RSS feeds and Google reader are not new to me. I have been using Google reader for over a year now, and have followed RSS feeds for the past several years.
The feeds that I have posted on this blog is from Michael Stephens, Ruth Cox Clark, and Terri Lesesne. Stephens was the keynote speaker at the Houston ISD Librarian's inservice that I planned for this past August. Stephens is a motivational speaker who really promotes the use of technology and tech trends in libraries of all kinds. I like to read his blog to find out about new and emeriging technologies and see how they may be used in school libraries. Ruth Cox Clark was my professor at UHCL for several classes, but namely Young Adult Literature. She is the reason I discovered my love of YA literature, and so I follow her blog to learn about new titles coming out and what adventure she is currently on. Terri Lesesne is another guru of YA lit, but her blog also includes reviews of children's lit. I use her site to help me choose books for the NTB K-2 contest.
Since I was already using Google reader the question about will I use it to keep up with blogs seems like a silly one to answer. But the truth is, this project has reminded me about google reader - as I let it fall to the wayside. So, now I will attempt to be more on top of my RSS feeds on Google Reader.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Method 3 - I'm living in the clouds
I started using Google Docs about 4 years ago. Our district has "preview books" for the librarians to review and then add to their collections if appropriate. Our reviews are online in a Google Docs spreadsheet. I thought this was an ingenious way to share all the reviews my colleagues were writing about new titles.
Since then I have expanded my use of Google Docs into an even more collaborative use. I share documents back and forth with the other supervisors. We create documents that we add to and edit on a regular basis, and it is a general storage place for me so that I can access important documents and data when I'm out at schools and not at my office computer (this has come in handy many, many times). I look forward to experimenting with the "form" on Google Docs and getting data easily gathered that way.
I see many great benefits from these tools everyday as a supervisor. Now, what about in my school libraries? Well, could librarians and teachers write lesson plans in the clouds and develop collaborative lessons that way? could students submit papers to be graded even if they are out sick, or don't have access to a printer? The uses are out there - they just have to be found. I kind of think of it like seeing pictures in the real clouds. Everyone sees something different, no one is wrong, because the clouds are moving and changing constantly.
BUT . . . Jenny Levine does point out some interesting questions. Is the data safe? I don't really know! Is google becoming like Microsoft - only interested in the bottom line? do I care if they are so long as it's still free for me? Would we all feel more comfortable if we did have to pay to have our data in the Clouds? These are all things to consider - but I think I'm going to stick with it.
I like living in the clouds. Won't you join me?
Since then I have expanded my use of Google Docs into an even more collaborative use. I share documents back and forth with the other supervisors. We create documents that we add to and edit on a regular basis, and it is a general storage place for me so that I can access important documents and data when I'm out at schools and not at my office computer (this has come in handy many, many times). I look forward to experimenting with the "form" on Google Docs and getting data easily gathered that way.
I see many great benefits from these tools everyday as a supervisor. Now, what about in my school libraries? Well, could librarians and teachers write lesson plans in the clouds and develop collaborative lessons that way? could students submit papers to be graded even if they are out sick, or don't have access to a printer? The uses are out there - they just have to be found. I kind of think of it like seeing pictures in the real clouds. Everyone sees something different, no one is wrong, because the clouds are moving and changing constantly.
BUT . . . Jenny Levine does point out some interesting questions. Is the data safe? I don't really know! Is google becoming like Microsoft - only interested in the bottom line? do I care if they are so long as it's still free for me? Would we all feel more comfortable if we did have to pay to have our data in the Clouds? These are all things to consider - but I think I'm going to stick with it.
I like living in the clouds. Won't you join me?
Methods 1 and 2
Web 2.0 and library 2.0 are almost interchangeable in my mind. I'd love to see every library using all of the tools that are available. Being able to utilize these 2.0 tools allows libraries and librarians to connect to their students, users, and patrons in ways that are more comfortable for the library user.
How many high school or middle school students would ask more questions of a librarian if they could do it on chat, facebook, twitter, etc?
How many connections can librarians make with others like them from around the world using twitter, facebook, skype, or secondlife?
The possiblities are endless, and I can't wait to see what ideas libraries come up with.
How many high school or middle school students would ask more questions of a librarian if they could do it on chat, facebook, twitter, etc?
How many connections can librarians make with others like them from around the world using twitter, facebook, skype, or secondlife?
The possiblities are endless, and I can't wait to see what ideas libraries come up with.
Da da da da da da! And we're off!
Whew! What a start of the school year! With over 30 new people in libraries around the district, it has been a busy first 5 weeks! But, everyone is all set up and ready to go, finally! The Millioniare Club t-shirt distribution is finally over, with almost 17,000 students participating.
Now, it is time for the Name That Book mania to start. Registration forms are in, books are ordered . . . We're off and running!
Now, it is time for the Name That Book mania to start. Registration forms are in, books are ordered . . . We're off and running!
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