Thing 20: YouTube
YouTube is definitely a site where you could waste a lot of time because there is so much in here & as was mentioned in the assignment there are some that are worthwhile but also a lot of junk. More & more often I have been finding links of YouTube videos in emails that have been forwarded to me. There were several about the Patriots & Tom Brady late in the season and around the Super Bowl.
Some of my favorite videos have not been library related, but about parenting - I tried to find my favorite one with no luck, and then I finally dug through all of my old emails & found the actual link only to find it was no longer available. I was sorry to see it was gone but relieved that it was not my lack of searching skills that made me unable to find it. It was called "Family Routine set to Canon in D" & was a man singing about the family routine of getting up & out of the house with kids, the rest of the day & then finally getting them to bed -as a mother I could completely relate to it.
Here is another one I liked (although not as much as the first one) about everything a mother says in a 24 hour period
YouTube is blocked in my school - although if there is something a teacher needs for a class, it can be unblocked temporarily by sending an email to the technology director. I have talked to another library teacher who had students create PSAs that were posted on YouTube. I think this would be a great project that would motivate students, but could also be a hassle to get permission if students are in it. However it could also teach students about copyright and other issues that would pop up when making a video they want to post publicly.
For my own family videos I have been using http://www.onetruemedia.com/ - I can edit my videos and mix them with pictures, subtitles, etc. & then send links to share them. I also order DVDs for myself and the grandparents - I'm not an expert on videos, but to me the DVDs are very professional & make great gifts!
Thing 21: Podcasts
Here's another way you can spend lots of time on & off line. I searched the podast links included and this time I tried to stay focused on schools, libraries, and literature. I found it overwhelming because there is so much out there. At the beginning of this year I tried to create podcasts with my students - I thought it would be a lot more engaging then a normal presentation. I was using gcast & once again I ran into problems with my filter at school. I think if I was more patient I may have been able to get it to work, but with only so much time in a day I finally had to let it go. However looking through the links of podcasts I found a lot that were from schools and classrooms so I am now motivated to give it another try.
Thing 22: eBooks and Audio eBooks
Recently I have become very interested in eBooks and audio eBooks. I explored the World eBook site and found it was a great resource for classics. In Bourne we have access to "TumbleBooks" through our public library. I love that site & use it with my own children at home also. It is great for young children, but also includes many "readables" for middle school age, audio books for middle school and the "language learning" is great for anyone studying a different language.
I have also just started using the eBooks and Audio books that are downloadable through the public library. I am new to listening to audiobooks and it was a little difficult for me at first. I don't quite feel like I have "read" the books I listened to, but at least it is helping me to keep up with the plots of books so I can better advise students. At first I was trying to stick to ones that could be burned to a CD & I am currently listening to Dunk in my car. I also downloaded Andrew Clement's The Last Holiday Concert - I have been reading this book to my 5th grade "Book Bistro" (students have lunch in the library while I read to them) & I am desperately trying to finish it since it revolves around a holiday concert & it now the end of March! Yesterday I played it in the media center on our computer hooked up to our projector system so that the audio would come through the speakers installed in the ceiling. It was a great change and the students enjoyed it.
Last night I purchased my first MP3 player. My husband has an ipod, but I wanted my player to be compatible with the audiobooks available through the public library so I ended up buying a Creative Zen. I just finished charging it and I put a few songs on it, but I am anxious to try an audiobook!
Thing 23: Copyright, Creative Commons, and Congratulations!
I include a unit on plagiarism and copyright in my 8th grade Media classes - but I find that it is a difficult subject for everyone (including me and other staff members) to grasp. However, it is also increasingly important to be aware of laws, especially as more and more information is available online and in digital formats, and as more and more students and staff members are posting their own work online.
I had read the term "Creative Commons" on the course blog, but never thought to look into what it really was. I spent some time reading the website and trying to understand it. I still need to read more, but it seems to be a great way to share ideas with others while being able to specify how they can use your ideas. I know teachers in my school have questioned the use of their materials - each year we create units which are then kept in the media center and available for other staff members. Perhaps they could use a Creative Commons license on their work to be able to specify how it can be adapted or used? Or becasue they are creating it at work as part of their job for our school, do they have the right to do that, or does it become the schools property? That's another question I should look up ...
