Thing #11: Exploring Web 2.0 award winning applications

I enjoyed looking through the list of award winning applications.  Some of the sites I have used before: Pandora, Kayak, Craigslist, Facebook, Delicious.  There were several I added to my favorites to use more.  I liked two of the sites listed under the Health category.  Revolution Health and Peer Trainer were very useful.  I created an account with Peer Trainer and now will receive a healthy lifestyle tip everyday by email.  They also provide places to keep diet and workout information.  Revolution Health is a plethora of useful information.  This site would be very helpful in preparing health lessons.

Thing #10: Online Image Generators

I had a lot of fun looking through all the different online image generators.  I could quickly see many ways these could be used in the library.  I do a birthday book club to raise money for the library and the students would love to see their picture on a magazine cover rather than just a simple picture.  Our library theme for this year is "Be a Star @ the library!"  I loved the image above to use with that theme.

Three times a year we have a RIF distribution.  I could see using image generators to create excitement and go with the distribution theme.

Thing #9: Useful Library Blogs and Newsfeeds

As I browsed through the blog seraching tools listed, I was slightly overwhemed at the vastness of information available on any given topic.  I can see where these searching tools would be VERY useful when looking for certain information.  However, Iam afraid if I added very many to my RSS Reader list, I would get very little else done and spend most of my time reading feeds.  But, that being said, I did find several of the searching tool useful.

1. Google Blog Search:  I thought this was easy to use.  I searched Caldecott award and came up with many interesting sites.

2.  Blogline's search tool:  the message came up.  Forbidden

You don't have permission to access /search on this server.

3.  Edublogs award winning sites:  I loved this tool.  I came up with a particularly intersting site to me on free techonlogy tools for teachers.  Lots of good information to share with my staff.  I liked this site also because the less helpful sites have been weeded out, saving me lots of time.

4. Topix.net:  This was interesting but I found other search tools more helpful.

5.  Syndicate8.com:  I found this site extremely confusing to use.

6.  Technorati:  Although fairly easy to use, this search tool wasn't my favorite. 

7.  Blog Pulse:  I tried searching with this tool and had some success.  However, I don't think I personally, will have much need to track conservations.

After exploring all the serach tools listed, I found my favorites to Google Blog Search and Edublogs award wining sites.  I know those two tools will be added to my toolbox.

Thing #8: RSS Feeds

Wow!  Learning about RSS feeds has been fanastic.  I love not having to search every website I look at on a regular basis for what is newly added.  Of course, now I will be on the computer even more!!!  I added a bunch of feeds to my page but I can see that my list may need to be edited so I continue to have a life! 

I can see where RSS feeds would be very helpful to teachers who use blogs on a regular basis.  (Note to self-an inservice on blogs would be a super start to the beginning of the year, then go to setting up a reader page.)  As a librarian, blogs that review books are really helpful.  I love Teri Lesesne's website.  Her reviews are always fun to read.

Thing #7: Cool Google Tools

I learned a lot exploring all the cool google tools.  I can see where many of these would be helpful in educational setting.  I set up a Google calendar and added just a few events (after all, it is summer).  I was surprised when I checked my email and saw the reminders.  I can see where students could use the calendar feature as a planner and assignment reminder.  Our school uses Gaggle e-mail and the reminders could be sent to that email address.
I also looked at the alert feature.  I like to keep up on events in my hometown when I am not there and by setting up an alert on it, I can see when newsworthy events happen.  I can see where this tool could be used for a reseach project or current event study by students.
I couldn't believe how many tools were listed in the "even more" section.  I REALLY liked the checkout tool being the internet shopper that I am!