Week 8 -- #19

I discovered LibraryThing a couple of weeks ago when I was exploring the 2.0 award winners. As soon as I found it I had to create an account and start adding books to my library. It really is very easy to do. I like to read what others have to say about the books as well. I added the widget to a blog post, but I need to add it as a permanent part the page. I will also set up a new library for school and try to add it to my Destiny page.Unfortunately, Destiny does not support Javascript, so I'm unable to paste the code to add this feature to my school library page. What I could do is to create a blog, then paste the widget there. Then students could click on the link that I will place on the library homepage -- not as cool as having the titles and covers on the front page. Maybe once Librarything fixes thing so that it can be used on Live Journal, then I'll be able to use it on Destiny. I will also contact Follett to see if they are working to allow Javascript.

Week 8 -- #18

I have been using Google Docs for quite awhile. It helped me solve several issues. First, it has worked well for publishing and revising the library schedule. My library tech and I can edit from any workstation, and my teachers can view it from the classroom before they call to schedule their classes. One disadvantage, though, it that the word processing capabilities are not as sophiscated as Word, so I create my template in Word, then copy and paste into Google. It works well that way. Zoho Writer has the added benefits of templates to use. Google Docs has very few extras.

Though it is not specifically part of this exercise, I want to share my experiences with Google pages. I use it to create pathfinders, then link them on my Destiny homepage. In that way I can upload and delete as needed. Otherwise, if I post links on Destiny, when I no longer need them, the links are lost once they are deleted. This is any easy way to maintain the links for the next time I need them. I have instructed other teachers of this incredibly easy way to create webpages, upload assignments documents, and several have since created their own webpages.



See Vanden's Destiny homepage: http://destiny.travisusd.k12.ca.us/common/welcome.jsp;jsessionid=3ED2F4E0853232744F61109E0BA4FE5B?site=106

Google Docs: May/June Schedule

Google Pages: Career I-Search -- Resources
Teacher webpages --Hansen, Zadnik

Week 7 -- #17

I added my blog post about wikis to the Sandbox on Calcurriculum wiki. One idea I saw on the wiki that intrigued me was the use of blogs to create a tutorial for students. I agree with the comment on the wiki that students and parents sign AUP's without really understanding what is being agreed to. I want to help students clearly understand the provisions and the consequences of the AUP.

I already use Edublogs for student / staff book reviews. I was considering a move to Blogger, but last week while I was using Blogger for student responses to a college library research project, the blog was locked by Google. They thought that it was a "spam blog" and have not yet unblocked it. I moved it to Edublogs so that the students could complete their blog posts. Very frustrating. I have been happy with the results of using the blog to record student responses to journal topics.

Week 7 -- #16

I have already used wikis on a couple of different occasions. Two years ago, the district technology committee used a wiki to collaborate for the development of a new district technology plan. That was my first experience, and the benefits were readily apparent. Each person worked with a partner to draft their sections, though we did not physically meet. When each group had finished, all we needed to do was put on the final touches.

This year I set up a wiki for my Academic Decathlon team. Each group had a page to post their theme/quote studies, then all had access to everyone's work ( and we saved a lot of paper too). I also posted assignments and readings for the students. Here's the link to my wiki: http://vandenacadeca.pbwiki.com/
Looking at other examples gave me ideas for further applications.

Week 6 -- #15

The Horizons Report really hits home for me. These technologies are becoming an ever more present influence in the lives of our students. We ought to be using them to reach students and deliver content. In my school district, we no longer have any one in charge of our technology who has an education background. It's a constant battle with our network administrator to get him to allow us to access these tools. I'm making gains little at a time.In the past year, I have gained the ability to control the district content filter and have opened access to blog and wiki websites, but I really would like to see someone in charge of educational technology who has student learning as his/her primary focus. I plan to send out the link to the report to the members of the district technology committee as well as my asst. superintendent of ed services.

Rick Anderson's thoughts on the "icebergs" bring up more important issues to ponder. Many of us have already embraced the need to push services to our users through providing web-based resources; however, the idea of the "just in case" collection is an issue for me. I have struggled with this concept for the past nine years I have worked in a school library. I took over a pathetically neglected collection and have worked hard to bring it to a current, usable state. But as I weeded and considered replacements, I had to take into consideration whether those books would actually be used. Past circulation statistics were of little use, since the collection was so outdated to start with, no one was using them. Would new books be used? Or will students utilize online sources instead? As a result, some of my core collection just have minimum resources, and I focus my energy and funds where I know students want print.

Week 6 - #14

Searching Technorati tags using "School Library Learning 2.0" resulted in many fewer results than searching posts or blogs. I suspect that may be because people don't always add tags, or they could use number of different terms, not necessarily SLL2.0. I haven't used that tag on the few that I have added. In addition, several of the results were not on topic.

Tagging certainly adds to the ease of searching these web 2.0 applications; however, unless you know how someone has tagged their information, it would be difficult to guess. Also, if someone, like me, doesn't tag, tag searching isn't of much use.

I will probably try to tag more of my posts and bookmarks, so they will be easier for me to use.

Week 6 -- #13

I created an account at del.icio.us last week and added the bookmarks of my home computer, but I haven't got around to the ones at school. This service will most certainly make my life easier since all of my favorites will be at hand wherever I am, even if I'm traveling and only have my Blackberry. It will also save time to take advantage of the other bookmarks and tags available. Last week I told one of my teachers about it and she got very excited about the possibilities. Libraries can bookmarks sites chosen specifically for research projects, ready reference, or other curriculum-related needs.