There from here library

CFF - CDWG Professional Development Training - 11/17/08

2008-11-17T07:21:00.000-08:00

Good morning!

It's been a while since posting to my virtual space.

I've thought often about how I would "keep this blog alive" and came up with tying in some of the things I'm learning during my Classrooms For the Future Coach Training.

The project for this morning is to domonstrate adding features to a blog post.

These include adding digital audio files, adding clipart, adding digital photographs, including hypertext links and sharing and tracking changes.

What a great opportunity to revisit my own learning. And away we go....

First - adding digital audio files

When I did my first search - for digital audio files, I came up with a link to a file convertor. After checking with my trusted companion, Zamzar is recommended.

http://www.zamzar.com/

Zamzar offers free file conversion for Document formats, Image formats, Music formats, Video formats, and Compressed formats.

The offer a FAQ page that lists the most common questions when using the service.

We just had an interesting conversation about if Zamzar could violate copyright?
I'd love to hear what you think.
jane

Week 9: Podcasts, Video & Downloadable Audio #23 Final discovery exercise on Copyright and Creative Commons

2008-09-14T10:26:00.000-07:00

For this final discovery exercise, we are asked to explore Creative Commons.

The closest thing I could find to a simple definition of what Creative Commons is all about is found on the History page:

Creative Commons’ first project, in December 2002, was the release of a set of copyright licenses free for public use. Creative Commons developed a Web application that helps people dedicate their creative works to the public domain — or retain their copyright while licensing them as free for certain uses, on certain conditions. Creative Commons licenses are designed for several kinds of creative works: websites, scholarship, music, film, photography, literature, courseware, etc.

The first step is to choose from several conditions you would like applied to your work.

The choice begins with the amount of attribution you allow regarding copying, distributing, displaying, and/or performing your copyrighted work. Choices include deciding if your work can be "tweaked" and redistributed for commercial and/or non-commercial uses with appropriate credit to the original work. the range of choices include from the "most accommodating" to the creation of derivative works to the "most restrictive" meaning simply allowing redistribution of the original, intact, with credit. Once decided, select a license and place the appropriate icon or link with your work to convey your intention.

Creative Commons has developed a flyer that describes the process. Other useful links can be found on the Documentation page.

Creative Commons is recognized globally. Licencing agreements are broken down into three levels: Commons Deed (written in understandable language), Legal Code (for lawyers) and the Digital Code (metadata). The Legal Code portion can change depending on the country of origin.

I must admit that this is such a worthy project that provides a necessary component to the evolution of web2.0 capabilities. It offers a chance for true global collaboration...grass roots development regardless of geographic location, while still offering some level of protection to the original work.

At the header of this PA Online Web 2.o it reads:

"Learning 2.0 is a discovery learning program created by Helene Blowers. Content
and style for School Library Learning 2.0 and Classroom Learning 2.0 have been
borrowed and duplicated with permission, under a Creative Commons License".

In addition, on a sidebar of the California site it reads:

"Learning 2.0 is a discovery learning program created by Helene Blowers. Content and style for School Library Learning 2.0 and Classroom Learning 2.0 have been borrowed and duplicated with permission, under a Creative Commons License".

A general search for Helene Blowers led me here to the original 23 thing site and here to a 2007 article in Library Journal online promoting Helene's open access attitude.

It's hard to believe I've finally reached the end of this discovery journey (nearly...).

The true power of this is in the experience. What I'd love to do is bring this back to my learning community and share this...get more people to walk the walk. These ideas are meant to be passed on, used from different perspectives, rise in different ways.

And, based on the language of the Creative Commons License associated with this project...I can. How great is that!

One more thing to go...a least for today : ).

I'd like to leave you with this thought...jane

Week 9: Podcasts, Video & Downloadable Audio #22 eBooks and Audio eBooks

2008-09-07T12:45:00.001-07:00

Hi all,
I actually deviated from the directions a bit for this exercise.

I am an audio book person at heart.

For the last many years, between commuting to college, waiting for appointments, walking, or just needing to occasionally cook or clean...listening to an audio book has become a regular part of my daily routines. So when I saw the link for AudioBooksForFree.com, I had to check this out.

First, let's talk about the things I do like. The interface is fairly clean, the organizational structure of the content, and details about the particular titles are nicely formatted on the page. It's easy find a favorite genre. All titles list how long the piece is as well as info about the author and narrator. Tabs across the top section link to content by fiction, non-fiction, children's stories, and music.

