Thing #16: Wikis

I used the sbisd library sandbox. Wikis seem very easy to use. My mind is racing with ideas on how to use this technology in my computer lab. I love this thing! Wikis seem to be an answer to a lot of ideas but I didn't know exactly how to set them up. Collaboration with colleagues, student team collaboration, check for understanding.

How does this sound:

1. After a lesson, students use the course Wiki to list things they learned from that lesson
2. I could use their 'check for understanding' input to create a quiz/test
3. Students could go back to the Wiki and use their own input to review for the test

All electronic -- no handouts.

Thing #15: Web 2.0, Library 2.0 and the Future of Libraries

I just spent a luxurious week reading 3 novels and felt thoroughly entertained and psyched out! The television was forgotten, the house was quiet and peaceful. I ate when I was hungry, allowed only essential interruptions, and feasted on my fictional delights. The Internet was down at my house and I couldn't work on this until Comcast got to us. I feel like I finally got my vacation. The Thing 15 articles had me imagining libraries without walls, students accessing library content with laptops and cell phones. This seems to be the direction we are going, however, I treasure my week without Internet or television and fully intend to do it again -- my vacation with books.

Thing #14: Technorati and How Tags Work

1. Take a look at Technorati and try doing a keyword search for “School Library Learning 2.0”
When I did the search and used "School Library Learning 2.0" there were no results. When I amended the search keywords to be "Library Learning 2.0" I got 2 results, they were the same results in both tags and blog directory.
2. Explore popular blog, searches and tags. Is anything interesting or surprising in your results?
When I tried to do this activity, I got this message at the site: Technorati's Popular section is currently unavailable. Popular features will return in the near future.

Thing #13: Learn about tagging and discover Delicious

The concept is awesome, but I could not figure out how to get set up in Delicious. I am going to call on one of my colleagues who did this program last year and see if she can help me.

This would be very advantageous in a computer lab where students might have to change to a different computer occasionally. All their shortcuts (or tags) would still be available to them wherever they had to sit.

Thing #12: Creating Community Through Commenting

1. Explain two of the points about Comments that you think are important.

Cool Cat said "Remember the Power of Words" and even gave a name to those people whose comments are abrasive -- Darth Commentator.

Blue Skunk said "Make it Relevant" and "Don't be a Troll."

Both important points dealt with good etiquette and also containing your comments to the subject and not rambling. It is nice to know that there are people trying to set up rules of etiquette regarding commenting and blogging.

2. Choose at least five different Library2Play blogs and make at least one comment to each.

I found some comments to Library2Play blogs were easier to manuever than others. Is it because the different templates have different methods of sending comments?

3. Thing #12: Find two blogs about a subject of personal interest and comment.

I commented on Tom Margenau's article regarding Social Security offsets.
I also asked a planting question of Jeff Rugg.

Thing #11: Take a look at LibraryThing

Interesting! I can see where you could connect with other readers of a book and start up conversations -- maybe even start an on-line book club!

Instead of doing a skit about Library Thing, I did a Wordle about Library2 Play 23Things. Here it is:

Thing #10: Play around with an online image generator.

Some images I came up with in my allotted time:

Discovery Process: This is right up my alley! I loved using the different image generators. I will definitely go back to Glogster and try that out some time -- just not enough time for that today. The links I would recommend to others include:

http://www.comicstripgenerator.com/maker.asp

http://www.imagechef.com/

http://www.dumpr.net/

http://www.wordle.net/

http://www.glogster.com/

Use in the classroom -- My BIM-II students will be making a portfolio website this year. Many of these image generators would be great for making their websites unique.