Thank you! This was a wonderful experience to work in this way and also to try out a variety of new tools and begin to plan how to use them more in my school, library and life! Today I attended a PD committee meeting at school and praised the course - and now will run a couple of sessions for staff on some of the tools during this term.
So, once again - thanks - I gained so much from all this.
Cheers!!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
#22 Ebooks and #23 Audio Books
The library I work in has a large audio book collection and at this stage only a small e-book collection but I know that will only grow!
I think audio books are great - as you said in your introduction for ESL students (of which we have a large proporation in one of the schools I work) and also for the Adult literacy students too. They especially like it when they can read the book and listen to it at the same time.
Our distance education students really like them too - they tell us they listen in the car when travelling, when crutching/shearing/branding etc sheep/cattle etc.
Some students who have learning difficulties, eg those with dyslexia also like to use them as they find it easier to hear the whole story and keep up with the class if required than struggle through trying to read it themselves (and they tell me they often spend so much time on words they lose meaning).
I am sure E-books will have appeal for similar reasons. And the students who have iPhones, iPods and soon iPads too will want to use them! Our students are often keen to do what they can using online tools so will try the e-books too. So, they will want to see them used in classrooms.
I am still trying to work out how we will manage e-books on a wider scale as a library,eg, will students/clients supply their own 'readers', subscritions for titles - how long will they last etc.
I now read much more online so am sure I will soon be reading with a reader - but only for some purposes. The good old book will still be used by me and I am sure others for a while - the 'reader' at this stage doesn't have the recreational feel about it!
So, the future - at least in the short term will be a mixture of both, I think.
I think audio books are great - as you said in your introduction for ESL students (of which we have a large proporation in one of the schools I work) and also for the Adult literacy students too. They especially like it when they can read the book and listen to it at the same time.
Our distance education students really like them too - they tell us they listen in the car when travelling, when crutching/shearing/branding etc sheep/cattle etc.
Some students who have learning difficulties, eg those with dyslexia also like to use them as they find it easier to hear the whole story and keep up with the class if required than struggle through trying to read it themselves (and they tell me they often spend so much time on words they lose meaning).
I am sure E-books will have appeal for similar reasons. And the students who have iPhones, iPods and soon iPads too will want to use them! Our students are often keen to do what they can using online tools so will try the e-books too. So, they will want to see them used in classrooms.
I am still trying to work out how we will manage e-books on a wider scale as a library,eg, will students/clients supply their own 'readers', subscritions for titles - how long will they last etc.
I now read much more online so am sure I will soon be reading with a reader - but only for some purposes. The good old book will still be used by me and I am sure others for a while - the 'reader' at this stage doesn't have the recreational feel about it!
So, the future - at least in the short term will be a mixture of both, I think.
Monday, April 26, 2010
#21 Online video
There are some fantastic resources available on You Tube and Teacher Tube. I am fortunate we can use them easily in the 2 schools I work in but I know there are frustrations for some staff in some schools where You Tube is 'blocked'
There is a great one called Dewey Rap that we have used at school and at a workshop.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?V=NHiUQb5xg7a
I have tried a few ways to embed this follwoing the directions but have stalled on a particular step so will come back to this.
There are an amazing array of videos and often you either stumble across one when looking for something else or get informed about it from others - eg listservs, facebook and twitter or just general staffroom chatter!
There is a great one called Dewey Rap that we have used at school and at a workshop.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?V=NHiUQb5xg7a
I have tried a few ways to embed this follwoing the directions but have stalled on a particular step so will come back to this.
There are an amazing array of videos and often you either stumble across one when looking for something else or get informed about it from others - eg listservs, facebook and twitter or just general staffroom chatter!
#20 Podcasts
I found the articles and links useful. I have used Podcasts and made a couple (using Audacity) for school but would like to expand on my knowledge and skills and the information for the course was helpful.
I have used podcasts from a variety of sources of book reviews to enthuse students to read. I have also encouraged them to find one if they are looking for more information on their book. Often too, there are podcats of interviews with authors etc.