What seems to be the case is that depending on the amount of files you'd like to download...it could very well end up not being free. Also, certain titles do not seem to be available unless "bought". It appears some authors actually have money deposited into paypal accounts for access to their work.

Now, I honestly don't have a problem with paying for this service (as I would if I decided to purchase a print book). But the site title is a smidge misleading. I couldn't come up with a better one...but finding out it wasn't really free after all was disappointing.

Also, under "size vs. sound quality...well 8kps is free. OK...I'm not sure what a kbps is yet, but free is associated with a "bearable quality.
For $5 USD, I can get "tolerable quality". But $8 USD will buy me "very good quality".

My intention is not to knock this service. It is convenient. They do seem to have their bases covered with things like:

List of Download Managers.
List of Multimedia Players.
Is your portable mp3 player suited to play audiobooks?
FAQ, HELP, Potential Problems, Support

And, the selection is decent.

But for this girl who watches her pennies...my local library is still the best deal in town...no matter what medium I'm looking for.

As for eBooks. I read all the time online. But, everything I read though is fairly short though.

If I need to read something that requires extra concentration or something of length regardless of the purpose...I usually prefer paper if that's possible. My eyes are grateful too.

I wouldn't discourage anyone from accessing the vast amount of resources available from sites like World EBook Fair' site. To have this resources at your fingertips is truly magnificent. It's just not for everybody all the time.

jane

Week 9: Podcasts, Video & Downloadable Audio #21 Podcasts (You don’t need an iPod!)

2008-09-07T10:27:00.000-07:00

Hi all,
I'd like to start with a definition from the PA Online Web 2.0 site.

"The word podcast is used to refer to a non-musical audio or video broadcast that is distributed over the Internet. What differentiates a podcast from regular streaming audio or video is that the delivery method for podcasts is often done automatically through RSS."

You can use an application like iTunes as a directory to locate mostly pop culture items...TV, movies, music to load onto an iPod or MP3 player.

I found a video on YouTube that did a decent job of explaining the mechanics of how podcasts work. The video is entitled "What is a podcast?" Summary details: "Jason Rhode (Northern Illinois University) provides a brief introduction to the technology of podcasting and mentions a few of the instructional benefits and considerations for using this new medium for information
delivery."

For this exercise, we were asked to subscribe to a podcast in our blog reader using the RSS feed. The blog reader I use is Bloglines. I selected NPR: Radio Diaries Podcast to be delivered to my feed. I don't have a mobile device to listen to podcasts yet, but I think this would be a worthwhile investment. I could easily see listening to the NPR podcast (or any other of interest) while exercising or anytime you are "waiting". What a convenient way to stay "in touch".

Even though this discovery exercise doesn't require that we create podcasts, I plan to venture into this territory. I've checked out the How to Podcast tutorial posted on the School Library Learning 2.0 site. This seems like a good place to start...now to just make the time.

It's amazing, the creativity tools at our fingertips...
jane

Week 9: Podcasts, Video & Downloadable Audio #20 Discover YouTube and a few sites that allow users to upload and share videos

2008-09-07T09:38:00.000-07:00

I know...I know...
This is getting out of hand.

This one I will have to use one day for a professional development session.

Too, too funny!

Thanks to ZrednaZ who reposted this February 21, 2007 with the summary:
"A.k.a. Medieval Helpdesk. This video makes fun of moderns newbie computer users by illustrating - in a way fully understandable to them - how silly some of their questions are by creating a similar problem in the Middle Ages.

It's from a show called Øystein & Meg (Øystein & I) produced by the Norwegian Broadcasting television channel (NRK) in 2001. The spoken language is Norwegian. It's written by Knut Nærum and performed by Øystein Bache and Rune Gokstad.

NEWS: NRK have uploaded an official version of this video themselves - also with Eng subtitles. It is located at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQHX-S..."

Week 9: Podcasts, Video & Downloadable Audio #20 Discover YouTube and a few sites that allow users to upload and share videos

2008-09-07T09:30:00.000-07:00

And finally...The Librarian from the Black Lagoon trailer
Added by BigfottStudios on 8/28/08. The summary says, "A trailer for the Scholastic/Weston Woods film "The Librarian from the Black Lagoon", based on the book by Mike Thaler and Jared Lee. Directed by Galen Fott. Voiced by Alexander Gould and Diana Canova. Animation by Bigfott Studios."

Something we can all aspire to be...

