Thing 21- Beyond MySpace

I read the articles. Gather seems like a time consuming way to learn of new authors. I didn't find it too attractive. Goodreads, that I visited later seemed to have information in an easier to use format.
Again, becoming an interactive library is a worthy goal, but it seems like a daunting task given the other activities that seem to be demanding our time. I'm not sure what you'd give up on to accomplish this goal.
I joined the "23 Things on a Stick Ning" at the beginning of this project and have added comments to the wall for a couple of the people I recognize from MEMO activities. I also added the badge to my blog.
Finally, I joined the WebJunction. The online classes are something I may come back to explore.
Some of the other networks I checked out were interesting. I was most interested in the 43 Things. I didn't join at this point, but I like the concept.
The Wikipedia list of social networks would seem to be a very helpful item to use when exploring the concept of social networking.

Thing 20--Libraries & Social Networks

I registered for Facebook and added some friends. I knew one other person participating in "23 Things". I relied on the good humor of my nieces and nephews to bring my friends list up after that. It was interesting to see how linking the friends list from one of the kids took me the next one... I did feel like I was intruding a bit. I was also uncomfortable writing my own profile, not knowing who would eventually read it and not feeling that there is much of interest to write.
I joined Librarians & Facebook & the Library 2.0 groups. I was pretty sure that I would be interested in the discussions of these groups.
I visited MySpace and thought the content seemed less controlled. I did think the feature for finding friends was more helpful than on Facebook. Being able to search for people with certain criteria would be helpful if you actually wanted to make contact with people of the same age, interests and geographical location.
I visited the 2 library MySpace sites and didn't see the attraction. Some of the information seemed dated (activities from last October). Setting up a website or any other communication is one thing. Keeping the site updated and fresh is a time consuming challenge. I wonder if having a site that isn't maintained is worse than not having one at all.
Although I don't see an immediate use for these in my library, I think it is valuable to explore these social networks and understand a bit of what is going on in technology.

As a postscript, I have enjoyed reading the blogs of those who have finished the task. It is good to see some examples of how various features can dress up the presentation.

Thing 19-- Podcasts

I have used podcasts from NPR before. TeachingBooks.net has linked me to author interviews that I have enjoyed in the past. I also have some NPR favorites that I enjoyed finding and listening to again.
The gem discovery in "Thing 19" was the Educational Podcast Directory and more specifically http://www.mpsomaha.org/willow/radio/shows/Willowcast29.html. This is the site of a very well done project about volcanoes. It is definitely something to show my fellow staff members. What an interesting way for students to showcase their research.
Adding a podcast site to the RSS was a simple process. I have actually set up folders in my RSS account at this point.

Thing 18--- YouTube and other online video

These were quite fun to watch. Conan the librarian, etc. shows the creative side of people for sure.
I was interested to find a 40 minute piece on the chaos in Kenya. I have a friend who is presently living Kenya and just emailed this past week to say that things have been tense (understatement). It was amazing timing to stumble on that particular video.
A fellow staff member emailed us about http://teachertube.com/ and I checked that out as well. That is where I picked up the 'water cycle' video that I chose to add to my blog. That piece caught my eye because I recently helped a staff member find information on that for the unit in her classroom and thought this may be something else to add interest. I also came across a class doing times tables to music. Many of the clips on this site could be easily used in the classroom. Of course, there are clips that make me think I could compete in this ----

Thing 17--Part 4 & summary

I set up the NetLibrary account & explored as directed. I didn't find this part too exciting or helpful.
As I finish Thing 17, I find the ELM products are full of potential. I agree with comments I read in another blog-- We really need to update our skills in the ELM tools on a regular basis because they have changed a great deal. I find that keeping up-to-date is a huge challenge and keeping my fellow staff members informed is a worthy goal, but it seems impossible. Although I remind staff members to use the ELM tools in connection with particular projects they are working on, I obviously miss a lot of staff members who could possibly use these sources more often.

Thing 17-ELM part 3

The ProQuest site seemed very easy to use. I found the articles on social networking, which were interesting. Refining the search was no problem. I marked a couple articles and emailed them to myself. A message showed that the email was sent, but 2 hours later I don't see the articles in my email???? Am I jinxed or what?

Thing 17 ELM Production Tools--Part 2

I set up the account in Academic Search Premier. I found it fairly easy to use the web page composer, add things to my folder and save it to my desktop. I did a search on the Mpls. bridge collapse and collected various images and information.
The web page examples caught my attention. I can see how these would be helpful in the school setting. I don't have a specific project in mind right now, but I could see coming back to this at some point and creating an assignment using these tools.
I also viewed an EBSCO tutorial for setting up the folders and found it pretty easy to follow.