Here are my responses to the questions:
What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
My favorite resource that was new to me is ZohoWriter. I wish this was around or I knew about it when I was in graduate school and had group projects to work on! It will also be a great tool for committees and other collaboration.
How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
This program assisted my lifelong learning goals by providing me with tons of online resources to explore and try out. I have always been interested in technology, but it is difficult to make time on my own to seek out new resources - this class provided more resources then I expected to explore and begin utilizing right away.
Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
Just about every site was a "take-a-way" for me. I was constantly sending my technology director links for her to try out as well. My favorites are Zoho Writer & LibraryThing.
What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
I could have used more time to explore the resources more. I feel like each week I either blogged or thought about the fact that I need to go back and spend more time exploring the links and resources. I would have liked some interactivity with the other participants - I peeked at others blogs from time to time, but I almost felt as thought I was invading their privacy. It would have been great to have a discussion board or another method of communicating with others.
If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you choose to participate?
Yes!
How would you describe your learning experience in ONE WORD or in ONE SENTENCE, so we could use your words to promote CSLA learning activities?
Since I grew up outside of Boston I will say "wicked awesome"!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
Week 8 - Things 18 - 19
Thing 18: Zoho Writer
I am completely new to Zoho Writer & I love it! I have used Google Docs - mainly to save things & be able to access it from home & school without the hassle of emailing it back & forth or using a flash drive. I am amazed at how much Zoho Writer has to offer! I do know that I ran into the same old problem when trying to access it from school (it was blocked) - but I will be sending the URL to our technology director & hopefully it will get unblocked. However, the fact that it offers chat could be a problem.
Applications such as Zoho Writer & Google Docs could be very helpful to our students & staff. What great tools for collaboration! Both applications allow you to share documents, but I loved the way you could add comments in Zoho. I was trying to find out how much "free space" you get with a Zoho account, and perhaps I just missed it so I will continue looking.
I am writing this blog entry in Zoho, & now I am going to try to post it to my blog from here.
------ 2 minutes later--------
Wow! I did it & it was easy! I am now adding this on in blogger...The only thing that went "wrong" is that my post did not have a title- but I think that may have been because I had not named the file before sending it here?
Thing 19: LibraryThing
I discovered "GoodReads" at the beginning of this course when a friend sent an email asking me to be her "friend". That was my first experience using a "social" site & I have been having a lot of fun with it. I love being able to see what others I know are reading & read their reviews as well. I was excited about using GoodReads, & I have been happy with it so far - so honestly if it wasn't a requirement for this class, I would not have started another account on LibraryThing at this time. I am finding that there are so many great sites out there - but it gets overwhelming to have accounts and be users of too many! I had created widgets of a couple of my book shelves on GoodReads & here is the link to the books that I cataloged on LibraryThing: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/lweeks. I did find that the books I cataloged are popular & there are discussions on them - that didn't surprise me since I have been choosing to read mostly bestsellers & some of the "most requested" books at my public library.
LibraryThing seems to be the site to choose if you want to catalog your own books, use the message boards, or join or create a group. I think for now I will be sticking with GoodReads since I have been using that site & already have "connections" on it. I like the way I can organize my books into "bookshelves" on GoodReads & it seems a little more interactive to me. Also, LibraryThing charges a fee after a certain # of books, and I believe GoodReads will always be free.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Week 7: Thing #16
Thing # 16 - Wikis
Once again I spent much more time then I had planned on examining all of the wikis. I loved reading the reviews on the "Book Lovers" wiki & thought that was an interesting format for a book group. The school and classroom wikis that I visited were also inspiring - but once again I think I will run into the same problem I keep facing in this course: our school filters blocking just about anything that would be interactive! Also, even if you have a private wiki, I don't think there is anyway to monitor it (besides manually checking & removing anything inappropriate) - but perhaps I am wrong? I know blogger allows you to to moderate comments, so nothing students post goes on "live" - but I am not sure about wikis & especially at the middle school level, that could create problems.