The ABC ones are particularly useful for senior school students as they can often find ones on current topics and get ideas/opinions etc to work with.
As students often prefer 'active learning' the podcasts can assist with this.
So, now off to get more podcasts into units of work and also checking out some for the types of topics I know will be sought for soon!
I have used podcasts from a variety of sources of book reviews to enthuse students to read. I have also encouraged them to find one if they are looking for more information on their book. Often too, there are podcats of interviews with authors etc.
The ABC ones are particularly useful for senior school students as they can often find ones on current topics and get ideas/opinions etc to work with.
As students often prefer 'active learning' the podcasts can assist with this.
So, now off to get more podcasts into units of work and also checking out some for the types of topics I know will be sought for soon!
#19 Rollyo
A new one for me. But thought it was great and a simple way to search through a variety of websites for topics/themes/ideas etc.
I can see plenty of uses for suing it, eg, with senior students doing particular research topics they could add a varity of websites and then search for keywords etc.
I set up one called school libraries and added some websites. I then did a broad search, literacy and found many articles/matches from the ones I had added. I then searched using the keyword e-books and came up with less (but was as I expected). Even this simple example would be a very useful example to help teach keyword searching (and being smart with what keywords chosen).
Rollyo rocks!
I can see plenty of uses for suing it, eg, with senior students doing particular research topics they could add a varity of websites and then search for keywords etc.
I set up one called school libraries and added some websites. I then did a broad search, literacy and found many articles/matches from the ones I had added. I then searched using the keyword e-books and came up with less (but was as I expected). Even this simple example would be a very useful example to help teach keyword searching (and being smart with what keywords chosen).
Rollyo rocks!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
#18 Wikis
The comment wikis are websites with an edit button explained wikis best to me.
I have used a few and read many more as I have been working.
In schools it is often a bit tricky to find ones to use that aren't "blocked" - but this is geting better.
My main play with wikis at the moment is working with a group of teachers putting a policy together. We decided to use a wiki so we could see what edits/changes we are making.
Again - the Common Craft video helped introduce us to the world of wikis in a way that makes it so easy to understand
As wikis become more common in Learner Management Systems used in schools (eg Moodle) their potential for engaging students in their learning will grow.
My aim now is to set up a wiki with the library staff I work with and then add one to our website for comments etc about the library
I have used a few and read many more as I have been working.
In schools it is often a bit tricky to find ones to use that aren't "blocked" - but this is geting better.
My main play with wikis at the moment is working with a group of teachers putting a policy together. We decided to use a wiki so we could see what edits/changes we are making.
Again - the Common Craft video helped introduce us to the world of wikis in a way that makes it so easy to understand
As wikis become more common in Learner Management Systems used in schools (eg Moodle) their potential for engaging students in their learning will grow.
My aim now is to set up a wiki with the library staff I work with and then add one to our website for comments etc about the library
#17 Delicious
What a great thing Delicious is!
I have been using it for a while - but there are always new things to learn with it!
I have used it at work with particular teachers to put together a list of resources that will be useful for their students to check out. With a bit of PD the staff are also happy to add to the list and add tags etc - this takes a bit more and some only add the tag for the particular topic etc we have chosen. So, the potential for research can be as a basic tool with a list of sites etc to a much more complex version.
Students like it as they are used to using Bookmarks/Fabvourites etc and everyone likes the fact that you can access it on any computer and anywhere!
I have been using it for a while - but there are always new things to learn with it!
I have used it at work with particular teachers to put together a list of resources that will be useful for their students to check out. With a bit of PD the staff are also happy to add to the list and add tags etc - this takes a bit more and some only add the tag for the particular topic etc we have chosen. So, the potential for research can be as a basic tool with a list of sites etc to a much more complex version.