Week 9: Podcasts, Video & Downloadable Audio #20 Discover YouTube and a few sites that allow users to upload and share videos

2008-09-07T09:12:00.001-07:00

Should I be having this much fun learning?? Tee-hee...

Star Trek was one of my favorite Friday night shows as a kid. Hmmm...maybe this is what influenced me to choose my present career path...

Added to YouTube by "herrissyvoo" on 12/17/2007. The summary is as follows: "Captain Kirk wishes he had decided to become a librarian in the TAS episode "Bem". Spock, as always, responds by speaking the truth."

Week 8: Online Applications & Tools #19 Take a look at LibraryThing and catalog some of your favorite books

2008-09-06T05:58:00.000-07:00

Good morning!
I've been playing around with Library Thing. It's simple to use and provides a lot of options with regard to how you manipulate the content on your Library Thing page or if you choose to post the content to your blog. The tour is a great place to start.

I especially like that it allows you to post book jackets and also links to the titles and authors. This visual option definitely adds to the whole experience. I knew in past copying jacket covers was discouraged, but apparently the copyright issues were worked out. I found this note (Cover images link to Amazon, a requirement if their covers are displayed. Text links go to LibraryThing.) Finally, another impressive feature of LibraryThing is the search options via Amazon or Library of Congress for cataloging info.

I could easily see this tool used for by our high school students to create and share their favorite books and authors, not only with each other in their school setting...but with the larger world of readers...which is what Web 2.0 is all about.
jane

Week 9: Podcasts, Video & Downloadable Audio #20. Discover YouTube and a few sites that allow users to upload and share videos

2008-09-01T12:35:00.000-07:00

Welcome back!

For this exercise we were encouraged to find and embed a YouTube video into our blog.
I simply searched for "library"...and spent a fair amount of time browsing. There is some real bone-headed stuff out there...argh.

Anyway, I decided on three interesting enough to include (two more to come in additional posts).

The first is called "Interval Library". This video was added to YouTube on 6/27/06 by Kim Huston. Her summary of the video is as follows: "A project made for UWM: shoot something to do with intervals in the library. I chose the moving stacks in the basement. You press a button and they slowly go along a track to open up.
It was sort of a "What happens after hours" type of thing... kinda. If I had to give a reason for the goings on.".

Note: Somehow this first entry for Week 9 ended up after the one I posted earlier in the day for Week 8. I'm not sure why that happened, but does anyone know how to move the posts once they are listed?

Welcome letter to Mr. Fillmore

2008-09-01T12:10:00.001-07:00

Hi Mr. Fillmore,

I'm learning about an online productivity tool called Zoho. It's similar to Google docs.

I haven't used either with students...but used Writely (predecessor to Google docs) as a student. We wrote a grant using the product. It was great to be able to post our component parts and collaborate on refining the final product.

BUT we also had access to something called Centra which allowed us to talk to each other. SO we were able to add the verbal (real-time conversation) dimension to our work. I think that could make a huge difference depending on the product.

I wonder if Skype could do the same thing if students were working on an online project outside of school?

Thanks for letting me send you something. I thought you might like to see Zoho too,

jane

PS - I may like Zoho a bit better than Google docs. It seems to have more options on the document page...very intuitive. I'd be interested to hear what you think.

Technorati Tags Web 2.0

Week 8: Online Applications & Tools #18. Take a look at some online productivity (word processing, spreadsheet) tools

2008-09-01T11:31:00.000-07:00

AWESOME!!
The above post was created in Zoho.
I used Zoho’s publish options to post to your blog.
FYI...Mr. Fillmore is a chemistry teacher in my high school who has migrated his course into Moodle this school year. We spoke briefly last week about his plan to use Google Docs with his classes.
BTW-if anyone out there is interested. We also have migrated his students citations and note-taking into NoodleTools. NoodleTools is an online bibliography composer with fully-integrated note-taking capabilities. We did make them (11th grade students) use books...YES, print sources...can you hear them groaning...for the first exercise last week.
For as wonderful as this is you can't throw the baby out with the bath water. There will be times when navigating a brick and mortar library and consulting print sources is absolutely the best choice (or an additional choice). It's well worth the time to elaborate on these important skills.

