LibraryRemix

The graphic, from the James Irvine Foundation’s Convergence Report says it all!

• Google Goggles to Translate Text in iPhoto http://bit.ly/deh3Or #
• Video Encoding Online! http://bit.ly/bdm7L6 #
• RT @kenleilenae Wallstreet journal embraces podcasting http://bit.ly/agv1Hs #
• RT @kenleilenae A Columbia College professor chronicles Chicago history in a new book. http://bit.ly/7HcGBz #
• Help! RT to petition@WhiteHouse.Gov:Include Librarians, 1:1, & Broadband 4 all kids #futureready http://act.ly/1rb RT to sign RT to sign #
• ASSESSING LEARNING: THE MISSING PIECE IN INSTRUCTION? http://bit.ly/94cLW5 #
• BUILDING GUIDED INQUIRY TEAMS FOR 21ST-CENTURY LEARNERS http://bit.ly/a5qWGi #
• FOSTERING THE CURIOSITY SPARK http://bit.ly/9Td5Om #
• NUDGING TOWARD INQUIRY: RE-ENVISIONING EXISTING RESEARCH PROJECTS http://bit.ly/aF3wAj #
• STUDENT INQUIRY AND WEB 2.0 http://bit.ly/cJuvT8 #
• Libraries with scaled-back hours teeter on irrelevance http://bit.ly/bTwEth #
• READING: The hyperlinked school library: engage, explore, celebrate http://bit.ly/ai3k7y Nicely put! #
• What is transliteracy? http://bit.ly/bbkBkf Think transtexuality…for today! #
• How to attribute a Creative Commons photo from Flickr http://bit.ly/cQVoJj #
• Library usage increases with the recession http://bit.ly/9q6q6O #
• Appeal for Change http://libraryremix.com/?p=1021 #
• Using Prezi for Presentation http://libraryremix.com/?p=1018 #
• Book Report….and more! http://libraryremix.com/?p=1037 #
• Reaching for the 21st Century Flux http://libraryremix.com/?p=1009 #
• Been ages since I've tweeted my own blog posts…sorry for the "onslaught" #
• March caught up with me and I forgot to sign up for WEMTA. Crossing my fingers that the admin will understand what a "month" it's been. #
• RT @ShellTerrell @ larryferlazzoThe Best Resources For Learning About Word Clouds http://bit.ly/aOK7zG #

Michael Stephen’s Tame the Web features a reprint of the article: The hyperlinked school library: engage, explore, celebrate, originally published by the Australian School Library Association. Arguing that the financial crisis compels us to move towards the needed changes (when we need those changes anyway) may be an effective lever for those reluctant media specialists who still resist moving into a 21st century already a decade old.  Let’s hope so.  Stephen’s appeal is well-informed and nicely put.  For those of us who have embraced the change, the article provides some nice reinforcement to share with colleagues who question the changes we’ve implemented.  If you’d like to share,  you can download a PDF of the article here.  The article was based on a presentation at ASLA which you can view here.

I’ve played with Prezi a few times and recently took the leap and used the tool to present both my 2010 School Board Report and information for AP students attending a plagiarism workshop.  The visual impact of the presentation (more like navigating around a room rather than through a linear show) attracts student attention.  Following the plagiarism presention, a number of students have made the jump to using the tool for their own presentations.  It’s so easy to learn and elicits enough “wows,”  why wouldn’t they.  Take a spin through the plagiarism presentation below:

My only issue at this point is the difficulty I’ve had upgrading to an educational account, since I initially signed up as a public user.  Missed my activation email in the daily flood of messages and now I just can’t seem to get that upgrade to go through.

The video below is interesting on a couple of counts.  Obviously, the message intrigues (perhaps scares) us.  It’s a different world than many professionals (and parents) are immersed in.  While we may facebook, our use is more deliberate…less social than that of the young person who’s grown up in a social media environment.  Then…there is the fact that this is a BOOK REPORT. Can you imagine if our students demonstrated their understanding in this way….non-linear,

• Search the CreativeCommons! http://search.creativecommons.org/ #
• RT @Nadodi List of social change games from @G4C: http://bit.ly/agafpz #

…with classroom support materials at MacMillian Dictionary Online (here).

In a time where the dialogue centers around the ACQUISITION of languages (as a means towards globalization), it’s mind-bending (and inspiring) when we turn the conversation towards language BUILDING.  It may be politically incorrect to applaud the use of English as a global language today, but it’s hard to deny the flexibility of form we enjoy, as English speakers.  I’d never argue that we quit the quest to learn and use other languages–there’s much cultural respect in the practice, and certainly beauty in learning to express ourselves in new ways–but I say HURRAH! for celebrating the dynamic nature of language itself…and of English, in particular.

Sheila showed me Schmoop today. Silly name, but serious about the business of learning in today’s mobile-wired world. The learning guides (and lots more) are comprehensive and worth a look online. Still, the most exciting thing about this service is there cross-medial committment. Currently, our 10th grade English students are getting ready to study The Great Gatsby (kick off in the LMC with “The Gatsby Files”) and I appreciate the opportunity to brush up on what the kids will be discussing in the classroom. I was able to download a “schmoop” guide to my iPhone and a copy of the guide to my Kindle (for a small fee). The guides are also available in PDF format (free) and for the Nook.  This is a great example of getting the tools/media where the kids will “get it”…in their hands, outside of the classroom.

Still, what is with the silly name?

• Amazing graphics, charts and data organization at Visual Complexity
• The Fantastic Truth of Calvin and Hobbes
• The Hartford Chronicle is online!  Includes the article: Library Hours Changed, Numerous Book Fines

Absolutely powerful message!  While administrators may be relying on the loss of revenue as the impetus for change, this is the REAL reason we should be restructuring the places and the ways in which we teach students.  I hope other teachers feel excited/empowered by the possibilities rather than frightened.  There is a role for us…and we’ll are reborn into it