Thing #19 - Going With The Flow

This is my bubbl.us map. The first time I tried working with bubbl.us it wouldn't work - don't know if it was their site or my computer. The next day it worked fine and was very easy to use. Mind maps are good for producing thoughts and organizing them. The flow chart would be used to organize thoughts. I don't use flow charts in daily life and it isn't something that I would use. Bubbl.us was quite easy but I don't see anyone I know really using it, especially with students. It is difficult to get teachers to use Inspiration and our school is utilizing Thinking Maps so I don't see the need for these sites at this time.

Thing #18 - Web 2.0 Winners

I explored the site Zillow. I'm always looking to see what is out there for sale and this is an easy way to do it. It's also an easy way, if you are nosy, to find out what someone's house might be worth. I looked at my house, my parents house, interesting houses and houses in my neighborhood. If I was seriously interested in buying and/or selling a house, this would be a tool to use. It was founded by a guy who started Expedia. I think he knows what he is doing and may be on to something. I found a guitar house for sale in Tennessee. Here it is.

I'm not really sure of the appropriateness of this site to libraries - unless it is with some kind of lesson on what houses are like or worth in different areas of the country.

Thing #17 - Online Apps - Mockingbird Guidelines

Online apps are really interesting. I see the benefits that have been mentioned numerous times: don't need jump drive, don't worry about platforms (PC or Mac) or software versions, etc. My hurdle would be to remember to use it. I'm such a creature of habit - change of routine is hard for me. But, isn't that the purpose of all of this? Go outside the box and comfort zone! I'm still working on it. I do wonder if this is something that will really influence Microsoft and how they create their new software from here on out.

This is what I created in Zoho Writer. It was easy to do.

Mockingbird Guidelines:  

*  Grades PreK-2nd or 3rd grade

*  January through April

*  Must have read at least 5 of the books to vote

*  Voting will be due late April

*  Enjoy

Thing #16 - Sandbox Wiki

It was very easy to add a post to this wiki. I'm still not sure about the uses with students at this time. I see wikis being used with teachers/librarians for collaboration purposes. Of course, I can hear it now with the teachers: "I don't have time for that!" If they would give it a chance I think they might like it. However, we have teachers that don't even check email every day so how in the world can I expect them to check a wiki? I'm still thinking on the Mockingbird WIki.

Thing #15 - Wikis

I must admit that prior to my discovery learning I was a bit concerned about the authenticity of wikis. I could only imagine what people might add to someone's wiki. After further review I think that it would be best to have a private wiki where a password is needed to edit content. I think it is an interesting way to get content across. I think that at the elementary level the greatest obstacle we will face is the classroom teacher - resistance to new technology, lack of time, etc. At this point I see the wiki used more among library colleagues, then with students. I'm tossing around the idea of the best way to create a wiki for MISD Elementary librarians based on sharing/using Mockingbird books. Something to pursue after 23 Things.

Thing #14 - Web 2.0

As I read various articles related to libraries and Web 2.0, I'm not sure that my mind can comprehend all that is involved with Web 2.0. I understand that it is the read/write aspect to the web. I'm having a hard time grasping all that it encompasses: Google docs, MySpace, blogs, del.icio.us, and the multitude of other things that I have yet to explore. What I do know is that it means that the things we do with the students in the library will change. I just don't know how fast it will actually happen. We will need to come up with new ways to meet the student's needs. I think to myself that I won't have to worry about it so much in the elementary setting, but I know that deep down it isn't true. I like the Library 2.0 Manifesto and what that librarian has listed, especially regarding the change and resistant colleagues. Our biggest problem at this point is the resistance I believe that the classroom teachers will put forth. Only time will tell!

Thing #13 - Social Bookmarking

I set up my own del.icio.us account. I thought it was neat to see if others had bookmarked the same things as myself. One thing I noticed is that even though you can access your bookmarks from any computer - by knowing your web address for del.icio.us - you will have to add the post to del.icio.us button to each computer you use to be able to add to your account from any other computer. I noticed that with Furl and Magnolia as well. I may be missing something though. I thought that Furl had an interesting ability and that is to archive the web pages that you tagged. It is really frustrating when you bookmark a site and it is gone. Furl would have an archived copy of the page. That could be really beneficial in the library for research purposes. This is one thing that will take more time to use and explore for me to decide how much I like it. Right now it appears to be beneficial.