Talking up Books with Book Trailers (Blogging Beyond 23 Things: The First Post!)

In one last push to get kids reading and books in their hands during the testing season, I scheduled some time to booktalk with a few classes - But I want to try something new!

Book Trailers!

Movie trailers for some of the summer movie blockbusters are starting to emerge on television, building anticipation and excitement for the upcoming movies. I think Book Trailers could do the same thing for books.

I first came across these brief book commercials several months ago. Now some of the features that I have explored with 23 Things on a Stick are starting to mesh together as I seek new and interesting ways to keep things fresh for students.

So, when I start promoting books with 7th and 8th graders this week, I am going to introduce a few books in this new format. Here are a few that I was able to find on YouTube and TeacherTube and might try using.

Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

From RandomBooks on YouTube (Even publishers appear to be catching onto this one!)

Among the Hidden, by Margaret Peterson Haddix

From momsmeatloaf on TeacherTube

Maybe next year my students will be creating their own Book Trailers!

In One Sentence (Thing 23)

Rather than being satisfied and stagnant in our use of the Internet, 23 Things is a Web 2.0 journey and an adventure into what the Internet could be, pushing us to open the doors to new possibilities.

A Never Ending Journey... (Thing 22)

Exploring the previous 21 things has been an exciting journey.

There are new tools that I will be using on a daily basis for productivity and just keeping current on the issues and news that matter to me. There are also tools that I believe can be used with teachers and students to extend learning beyond the school day and even within the school day in new and engaging ways.

Some ways that I have already made a Web 2.0 transformation include:

1. I have made bloglines one of my "home" pages when I log on to my computer at home. It is a centralized way of keeping up with my fellow bloggers and other personal interests.

2. I have integrated "Shelfari" into my school website. Students can now view the bookcovers of "New Arrivals" to the school library.

3. I have also integrated some RSS feeds / Podcasts into my school page. Students can listen to an always changing list of podcasts by Nancy Keane as she promotes a wide assortment of books.

4. Not to mention all the blogging and accompanied reflection that is taking place as I encounter new Web 2.0 tools and resources...

Some Web 2.0 tools that are at the top of my list for futher exploration and use in my personal and professional life include (in no particular order):

1. Mashups, Widgets, Flash Cards...FUN! I really see some great opportunities to create attention grabbing learning tools for students with with slide shows, online flash/study cards, and more. It is certainly more engaging to a generation of users with short attention spans and a high interest in technology...

2. I see lots of opportunities in collaborative learning with Wikis. It is often about finding the teacher who is open and adventurous enough to take the leap to new technologies. But, I think that it this is a worthwhile challenge.

3. Podcasts are definitely on this list as well. I hope to start the school year next year with orientation materials that can serve students and teachers "just in time." It doesn't always make sense to put through an orientation filled with applicable information that is totally off in its timing. Orientation materials "on demand" would serve staff and students would be wonderful!

So...Moving Forward...

Perusing the blogosphere, I really see the value in reading the comments, experiences, and reflections of my 23 things colleagues. I hope that this blog will continue (or I will be inspired to start something new). It is as simple as reflecting on the success or failure of trying something new on the web. Or, reflecting on the thoughts and ideas that fill my reading on the web, news, or professional readings. So, easy...right... So tune in for more!

I may just go through these 23 things one more time and find lots that I missed on the first journey through...

Extending the Network (Thing 21)

MySpace and Facebook are the primary social networking tools that engage the students that I am working with at school. Other than keeping a contact with my young family members, there was nothing to draw me into the social networking world that these tools created.

I like the focused, interest based, social network. There is an instant connection to the other members of the social network whether I join a group that is focused on 23 Things on Ning, or book discussion on Gather.

I tend to be a bit of a "lurker" in social networks.

Observe.
Observe some more.
Participate.
Pose Questions.

I was excited to explore the Classroom 2.0 social network in Ning. There were many different groups that I joined, including one exploring audio tools in education. I am very interested in hearing more from other educators integrating iPods and Podcasts into their classroom.