And Mr. Fillmore...I appreciate your being a good sport and allowing me to keep the post from the Zoho letter in my blog. In all fairness, please let me know if you'd rather I didn't or would like something edited.
jane

Week 7: Wikis #17 Add an entry to the Pennsylvania Curriculum Connection wiki

2008-09-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

Hi,
Is there a password I should use to post to the PA 2.0 Curriculum Connection wiki?
I did not see one listed in our instructions.
Thanks,
jane

Week 7: Wikis #16a Take a look at California's Learning 2.0 SandBox wiki

2008-09-01T11:05:00.001-07:00

Hi all...
Visited the California Curriculum Connection Wiki.
Cool idea to create a wiki around this course work.
As more and more people participate in the 23 week program...ideas will flow.
I was just thinking that the wiki is similar to a blog post, but it's just dawned on me that I probably could have edited other posts while I was on the photo and image page.

If used with the best intention, a wiki can be a wonderful learning tool. I imagine if you were using this in a classroom situation, there would need to be groundwork for those contributing. I wonder if it would be a good idea to have the students develop the collaboration framework within their wiki.
One thing that may also be of benefit is to see the trail of updates. One complaint with group work is the load is not always distributed appropriately. This may be useful to track who shared what.

The link to my wiki post is:
http://calcurriculum.pbwiki.com/Photos+and+Images
jane

Week 7: Wikis #16 Learn about wikis and discover some innovative ways that libraries are using them

2008-08-31T13:25:00.000-07:00

Definition from week 16-
"A wiki is a collaborative website and authoring tool that allows users to easily add, remove and edit content".

Library applications

pathfinder
subject guide (e.g. St. Joseph County PL - Antiques & Collectibles) - How wonderfully complete. It is so clean & simple, yet comprehensive. I wonder how they divided the developmental work...one person...two people...all staff?) MEDIAWIKI
book review (e.g. Princeton PL - Book Lovers Wiki) - Nicely formatted, like the link to write a review. Question - no posts since 2006? Why not? PBWIKI
conference posts - Great interactive way to share posts, get people to learn about how to use a wiki. Thought - once the event is over...should there be some closure to the creation? My point is that often these things are created with great enthusiasm in anticipation for the event and then left floating...adrift... I'm guessing it's a "labor/time" thing and we all experience this type of crunch. Is follow-up just as vital as initiation?
best practices - Policies and Procedures (e.g. Albany PL) - Great way to share/collaborate an typically internal document PBWIKI
best practices - this Westwood Schools wiki beside being the home base for course information...also evolved into a "ning" called The Horizon Project to connect, communicate, collaborate Question...how did you design your project? around what theme? How did you find your social network participants? Another answered question to Who can join this space? If you're not a student of Mrs. Davis, please do not ask to join, although this space is publicly viewable it is only editable by the teacher and students at Westwood Schools.** Shouldn't this ease the concern many at our schools worry about posting to "the big world"? WIKISPACES
This quote is taken from the header to Mr. Miller's "English 10 classroom blog

"We read, we think, we discuss... we post.

So COOL! Questions...can your students access this from school? What was it that helped you to create this...a personal interest in emerging technology, a graduate course, etc... Do you mind having your course info posted for the world to see? Any challenges with either you or your students posting? It seems to me as if you have taken theory and put it into practice. Any "learned the hard way tips" to share? How much time to develop/maintain? I would love to sit down and have a conversation with you. I may just email... WIKISPACES

Final thoughts...great links showing the varied uses of wikis...I like some layouts better than others. I'll have to go back and check if it's the hosting site or simply the use of the tools. It still jumps out at me when something doesn't show an update in a two year span. I have a few blogs floating out there that I developed for various graduate courses that are just languishing too. Who houses these orphans? Should I clean them up? Can I? Another thing to check into.

FOLLOW-UP - blogs can be deleted under settings...and I think I like media wiki best, then wikispaces and finally pbwiki...

Week 6 follow-up...

2008-08-25T16:31:00.000-07:00

Hello world!
I just checked my Technorati site where I've claimed my blog.
My rank is 4,580,432 and has no authority or fans...YET...

After searching Technorati for School Library 2.0, this link jumped out at me from page 16!!
Here we go Off the shelf librarian...I hope this give you the bitty jump start you need to get recognized in that big blog world out there...

http://offtheshelflibrarian.blogspot.com/

All the way from Texas? What a small world after all,
jane

Week 6: Tagging, Folksonomies & Technorati #15 Read a few perspectives on Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and the future of libraries

2008-08-23T13:16:00.001-07:00

#15 asks us to write about our perspective regarding web 2.0 and its impact on our services.

The following quotes are taken from Web 2.0 Where will it take libraries? and written by Michael Stephens for a page entitled...Into a new world of librarianship.

