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.
Activity 12: Flickr
Well I'm a bit out of order here as I couldn't access Flickr at school as it's a networking site. I've also had internet access problems at home for a few weeks... oh the joys of technology!!!
As you would have seen I've posted a photo from the public domain of Flickr and wasn't too tricky at all! I would like to get my family to all set up a Flickr account so we can share photos with each other. this will be something to work on.
I also think it would be a great option to post photos of students when they're away on camp. You could use the private option so only the parents could have access to them. I think I'll talk to my boss about this as the 7's are heading off to Canberra and Sydney in a few weeks and it would be a quick and easy way to keep in contact with the parents.
As you would have seen I've posted a photo from the public domain of Flickr and wasn't too tricky at all! I would like to get my family to all set up a Flickr account so we can share photos with each other. this will be something to work on.
I also think it would be a great option to post photos of students when they're away on camp. You could use the private option so only the parents could have access to them. I think I'll talk to my boss about this as the 7's are heading off to Canberra and Sydney in a few weeks and it would be a quick and easy way to keep in contact with the parents.
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Activity 17: Delicious
Well I'm officially in Love!!!! Where I have been aware of Delicious for a number of years, this is the first time I've actually got around to using it and I don't know why I've never used this before. Like everyone else I've got websites bookmarked on so many computers both at work and home and nothing's more frustrating than needing a site that's bookmarked on another computer!!! Up until now I've been emailing myself sites that I've bookmarked on other computers so I can use them for lessons etc.
I can see so much value using this site at school, so much stress will be reduced by being able to access the sites I need "on demand".
Personally, it will be great to have access to bookmarks from my home computer whenever I need them.
I can see so much value using this site at school, so much stress will be reduced by being able to access the sites I need "on demand".
Personally, it will be great to have access to bookmarks from my home computer whenever I need them.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Activity 16: Subscribing to RSS Feeds
I should have looked at both parts to this activity before posting my last blog entry as I have already commented on this! It was interesting to look at some of these educational blogs, especially the EDNA ones as there are so many different blogs that you can subscribe to. If only I had more hours in the day....
Activity 15: RSS Feeds
This is something that I have been meaning to look at for quite a while as I follow a number of Scrapbooking Blogs and it's very time consuming to go through each one just to see that nothing new has been added. I found it really easy to use and not too hard to set up, now I just have to make the time to add all of the blogs that I follow.
On a professional level it would be handy to be able to keep track of the blogs that I follow. For me personally, I would much rather follow a RSS feed rather than following someone on Twitter, as I really don't need to know what someone is thinking of eating or that they are doing the housework!!
On a professional level it would be handy to be able to keep track of the blogs that I follow. For me personally, I would much rather follow a RSS feed rather than following someone on Twitter, as I really don't need to know what someone is thinking of eating or that they are doing the housework!!
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Activity 11: Library Thing
I have never come across Library Thing before, but I love it! It has so many possible uses from my own personal reading to using it at school.
I don't think at the moment I would use it for all students, as I work in a primary school, but the Year 6 and 7 students would love it, especially those who are avid readers. It opens up a whole new world of books that I didn't know existed. It's a great way to have the students read similar types of books/genres. It's a different way of directing students to other books from the "So you Loved Harry Potter..." posters.
I could spend hours playing with my Library, I had to pull myself away from it otherwise I'd get no work done! This is something that I'll use quite often in the library, especially when looking for new books and authors.
What I really liked was that a brand new book that I received from a book seller yesterday was up there and was popular already! (If you want a great book especially for the younger students get "Press Here" by Here Tullet - they'll be roaring with delight!!!)
I don't think at the moment I would use it for all students, as I work in a primary school, but the Year 6 and 7 students would love it, especially those who are avid readers. It opens up a whole new world of books that I didn't know existed. It's a great way to have the students read similar types of books/genres. It's a different way of directing students to other books from the "So you Loved Harry Potter..." posters.
I could spend hours playing with my Library, I had to pull myself away from it otherwise I'd get no work done! This is something that I'll use quite often in the library, especially when looking for new books and authors.
What I really liked was that a brand new book that I received from a book seller yesterday was up there and was popular already! (If you want a great book especially for the younger students get "Press Here" by Here Tullet - they'll be roaring with delight!!!)
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Activity 10: Image Generators
How much fun is this!!! I have been having so much playing around this afternoon, even with the internet problems we've been having at work! The following avatar is one that my 7 year old daughter did we me after school from the Dopple Me! site http://www.doppelme.com. It is really user friendly and I can imagine that the kids would love to play around with the site.
Activity 9: Virtual Worlds
It was interesting to have a look at these virtual worlds as I've heard so much about them through discussions with other TLs. It amazes me that people have so much time to dedicate to these sites and it concerns me that for some people the virtual world is their "real" world. You can see how addictive these worlds could become being able to create the person and life that you really want. (Maybe I should create a 2 year old son who sleeps all night!!!)
As far as an educational purpose, I couldn't see it being any use for me personally as I work in a P-7 school and the students are too young to participate in these online worlds (the kids are into Club Penguin! I guess that could be their virtual world...) I could however see the purpose with older students, especially if they are covering topics such as ethics or how society works as it would enable them to have different experiences that they may not otherwise have.
When I think of World of Warcraft, I'm reminded of a funny episode of "How I Met Your Mother" when Ted met a girl through Warcraft and they showed them interacting at the end - he was a female and she was male! I guess you can be whoever you want.
