Library Thing!!

Here's a site I neglected to mention: It's called Library Thing. It utilizes a Del.icio.us-type interface that allows users to store and share their favorite BOOKS! It uses tags and clouds (this is called folksonomy, rather than taxonomy, because they are created by users). Check it out... look at a few collections people have created. How could this online resource be used in our schools? Well, darn it!! I just went to it and they've been being attacked by a high schooler and so are temporarily shut down. Dang! It's cool that they're trying to catch this Dave though. Look at the site another time. Hopefully, they'll resume their regular interface soon. In the meantime, read the wikipedia articles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LibraryThing and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folksonomy

Search Tools and Tips!

We discussed (in varying depths) and viewed many different types of tools and resources for location and access of information in the last few days -- search engines and directories, free websites, library websites and pathfinders, databases, -- all with the goal of steering students toward a variety of resources relevant to their search. How might you make these available to your students and teachers and provide opportunities to teach awareness and successful use of these tools and resources in your library? (We're beginning some vision thoughts here...) Joyce Valenza created a page, which explains the search tools we discussed (and more!) if some of them are fuzzy:

http://www.sdst.org/shs/library/searchtip.html

Barb Rocks - Optional Extra Post :)

I ask Barb to come speak to this class every year and she graciously agrees. Because she shared so much with us today, what were two or three things you'll see yourself trying out in the near future with your students?

Managing Communication Projects - Strategies

Today we discussed many options for connecting our students to the global community. We also addressed some concerns or considerations that must be addressed in order for these opportunities to be successful. Some of the concerns were:

• being able to access email at our school
• filtering of some websites, like MySpace
• Privacy issues for our students
  
• Safe online interactions
• Not enough $$ to buy applications needed
• Not enough time to do all of this monitoring of the blogs
  
• We don't have the right equipment
• Justifying your purpose
  

In your replies, please address one or more of the concerns with some strategies for success. Feel free to comment on other students' posts as well.

Great participation and thinking

Excellent comments, questions and examples in EVERYONE'S emails and blog posts. Well done kids!!