Beyond method 12

I enjoyed learning about some new tools and seeing some tools that I already use in a different light.  Some tools that I haven't previously used but plan to start using are flickr, screenr and the home page technologies.  It was refreshing to receive training that is pertinent to what I am doing.  I really liked the format and the independent nature of the work.  The videos and examples of what other libraries are doing were very valuable to me and gave me ideas of things that I can change in my work.  I would definitely recommend these courses to others and would participate in more myself.

beyond method 11

I use Surveymonkey in my library.  I've used it to poll the school faculty about materials and services that I offer.  I've also used it with students at the end of my summer program to get some feedback on what they liked/ didn't like or would like to have so that I can tweak my programming for next year.  In a recent workshop, I heard about another online survey through Googledocs, which I am going to try.  One challenge that I have had with Surveymonkey has been the 10 question limit, which will not be an issue with Googledocs.  I would like to find a way to create a survey which the students can use to do their book reviews, the problem that I am having is where to place the link for them to use and finding a way to publish each review in a way that other students can read and use them.  This will be a project that I will focus on this school year.  I am including the survey that I created for my summer library program.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7NYYFTG

Beyond method 10

Although I haven't set up one or used it myself, I have "attended" classes and meetings through webinars.  I really like this method of meetings because it saves me from having to travel to those places and the webinar format allows more people to get the information at one time.  I don't think that I will be using this in my library, as I really can't think of a need for it with elementary age children, beyond maybe a virtual author visit.  As with many of the other tools that I've experienced through this course, its great but finding the time when I am the only person working in the library is one of the biggest challenges. Unfortunately/fortunately for me I found out today that as a chair of a new school committee, I will be expected to host webinars.

beyond method 9

I really like this tool, I use animoto throughout the school year to introduce new books to my students.  The challenge that I find with it is the character limit in the writing space.  The rest of the storytelling went pretty smoothly because I planned it out ahead of time with a rough storyboard.  Having the images already lined up was a big plus.  One drawback is the editing process, but it went smoothly overall.  I created a video of my summer library program.



Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

beyond method 8

I used Screenr to create a screen cast of an author search.  The process was fairly easy.  I could see this as being a useful tool to remind students of processes that they might not use all of the time.

beyond method 7

Having not used any of the presentation tools, I chose sliderocket to upload a powerpoint that I use at the beginning of the school year.  I've included it here:

<iframe src="http://app.sliderocket.com:80/app/fullplayer.aspx?id=5fae4e60-245d-40d9-ade8-0a1949b452e7" width="500" height="401" scrolling=no frameBorder="0"></iframe>

I found it pretty easy to use, it was very similar to power point.  I think that I could use some of these tools in my lesson presentations.  I have also used glogster, which is an interactive poster tool.

beyond method 6

Using Project Gutenberg, I chose the following book to look at:


http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1400/1400-h/1400-h.htm

I found this site easy to use.  I think that my students would find the site easy to use, but not many of them would really have a use for it.  Most of my students come from low income families, who don't have computers at home much less e-readers.  I feel that if they wanted to search this site for books that I would be able to help them.  I would use this site personally if I had an E-reader, but even though the HTML version was easy to read, I don't enjoy reading on the computer.


Ereaders have become a hot topic in my district and some of the libraries have purchased ebooks, I'm just not ready to make this leap with so few students owning Ereaders.

beyond method 5

What a great tool!  Although I often reread books because I love them, I sometime reread them because I don't remember until I've finished chapter 1 that I have already read it.  I think that this would be a great personal tool for me.  I'm not sure about using it in the library - I can see using it when certain classes come in looking for book report books by genre, and it would be a good place for student reviews (I'm not sure how that would work though).  The biggest drawback would be the time factor.

Beyond method 4

I found the wealth of websites really informative for potential job seekers, I had heard about linkdin, but hadn't seen the other sites before.  I really don't see myself using this much in my library, I rarely have parents coming in wanting help with this.  However, if my district, closes my school and/or decides to cut librarians, I might need these personally in the near future.

