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Week 9, Thing #20 – YouTube February 26, 2009

Posted by Ms. Adams in PA Online Web 2.0, PSLA, Technology, Web 2.0.
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The update to this video was in AL Direct today, but I had been searching for this video for a few days.  I found it yesterday, ironically, and I actually like this version better, despite some outdated stats.  I like that it mentions the One Laptop Per Child initiative and the quote by Albert Einstein.

We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.

I think that’s so wise, because our mind should always be open to other ways of thinking.  I also like the simplicity of this video over the commercialized look of the 2008 update.  Busy graphics aren’t always more effective at getting your point across.

Week 8, Thing #19 – LibraryThing February 19, 2009

Posted by Ms. Adams in PA Online Web 2.0, PSLA, Technology, Web 2.0.
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librarything-logoAfter trying and not liking Shelfari very much (except for it’s wish list feature, which prevents family members from giving me really boring fiction for Christmas), I find LibraryThing to be tremendously useful.  Granted, I think it’s more useful to me personally than professionally, but I can definitely see some professional advantages.

For one, I’m a newer librarian, and I’m not as well-read in the “classics” of children’s literature as I feel I should be.  Half the time, I don’t even know what else to read and just browse the shelves of my local library for something that catches my eye.  LibraryThing has those great recommendations in the social information section…which leads to more and more books that I find interesting and want to read.

I can also appreciate the member reviews…because let’s face it, sometimes the professional journals can’t tell us if the kids are going to like it or not.  So finding what “real people,” our potential patrons, think is valuable information.

Another feature I really like over Shelfari is that all of the different editions and covers are in ONE LibraryThing “record” for the most part.  It makes adding books so much easier!

Finally, the only downside I can find…I still can’t get the widget to work on WordPress…something to work on for later.

Week 8, Thing #18 – Online Productivity Tools February 10, 2009

Posted by Ms. Adams in PA Online Web 2.0, PSLA, Technology, Web 2.0.
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Zoho WriterI’m loving Zoho!  Though I’d known about it, I had never ventured into the world of web productivity tools, and I have to say I like it.

I’m thrilled that I have FINALLY found a tech solution for one of my biggest annoyances with open source software…specifically Open Office.  The thing that holds me back from converting to Open Office completely (at work and at home) is the slide designs and templates for PowerPoint.  Yes, I know that’s a very bad reason to keep using a costly proprietary software, but Zoho Show has a solution…the “themes” in Zoho are BEAUTIFUL!!!  Nothing over the top, but enough to make my PowerPoints look a little bit more interesting.  As an added bonus, they even have a half-decent clipart collection all in one place instead of having to search the web for individual clips.  Lovely!  Yes, I’m a bit too excited by this.

Now of course, I have to write about the downside too.  I know they have a great privacy policy and all, but by storing my files on the web, I see a rather LARGE privacy issue here.  I don’t think Zoho or Google Docs will ever completely replace file storage on hard drives, but it is extremely useful for collaborating on documents.  Overall, I think I’ll be very likely to actually use this Web 2.0 technology in my work.

Week 7, Thing #17 – PA Curriculum wiki January 31, 2009

Posted by Ms. Adams in PA Online Web 2.0, PSLA, Technology, Web 2.0.
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I added some elementary school ideas to the wikis section and an idea of how I use avatars on my blogs and Facebook.

Sidenote – I think WebTools4U2Use.wikispaces.com is my new favorite website!  Glogster seems particularly effective with 21st century learners who are digital natives and visual learners.

Week 7, Thing #16 – Wikis January 30, 2009

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I’ll admit that wikis aren’t new to me, and starting this class inspired me to create a private wiki for my district’s library department.  We use it on and off, usually more so when we have an important issue to discuss.  Most recently, we’ve been adding ideas and comments to our wiki as we re-do our department mission statement and policy.  It saves SO many e-mails back and forth to have everything in one place.  Like the Albany Staff wiki, I’ve put a few how-tos on there for the benefit of our department, and I think it’s been a great tool.  Sadly, not every librarian in the district uses to its full potential…still, baby steps.

