Audiobooks have had such a huge impact on the print book industry already, as a Teacher Librarian, I am torn about this. I realise my role in regards to books will be changing and I have to start thinking about how we can implement ebooks into the curriculum and the library. One of the major problems we have with the implementation of audio and ebooks is the software needed to run them. Quite a few schools have purchased iPads and iPods to help with this. My school has just purchased 2 iPads and 1 iPod for classroom use. However, "print" books will still have a big place in our school library for quite a while as the students do not have equitable access to the software to download the books. I Personally, I love curling up with a book rather than read books downloaded on my laptop, my husband on the other hand will take his iPad to bed with the latest book he's downloaded.
I can see the benefits of being able to download books;it takes up less space; you can take your library anywhere with you; you can download a new book straight away, rather than waiting to go to the bookshop. The negatives of downloading books has already begun - the closure of bookshops - this breaks my heart as I love nothing more than browsing through the books and finiding "the little gem" that you never knew existed.
Audiobooks and ebooks could be used by anyone who has access to the equipment. I have friends who load up their Kindle or iPads with books to take with them when they're travelling. My husband downloads audiobooks to listen to when he's driving to work.
I can see great potential for the use of audiobooks and ebooks in the classroom, it would be handy in reading groups or even in the library at lunchtime - download a book for the students to either listen to or read.
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Activity 21: Online Video
YouTube and TeacherTube are two online tools that I use regulary with classes in the library. I've found with YouTube you have to watch the videos carefully before using them to check the content, especially with the language, but they are a fantastic way to get information on a subject for the students. I found it particulary useful when I was doing weather with the year 6 & 7 classes, I was teaching them them differences between El Nino and La Nina and having a ready made teaching resource available at their level was fantastic.
Three Levels of Australian Government
I've chosen this video as we are currently doing Government with our year 6 & 7 classes. This is a simple and clear way to explain the differences between the levels of Government.
Three Levels of Australian Government
I've chosen this video as we are currently doing Government with our year 6 & 7 classes. This is a simple and clear way to explain the differences between the levels of Government.
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Activity 20: Podcasts
My husband is addicted to podcasts since he got his iPod 2 for his birthday!!! He drives long distances for work and he often downloads podcasts to listen to. His favourite is "The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe" which happened to be on the link of the 15 podcasts that will make you smarter. I crack up when I hear them speak, as they sound so geeky!!!
I can see the benefits of using podcasts in the classroom, infact, I'm going to use one next week with one of my classes. It's a great way for the students to have acces to information on current topics as well as enabling them to go back and listen to older podcasts.
My 7 year old is going to be so excited when I tell her that you can download podcasts from the Disney radio station!!! Oh it was a sad day in our household when Hannah Montana finished, now she'll be able to download podcasts!!!!
I can see the benefits of using podcasts in the classroom, infact, I'm going to use one next week with one of my classes. It's a great way for the students to have acces to information on current topics as well as enabling them to go back and listen to older podcasts.
My 7 year old is going to be so excited when I tell her that you can download podcasts from the Disney radio station!!! Oh it was a sad day in our household when Hannah Montana finished, now she'll be able to download podcasts!!!!
Activity 19: Rollyo
Well, as you can see I've had a play with Rollyo. I've only done a very basic search roll on Australian Government as I'm doing this with the 6/7 students at the moment. I wish I knew about this site earlier as it would have been fantastic to have incorporated this into the lessons as it give the students a guided search option (rather than google etc).
It was really easy and quick to put together a search roll - that's what I love about Web 2.0 tools, they are incredibly user friendly, I guess they have to be or no one will use them. I will be using this tool for future lessons with the older students as it will be a huge timesaver when they are researching information.
It was really easy and quick to put together a search roll - that's what I love about Web 2.0 tools, they are incredibly user friendly, I guess they have to be or no one will use them. I will be using this tool for future lessons with the older students as it will be a huge timesaver when they are researching information.
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Activity 18: Wikis
I have used a wiki before in my Teacher Librarian network. We used Wetpaint and made the wiki accessed only by password. The reason for this was we were sharing information about the running of our schools and libraries - what worked/didn't work - sometime things that we didn't want to public to access. I really liked using the wiki as it allowed us to add to documents like reading lists without the to and fro of emailing each other, however, we found once the TL who was the driving force behind it left we stopped using it.
In my primary school, I wouldn't use a wiki for work with the students, however, with our 6/7 students, the teachers have been using Twiducate. Where it doesn't have the editing features of a wiki, it does allow the students to communicate with the teacher.
I could see the benefits of using a wiki the the staff, particulary we we're planning whole school events. The reduction in the amount of emails that would be sent would be greatly reduced while allowing all members of the staff to have an input into the event.
In my primary school, I wouldn't use a wiki for work with the students, however, with our 6/7 students, the teachers have been using Twiducate. Where it doesn't have the editing features of a wiki, it does allow the students to communicate with the teacher.
I could see the benefits of using a wiki the the staff, particulary we we're planning whole school events. The reduction in the amount of emails that would be sent would be greatly reduced while allowing all members of the staff to have an input into the event.
Activity 14: Facebook
I've finally had the chance to join Facebook. I have to say I've always been quite anti Facebook for a number of reasons - 1. I get sick of people asking me when I'm going to join; 2. The way it seems to "rule" some of my friends life- there's nothing more annoying than sitting there having lunch with someone and they're constantly checking their Facebook; 3. I really don't want/need everyone to know what's going on with my life (especially students)
Now that I've joined I can see what the attraction of Facebook is, however I don't think I'll be one of those people constantly checking it :) What I did like about the idea of Facebook was that I'll be able to easily share photos with my family and friends interstate. I was amazed once I'd asked one of my friends if I could be their friend, how many other friend requests I have received. It will be a good way to keep in contact with friends what I haven't seen for a while. You never know I might end up being one of those annoying people constantly on Facebook yet!
Now that I've joined I can see what the attraction of Facebook is, however I don't think I'll be one of those people constantly checking it :) What I did like about the idea of Facebook was that I'll be able to easily share photos with my family and friends interstate. I was amazed once I'd asked one of my friends if I could be their friend, how many other friend requests I have received. It will be a good way to keep in contact with friends what I haven't seen for a while. You never know I might end up being one of those annoying people constantly on Facebook yet!
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Activity 13: MySpace
This brings back memories when I worked in a 5 - 12 boys school in the library. The Yr 12 boys were constantly on MySpace and claiming not to be on it when they were meant to be studying! They would always say to me "Why don't we set you up with a MySpace account, Miss and then you can be our friends!!!" Then I would say that I had enough friends :)
I can see why a lot of young people like MySpace as it's easy to move around and search for topics that you are interested in. I found a site about the making of "The Hunger Games" movie. The trillogy are some of my favourite books (even though it's really aimed for young adults!) It was great to see who was going to be cast in the movie.
I don't think I would personally use MySpace as it's just not my thing. Also as I work in a P - 7 school I really feel that there is no use for the site (especially as there is no access to social networking at school) I believe that it would be great for high schools to access it.
I can see why a lot of young people like MySpace as it's easy to move around and search for topics that you are interested in. I found a site about the making of "The Hunger Games" movie. The trillogy are some of my favourite books (even though it's really aimed for young adults!) It was great to see who was going to be cast in the movie.
I don't think I would personally use MySpace as it's just not my thing. Also as I work in a P - 7 school I really feel that there is no use for the site (especially as there is no access to social networking at school) I believe that it would be great for high schools to access it.
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