Week #8, Thing #19 LibraryThing

I found Library Thing to be interesting and fun.  I picked 5 books that I had read over the summer, and found some other readers that commnet on them.  It was fun to hear what others thought of my preferences. 
Students could use this as a research/networking tool.  Maybe a student is lookng for a book that has presumably gone out of print and some one else may know where a copy can be found.
http://www.blogger.com/catalog/cubbie1 (library)  is the link to my Library.

Week #9, Thing #23 Copyright

I have enjoyed this workshop.  It was good to be re-introduced to several online tools that I have used in the past.
I would recommend that this be a mandatory workshop for all educators and librarians as it has good information on how to keep up with today's students and how they learn in this electronic age.
I would like to attend other workshops of this type.
The newest experience that I had during this workshop was creating a blog.  If I should ever come across a topic that I fell strongly about or want to share my love of travelling by motorcycle, I think that the creation of a blog dedicated to those subjects would be great!!
 I could blog about my experiences as I travel and take people on the journey with me. But most of all,  I think that I could make online friends that I could actually meet as I travelled.
As for educational applications,  this work shop had introduced me to the many ways that students and educators can make better use of the internet and the tools covered in the workshop.

Week 9, Thing #22, Audio books

As a former Librarian,  I highly reccomend e-books for long trips, for childrens story times,  and for just of course for those that have low to no vision.  E-books and Audio books can be quite entertaining and help to fill the gap between those that enjoy hearing a good /favorite story and are not able to read,  and those that want to be entertained while in the midst of another task.

Week #9, Thing #21 Podcasts

At my place of employment,  we record podcasts for children for our department webiste.  WE read a short synopsis of a story, record it,  and advise librarians to play it for students.  This helps the Librarian or Teacher that may be limited on time--but would like to introduce new reading material into the classroom.
Here is how to listen to one of our ECISD Library Services Dept Podcast for the TExas Bluebonnet Award books for 2010:
1.  Enter the ECISD Website.
2.  Click on the Department Links.
3.  Click on the Library Services Dept.
4.  Go to Book Podcast, choose a book,  and listen.

Week #9, Thing #20, Youtube

Youtube is currently blocked at my place of employment.  But , I have had access to it at other times,  and it can be informative.  However, after reading the news today about the college freshman that committed suicide due to his roomate posting a video of him involved in a sexual act...Youtube can also be used in non-productive ways.  Students should be advised of the risk associated with downloading other people's personal information as well as waht could happen to their information and private issues.
I have been granted a brief access to You Tube since the last posting.  I chose to watch the Interview between Michael Jackson's mother and Oprah. I also watched a feamle aerolist from the 1920's that not only changed airplanes in flight-but repaired a wheel that had been lost on the second airplane.
YouTube can not nly entertain and allow for sharing of moments between freinds, it can also provide educational  video clips that have been recovered and preserved from bygone eras.

Week #8, Thing #19 LibraryThing

I found Library Thing to be interesting and fun.  I picked 5 books that I had read over the summer, and found some other readers that commnet on them.  It was fun to hear what others thought of my preferences. 
Students could use this as a research/networking tool.  Maybe a student is lookng for a book that has presumably gone out of print and some one else may know where a copy can be found.
http://www.blogger.com/catalog/cubbie1 is the link to my library.

Week #8, Thing #18, Zoho writer

I created an appointment calendar on Zoho Writer.  If a teacher were to assign making a calendar as part of a group research project,  then the teacher and the students would both be informed as to whether the project is on target.
I also was very impressed with the ability to have several people work on a project at the same time and in real time.  A lot of time is wasted by having to email a document and wait for a response.  With Zoho,  a group can collaborate on a document ( research paper/ presentation) and make changes at the same time so that everyone can see and participate. 
Teachers couls also use this tool to create lesson plans and coordinate events in real time.  Travel time to meet would be zero and everyone could participate from their classroom or library.

Week #7, Thing 17, 2010 Region One Sandbox

I have just posted what I hope is a helpful comment on the Region 1 Sandbox. 
I think that it would be beneficial to make this a mandatory training so that more people are exposed to the tools and may actually allow use of them for teachers, librarians, and students.

Week #7, Thing #16, Wikis

I have used wikipedia quite a bit to gather "informal" Research on certain topics such as movies, celebrities, and other everyday things for which I need a quick answer.  I am not a huge fan of the site as it is open to everyone providing a definition,  or biased opinion that may or may not be current. 
somtimes while visiting the site, I have encountered entries that are labeled that they need to be updated.
If a teacher proposes a class project,  and all the students are required to post information on a certain subject--say The Roman Empire--the site could be useful in that collaboration.  But the information placed on the wiki is only as good as the person's research to add to the site.  More facts and less opinion are what is required to make the site viable for educational purposes.

Week #6, Thing #15, Libary 2.0

I find the concept of the virtual library very interesting.  Libraries of all types will have to integrate new technologies in order to remain viable.  Students, teachers, and readers are discovering new ways to accomplish tasks and look for technology that is a available to them wherever they happen to be. 
In other words, technology must be available at home, school, work, and in libraries--wherever the person happens to be.  Long gone are the days of the library being the only place where knowledge, research, and ideas are availalble.
More libraries should encourage their librarians to be up to date with technologcal changes and more open to implementation of said technological advances.

