Thing #7 - Google Tools

The iGoogle page can be customized to your individual preferences. I set up a page for a history class and the idea was that anyone could sign in and add links to information they found on the topic the class was researching. The class was researching warrior groups and each small group was assigned a different warrior group. So, as they found information on their specific warrior group, they would add a link to that info on this iGoogle page set up for that purpose. That would make it a meaningful project because they would be creating a site (if we make it public) that other people could use in the future.

Google Notebook could also be used in this same fashion because you can make it accessible to others so as you are adding information you find someone else can be doing the same thing. Then, it can be shared.

It does require everyone to have passwords to sign in to the page or notebook.

Thing #6 - Mashups and other tools to use with Flickr

Using Flickr with Google maps is pretty cool. I found a Mashup that combined photos from Route 66 with a map of the US and the photos placed on the map route showing where they came from. However, I wasn't able to click on the photos to see what they were and they were too small to see a clear image. This would be a cool geography lesson. Maybe students could post photos of places they visited during the summer and it could be posted in a classroom.

Big Deal had links to make the trading cards. Who would want a trading card of a librarian? You could create info trading cards to hand out in your library, though. Like a list of your subscription databases with the passwords to access them.

With Movie Posters, you could have students create posters about their favorite books and post them around the library.

Thing #5 - Flickr

Exploring Flickr, I found some photos of my hometown. I even added a comment to one. I saved a photo of a postcard showing this area of Oklahoma that used to be considered part of Texas because I may want to use it for an article I want to write for a local historical publication.



Some of my friends have invited me to a Flickr group before to view photos they took at a wedding we all attended. That's a pretty neat idea. Some libraries have their own groups and post activities going on there. I saw photos of some beautiful butterflies someone created to hang from their library ceilings.

Flickr is super, but our school filter blocks the site, as well as many other Web 2.0 tools.

Thing #4 - Register your blog!

This was the easiest part so far! Wow! Just send an e-mail and wait for confirmation. Looking forward to Thing #5, etc. after getting that confirmation. I think I can do this! Just wish blogspot wasn't blocked at school.

Avatar Queen - Thing #3

Well, it's fun creating an avatar, but not if you don't have all day. There are so many choices and it takes too long looking at them all. My avatar doesn't really look like me, only kindasorta, but when I have time I'll play with her outfit and hair some more! I do like it that there was a library background available and it kindasorta looks like my high school library.

7 1/2 Habits of Lifelong Learners - Thing #2 after reading Thing #1

After reviewing the title tutorial, I find that the easiest habits are #1 "begin with end in mind," or setting a goal, and #7 1/2 "play!" However, the hardest habit is #4 "having confidence" because every so often, in a frustrating moment, I lose confidence. That's when #3 "view problems as challenges" and #2 "accept responsibility for your own learning" kick in, and that keeps me persevering until I get through that obstacle.