week 8, thing #19, Library Thing

This is a virtual library. I'll keep it in mind. I've posted on my blog's sidebar an author cloud. I hope to add more or perhaps add the widget to my classroom page, Pageflake.

week 8, thing #18, online applications & tools

This is so much what I was looking into, a virtual desktop. I can see my students working on their writing assignments using Zoho Writer. I was wishing for something like this earlier in the summer when students were not able to save their documents. All I had was one USB floating around. What a time saver! Offline, too! All good!

week 7, thing #17, the sandbox

Region One Sandbox -- go ahead and play! The magic password is "library." So, I did. It was easy enough. If I did it, my kiddos can do it. I was even taken by surprise when I received an email telling of an update/edit. Neato mesquito! This is a great tool for English. I can keep tabs on who is contributing.

week 7, thing #16, about wikis

Just as I was about to finish viewing from the list of library wikis, I was taken to another site, another list. It began with The Blogging Libraries Wiki. The purpose of this wiki is to collect links to library blogs. It led me to a list of school library blogs. I went through them all, A-Z. I took notes the old fashion way, and my list of favorites grew. I also must have dreamt of widgets. They are endless as well. Wikis can easily be sold to students. They text now. I can't see why not?! Oh, perhaps the idea of it being for a grade...The seller must be that they'll have fun at the same time, or they can always take out the old paper and pen.

week 6, thing #15, Web 2.0, library 2.0 and the future of libraries

Librarian 2.0 gets content This librarian understands that the future of libraries will be guided by how users access, consume and create content. Content is a conversation as well and librarians should participate. Users will create their own mash ups, remixes and original expressions and should be able to do so at the library or via the library’s resources. This librarian will help users become their own programming director for all of the content available to them.
Michael Stephens, Librarian/Blogger

This reminds me of the reciprocal lesson approach. The teacher is the faciliator; the employed task of the teacher would be to make learning less difficult, to assist the progress of his or her students, and what better way with Web 2.O?! Also, it boggles my mind to read about how some have agrued that the tools and attitudes are not new. Web 2.0 not new! I just think the word is not entirely out or the funds are not there to equip libraries and classrooms with the technology or train/inservice those who assist the masses.

I skimmed through The Horizons Report and wondered what is our district's plan or campus plan? What does our report read? I know we fill out surveys about our technology on campus, review and revise our campus SAIP annually, and are prompted to get enough computers to test our student population when the state test is to be administered online. I am so very thankful for our computer tech and our library staff to aid us in closing the gap to reach our kids the way they listen. I'm reminded of a phrase "shift happens" that was used in a short video entitled "Did You Know?" (see sidebar). This video sheds light on how we must shift the way we teach to make gains in the shift that is occurring towards technology.
We have every good reason to; it is for our children's sake, for our future.

week 6, thing #14, technorati and tags

Technorati is a source of information by bloggers for bloggers. After doing a keyword search for “School Library Learning 2.0,” I came across something that I felt was worth looking into some more, Pageflakes. It allows one to take feeds from a variety of sources and place them onto one page or more. This will make a great teacher page. Pageflakes, a tool of tools.

week 6, thing #13, tagging and discovering Del.icio.us

Through Del.icio.us, I will come to rely on having all of my bookmarks accessible from any online computer--searchable, tagged, shareable and the "Links For You" feature bringing in more. It will help me keep current and will let me easily find my past. Just the ability alone to have all my bookmarks online and easily accessible from both home and from work is indispensable. In summary - a fantastic knowledge hosting/sharing site all for free.

week 5, thing #12, rollyo

A time saver! I added Rollyo to my blog and will definitely add it to my bookmark bar. I just need to be cautious in not overloading my searchrolls with too many sites. It would defeat the purpose.

week 5, thing #11, web 2.0

Again, I am astounded by the infinite number of web tools. My cyber "tool belt" is boundless. After viewing the Web 2.0 Awards winners, I added a few sites at my reach to further look into. These are definitely worthy of my time if it means saving time in the long run. Zimdesk is one that has piqued my curiosity. I sometimes find myself at my home computer wishing I had my classroom computer's desktop or just the opposite. With a virtual desktop, I will have access anywhere. Is it possible? Yes! How about allowable, BISD allowable? Allowable at home would be from the food category. What a neat tool!
1st
Place
An entire site dedicated to food, Im Cooked lets members share recipes, make friends, watch cooking videos and learn more about culinary arts without the frills that often come with gourmet food television shows and websites.

week 5, thing #10, play week

I present to you Thing 10, created on this day, the fourth of July. He is a product of Comic Strip Generator. I recently viewed, scratch, played with software listed on the Blog Generator and found this one to be a snap.