Method 12

Okay, I think this was great for me to complete. I think my favorite and what I found the most practical were learning how to create a blog, the delicious exercise and RSS. As I went further along I enjoyed learning about the different exercises but as their practicality decreased so did my ability to retain the information.
I'm not sure why, but all of my adult life I have resisted learning about computers. This is the first "class" I have ever taken and I have to admit that I'm a little bit "hooked". I would have to say that this program has profoundly affected my lifelong learning goals a great deal. I want to learn more. This would also be the most unexpected and surprising outcome from this program too.
I wouldn't have you change a thing I so enjoyed the hands on, learn by doing format of this program that I have been recommending it to everyone. It helped me to be able to go at my own pace and not worry about holding anyone back with my "computer ignorance".
If you offer another discovery program in the future I would love to be one of the first to sign up. Thank you, KC

Method 11

Well..... I did find the podcasts that I watched and listened to fascinating. I listened to the poetry winners from Boulder, CO 2006 and a few book reviews. WOW, what talent the teen poets have! If I could only have a fraction it would be great. I can see myself going to NPR often since I miss listening to it. (No radio reception at all.) CNN will be occupying some of my time too. There is the real potential for some serious time wasting here!
I have to say that I found it much more entertaining than useful for the library. I can't picture us ever having a reason to create a podcast. Perhaps a Technology class may someday. But I can't imagine they would choose to do it about the school library.

Method 10

Wow, I thought this was a fun way to learn about wikis. What a fun dynamic resource to use. I now have a better understanding why we are constantly telling the kids not to use Wikipedia as a reliable source for research. It is so easy to change the info on there. That is by design of course but it is always such a temptation for them to go there first and never go anywhere else. I loved the video on the camping trip what a perfect way to demonstrate the value of picking one site to share info on.

Method 9

I found this lesson interesting simply because I am in the process of learning to Skype with my two college students. I am having mixed emotions about this service though. I get to see their messy rooms and they get to see mine. Yuck.
I can also see the advantage of having these tools in the public libraries. The ability to respond to requests for information and the written record would be good to have. However here in the school library we spend so much time keeping the "social butterflies" that teenagers are on task as it is now that I can not even imagine how much harder it would become with yet another means for them to talk around instruction in place. For me I think I am still more comfortable with a simple phone call most of the time. It is "instant" enough for me.

Method 8

I have to admit that I found parts of this exercise frightening, ie privacy issues. I have been forever preaching to my kids about these very issues without fully understanding the scope and range that many of these social sites really have. Yikes! It especially hit home since we had just been talking about the targeted ads we get when we type an e-mail or simply log on to the Internet. I am finding it all unnerving to say the least. While I can see the advantages of reaching out to new patrons and serving the community, ie. High school students, using a medium they find so easy and want to use as often as possible. It's scary. Why not,as a library though tap into that enthusiasm. I mean lets face it if it is technology and it is relatively new a teenager is going to be the first to use it, love it and pass it along. No privacy? No big deal. That's the response I got from my kids at home. Perhaps they are right to think that way? Who knows? They argue that they get lost in the masses and who cares? They don't have to read the ad ect....
So....YES, I have concerns and issues with these social sites. YES, I want to keep my personal and professional lives separate. It keeps me happy. Are there potential uses for our library, absolutely. Should we be trying to reach out and learning to use them, YES, of course we should our job is to serve the community we work within.
I have so much to learn!UGH!!!

Method 7

I can see myself using this tool all the time. It is going to be great to access my bookmarks from any computer. I often have to just google them back up now, wasting so much time in the process.
I can see so many different ways that a library/librarian/teacher could use this tool every week. We often have several students researching on the same topic or similar topics how great would it be for them to just be able to access our Delicious account and be able to find several sites that would help them to find their information without having to wait on us or wade through the unnecessary, unreliable or unsavory Web sites. As a teacher it would make your life so much easier too. I can see richer more in depth lesson plans including more wonderful technology etc...This also gives them access from home if they have a computer and Internet. What a great way for kids to tag favorite author sites and share them with their friends.

Method 6

Too fun! You are so right we all do love to watch videos. I'm torn as a library employee, are we not here to promote books first. I guess that is why I am still so slow to pick up all things technological. In taking this class I have come to the shocking realization that I have been dragging my feet a bit too long. I only explored the Teacher Tube Videos for this assignment. My three kids at home have exposed me to Youtube more than enough. I selected Abbot and Costello because they are so classic. What could be better than teaching a math concept than through humor? It is perfect. I could see where a library could use this to engage some reluctant library patrons but it is definitely blocked here at the school now.