As far as an educational purpose, I couldn't see it being any use for me personally as I work in a P-7 school and the students are too young to participate in these online worlds (the kids are into Club Penguin! I guess that could be their virtual world...) I could however see the purpose with older students, especially if they are covering topics such as ethics or how society works as it would enable them to have different experiences that they may not otherwise have.
When I think of World of Warcraft, I'm reminded of a funny episode of "How I Met Your Mother" when Ted met a girl through Warcraft and they showed them interacting at the end - he was a female and she was male! I guess you can be whoever you want.
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Topic 8: iGoogle
I found it very easy to create my own iGoogle site - really just a click of the button. It would be a very quick and easy way to create a home page. I'll definitely use it on my home laptop as I can have quick access to things that I'm interested in. I liked how it was easy to move the gadgets around your page and reduce the gadets that you may not use as much.
The one thing that I didn't really like about iGoogle was the layout was very "boxy".
A couple of the links in the blog post I couldn't access- no link came up to listen to the audio and also I couldn't access the personalising iGoogle and problem solving links, both came up as errors. I don't know if it was an access problem as I'm doing this at work so I'll check again at home.
If I was an I.T. person I would love to work for Google all of the perks would be fantastic!!! Even though they talk of the flexibility in work hours, I'd say a lot of the people who work for Google would live and breathe Google.
The one thing that I didn't really like about iGoogle was the layout was very "boxy".
A couple of the links in the blog post I couldn't access- no link came up to listen to the audio and also I couldn't access the personalising iGoogle and problem solving links, both came up as errors. I don't know if it was an access problem as I'm doing this at work so I'll check again at home.
If I was an I.T. person I would love to work for Google all of the perks would be fantastic!!! Even though they talk of the flexibility in work hours, I'd say a lot of the people who work for Google would live and breathe Google.
Activity 7: Google Books
Wow, I've never used Google Books before and it's fantastic! As a Teacher Librarian this is such a valuable tool for searching for books and where to buy them. I also like how they give you related books (although some of their choices are a little strange!) I loved looking through old Time magazines from the 1950's, it's so interesting to have access to older publications.
I would also find this a great tool when looking for books for pleasure, although nothing beats going into a book shop and browsing... call me old fashioned!!
I would also find this a great tool when looking for books for pleasure, although nothing beats going into a book shop and browsing... call me old fashioned!!
Saturday, 19 March 2011
Activity 6: Google Maps
I have used Google Maps a lot - it's so useful when you need to find where you're going. I just print off the directions and off I go (our Navman died about a year ago and I found this just as easy!) I love using the satellite maps for "getting a feel of the place", which is important when you're looking at property there's nothing worse than turning up to look at a house and see that it's the best house in a not so good street!
It will be a good tool to use when you're planning a trip, it would be good to be able to visualise where things are. My kids love being able to "look" at a place before going.
It will be a good tool to use when you're planning a trip, it would be good to be able to visualise where things are. My kids love being able to "look" at a place before going.
Activity 5: Google Docs
I can see the value of using Google Docs for a number of reasons: I work part time, so trying to plan / have discussions with other teachers can sometimes be a really problem. I find that I'm either leaving it until I see them "face to face" at work or we end up with a long chain of emails. It will be great to both be able to work on the same document at the same time if needed.
Also it would be great to use in my T.L. network when we are trying to plan or discuss a topic.
I made a simple document in Google Docs, but I'm not really sure how I go about posting it so others can view it. When I click on the share button do I initially save it to the web? After that do I add my contacts and email them? All these questions... I think I'll need to talk to a friend of mine at work and see if we can have a play.
Also it would be great to use in my T.L. network when we are trying to plan or discuss a topic.
I made a simple document in Google Docs, but I'm not really sure how I go about posting it so others can view it. When I click on the share button do I initially save it to the web? After that do I add my contacts and email them? All these questions... I think I'll need to talk to a friend of mine at work and see if we can have a play.
Activity 4: Web 2.0
After reading about Web 2.0, I found that I was even more confused with the jargon! However, when I had time to reflect I realised that it's not too daunting at all. I really like how Web 2.0 is interactive and it really allows all users to be active participants. In many cases the user can get instant feedback from others.
I have had some experience with using a Wiki with my T.L. network and it is a fantastic tool for sharing information and brainstorming infomation in a secure online environment. Unfortunately the T.L. who was the main driving force behind our wiki has gone onto bigger and better things so we have let it slide over the last year, but it's a tool that I would like to continue to use.
Also has anyone used Glogster with their students? We used it last year and it was a fabulous way for the kids to interact.
I have had some experience with using a Wiki with my T.L. network and it is a fantastic tool for sharing information and brainstorming infomation in a secure online environment. Unfortunately the T.L. who was the main driving force behind our wiki has gone onto bigger and better things so we have let it slide over the last year, but it's a tool that I would like to continue to use.
Also has anyone used Glogster with their students? We used it last year and it was a fabulous way for the kids to interact.
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Activities 1-3.
Hi Everyone,
My name's Lytia Gilbey and I'm a T.L. at Sacred Heart Primary School in Sandgate which is a bayside suburb in Brisbane. I'm a part time T.L. and full time mum to a sassy 7 year girl and a hyper-active 2 year old boy. I'm really looking forward to learning all about web 2.0 and try and keep up with the students at school!
My name's Lytia Gilbey and I'm a T.L. at Sacred Heart Primary School in Sandgate which is a bayside suburb in Brisbane. I'm a part time T.L. and full time mum to a sassy 7 year girl and a hyper-active 2 year old boy. I'm really looking forward to learning all about web 2.0 and try and keep up with the students at school!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)