Beyond Method #12

It is a little bittersweet to have this training come to an end.  Each day I have had an opportunity to learn something new and there was so much to learn.  It directed me to sites that were totally new to me and to sites that I had used before and forgotten about.   The blog is so helpful because it is a compilation of all the information that has been covered.  I know that I will be referring back to it frequently to link to these sites.
Thanks for this training.  It has been the best way to learn about online resources.  Special kudos to whoever did the graphics on your site.  They were what enticed me to do these courses.

Beyond Method #11

With one teacher's classes who were making oral presentations after having done research in the library, we used Poll Everywhere to get feed back from the other students about each presentation.  The student loved using the tool and kept them much more engaged in listening to their classmates.  That teacher used that method of polling throughout the rest of the school year.
Although I have been asked to fill out several surveys through Survey Monkey, but this is the first time I have created one.  It is so easy to use and I feel certain that I will be asking for input in this way in the very near future.

Click here to take survey

Beyond Method #10

About a year ago, a colleague encouraged me to sign-up for Classroom 2.0 which provides webinars the future of education using Elluminate.  On the plus side, I was exposed to many new ideas, techniques, and issues about which I wanted to learn.   The presenters were leading experts in their fields who I would not have had an opportunity to hear had there not been that forum.  On the negative side,  I did not always give the individuals my full attention, because I would usually have them on while I was working late in the library--on something else, I have to admit.  The ongoing chat was distracting and, yet, seemed to draw me in.  I thought that at times the moderators should have disabled it during parts of the webinar out of courtesy to the presenter.  All in all, they have been positive experiences.  I would not want all of education to move in this direction, but, having exposure to some of the most respected professors in the educational technology was invaluable.
Skype is a wonderful tool for face to face interaction, but I appreciate its limitations.  Its best uses are for contacting loved ones or family members or for planned presentations.  The hesitancy for using it for interacting with unknown individuals is totally understandable.  It is a fabulous tool and, certainly, be used more and more in our libraries.

Beyond Method #9

I spent a great deal of time watching the videos that were posted. These programs are wonderful, because the creations made with them are so good. I have a mac and must admit that I have never used imovie. In the future, I will definitely be using it more. Unfortunately, I don't currently have any pictures or movies that I would like to use for a video for my new school so I am going to cheat a little bit and post one that I made a couple of years ago on Animoto.

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Beyond Method #8

Thank you so much!  I really need to learn this tool.  I love screenr.  I was able to create a screencast so quickly and easily.   The one I created can be used to instruct students in the use of our district's internet search engine, Nettrekker.  When using various website's, it can be so helpful to watch step-by-step instructions.
PLEASE NOTE--
I was just notified that the video I created violated the terms of our districts agreement with Nettrekker and had to be removed.   I will work on replacing it.

Beyond Method #7

I've used prezi several times in the past and have loved it.  The complaints about them making people queasy doesn't usually happen with high school students.   I found it to be a great tool for getting kids interested in research projects that they were assigned to do.
Having not had much of a chance to use it, I worked with google presentations.  It was quite easy to use with very clear instructions.  Embedding a video was a snap.  I will certainly be using it again.
Here's my very brief presentation--just a few slides short of the 450...that video
was amazing!

Beyond Method #6

Having directed patrons to Project Gutenberg and Libravox in the past,  I have found these sites very useful for getting to older resources that the library it not have.  Project Gutenberg, for my purposes, was very easy to use, but I have not had the pleasure of downloading a book from that site to an ereader.  I have read at least one complete book on my computer which was not all that pleasurable an experience.  The immediate question harkens back to the old Beta/VHS debate, but one would hope that it would morph into the PC/Mac "compromises".  It would be my hope that there are the beginnings of conversations between the upper echelons of the library world and the publishing companies and technology industry to begin discussing how libraries can best embrace the ebook format.  What could be more beautiful than a patron finding a book in a library's OPAC then downloading it onto whatever ereader they possess all from the comfort of their living room couch (which by the way is exactly where I am right now)? 

Beyond Method #5

A couple of years ago while working with a group of high school girls in a book club, we all set up Good Reads accounts.  It worked very well for helping them pick books to read and share their reading likes and dislikes.  It helped keep them connected over the summer.
That was then, this is now.  This information is inspiring me to revisit my account update it and encourage colleagues and friends to join and/or update our information.
Students could also create accounts to share books with friends, fellow students, and teachers.  This could become a reading group/computer ed/library assignment.  Hmmm...you're  making me think here.

Beyond Method #4

At first glance, I thought that I would not be very interested in this method.  Was I wrong!
There is so much information here.  I am in the process of saving a list of these resource links, because they are excellent.  Recently having been in the situation of looking for a job, I particularly wish that I had known about VirtualCV.  It would have been so much more useful than my traditional resume.
Thank you!!
 

Beyond Method #3--the calmer version

Actually, just as I was throwing up my hands in frustration, the map appeared to be functioning properly.  This is the map I created to show were the schools in our feeder pattern are located and how to get from one to another.
Overton/Garcia/LBJ Feeder Pattern

It was reassuring to see that at least one other participant has had problems with Google Maps.  Certainly, the more one works with it the easier it gets.