Visit Classroom 2.0

I think it is like joining a lot of other types of groups in the "real" world figuring out the social norms within this virtual community. With a good feel for the people and issues that are coming together within the community, it is comfortable and meaningful to participate.

This could be fun!!!!!

In Everyone's Face (Thing 20)

Social networking is the tool of the Internet that everyone loves and loves to fear. There are lots of reasons to caution users of these tools and remind them of the reality that the Internet is a public place. Sharing your thoughts, pictures, experiences, etc. on these social networks is like sharing yourself with the world.

I've been a MySpace user, keeping off the radar to most of the MySpace social network. It has been a nice way to keep updated on the lives of some of my family members who I don't see all that often, or who have moved across the country. I especially love logging in to see the picture updates of their young children as they grow so quickly between visits. Having a MySpace account has been very useful as a teacher as well. I have been able to become familiar with some of the features of this tool, have conversations with staff, students, and parents about how to adjust settings and monitor their children.

I decided to create a Facebook account for this challenge and explore some of the differences between these two social networks.

At first I was a bit annoyed with the difficulties that I faced in finding friends on the Facebook network...then I thought about how this might actually be nice for me as I still want to reside under the radar. I liked that I could join in some professional organizations and become a fan to the Hennepin County Library. I also became a member of a Maximum Ride fan group, and one of my favorite young adult book series.

I was able to add a search box for the Hennepin County Library Catalog. This quickly turns my own facebook page into a tool that aids in productivity while also connecting me to people and communities.

I don't know that one can argue the numbers if facebook is growing more rapidly in membershipo than other social networking tools on the Internet. However, I did not feel any great "aHah!" moment with facebook that makes me feel that this is going to change my life. There are so many other Internet tools out there to facilitate community, so I don't see this becoming a significant part of my Web 2.0 repertoire. I will keep my eye on my organizations and memberships with Facebook - and maybe something will change........

A New Voice on the Internet...Podcasts (Thing 19)

I think that podcasts have a fabulous future on the Internet. They are an exemplary Web 2.0 Educational Tool. They are easy to create and transform communication and interaction on the Internet. They can be downloaded and brought into the offline world and I believe that they are on the edge of transforming education with their ability to extend learning beyond the school day to more people. They invite people to reflect and respond as they are often combined with blogs and other Web 2.0 tools.

I subscribe to a few podcasts and track them in iTunes, and I really enjoyed finding some new podcast directories to locate a few new podcasts. One of these included Teacher 2.0. I found it in the PodcastAlley.com (I also liked the Yahoo directory), and after listening to a few podcasts that I liked, I found their homepage:

http://thecleversheep.libsyn.com/

Other podcasts that I have found in the past and really liked include:
Grammar Girl: Quick and Dirty Tricks for Better Writing
Nancy Keane's Booktalks Quick and Simple
The Cougar Bookcast (MN Middle School Students create "bookcasts")

Now to test my own podcast creativity, I have hopes to create some podcast orientation materials for next year!

Educated on YouTube (Thing 18)

I have not used YouTube often, but it was a fabulous educational tool as I began exploring bridal flower arrangements last fall. I had offered to creat a bridal bouquet for my cousin who was married in December, and I had never done this before. Rather than paying for a course, I cozied up to my computer and watched YouTube videos with instructions on creating a bridal bouquet. I'm not sure if I will ever do it for such an important event again, because it just took a lot of time, but I think it turned out all right...see for yourself.



Extending student learning with this Web 2.0 tool is a definite possibility, but it is one that requires careful consideration and instruction in Internet ethics and safety. It is also a fabulous opportunity to carefully share the work of students extending learning with others in the community.

YouTube Captures Wikis...(Thing 10) (Thing 18)

I am finally revisiting wikis from "Thing 10," sort of...



