Sunday, July 26, 2009

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!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

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.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

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!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

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.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

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.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

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.