RSS Reader

Thing Eight

I think RSS reader will make searching for information from the internet much easier. Once a RSS feed or newsreader is created all my loved web sites will come to me with updated information on my favorite topics. I have no personal friends or family members that have blogs, but I guess this could be one way to share information and keep current with my Mesquite librarian bloggers.

I am not for sure how I would use this in the library. I thought it might be useful as a way to build an information system so that teachers and students could have easy access to researcharticles or items that are in the news that might grab their interest or attention. Also, RSS might provide an online connection to school-related research from home. Students could then have online learning through homeschooling. This seems similar to the class projects page or the pathfinders that the other librarians and I use. Since class periods are so short, it would give students quick access to information, saving them valuable research time.
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Monday, October 29, 2007

Google Alert

Thing Seven

I have set up a Google Alert, but I am waiting for my verification. Hopefully, the problem will soon be resolved I have chosen to be alerted about books for the library. This would be a great way to receive updates on upcoming and new young adult novels for the library. This could also provide current news on events or people that my classes are researching in the library. I also have a home page on iGoogle. This is just a fun way to gather any information that interests me, or educational information that would be useful to the students or teachers. The Google calendar would be similar to the localendar that I currently use on my web page to inform the faculty and the students when they are scheduled for a library visit.

The link to visit my iGoogle home page is http://www.google.com/ig.

Flickr Mashups

Thing Six

This was a time-consuming task for me. I tried downloading a picture from Photobucket, but each time I hit the create button no card appeared. After an hour or so of frustration, I was finally successful with Flickr. This would be a good tool to make reading posters for the library or trading cards of the students with their favorite books. I could also probably adapt the tool to create bookmarks.

Spook Up a Good Book

Spook Up a Good Book
Originally uploaded by bnelson1972@sbcglobal.net

I wish all students a frightfully good time
browsing the shelves for a scary book.

Discover Flickr

Thing Five

This was a very stressful number 5. With no written instructions to follow, this assignment took a lot of time. I am now stressed to the max and could use a visit to the lake. I would then sit on the porch in a comfortable lounge chair and throw Flickr into the peaceful water. Hopefully, then, I could relax again and have a stress-free time without technology barking at my backdoor.

Vacation Spot

vacation spot
Originally uploaded by http://www.flickr.com/people/16178802@N07/

How nice it would be to have this view every day from your backyard!! I love being at the lake, but to have the water and the mountains at the same time would be heaven. It would be so relaxing.

Register Your Blog

Thing Four

There are several ways that a blog can be used in the library. One way
is to announce the new materials available to the teachers and students.
I could provide up-to-date information on events occurring in the library,
such as book fairs,teen read week, or information on library promotions.
A blog could be used for librarians to share ideas for new books or ones
that their students enjoyed reading. Also, a blog could be useful in making
suggestions of databases, books, or materials beneficial to classroom
instruction.

Create a Blog/Avatar

Thing Three

What a lifesaver!! Anne walked me through the steps of posting my avatar. Becky Frierson and I were thankful she remembered, since Debbie was busy helping the other librians. I now have it on my blog. I am ready to proceed to thing 4.

Thing One and Thing Two

What is Web 2.0 ? This is what I wondered when staff development began today. Now that I know it is blogging I am faced with a new challenge and finding the time to complete it. However, this will provide me with a new skill technology skill that will not only broaden my knowledge but also enable me to better educate my students.

The hardest challenge for me is learning a new technology skill. I have little confidence in my ability to learn new skills on the computer, but I hope to use this to my advantage, learn a new skill, and then try to teach it to my students or teachers.

The easiest thing will be accepting responsibility for my own learning. I will face the challenge, do my best, and hopefully complete this new challenge by February 1, 2008.