"This librarian bases all planning and proposals for services, materials and outreach on user needs and wants". I might also add user preferred formats. For those of us targeting young adults...we need to learn both with and from them. Challenging...yes, but professionally necessary and often rewarding too.

"This librarian recognizes how services might be enhanced by the Read/Write web and how new services might be born in a climate of collaboration".
Someone replied to me from Texas...Texas. Here I am sitting in Lancaster, PA and get to hear what someone thinks half way across the United States! It still amazes me how easy and seamless this technology lets us interact with the WORLD!

"This librarian creates and nurtures a living, breathing technology plan".
Sticky...safety and expense are two hot topics when planning for technology integration. I'm all for purposeful purchases...team brainstorming/team vision/team commitment...ALL stakeholders. Sometimes, I believe we get too hung up on what might happen...we need to open Web 2.0 opportunities to communicate from school.

"This librarian recognizes how quickly the world and library users change with advancing technology".

I often felt overwhelmed that I would not be able to keep up with what's out there...until I finally accepted that I can't stay ahead of it. But, I can stay with it. Open confidence, open mind. What is truly important in not that I can teach each new technology innovation, but rather teach my students how to think...how to problem-solve...how to be comfortable with innovation. These skills will translate into any world yet to be.

"This librarian reads outside the profession and watches for the impact of technology on users and new thinking on business, because it is, in fact, related".

It's what we are preparing our students for... It's what will be expected...

"This librarian understands that the future of libraries will be guided by how users access, consume and create content".

As librarians, we should all be part of this forward flow. It' always been part of our nature...what we thrive on...

Finally, what does Library 2.0 mean to me...

Well, really it's just a stop along the way. It will be amazing to be a part of what's going on in 5 years from now...imagine...

jane

Week 6: Tagging, Folksonomies & Technorati #14 Explore Technorati and learn how tags work with blog posts

2008-08-23T12:27:00.000-07:00

Earlier in the week I did the search for "School Library Learning 2.0”. I found a few links to folks who took this class!

I'm not particularly surprised to find the popular choices revolve around technology, politics, and current culture. This new realm really does bring "voice" to your fingertips. As they state in their "about us" page...it's about what's happening now.

I may be a bit slow on the uptake with this one...and may have even "realized" this earlier, but Technorati is like a melting pot for interests and ideas. It's a technological innovation that as it "crawls" through the vast web creates linked connections based on language (tagging choices). Getting Technorati to notice you is one of the purposes of week 6.

Whoa! I've just claimed ownership of my blog! Go School Library 2.0...let's get those favorites numbers up!!

Week 6: Tagging, Folksonomies & Technorati #13 Learn about tagging and discover Del.icio.us (a social bookmarking site)

2008-08-19T12:31:00.000-07:00

Another adventure...

I helps me to define the things I look at, so here's what I found at the Technorati site:

"Technorati is the recognized authority on what's happening on the World Live Web, right now. The Live Web is the dynamic and always-updating portion of the Web. We search, surface, and organize blogs and the other forms of independent, user-generated content (photos, videos, voting, etc.) increasingly referred to as “citizen media". We rapidly index tens of thousands of updates every hour..."

So from a tagging perspective, technorati is a melting pot of sorts.

As for Library Thing...again individually selected tags that make sense to the contributor...rather than following a standard method as in more traditional settings. I guess what is fabulous about this is at least it does organize the wealth of data linked/accessible via the web. Not for the purist mind you, but definitely functional. Onward...

I just recently started a del.icio.us site. It's a life-saver. For so long I've stumbled through trying to keep track of the various sites that cross my path on a regular basis. It's overwhelming. I had to give up a bit worrying that I was "tagging" things well. The bottom line is that it needs to make sense to me...it needs to reflect the content in a way that will make it accessible in the future when I need it.

I could see this tool being used by anyone doing research over a period of time...personal or academic. It's a way to make some sense out of the chaos. Libraries can use this to make their web presence unique to their patrons. I could see it developed into a reflection of the community interests. Lots of potential for this one.

Week 5: Play Week #12 Roll your own search tool with Rollyo

2008-08-18T15:28:00.000-07:00

The final portion of week 5 deals with a online tool called Rollyo. Rollyo lets you "create your own personal search engines" by "picking the sites you want to search. There are options to search "searchrolls" developed by others interested in whatever topic you select. I don't lnow that I have my arms wrapped around this yet, but my instinct tells me as time goes on, this may be a valuable tool in a library setting.