This year especially I have noticed that many of my middle school students use Wikipedia as a main reference source. I try my best to encourage students (and staff members!) to use other sources - especially the library databases - and to be sure to evaluate any information they do find on Wikipedia. I also do a lesson on Wikipedia with my 8th grade students that I located on the New York Times Learning Pages - this helps to make them aware that Wikipedia may not always be accurate - and that no matter what sources they are using, they should alwasy use more then one. I think rather then "fight" against Wikipedia, we need to educate students about its pros and cons, teach them good evaluation skills, and lead them to additional sources to validate the information they find.
I have just begun using wikis professionally for several committees and projects I have been working on. While I love the ability to collaborate with people - I still find wikis somewhat confusing & disorganized. I really want to love wikis, but right now I still have more questions and concerns about being able to use them with students.
Once again I spent much more time then I had planned on examining all of the wikis. I loved reading the reviews on the "Book Lovers" wiki & thought that was an interesting format for a book group. The school and classroom wikis that I visited were also inspiring - but once again I think I will run into the same problem I keep facing in this course: our school filters blocking just about anything that would be interactive! Also, even if you have a private wiki, I don't think there is anyway to monitor it (besides manually checking & removing anything inappropriate) - but perhaps I am wrong? I know blogger allows you to to moderate comments, so nothing students post goes on "live" - but I am not sure about wikis & especially at the middle school level, that could create problems.
This year especially I have noticed that many of my middle school students use Wikipedia as a main reference source. I try my best to encourage students (and staff members!) to use other sources - especially the library databases - and to be sure to evaluate any information they do find on Wikipedia. I also do a lesson on Wikipedia with my 8th grade students that I located on the New York Times Learning Pages - this helps to make them aware that Wikipedia may not always be accurate - and that no matter what sources they are using, they should alwasy use more then one. I think rather then "fight" against Wikipedia, we need to educate students about its pros and cons, teach them good evaluation skills, and lead them to additional sources to validate the information they find.
I have just begun using wikis professionally for several committees and projects I have been working on. While I love the ability to collaborate with people - I still find wikis somewhat confusing & disorganized. I really want to love wikis, but right now I still have more questions and concerns about being able to use them with students.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Week 6: Things 13-15
Thing 13: Del.icio.us & Tagging
A few years back I had been using a bookmarking site - I loved the convenience of being able to access my bookmarks from any computer - especially when I wanted to demonstrate or use a web-site with students and staff. I didn't have to worry about typing in a wrong URL in front of an audience, or taking the time to set up bookmarks on that computer ahead of time. To be honest, I can't even remember the name of the site I was using - or why I stopped using it. (I do know that I recommended it in one of my staff newsletters, so I will go back & check out which one it was)
Del.icio.us differs from the site I used because of the "social" aspect. The ability to see how many people are bookmarking sites as well as the other sites people have bookmarked adds a whole new dimension to simply bookmarking.
I think for research assistance (at least for my students) it may not be the best site. I think it is just too easy to get off-track & not as focused as some other searches they could do. I did enjoy using the site, and I am looking forward to going back & playing with it some more - however, I spent much more time then I had intended exploring all of the other sites.
Thing14: Technorati
Perhaps if I go back & take a better look at Technorati at a different time (when I am not away on vacation) - I will end up liking it more ... but right now I found it overwhelming. This must really be what information overload is all about!
I did have different results when I searched for School Library Learning 2.0 in various ways. There is also a lot to explore under the popular blogs, searches and tags. At first it seemed to be mostly entertainment & news related - but you can really dig into any topic you are interested in.
Tagging has flexibility since you can create your own tags (rather then be bound by subject headings such as Library of Congress or Sears) - but I wonder if that will also make things difficult to search for at times? Or is more user-friendly because people choose tags that make sense to them (whereas LOC or Sears are not really user-friendly.
I will really have to spend more time with this site to try to find ways I could use it with students - but I think it may be overwhelming for them.
Thing 15 - Perspectives on Web 2.0
I agreed with the articles about 2.0 - libraries need to embrace 2.0 technologies & build "collections"that patrons can access from anywhere. This is a great opportunity for many libraries to reach people. Although print circulations may be dropping, libraries can use other usage statistics (digital collections, online databases) to prove that their value to the public is actually increasing.
