#16 Wacky Wikis

I now know why this is taking me so long, I have had to sign up for a ymail account to do the blogs, Google tools, Avatars, & continue to have my sbc account. Each time the computer has to reconfigure settings going from ymail to sbcglobal. AAHHHHH! I don't have time to waste my time! Okay, I'm done ranting & raving...

A wiki can be like a community newspaper where everyone can write or participate. I saw the example of a high school wiki complete with blogs. I wasn't able to open the PB Video gallery, but would have liked to have seen how to use the features & upload photos.

I think I will definitely try to use various wikis for Pre-K concepts; Science, math, language, Spanish for teachers to share their websites & ideas.

# 15 you know.....the library

I love Dr. Wendy Schulz's article on the future library experience. She calls library 1.0 the commodity, having books. Library 2.o the product, being able to have library information anywhere. Library 3.o service, 3D participation in customrer relationships thus creating a need for librarian "superstars." Finally, library 4.0, experience in a multimedia surrounding of entertaining information with relaxation component of a spa atmosphere; quiet comfortable chair with no distractions ...you know, like the library.

Also loved Teachertube video, you can catch a better quality video by clicking link, to show that education methods need to change to meet needs of technologically comfortable students.

What this all means for librarians is that they need to be the catalyst to help change an archiac education system. In leadership roles, librarians must guide teachers & students into learning 2.0

Photo courtesy of uncultured from CCflickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/uncultured/2499687367/

# 14 Tag....you're it!

Enjoyed Technorati video, great job explaining that Technorati is about searching blogs. Blogs being the voice of the people, as websites used to be before commercialization. The blogsophere is doubling every 6 months, which tells you it is a big thing.

I've noticed newspapers, radio stations, television stations all have blogs, which leads me to believe that blogs can't avoid commercialization.

I think teachers could benefit by reading other edublogs or writing their own. Older students could use Technorati to read what others are writing about & share their own views in a real world situation. (I am challenging myself by trying the linking feature)

As far as popular, recent, searches, and tag usage I seem to get a variety of results each time I try using a different method.

I really liked tagging for Flickr because early childhood teachers are always looking for pictures to help develop vocabulary and language. del.icio.us tags will be helpful for different game & websites that promote our Pre-K curriculum so that teachers can access them quickly and effectively. Technorati is wonderful, but it is a tool that I will show teachers much later. I would rather get them comfortable exploring databases, social book marking, using copyright materials correctly, and finding pictures using creative commons Flickr, and using Google tools like google doc.

# 13 Social Bookmarking

I first started the 23 Things from the HCPL website, I found out about del.icio.us from them. I started bookmarking, or "adding new favorites." I did not realize the potential for use at the time. Now I can make a list of great Pre-K Science websites, Spanish websites, or letter recoginition games & share them with other teachers. I don't need my own computer, these can be accessed from any computer. If someone finds a great site for me they can send it to my del.icio.us account. I can add teachers, staff who sign up for del.icio.us to my network & they can share my sites for free! I can tag "Science," "Spanish," "Langauge" or professional sites and put as many sites into each of these categories as I want.This will be handy!

#12 Community Through Commenting

Thing 12 was by far the most educational. I had to slow down and read fellow students' blogs. I feel that I got to know these people much better by reading what they had to say and seeing the great things they are finding to put in their blogs. Some added their iGoogle calendar, some their books from Library Thing, and some have shared other great sites that correspond to what we are learning. This took me a while, but I now understand what is meant by a blog community.

Though there were many great ideas about commenting on blogs, the two I think that help establish community are leaving a comment when you connect with something someone says and if someone takes time to comment on your blog, acknowledge them. It is like having a conversation, give & take makes it more interesting.

I don't think reading & not commenting is a crime. Sometimes you don't connect with that particular idea. It's okay not to comment. There are times that I should just keep my mouth shut, or in this case, fingers quiet.

I really like Doug Johnson's webpage and Blue Skunk Blog . He is able to get his point across in such a uniquely humorous way. These are not on his blog, but below itI love his long list of favorite quotes, his t-shirt collection, and you know you are a librarian in 2005 when.....
I found he has been on the INKA (Inca)Trail, viewed the slide show http://www.slideshare.net/doug0077/survivor-the-inca-trail/ and commented, hopefully in a meaningful way.

I run, slowly, marathons & half marathons for who knows why; health, sanity, or just cheaper than therapy, any way I found this blogger who has finally noticed that more women than men are doing distance & it is usually in groups. Running News Guy: girls girls girls I appreciated his positive observations & support.

#11 LibraryThing

Really enjoyed LibraryThing. I registered and started adding books. I will trying reviewing & reviewing advanced copies in future. Also, check out http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/search to get ideas from other readers.

#10 Image Maker

My favorite image maker is BigHugeLabs where you can make posters, badges, magazine covers, trading cards, and lots of other cool stuff. I want to share one I think will be a huge hit with older elementary & middle school students where they create their own super hero at
http://www.ugo.com/channels/comics/heromachine/classic.asp