVEN more. When I had mentioned this last year, before knowing as much as I know now, A LOT of teachers laughed when I mentioned TeacherTube. If I show them already made videos I think they may think DIFFERENT! This is the most useful tool among the others, I feel. It is easy to use, and it is widely known.
book trailer for Carl Deuker's book--Gym
Candy from TeacherTube



This Web 2.0 is more widely known then some of the others. I use TeacherTube and Youtube quite often, for educational use or just needing a "good" laugh!

Thing #19

I REALLY like docstoc!! When I show teachers this (the one's that are unfamiliar with this) they will love me! On just the first page for teachers were beginning of the school idea sheets. Teachers are always looking for MORE ideas and worksheets, etc. I even found some jeopardy PowerPoints, which have become very popular.
Even parents of little kids (like myself) will like this: I am always looking for printables for my child to do on trips.
Istats will be another one I could share with teachers, especially the teacher's who play fantasy ball leagues. : )
This tool could be used as a topic of staff development after each summer. I could display these for exploration of new technological ideas for teachers. I put this website in my delicious bookmarks to remind myself each year. I might try it for this year just to see how the teachers like it. Librarians need to be up to date on technology and information. SEOmoz's Web 2.0 winners is one way to keep current, and know where to find the most accurate and useful information for patrons, and teachers.
I can't wait (as I have stated in other posts) to show all these wonderful tools to teachers on my campus!

Thing #18

I actually tested out Google Reader when I was experimenting with Google Tools. I downloaded a couple of documents. I am going to show the students how to download their documents from home and then show them how to view, edit, and delete from any computer with internet access. One of my concerns is: how worrisome should I be about students grades 6-8 making their own google account? (After their parents have approved an AUP form).
There are many advantages to Google Reader and Open Office. One is to actually NOT have to purchase Microsoft Office Software--which is VERY expensive. I know a lot of my students have computers but usually only use Microsoft Works (the standard on most computers), and to see this they will more options that are similar to Microsoft Office.

The disadvantage to Google Reader would be the students who do not have internet access at home. Hopefully one day we will fill in this technological gap.

Thing #17

I looked for a common craft movie on some of the learning steps for learning how to "exactly" use Rollyo--I like it all spelled out and listed--just like in Library2Play!! So I "winged" it!
I am collaborating on a book study with an 8th grade American History Teacher (the first time). We are using King George: What was his problem? by
Steve Sheinkin. So...I made a rollyo called King George: What. And put a few websites in it for the teacher to look over. I might just make a Webquest instead. This was really confusing...I could just publicize my delicious websites into a group about King George III and the American Revolution. Knowing most teachers these days, he will want something simple like the webquest. But I will show Rollyo to some of my more Techno-Savy teachers who like fun new complicated technological things!

Thing #16

I really enjoyed going through the AASL http://aasl.pbworks.com/ I have bookmarked in my delicious tags for future use. They were able to really collaborate on some ideas I am always needing in my school library.

Wikis I will definitely have to play with some before I put it out there for students. I saw one comment of another player who stated that she will probably do a blog rather than a wiki because of students wanting to delete or add stuff for others....a thought. In intermediate school it is all about getting attention, so I probably will do a wiki lesson for teachers but just use a blog for students so they can add their own information without disrupting others. I could see high school doing a wiki, but not middle school!

I would love to try a debate about characters, books in a series, etc using a wiki BUT as I had stated above it will probably be in blog.

Thing #15

That video was very thought provoking to say the least. Even when I was going to college for my teaching degree, I didn't receive what I needed to actually do the job. Some of the only things that I learned or "took" with me for my teaching job were games and lesson plans. So I know how those students feel. I try to do the same in my library program....have the kids take something useful from my lessons or book talks that will either help them out during school or promote them to read more.

I do use a lot of the 2.0 web devices: flickr, facebook, etc. I check my facebook probably several times a day, since now all my high school, family, and local friends are available for chatting! But being a librarian 2.0 in a public school feels restricted. I would love to have a myspace page or blog that my students could discuss or use without all the restrictions, but feel the risks along with the district in private policy.