To me Library 2.0 means the ability to better meet the needs of the user- through online and digital collections, and the more interactivity with users to find out and respond to their needs.
I am fearful that for school libraries (or at least mine) this could produce a larger gap in services. I have tried to keep up with new technologies and to integrate them into my school library and curriculum, but much stronger Internet filters and rules this year have proved extremely frustrating to my efforts. I had a "book blog" which is no longer accessible from school (although the technology director just told me Word Press may work better for me then Blogger )... I wanted to try to have students create podcasts instead of a more traditional presentation, but after recording a trial one, I was unable to download it to listen to it. I understand the need to have rules and filters in school settings, but I think if we have too many we are missing out on a chance to connect to and engage students using technology that they are already using at home - and instead of attracting them to the world of libraries and hooking them in when we have a chance, we will seem dated and dull in comparison to the 2.0 world they are living in.
A few years back I had been using a bookmarking site - I loved the convenience of being able to access my bookmarks from any computer - especially when I wanted to demonstrate or use a web-site with students and staff. I didn't have to worry about typing in a wrong URL in front of an audience, or taking the time to set up bookmarks on that computer ahead of time. To be honest, I can't even remember the name of the site I was using - or why I stopped using it. (I do know that I recommended it in one of my staff newsletters, so I will go back & check out which one it was)
Del.icio.us differs from the site I used because of the "social" aspect. The ability to see how many people are bookmarking sites as well as the other sites people have bookmarked adds a whole new dimension to simply bookmarking.
I think for research assistance (at least for my students) it may not be the best site. I think it is just too easy to get off-track & not as focused as some other searches they could do. I did enjoy using the site, and I am looking forward to going back & playing with it some more - however, I spent much more time then I had intended exploring all of the other sites.
Thing14: Technorati
Perhaps if I go back & take a better look at Technorati at a different time (when I am not away on vacation) - I will end up liking it more ... but right now I found it overwhelming. This must really be what information overload is all about!
I did have different results when I searched for School Library Learning 2.0 in various ways. There is also a lot to explore under the popular blogs, searches and tags. At first it seemed to be mostly entertainment & news related - but you can really dig into any topic you are interested in.
Tagging has flexibility since you can create your own tags (rather then be bound by subject headings such as Library of Congress or Sears) - but I wonder if that will also make things difficult to search for at times? Or is more user-friendly because people choose tags that make sense to them (whereas LOC or Sears are not really user-friendly.
I will really have to spend more time with this site to try to find ways I could use it with students - but I think it may be overwhelming for them.
Thing 15 - Perspectives on Web 2.0
I agreed with the articles about 2.0 - libraries need to embrace 2.0 technologies & build "collections"that patrons can access from anywhere. This is a great opportunity for many libraries to reach people. Although print circulations may be dropping, libraries can use other usage statistics (digital collections, online databases) to prove that their value to the public is actually increasing.
To me Library 2.0 means the ability to better meet the needs of the user- through online and digital collections, and the more interactivity with users to find out and respond to their needs.
I am fearful that for school libraries (or at least mine) this could produce a larger gap in services. I have tried to keep up with new technologies and to integrate them into my school library and curriculum, but much stronger Internet filters and rules this year have proved extremely frustrating to my efforts. I had a "book blog" which is no longer accessible from school (although the technology director just told me Word Press may work better for me then Blogger )... I wanted to try to have students create podcasts instead of a more traditional presentation, but after recording a trial one, I was unable to download it to listen to it. I understand the need to have rules and filters in school settings, but I think if we have too many we are missing out on a chance to connect to and engage students using technology that they are already using at home - and instead of attracting them to the world of libraries and hooking them in when we have a chance, we will seem dated and dull in comparison to the 2.0 world they are living in.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Week 5 - Things 10 - 12
Thing # 10
I began playing with the online image generators on Saturday, & hopefully I didn't jinx the Patriots - I was making football guys that said "Brady" & signs that said "Go Pats" & if you follow football you know how that ended up, so rather then posting those I started fresh & made the "Read" bumper sticker below.
