Thing #20 Google Docs

I had fun with this one!  I wrote my blog post in the Google Doc. 

Google Doc

LibraryThing Thing #16

LibraryThing is a cataloging site for book lovers.  It allows people to catalog books for various purposes.  To add a book, all you need is the title of the book, the author, or the ISBN. 
It provides a means to read book reviews or write them, get book recommendations, and read forum posts about various books. 
The forums have groups that users can join about topics or specific books.  You can also find information about local book events from the LibraryThingLocal tab. 
I signed up for a LibraryThing account and began adding some of my favorite books and books I've recently read.  I found the site rather addicting.  There are so many articles and things to read throughout the site.  There is even a place to request free books to review. 
A site like this is great for personal use as well as in school or professional.  In my classroom I could set up a LibraryThing account and specify each class I have.  I can make a book list for each class. 
In the media center, a LibraryThing account would be great for teachers and students to generate book lists as suggestions for students.  Listing the books by genre based on peer input might be more powerful than having the librarian recommend books.  I'd like to see teen selected lists for popular books for students who dislike reading, or books for teenage boys. 
LibraryThing provides a means for these things to be possible. 

The link to my very short list of books is here:  http://www.librarything.com/catalog/MaryGirl

Wiki Wonderful- Thing 8

Before I begin I really want to say that the "In Plain English" videos are really funny and easy to read and understand.  
I've used Wikipedia plenty of times while conducting simple research or looking for quick facts about something when my students ask me questions.  Sometimes I don't have the time to go find an authentic source nor do I want to risk Google Images in front of the students because often questionable material pops up.  


A Wiki is "a website developed collaboratively by a community of users, allowing any user to add and edit content."  The level of access to the wiki can be set by the creator so that people can edit only certain things.  


The first Wiki was made by Ward Cunningham and the started name "wiki" was taken from the Hawaiian word "wiki-wiki" which me quickly.  


I have never made my own Wiki but I plan on doing so in the near future.  Some of my friends and I have a little book club and I made a message board for the club.  I'm finding that a message board is just too "much" for my little group.  I think a Wiki would be much easier for the members of my bookclub to add and change information. 


Smartteaching.org has an intersting article describing 50 ways to use Wikis in the classroom. 


Students can post information about a topic or a book and other students can add to the information to make it richer and increase understanding.  I know from my own students that often times I get the minimum and most simplistic answers from them, while other students add information to make it richer.  Wikis can allow all students to participate at their own level of understanding of the topic to be discussed or edited.  


For teachers and staff at school Wikis are great for sharing information.  If I create an awesome reading log that works well for my students, instead of sending it to everyone through email, I can post it on the wiki.  If other teachers have good ideas to make my reading log even more successful, they can edit my file and save it.  


If I had my own computers in my classroom or more of my students had internet at home, I would love to start a classroom wiki. 

Thing 2: What is Web 2.0 and Why Does it Matter?

    

 Web 2.0 is the next generation Internet.  With the increases in technology and social networking, the Internet needed a refocusing.  Web 2.0 is the result.  On a basic level, Web 2.0 allows users to interact with the information they seek.   Information is no longer "read-only" and only in limited formats.  In Web 2.0 information is interactive and in multiple formats. 
     Web 2.0 uses Rich Internet Applications (RIA) to improve the users experiences with the text or information.  These applications often need the user to install plug-ins or download the application.  Some examples of RIA's are Adobe Flash, Java, and Microsoft Silverlight.  
     Web 1.0 was mainly written in HTML.  Web 2.0 however is being written in other language such as XML, which allows for less formatting problems. 
    Socialization is the key to Web 2.0. Applications vary in types.  Some examples of Web 2.0 applications are "blogs, wikis, podcasts, social networking and social bookmarking sites, tagging, photo- and video-sharing, and RSS." 

    

  This exploration of Web 2.0 should have been completed at the beginning of my 23 Things investigation.  The 23 things all fit into Web 2.0.  Media specialists need to be aware of what is out there and why it is important.  Understanding the vast resources on the Internet would help a media specialist or librarian better serve their patrons.  A media specialist who is comfortable with Web 2.0 components would be able to mesh the modern technology into the media website.  Social media definitely has its place in the school media center.  What better way to reach the students than this?  Something their interested in, something catchy and vibrant, fast, and ever changing.   The world is changing and so should school media centers.   

      

Skinned

Searching for something to read last week I came across this book on a colleagues shelf waiting to be put into her classroom.  What drew me to the book was the cover art.  The girl has such a close resemblance to Anna Torv from Fringe, one of my favorite shows.  The preview on the back of the book was interesting so I gave it a try.  I normally don't read too many Sci/Fi type books but I really enjoyed this one.  Though I have some reservations about my friend putting it on her middle school classroom shelf.  I think her 8th graders could handle the sexual content and a few instances of foul language.  

There were so many themes in this book that were relevant to my students and teenagers growing up in the technology age.  The main character is in a horrible car accident.  When she wakes up she discovers that her body has died, but her memories, thoughts and her personality has been preserved in a Skinner or Meca. The journey begins from a popular, self-centered, genetically idea girl's perspective and shifts to a Skinner's perspective.  She becomes an undesirable copy of a human being, an outcast. She must learn to control her new body with her computer brain while her friends and family struggle with the realization that their "real" daughter or friend is dead and Lia is just a copy. 