Students like it as they are used to using Bookmarks/Fabvourites etc and everyone likes the fact that you can access it on any computer and anywhere!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
#16 Subscribe to some blogs
Added a few more subscriptions - mainly relating to school libraries, web 2.0 but also found an interesting education.au one called "You are never alone" about participating in online PD.
And, to assist with a task for school next term I subscribed to a few copyright ones.
I also enjoyed the Common Craft video on RSS. I have viwed a few of these and find they are easy to understand and put it all in perspective. I 'follow' Common Craft on Twitter now too so I can get other information from them!
RSS is a great tool for me for my own PD as I can collect ideas/information/comments/articles etc and then persue them in my own time. I just have to be a bit strict with myself in how many I subscribe to so it doesn't become too overwhelming - but I find it a great way to organise it all.
And, to assist with a task for school next term I subscribed to a few copyright ones.
I also enjoyed the Common Craft video on RSS. I have viwed a few of these and find they are easy to understand and put it all in perspective. I 'follow' Common Craft on Twitter now too so I can get other information from them!
RSS is a great tool for me for my own PD as I can collect ideas/information/comments/articles etc and then persue them in my own time. I just have to be a bit strict with myself in how many I subscribe to so it doesn't become too overwhelming - but I find it a great way to organise it all.
#15 RSS
Thanks - some useful introductory information on RSS but Tute#1 wasn't working today but #2 very good.
RSS via Google Reader makes it all so simple! What I like so much about using RSS is that it collects the information ready for you to look at. One thing I (and I assume many others too!) need to be careful of it to limit the number of subscriptions we have. I have subscribed to a number of library related ones and have been getting some very useful information/articles etc.
In a school setting it would be a very useful tool for teacher PD to show them how to collect the type of articles they are looking for or to subscribe to blogs etc they have found relevant.
For students it would be useful to subscribe to a range of services that relate eg to a particular assignment. One example I can think of is a topic for Year 12 Nutrition which is global hunger. There are a number of NGO's and other sites where upto date information, statistics etc are coming through and will build up a great selection of current resources.
There are also many other subjects that require students to choose a current topic/theme etc and using RSS would give them another 'set' of information to use.
The options to star useful 'feeds', save to delicious etc are all very helpful and assist in joining the web2.0 tools together almost seemlessly!
RSS via Google Reader makes it all so simple! What I like so much about using RSS is that it collects the information ready for you to look at. One thing I (and I assume many others too!) need to be careful of it to limit the number of subscriptions we have. I have subscribed to a number of library related ones and have been getting some very useful information/articles etc.
In a school setting it would be a very useful tool for teacher PD to show them how to collect the type of articles they are looking for or to subscribe to blogs etc they have found relevant.
For students it would be useful to subscribe to a range of services that relate eg to a particular assignment. One example I can think of is a topic for Year 12 Nutrition which is global hunger. There are a number of NGO's and other sites where upto date information, statistics etc are coming through and will build up a great selection of current resources.
There are also many other subjects that require students to choose a current topic/theme etc and using RSS would give them another 'set' of information to use.
The options to star useful 'feeds', save to delicious etc are all very helpful and assist in joining the web2.0 tools together almost seemlessly!
Friday, April 2, 2010
#14 Facebook
I already have a Facebook account so did not want to set up another one.
I have used Nings - eg for Syba Signs events and also ASLA events and think they work really well and offer a range of tools to work with. My aim is to set up a Ning for the library staff at the Distance Education school I work in and share with the library staff at SIDE - the distance ed school in WA. A Teacher Librarian and I have discussed this and want ot have it set up next term for us to all share.
I have tried LinkedIn and find it interesting but a bit more than I need as it is quite broad with the people who are involved and the information that comes through. But useful to see too - as we can get a bit library-scentric or even school library and not look beyond that enough.