So often our searches revolve around either topics of curricular importance or of personal interest to our students. I could see searchrolls developed around the content that naturally happens in our libraries.

My first searchroll creation is centered around the PA Young Reader's Choice YA authors. I'm not sure how I will use this yet...but at least the framework is in place. I'll add the link tomorrow.

FOLLOW-UP - I've been back into Rollyo and so far have not found the path to add the link to my blog. The directions say "Add your searchroll to your blog using the "Create a Searchbox" tool.Select...Reference. Search The Web". I get so far, but don't know what code to copy or how to migrate what I need here. Anyone else having the same trouble?
jane

Week 5: Play Week #11 Join a Ning network & play Traveler IQ

2008-08-18T07:22:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm member #1841 of TeacherLibrarian Network!
I've joined two groups - YA Lit in School Libraries and High School Teacher Librarians.
I think I will add these via RSS to my Google Reader...I need someplace to manage my library subscriptions. This makes sense to me...but any practical advice on how to manage/navigate in this "new web 2.0 world" would be appreciated.

And this is just plain fun...
Traveler IQ Challenge
I always have students who want to play in the MC.
I think I'll recommend this!
jane

Week 5: Play Week #11 Explore any site from the Web 2.0 awards list

2008-08-18T05:53:00.000-07:00

Wow! The assessment of the various Web 2.0 tools was right-on...

"With so many to choose from, it might be handy to first select a category that interests you

(like Books or Personal Organization) and then select a tool/site to explore"...

I looked at a few. Under Books LuLu has potential in our school setting for our budding authors. The Demo is well done and easy to understand what the product has to offer. It seems as if you can use the service for free to upload your creative work. One thing that I would want to be more comfortable with before I'd recommend this as an educator in a high school setting is copyright. Are any rights transferred? I would want to be clear on this issue. Maybe the best way to understand would be to pilot a project. I truly like the concept though. We've had students who self publish...so this may be a great opportunity for them.

Under Organization, I really like Zoho. It took me a few minutes to find out what a CRM is...CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management. Three users can access the product for free. The web site states...

"Zoho CRM Free Edition is the starting point for Zoho's full-featured on-demand CRM services. Ideal for entrepreneurs, consultants, and small businesses who need an immediate solution for day-to-day organization management. Free Edition is a no cost investment with big returns to help you better track prospects, contacts, accounts, business opportunities and inventory control".

From this perspective, this might be a valuable tool for our business classes to use. Possibly they could find a way to incorporate this into instruction. My instinct is that students who plan to go into business will often find their work environment online. Talk about practical experience...

What attracted me to Zoho first was the online meeting option for web-conferencing, then Zoho writer, sheet, note-book, planner, chat...really a one-stop shop...VERY comprehensive. A district could choose to use this for their communication bundle. I'm sure the issue of security would be of concern. I'd be interested to hear a computer network/technician's perspective on the idea. I'll have to ask.

What I think is especially useful about this type of exercise is the exposure to potential. For me applications need to be practical. Sometimes it isn't obvious on first glance how a product might best fit. Experience has taught me that storing these ideas and keeping up-to-date (as much as you can with these types of tools) can lend itself to opportunities not quite yet imagined. Truly...the web 2.0 sky is the limit.

jane

Week 5: Play Week #10 Play around with an online image generator.

2008-08-07T08:29:00.000-07:00

These two were found on the Image Chef site...banners and stickies...
Both fun and easy to use.
http://www.imagechef.com

I'm thinking about purpose for this one...
Hmmm...how about using these tools to add pizazz to the posts...always happy for aha's as they happen!

Another tool not mentioned in our list that I've used with great amusement is Blabberize . http://blabberize.com/
You upload a picture, place a "movable mouth" over your image and record.
We used this as an invitation for our students to attend an after school event involving Leo Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Illych.
Tolstoy did all the talking! Definitely more interesting than me saying it...

Week 5: Play Week #10 Play around with an online image generator.

2008-08-07T08:02:00.000-07:00

Our library is undergoing some renovations this summer. I'm thinking of inviting this little guy to help with the re-shelving...

I found this in Comic Strip Generator. This seems like a fun way to develop web presence.

One thing that keeps crossing my mind is copyright. Do sites like this have permission to use Disney images?

Week 4: RSS & Newsreaders - #9 Locate a few useful School Library related blogs and/or news feeds

2008-08-01T10:55:00.000-07:00

Which method of finding feeds did you find easiest to use. etc...?

