Thing #6

YEAH-something I am familiar with. The I-touch is awesome. Kids love them and the apps are simple to download. There are so many apps from educational to recreational. I could literally spend days checking them out. Always something new.
In the library last year and we used them mainly as recreation. Ocassionally we used the internet. Some students actually preferred them to using the macbooks.
I think students would be able to do their podcasts, wikis and research easily together. I just have trouble with the size. My fingers are too fat and my eyes aren't what they used to be.

Thing # 5

Alright, when I started thinking of Microblogging, of course Twitter came to mind. I am not one to text everything I am doing, but I see some uses for the library. If students wanted to know about book fair, new resources, Family Library night, or even just school updates, this would be a fast, easy tool to consider.

However, my middle school students are all about their My Space accounts. I really am interested in making book clubs in the library during advisory this year. Who knows, maybe I will even get a group to join a book club group on their My Space account. Then we can discuss the book in between meetings.
The microblogging that intrigued me the most was the back channeling. I see tons of uses for this in schools. I went to TodaysMeet. I signed in and saw how easy this could be to set up. I think students would love this type of tool. It would keep the students engaged and accountable. I like that you can print the transcript at the end of the presentation.

Thing #4 Youtube and Teachertube

I enjoy looking at videos and I often get off task when I get on these sites. However, there are many worthwhile videos out there. When researching the Holocaust with 8th graders this year, I found several quick videos that were well done and appropriate to use.
Right now my 7th graders are using flip cameras to make book trailers. Both these sites were helpful in "consuming" quality trailers. We even got to "critique" the trailers and discuss some do and don'ts. Now that they are "producing" their book trailers, I believe their projects are much better then if we didn't have examples to use.

Below is an animoto that I downloaded onto youtube. I did it just to see if I could. It was easy. I however like the option of the delte key.

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Thing # 3

Skype is the new hype. I have not actually had the opportunity to have a video conference yet, but I like the fact that it is both video and audio conferencing live. I will definately try setting this up on my Macbook since there is a camera component available. While reading and watching a couple of videos, I started thinking of the endless possibilities of using Skype in the class as well as the library: meetings, authors, learning another language, students having online book chats.
One concern I had in using technology: students in the library use the internet to talk or IM someone right across the library. At least this would make them use verbal skills along with personal ones. I want them to have meaningful conversations and this would be a great tool to do that.

Part 4

Bookr is a quick way to make a photostory on line. What I liked about it was that everything was right there and convenient for you. The fact that they already had pictures and they had the creative commons was a time saver. I hadn't realized that you could add page. This would be great for younger and older students.

Part 2

Wordle has become one of my favorites. I love the fact that students can brainstorm and edit all in one spot. It is an alternative to the boring pencil and paper. Students are eager to write words and edit while they go. Once they are familiar with this tool, I see endless possibilities.

Part 3

Animoto is a sure way to hook students and teachers. The fact that you can make a video and use either pictures/pictures and video clips is very enticing for all. I like the fact that they have updated animoto since they first began, that shows that they are staying up with the technology advances. Whether you use it to introduce a lesson, enhance the existing material or as a closing to a unit, it makes learning fun. My daughter is 6 and she and I made a quick video for my husband for Father's Day.

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.