Reflection Time

Going over all the different technologies that I have learned about, I can honestly say that I am gobsmacked. I thought I knew about most things that are out there but again wow, there is more then I could have ever realised.

Although I am not studying teaching, I can see many of these technologies being used in the library, and indeed in my own personal studies. Already I am thinking of how I can use VoiceThread for an upcoming assessment piece where I am supposed to create an oral presentation through flex learning.

I can definatley see the benefits of implementing these technologies in classrooms today. Students today are far more tech aware and tech savvy then ever before. By introducing technology into the classroom you are engaging the students simply by using resources that they are familar with.

Naturally, there are going to be parents that will object to the use of so much technology, to the point where the feel students are going to rely to heavily on these technologies. So it still remains important to know how to create a balance. Students still need to learn to write by hand, learn to read a book and find resources relating to their subject from sources other then the internet. But too much of this tends to lead students to boredom. So its important to find just the right balance.

Overall, I have really enjoyed looking at and experimenting with these new found technologies. I plan on using them throughout my time as a librarian as well as using them in my own personal study.

VoiceThread

OMG what an awesome way to create an exciting oral presentation. You can talk over, pause while you talk, draw on the screen, I think I might even look into using this for a presentation I need to give for another class! I love this site!

Wikipedia

I've touched a little on Wikipedia in a previous post. How I used it to look up RSS Aggregators. In the library we naturally have a reference section, which includes hard copies of encyclopedias, but these encyclopedias have a tendency to become out-of-date rather quickly and its expensive to replace a whole collection. Wikipedia is an excellent way for us to help customers search for something in particular and it covers just about everything and is a lot more up-to-date. I am currently in the process of putting together a website with our IT tech and am thinking of links to add to the page. I already have a link to SLQ (State Library Queensland) and their list of databases, I think that I might include a link to Wikipedia as well. Although most people know it exists most people wouldn't think to use it when looking for information, if I had the link in front of them it might help their researching all the more.

INCOMPETECH.

So I've checked out this site and downloaded one of the songs. Easy enough process really. I can't really think of an places to use this in the classroom other then in things like background music for PowerPoint presentations and such. I certainly can't think of any area in which to use it in the library. But still its handy website if you have a reason to use it.

MediaFire

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=ca56d01818f3ab2dd6baebe61b361f7ce04e75f6e8ebb871

Well, this is my link for another assignment I'm working on for another class, it is still a fair way from being finished, but thought it would be a good file to link and see how it works. It is a really simple program to use. My file was uploaded in literally 2 seconds. I can see this being useful for myself as I almost always forget to take my USB with me to work to work on my assignments (God, I love my job).

I can see this being used in classrooms for students to upload their assignments or even drafts for their teachers or even peers to go over. It could help other students who are uncertain about what is required of them to see how another student has gone about the assessment task.

Google Earth

Google earth is awesome. I've mentioned before that I am one of those nerds who plays online games and have made some 'friends' online and during one of our bored moments we dicided to check out google earth to see where each other lives in the world.

This program is an excellent resource when teaching young kids or even older kids, well lets face it, even adults, all about geography, you can search for countries, states, cities, streets and even landmarks. If I were a primary school teacher and needed to teach my students about the world, this would be my number one resource without a doubt.

Podcasting

Well there you go. I never new just how much was available on iTunes. I have to admit I have never used iTunes for anything other the the player, I had never really even had a good look around the iTunes Store. I may even take up learning French now, I've always wanted to do that, and I see that there are plenty of Learn French Podcasts available. And OMG audiobooks, this is brilliant, I never thought to look in iTunes for an Audio Book, this will save me a lot of time preparing for a trip well in advance. Normally I have to order an audio book in from another library or even state library which can take weeks, this has just saved me heaps of preplanning.

YouTube

I love YouTube, admittedly I enjoy watching things that make me laugh on there, such as those Crzy Japanese Game Shows (without the stupid voiceovers)

I was reading the activity that asks us to find a video that complements our teaching and link it in our blogs. Since I am studyig a BA and not a BLM i thought I would relate this (as i have with most things for this subject) to my real life job.

Here is a video that explains how the Dewey Decimal System works:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETh-KB8azYo

ClassMarker

Well here is my little test. Very quick (only four questions) simple True or False Questions
http://www.classmarker.com/quiz/intro.php?test_id=59272

I can see this working excellently in a classroom, best if students each had a computer each. You can set a time limit on each question, edit the note at the end that notifies the student if they have passed or failed, and if your students don't have access to a computer each you can print off the test and just it like any other written test.

Picnik Picture

2005_0528Image0028
Originally uploaded by Cristi1986

This is the pic that I edited with Picnik. Its of my fiance Dave firetwirling, I edited it to Black and White. I have to say that I think picnik is my new fav. photo editor!!!

Flickr Pic

MORE
Originally uploaded by Daneli

This is a gorgeous pic. I love Recency stuff. I norammly use facebook to share my pictures with my friends and family, but facebook also allows you to swap news with them as well. Flickr would be excellent if all you wanted to share was photos. I think I will even look into encouraging my friends and family who are sick of using facebook to use Flickr as well.

RSS Aggregator

Ok I know we aren't supposed to use Wikipedia as a creditable university source, but I thought since we spoke about wiki's earlier in the term, I thought it would fit anyway.
I searched the term 'Aggregator' on the Wikipedia website and this is what it had to say.

In computing, a feed aggregator, also known as a feed reader, news reader or simply aggregator, is client software or a Web application which aggregates syndicated web content such as news headlines, blogs, podcasts, and vlogs in a single location for easy viewing. (Wikipedia, 2009)

I checked out the Google Reader, and it's layout seemed familiar to me. I wondered where else I might have seen such feeds. After thinking and reading up more on what an aggreagtors purpose is, I've realised that I haven't just seen this in one place but on many different websites all over the web, such as news websites.

'Aggregator' 2009, Wikipedia, viewed 19th August, 2009,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggregator

Avatar Usage

Ok so I've been thinking of ways to incorporate an avatar in the library for educational purposes. I have thought about using it as a way to explain to children ways to use the library's resources for research for school. With step by step guides, perhaps even links that go into a little more detail. While it wouldn't be able to answer any specific questions it would at least be able to help point students in the right direction. I never realised until I started as a librarian just how many students have no idea on how to research in a library as they tend to only use the internet (most likely because it is quick and easy).

My Avatar

Student-Centred Technologies

Well, since I am not studying teaching and therefore can't put into practice these ideas of Student-Centred Technologies in the classroom I have been thinking that maybe that does not mean I can't use them at all. Working as a librarian I am constantly trying to think of ways to encourage students to come into the Library and get familar with it. Libraries are not what the once were. The days of sitting down quietly reading to yourself is not all the library has to offer anymore. I have been asked my my manager to create a blog for the library to go on the council website, and I have been thinking more and more about what I can include in these blogs. I think it would be great if I could get some students in here during school holidays and have them create their own stories using their own blogs or creating movies. I know that there are also online story books, and was just thinking that it would be great if I could get the students to create some of those. If only I could find a program in which to do that. Hmmm.....

WIKIs

Ok, so I've set up my very first Wiki and all I can say is 'Wow'. I have no idea what to place in it. At the moment all it contains is 1 video from YouTube about abbrivations in 'online speach' with characters from the World of Warcraft game and a link back to my blog. I would be happy if anyone could give me some more ideas as to what I can post on there.