I also use a Twitter account and have deliberately set the Facebook account and Twitter one to serve different purposes for me. Facebook is where I keep in touch with family and friends and Twitter is more professional and PD for me. I 'follow' a range of other Teacher Librarians and other library related people plus a range of speakers I have heard at recent conferences. This year I am also 'tweeting' significant events in my library so I am keeping a record of these. I find Twitter great PD and it doesn't take up heaps of time but keeps me very in touch with new ideas, information and introduces me to people out there all over the world doing wonderful things!
In many schools Facebook and Twitter are 'locked out' but through this course I am finding out about other options that will be worth trying and possibly suit students who will want to keep their 'social' tools separate from the school ones but still use the skills they have to share ideas and information and interact with others.
I have used Nings - eg for Syba Signs events and also ASLA events and think they work really well and offer a range of tools to work with. My aim is to set up a Ning for the library staff at the Distance Education school I work in and share with the library staff at SIDE - the distance ed school in WA. A Teacher Librarian and I have discussed this and want ot have it set up next term for us to all share.
I have tried LinkedIn and find it interesting but a bit more than I need as it is quite broad with the people who are involved and the information that comes through. But useful to see too - as we can get a bit library-scentric or even school library and not look beyond that enough.
I also use a Twitter account and have deliberately set the Facebook account and Twitter one to serve different purposes for me. Facebook is where I keep in touch with family and friends and Twitter is more professional and PD for me. I 'follow' a range of other Teacher Librarians and other library related people plus a range of speakers I have heard at recent conferences. This year I am also 'tweeting' significant events in my library so I am keeping a record of these. I find Twitter great PD and it doesn't take up heaps of time but keeps me very in touch with new ideas, information and introduces me to people out there all over the world doing wonderful things!
In many schools Facebook and Twitter are 'locked out' but through this course I am finding out about other options that will be worth trying and possibly suit students who will want to keep their 'social' tools separate from the school ones but still use the skills they have to share ideas and information and interact with others.
#13 MySpace
I had set up a MySpace account a while ago but haven't used it - but it was still there!
I find it very busy and lots of ads but can see it would have appeal for some.
I checked out Drupal, including the Slideshare and that got me thinking that it could be an alternative way to set something up for the 12 members of my library staff to use, where we can put library information, try out some of the tools etc in the first instance before we go 'live' with all the staff and students. I think Drupal will be a very worthwhile tool as it encompasses a range of things available on eg MySpace but less public etc. The 'look' also appears to be more business like than MySpace which is more social.
I will also do more comaprisons with Moodle which is being taken up by the 2 schools I work in
I find it very busy and lots of ads but can see it would have appeal for some.
I checked out Drupal, including the Slideshare and that got me thinking that it could be an alternative way to set something up for the 12 members of my library staff to use, where we can put library information, try out some of the tools etc in the first instance before we go 'live' with all the staff and students. I think Drupal will be a very worthwhile tool as it encompasses a range of things available on eg MySpace but less public etc. The 'look' also appears to be more business like than MySpace which is more social.
I will also do more comaprisons with Moodle which is being taken up by the 2 schools I work in
#12 Flickr
I decided to go with the option of uploading photos (not my blog) as I think this is more in line with what I want to use Flickr for in the future. I would like to use it for my own personal photos but will also set up one to file the photos of events etc in the library.
I also checked out the Creative Commons tags as I wanted to make sure what I put up will be acknowledged.
I was also pleased to see the choices about who can see what as this is important in the school setting where we need permission from students to use their photo/image, so in this case I would make this a private collection or for selected people in a group I set up.
I know I could spend hours on Flickr - organising my photos but also checking out the great ones from others.
It is also a wonderful collection of images that could be used in presentations etc (acknowledging the source, of course)!
I also checked out the Creative Commons tags as I wanted to make sure what I put up will be acknowledged.
I was also pleased to see the choices about who can see what as this is important in the school setting where we need permission from students to use their photo/image, so in this case I would make this a private collection or for selected people in a group I set up.
I know I could spend hours on Flickr - organising my photos but also checking out the great ones from others.
It is also a wonderful collection of images that could be used in presentations etc (acknowledging the source, of course)!