This Wikipedia time lapse video in YouTube reflects the interactive and collaborative nature that defines many Web 2.0 tools. The event is the Virginia Tech Tragedy and the time lapse represents how people now define what is relevant on the web and in the news. The wiki illustrates this process, while the YouTube video illustrates the expressive product of people refusing to let others define and what is important to them in this world.

Together these tools reflect the powerful evolution of the web and our society together.

ELM...New Tools for You! (Thing 17)

ELM (Electronic Library for Minnesota) breaks down barriers to information thanks to funding from our Minnesota legislators.

Balancing the wide-open free web with the invisibility of databases is the challenge with students. And, I imagine it is a challenge with high school students and even college students as much as it is a challenge with their introduction to them in junior high - perhaps in different ways.

Meshing together what is great in Web 2.0 with the productivity of database research, makes them more relevant to research in this era. And while I don't see a significant change to working with my beginning researchers, I can see myself taking advantage of these resources and helping teachers utilize them.



RSS Heaven
in just about all these databases...
Keeping up with current issues is a constant challenge, and RSS tools are up to this challenge. The RSS feeds and readers are one of my favorite Web 2.0 tools and search results feeding into my RSS reader are capeable of keeping me on the information edge with what is relevant with carefully crafted searches. More than tracking my personal interests, I can track the interests of colleagues to provide them with up to date inforamtion that they may not find the time to locate themselves.

One of the best things is the ability to gather results from multiple databases into one location through an RSS reader. I find this to be much more useful than creating the personal research homepages within individual databases.

Personal Research Homepages
While I didn't find the personal research homepages to be anything special at this point, I am intrigued by some of the advanced search features that are available with this individualized login. I used the "Visual Search" in Ebsco. It took some getting used to, but I think that I like the idea of seeing the results built within subject-heading strands.

While these ELM productivity tools, may not appeal to my personal work style, they may be appealing to many staff in my building. I can see a need to check back on these tools as they evolve with Web 2.0.

Playing with Purpose... (Thing 15, Part 3)

I came across an game online today created with partnerships between Unicef, Global Kid Leaders, and an online game design company, Gamelab.

The game is Ayiti: The Cost of Life and simulates the struggles of a family to survive in a life of poverty. This experience, based on the struggles of families in rural Haiti, is a game that allows you to make the educational, employment, and purchasing decisions for a family while trying to earn money, create educational opportunities, keep healthy, and maintain happiness.





Students are experiencing the struggles and decision making of a family faced with poverty. There are opportunities for discussion and enhanced understanding. This is an example of a game that is played with purpose.

Student 2.0 Tools? I don't think so... (Thing 16)

Research Project Calculator? Or, Assignment Calculator?

Great in theory! But, not so practical for the students I know.

It is a rare student that is self-motivated enough or focused enough to take advantage of these tools. I found the organization to be comprehensive and detailed, but completely overwhelming at a glance, and even more overwhelming when I when deeper into the text heavy pages of these organizational tools. I believe that these tools are good Teaching 2.0 tools rather than Student 2.0 tools.

As I collaborate and plan with teachers in my school on research projects, these are valuable reference tools for organizing research and assignments. They almost work as rubrics or "check-in" tools for teachers in designing and assignment or research project. However, teachers want to be able to personalize and simplify the tools for their students, and these tools don't have that.

I definitely think that many of the resources in the Teacher Support Materials section will find their way into my repertoire of research tools and resources. Fabulous graphic organizers!

Owning an Island.....Can it be tropical!?!? (Thing 15, Part 2)

While I wasn't confident in logging into the Second Life world on my home computer, I did explore the growing role of Second Life in the education world.

The idea of owning an island in Second Life like many universities are now doing, is quite tantalizing.

I wonder how it is working. How many students are participants in these second life educational environments? What are the demographics for these populations? And, looking at the expense, what are the pieces of the educational Second Life experience that can be utilized or modified for a different sort of web environment?

There is much to learn......

