Thing #11

I found that Library Thing is relatively easy to use. I liked being able to put my personal library in and now I can share that with friends and family. I can recall many conversations about book I wanted to suggest to friends and forgetting the title or author. Now they can look at my library catalog and know what I am up to!


As for using in the school's library, I'm not sure about it. Since we have a great online system and software, I don't think Library Thing would be applicable. I can certainly see me suggesting Library Thing to my co-workers and students. They can begin sharing their books and getting books suggested to them.

Here is the link to my Library Thing: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/lfawcett

Thing #10

I used the Image Chef generator to create this image. I thought I would e-mail it to a friend that has moved away!

I thought this was a really fun excercise. I think this will be a great way to spice up signage in libraries, classroom, and schools. At first I thought about introducing the students to this concept, but on one site they had adult images. I guess as with everything else, you have to search the site meticulously to ensure that it is proper to use with children. Students could use this to enhance projects, or just to have some fun. I also intend to use one image I made on our website.

Using the online generators was as easy as typing and clicking. It was also easy to save to your computer.

Thing #9

I have the same feeling about RSS feeds that I had when internet searching began. Overwhelmed! As I was looking through the various "finders" I began to get the sinking feeling that I would never catch up. I know that I just need to take it one babystep at a time and soon I will be running with the big boys and girls!

I found that Edublog's Award Winners was a great place to find the most popular blogs. I subscribed to one of the librarian blogs. It was nice to be able to click on one that was interesting and subcribe easily. I thought Topix.net was a little confusing. I couldn't decifer whether you would be subscribing to the whole site or if you could get a portion. Perhaps I need to look at it with fresh eyes and try again!

With some of the blogs I visited, I felt like I was evesdropping in the middle of stories. It's kinda like beginning to watch a movie when it has been playing a while. It takes a little more effort to catch up.

The most useful way I have found to subscribe to feeds is to look for subscriptions in your favorite websites. If you visit a site often, then that is a clue you like the site. Why not get the site to come to you? If an RSS feed is available, then one should give it a try.

Thing #8

RSS feeds are interesting characters. I like the idea of news being sent to me. Perhaps now I will be on the frontline of news instead of not knowing what was happening around me. I have to admit that searching sites or newspapers for interesting tidbits doesn't happen often for me. Now that the news can be sent to me, I have no excuses! One problem I can see happening is that I won't get around the checking back with the aggregator and having a boatload of information waiting on me when I do check in. But all that can be handled with the simple push of the delete key!

Currently I don't have much feeding to me, but I can see myself getting feeds for scrapbooking, movies and TV news, and of course news pertaing to my career as a librarian!

As for using this in the library, I can think of many uses. We could receive feeds from many of the great sites for teachers and children. I could set up an aggregator for both students to access and teachers as well. I feel like I have said this already, but the possibilities are endless.

Thing #7

I never knew Google could do so much. I really liked the iGoogle page. I set mine up to show the latest news events, a joke of the day, optical illusions, and weather. I also used the Picasa web album. I have used Picasa in the past to organize my digital photos. Now it will be super easy share my photos with friends and family. Here are my photos from a PTA night: http://picasaweb.google.com/lfawcett12 Hope you enjoy.

I have had 2 questions come to mind with these tools. Is it alright to put students pictures on these websites as long as we don't use their name or our school name? Do we need to have parent permission to use these pictures?

Thing #6

It amazes me what things are out there for us to simply check in to and use. I thought Flickr Color Pickr would be great to use in the art class to teach the color wheel and the brightness or dullness of colors.

I think the I will use the Mosaic Maker the most. Once I get photos uploaded to Flickr, making a mosaic lookes simple. I then can use the mosaic I create to use on the website, print for a bulletin board, or share with classes. Yet another great tool in my tool box!

This trading card is great! It would be great to use with the students when they have completed a project, a goal, or any other celbratory time. A classroom teacher could use this at the beginning of the year, then at the end to compare how much they have grown. On our campus we have a 6th grade graduation. It would be awesome to have the 6th graders make their own card and tell about themselves, their dreams and ambitions, and what is important to them. How cool is this!

Thing #5

Deep-Red
Originally uploaded by kalsang35

This web-tool is amazing. I have used web-based picture organizing software before, but FLICKR goes beyond my expectations. The relm of possibilities for this is endless. I envision myself using this for my website, and getting pictures to the yearbook committee.

I chose this picture because of my love for flowers. The deep red is so pure and beautiful.