I'm waiting patiently for the 2nd book (Crashed) to arrive in my mailbox at school so I can find out what the next step is for Lia and what new challenges she will be faced with in her struggle to survive. 

Distraught-A Daily Reflection

Why did they give me these awful kids?
who do they think I am?

I'm not so skilled and talented
these kids don't give a damn.

I stand on my head and jump through hoops
to try to help them learn,

They stare and me and turn away
education is not their concern.

They talk the talk of a band of thugs
they are lacking in respect

For me or you or anyone
even my classroom has been wrecked.

I don't know if I can continue this
my nerves are totally shot

I work so hard with no return
My days are spent distraught.

So here I am a stressed out mess
surrounded by this noise

Thinking about another place
any place else that employs.

The Gift

The Gift (Witch & Wizard, Book 2) by James Patterson

Whit and Wisteria Allgood must work together to develop their magical abilities while fighting to stay alive, save their parents, save the children from a fate worse than death, and battle The One Who Is The One who uses his arrogance and powers to manipulate everything around him. 

I'm enjoying this new series of James Patterson books.  Each short chapter is jam packed with tension and excitement. 

I'm looking forward to Book 3, whenever it is written.

RSS Feeds and Google Reader- Thing 5

          

I have had so much fun learning about RSS feeds and Google Reader.  It has now become part of my morning routine to wake up and read the new posts on my Google Reader.  I have set Google Reader has part of my Google desktop so I can see whether or not there are new posts as soon as I open up my browser. 

Finding the RSS feed button sometimes takes a little searching.  I’m observing that more and more blogs have a toolbar at the bottom of the screen that allows someone to search the blog as well as share the content on various social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. 

I subscribed to the 5 required feeds as well as the New York Times.  While reviewing my Google Reader to see what interesting posts I could find, one of the first ones jumped out at me. 

Free Technology for Teachers is full of information that could help students and a school media center familiarize themselves with Web 2.0.  The article that caught my eye was about a new search engine called   .  The makers of Blekko hope to change the way people search for topics on the web.  Using slashes "/" to separate search terms in blekko, helps to organize results based on desired requirements. 

While testing out Blekko I searched for Library /RSS .  A list of 20 libraries with RSS feeds came up.  From that list I discovered the Internet Public Library (ipl2) website which was full of information that would be relevant to my students. 

RSS Feeds are an excellent way to bring information to students.  Subscribing to a certain feed can help teachers and Media Specialists organize information to a central location.  Libraries can have their own blogs and feeds so that patrons can follow library happenings and upcoming events.  Library Blogs can link feeds detailing information about book and technologies  as well as upcoming community events. 

There is so much information on the web and RSS feeds and Google Reader help people personalize their searches while bring the information to them instead of personally searching each site of interest.   

Whew!

Nothing like working a 14 hour day to put the "fun" back into teaching! 

So on a life status report: 

 1.  Haven't read anything for me all week.

 2.  Sinus Infection

 3.  Followed by the flu

 4.  Misbehaving students frazzle my brain.

 5.  14  hour day...morning meeting, crazy students, SAC meeting after school, and basketball concession after that.

6.   Finally time for bed

On a more exciting note:  Tomorrow is Friday!



Kindle Giveaway!!!!

http://www.the-bookologist.com/2011/02/giveaway-kindle.html

I know you'd love to have one as much as I would! 



From the Bookologist:

Yes, you heard it right-- it's a kindle giveaway! This was what I was talking about the other day when I had mentioned I'd be hosting a big contest soon! Lisa over at A Life Bound by Books , Aly over at Kid Lit Frenzy, Reggie over at The Undercover Book Lover, and I all have gathered up and decided to each chip in for a Kindle. Since we didn't want to spend too much, we're buying the Kindle Wi-Fi that costs $139.

Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick

                 

I read to my students generally on a daily basis.  I can't even remember all of the titles of the books I've read to them.  Generally they like the Blueford High series of books until I read them Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick.  They absolutely LOVED the book.  Currently I'm reading Notes From the Midnight Driver to them by the same author and they're into this one as well.  Tonight I'm reading the newest book by Sonnenblick called Zen and the Art of Faking it, to see if my students will enjoy it.  So far I give it two thumbs up.  Sonnenblick does an amazing job getting into the head of middle school/high school age boy drama. 

Th1rteen R3asons Why

I just finished reading this book.  I found it on a list of suggested reading and borrowed it from the High School library.  It was sad but I found myself reading every moment of the day when I should have been doing other things.  I want my 16 year old neice to read this book. 

