Thing 13: Explore Google Docs

I have used Google Docs as part of a class group response to an instructor and to work on a couple of projects however I never took the time to explore all the functionalities of G Docs.  I learned, through searching you tube because the link for teachers was removed due to copyrights, why I was frustrated when trying to use it.  I realize that this tool is more user friendly than I originally thought and that you can share/collaborate on documents with ease.

Thing 12: Microblogging

I have avoided the Twitter realm for as long as I could.  It took this assignment to shove me over the edge.  While I have little to say to others about my personal activities, the naturally nosy part of me has longed to see what all the hoopla is about.  I know that on a personal level I will not Tweet about my activities but I can see the benefits of using it to promote events in my library.  So, if I see it as apart of my job requirements I'll do it.  For personal use, I'll just be a Looky Lou peeping in other peoples posts. One of my favorite tweets said "The library is open. The librarian is grumpy. Come and get some books and stuff or whatever"
Oh yeah, while I was playing in the medium I also joined Tumblr so I could follow Jon Klassen.  Man I'm joining the modern world (lol).  The only site listed on the page that I had trouble opening was Jaiku.
This was fun....

Thing 10: School Wikis

I have used a Wiki previously for a college group project and as a landing spot for a websites and resources found for a mutual project.  This assignment allowed me to see some other possible uses for a Wiki.  Exploring how others have used Wikis in their classroom has inspired me to use a Wiki next year to create my friends and family board. I found that "The 2nd Grade Classroom" made Wiki seem more accessible to kindergarten.  I could also use it as a kind of family reading log...(hmmm still thinking)

Thing 9: Useful Library Blogs

This "thing" seemed redundant because we have already visited this topic twice.  It could have been added to "thing" 8. I was only able to find useful blogs using the EduBlog award link. I also found a couple of links via Google.  Like the one below: http://theunquietlibrarian.wordpress.com/author/theunquietlibrary/
It took too long to search for what I needed.  Although, I like Technorati, none of the results were blogs.

Thing 8: RSS Feed

Neither Syndic8 nor School Library Blog on Suprglu worked and probably due to use error I had a little trouble with Topix (finding the RSS feed on some sites). I really liked Technorati, Edublog awards and Google Blog search. I actually found some sites that will be useful to me.  This is a great way to find new ideas with less effort.

Thing 7: Blog Searching

I enjoyed exploring Technorati and added 2 things to my Delicious site Mashable about web 2.0 tools and a trash site called Gawker.  The popular tag search yielded results in alphabetical order rather than in most searched.  When I searched by tags I got a lot of useless information. When I searched by blog directory I got more useful results. 
I found that tags are helpful in finding global information on a topic but you have to be careful because I then have to check to ensure the result applies to the topic.

Thing 6: Tagging

De.li.cious is a site I explored previously for another class and had forgotten about,  It had been so long that I had been purged from the system.  I found a found a few cool digital storytelling websites while exploring Steven Anderson's page.  This site is one that would be great for the classroom. For example if groups were working on a research project this would be a great place to store and access useful sites,  For personal use, this is a great place to store places I have visited on the web like products I would like to purchase.

Thing 5: Social Networking

I must admit that although I have a have had a Facebook account for  a couple of years, I rarely access the account.  It is mostly a tool to help me remember my friends birthdays.  I usually find out what is new on Facebook from my sister who keeps up with family and finds long lost friends. This assignment gave me an excuse to peruse Facebook more.
Facebook is a great tool for libraries to use because most teenagers live on Facebook and therefore this is a great platform to post book talks about new releases or old favorites.  One can also post up coming events in the library as well as connect with authors via their pages.

Thing 4: RSS and News Feeds

It took me 3 tries to finally sign up for a reader since Google reader is now defunct.  I finally signed up with FeedDemon.  This tool is a great way to keep up with those blogs that I rarely have time to check.  It is also a great way to keep up with the news which I am usually woefully out of touch with,

Thing 3: Yogile

This was the easiest assignment yet.  It took seconds to create the account and upload the pictures.  Others can now just paste or click on this link and then click the add phones buttons.  EASY!
http://www.yogile.com/tfzdgkxs#41m