I began playing with the online image generators on Saturday, & hopefully I didn't jinx the Patriots - I was making football guys that said "Brady" & signs that said "Go Pats" & if you follow football you know how that ended up, so rather then posting those I started fresh & made the "Read" bumper sticker below.
I have been searching for one of these for my car, & finally a friend sent me a link to one & now that I have the link, I have yet to buy it. I'm not usually a bumper sticker person, but I do love reading!
Thing # 11
Web 2.0 Awards
I had a lot of fun looking at the sites that have won "Web 2.0 Awards". I am really looking forward to having more time to play some more - & also trying them out at school to see which ones I can actually utilize. (I think I have already mentioned our web filters are in high gear this year!) I can ask to have something unblocked if necessary, but with my book blog I have had a lot of trouble with it becoming blocked again.
I explored LibraryThing.com . I recently joined Good Reads & I have been having a lot of fun seeing what my friends are reading & entering my own books in, but I think this is even better.
I didn't register for an account yet, but I was able to explore a lot of features & many could be used without an account.
I LOVE the "Book Suggester" & you do not need to log in or have an account to use it. I think it would be a great tool to use with students and also for collection development.
Also, they have many groups that look interesting, including children's young adult literature groups. I have such a hard time keeping with new (& even old) titles & have wanted to be in a book group, but this may be an easy alternative.
Thing #12 - Rollyo
I wasn't quite sure I would like Rollyo, but I did find it interesting. I created a reference one which I would like to try out with my students. I think they would benefit more from a tool that I "roll" rather then creating their own. (even though they may have fun with it)
Monday, January 28, 2008
Week 4 - Things 8 & 9
Thing # 8
I did have some previous knowledge about RSS feeds & newsreader accounts, however I had never taken the time to really explore them or set them up. I just set up a bloglines account - it was fast & easy to do. I started off by selecting some of their "packages" - I chose the ones on books, parenting, & words. Several of the sites within each of the packages were ones I already visited on occasion.
Thing # 9
I also explored and added some additional library related blogs to my bloglines account. Once again, several of the sites were ones I already visit occasionally - so it will be nice to start utilizing bloglines to stay updated without having to do all of that hopping around from site to site.
I added Christopher Harris' Infomacy, Joyce Valenza's Neverending Search (from the School Library Journal site) , School Library Journal's Web 2.0 News, & School Library Journal's Web sites News. I was already subscribed to Librarians' Index to the Internet and Shifted Librarian because they came with my "packages" that I selected.
I did not try out Google Newsreader yet, but I would like to compare that to bloglines. Also, despite my efforts with my students to get them to use sources other than Google - I do use many Google services frequently - mostly for email & a group that I am in - so it may end up being more convenient for me to also use their newsreader.
I did have some previous knowledge about RSS feeds & newsreader accounts, however I had never taken the time to really explore them or set them up. I just set up a bloglines account - it was fast & easy to do. I started off by selecting some of their "packages" - I chose the ones on books, parenting, & words. Several of the sites within each of the packages were ones I already visited on occasion.
Thing # 9
I also explored and added some additional library related blogs to my bloglines account. Once again, several of the sites were ones I already visit occasionally - so it will be nice to start utilizing bloglines to stay updated without having to do all of that hopping around from site to site.
I added Christopher Harris' Infomacy, Joyce Valenza's Neverending Search (from the School Library Journal site) , School Library Journal's Web 2.0 News, & School Library Journal's Web sites News. I was already subscribed to Librarians' Index to the Internet and Shifted Librarian because they came with my "packages" that I selected.
I did not try out Google Newsreader yet, but I would like to compare that to bloglines. Also, despite my efforts with my students to get them to use sources other than Google - I do use many Google services frequently - mostly for email & a group that I am in - so it may end up being more convenient for me to also use their newsreader.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Week 3 - Things 5 - 7
Thing # 5
I am having a lot of fun exploring flickr. Before today, my only experiences using flickr has been viewing pictures that others have sent me.
