So, I have been reading an e-book on my Droid. I borrowed it from the library. The book is The Wilder Life. The book is okay: interesting, but not fantastic. It really isn't too hard to read on the phone, but I do get sick of tapping the screen to turn the pages. I have also found that my hands cramp from holding the phone. Finally, it is not as relaxing as a real book, maybe it is because of the light. I have turned it to the dimmest setting, but I still feel a little reved up when I stop reading. When I read a "real" book I am more relaxed and ready to sleep. BUT, in the final analysis, I'm sure that e-books aren't going anywhere. It is also pretty convenient to have a book on my phone when I am forced to sit around waiting for something.
On another front, I signed up to receive tweets from Twitter. I just found out that Steve Caporizzo is on Twitter and that he gives frequent tweets during bad weather. This seemed like a good way to keep aware of problems in case a tornado hits around here. I downloaded the Twitter app for my Droid and it works well. It shows a bird in the update bar when a new tweet comes in.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Thing 9: eBooks
Okay, so I chose a combination of options. I already had the Nook e-reader on my Droid phone. I had only read some of the free books I got at the initial download. Not compelling titles to me. I knew that I didn't really like reading on the small screen of my phone, but I haven't gotten a tablet (yet) and I am not about to sit at the desktop to read a book.
So, I went to my public library's site again to look for a book to borrow. I found The Wilder Life and decided to go for it. I must say that it still was quite difficult to download even though I already had the Overdrive software on the Droid. It is very confusing that you have to register with Adobe and that your Adobe ID is your e-mail address??!! Still I have the book at hand now and will start reading it.
I also read a bunch of the articles. It seems to me that this whole battle between Amazon and the rest is a lot like the battle over VHS vs. Beta, or now DVD vs. Blueray. At some point, someone will become the clear winner, but until then we are all pawns in the game.
I really haven't gotten into eBooks at my library for a few reasons. One is cost. Yes, I understand the advantages, but cost is a real problem for school libraries right now. The other is accessibility. Many of my students don't have real access at home. Some will tell you that they have a computer at home, BUT it is not working, or it is not hooked up to the net, OR their parent(s) are on it all of the time, etc. Even at school they really don't have sufficient access or time to utilize the eBooks. A real book can be read anywhere they have light with anytime they have.
Still, I am contemplating the plunge. Personally, I'm wondering about a grant of some sort. I used Donors Choose to try to get into the Playaway collection, but I am only getting a few. I really need more money to do the eBook thing.
I am excited about the free books available, but I must be in a tough reading mode lately because I don't find much that I haven't read that I am interested in reading. Maybe it is just because it is spring and I want some lighter reads.
Certainly this is an area for more consideration on my part. I will post about my experiences reading my new library eBook as it unfolds (so to speak).
So, I went to my public library's site again to look for a book to borrow. I found The Wilder Life and decided to go for it. I must say that it still was quite difficult to download even though I already had the Overdrive software on the Droid. It is very confusing that you have to register with Adobe and that your Adobe ID is your e-mail address??!! Still I have the book at hand now and will start reading it.
I also read a bunch of the articles. It seems to me that this whole battle between Amazon and the rest is a lot like the battle over VHS vs. Beta, or now DVD vs. Blueray. At some point, someone will become the clear winner, but until then we are all pawns in the game.
I really haven't gotten into eBooks at my library for a few reasons. One is cost. Yes, I understand the advantages, but cost is a real problem for school libraries right now. The other is accessibility. Many of my students don't have real access at home. Some will tell you that they have a computer at home, BUT it is not working, or it is not hooked up to the net, OR their parent(s) are on it all of the time, etc. Even at school they really don't have sufficient access or time to utilize the eBooks. A real book can be read anywhere they have light with anytime they have.
Still, I am contemplating the plunge. Personally, I'm wondering about a grant of some sort. I used Donors Choose to try to get into the Playaway collection, but I am only getting a few. I really need more money to do the eBook thing.
I am excited about the free books available, but I must be in a tough reading mode lately because I don't find much that I haven't read that I am interested in reading. Maybe it is just because it is spring and I want some lighter reads.
