Thing #14

Technorati is another awesome way to organize topics that you are interesting to you. One click provides hot topic links to what people are talking about. Technorati can be used in schools to keep researchers updated on the latest information on a specific topic. Blogs from experts are at their fingertips. Since this is so new to me, I am wondering if there is a correct way to cite a source on Technorati.

The value of tagging, once again, allows the researcher to have access to more information since it is linked together by a keyword. It saves time and provides the latest information on the topic.

Thing #13

Del.icio.us is awesome for accessing bookmarks from any computer. At times I would work at home and need my bookmarks which were at school. Now, I can access them wherever I am. I like this social bookmarking site because it seems easier to use, and more people that I talk to have heard of it.

I think it would be a valuable tool to use for research projects. Typing a keyword could provide many more links that could be useful in finding information.

Libraries could use this site to find more reviews for books or to find ideas and links for teaching certain topics.

Thing #12

Two important things about commenting include:
*Remember the power of words/Criticize kindly from How to comment like a King (Queen). This tip is foremost is any kind of communication. To have a dialogue each participant needs to be respectful. Opinions and knowledge can be exchanged more meaningfully when these common courtesies are in place.
And from Drapes Takes:
The most successful teachers always feel that they have so much more to learn. This is really true in any profession. The person who is always learning becomes better at their craft. Overall, they have an openness to what others have to offer.

I went to Google Blog Search and searched for blogs pertaining to pet therapy and Web 2.0 Tools. What attracted me to both of these were of a personal interest, and just like reading in general, reading a blog is more meaningful when it is authentic. I felt that I could relate and contribute to these two blogs because I found a common thread. I am interested in becoming certified with my pet in the Delta Society, and I found some information that will help me to accomplish this. Pertaining to the Web 2.0 Tools, I found a post from a library student in the northeast part of the U.S. commenting on her final evaluation of her Web. 2.0 class at a university. Her task was to utilize these tools with a 5th grade class to enhance reading. It gave me some good tips.

Thing #11

I found LibraryThing useful in many ways. It is a great way to find reviews for books. I did check out some of the groups, and I found Librarians who LibraryThing interesting. There was a discussion about levelling books, and this question seems to come up in my library every year. After I entered my five books on the list, it was interesting to see what other people wrote about those same books. I also found that you could rate the books you listed, which would be helpful to readers. The cataloging information is also helpful.

Thing #10

I am really excited about Big Huge Lab. For me, it is an awesome discovery. It offers so many options, and it is so easy to use. I can think of so many uses for this site in the classroom. I am excited to share this with the teachers in the Fall.

Thing #9

Useful ways to find feeds include clicking on links of sites that are of interest to me. Using the sidebar on a useful site also takes you to other pertinent feeds.

I found that Bloglines and Google Blog Search were the easiest to use. They both feature user-friendly search windows.

Syndic8 seems overwhelming to me. It is cluttered with so much information it is hard to stay focused on the topic.

A particularly useful feed is Technology-enhanced Learning Spaces and PowerPoint Sidekicks. I think the students would find it an exciting way to record their research.

Other ways to find newsfeeds: Clicking on a site provides links to other related sites...and the list goes on.