A brief synopsis from the author's webpage:
http://www.thirteenreasonswhy.com/index.php

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list. Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

To Blog or not to Blog...Thing 3 & 4

Blogging can be an excellent way for someone to express their feelings, emotions, ideas, stories, and anything their heart’s desire, just as long as they don’t mind others reading about it and commenting.  When I was a little girl, I kept a diary or a journal when I got to the age when “diary” seemed juvenile.  These diaries always started out with good intention.  I had so much bottled up inside my brain and heart that needed to be released or I would explode.  I had friends I could talk to, but I went through a stage in my life when talking became difficult.  I let myself close up and I hid behind the facade of being painfully shy and introverted.  I would come home from school and write about my day.  I would write about what I should have said in certain situations or what I should have done or not done.  When I think back to those diaries, I would not have wanted anyone to read my words because back then their opinions and judgments meant everything to me.  I let the world around me and the emotions of everyone else invade me, but I rarely gave any emotions back.  I think if I would have voiced some of my thoughts or fears I would have seen that many people were going through the same things I was going through.  Maybe their lives were extremely different from mine, but maybe they had some insight that would have made my younger years a little easier.  Who knows what would have happened.  I guess that’s where the phrase “hindsight is 20/20” comes from.  Well maybe not, because when we look back and reflect on past experiences, we have a bit more clarity, but it is still our own memory and memories can be distorted. 

 I think writing has always been a part of me.  When I cannot get the words to utter, I always can get the pen to write or the fingers to type.  That is why I think a personal blog can be a powerful tool,  as long as the nastiness of the world does not creep into the comments.  When someone is bearing their soul on the computer, is that open to criticism?  Just because someone writes something in print, does that give someone else the right to analyze what they say and make judgments? I haven’t come to an answer to that question yet.  We tell our students to be careful what they say on the Internet because once something is sent, there is no getting it back.  That goes for the people who feel like they need to criticize as well.  Sometimes people make the wrong choice and what gets said shouldn’t have been said, but what can you do?  My conclusions on this matter are this:  Write, write write and never stop writing. 

It’s taken me many years to come to the conclusion that what others have to say should be no bearing on my own self-worth.  I should be allowed to express myself in the way I want and if others want to judge me, then so be it.  But those of you starting a personal blog for the first time should be wary that sometimes people are nasty.  That is their fault, not yours.  Block them, don’t give them a moments worry, and continue with your lives. 

Blogs can have many other functions other than for personal use.  Schools and libraries can use blogs to keep parents and the public up to date and aware of what’s going on.  Having a classroom blog and be an excellent way of integrating technology into instruction.  It creates a shared experience for students and a way for them to see other student’s work and ideas.  It also can help to motivate students who otherwise would blend into the scenery.  Like me (read above), I was shy, but I could write.  Blogs give Intensive reading students a purpose for reading and writing. 

A library blog can be an informative tool about library functions.  It can help bring patrons into the library by enticing them with what’s new and going on.  It can inform people about new technology and when trainings will be held to learn how to use it.  A library blog can allow users to search the library catalog and find information as well as an access point for online Encyclopedias.  It can bring people together.

23 Things Assignment

I have finally decided to go with the K12Learning 2.0 23 Things site.  I think this organization of the 23 Things is fitting because I plan on remaining in the K12 learning community.  It is my goal to be a Media Specialist and I think the 23 Things will help me begin understanding technology on a deeper level. 

K12 Learning 2.0 23 Things

Gotta Keep Reading - Ocoee Middle School

A colleague of mine showed me this YouTube video and it made me smile and reminded me of how rewarding a good book can be.

A Day with Words

Today was spent exploring Blogger and searching for two blogs I'd like to follow for an extended period of time.  There are so many different blogs.  One in particular captured me and I found myself avoiding my Sunday chores so that I could read her witty words and informative posts.  http://librarygrits.blogspot.com/ is most definitely going to be a blog I follow. 

"Library Grits....Why this name?? The noun version of grit has a number of synonyms, and if you look below, I think they describe the School and Teacher Librarian profession pretty well! (especially the intestinal fortitude). I chose grits because it is suggestive of being plural rather than singular - reflective of the multitasking and thinking we need to do.

Courage, determination, backbone, daring, doggedness, fortitude, guts, hardihood, intestinal fortitude, mettle, moxie, nerve, perseverance, pluck, resolution, spine, spirit, spunk, steadfastness, tenacity, toughness, bravery and firmness."

Thank you for defining this profession in such an ideal way. 

There's a first time for everything

Setting up this blog was an interesting experience.  Apparently I had dabbled in Blogging back in 2005 and completely forgotten about it, so when I tried to log into Blogger there was a pleasant surprise waiting for me.  7 comments on the 3 posts I had made, 5 of which were advertisements! I was so excited to see that 7 people had actually read something I wrote, only to be disappointed.  I'm sure this time I will have more commitment to this blog. 

Setting up this new blog was not a whim.  I am taking a course and  one of the assignments was to create a blog.  So for this semester at least, the majority of my posts will be related to my new endeavor. 

I am ready for a change.  5 years in the classroom working with special education students who are struggling readers has taught me a lot.  I want to help them succeed and I've come to the realization that mentoring and helping them find their niche is what I want to do.  I've decided that I want to be a modern day school media specialist.  I want to help the teachers but more so I want to help the students develop into life-long readers. 

So here I am...my first post of my new blog and I'm sure with many more to follow.