This photo on my Flickr account is added in this blog entry.
#11 Library Thing
Have set up a Library Thing to highlight some of the Australian Children's Literature books I have in my collection.
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/SueJohnston
I found it very easy to use. I think it would be great at school to add a list of titles for students to work with - eg a particular theme/author etc. The reviews and other features are good and I think students would really enjoy working with ratings.
So - lots of uses for me - I just need to get organised and add other books from my personal library.
But, would also lke to try this with students and get their reactions - I think they would be very positive!
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/SueJohnston
I found it very easy to use. I think it would be great at school to add a list of titles for students to work with - eg a particular theme/author etc. The reviews and other features are good and I think students would really enjoy working with ratings.
So - lots of uses for me - I just need to get organised and add other books from my personal library.
But, would also lke to try this with students and get their reactions - I think they would be very positive!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
#10 Image generators
A great range of ideas and products to use.
I looked at a few different ones and enjoyed playing around with them.
And it also reminded me that we need to add graphics to work for our students as it really does add the sparkle
Image created using: www.vistaprint.com.au
I have also used meez.com and dude.msn with staff and students to make avatars and everyone has always wanted to do more!
#9 Vitrual worlds
Virtual worlds like Second Life open up a vast array of possibilities for students etc. Last year I was at the ASLA conference in Perth and attended a session where the presenter showed the Virtual Worlds set up by many of the Australian universities. One of the schools I work on is interested in joining in a project with other schools to set up a virtual environent for a particular course. So, in terms of trends I think there are a variety - some people using it for entertainment but others also using it as advertising/promotion etc. Libraries could use it for both purposes!
Benefits - it appeals to many who enjoy the cartoon/graphic type representations. It also allows for flexibility to get ideas/information etc through another means to staff and students.
I know online game is appealing to some and we obviously need to cater for them too (it just isn't something I personally find appealing!). I think it is important that Second Life keeps the adolescent and adult streams separate though.
Ideas such as Avatars can allow students to express their personality in various ways and also be used to teach students about online safety and not revealing all about themselves (eg photos).
And I can see great psooibilities for setting up my ideal library in a virtual world and sharing it with my line managers next budget cycle!!!
Benefits - it appeals to many who enjoy the cartoon/graphic type representations. It also allows for flexibility to get ideas/information etc through another means to staff and students.
I know online game is appealing to some and we obviously need to cater for them too (it just isn't something I personally find appealing!). I think it is important that Second Life keeps the adolescent and adult streams separate though.
Ideas such as Avatars can allow students to express their personality in various ways and also be used to teach students about online safety and not revealing all about themselves (eg photos).
And I can see great psooibilities for setting up my ideal library in a virtual world and sharing it with my line managers next budget cycle!!!
#8 iGoogle
iGoogle is a great tool. I like the way that you can adapt it to suit particular events etc. In a discussion with other tachers about this tool we looked at using it to have changing things up on the projector screen and or IWB when students begin class. It can be changed to suit a particular theme and thus keep it fresh for each group. The physics teacher talked about using physics type applications, a primary teacher thought they could have a theme set up while working on this in class. From the library side of things I chose library/book/news/elearning type applications and tried it with a class - they enjoyed it!
Google seems to keep improving all their applications - but I would like a bit more choice on wallpaper/themes! But I like the way now you can adjust the size of boxes, move them around easilyy etc.
And, Google seems a fantastic place to work - and a place where teams seem to work well. I also looked at that aspect of the company when watching the videos and have also read a few other thongs about the comapny.
And, I wish our library had the funds for some similar furniture etc!!!!
Google seems to keep improving all their applications - but I would like a bit more choice on wallpaper/themes! But I like the way now you can adjust the size of boxes, move them around easilyy etc.
And, Google seems a fantastic place to work - and a place where teams seem to work well. I also looked at that aspect of the company when watching the videos and have also read a few other thongs about the comapny.
And, I wish our library had the funds for some similar furniture etc!!!!
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