#13 (Week 6)

The you tube tutorial by the Santa Cruz Public Library for Del.icio.us was quite blurry although the sound was good. So, I listened to it. But, luckily, on the right side of the computer screen, there were other you tube suggestions, so I was able to watch those. They were very good, especially the one by someone named Lee Lefever. The school district I work in blocks youtube. That's too bad, as I have personally used youtube as a tutorial to learn how to crochet, among other things. So, back to Del.icio.us; this might be a useful tool, especially for individual teachers or classes. I like web based programs because they can be accessed from anywhere. What happens when a web based utility, like Follett's Destiny circulation and catalog program, which is web based, is put on Del.icio.us? We use it at school, but the program is blocked for use outside the school walls. I think I will explore this. So much to learn, so little time. I'm glad I am doing this online program during the summer!

#12 (Week 5)

I managed to create a searchroll using ROLLYO (is it pronounced rolly-0 or roll-yo?). I can see the use for this for school. However, I'm in summer mode now and had a hard time thinking of a topic to use. I decided to use quick reference sites that are often used in school and that are on the school library's web page: Parkway's catalog, Free Library of Phila., AccessPA etc. I made the mistake of including mapquest. I added it because the students often go to various locations for service learning projects and I thought it would be a good source for local maps. But on Rollyo, mapquest just takes over. No matter what you put in the subject bar (peace, social justice, Darfur), the main urls that come up are for mapquest. For example, "Darfur" produced several maps for streets named Darfur in various cities. I think I would leave mapquest out next time I create a rollyo searchroll. Also, I found I really had to have the urls on hand, because if I looked them up while I was building a searchroll, I lost the urls I had already typed on the searchroll. I can see how Rollyo might be useful with a bit of planning ahead. This is the link to the Parkway NW High School for Peace and Social Justice's quick reference searchroll:http://rollyo.com/tweinraub/parkway_nw_reference/.

#11 (Week 5) web 2.0 awards lists

The 2.0 awards list is amazing. So much to see. Some of them I've heard of and others I have even used (flickr, craigs list). This summer, in conjunction with this course, but somewhat unrelated, I joined facebook. I wanted to understand the fascination the teens who use the library have with this site. Before school, at lunch, after school, during class, while trying to cut class: these are all the times that students attempt to use facebook. I wanted to know if it was safe (it seems to be and the school district hasn't blocked it as it has done to myspace). Sometimes, when I noticed a student using facebook when they are supposed to be working on a project, I question them about it. Usually, they would get off facebook and return to their work. Occasionally, a student would tell me they are checking to see if someone sent them needed information for their project. I wanted to see for myself so I joined in June, after school was over. It's not something you just join, look at, and then walk away from. Facebook draws you in. I only have a few "friends" on facebook - my two daughters and a few of the younger teachers at school. But, everyone of the friends' friends could become your friend and if I wanted to, the amount of friends could grow exponentially. I feel the need to check it every time I sit down at the computer, just to see what's happening, who added a new picture, who wrote on the "wall", who sent who a "gift" and on and on. I'm not totally immersed, but I'm in the thick of it. At least, now I know what the fascination for my students is, that it is completely a social site, and yes, it can be a total distraction that may keep work from getting done!

#10 (WEEK 5) (again!)

The comic strip generator site in my previous posting wouldn't post the picture because the server was too busy. At least that's what the message said. So, I saved the sign to my desktop. Blogger allowed me to upload from there. It took a bit of juggling, but it's visible now. I think the students will enjoy this site and I feel good that now I know how to upload even if the server is too busy. Another tool that I can use - thanks PSLA and Web2.0.

#10 (WEEK 5)

I tried ImageChef and then saved the image on a draft because I wanted to try Comic Strip Generator, also. However, I can't find the draft that I saved. Oh, well. So, here is the Comic Strip Generator posting.
Made with free image tools @ TXT2PIC.com. Manga is so popular with the high school students I work with. This comic looked a bit like a manga drawing so I am using it to make a sign. I like the idea of students using Comic Strip Generator to make cartoon directions. I think they would enjoy that.

Week 4:#8,9. and week 3#6 added in.

My creation
Originally uploaded by tweinraub

I established a bloglines news reader account and I'm thinking how useful this will be in school, especially for the seniors working on their almost year-long project. I have used some library news feeds. I like the easy button (reminds me of the Staples ad) that allow one to add any website to my personal news feed. My dogs weren't too happy about time spent with rss and not them.

computers

computers
Originally uploaded by tweinraub

This is the tech area of the library. There are 10 computers on the left. This is where some of the students will be doing their blogging. And yes, the hanging shade finally did fall off.

Books!

Books!
Originally uploaded by tweinraub

Adding pictures from flickr is fun. This is a great resource. This photo shows another view of the library/lunchroom wall. The portable whiteboard screen is another barrier in addition to the wall. It's not very soundproof though. We are working on a solution so that lessons can go on in the library even when lunch is in session. This is the non-tech area; the computers are in a different area of the library, further away from the hustle and bustle of the lunches.

School library Learning2.0

School library Learning2.0
Originally uploaded by tweinraub

This is the photo I tried to add to the last blog (#5, week3). I hope it works this time!

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

#5 (week 3)

I think I got the title we are supposed to use now. I explored Flickr today and what a neat site. Students will love it and it will be so useful for powerpoint presentations. The creative power available with flickr is awesome. I attempted to use a photo taken at my school library and post it here. I know I can post the address (http://www.flickr.com/photos/28207909@N04/) and I would like to have the photo actually appear on this post. This photo would be a good one in terms of the fund raising the school is trying to do to create a better wall between the library and the lunchroom.