I have been using lots of other photo sites - depending on the prices & projects that I have been doing. (Snapfish, Winkflash, & Shutterfly have been my favorites). I used these because I knew you could order prints & other photo gifts, & they do also have sharing features. I had no idea before today that you could order prints or do other projects through flickr & though of it only as a "photo-sharing" site. (I do wonder what people think of the quality of the prints?)
As a mother even just thinking of pictures brings up pangs of guilt & panic in me. Our family pictures are mostly in boxes & various drawers throughout the house. I like to think I am a "scrapbooker" but really I am just a buyer of scrapbooking materials. My oldest son is 7 1/2 in "real life" & about 3 or 4 months old in his scrapbook ... my poor youngest son is really 3 & he may never have a scrapbook, but at least all of his pictures are digital (reminder to self: back up your pictures onto disk) - & I have created picture dvds for him...
I am going to have a lot of fun exploring flickr some more, & deciding if I should put all of our digital pictures in their. (They are spread out throughout the various sites I mentioned before & I do use Picasa by Google - but not their web album, so that may be another option also)
As a librarian & teacher, I have never considered using flckr in a classroom or library setting. However, I loved the fact that you could locate pictures from all over the world using the "world map" and "places" features. This seems like it could be great in 6th grade social studies as they study various continents & countries, as well as with foreign language classes.
Of course my questions are: will the students stumble upon anything inappropriate? (Or maybe I can locate specific pictures first) Will I even be able to access flickr from school? Unfortunately our Internet filters have been in extra high gear this year & even though I can send the URL to our technology director & request that it is unblocked, things seem to "reset" each week (or maybe every day) & that access to certain sites is blocked again. I spent a lot of time in the beginning of the year with this issue, & lately I have found it easier (although not better) to work around it.
Thing # 6: flickr mashups & 3rd party sites
I am amazed at everything you can do with flickr! Of course, I found myself thinking as a mother 1st (think of how much money I have spent to have my son's sports cards & magazine covers made in all of those photo packages each season throughout the year... and of course I already mentioned I am not the best mother when it comes to pictures so I am not even sure where many of those have ended up)
I loved the "Curriculum Connection" ideas listed on CSLA's site, & it helped me to start thinking about other projects that could be done using some of these applications. Yahoo Trip Planner is perfect for foreign language classes that typically have done "brochures" of countries. The posters, magazine covers, trading cards, billboards, captioner & CD covers can be used for projects throughout the curriculum. The following projects came to mind to me right away: 6th graders chose an attraction to be a "new wonder of the world" - 8th grade science studying national parks could make billboards - use the map features, make magazine covers, 5th grade explorer or revolutionary biography projects could use almost any of these, 7th grade poetry could also advertise poets or poems using almost any of these features.
I am looking forward to using these some more & hopefully they will work from school also - so I can share these with my teachers. At the very least, I have some ideas for when my own children have projects to complete at home.
Thing # 7: Technology Related Blog Post
I will start out by continuing along with the theme of photos...
I was very resistant to purchasing my 1st digital camera. We purchased it the day before my 3 year old son was born (my husband had left our traditional camera in a friend's car after attending a Patriots game. He is VERY lucky we had a camera just in time!) With the exception of the past year (for some reason this year I really haven't printed any of my pictures ,- another thing that is on my "to do" list) I have been printing ALL of my digital pictures. Even the ones that did not come out that great, even though I know I can delete them or I can choose not to print those, I have trouble doing that.
My favorite photo related toy is the tiny digital video camera I bought last year. At first it was only available at Target, & then Amazon, but I think now there are other versions coming out & it is on the same platform of the "disposable video cameras" you could buy at CVS. Here is the link to the company: http://www.puredigitalinc.com/ (now they have even newer, cuter ones available!) My camera holds 60 minutes of video & then you just flip it open & connect to the USB port on your computer & it downloads quickly with the software included on the camera. This has been the best thing to help me with my motherly guilt, because I wasn't one to lug around our older, much larger video camera - but this fits into my pocket & is so easy to use. It is not great for capturing those hockey or baseball games, but awesome at close-up events. This would also be great for classroom use because they are so easy to use & very durable so far. (Mine has dropped several times & still works great). It could be used for interviews, presentations, etc.