Thing 17--ELM Productivity Tools Part 1

I use ELM tools at school. We use the Infotrac index the most. The students have appreciated the email feature.
I tried adding the "youth smoking" search to the RSS--I took it to the reader and got as far as copying the site address and received an"oops..try again later." message. I tried using a different search and was not even able to get that far. I waited & tried again later-- still no luck. I think it would be a great service, but it isn't working for me.
So I tried the challenge. I was able to find the site taking me to NPR. The screen said I should be listening to NPR, but once again I had no luck. Since I have listened to other NPR broadcasts with the computer, I don't think its the computer. I am not on mute....... Again, it is a great feature if/when it would work.

Thing 16 Student 2.0 Tools

I remember seeing these tools before and sharing the sites with the teachers in the English Department. I think the calculator has been updated since I saw it last. There seems to be more helpful hints and information for each step of the progress. The email reminders for each step of the process is a nice feature.
This could also be helpful for presentations that I've done for groups to promote reading with preschool children, etc.

Thing 15--Online games & libraries

I tried out the Puzzle Pirates. I'm not sure I understand the scoring, bartering, etc. I did try bilging, carpentry and learning to sail. I can see how you could get hooked, but it would take awhile to get all the finer points of the game figured out--which is obviously the goal. However, I don't think I'll spend much more time on this.
I looked at some of the links about second life. I don't understand the attraction or use of this. I guess it must be enjoyable for some when the teenagers on the podcast talked about being on the island for 6 to12 hours/day.
The "Eight Myths about video games" did not convince me that immersion in the violent games does not have an undesired effect.

Thing 14--LibraryThing

This is another interesting tool. I will recommend this to students who need to find that book "kinda like....", and especially to those who have read almost everything and need suggestions from someone new.
LibraryThing would also be a helpful resource for HS book clubs, or book clubs in general.
Setting up the account was very easy--using it took a bit longer. It is interesting to read the reviews and discussions about books I've read. I was surprised that one of my favorites, "Mrs. Mike", was still on the list for others. I assumed it was a forgotten classic.
(I'm still waiting for the 'thing' that only takes 15 minutes)

Thing 13/ Calendars/Lists/etc.

I set up a Google calendar and spent some time exploring the different views and features. As with any calendar system, I think it would take time to get into the habit of using it in a valuable way. It is great to include it in the iGoogle start page. By the way, I do like the iGoogle start page. I haven't yet set it for my home page because I use the school's interface a lot, but the temptation is there.
I set up Remember the Milk and added that to the iGoogle start page as well.
I looked at MSN, KiKo & Backpack tours. The Backpack video was impressive, but I think it is geared more toward the business traveler. Basically, all of these have more bells & whistles than I would use.

Thing 13-- Online production tools

I really enjoyed the iGoogle home page. I'm finding that to be a handy starting point to access things. The local weather, movies, etc. all so easy to find. I set up tabs for news & cooking as examples of what was available. It is another tool to share with staff members.
Now the countdown generater is another story. As you can see, my countdown is pretty dead. I tried another one as was noted in someone else's blog. I didn't get that one to work either :(

Thing 12--Social media sites

Interesting. Once again, I could get lost in all the information. I found the tour or tutorial for Mixx to be the most helpful of the introductions to the sites. Once I was in, I liked Newsvine. The articles that are popular seem to be less news and more entertainment.
I did try to register for Newsvine and tried to post an article from USA Today. I wasn't successful. I'm wondering if there is lag time between registering and being on the system. I'll try it again later.

Thing 11-- Tagging/Del.icio.us

Putting labels in the blog could be very helpful to locate information and it seems so easy. Obviously, it would be better to assign the labels as you go. I labeled a couple of my blog entries and will try to label the next few as I go.
The Del.icio.us tutorial was informative. I can see this as being helpful because I work at several different computers during the course of a day and having the same bookmarks available will be handy.
Although I can see how the tags can help when doing research, I currently see it as information overload. It is good to know about it, and when the need arises, I hope I remember to use it.
http://pagekeeper.teachingmatters.org/home is a site I'd like to come back and explore further.

Thing 10--Wikis

1) The Common Craft videos are nice a way to be introduced to the new areas. I'm not sure I understand the 'links' thing yet, but I am very much aware that this is an introductory program. Unless you have a lot of prior knowledge, you could be exploring just one of these tools until April 15th instead of completing the list.
2) The library uses of a wiki were interesting. It may be a way of using some of the library's patrons to promote books and programs. I wonder how elementary students, say at 5th & 6th grade level, would do with a wiki of favorite books.
I enjoyed browsing through the MN150 site. That is a site the 6th grade should see as they study Minnesota.
3) I had fun messing with the list of "messed up classics". I decided "Oranges of Anger" had a better ring to it. I looked at the sandbox as well. What are the implications of having your IP address recorded in these wikis?