week 9, thing #21, podcasts

This is even better. I like the idea of subscribing to get updated podcasts. I was interested in YouTube piano lessons. Yet, I might be better off with adding the RSS feed for updates for the podcast lessons. I also stumbled upon Grammar Grater and have added to blog list. Grammar Grater is a weekly podcast about English words, grammar and usage for the information age. How appropriate is that on my blog?

week 9, thing #20, discover YouTube and a few sites

If in need of a video that won't take up too much of a class period, I turn to YouTube. It can be used as the focus of a lesson, reinforce what has been covered or as enrichment. It can even be a class project. I find students very willing and creative.
I was curious to see if there were any videos for a book that was covered in class this summer. Sure enough there were about a half dozen or more. Here is the clip for Farhenheit 451:
YouTube - Fahrenheit 451
On a personal note, I may very well look into taking up piano. There are oodles of lessons on YouTube. I wonder what more I can learn from the Tube.

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.