My favorite site to use with my digital video and pictures is http://www.onetruemedia.com/. This lets me upload my pictures & videos & play it in a "montage" or sliedshow... I also add background music. I have been purchasing the DVDs for myself & gifts for the grandparents, but you can also view and share online for free.
This would also be a great alternative in a classroom to PowerPoint presentations. You can add slides for "captions" describing the pictures or video that you import - & it could be used for just about any class. Not sure if this will work but if anyone wants to see an example of what it can do this is my latest video (it is Christmas, 2007) http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=493e60d516fda19a94f6f9&skin_id=1604&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email
I have upgraded my account beyond the free one - so I have other transitions, colors, & fonts that are not available in the free package... but the free package would still work great in a classroom.
My last topic for today is something I just got "invited" to this weekend. "Good Reads" http://www.goodreads.com/ Although I really have never used MySpace of Facebook, from what I can tell this site may be on the same idea, but focused only on books and reading. You can quickly add books that you have read (searching their database or Amazon's - complete with book jacket pictures) - rate it easily by clicking on the # of stars, & then add your own reviews if you want. You have "friends" (mine has started with people in my book club) & you can see what they are reading or have read, read their reviews, etc. I have really been having a lot of fun with this so far. You can set up groups & make them private or public - so perhaps it could be used as a classroom or library. Students would need emails to register, so at my school that could be difficult - I'm sure most students have emails at home, but at school we don't provide student email & we are not able to access outside email... sites such as MySapce are blocked for "social networking" so I have a feeling when I check this, it will also be blocked. However, I have been enjoying using this site so far & am looking forward to trying it out at school & figuring out if there is a way I could utilize it with students.
(update: I have just figured out how to add my "bookshelves" to my blog... I added the professional & children's & ya bookshelves. I think you can also click on links & get to my reviews... I will keep playing with these sites as long as my kids keep behaving, or until the Patriots game starts!)
I am having a lot of fun exploring flickr. Before today, my only experiences using flickr has been viewing pictures that others have sent me.
I have been using lots of other photo sites - depending on the prices & projects that I have been doing. (Snapfish, Winkflash, & Shutterfly have been my favorites). I used these because I knew you could order prints & other photo gifts, & they do also have sharing features. I had no idea before today that you could order prints or do other projects through flickr & though of it only as a "photo-sharing" site. (I do wonder what people think of the quality of the prints?)
As a mother even just thinking of pictures brings up pangs of guilt & panic in me. Our family pictures are mostly in boxes & various drawers throughout the house. I like to think I am a "scrapbooker" but really I am just a buyer of scrapbooking materials. My oldest son is 7 1/2 in "real life" & about 3 or 4 months old in his scrapbook ... my poor youngest son is really 3 & he may never have a scrapbook, but at least all of his pictures are digital (reminder to self: back up your pictures onto disk) - & I have created picture dvds for him...
I am going to have a lot of fun exploring flickr some more, & deciding if I should put all of our digital pictures in their. (They are spread out throughout the various sites I mentioned before & I do use Picasa by Google - but not their web album, so that may be another option also)
As a librarian & teacher, I have never considered using flckr in a classroom or library setting. However, I loved the fact that you could locate pictures from all over the world using the "world map" and "places" features. This seems like it could be great in 6th grade social studies as they study various continents & countries, as well as with foreign language classes.
Of course my questions are: will the students stumble upon anything inappropriate? (Or maybe I can locate specific pictures first) Will I even be able to access flickr from school? Unfortunately our Internet filters have been in extra high gear this year & even though I can send the URL to our technology director & request that it is unblocked, things seem to "reset" each week (or maybe every day) & that access to certain sites is blocked again. I spent a lot of time in the beginning of the year with this issue, & lately I have found it easier (although not better) to work around it.