Before this I was pretty unfamiliar with mashups.  They could be useful in so many ways with libraries in a school district joining forces to share their public presence.

Beyond Method #3

Okay, I admit it.  I am a techno-peasant.  To this point, creating my map on google maps is the most difficult and frustrating assignment in this training.  It seems so easy on the videos, yet I am having problems getting the routes to show up properly.  After working on it for some time now, I am going to step away from the computer, have a cup of coffee, and return when my frustration level is a little more manageable.

Beyond Method #2

I've done so much already with Google--email, calendar, etc.--it seems logical to continue with iGoogle for my personal use, but Netvibes looks very interesting.  It appears to be the most useful for the school library situation by being able to direct students to certain feeds.  I look forward to playing with it more and, perhaps, installing it as the home page on library computers.

Beyond Two-Steppin' Method #1

So...I fell into a vat of summer and have just now gotten back to what I'm supposed to be doing.  Actually, it feels good to have some direction.
I've updated my blog by changing the background, listing more information on my profile, and adding a photo of myself.  It seemed most appropriate to take it of me in my natural habitat--on the back deck of my house.  It is lovely to hang out here until the temperature gets unbearable and I retreat to the house and the chores that beckon me.  Which is happening right about now.....

Method #12

The best facet of the program is that it allows the participant to actually use the technologies and to see how others in the field are using them...and I am in awe of what they have done.
Having never produced a podcast, I found that section of the training to be the one that most sparked my interest.  I can see many uses for it throughout a school and library.  
In that I am transitioning from a high school library to an elementary library, I am not exactly sure how many of these methods will apply, but I relish the opportunity to discover way to use them.  Perhaps, the first ones will be with applications for the faculty and later branching out to the students and community.
I look forward to the "Beyond Two-Steppin" which I hope to complete in the next couple of weeks.
Thanks for providing this wonderful learning opportunity.

Method #11

Students will be using podcasts more and more over time.   The sooner they get comfortable with using and creating them the better.  As a case in point, my daughter was in school in New Orleans when hurricane Katrina ravaged the city.  The semester ended for those students on that day.  Fast forward to today when podcasting is in much wider use.  The students would be able to continue their studies remotely if their instructors if employed the technology to record their lectures.  And, of course, cloud computing would be very beneficial with the fact that the servers in NOLA went down as the water rose. 

Method #10

In our district, librarians are already using Wikis in many ways.   Our library technology department posts the information that we in the schools need on a Wiki.  From lesson plans to ordering procedures to our cataloging manual can be found.  As our recent budget crisis loomed, a Wiki was set up to get information out to district librarians about meetings, actions of the school board, and suggestion actions.  Both of these forums are very helpful for sharing information.

Method #9

Chat is a great way to communicate directly and quickly with friends and associates.  It can get difficult if you are trying to do something else while someone is IMing you.  It seems as though you are constantly having to stop what you are doing and answer the message. 
In my job as a high school librarian, it would have been very helpful to use a chat with students while they were doing research.  There were several times when I was guiding students through steps and varying search terms to help them get to the journal articles they needed for their projects.  We were emailing so fast and furiously that it seemed as though we were chating.  A chat on the website would have saved us all some time. 
I am not sure how I would use chat or IM in the elementary setting, but I will be looking for opportunities to do so.

Method #8

In my job as a high school librarian, there are so many uses for facebook with students.   That is where they spend so much of their time.  The problem would be getting them to friend your library page and to get around the blocks that the school district has placed on facebook. 
Now that I will be working with elementary school students in a low income school, facebook would probably not be as useful.  But that is yet to be seen.

Method #7

There are so many ways that social bookmarking can be useful for the school librarian.  It can be used to direct faculty to sites that will help them teach research skills, direct student research, and improve their teaching methods.  With students, the librarian could use a social bookmarking site for book reviews, for book report project ideas, and for fun educational sites.  These uses would make internet browsing more manageable for busy teachers and for overwhelmed students.

Method #6

 

Mr. Bean is my favorite library patron! 

What's not to love about using YouTube for libraries.  Our district has created a login for teachers and staff to get around its block of the site so that we can use it.  The students had long ago figured out how to circumvent the block.  YouTube is so useful that I would hate to be without it. 

Method #5

Librarian's Tools Yesterday

Librarian's Tool Today

With the ease of using pictures, why would one not want to add them to blogs, presentations, and website.  I've not used picture file sharing before, but it makes so much sense as a way to save and share pictures.

Method #4

Finally took the plunge to RSS.  Isn't it about time!?!

FoxNewsChildren's Books
Teacher/Librarian

Method #3

The cloud is coming to our school district this next year.  I think that the flexibility will be great by allowing someone to work at school and continue at home.  Worrying about software issues will be a thing of the past.  Yipeee!

Methods #1 and #2

The term “McLuhanesque” used by Stephen Abram took me way, way back to my college days when Marshall McLuhan  and his “the media is the message” was in vogue.  Once again proving that the more things change the more they stay the same.
The ideas of creating and collaborating with a wider group of people is very provocative.   There is a beauty in the librarian and the author in direct communication.  I have loved throwing off the traditional view of the shushing librarian and becoming a purveyor of digital skills and information.