Thing #5-Microblogging

1) Facebook-
I work in a private school in the Dallas area. Our students don't have access to Facebook at school. I have a personal account and have invited friends to my site. After reading several articles about privacy, I went back and "took off" a lot of my information. My daughter says I don't "communicate" enough on my facebook. Of course I think she puts too many details about her personal life on it.

I appreciate the information about "groups" and how to become a member. I guess I haven't explored these sites much as I stay busy just trying to "keep up" with my e-mail accounts.

2) Twitter.-
I created a twitter account for our area librarians, but found it frustrating when I was limited on the words in each posting. Twitter could be used for assignments but there again we have software already in place. As a librarian, I could use Twitter for students to comment on various books.

3) "back-channeling"-Wow what a concept...I thought people were just taking notes from the speaker....Of course I haven't been around many people doing this on their computers.

I liked --6. You don’t have to be physically present to participate.  "Not only can you watch a live videostream of the presentation, but you can also tweet or chat with the physically-present participants." -a webinar!!
I REALLY like webinars. It is such a wonderful way to receive training without having to travel!

Thing #4

I finally re-did my animoto and then posted it into YouTube.

Summer Reading (video)

Please click on the above link. It seems Animoto only uploads to YouTube or SmugMug...I found out there is a fee for SmugMug.

I also set up an account with SchoolTube which I'm sure I'll use.

PS I got this message from YouTube.

Your video may include content that is owned or administered by these entities:

• Entity: GoDigital for a third party Content Type: Sound Recording
• Entity: APM Content Type: Sound Recording

Thing 3-Skype

I set up a Skype account and am trying to find someone to communicate with...
I saw the big long list of participants on here: The Edublogger: Quick Start Tips for New Skype Users.
     (I'm not in a classroom this summer but will try to connect soon.)

I do know that gmail has the video capabilities also. .....my library coordinator uses it all the time.

1. Keeping in touch by Library Web Chic I Karen says, "It's amazing how technology can bring people closer together so that they can communicate and collaborate." She tells about her adventures through the years .....communicating with others AND then encourages us to keep using the tools available. 
2. 10 Disruptions that could transform your class  , but read #4. (Live Streaming)

        Our middle school teachers use a lot of video for teaching (I'm at a private school for dyslexic, ADD, and ADHD students). Well last spring, I found "live streaming American History clips" through our Discovery United Streaming subscription.... I soon became the "informed hero"..

       3. 50 ways to use Skype in the classroom--  
Promoting Education--chat with an author, Field trips, listening to language from native speakers, Tutors, teachers, or librarians can be available at set times in the afternoons for student access. for Interviews.

Promoting Community  - contact students who can't come to school, Connect with families from around the world, Present a performance (play, science fair project), Share field trips with others

Skype Ideas for Teachers and Parents  -Professional development,  Conference with parents, Collaborate with other teachers

Resources for Getting Started and Using Skype -in classrooms, talk to anyone-anywhere.
Tips for using Skype in classroom-- YOU are responsible for misuse, school network is configured, use separate accounts for home & school, set privacy settings correctly (date on website-Feb, 2006) I guess the same Tips are the same. 

Cont. Thing 2-Glogster, Voki, VoiceThreads

June 26
 Well I couldn't get Bookr to work like I wanted it too. I was trying to create "endangered rain forest plants" but couldn't import my pictures from flickr to bookr. First I re-named, then changed to jpg...nothing worked. My "saved" plant pictures didn't show up in flickr ...hmmm

Any suggestions for me?

Flickr pictures are great if they are useful for your project. I'm wondering if this "tool" is more for younger students. I did see someone create one "What is writing" which I thought was effective. 
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My Voki- I need to find out how to record "voice" on my computer--so I went ahead and used their voice "help". I was limited as to how much text I could add.  I could use a Voki to talk to my students about announcing a book fair, new book, contest, etc. for the library on the library's webpage.
I found this helpful video on "how to create a Voki"-     Voki    
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(Sat.) I've been "experimenting" with glogster for TOO long. I can't seem to get the text on the various graphics. I've set up an account and have looked at some of the examples. Maybe another hour and I'll be more successful.
(Sun.) Well YAHOO! A good night's sleep and another day! I finally figured out Glogster-I think! This is just fabulous!  I could see where you could "set up" a "graphic"  library lesson for students to use. The possibilities are Limit-Less....My next venture to create a booktrailer using Voicethreads!

My Glogster (link)

My VoiceThread
http://voicethread.com/share/1248295/

Thing 2-Wordle

I chose "Smart Boards" vocabulary for my Wordle. "Smart Boards" are an awesome technology tool for "hands on learning". I'm amazed at the creative ways they can be used to enhance student learning in the classroom. The link for Wordle is -
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I experimented with WordShift. First putting in titles from my summer reading list. I was amazed at some of the links which came up on the left and definitely not something to publish! I teach a 6th research class and part of the semester is learning how to use the various "print" and online reference tools. I was more satisified with the results.
Wordshift link-
 PS-I decided to share the links each time in case some of our teachers might want to "investigate" from reading my blog.

Thing #1

My thoughts about "The Networked Student".

Wow! The high school student only goes to class 3 days a week, networks with other students through Google Scholars, blogs, Delicious, I Tunes lectures, etc. With the teacher's help our student learns how to build a network, gets support and teaching on how to organize his thoughts, learn how to distinguish "good information" from bad, and learn how to "just put it all together" so that our student can create a cumulative project.

Many times the library media specialist is able to teach the teachers and students at one time just how to use the library databases, create blogs, make movies, locate and organize "good information".

The CommanCraft movie was really "thought provoking" to say the least. Of course I think this student would have to be very mature, disciplined, and eager to locate and use the information needed to be the "21st Century -networked student".

Link to CommanCraft movie-