Just got through Teen Read Week. What a great way to have a week fly. Mon-Tues-Wed had kids vote. 1100 of 1200 students voted. Of course my Library Club students did all the work, I just happen to be the great overseer. It's good to be the Librarian. One of my art teachers drew this wonderful poster of books with bite. Two vampire books growling. The kids went crazy. We were giving away fangs with each book checked out. We kept running out of fangs. I had only one student checking out books and returning them right away to get the fangs. Put a stop to this quickly, she was defeating the purpose. Friday we had a Jack-0-lantern carving contest and a "what scares you story contest" We had some great entries. We also had an essay contest for Hispanic History month and that was pretty successful also. The Hispanic essay winner received a CD/boom box and the pumpkin carver and scary story writer received movies (Iron Man and Jurassic Park). Overall, my week flew. May I'm not really growing old, I'm just really, neatly, busy!

Thing 23

Overall, this program helped me discover the holes in my progress in technology and also allowed me to expland on the applications. Will all these tools be applicable? Yes and No. Either way, I have to be aware of what my patrons are doing so that I can be of assistance. With this bit of expansion in knowledge of technology, I have been enabled to explain, show and lead and then allow my students to express themselves in ways that were definitely not possible ten years ago.

Thing 22

I am familiar with ebooks. You have the initial price and then each year you pay for upgrades. Not ludicrous when your library users are 98% impoverished and do not have access to computers at home. I don't know about audio books. I remember a woman on a plan saying that bound books were a thing of the past. Fortunately, there will always be people like me that enjoy the feel of a book in my hands. Besides, something will be lost mentally if people only use audio books. Reading is a took not only for information, but for expanding dendrites and other paths. Ebooks are enjoyable. I like the ones that you download into a small book like computer base so that you can make notes on the margins (like all good readers should!) No, I do not think e or audio books will ever completely replace the wonderful binding and weight of a book in my hand. Besides, a bound book is cheaper to replace than a computer when tossed or dropped.

Thing 21

Did not want to download podcast from Conan on School finance. This is the place my family and I use to download tunes and videos for my kids. I would use this as a research tool. Although I think I would prefer YouTube to upload stuff I wanted my students to free access.

Thing 20

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpcUxwpOQ_A

I loved it! This was LOL. YouTube is a tool that is changing culture around the world. To think that all these three minute or less, original videos are being uploaded constantly is boggling. I enjoyed many of the videos I saw, some informational, some funny, some definitely meant for particular people. Overall this tool will continue to change people as much as people change it. It brings me into the home of anyone that is willing to watch my video and comment on it. How personal can one get? This tool has really made the world a smaller place.

Thing 19

Interesting. I found some of my favorite Kurt Vonnegut books (oops, did I just age myself?) I like the thought processes expressed by some of the members and yes the reviews. I went through the whole review thing from the new Meyer book (New Moon). Yes, they did blow the plot, but overall, I will continue reading the book to the end. Yes, it is extremely popular with the 8th grade. I even bought a class set as it was in high demaind and I am sure I can get them to read the whole series based on the 1st book.

Thing 18

I like the templates on Zoho show. As a matter of fact, I will be using one of the templates for my library presentation to the staff on Day 1 of their return. I like the availability and the differing/changing templates from the canned stuff I have been using for a long time.

Thing 17

Attempted to post to sandbox below library chica. Received website error box; will attempt later

Thing 16

I can see how Wikis can be extremely useful, especially in group projects or projects over time and collaborating over great distances, or even our home schooled or home bound students. Very neat tool. The blog and Wiki would be a useful tool for checking out books to the home bound (book talking, etc.) I like what Porter HS has done with their site.

Thing 15

I have found 2.0 is a necessary thing. I have problems with the internet because I have always felt myself to be a private person and the internet is definitely public. Sometimes I feel it is a voyeristic (real word?) or exhibitionist place. Do libraries need 2.0: Yes. We have to teach our patrons to better manage their information in any form they deem useful. How do we teach the masses? In my case, some of the masses are way ahead of me, but I know I have to teach those that are behind to atleast catch up to where I am. 2.0 would allow me to provide a safe place for the students at my school to participate and grow.

