Thing #20 Social Networking

Okay, the verdict is still the same, I'm not crazy about social networking. In the correct setting with the safety rules strictly enforced it could be used in school. Teens are so naive and "out there" that they will post just about anything. I'm trying to be open minded and think about how this could really work.

My daughter asked if she could open a Myspace account. To this date I have said no. The problem comes into play that even if she is safe and follows rules it doesn't mean others will do the same about her space and pics. When I see people my age, married and posting on Myspace I have to ask "why". Are they bored, need some excitement, or just friendly and enjoying being able to visit with people all around the world.

This could probably be used in a class project with the teacher as the facilitator and communicating with people from another country. It would be very cool to see pictures and interact to learn cultures of certain areas.

Thing #19 Microblogging

I just finished joining Twitter.com and making my first post. I have to tell you it felt completely ridiculous to just throw something out there about what I just finished doing. Drinking morning coffee and doing laundry seems so normal and boring how can anyone be interested in that?? It seems that there isn't enough room to type anything worthwhile about work/ideas pertaining to my job. I just don't get it yet.

If anyone else has joined Twitter let me know so we can follow each other and be ridiculous together. I found Alice Yorks name since she was in my personal email contact list but that's the only one since I didn't use my work email. Oops, I should've done that. I will post more later after Twittering for a few days....

Thing #18 YouTube, TeacherTube, and user generated video

Thing #17 Award Winning Apps

I found a music site that seems a lot like iTunes but works a bit differently. It's called Last FM and you're able to search for music, tag it, and listen to it. The site will also send music to you that you might find pleasing according to your most recent music choices that you've listened to. Navigating the site still seems a bit of a problem for me, I haven't found out how every aspect of it works. The tagging shows up as it does in del.icio.us. (I think) I tagged a few songs under "daughtry" and it showed a ton of music that I didn't tag but I'm thinking maybe it pulled more in????

One of the classes this would be useful and fun to use in would be the history of rock and roll. If the instuctor wants to pull up a song he can do just about any that he wants. You can also get music videos.

http://www.last.fm/

Thing #16 Learning a Language

I can see myself using this tool. Italian would be GREAT, I agree with a few of you that commented about that. Although at this time I would probably use the Spanish language much more for the school setting I'm in. Italian would be for my trip to Italy that hasn't been scheduled yet...

I'm trying to think of how a foreign language instructor could actually use this tool. I'm not there yet. It seems to be a great way to review or keep refreshed on the Spanish that was learned forever ago, that would be me!

Thing #15 Audiobooks and eBooks

We dont' have any audiobooks or eBooks in our library. Because of this I'm not familiar with them at all. Gary absolutely loves them for personal use since he drives a ton. More to come.....

Thing #14 Podcasting

It took me about 45 minutes or more but I now have my own voki and my own voice. I have completely freaked out my girls and their cousin since they've never even seen a voki. They were impressed might I add. I was having a difficult time being able to post my voki into my message for this post. It was easier for me to add it to my sidebar, any suggestions on how to do this?

Once again, Silver Creek has great ideas. Lynn told me about a Spanish teacher that recorded her voice in Spanish and has her students log in to hear her give them an assignment. Talk about getting the students excited about an assignment, she's right on the mark there. They might have to pair up though, since I'm sure some don't have the technology to do this.

Thing #13 Experiment with Google Apps

I've tried two of the Google Apps, Calendar and iGoogle. The calendar is very cool, although you do have to sign in daily and have it minimized while working so you can get the reminders since it's not through Outlook. Although, I think I did see where you can merge it into an Outlook calendar. I'll have to dig deeper into that one. I do know that Silver Creek uses the calendar to schedule time slots for the library, she said she loves it. (this was the application right Lynn) I might have to take a peek at that one. I can hear the staff freaking out about that change.

http://www.google.com/ig?source=mpues&hl=en

Myra also introduced us to iGoogle two classes ago and it has great possibilities. I like the fact that there's quite a few "folders" across the top and a lot of room for adding "stuff" to my page. I want my page to be like Myra's. Myra, do you have a year to make mine like yours??? This page could actually be used in a classroom/library to get daily up to the minute RSS feeds so the students can investigate a certain topic of discussion. Fun stuff!

Thing #12 Open Source Applications

Pretty cool tool! Google docs is very similar to a wiki. The possibilities are pretty much the same in a sense that everyone can edit without a ton of email bogging down your system. All that you invite is in on the editing process so it's much easier to get the end result. I created a document titled Google docs. I typed it up and tried posting it directly to my blog, that didn't happen. I'm not sure exactly where it went.

Google docs definitely is a good backup that students can use for saving documents instead of trying to email and then not be able to open it up. It also gets lost in translation when using email. I don't think it would ever completely replace usb thumb drives because if the internet is down you wouldn't be able to retrieve the document you need to edit. I think. Anyway, open source applications are definitely something I would use personally and recommend for students as well because of the cost and reliability.

Thing #11 Wikis

Wikis are fun. There are many possibilities for wikis to be used in a secondary library with the students and staff. What a great way to make the students accountable for what they write and publish. No plagiarism, need to be creative, collaborate with other peers. Administrators can use this on many levels with the staff. Get some ideas rolling with a specific idea, organize before a staff meeting actually meets.

Thing #10 Photos

I changed the color in this photo with Flickr editing tools.

It takes quite some time to upload, edit, and then upload again. I'm still getting used to the process for all of these features. We've talked about this quite a bit in class. The more you practice the easier it gets. I took a week and a half off and now I'm paying for it :) My goal is to keep at it so that I can be more valuable to my students by being able to upload, crop and edit with the best of them. Okay, at least with the so-so best of them.