Week 5 (Play Week), Thing #11

This is really for week 7, Wikis, but I found the article so interesting that I want to share it now Wikipedimania.

The thing #11 that I am exploring is "Library Thing". I was already following the blog and didn't really understand the huge content of the site itself. I will write more about this later.

Week 5 (Play Week), Thing #10

I am finding it hard to stop playing with image generators. They are lots of fun and there are so many to explore. This is another from Image Shack but the Google search for image generators netted 1,950,000. Yes, I know there are repeats but I think you get the idea. Time to move on to thing #11.

Week 5 (Play Week), Thing #10

My first attempt at a comic. I can see students having lots of fun using the comic strip generator. Graphic novels are very popular now and this approach might get some students writing in new ways. Thanks to ImageShack for the easy way to create fun comics.

Image Chef has many ways to be creative. I appreciate that you do not have to register to use their tools. The above is a tribute to my excitement about learning 2.0 applications with a holiday twist. I wish all of you a very happy and safe Fourth of July!

Week 4, Thing #9

I actually did most of this "thing" when I set up my Google Reader Account. Like many people exploring cyberspace, the problem isn't finding information. The problem is organizing and evaluating the information. The 2.0 tools can be helpful but it is easy to get swamped. In using the different searches for blogs, I quickly found myself with too many interesting sites to explore. One that I found very useful was An Action Plan. This is from a university setting, however I particularily liked the "General Principals of Library 2.0" because it clarified for me the goal of using 2.0 technologies to make the library a better place. The statement:
"Libraries make collections available via open, personalized, interactive services that encourage content creation, editing, commenting, bookmarking, rating, tagging, etc. by users."
from the general principals summarizes for me what we are trying to accomplish.

The main lesson I learned from the technorati tutorial is to use tags often and carefully.

Week 4, Thing #8

Here is the link to my Shared Feeds. I made the library blogs and library news feeds public but keep my family's blogs and general news private. I don't think this community would be interested.
The whole concept of RSS fascinates me. The Mabry Middle School site is amazing. They have podcasts, video and many other examples of creative use of technology.
I have this nagging issue rattling around in my head: How reliable would all this be in the school setting? I have had many situations where I have developed a lesson, started classes working on a project then have something crash. Our students are learning to deal with frustration. This has happened with simple applications so I worry about the more complex technologies we are working with in this class. I will definitely try them and see what happens but I do worry.

Week 3, Thing #7

Week three is taking forever. I've been trying to figure out which technology to write about; there are so many to chose from. I'll go with Youtube. This technology really lets the creative juices flow. During our recent teacher strike, I really believe that Youtube made a difference. The Truth this is just one example of many editions of "The Truth". These were posted almost daily on the Hayward Teachers Together blog. True, this application is not how one would normally use Youtube in an educational setting. What impresses me is the great versatility and potential for creativity.
I posted a comment on Bibliomaniac. I find the Zoho very interesting though I have no personal experience with it yet.

Week 3, Thing 6 again

These were created using the paint program in Windows by first and second grade students. These are works in progress. The second half of the slideshow is student work with the use of the template. You can see how the work improved. We read the book The Kindness Quilt by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace.
I keep getting a little closer but now it is time to move onto thing #7.

Week 3, Thing 6 again

Washington - a photoset on Flickr
Yes, the Washington trip. That is Washington state and the museum is the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, WA. Our son, the big boy in the pictures, lives up there with his beautiful family. The good looking young woman is our daughter-in-law and the little boy is our grandson, he is four and delights us in every way. Thanks for asking.
This is a little closer but still not what I am after. I figured out how to open the link in a new window. I know it probably is a "no brainer" for you tech types but it is a big breakthrough for me. Go me! I'm still working on posting a slide show, it will come.

Week 3, Thing 6

Flickr: Photos from jkraut
I was trying to post a slide show and ended up with the photo page. I'll leave it up for awhile and see if I get some comments. In the meantime, I'll work on this concept some more.

Week 3, Thing #5

I have been exploring Flickr and really enjoy the amazing photos and all the different ways they are organized. I made an account and hope to do all the activities. I uploaded two photos, one public and one private. I am concerned about posting pictures of students so the public one is our amazing traffic after school. I did a search for library groups and found several that look interesting.
The students are gone for the summer and it is time to make the library environment a better place for students. We have a small grant to separate the computer lab from the library, which means moving all the books and shelves during the summer. Don't worry I won't be doing much of the physical labor. Even after the move we will be too crowded but I think things will be much better. Right now we have 30 student computer work stations, 8,000 books and about 33 students in a 40' X 26' room.

That was fun!

Week 2
Thing #3
The avatar setup worked but I don't really understand why. I couldn't find and "old lady" avatar so I'll go with what they offer. I did have fun exploring the different options. This could use up lots of time.

Registered

Today, I registered, see previous post. ( Thing #4) I am still confused on the avatar, I will work on that this afternoon. At least that is my plan, I still have lots of school work to get done before tomorrow morning.