THING #16

Wikis can be wonderful if we use them wisely.

I am concerned about how information can be distorted.

I do see the advantage of using it for planning i.e., a field trip so teachers do not have to e-mail each other or try to catch each other in the hall, at lunch, etc.

THING #15

I was hesitant to want to buy into the idea of the new role of libraries that the writers were describing. I was worried that the interpersonal relationship between librarian and patron might be at risk. However, I now realize that this new technology may even bring in more patrons who may not have access to some of the resources that the libraries may have at any given time. That is assuming that libraries get the funding. While some technology gets cheaper over the years, libraries tend to be one of the first institutions to suffer cutbacks.
I like the idea that the exchange of services and resources as well as outreach will improve. Information will be up-to-date. Rather, more up-to-date than encyclopedias were because information can be changed more easily and faster.

Finally, as long as there is no, as one writer puts it "technoworship," and I can still hold books in my hands to read, I'm okay with the new technology. It may take me awhile, but I'll get there just as I am doing now with this Library 2play.

THING #14

Someone looking at my blog pointed out that I say wow a lot.
Here I go "wowing" again.

Through technerotti I typed in elementary school teachers which led to teachtopia where there a 51 blogs. I checked out some and here are some I found: readaloud reviews.blogspot.com has tags for other websites including websites of authors of childrens books, reviews of books, connections to other reading sites, children's books blogs, professional organizations and grown up books sites.
The teachhub education blog has news, stories and editorials.
Teachtopia also led to teaching k-12 in which there is general information, i.e., free lessons by subject areas.

I highly recommend this one!

I went to the directory and found mostly news items which I would rather read in a newspaper.
The tags led to good informational articles but again not what I was looking for.

THING #13

DELICIOUS!
Anyone who knows me knows that I love this one! Life's short, eat dessert first. Desserts spelled backwards is stressed so to undue undo stress... well you get it.

I tried to use some of the popular tags, but they were overwhelming especially when I did find a particularly interesting topic, it took so many clicks here, clicks there, that it hardly seemed worth the effort when we already have so many resources closer to home. It was also disappointing that some of the links were URL unfriendly.

Oh well. Back to my desserts.

THING #12

I read the article about using one's real name vs. an alias. Both sides made interesting points. If you don't want people to know your true identity the alias is obviously better. Some people don't have a problem using their real name. However, many folks may have the same name so the alias or a photo make that person more recognizable when commenting. I for one prefer to use my name here, SheliMom because it's different and defines who I am. Those close to me know about it.
Some of the other blogs were long and too cumbersome to get through. I tended to skim them because their was too much information.

I looked for information about one of my favorite authors, Bill Crider and there were some interesting articles about and by him. I also looked up information about great pyrenees dogs. The blogs I looked at showed photos of different pyrenees, but our Sheli is still the most beautiful of all. Just ask our neighbors and others who drive by when she's out for a walk and stop to compliment her.

THING #11

Library Thing
Wow!
This is really cool! I created an account so now I can list my favorite books for different units that we study. I added 5 books about Texas that I love to read for that unit in the Spring. I found one of my favorite books, I'm Going to Texas, on Amazon.

THING #10

It was fun playing with images. I enjoyed making the cartoon of myself and trying different hairstyles, clothes, backgrounds, etc.


Now I am going to try to attach the picture. Well, it did not seem to take even though I tried about 6-8 times. Then I could not find the site so I made the sign above.





This is a very kid-friendly site. It will be fun to use in class. Wordl can be used in any subject area. For example, in a unit on insects the students can use the vocabulary they have learned. This can be true for any subject. They can even made a Wordl about themselves.