Beyond Method #3

I think that the map mashups are pretty interesting.  I liked the vacation example from the first video clip of creating a travel map and collaborating with friends to make it.  I really don't think that I would use this professionally, but may use it personally when going on vacation.  I think that the goole maps site was really easy to use following the method's directions.


Just for practice, I created a map to my school.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=202135474700664129938.0004a9149730a6e950976&msa=0&ll=30.228029,-97.790578&spn=0.001706,0.003484

Beyond method #2

I really like the idea of creating a homepage for the library.  Often when students open up a web browser on the computer, they have a hard time finding the catalog book mark and other book marks, a home page would make these things easier to find and link to right from the page. I think that it would also be fun for them to be able to quickly link to book reviews or to open a link where they can input their own book review. 

I think that the Netvibes site seems easier to use than the iGoogle site.  This is definitely a method that I will use, and I will try to implement it this coming school year.

method 12

I've really enjoyed getting better acquainted with some of the Web 2.0 tools that I have heard about but not explored.  I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about and explore these tools.  A couple that I will explore and hopefully apply to my library program are some of the photo and imaging sites as well as podcasts.  I was surprised in going through the exercises about how much I am already using, I always ranked myself as middle of the road when it comes to technology and now I find that I'm a little more advanced than I thought.

The format and pacing of the program was spot on.  I liked the short video explanations, followed by more in depth articles and then a chance to practice. I will definitely participate in future programs.

method 11

Podcasts are a fun way to get information across. I found some foodie ones that were informational and fun as well as some news related ones. 

I could see the library using podcasts as a way to promote up-coming events, as a venue for students to share their book reviews or as a way to have a virtual story time.  This might be something for me to consider starting as an addition to my website, the biggest constraint will be time. 

method 10

I have embraced the wiki.  I began looking at wiki last year and at first was very intimidated by the blank page.  A couple of teachers on my campus were using them in their classrooms to display student work and as a place for students to comment on each others' work.  The library tech team for my district also created a wiki that is a store house for library info, lesson plans and a place for us all to put our ideas out there.  After seeing these different uses for a wiki, I decided to jump right in and created a wiki for my library where I house my schedule, lesson plans, book club information and various other things.  It is an open space that teachers can access to see what I am doing and I have linked it to my library website so that parents can also see what is going on in the library.  I haven't up-dated it since the summer began, but here is the link:

joslinlibrary.pbworks.com

method 9

I frequently chat with friends on Facebook.  It is a fun way to keep in touch, especially with someone that you don't get to talk to all of the time.  Although fun, I also find it frustrating waiting for a reply, or I'm typing and they are typing at the same time and the conversation can get confusing.  One really cool thing is that I have had 2 or 3 conversations going on at once. 

I really don't see my library using IM, since again I am the only librarian and it would really eat into my time.  I think that IM would be great for college libraries especially in the research department, where students could get real time assistance.  The only drawback would be having someone constantly monitoring for IM requests.

method 8

I do have a Facebook page that is private.  I have had students send friend requests, but I don't accept because I feel that there should be a line between my personal and professional lives.  Plus, I usually only accept friend request from people that I am truly friends with.

I have considered creating a professional page where I can friend students, but time is a big issue with that.

I can see some benefits for public or college libraries for using this type of network. However I really can't see its potential to my elementary school library, mainly because I am already responsible for 3 websites, as well as all of the regular library duties, there is only so much one person can do.  I feel that the information that I would put on this type of site is the same info that I am putting on the library website.

method 7

I'm not really sure what I think about social bookmarking.  I probably wouldn't use it personally, I'm a very private person, even this blog is a stretch for me, and I can't see putting my ideas out there for everyone to see. I know that you can make the sites you visit private, but then that kind of defeats the purpose.

As a librarian, I can see using it to bookmark sites that kids might need for research projects.  I could see it as a good resource for them during science fair, finding projects and information in an easily accessible place.  Then again, if I bookmark a bunch of places, haven't I done some of their work for them?  I am really on the fence about this one.

method 6

I love Youtube!  I share stuff all of the time through facebook.  The thing that I both like and dislike is the same, the sometimes overwhelming amount of video available.  I like that there is so much out there, but I dislike having to weed through a lot of stuff before I get what I'm really looking for.

