Activity #17 Wikis

I thoroughly enjoyed this activity because I have heard so much about wikis and wanted to know more about them.  After viewing several wikis, I realised there is a great range of differing uses for a wiki.
They can

• provide information ( be it text, images, video, podcasts)
• create a space for discussion and sharing ideas
• encourage collaboration
• display students' work etc

Alot of the wikis I looked at had a Home Page that was well set up with links and well presented but seemed to be managed by one person (usually an enthusiastic educator) and contributions from others was limited even though there was plenty of opportunity for others to add to the wiki.  Secondly, many had been last updated some time ago.

I am keen to set up a wiki using Wiki spaces but see two challenges.  Firstly, keeping the site current and adding to it regularly to keep it active and "alive' and secondly, encouraging and enthusing others to make a contribution to the site.

The school library where I work would be ideal for creating a wiki.  On it I could put info about opening times, borrowing policy, procedures etc. Advertising and promoting Book Week short-listed books, authors and illustrators, Literature Circles and a place for sharing photos, upcoming events, news etc could all be placed on a wiki.

Each class could also create their own wiki and do things like debating, pick-a-path stories, solving open-ended math questions, orientation of new students (what you need to know) to name a few.

Activities #13 & #14 Myspace and Facebook

I could not get excited about what these two sites had to offer.  Firstly with Myspace, the Listen to audio link was "not available" and when I clicked on the link "How libraries are using Myspace", I "m taken to the Myspace site and log in, only to see the message: "Myspace Group is getting an upgrade".

With Facebook I came with a preconceived belief that too much time is flittered away with trivial messaging.  I have resisted the temptation to get an account but will concede that I could use it when travelling for example, to keep in touch  (photos/news etc)

When I tried looking at the Ning link on the Web 2.0 blog, I got a message: "The page you are looking at doesn't exist".  A slow internet connection doesn't help either.

I don't wish to be negative, but these sites hold little interest for me - I would much rather speak to some face to face or on the phone. (am I showng my age?)

The 7 things you should know about facebook is a must to read and I hope anyone signing up for an account does so.  The section on Digitl Citizenship is particularly worthwhile.

Activity #12 Flickr

Teia de solidão!, a photo by Rubens.Campos on Flickr.

It is wonderful how a spider is able to create such an intricate and beautiful, silken web.

Activity #11 Library Thing

Created an account.  This was very easy to do.  I could see this site being used effectively by a group of avid readers who might like to form a literary group but do not always have the time to meet face to face on a regular basis.  It seems to be a good way to discuss books with others who have read the book or get suggestions for similar books to read, or books by the same author/genre.  I was amazed to see 16 772 members nominated The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Here is a link to my catalogue:
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/robbo53

Activity #10 Image Generators

This is where I spent more time than I should have.  The Says-it site had so many useful (I found them useful as opposed to Activity #9) ideas to use in the classroom.eg Student of the Week, and if a weekly class newsletter goes home images to announce what is happening in your class during the week can be used.  A library blog could advertise new books through an image.

Dopple Me looks great to create avatars for children to use when commenting on blogs etc.  Primary students would really go for this.

Generator blog and Make me babies would be appealing to those so inclined.

Activity #9 Virtual Worlds

This week's 2 activities were a mixed bag.  I found it difficult to be enthused by any of these 3 virtual world sites.  I viewed the Second Life video and the Ohio State Library Youtube clip where I thought the Learning Kiosk idea could have some potential for online courses.  I am sceptical however, of sites offering a free sign up then offering extras (eg sign up bonuses) for those willing to pay.

Exit Reality was slow to load and didn't appeal to me at all.  I could not see any relevance for the classroom and thought that I could use my time more effectively doing something else.