The Puzzle Struggle... (Thing 15, Part 1)

Getting started with games - this was a struggle. I couldn't get Puzzle Pirates up and running on my home computer the first day I tried. It seemed to be unavailable. I did come back to try it again and after about 10-15 minutes waiting for the game to launch - I found myself learning some of the duties of being on a pirate ship and then walked around the island exploring some of the shops, although my was purposefully not very interactive with other players as I just tried to figure out how to navigate first.

If I were to go at it again, I think that I would build on this by talking with existing players in figuring out the game. The missions or games that I played were not all that involved - and I really found myself a bit bored. Additionally, I thought that the educational application of this particular game was pretty meager as a curricular enhancement. I believe there are other activities with more educational impact for students in comparison to this particular online game.
While I was less than satisfied with Puzzle Pirates, I certainly believe that there are other educational games or simulation experiences to enhance curriculum and instruction. I was excited to listen to podcasts, view videos on You Tube, read articles, etc. that illustrated the growing potential of Second Life experiences to the education of students today and tomorrow.

There is a lot of discussion out there on how we can extend our services and educational experiences beyond the school day for our students. Second Life and other Internet games have the potential to create these learning experiences in a way that is natural and native to the lives our children and teenagers today.

I like a different "Library Thing" (Thing 14)

So if you have been reading my blog, you would have realized that I am a big fan of Shelfari. A tool not mentioned as an alternative to "Library Thing." There are a lot more options for organizing my reading collection in Library Thing, but I haven't found a need for intensive cataloging yet in my use of Shelfari. So I don't know if I require these additional capabilities.

I do like the search bar that Library Thing offers, but like the display on the widget of Shelfari more than I like what is offered by Library Thing.

Just for another taste of Shelfari - here is a shelf of some of my favorite books on my shelf.

Shelfari: Book reviews on your book blog

Web 2.0 - Becomes Productive (Thing 13)

Seeing the web become productive, gives me a lot of hope for leveling the "playing" field for the students that we serve. However, when they are still unable to obtain high speed Internet access in their homes, I am not certain that it is possible to fully extend the use of these tools from the classroom to their daily use.

Even if we aren't able to level the playing field with these tools yet, I am excited about the prospects for myself or other staff members in my building.

Customized "Home" pages:
I have customized "home" pages for both Yahoo! and Google, but have not really found them to make me more "productive" in my use of the Internet. Bloglines has been much more useful for me in capturing the information and updates that I want at my fingertips.

Calendars:
I have struggled with balancing many different calendars personal activities, professional activities, activities taking place in the Media Center at work, equipment calendars (things I need to help set up), and the list goes on! This is complicated by the big push at work to use the Outlook Calendar. I really like the Outlook Calendar, but I can't carry it with me, and I don't always have a computer and Internet access at my fingertips. Some of these things require others to have access to the calendar, and some of these are private things. What to do??

One struggle with finding calendar tools that work for scheduling spaces at school is finding something that is flexible enough to represent a day that is run by bells and class periods, rather than regular 15 or 30 increments of time. So, with some modifications we created an MS Excel spreadsheet that serves as a calendar for scheduling Computer Labs and spaces. It has been a hit! Any staff member in the building can access these schedules with just a click. I thought that I would miss them visiting the Media Center to write in the calendar on our countertop. It was a time to catch them and talk with them about their upcoming projects. What I discovered is that my teachers would type more information into a small box in Excel than they ever wrote in my calendar on the counter. I had much more information to start these conversations!

As for the personal calendar...I just hope that I remember to transfer all my meeting requests accepted in Outlook into my personal calendar carried around with me. This is what really reflects my time and availability.

Lists
I like to write my lists. Crossing items off the list gives me a feeling of accomplishment. I have tried Outlook's "Task" list, it just isn't for me...

What does sound intriguing in this list of productivity tools?

Zamzar = less tears over assignments due today! We don't always use the same software at school that students have at home. This gives me hope to have them leave me with a smile of relief!

I have the software to easily create PDF documents on my work computer, but there are so many other times I am on a computer that does not have this capeability. I tried "PDF Converter" but it seemed to freeze up on me. I will try it later. The Cute PDF creater might be nice to as a free tool, but I would like to see more tools available without the download. I am taking a downloading break at the moment.

