Thing Six - iTouch Apps

Thanks for all the very thorough lists and links that share some creative apps that will certainly be useful to the student and teacher especially if they have their own iTouch. I found the Apple Learning Internchange webpage to be the most informative. This is the one new piece of mobile technology that I am having a difficult time seeing being used to its fullest capacity in the short time that students spend in the library, either on their own or with a class. I still see students using the iTouch in the library to work with Facebook, podcasts, digital books, wikis, nings and other internet related activities. For now I see it as a way to get students quick and spontaneous access to the internet when they don't need to print or get to the student server thus freeing up the desktop for other students who do. So 16 more students have internet access at any given time during the day. Maybe after all the summer activity we'll be able to create some definitive lists of iTouch activities that lend themselves solely to the time spent in the library. Right now what I stated above is about all I can think of, although if the technology were to be checked out to students, the list of possiblities would be endless. I am not advocating for checkout, just stating the facts.

We were successful at downloading a variety of aps to our new iTouches. "We" means I handed them over to my favorite patient and all knowing student assistants and they had no issues doing this. Since the iTouches are out of my possession for the summer, I will try again in August. You will not see me in the Apple store at the mall, maybe Marble Slab but not Apple.

As for the info on Wikipedia, I found the posting interesting and informative. Once again we will have to reteach and help teachers rethink the possibilities that this resource provides. I know that we were all a little skeptical at first, but by all accounts Wikipedia seems to have improved and become a valuable resource. Better get familiar with this and other free resources in case of database funding dries up...

On a personal note

I will be unplugged from 06/17-06/24 while I enjoy celebrating my mother's 90th birthday. I will be sharing a wonderful movie I created for her and the family with resources I learned about in 23 Things...

See you in 11.5 some time next week...

Thing Five - Microblogging

Ok, so I joined Facebook and Twitter, easy enough and immediately was contacted by roommates from college - back when computers took up an entire room, the card catalog still had cards in it, and we all kept in touch with a rotary phone and pen and paper!

All the microblogging resources are a fine way to maintain connectivity globally with peers or with those in the know. I see it as a way to tap into human resources and keep connected to get guidance, share ideas and experiences. If used properly this definately opens up a world of opportunity for our students. Notice, I said properly. I'm hoping that in the 2nd year of Facebook use, our students will use it more for school and less for looking at pictures of their friends in provocative pictures. If anyone has some realistic ideas on how to manage the constant flow of kids out of class to check their facebook accounts - please let me know.

I really like the backchanneling especially when you have a library full of kids working on different projects that all have a common goal or theme, idea sharing can be instanteous - if you have the technology to support this. I think we do with the new technology that arrived this spring.

Thing Four Video Hosting

No problems creating an account and uploading Animoto video. My video didn't really serve much purpose other than to practice, so I deleted it.

As we move forward with all the new technology in our library, I can see that we will be using Teacher Tube and You Tube to enhance connectivity and staying abreast of the audio and visual world that gets opened up with these video hosting sites. I'm sure the students of my school will be telling me how they will be using it. I will be posting student video products as they come in during the next school year.

Thing Three - Skype Hype

Skype was easy to download and setup on school's laptop, I see it being easily used on the new iMacs and Macbooks since they have built in webcams. The articles were interesting and there are many education related applications for this service. As always it will be limited by having the technology to run it.

What a innovative way to connect with students to assist with reference questions, guidance with Library Resources, distance learning, help from teachers and interacting with authors. I will use this in my library along with all the other new technology now in place.

Thing Two Image Generators Revisited

Warning, warning...

My postings this time are going to be very self-centered. Sorry folks, you are on your own trying to figure out how to use these in you own environments. I will be thinking about how these resources will help me, in my specific location to facilitate for things that I want to get another year going.

Wordle/Wordsift:
This will be a great way to introduce new concepts to Freshman and reinforce old concepts to the the rest of the crew. What a eye catcher - I plan to show our students all the new technology available to them with either a Worldle or Wordshift. Maybe create a poster to adorn my new walls with the terminology associated with our new technolgy.

Bookr:

I see this as a beginning tool to create a photo album using a set of defined images. This is great for kids who can't decide what images to use. Great of biography research and book reviews/

Thing One - Fun, Fun. Fun Again?

Ok, here we go again. It has been a long while since I've added anything to my blog. But 11.5 will get me motivated to rejoin the blogging world.

Thing One shows us the importance of connectivity. Librarians share resources that build connectivity and information sharing. Students and other users will use these tools to enhance their learning experience.