Method 12

I enjoyed the various methods presented. My biggest problem is that I was already familiar with them, so I didn't learn as much as I had hoped. But, all was not lost! I really appreciate and liked the various videos and other resources provided. As with any workshop, I think I am able to find something I didn't already know about even if I already am familiar with the topic. Sound confusing? As far as favorites go: cloud computing, wikis, and photosharing. Will I be able to make use of what I experienced...you bet! Experiences like this are never a waste of time. They always come in handy and I would be more than willing to promote this if it is repeated next year. I know some librarians who would benefit from the exposure and information!

Thanks!

Method 11

Podcasts! I actually did a mini workshop for some of my colleagues on creating podcasts for our libraries. We used audacity and then we posted them to our respective blogs and wikis. I told them that it would be incredibly easy to do and they were skeptical. But now, one regularly creates them based on spelling lists that a teacher asked her about. To be honest, that was why they wanted to learn. Several of my friends had been asked by teachers about podcasts. The rest is history.

I don't really subscribe to any because of time constraints, but I do enjoy a good discovery!

Method 10

I really enjoy a good wiki! My colleague and I created one for our school as a resource for teachers. Now, when they need some type of for, I direct them to the wiki. http://cliftonteachers.wikispaces.com. I use this wiki to play with web 2.0 apps to see which widgets work, how, and what uses I have for them. Right now I'm a member of 20 or so wikis. I don't necessarily contribute to them, but I check back in to see if there is anything important I may have missed. We have a teacher on our campus who uses one for her classes. She has inserted google forms for students to fill out and submit for different projects and has class info and all kinds of interesting stuff on it. Sometimes her students come to the library to access it and complete work. Between nings, blogs, and wiki's, I'm not sure which is best for my school's library. That's the struggle right now...what to create...each has limits!

Method 9

I've experienced chats and im-ing. Because I am in grad school and all of my classes are online, I have had to attend class or section chats several times. I always enjoy them because it is much more interesting than having to wait for a response through email. And, if the chat has voice capabilities, that is all the better. I have one problem, though, the lingo. I prefer to use proper grammar and spelling most of the time. I think it is because I have seen so many students who think it is okay to incorporate it into formal papers. And, when we are chatting with a professor, I feel like I am being disrespectful by using it. Silly? I don't know.

Method 8

I love Facebook...but not for the same reasons my friends do. I love it for the games! MySpace doesn't compare in this respect. I do not use my real name, though and I don't use a picture of myself. In fact, I have my privacy settings to where only my friends can see my stuff. I enjoy finding friends and family and adding new ones to my facebook...but it's still all about the games.

That being said, I see many uses for social networks in education. The biggest problem is to use them appropriately, meaning for educational purposes. And, as always, I worry about student safety. I don't think students realize how much they expose themselves through their MySpace pages and they often just won't listen to reason. Even some adults don't make wise choices when it comes to what info to post and what pictures to post.

Method 7

I already have a delicious account. Actually, before I had that one, I used www.ikeepbookmarks.com. I really like being able to save the urls without having them all in my favorites. I have already started one for my school's library. The first site I saved was the online resources for my district. I've explored another site, www.laterthis.com, but haven't gotten into it yet. I prefer delicious.

Method 6

I love one of the YouTube videos about "Mariachi Los Gallitos". I love it because I am in the video. I used to be a ballet folklorico dancer and my group used to perform with the Mariachi group. One of the members created a promotional video that had my dance group performing at the Economic Summit '89 at the University of Houston. As with Flickr and Picasa, I am leary about posting videos featuring students. But, if the site were used to post videos that have educational substance, then yes, I see a purpose.

Agrigento Temple of Concordia - Sicily

Agrigento Temple of Concordia - Sicily
Originally uploaded by Giuseppe Finocchiaro

Every goddess needs a temple!

Method 5

As a fan of animoto, photostory, movie maker, and other digital software, I love to use photos from flickr! But I see the potential for problems when I send my students off to complete projects that require them to use such sights. Most of the time, I realize it is not their fault that people tag their photos the way they do. And, generally, the kids don't come across too many that are potential trouble-makers. The biggest problem is that they don't see anything wrong with those types of pictures. We have to continually communicate with each other regarding potential problems. Luckily, they try to do the right thing and steer clear of problems.

On a personal note, I haven't uploaded my photos because I don't know who will use them or for what purpose, and why upload them if I'm not going to share them.

Since I am a self-proclaimed Goddess, I uploaded a picture of a temple...it sure is pretty at night!

Method 4

I've been using Google Reader for a few months now, and the biggest problem I have is still time. Yes, it is very simple to set up and so easy to get too, yet I find myself a victim of not enough hours in the day to play with all my toys. I have my absolute favorites that I check every single day cause you just never know what cool things they will have for sale.

1. http://www.yugster.com
2. http://www.woot.com
3. http://www.1saleaday.com

All three sites sell neat stuff that I really can live without, but don't want to! I'm willing to admit that those are the only kinds I subscribe to right now...

Additionally, I subscribe to email updates for some blogs and other postings, mostly because I already had the subscription before I started the reader.

Method 3

I just recently joined Dropbox and I love it! It was all because of a presentation that Michael Stephens did at a mini-conference. After reading the various articles and posts, I didn't realize how much of my stuff is already in the clouds. I use google docs, delicious, iphoto, and a couple of others that were discussed. I wasn't aware of some of them and, well, let's face it, I'm going to investigate Zoho cause it looks and sounds interesting. As far as how that can influence my library, I've been working on getting my colleagues to use a wiki, so that is a start. Some of my concerns for sites like Flickr in the school center around the few who ruin it for the masses and exploit pictures of students. It takes continual instruction to get students to realize there are dangers out there and there are ways to protect themselves. I can't say I'm a fan of strangers being able to use some of my photos, but I have to admit I appreciate being able to use theirs! So, I keep that part simple: if I don't want others to use it, I don't upload it.

My final thoughts: the clouds are already here and I am in them...to a degree.

Methods 1 and 2

I first began learning about Web 2.o through my Master's classes at UNT. I have to admit that my understanding of it was questionable, at first. I blame that on the fact that the term and all the components was combined with Library 2.0. But then I began looking at all the different apps available and how they were used and what their purpose was...that was all it took.

I was totally amazed by Michael Wesch's video The Machine is Us/ing Us (Final Version). It was thought-provoking, to say the least! I now look for ways to inform myself of new Library 2.0 apps to improve and revitalize my school's library, as well as instruction.