So, for now I am on the lookout for great productivity tools online, but for right now, I don't see them changing my life.

Digg It, Mixx It, Is it worth it? (Thing 12)

So, I'm not really sold on Digg, Mixx, etc.

Although, I did find a really interesting article at the New York Times:

Coming Soon, to Any Flat Surface Near You
By ANNE EISENBERG
Published: March 30, 2008
Tired of hearing other people’s cellphone conversations? Soon you may have to watch their favorite television shows and YouTube videos, too, as they project them onto nearby walls or commuter-train seatbacks. Pint-size digital projectors are in the works.

I really don't see this Web 2.0 tool enhancing my personal use of the Internet.

When we are teaching students the skills to evaluate websites, I cringe just a little at a site that students might assume evaluation has taken place by someone else through a voting or rating system. It might be a useful tool once those critical thinking skill have been sharpened through practice.

Addiction to Shelfari... (thing 11, part 2)

Just an update! I may become addicted to Shelfari.

I have really become a Shelfari user and have found tagging to be immensely useful for categorizing my reading, followed by creating widgets for shelves of all different topics!

Tag... Not always it... (Thing 11)

Tagging seems to be somewhere between subject headings and keywords....Overall I find that they might have some favorites or personal organizational value, but as a tool for searching, I find them to be pretty fickle.

I find the tagging (label) feature of blogger to be pretty simple to use, but in a blog that is focused and under development, I didn't find adding labels to provide much of an enhancement to my blog.

On the other hand, I would like the mobility provided by Del.icio.us. Bookmarks or favorites that are available to me wherever I am accessing the Internet makes it a productivity tool that I can see myself using frequently.

Ultimately, in getting started with Shelfari this week, I found the ability to create my own organization with"tagging" to be very helpful. Shelfari allows me to create a personal bookshelf of books that I am reading, want to read, have read, etc. These books are all very personal to me, for whatever purpose I might be reading them (book club, personal enjoyment, new and popular young adult reading, etc.). As I see my bookshelf growing, categorizing these books into meaningful groups is very satisfying and I have high hopes to find it very useful too.

Not only is tagging a personal choice...but it also seems to be quite personal in all that it defines.

Here is a taste of Shelfari - with titles from my monthly book club.

Shelfari: Book reviews on your book blog

Wiki Wiki - Make it "Quick" (Thing 10, Part 1)

Having just had a conversation with my 9th grade students getting started with their research project about using caution with "Wikipedia" in the context of research, I have been anxiously waiting to explore the potential of this Web 2.0. tool.

I made a visit to the 23 Things Wiki on Easter and added a picture of a bunny in the snow. I found it on Flickr and thought that it was so cute! (Not to mention, appropriate for the snowy Easter weekend!)

It was so easy to make changes to the page and have them instantly available for other viewers. I was even surprised with all the editing options (fonts, images, plugins, etc.) that are available for contributors to reshape and redefine the wiki while making their additions.

Library Applications....Classroom Applications...that yet to come in Part II)

Tools of Collaboration (Thing 9)

With so many students working on Powerpoint presentations in the classroom and not always having this software at home, I took a look at Zoho and Google Doc's presentation tools to make a comparison.

These free software applications definitely have some potential for a basic slideshow, but I found them to be very limited in the advanced applications (transitions, custom animations, etc.) that we are asking students to use with Powerpoint.

Of the two tools, I liked the slideshow options in Zoho. There seemed to be more that could be done to personalize the presentation with built in graphics and editing tools. It seems like it would be very easy for someone familiar with Powerpoint to transition to these tools, and if all that we are asking our students to do is a very basic slideshow presentation, that maybe we should consider these applications that they may have easier access to outside of school than Powerpoint software.

I came across the option in both Zoho and Google Docs to import an existing powerpoint. Are there any presentation tools available on the Internet that can also be exported to Powerpoint to take advantage of the advanced editing features?