I chose the video of the Ocegee Middle Schoolers because it makes me happy.  I've shared this video with students in my library and they really got into it, and were singing the refrain.  This video sends the message that reading is fun, which is always a great message.

My district has a limited block on Youtube and Teachertube, you can access them with your district username and password, yet students don't have access.  When I was still in the classroom, I would use Youtube to intro a new topic or to serve as a jumping off place for discussion.  It can be a great tool, when used judiciously.

I think that this site could be useful to libraries as a tool for publishing book reviews or promotions for upcoming library events. Patrons could then watch the reviews or promos and add comments to have an online discussion about books or the library.   Again I'm in an elementary school, so I would have to be really careful regarding students and privacy.

Ocoee Middle School - Gotta Keep Readin' (Parody Of I Gotta Feeling)

method 5

Online photo sharing seems like it could be another way to stay in touch with friends and family.  I've used a photo share service through Kodak, but it is hard to navigate and to send pics through.  I really liked what I saw in flikr, it seems like it would be easy to navigate.  I really liked the ability to have control over who sees the photos.  I don't take many photos, so I'm not sure how much I would actually use this kind of site.

I can see myself using this service personally though not much professionally.  Since I work in an elementary school, there are many privacy issues regarding photos and where they are published.  As the school's webmaster and having a library website, I am very limited to which photos I can use on the sites.  Many parents do not want their kids pictures available to the public.  Sometimes its even hard to convince them to allow their child's picture to be used on a private classroom only wiki.  As a campus we are discussing these issues and trying to come up with some solutions.

Beach

Beach, a photo by tim phillips photos on Flickr.

Yay the beach!

Method 4

I really like the concept of having all of my sites that I check regularly in one place.  I usually check sites during lunch and this will save me some time from having to go to each individual site.  Some of the links that I have included in my reader are:

for news - 
http://rss.cnn.com/rss/cnn_topstories.rss
interest -
http://eatitkid.com/feed/

 http://www.kitchendaily.com/rss.xml

Method 3

Although I've known about the cloud for awhile, I haven't really dipped my toes in.  As I am learning more about it, I can see myself using it for some things, such as doc sharing or accessing my work servers from home.  I do have a facebook account, but really don't put much out there.  I also run my school and a library website, but again am very careful about what is posted.  Overall, I think that I will take a cautious approach...take baby steps.

 I am leery about putting a lot of information out there.  As was pointed out in a couple of the articles, once you've put stuff out there who is to say that it stays secure?  This is a concern for me both personally and professionally.  I work in an elementary school, and student privacy is a big issue.  I can't imagine the repercussions if student info was suddenly open to all.  That would be a nightmare.

As for how this could/will affect my library, just like other technologies it will add to what I need to make sure that I teach my students.  I will need to add to my lessons on how to evaluate online info, how to be careful of what you put out there, how to make sure that you save your stuff and how to be careful of what you use and how you use it due to copyright laws.  I think that since many of these tools are not covered by the district's screens, it will also be important for me to monitor how students are using them.

Method 1 & 2

think that Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 are great technological tools that have the ability to connect people and their ideas in many different ways.  Users can publish through text, video and audio and share it with the world or with just a select group of friends.  The possibilities are endless and we are only limited by our imaginations.

I have an elementary school library.  I and my students are already using some of these tools in the library such as online browsing and using the library wiki to get book ideas.  I am also working on getting their book reviews on the wiki so that will be a further resource/connection for them.   I am also the webmaster for my school's website and for a separate library website.  These websites have a blog spot that I try to utilize, though I'm not that good with keeping up with it.  This year my district is moving to "the cloud", I am looking forward using it and being able to access things more easily.

As technologies change libraries and librarians will need to make changes inorder to stay relevant and to meet the needs of their clientele.

Intro

I grew up and began my teaching career in Galveston, although I loved life on the beach I wanted a change.  I moved to Austin 11 years ago and worked in a couple of different schools around town.  Now I'm a librarian, which job I've had for the past 3 years.  I work in a small school with less than 400 students and love every minute of it.