So many things are changing too fast to keep up with, I sometimes even worry about job security. There was a local school district that "got rid" of all of their librarians, and the libraries are run by para-professionals--I guess they don't know about Keith Curry-Lance and "School Libraries and Student Success".
But it still has me worried.

One of my goals this year is to purchase more online books and reference materials for research and reading. I would also like to teach the google tools my students so that they will have their material readily available to print (the students are not allowed to access home email at our school). I would also like to have more playaways for availability (if money was not an issue)!!

After reading several of the articles I WANT to stay current and provide all the lastest technological needs for my patrons. The questions are (being in public school): how much will it cost, will it help with accountablility and state testing, and will it be in the best interest of the school? Once these answers are established then I can press on with what my patrons needs and wants are in technology.

Thing #14------------38gat4muyk

Technorati: After I watched the video about the new technorati, became a member, and started searching the blogs: I am wondering why the video about the new technorati (cool colors, etc.) is different then the one I was searching (all green!?) !? Just a thought!

Tagging is very useful. Right now it feels like I am reorganizing my house....adding my favorites to delicious, going back and tagging my photos in flickr---I even went back and tagged or "labeled" (as it is stated in blogspot) some of my blog posts. Since in my real life I am extremely unorganized (part of my DNA), at least in my technological life I can try and tag as much as possible so that SOME aspect of my life is organized and readily available.

I really enjoy delicious right now. For some reason I haven't decided HOW public I would like my flickr site to be, because of my kids, etc. Technorati had some great videos and pictures that I enjoyed searching for, I will have to figure out how I could borrow or use them in an educational setting?

My colleagues I am commenting on:
http://joeyatlake.blogspot.com/
http://laptoplearner.blogspot.com/
http://librarylady-ladonna.blogspot.com/

Thing #13--Tagging

When I first started taking the tutorials, I was a little lost! Then I realized this is just like "tagging" yourself in facebook, or at least a little similar. Once I became a member, and added the delicious tools in my browser menu, I realized how great this tool really is. I was able to tag and bookmark all of my favorite and useful library web pages. I searched for more, and found many library information literacy lessons--which I am always in search of!

This will be so useful for teachers, and for students in research. One of the kids research topics that came to mind was the Civil War Prisons. They are always wanting to research this topic when doing the "Civil War Research". I also looked up some of the teachers curriculum topics to see if they had useful tools, which they did.

I am going to definitely show the teachers the social bookmarking of delicious during staff development. At least they will have something new to try for the year, and hopefully be able to find something new to USE for the year in their classroom.

Thing #12

My favorite and most inspiring article on blogging comments seem to be "10 Techniques to Get More Comments." Either it was favorite because it listed the comments (I am a list person) or because I agreed with most of the techniques. The two I truly felt useful:

1. Reward comments (or how I perceived it- thank people): In my everyday life I try to thank people for helping me out, giving advice, etc., so this would be a natural way for me to comment.

2. Asking questions: I have or never will be the type to actually know or pretend I know everything. I constantly ask questions on any topic that I am not really comfortable or know much about--which could seem to be about anything and everything. There is alway more to learn, and how can you learn more without asking MORE questions! (This ofcourse could drive the people I know, crazy!)

I have looked through several Bloggers in the Library2Play. I found some librarians from my district, commented on their blogs and added myself as one of their followers. I looked through some other posts, and commented on some of their great ideas. Creativity has never been a "plus" for myself, so finding new ideas was inspirational to start next year.

I had already commented on several "talks" in LibraryThing.com. I really enjoy reading the questions and answers several have posted, and posted a few of my own. I really love to relate to people and the books that they have read along with myself.

Library Thing #11

I have seen the Library Thing before, and then several of the librarians I know have used Shelfari.
It is amazing how many books I could remember that I have read, and I am sure there are more.
This program will be so helpful in reminding me what I read, and keeping track of my favorite books. When I am needing a lesson on books that I have read, I can use Library Thing as a reference tool for my library lessons. I have always wanted to keep track of these things: books I have read, books I am wanting to read, etc. Now when I am ready for my next "reading" I can go to Library Thing and find my list ( I am horrible at keeping up with lists and not loosing them).
I have joined two groups: Librarians who LibraryThing, and Read YA Lit. I even posted on one of the discussions: What is your least favorite YA Lit? I would really like to know what people think of my least favorite!