The Westwood HS wiki is a bit…well, insane is the word that comes to mind.  Inspiring, no doubt, but intense nonetheless.  I’m sure that a wiki takes time to build…my school’s wiki isn’t even in use yet, though I have one started.  I don’t see as many uses for wikis in an elementary school, though I’m contemplating some ideas.  The infamous Joyce Valenza wrote several months ago about moving pathfinders and link lists to wikis.  It’s an idea I like and am working on when I get around to it…maybe a summer project.

Curriculum Connections:
Since I just finished a three-week science fair research marathon, I’ve got science on the brain.  I think converting my list of links to a wiki would be a great start, but I’d also like to give each group in 4th and 5th grade a wiki page to share their notes…Not only would that save paper, it would make it easy for me and the teachers to also comment and check student progress.

Week 6, Thing #15 – Web 2.0 Perspectives January 16, 2009

Posted by Ms. Adams in PA Online Web 2.0, PSLA, Technology, Web 2.0.
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It’s been months, I’m ashamed to say, since I last blogged, but I am DETERMINED to finish this program, even if it’s months and months later.

As I’ve used 2.0 technology for the past several years and gradually started implementing it in my instruction, I’ve noticed that the shift is definitely on users vs. on librarians.  I was struck by Michael Stephens’ article on the “new world” of librarianship.  I agree that Library 2.0 can offer many, many benefits over the traditional ways.  I don’t always take advantage of said technologies, but I recognize their value.

Since I teach elementary students, I see how easy technology comes to students when they are taught well.  They are digital natives, but they are information illiterate.  That is where I think Library 2.0 comes in.  2.0 technology meets students where they are…collaborating on the Internet, and then it’s our job to show them how to get the information they need.

To me, Library 2.0 means innovation and collaboration in technology.  It’s about getting creative by sharing ideas…two heads are better than one.  Though I don’t think every 2.0 technology is useful, I do believe that as a whole, it’s been a good thing for libraries.  It is a fantastic opportunity for us as librarians to step up and show students (and others) what libraries are about…and what we can do for them.

Week 6, Thing #14 – Technorati & tags November 18, 2008

Posted by Ms. Adams in PA Online Web 2.0, PSLA, Technology, Web 2.0.
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I’m surprised there aren’t more search engines for blogs like Technorati.  In fact, the only one I’ve ever heard of is Google Blog Search, and I don’t think it works as effectively.  I like Technorati, even if I think the pages are too crowded with content and the advanced search yields vastly different results depending on how and what you search in.  It’s easy to get lost in all of the new posts, stories, and entire blogs.

As I was browsing through Technorati’s site, I couldn’t help but see the connections to Scott Westerfeld’s “Uglies” series.  With “pings” and “rising stories” on the homepage, I had to wonder at the direction of the blogosphere.  And doesn’t listing a story as “rising” make it rise by advertising it?  It’s all very huge and overwhelming and not a little scary.  As much as I think Web 2.0 is here to stay, I wonder if we’ll ever come a turning (or breaking?) point in the worldwide blogosphere.

I generally like tagging better than traditional library cataloging.  I can see the advantage to tagging because a website, blog, post, or any item can be categorized in many ways.  Allowing that flexibility makes things more accessible and easier to find.  For user service, that’s a good thing.  The disadvantage, of course, is that you can’t control what people classify things as.  If someone starts tagging with unrelated, inappropriate, or un-useful tags, then it makes something harder to find.  The user can get frustrated with that method.  I guess it all depends on how much you trust the general public. 

Personally, I tend NOT to trust people as a whole (mob psychology is a sobering concept to me).  Still, I trust my students to comment on the blog (with my moderation), and I’ve started a wiki for my district’s library department.  All of those things involve trusting someone else, so hopefully I’m journeying towards a more open mind about that.