Certainly this is an area for more consideration on my part. I will post about my experiences reading my new library eBook as it unfolds (so to speak).
Saturday, May 21, 2011
A little addicting
Okay, so I'm seeing how this can all get a little addicting. I think I will miss it when the class is over. I keep checking back to look for comments, not that I have many. Still I don't think I am in danger of becoming one of those people who stay up all night on the computer.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Thing 8: Video
Okay, so I tried options 1 and 3 so far. I think I will try #2 at some point, but I wasn't feeling photogenic at the moment. So...
Option 1: I looked at a video that had been sent to me on YouTube. I decided to try to find it on Teacher Tube because it would be more accessible. Success. It was very easy to embed in the blog. No worries!
Option 3: I went the Animoto route because I've never done it, but I have been interested. I didn't understand that you have so little control over what is shown when and how. Strangely, none of the text I entered showed up except the title! Still, the idea of makeing a video is doable. I either need more time with Animoto or maybe another product that gives you more control. The Screenr option looks good, too.
I went to CSR's Technology in Education conference this week. I learned that you can get a special downloader for FireFox that lets you download YouTube videos without all the ads and stuff. Seems like a good idea. I have to investigate.
Also, related to this week's topic is NBC Learn. Too bad it seems expensive because it sure could be useful.
BTW: Regarding Social Networking. There is another site I learned about at the conference. My Fake Wall. Sounds good for education purposes. I'll have to check it out.
All in all this CDLC class is keeping me motivated and directed toward technology. Sometimes I need a push.
Option 1: I looked at a video that had been sent to me on YouTube. I decided to try to find it on Teacher Tube because it would be more accessible. Success. It was very easy to embed in the blog. No worries!
Option 3: I went the Animoto route because I've never done it, but I have been interested. I didn't understand that you have so little control over what is shown when and how. Strangely, none of the text I entered showed up except the title! Still, the idea of makeing a video is doable. I either need more time with Animoto or maybe another product that gives you more control. The Screenr option looks good, too.
I went to CSR's Technology in Education conference this week. I learned that you can get a special downloader for FireFox that lets you download YouTube videos without all the ads and stuff. Seems like a good idea. I have to investigate.
Also, related to this week's topic is NBC Learn. Too bad it seems expensive because it sure could be useful.
BTW: Regarding Social Networking. There is another site I learned about at the conference. My Fake Wall. Sounds good for education purposes. I'll have to check it out.
All in all this CDLC class is keeping me motivated and directed toward technology. Sometimes I need a push.
RSA Animate - Changing Education Paradigms
Here is an interesting video that I received. Not sure I agree with everything it says, but it sure gives you things to think about.
RSA Animate - Changing Education Paradigms
RSA Animate - Changing Education Paradigms
Friday, May 13, 2011
Thing 7 continued
So, here is my report on Zamzar: It did convert my MSWorks spreadsheet (.wks) file into an Excel format (.xls), BUT it is not really useable. The words and numbers are there, but they are not appropriately separated. Oh well, it was worth a try. I still might try the conversion of the MSWorks word processor (.wps) files to Word (.doc) format. I'll see if it is worth the effort, or if I should just rename the files and clean up what I get when they open.
Thing #7
So I am trying out delicious. I already had an account at IKeepBookmarks.com. I am importing the bookmarks. We'll see which I like better. If nothing else, now the bulk of my bookmarks are backed up. Every time IKeepBookmarks was unavailable, I worried that the site had gone under. How do these things make enough $$ to stay afloat?
Remember the Milk looks good, but you need the pro account to get it to work on your Android phone. That seemed like the real plus to me. Otherwise I just send myself e-mails of to-dos.
I know I am a throwback, but I still mainly use Internet Explorer, so while Readability sounds great... I tried looking through the IE Gallery Addons list, but it is just too long and I am just too impatient.
I know that I want to use Zamzar because I think I can use it to convert my old MSWorks files to Word +/or Excel. I had gradually been converting them as I needed them, but that takes a long time. (BTW, the school just got a new version of PrintShop and I learned that it can't read any of my files from the old version. GRRRRR!) I just can't convert files fast enough and I don't understand why the companies would make their own product files inaccessible. What possible advantage could it be for them to make me spend hours recreating my work! I understand they want me to buy the new version, but shouldn't that be enough?!