Feedster - wouldn't open

Topix.net was cool since it opened with news from Allentown, PA - my old hometown. I wonder how it knew that already? Wait, can it read my mind?

Syndic8.com and Technorati - to be honest give me twitches. The hardest part is to know when to stop. Searching can easily become overwhelming if you are not focused on a particular purpose. I feel claustrowebphobic. Aargh, no more...let me out.

Ok, here's the sane response. Should I need to find something specific, I'd probably check Technorati. It seems to be well respected. BUT, after viewing the video tutorial linked...do folks add their own blogs with related tags? It seems a little self-serving, but who am I to judge.

Better yet, I probably would use the Google Blog search option. It seems like Google has ALL the bases covered doesn't it? Should I worry about that? Will Google be involved in everything I do? They may not be too interested in "little ole' me", but it makes them pretty powerful...

I really like Blog Pulse too. How interesting to be able to track the travels of an interesting post.

Finally, what was exceptional this time...http://edublogawards.com/
This is one place I'd like to spend a bit of time browsing. These folks truly are the best of the best. Have to save this for later though...

Week 4: RSS & Newsreaders - #8 Learn about RSS feeds and set up your own Bloglines newsreader account.

2008-08-01T08:42:00.000-07:00

This week's discovery exercises focus on RSS (Really Simple Syndication).

What do you like about RSS and newsreaders?
I've had a Bloglines account for almost a year now. I cannot imagine how much time it would take to visit each of the sites for updates.
You really can't beat the convenience of this web innovation.
The Blogline account consists of some feeds from my old hometown newspaper, a google search feed created to push any web results for information literacy, a literary agent feed, School Library Journal feed, Joyce Valenza feed, Jim Gates feed, etc...

The initial question didn't ask what I don't particularly like...it's not so much a dislike really, but more reality observation.
Depending on how often you are able to visit your account, the posts can rack up tremendously. I try to check at least once a day just to keep it fluid, but let a week go by and skimming your lists can become quite a task.

For this exercise, I created a (new) Google Reader account and used the keyword option to locate feeds related to information literacy. I added several feeds including "Information Literacy meets Library 2.0, EDUCAUSE, AASL Blog, Library Webhead, some Big6 stuff...

Since I recently created an iGoogle page, I added the Reader.
I may be a bit biased at the moment, but I like the layout of the Bloglines account better. The page layout and organization of the content makes sense to me. Maybe it's a comfort level since I have more experience with Bloglines, but Bloglines seems to better fit my instincts.
It isn't difficult to figure "how to do" the Google stuff, but I don't really feel a mental connection to their design options/features. It seems busy to me. (Ha-Google busy!)
Not just Reader, but across the Google board. I also could not get the manage subscriptions in Reader to work today...frustrating...
I'll have to let it digest for a while. Maybe it will grow on me.

How do you think you might be able to use this technology in your school or personal life?
As for personal, keeping in touch with the highlighted news from back home is comforting. If it wasn't this easy, I probably wouldn't visit (virtually) as often.
As for school...rolling it out to classroom teachers would be a step in the right direction. Current events, content specific sites, personal or professional interest...let's face it...it's all out there. Once the accounts are created and some feeds added...hopefully the time thing will work in their favor.

How can libraries use RSS or take advantage of this new technology?
I haven't thought through this too much yet, but if you were trying to make your library web site a desired stop for your patrons...I wonder if you couldn't include a link to your feed(s). Information about events or initiatives could be shared. This one will require a bit more time.

Lastly...Google Gears...
I like the idea of being able to manage reading your feeds offline. The person in the example has the right scenario commuting on a train. I decided not to enable Google Gears to my Reader account yet. The "agree to" stuff was LONG. Someone spent a great deal of time on this. I appreciate knowing the option exists, but it doesn't fit my purpose as well...yet, anyway.

Week 3: Photos & Images - #7 Create a blog post about anything technology related

2008-07-21T12:41:00.000-07:00

Instead of technology, I'm going to talk about people.

I had the distinct pleasure to work with an exceptional group of innovative people dedicated to enhancing instruction through the integration of technology. I cannot express how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to learn from and work with the people in the Educational Technology and Curriculum departments at CLIU21.

So, what does this have to do with Week 3: #7?

All of these wonderful, interactive technology related apps will not flourish in an educational environment without someone finding a practical way to use them...a reason...to build with what is.

