Flickr

Facebook

Facebook is still not my thing! I guess I like a smaller circle of friends who's faces I recognize. OK, not being cute here but I just don't really like dealing with so many people. I prefer my chit chat face to face I guess. I think Facebook is one of the apps that I just have reservations about with younger students especially. I just wonder about the safety aspect. I am not doubting that lots can be learned through this type of contact but...even adults this week have been questionning what happens to their private info. once they decide to leave Facebook. Personally I have locked myself out of giving most anything personal on purpose because it doesn't interest me to do so. I think teachers might take more issue with this one but who knows?

Tagging

Hi all. Illness drives me mad! But... I digress! How do I feel about TAGS. I like the Del.icio.us idea. I thought after doing this in the summer that I would get busy and transfer all my favourites here but alas.. I didn't get time. I think it is a great idea for staff and for students if only for keeping their favourites off of their own computer and available 24-7. The networking part is so so. If I understand it right your tags would need to match up with others if you truly only wanted to see what others match up with yours. This could be hit and miss depending on the tags. I think it has potential for research perhaps or teachers looking for websites on a certain topic. I tried it with Reading Comprehension Strategies and I had quite a few pop up. Most I knew about already but some not. It has an upside.

Love the choices that people have found so far on You Tube.  I think You Tube and Teacher Tube have good possibilities for the teacher who takes the time to find something that compliments a theme, emphasizes a teaching point, stimulates discussion or serves an example of good technology technique. " Situations" happen most of the time with students and teachers when there has been lack of planning, previewing etc. on the part of the teacher. I see using You Tube as really no different in terms of being prepared and being clear about the purpose. We would expect the same with using DVD's etc. I enjoyed watching the following You Tube offering. Food for thought!  Enjoy!

All things WEB!

Well, one can always dream can't they???  Yes, the beach and those trashy novels are calling me!  Hope everyone enjoyed our beautiful sunshine today despite the -23 degree temp.  Gorgeous day (~: it was!  Before I begin the task at hand I have to explain my blog title for you.  I have already broken my promise of 10 words or less in this post.  I tell my principal that it is my ALP goal for this year to do my announcements in 10 words or less!!  Hard for me for sure!  But I will give it my best!  Now for the task.  This time around I want to consider beyond myself of course!  I need to see how best to incorporate some of these Web 2.0 possibilities into the JR/INT. area specifically while keeping one eye on the curriculum.  How do I help staff in my own school become more comfortable with these applications themselves so that they might transfer some of the excitement to their already eager students.  Lastly, how do we consider the need to move forward with what is happening with student communication/social networking etc. in the real world but also examine the implications of student safety while in our care?

Summary!

What was the most important thing I learned?

I really enjoyed this opportunity to learn about Web 2.0.  Until a month ago it was all a mystery. I wanted to learn about what our students are all talking about and I have!  I think the most important aha I came away with is that while one must be aware of the risks of giving out too much information this is a viable method of communicating, dialoging and sharing of information on the web.

What was most challenging and why?

Just a couple of technical glitches slowed me down really.  I appreciated the idea Library Lady of using the same password as much as possible, thanks for that!  It would have been very confusing without that help.  I found I now need time to read other people's blogs because I didn't have time for that.  I also would like to delve deeper into the various applications because I didn't have time for that either!  So, time as always the biggest challenge!

Would I like to see the library use Web 2.0 technologies to improve library services?

I don't think I can wrap my head around that much yet but I would possibly see opportunities for on-line book club comments from BPL patrons (sorry if that is available already and I don't know about it).  Would like to know more about e-books and audio e-books.  Would love to know if BPL has a newsletter service which would send out a monthly best seller list for Adult and Children's books.  

How successful was the self directed model?

For me this was a great choice for learning.  I like taking my own time and choice of time to complete.  Thanks for the option of tutorials you offered if needed at the BPL that kept everyone in the loop and provided support.  I think the only suggestion would be to have maybe a couple of weeks added on to the end of the course to respond more to other people's blog entries.  Thanks for this great opportunity!  I will surely suggest it to others and at $5 what a bargain! 

Link to Library Thing Book Comments!

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/mb2008lvit