Week 9 Thing #23 Copyright

The Pa librarians web 2.0 online class was adapted from a course originally done by the California School Librarians Association.  In the title header it indicates the program has been borrowed and duplicated with permission.  Attribution is also given to the original author, Helene Blowers.

Week 9 Thing #22 ebooks and audio books

I was surprised at the number of books that have now been made available as ebooks and audio books.  Personally, I like to curl up with a book so reading a book online would not be my first choice.  However, I realized ebooks provide a vast amount of material to people who would not otherwise have access to it.  Audio book are great alternatives for many students.  Adding a link on our school district web page would be one way to make students aware of these offerings.

Week 9 Thing #21 Podcasts

Listen to several interesting podcasts.  When I converted from a PC to a MAC this past summer, I used podcasts to become familiar with many of the features of my new computer.  As far as using with students, after listening to some of the children's book review sites, I thought about playing the podcasts as my students entered the library.  This way students would have to enter quietly and after hearing a review may want to borrow the book. 

Week 9 Thing #20 YouTube

YouTube is a great resource that can be used in a variety of ways.  I have successfully used YouTube to bring history alive.  I read the book, The Song and Dance Man to second graders.  The story refers to vaudeville.  Before reading, I now show a YouTube clip of some vaudeville acts. Students are better able to understand what the Song and Dance did when he was young.  

After watching some of the library videos, I am considering producing a video about what goes on in the library to show at a school board meeting.  It seems that elementary libraries are becoming a place for students to go while their teachers have planning and nothing more. Showing them may be more effective than telling them that we are so much more.

Week 8 Thing #19 Library Thing

Like many other professional librarians, I am also my church librarian.  We have an old card catalog that I started.  With my typewriter on its last leg I have been looking for a cost effective way to move to a web based catalog.  I think I just found it. 

Week 8 Thing #18 Zoho

Zoho is yet another way to collaborate on documents.  It also makes it possible to work at home without having to email or use a jump drive.  Of course, it requires a reliable Internet connection at work.  

As I progress through the web 2.0 lessons, I have come to realize that there are many options and different site to use to complete a project.  This course has forced me to discover new ways of doing things.

Week 7 Thing #16 and #17 Wikis

Thing #16  After looking at several wikis and reading some of the articles, my opinion of wikis is mixed.  As an elementary librarian with 6-7 classes every day and no paid help, I don't see myself having much time to search wikis or add information to one.  However, I can see them as a tool for pathfinders to support classroom curriculum and for collaborating on a document.  In a District with four librarians covering six schools and little time to meet, we often find ourselves repeating work others have done.  I could start a wiki organized by grade level and subject matter.  Then I could add titles of library materials I sent to classrooms for each unit and library lesson plans that correlate  with the unit. Other librarians could add titles. lessons, etc.  

I also see it as an improvement over email to collaborate on a document.  We often send out an email and everyone sends their comments back to the sender who tries to compile the results.  A wiki would make the job easier. Everyone would be able to see the other comments immediately. 

Thing #17  Looked at the PA Curriculum Connection Wiki.  Tried to add a post but couldn't log in.  I must have missed were the invite key information was given