So I've taken a bit of a break from blogging and now I'm back. I've learned a ton from attempting the 23 things and plan to continue to do so over the summer. I have big plans to incorporate some of this with my staff as well as with the students next year. I spoke at the staff meeting at the end of the school year to see who might be interested in getting things rolling with regard to our communication with parents using the school website, email lists, calendar, etc. I was shocked at the level of support I received! They all seem primed to start really using technology for communication and possibly this will springboard into all kinds of cool initiatives in the school for the betterment of all! I don't think this would have happened without the 23 things getting me completely inspired about the possible uses of technology within the library and the school. I'll keep you posted!

The adventure continues...today and last night it has been flickr and its many associated toys. I think the toys are API's but I'm still familiarizing myself with the language around all this stuff. It's incredible what I've learned already! I'm looking for ways to use it in a classroom with kids. The possibilities are endless, but the limitation is the need to sign up for some of the Things and the need for privacy with the kids I teach. For professional use, it seems like it would be much easier. Trying to work out how to maintain my privacy as well when experimenting then sharing with kids. Did some amazing things really easily with Big Huge Labs. A bunch of things there you can do simply by linking with flickr and using your photos. Also, notice the photo at the bottom right of my blog from image chef. I uploaded it directly to the blog from image chef. They took care of the work. Pretty cool!

Library 2.0

Well, my knowledge of Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 has vastly increased in the last two days. I've had a bit of time on my hands and done a quick tour of step 2 of 23. It's mind boggling that all this has existed for years without my real knowledge. I see a future for my school library that is hopeful. I've watched circulation decline and have tried to fight it. I see Library 2.0 as a gateway to bringing back the kids who have left. I have no idea exactly how I will structure it or what it will look like, but I'm getting a foggy sort of potential image of what I want. The exciting part of this 23 Things is that I can do it any time, anywhere. Maybe by next fall I'll have a whole new concept of what the library will look like.

Creating an Avatar

Today I successfully created and added an avatar to my blog. I had no idea what an avatar was until I created it. I already feel much more knowledgeable than I was a few minutes ago. I can see why kids get hooked on what they can do online!

23 Things

I'm going to try out the 23 things based on the Minnesota model. Don't even know if I'm technically allowed to join but here goes anyway...