Week #6, Thing #14, Technorati

At the time of this post,  Technorati is blocked from our district.  But I have submitted a request to unblock the site so that I may have access granted.
I will post an update on this matter,  but am determined to continue with this workshop and so will post a blog on the next "thing".
I am currently using my personal computer to view Technorati.  I like that I can pinpoint an interest and have only those blogs "pop up" so that I can either read and respond or just read them.
I can see where students could ahve access to Technorati in order to collaborate with students from different disricts about their interests and also share project ideas.
Teachers and Librarians would gain a wealth of knowledge and have an ongoing dialogue about what educational approaches are working and share thoughts on how to best provide for the students.
Some treachers could even use Technorati to promote certain educational tools and techniques that would assist first year teachers.

Week # 6, Thing #13 Tagging and Delicious

I explored Dlicious in another workshop that I attended this spring.  I found it to be very useful in managing all my research sites.  I was able to share ideas with other librarians for event planning as well as get new ideas from them.  social networking can be useful in the classromm for studenta s well as teachers as both can expand their knowledge base and have unlimited resources to share.
Some of the other social networks were not as easy to navigate.

Week #5, Thing #12 Rollyo

I just created my Rollyo account at the following http://www.rollyo.com/raven-23/ under Raven's roll. 
I linked all my favorite clothing stores on it so that I can "one stop" shop.
My husband will be thrilled--NOT!!

But students could use this application to bring together all their research sites into one compact search area.
And teachers could use this site to bring their project ideas into one place as well.

Again, my Rollyo address is: URL:http://www.rollyo.com/raven-23/
 and is listed under Raven's Roll

Week #5, Thing #11, Explore Web 2.0

Travel IQ was a fun application to use.  I can see how students would enjoy "playing" along.  I also explored CareerBuilder and Mango.  I have used Career Builder in my former employment at the Public Library in order to assist job-seekers.  It has lots of information about resumes and interviewing techniques.  Mango is great for learning languages.

Week #5 Thing #10 online image generator

This is the image that I created with the online image generator at http://www.customsigngenerator.com/
This tool could help make lerning fun for students and teachers by allowing them to personalize projects.

Week 4 Thing #9 Explore RSS Feeds

I found it very interesting to explore the various RSS Feeds and tools.  Blog Plus was very easy to use and I found a blog by a Library Tech in California that was enrolled in the workshop.  Technorati is blocked by the school district where I am employed...but it looked as is it would be very helpful from the tutorial.  Topix was very unusual and interesting.  Just by changing the zip code, I could get the headlines and breaking news from almost any city.

Week #4, Thing #8 RSS Feeds

I have just created my Google Reader account.  It was fast and easy!  Google Reader made it even easier by allowing me to subscribe to a list of pre-selected news agencies and blogs.  I plan to look through all of them and decide which ones I am going to keep.  In the meantime,  I can look through news and blogs that I didn't know existed and gain knowlegde about what 's going on in the world.
This is a quick and easy way for students and teachers to receive information.  It saves a lot of time searching for information for school projects as well as information for personal interest.  Students can have the information that they need come to them instead of having to search through multiple sites.

Week #3, Thing #7 Two Google Tools

I have chosen iGoogle as my home page.  I find that it helps me keep a schedule that I can follow and not miss appointments.  I have also chosen Google Scholar as I believe that it is an invaluable tool for research and provides sources that cannot be found in school or public libraries.
I look forward to using both of these Google tools in the future and would highly reccommend them to classroom teachers.

Week 3, Thing #6, Flickr Fun, mashups

I had a great time creating a trading card.  But I found it a little difficult to get the card to the blog.  It is something that i will have to practive and work at--but still fun!! 
I think my favorite part was the Flickr Color Pickr.  It was fun to click on a color,  adjust the brightness, and see what image appeared. 
While I did not post my trading card here, I made it available to be seen on my Flickr page at Raven 1929.

Week #3, Thing #5: Explore Flickr

I already have a Flickr Account.  I used it to post photos of several events at a Local Library where I used to work. I have not visited the since June--but I can see where I can make better use of it when I start my Masters Degree.
I have included a photo that was taken by UTPA Asst. Professor Leila Hernandez for the Monitor Newspaper as part of the publicity for Arbor Day in April of 2010.

Thing #4 Register blog with Region 1 ESC

Well, that's enough for today.  I hope that I have successfully registered my blog and I look forward to returning to this workshop tomorrow.

Thing #3 set up blog and avatar

I've got to say that it took me a good while to add my avatar to my blog.  But it's all part of learning a new skill.  It was fun picking out the clothes and background that I wanted to represent me. I'm really glad that I signed up for this workshop.  I can see how handy it will be when I finally get my book published.

Thing #2 Lifelong Learning

I have to say that the hardest part of learning for me is #71/2 Play!!
I often forget to have fun when I am working --especially when learning something new.
But #2, taking responsibility for my own learning, is something that is second nature to me.
If I find a class or workshop that I think will be challenging and provide me with a new skill,  I sign up for it immediately.

Thing #1 Introduction

I was,  and still am,  very excited about this course.  It promises to be challenging and fun.

Thing #2 Life Long Learning Habits

I was very impressed with the Presentation from the  Library in Charlotte.