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

Week 6 Thing 15 Library2.0

I read the Horizon Report about the "New Media Consortium (NMC)’s Horizon 

Project, a five-year qualitative research effort that seeks 

to identify and describe emerging technologies likely to 

have a large impact on teaching, learning, or creative 

expression within learning-focused organizations." 

The report  gave examples of how new technologies are being used on college campuses.  I wish I could find a similar report that gathered examples for elementary schools.

In the article, there was a reference to MeeboMe and how it was being used by a university library.  

It allowed users to chat online with a librarian when using the library catalog.  I think that my students would use such a tool if it was available.  Don't know how the tech department would react to adding MeeboMe to our catalog or who would be able to chat with the students as we are understaffed.  However, dreaming about the posssiblities is exciting.

Week 6 Thing 14 Technorati

After viewing Technorati I am overwhelmed.  Too much information.  I could surf for months and still not see everything or miss the best or most important things.  I can why these sites are popular among high school and college students.  They have the time that those of us who are juggling jobs and families don't.  

I did find the Day in the Life of a Librarian blog interesting.  

As an elementary librarian I don't see any reason to introduce a site like this to my students.  I prefer they stick with Power Library and other databases when searching for information so they know they can trust it.  Children do not have the ability to evaluate the information they would find on blogs etc. for its accuracy. 

Week 6 Thing 13

I discovered del.icio.us during a previous week when searching award winning sites.  I now use it instead of the browser bookmarks because I use more than one computer at home and several computers at work.  It is great to have access to my bookmarks on all my computers.  

As a librarian the lack of consistency with tags is frustrating.  When searching you need to think of all the possible variations of a word that could have been used.  Libraries, library, librarian, etc. It just goes to shop why the Sears List of Subject Headings is so important for libraries.  

Week 5 Thing 12 Rollyo

While there were not any clear directions, I was able to add a search box to my blog and create a Rollyo after much clicking.  

In an elementary school library, this site would be great for students doing research projects.  I often give my students 3-4 sites they can visit.  I either bookmark these sites on a common log in or I use Student Roster Tools.  It is a cumbersome program.  If my students could have access to a Rollyo search then they would get practice using a search engine while still being able to visit only a limited number of sites.

Week 5 Thing 11

Spent several hours surfing web 2.0 Award winning sites.  

Had fun adding family members faces to famous people's hair at http://www4.hairmixer.com/hairmixer/elegatiupload.php Unfortunately, no one agreed to have their photo posted.

Then got serious and spent time on Teacher Librarian Ning.  Saw postings from  librarians  I know as well as ones I haven't met.  A good place to go to share information and ideas. http://teacherlibrarianning.com

Finally, I love del.icio.us.  I use several computers, both at work and at home so being able to locate bookmarks on the web rather than on a single computer is a great help.  

Week 5 Thing 10

This year's building theme for one of the schools I serve is West Point Has Star Power - Star Students, Star Families and Star Staff.  Using Image Chef, I placed the words West Point Students on a Hollywood Star.  I am sure I will find many uses for the image through the school year. 

Also checked out comic strip generator.  Discovered there are also site that will generate banners, signs,  labels etc.  I know I will return to these sites.

Week 4 Things 8 and 9 RSS

Signed up for Goggle Reader.  Had a difficult time when I wanted to delete some web site that had become folders but eventually did enough clicking to solve my problem.  Another day I looked at Bloglines and it seemed to have clearer directions.  

Setting up the page would be easy enough for teachers and/or students to do. 

Teaching 6-7 classes every day and taking care of 2 libraries with volunteer help, I have trouble finding time to read my listserv email.  So I am not so sure if I would find this service useful. However, I can see how it could be useful to others.

I spent a great deal of time clicking my way around the Internet and reading various web sites and blogs only to find another interesting link to click.  Before long it was past midnight and time to shut the computer down.  

Week 3 Thing 7 Technology

I love the motivation factor that technology tools provide for students.  But I think it is important that educators find a balance between teaching content and process.  Working with elementary teachers, I see the extremes.  While some teachers refuse to use any technology that they are not forced to use, others spend too much time in the computer lab.  Their students are producing Power Points with animation but little content.  Especially with elementary students, we need to teach them to write a good paragraph first.  Then they can make a great cover with clip art or a digital photo.  

Week 3 Thing 6 Third Party Tools

Even Summer Reading Bugs Can Be Warholized

Lots of fun tools with lots of options

If only... sites weren't blocked, student to computer ratio was better, etc.

These problems are just more challenges to overcome.  Maybe all students won't have the opportunity to use these tools, but students can be introduced to the tools and then explore at home.  

When students study Andy Warhol in elementary art, the web site link can be given to students with simple directions and they can create their own Warhols at home.

Week 3 Thing 5 Summer Reading Photo

Catch the Reading Bug!

The Greensburg Hempfield Public Library operates a summer reading program in the Hempfield Area Elementary School Libraries.  The elementary librarians handle circulation and the public library staff plans and conducts the program.  The summer reading program participation has grown each year. Due to the rainy weather this summer, attendance has been good.

I took this photo at yesterday's program.  Uploaded it to flickr with no problem.  However, I was unable to add to photo to my blog from flickr.  I couldn't find the grant permission button.  But always seeing problems as challenges, I was able to post the photo directly from my desktop to the blog.

Thing 3

Creating a blog was easy.  I have already share my knowledge with a fellow teacher who has always wanted to blog.  

At this point, I am not sure how I will use it or even have time to look at it once school begins but it gives me confidence to know that I am not totally living in the dark ages.

Thing 2

Completing this task just reminded me why the teachers in my building shy away from using technology.  I was using my new Apple laptop to begin this lesson.  Everything went well until I had to view the learning contract after the 7 1/2th thing.  The link to click to view the learning contact was not visible on my screen.  There was nothing to click and therefore I was unable to view the learning contract.  Eventually, I had to revert to my old windows desktop.  However, as a good life long learner  I will continue to view these problems as challenges.