Thing 14

My biggest problem with this is having to claim my blog. Not comfortable with sharing this with the entire world. I like cruising other blogs, but can't imagine what my mish-mashed blog could offer others. Still I have used Technorati and do like it. I used the tutorial film and really did not learn anything that I wasn't doing.

Thing 13

OMG! I learned tagging! I'm so proud of myself. I had just never even seen the tag option, despite that I look at a computer screen every day. This has just made things upteenth easier. What a revelation. I actually had (with my niece looking over my shoulder) at least eight tags open at one time. I really like this.

Travel Game

I was heart broken! I scored26,632 points and only made a level 3 with a 92 IQ. It must be time for my nap.

Thing 12

Thing 12. Used Rollyo. That was like an easy button. Did a health and alternative meds roll. Sent it to myself but have not figured out how to put it into my blog, or if it's even possible. More on this soon!

Thing 11

Ok. Went on Delicious and was looking for a way to make this a little fun. Began looking at church signs that may not make you feel like going to church. Some of them were funny (Google can't satisfy every search; Jesus is my prozac.); some were scary (Go Bush Go. Praise the Lord. Pass the Ammo.) Yikes. Next time I'm looking for a quick laugh I must look where I go.

Thing 10

I wish people would get useful tattoos like this one. The hip thing will definitely be read. The world might actually be a better place.

Thing 9

I found Technorati the easiest to use, maybe it was the massive amounts of tutorial that I found and listened to. I found the TED 1op ten which I found fascinating. I had already seen a few (Robbins on success) , but could not help stopping to watch some of these. I enjoyed the one about schools killing creativity (yes--someone finally said it out loud!) and the one on strokes. Eye opener for both subjects.

Thing 8

Went through all the videos little neat tutorials on WIKIS and RSS feeds. Interesting. Gears is just another way of keeping up. All these things are here to save me time, but I wonder where all my saved time is going? I'll stick with RSS feeds, maybe because they are familiar.

RSS Feeds

RSS feeds can easily be adapted for use with search and research for individual projects for students as well as myself. Feeds can easily be updated and be quite helful when working on a PHD, etc. I already use RSS feeds on my personal computer and, quite frankly, have not had time to set up one at school. Most of my feeds have to do with news and the stock market and both my husband and I manage the feeds.

Thing 7

Okay all of this is new to me. My nephew is laughing at me and explaining that millions of teen and preteen girls do this avatar, trading card and other things I am experimenting with all the time. New in technology is the new search engine that is promising to out do Google in searching capacity. Explored a little and Google still has more hits on my topic. Time will tell, it is a new and growing child.

Thing 6 Trading card

I can see creating or having students create decks they can use, for example with our ED unit, to build self-esteem and just overall confidence. Neat tool.

Thing about exploring Flickr.

Flickr has some great images. I love the black and white stuff and people are submitting. Never considered publishing any of my photos, but this is a great opportunity for sharing with family and friends by creating an album. The variety of photos was great in that pretty much something from everything has been uploaded at one time or another.

This was a great picture of something that is really struggling and succeeding. Sort of reminds me of many of my students. Just like this flowered, so do many of them--even though sometimes they don't realize how well they do, despite the odds.

Week 2 Item 3

Was able to create Avatar. My ,kids are making fun of me for creating something that is so not like me. Asking me to be more realistic-----yeah right! Will load later.

Week One--Day one

Just got started on this today and I am feeling a little apprehensive on the amount of time I have given myself to complete this. I am enjoying reading everyone else's work. Should have taken a good cue from SJA.

Try and Will

To soon will the voices of children call anew "Missssss" or Miiisss" in insecure tones, almost hushed voices. Lest I forget that I too was one of these. Thankfully, technology came along and no one has to hear me sound like the pushy person I am in order to do what I need to do. Bless my former teachers and mentors that put up with me!