Playing with Thing #10

I have played with Big Huge Labs recently and really enjoyed it. I made a polaroid cut up of my favorite book series right now. They are by far my favorite because the ease of use, and they choices they have. It is very easy to download. I have saved all of these playful websites and put them in favorites to share with teachers.

I enjoyed Image Chef, and posted a word mosiac called READ. I would really like to print that image out and frame it in the library.

The Trading Card was cute, I would love to use this as a reading incentive, and post the kids picture and put them around the library.

Teachers could use Wordle to produce students written work in creative ways. This will be another item I will be sharing with the teachers at the beginning of the year.

This was a lot of fun, I could see myself coming back to this portion again!

Feeding Thing #9

1. The easiest tool was EduBlog's Award Winners, because I was able to pick good blogs that others have felt were worth voting on! I also liked Topix because it went right to mylocal city news. As I have stated before, my goal this year is to stay updated on the lastest info, especially in my area.

2. I felt all of them were pretty simple. Atomic Learning would be awesome in my district but I did not find ANY WHERE that you could make a username or password. I was able to find some information and eays vidoes on Inspiration. A lot of my teachers like to use technology but do not like to teach it, so this would be an I am assuming that you have to purchase a username and password.

3.I found so many about books it was almost intoxicating. I did like "A Library By Any Other Name" because not only does interesting topics but she has many other blogs that I was able to look at, and some GREAT FEEDS. One of them she shared was about a book I had read recently.

Which is why I put a picture of it above!!

Thing #8

1. It is amazing how I did not even know these existed until Library2Play! It was extremely useful when checking the news. I seem to "never" have time to see what is happening in the world, but now I was able to check all the headlines in a matter of minutes.

2. This is a good activity to show teachers next year (the one's that are unfamiliar with these types of technological quickies). Now I have something to add to my staff development with new teachers.

3.One of my colleagues was able to make our EBSCO database, with the current magazines in a RSS feeder, which I am going to be finding out how to do soon. This will be another tool I will teaching my campus how to do during Staff Development.

Thing #7

Google Earth is by far my favorite, we have been looking up things for a long time to see how often they update the pictures. It is a great tool in geography and social studies, but I am not sure our teachers even use it, since our district really tries to deter us from using Google.

Google advanced tools were often the first year I was a librarian. I was needing a PowerPoint idea for library orientation. I search using the advanced search method, only looking for PowerPoints. I found a great one: found the person that made it, and asked her if I could borrow and change it to meet the needs of my school. She said yes, wished me luck, and I found a friendly librarian in Florida to talk to you!

Thing # 6 Making a Mosaic

I played with this for awhile--the Mosaic Maker....made one for my youngest daughter!

This would be really useful in my library because I have program called the Lone Star Luncheon where the kids have to read so many Lone Star Books to get invited to a free lunch and movie.

I could take the past 6 ot 7 years of Lone Star Books and make a mosaic of each year using their cover. Since the cover seems to be the top characteristic in choosing a book, then they could have a poster of all the past covers and choose from there.

Thing 5 with Flickr

My students in my book club are obsessed with the Twilight Series....yes I even have guys in the group.

Last Fall I took my entire book club to see Twilight on the day it came out, and we had our own theater to ourselves!! The kids loved it and want to do this next school year, so I found a picture to use for the next movie in the Creative Commons area in Flickr in the attribution license choices.

The students are always downloading pictures from google and I tell them just because it is there doesn't mean you can use it!!

Now I have a place to show them where free photos are-- as long as you credit the source!

This photo was by Angie22Arts

Avatar Bending-Thing #3

That was challenging!
I have looked at other avatars.
It was much easier saving it as a jpg than putting in the html.
Now I can email the picture to anyone and post it on my email signature!
FUN!

My Highly Effective Habits-Thing 2

My best habit seems to be Habit 2--

1. I can easily take responsibility of my own learning, as long as it is "spelled" out for me.
2. When working on my Masters I saw how much I enjoyed to structure of college.
3. I could easily see myself as a life-long college student.

My worst habit seems to be when there is no structure and I have to create my own learning. I am more productive when the exact tasks are given to me, and then I can accomplish them.