Thursday, May 14, 2009

Week 8 Thing #19

I am so enthused about Library Thing. Reading is a often a solo activity. Library Thing allows the reader to join the rest of the world and find out what the world is reading and what the reader(s) think about it. It is so hip.
I put down my summer reading list on it. I found reviews for the different books, the number of readers who had read it, and the cover of the book. One of the choices to click on is this is a german word- zeitgeist- which means the spirit of the time. I also went in and looked at several groups. The one group listed as 1001 books to read before I die was a little daunting. There are books on the list I never planned on reading. If I take up the challenge, I may have to stretch a little. Is there a list out there for books each grade should read before ending that grade? Would I or others agree with it?
I haven't played with the wigits. I am just excited to find out about books I have read, what others have thought of them etc.
I have taken a 4th and 5th grade class to this site. The students are really interested and couldn't wait to play with this site. It fascinates me to watch students become engaged in a learning process. I love it that a site carries important information for both youth and adult. Library Thing does that.
Library Thing could be used to track books students are reading throughout the year.
Ann and I have had the conversation about students need to see the cover of a book when looking for books on the card catalog system. Students need to see the cover. It is a new way of perusing the shelves.
Again, a very useful website which can be used anywhere.

Week 8 Thing #18

ONLINE WORD PROCESSING
I think this is as wonderful as delicious social bookmarking. I am very grateful our technology is such that we can get at our own files from any computer in the world. Web 2.0 rocks.
In Week 7 Thing #16 I came across a wiki from Princeton Public Library called Book Lover's Wiki. I really like the books and found my summer reading. Tonight, I cut and pasted the five star reviews into the Zoho Writer. I realized later I could have imported them. I tried it and it couldn't be imported because the site is not supported. What does that mean?

I love the idea of everything I do being at my fingertips via the internet. How often have I or others had a file or project piece at our home computer or at another computer than the one we are on? I love the idea of online word processing, spreadsheets etc.
I also like the idea of Microsoft not having the hold it has had on us for so long.... and someone else giving them a run for their money.
This all being said, I cut and pasted my summer reading list onto zoho. Saved it and then couldn't retrieve it. Zoho doesn't have as much to offer as does word or open office. However, I do think, it is well on its way.
I have talked with a lot of people using google docs. They love it. I am anxious to try it.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Week 7 Thing #17

Using wiki's
I like the idea of using wiki's to communicate within a group about ideas, thoughts and hints about a question, problem or a theme. It is easy to read and follow along.
One of my teachers at school had her students make their own wiki. One student bad mouthed another student. So the down part of this is the teacher did not know who the student was until she/he copped to it. So for my principal and the teacher, there has to be a way to monitor what the posts are. Any ideas.
When students are behaving well, I think Wiki's work well. I would take students to wikipedia first to show them how well this can work. Wiki's are a wonderful start to talk about accountability, etiquette on the internet and critical thinking.
I have enjoyed learning more about wiki's and what others have had to offer.