Summary!

Most Important Thing- I enjoyed reviewing these apps again. I haven't had alot of time to review since the summer so this pushed me to do just that. I have renewed interest in some (RSS, BLOGGING and Library Thing mostly) Good to look at all these possibilities with regard to school use. Made me really think about the pros and cons with each one and how they would fit in the elementary setting especially.
Challenging- Being the second time around for me the technology was easier with most apps. Time was my enemy!
Best ideas- Most didn't come from me but more what I was reading from my blogging mates at HDSB. I like my idea of doing more blogging with Intermediate students as I think it is a great way to share, present without the ordeal for many that age of presenting in front of classmates. I also like blogging and wikis for what it could provide for consistent format for projects between staffs, teachers and others in the community.
Other Apps- I am not yet familiar with others but I noticed that Ross did mention quite a few others that he knows about. This is why this was such a great way to learn from others.
Success of Self-Directed Model- I love it. It reminds me of online courses. I love the freedom to do the work when it suits. Love the opportunity to see and read what my HDSB coursemates are learning from this opportunity. Would do it again if we looked at a second round of applications!

Thanks to the Library Lady for your humourous e-mails, encouragement and direction and to the HDSB library staff who made this happen. I enjoyed it!

Library Thing

This is a cool tool.  I like the reviews part of Library Thing when I want a quick look at what others think of a book before I buy it.  I would like to see more professional books added and non-fiction as I tend to read more of those at the moment. Not sure about Canadian content yet.  I think this is very user friendly and is in some ways more hip than Novelist K-8 so I think it might appeal to our older students!  I would like to see a test run with it sometime with a book club format with Gr. 7 and 8 to see how it flies with them.  I like it enough personally that I would use it periodically but I haven't used it as much since the summer.  Not sure why??  Probably more a time thing than anything negative about the offering.  I had  a list of 5 for the summer which I have added to today.  Some professional, children's books and interest as well. You will have to put up with my pictures as Blogger doesn't recognize hyperlinks using a MAC.

RSS FEEDS

I really enjoy the feeds that I have on my Google Reader since starting this in the summer.  I have a mix of professional stuff and personal interest.  What I really like about this application is that these feeds don't clog up my e-mail in the form of e-newsletters (this has become somewhat of a problem for me lately!)   I like the fact that the reader is there all the time and I can read the entries when I want to.  I have added 2 new feeds to my list.  The first is Vancouver 2010 which of course is about the Olympics.  I think as things heat up this might be something to consider for school discussion.  The second feed is EDUTOPIA.  This originates from  a public education site from the US.  I enjoy their website as it is a very broad look at education in general, interesting commentaries, discussion blogs etc.  I first heard about it on the local Buffalo PBS radio station.  I  have already shown our school staff the value of feeds and the information that they can get by subscribing.  There is a nice one called Teacher's Love Smartboards which I have suggested at school for staff as we have smartboards.  For children in elementary it might not be so popular but it could be useful for jr/intermediate students  looking at current events on a daily basis from local, national or international newspaper, magazine feeds. 

Let's Wiki!

I think WIKI'S have lots of potential.  They are relatively easy to create- a consideration for students and busy teachers.  I love the collaboration opportunity this creates to work with others in another building.  FIRST CLASS collaboration probably offers the same when I think about it but it is worth considering a more common format which PBWIKI would offer if people outside of the HDSB are involved in the collaborative work.  In the past I cautioned students around the use of Wikipedia for information because of my reservations around accuracy.  While I think this still bears noting  I think it is a valid stop in the research process.  Students need to become discerning with info. so why not have them validate what they find on a topic on a Wiki with another site or database?  I have come to read wikis on a very regular basis.  I have caught a couple that have been attached to conferences where participants can discuss conference sessions and have found that useful.   BTW, my Thanksgiving contribution is the whipped cream!! Yum!

Blogging Comment via Google Docs!

I really want to have a blog work in a school setting!  I truly think that this is one app. that we should be really encouraging with all of our students.  Whatever source we use to promote this skill is really not a relevant as the skills that will be developed as a result of what potential there is for learning within a blogging atmosphere.  I can see opportunities for literature reports, editorial practice, encouraging list making (favourite books ex.) commenting on the daily news, writing science reports, book reports, journal entries, comments about field trips, debating, etc.  The opportunities are endless.  Students love to share their work!  We need to encourage more sharing and collaborating within a more public domain so to equip our students with the skills of communication and etiquette that they will require in their future.  This is a global opportunity and our students are a part of this global community.  Let's open up discussion about the "how to" rather than the focus on the why we cannot.  

Google docs

I love Google Docs.  I think this has so much potential for everyone, teachers and students alike.  I like the transportability of this app.  The fact that you can access anywhere, anytime for most uploaded documents is just a great idea. For students CHATT is good for transporting files from home and back but most want to use their own hotmail etc. which is not encouraged.   I see this as a much preferred way for students to keep their assignments fluid between home and school or when working with friends on a collaborative project.  No mucking around with USBs or read only documents etc.  I found out however, it doesn't yet understand Appleworks documents.  Could be a minus for students at the moment in Halton.  I also like many of the templates.  It has everything from certificates to maps for carpooling!  Like also the aspect that you can work collaboratively with many people as long as permissions are granted to those individuals.  Would be great for cross building, board work.  A thumbs up for potential! Here is an Intermediate sheet that you might want to use for the Comprehension Strategy -inference.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dhczrchb_6gc742ng8&hl=en

Flickr

I think Flickr would be handy to use for images-possibly an alternative to the go to Google Images.  Time would need to be spent on what part is "free" access and the permissions and restrictions piece.  This could be the basis to a good lesson tied into plagarism, copyright etc.   I also think it would be good for discussion points around social studies, science etc. when you need more authentic examples  to provide more background information for project work etc.  I happen to love different types of architecture.  I am particularly fascinated by bridge architecture, thus my choice of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco which so far I haven't been able to see for real!