Week 6, Thing #13 – Del.ici.ous October 24, 2008

Posted by Ms. Adams in PA Online Web 2.0, PSLA, Technology, Web 2.0.
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I’m familiar with Del.icio.us, but I have a totally new appreciation for it today.  This summer I just re-organized my bookmarks on my home computer…they are all in appropriate folders, and very neat.  I like folders and organizing…A LOT!  My work ones, however, are less organized.  In fact, since our teacher computers are wiped every summer, I tried exporting my bookmarks with less success than my organization attempts at home.  I’m excited to try the tag “bundles” that Delicious has, in hopes that my home and work bookmarks can be all in the same place.

I also liked searching the tags for useful sites.  Stumbling on new resources and good ideas is part of what makes my job so exciting.

Curriculum Connections:
Research – my district’s website editing system allows us to create lists of links to use.  They aren’t searchable, however.  As I add more and more, it would be nice for students to search the library delicious bookmarks by what topic they are researching.
Professional Development – If I can get teachers to subscribe, they can receive new resources automatically.  Not sure if this is any better than sending them in an e-mail, but it’s a new way to connect teachers to great websites.

Week 5, Thing #12 – Rollyo Searching October 9, 2008

Posted by Ms. Adams in PA Online Web 2.0, PSLA, Technology, Web 2.0.
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Rollyo might be my favorite Web 2.0 discovery so far.  I didn’t even know it existed until doing this exercise, and I’m amazed at how well some of these work.  The sources are readily available to check for quality sources, and I can create my own to boot!  Science fair is going to be SO much easier this year with this tool on my website!

For fun, I made my Rollyo about my hometown, Lancaster, PA.  There’s a lot of stuff that goes on, but I usually find out after the fact.  Or else I find out about events that I have no interest in.  I plugged in several websites of downtown organizations and the local newspaper, and Hello Fun Things to Do! So cool!!  Obviously, this makes website links a whole lot easier…it’s instant federated searching!  And I have to admit it’s a lot easier to use than most federated searches I’ve used myself.

Curriculum Connections:

  1. Students can instantly run searches for research projects
  2. Control quality of sites students use…self-filter/self-censor, whichever side you take on that issue.
  3. I think this tool is mostly applicable with elementary students before they know how to evaluate a website themselves.  Also, for when time is extremely limited for research.

Week 5, Thing #11 – Web 2.0 Awards September 29, 2008

Posted by Ms. Adams in PA Online Web 2.0, PSLA, Technology, Web 2.0.
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DonorsChoose.org

I heard about this at PSLA last year, but hadn’t explored it since.  It just got pushed back into the back of my mind as one of those “I’ll get to it someday” things to do.  This school year, however, I’ve been getting into grant-writing a lot more.  I’ve written an LSTA grant proposal, as well as an “in-house” proposal for my district’s education foundation.  All in all, I’m thinking this site is PERFECT for a beginning grant-writer like myself.  It’s easy enough to set up my account, and it’s almost painless to write a proposal.  The downside is for me is that DonorsChoose.org posts my district’s poverty rate, which is very low (not complaining, mind you).  If I’m competing for someone’s donation with a school with a higher poverty rate, I doubt I stand a chance.  Of course, that school probably needs the money more than I do, but still…makes funding a project in a “wealthy” district that much more difficult.

On a related note, how cool would it be for a “wealthier” district to sponsor another district’s project that is in need of a little more financial help…maybe a good PTO project to suggest.

TeacherLibrarian Ning

I’ve been a member of this Ning for over a year now, and when it’s not blocked,  I can usually find good information and discussions about relevant topics.  The only caveat for me is keeping up.  I don’t sign in very often, and I know I should.  Still…the sheer volume of participants is fantastic!  What a wonderful variety of opinions, ideas, and thoughts!

Travel IQ

IQ = 92, or 174,134 points up to Level 6.  This is so much fun!!!  I’m not bad, except the African and Middle Eastern countries always get me.