I'll edit this after delicious successfully uploads my bookmarks AND after I use Zamzar.
Okay, preliminary opinion of delicious versus IKeepBookmarks: the "Word Art" of most popular tags is pretty, but I think that I like the visual of the folders in IKeepBookmarks. I guess it is just how my brain works. I'm sure I can get used to delicious, but it will take time.
Remember the Milk looks good, but you need the pro account to get it to work on your Android phone. That seemed like the real plus to me. Otherwise I just send myself e-mails of to-dos.
I know I am a throwback, but I still mainly use Internet Explorer, so while Readability sounds great... I tried looking through the IE Gallery Addons list, but it is just too long and I am just too impatient.
I know that I want to use Zamzar because I think I can use it to convert my old MSWorks files to Word +/or Excel. I had gradually been converting them as I needed them, but that takes a long time. (BTW, the school just got a new version of PrintShop and I learned that it can't read any of my files from the old version. GRRRRR!) I just can't convert files fast enough and I don't understand why the companies would make their own product files inaccessible. What possible advantage could it be for them to make me spend hours recreating my work! I understand they want me to buy the new version, but shouldn't that be enough?!
I'll edit this after delicious successfully uploads my bookmarks AND after I use Zamzar.
Okay, preliminary opinion of delicious versus IKeepBookmarks: the "Word Art" of most popular tags is pretty, but I think that I like the visual of the folders in IKeepBookmarks. I guess it is just how my brain works. I'm sure I can get used to delicious, but it will take time.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Thing 6: Online Meetings
So, I just attended the archived webinar: Superbooks: How Graphic Novels Can Save Your Library Part 1 (intro) and Part 2 (presentation) . It was one of several that I had saved in my e-mails to do sometime. I have been interested, but time is always an issue. Frankly, it is too bad that school librarians can't do webinars instead of some of the meetings that we have to attend, both locally and regionally.
It was easy to connect. The topic was one I was very interested in. The graphic novels and comics, in general, go out very well in my library. Babymouse is tremendously popular. Now, even the boys are reading it! I have to find some more series that aren't Star Wars or Superheroes for that age range. I think some of the girls just read the old titles over because they love them so much. The kids get angry and tell me I must have moved them because there aren't any on the shelves. Babymouse is as popular as Diary of a Wimpy Kid!
It was a long time to sit in a chair near the computer. I found myself moving about some and not watching the screen, but simply listening. I'm glad I was watching an archived one because I could pause when the need arose.
If I were in charge of a library system or a group of libraries (like Albany Public or Schenectady), I could see using webinars to get together without physically having everyone come together. There is a lot of time lost to travel when we force people to come to one place. If the meetings happened before (public libraries) or after (school libraries) hours, they wouldn't necessarily even affect our patrons. I personally have been to a lot of meetings where my physical body was not really required. I could skip the soda and cookie to not have to leave my library without a librarian. Also, there are times when people cannot attend the meetings, because they are sick, their kid/parent is sick, their car broke down, etc. By Archiving the meetings we could keep everyone in the loop. Frankly, although we may have liaisons who are supposed to report back, it is not the best system.
So, all in all, I think webinars are a hit. I am not sure how I will fit all of the ones that sound good into my daily work/home life, but, as a school librarian, I will try to catch up over the summer!
Yeah, I am caught up on Learn with CDLC!
It was easy to connect. The topic was one I was very interested in. The graphic novels and comics, in general, go out very well in my library. Babymouse is tremendously popular. Now, even the boys are reading it! I have to find some more series that aren't Star Wars or Superheroes for that age range. I think some of the girls just read the old titles over because they love them so much. The kids get angry and tell me I must have moved them because there aren't any on the shelves. Babymouse is as popular as Diary of a Wimpy Kid!
It was a long time to sit in a chair near the computer. I found myself moving about some and not watching the screen, but simply listening. I'm glad I was watching an archived one because I could pause when the need arose.