Thing # 6: flickr mashups & 3rd party sites
I am amazed at everything you can do with flickr! Of course, I found myself thinking as a mother 1st (think of how much money I have spent to have my son's sports cards & magazine covers made in all of those photo packages each season throughout the year... and of course I already mentioned I am not the best mother when it comes to pictures so I am not even sure where many of those have ended up)
I loved the "Curriculum Connection" ideas listed on CSLA's site, & it helped me to start thinking about other projects that could be done using some of these applications. Yahoo Trip Planner is perfect for foreign language classes that typically have done "brochures" of countries. The posters, magazine covers, trading cards, billboards, captioner & CD covers can be used for projects throughout the curriculum. The following projects came to mind to me right away: 6th graders chose an attraction to be a "new wonder of the world" - 8th grade science studying national parks could make billboards - use the map features, make magazine covers, 5th grade explorer or revolutionary biography projects could use almost any of these, 7th grade poetry could also advertise poets or poems using almost any of these features.
I am looking forward to using these some more & hopefully they will work from school also - so I can share these with my teachers. At the very least, I have some ideas for when my own children have projects to complete at home.
Thing # 7: Technology Related Blog Post
I will start out by continuing along with the theme of photos...
I was very resistant to purchasing my 1st digital camera. We purchased it the day before my 3 year old son was born (my husband had left our traditional camera in a friend's car after attending a Patriots game. He is VERY lucky we had a camera just in time!) With the exception of the past year (for some reason this year I really haven't printed any of my pictures ,- another thing that is on my "to do" list) I have been printing ALL of my digital pictures. Even the ones that did not come out that great, even though I know I can delete them or I can choose not to print those, I have trouble doing that.
My favorite photo related toy is the tiny digital video camera I bought last year. At first it was only available at Target, & then Amazon, but I think now there are other versions coming out & it is on the same platform of the "disposable video cameras" you could buy at CVS. Here is the link to the company: http://www.puredigitalinc.com/ (now they have even newer, cuter ones available!) My camera holds 60 minutes of video & then you just flip it open & connect to the USB port on your computer & it downloads quickly with the software included on the camera. This has been the best thing to help me with my motherly guilt, because I wasn't one to lug around our older, much larger video camera - but this fits into my pocket & is so easy to use. It is not great for capturing those hockey or baseball games, but awesome at close-up events. This would also be great for classroom use because they are so easy to use & very durable so far. (Mine has dropped several times & still works great). It could be used for interviews, presentations, etc.
My favorite site to use with my digital video and pictures is http://www.onetruemedia.com/. This lets me upload my pictures & videos & play it in a "montage" or sliedshow... I also add background music. I have been purchasing the DVDs for myself & gifts for the grandparents, but you can also view and share online for free.
This would also be a great alternative in a classroom to PowerPoint presentations. You can add slides for "captions" describing the pictures or video that you import - & it could be used for just about any class. Not sure if this will work but if anyone wants to see an example of what it can do this is my latest video (it is Christmas, 2007) http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=493e60d516fda19a94f6f9&skin_id=1604&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email
I have upgraded my account beyond the free one - so I have other transitions, colors, & fonts that are not available in the free package... but the free package would still work great in a classroom.
My last topic for today is something I just got "invited" to this weekend. "Good Reads" http://www.goodreads.com/ Although I really have never used MySpace of Facebook, from what I can tell this site may be on the same idea, but focused only on books and reading. You can quickly add books that you have read (searching their database or Amazon's - complete with book jacket pictures) - rate it easily by clicking on the # of stars, & then add your own reviews if you want. You have "friends" (mine has started with people in my book club) & you can see what they are reading or have read, read their reviews, etc. I have really been having a lot of fun with this so far. You can set up groups & make them private or public - so perhaps it could be used as a classroom or library. Students would need emails to register, so at my school that could be difficult - I'm sure most students have emails at home, but at school we don't provide student email & we are not able to access outside email... sites such as MySapce are blocked for "social networking" so I have a feeling when I check this, it will also be blocked. However, I have been enjoying using this site so far & am looking forward to trying it out at school & figuring out if there is a way I could utilize it with students.
(update: I have just figured out how to add my "bookshelves" to my blog... I added the professional & children's & ya bookshelves. I think you can also click on links & get to my reviews... I will keep playing with these sites as long as my kids keep behaving, or until the Patriots game starts!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