But of equal importance is the personal interaction, the collaboration between people, colleagues if you'd like, that takes a good thing and makes it great.

The blending of ideas, the support, the encouragement, the pat on the back...these type of human "touches" make for very powerful technological (learning) possibilities.

So, it's never just the technology. People, colleagues, students, teachers influence the potential. We are all part of a dynamic...subtle can work just as good...to bring this type of educational growth to our libraries and schools.

My hope is that we all find or help create the type of fertile learning evident at CLIU. It is so worth the effort.

Week 3: Photos & Images - #6 Flickr, mashups & 3rd party sites

2008-07-21T12:26:00.000-07:00

Mashups
Two thoughts for this activity -
First, how wonderfully creative these folks are AND where do they find the time?
It intrigues me to imagine how the people who develop these ideas must think and the tremendous passion they must have for their craft. Whoa!

My favorite, although it is a tough choice is the mosaic. How cool to create a mosaic using images from favorite books or events happening at school.

http://www.deviousgelatin.com/montager/image.php

Just look for a right time and place...I believe the students would love it.
jane

Family room remodel

2008-07-21T10:30:00.001-07:00

Family room remodel
Originally uploaded by jane_englert

Added another one.
Still struggling with why "Blog this" shows up on some pictures, but not all. The Web 2.0 directions lead me to believe that I can edit this option in other people's pictures. Is this accurate?

I assume I allowed for the "Blog this" as well as the other tabs across the picture because I am the "owner" and it could be that I see all the options because it's part of my flickr account.
How do you set it to limit the edit option for others?

Tunnel heading from Dushore, PA

2008-07-21T09:53:00.001-07:00

Tunnel heading from Dushore, PA
Originally uploaded by Heaps Happy

I've only visited near Dushore once, but feel like I know a bit about it because I have two very dear friends who have ties to this little town. This picture seems in contrast to the quiet community in its wake.
Interesting...

Week 3: Photos & Images - #5 Explore Flickr

2008-07-10T06:39:00.000-07:00

Hi all,
The first time I used Flickr was this past March to upload some photos taken and received for an after school project in support of The Big Read.

As I was reminded again today, I can't remember user names and passwords for beans.

(I finally found the "school user name" I created to open the account in Flickr). Naturally it was "private" since I was using student photos and preferred not to tangle with additional permissions. Hopefully my login details will appear in a dream and I'll have access to the account again...aargh...

My next search was a "geo" search for Ephrata, PA. I found some beautiful pictures of the Ephrata Cloister via a bulleted map, but I'm guessing the photographs were not "public" since the "blog this" option was not listed and I could not change it as described in the directions.

So, I tried "Ephrata" again outside of the "geo" spehere and came up with some photos taken by one of our recent graduates. He is an exceptionally talented young man who has quite a "camera eye". Two of his offerings are listed below. The second link was on our district web page last year to commemorate graduation. I hope you enjoy looking at them to.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tekieb/978300772/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tekieb/532734971/in/set-72157600316736145/

PS - One question I do have is to confirm that blogger is not supported by flickr. When I went to blog this...it was not in the drop down and I received a "no-go" response. Just wanted to be sure I was not missing anything.

Week 1 - # 2 Lifelong Learning

2008-07-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Now that I have a feel for the course...I'd like to backup a bit.
I read and ferreted through the many links offered through the week one reading.
I'm not going to go back and pluck one thing out to write about, although I am thankful for the foundation laid while going through the process of the week one exercises.

I'm good with the recommendations from the 7 1/2 habits. I embrace them. I think we all do who have signed up for this experience.

What I'm really hoping for is a way to take these tools "home" in some way. I guess even if it's just for my own fun...that counts ( a little anyway).
But what would be icing is coming up with some creative, constructive way to use these web 2.0 tools to enhance learning...to build connections...
That would be a real heart-felt thrill, finding a way to use them to teach.

I look forward to learning with and from all of you,
jane

Week 2 - #3: Blogging

2008-07-07T13:22:00.000-07:00

I've created blogs before, but today was the first time I created an alter-ego avatar. I understand now how easy it would be to spend lots and lots of time tailoring "Ava" to fit my need/mood.

Somewhere in all the reading I did today too, having fun was definitely mentioned.
Maybe all the hesitation felt in getting started was lifted through the process. Yes, I think so.

With that said, I look forward to what week three has in store.

More to come!

One down...

2008-07-07T12:05:00.000-07:00

Fine. It's taken some doing, but I'm happy to be this far.
Next, my alter ego...