If I were in charge of a library system or a group of libraries (like Albany Public or Schenectady), I could see using webinars to get together without physically having everyone come together. There is a lot of time lost to travel when we force people to come to one place. If the meetings happened before (public libraries) or after (school libraries) hours, they wouldn't necessarily even affect our patrons. I personally have been to a lot of meetings where my physical body was not really required. I could skip the soda and cookie to not have to leave my library without a librarian. Also, there are times when people cannot attend the meetings, because they are sick, their kid/parent is sick, their car broke down, etc. By Archiving the meetings we could keep everyone in the loop. Frankly, although we may have liaisons who are supposed to report back, it is not the best system.
So, all in all, I think webinars are a hit. I am not sure how I will fit all of the ones that sound good into my daily work/home life, but, as a school librarian, I will try to catch up over the summer!
Yeah, I am caught up on Learn with CDLC!
Thing 5: Reflection & Catch Up Week
Okay, so here I am trying to reflect and catch up weeks after I should have. So far so good with GoodReads. I am still planning to try Library Thing.
Facebook is a whole other animal. There are so many stories of teachers having trouble with it. NYSUT even had an article about what not to do. Frankly, what I got out of it is that they don't recommend teachers having Facebook accounts. I do know that a few teachers have accounts, but I know plenty that don't. One teacher I know does, but it is still problematic. She has parents friending her, so she has to be very careful what she posts. Then, there is the issue that people have been caught Facebooking on school time.
Frankly, even though this CDLC training clearly relates to my job, I don't do it on school time. That is why I am so far behind. I have so much to do at home, that computers just don't usually fit in. I can go a week at home without checking my e-mail. (Of course, at work I usually check school e-mail 3+ times a day!)
I think I will check out Facebook just so I am educated in what it is, but I doubt I will keep it. My sister had an account and she had literally hundreds of friend requests. One day, before she deleted the account, we decided to check all of the requests. There were a lot from people neither one of us knew. There were some from people she had worked with 20 years ago that never talked to her at the time. I guess they just want a higher friend count on their Facebook page.
Anyway, I must continue on our activities while I have the time.
Facebook is a whole other animal. There are so many stories of teachers having trouble with it. NYSUT even had an article about what not to do. Frankly, what I got out of it is that they don't recommend teachers having Facebook accounts. I do know that a few teachers have accounts, but I know plenty that don't. One teacher I know does, but it is still problematic. She has parents friending her, so she has to be very careful what she posts. Then, there is the issue that people have been caught Facebooking on school time.
Frankly, even though this CDLC training clearly relates to my job, I don't do it on school time. That is why I am so far behind. I have so much to do at home, that computers just don't usually fit in. I can go a week at home without checking my e-mail. (Of course, at work I usually check school e-mail 3+ times a day!)
I think I will check out Facebook just so I am educated in what it is, but I doubt I will keep it. My sister had an account and she had literally hundreds of friend requests. One day, before she deleted the account, we decided to check all of the requests. There were a lot from people neither one of us knew. There were some from people she had worked with 20 years ago that never talked to her at the time. I guess they just want a higher friend count on their Facebook page.
Anyway, I must continue on our activities while I have the time.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Thing #4: Online Communities
Okay, so I am finally trying to catch back up with the rest of you. First there was vacation, then, a new dog, and then a new car. Finally settling down...
I joined GoodReads as I already knew a friend on it. I am planning to try LibraryThing, too, as I have found it useful before. Still trying to get my head wrapped around Facebook, which I know most of the world believes they can't live without. I just don't have much of a computer life outside of work. So much of work, when I'm not with the students, is computer-based. I just want to slow down and disconnect at home. Frankly, I don't do much media at all at home, unless you count books.
I joined GoodReads as I already knew a friend on it. I am planning to try LibraryThing, too, as I have found it useful before. Still trying to get my head wrapped around Facebook, which I know most of the world believes they can't live without. I just don't have much of a computer life outside of work. So much of work, when I'm not with the students, is computer-based. I just want to slow down and disconnect at home. Frankly, I don't do much media at all at home, unless you count books.
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