Thursday, August 30, 2007

RSS feeds, Podcasts, Wikis

RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication" and is a file format for delivering regularly updated information over the web. Imagine a way to receive news updates and website information everyday from sources that you visit daily. Newsreader and RSS enables you to access from just one place, without searching, without ads, without consuming alot of time.

1. Read more about RSS and see this Video at Blip TV
Use these directions to set up your own favorite feeds by setting up an RSS feed reader. You can create a free "RSS aggregator" using either Bloglines or Google Reader. Tutorials include Bloglines with three easy steps or Google Reader Tour.

2. Create a blog post about your experience. How might you use this feature in your classroom? Or your personal life? Here are some other resources to discover benefits of RSS.
3. Podcasts
The term refers to the audio or video broadcast of content over the Internet which can often be accomplished through RSS automatically. Podcasts include school district news, interviews, news casts, and presentations from many special interests. Since they utilize MP3 file format, the only device needed is a PC with headphones or a speaker.

Explore one of the following podcast directories and find something that interests you. The following unlike iTunes, don't require a software download.
4. Create a post on your blog about your discoveries about possible podcasting applications in education. To learn more about podcasts view this online tutorial at Yahoo: What is a Podcast.
Numerous resources about podcasting are available if you want to learn to create them. Try some of the following links:
5. Wikis
A wiki is a collaborative website which includes tools for creating, editing and sharing information or content. This Wikispaces Tutorial will give another perspective on this growing tool.

Some of the pros of wikis are simple no HTML-lingo required to produce, anyone can make changes, fee sources and flexible format. But some of the cons of wikis are it's disorganized, easy to edit or change, limited control and subject to spam or vandals.

6. View some of these examples of Wikis and create a blog post sharing your thoughts feelings and possible curriculum connections. Or try creating a Wiki yourself and learn first hand. Here are some free Wiki Space that you can register for as teachers.
Visit these examples of Wikis to learn how some teachers or schools are using them to share information and engage learners.
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Tagging, Folksonomies & Technorati

Tagging is an informal way to categorize that enables users to associate keywords with online content. Unlike the Library of Congress subject headings, SEARS catalog heading, tagging is unstructured and allows the users to determine the connections between thier data anyway they would desire.

Both Flickr and Picasa use tags to allow users to make connections or associations with their image collections. New online web tools have taken this "social bookmarking" feature to create new ways to access and organize information.

1. Explore Del.icio.us
Image having all of your computer bookmarks in one place! Like most of us, our computers, home or work, have folders or resources that demand our attention for remembering where we put stuff. It's just like a filing system or better yet del.icio.us allows us to check out another users' files! The real power of Del.icio.us is the social networking aspect which allows you to learn how others "tag" similar websites or links. In addition, you will be able to locate similar websites that might interest you too.

2. View the Del.icio.us Tutorial
View the excellent Del.icio.us tutorial and get a good overview of this powerful web tool's features.

3. Create a Blog Post
Using your blog write about your learning about the tool Del.icio.us. How will you take advantage of this to assist you in your classroom? Can you see the potential for your students? What tag headings did you try? If you're up for the challenge, setup your own Del.icio.us account and learn how empowering it is to replace the old browser bookmarks.

4. Explore Technorati
"Welcome to Technorati, ...currently tracking 101.3 million blogs and over 250 million pieces of tagged social media." The San Francisco based company states that "there are over 175,000 new blogs every day." Technorati features include the ability to search through blogs using keywords, search by language, or about certain subjects.

5. Take the Technorati Tour
The tour will give you an overview of the latest features. You can also compare their popular blog, tags, and search options. Create another blog post comparing your experience using Flickr, del.icio.us and Technorati. What conclusions would you make about tagging? Anything surprising about your search results?

6. Web 2.0 Award Winners
Using any tool or award-winner from the Web 2.0 Awards
Select and explore another new tools and create a post about your discovery. New tools were estimated to number approximately around 300-500. Find one that is free and doesn't require downloads or plug-ins.

These new tools for learning are being discovered and shared in Ning, a social networking site. Explore an interest group of your hobby, Teachers2.0, or click on a Network Tag to learn more. Check out Classroom 2.0 and discover how technology is being integrated into their classrooms? Or start your own Ning!
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Photos, Images and Play

The photo sharing community continues to expand daily. Flickr, which is now owned by Yahoo, uses "tags" or what are also known as keywords to help identify and locate photos. Explore Flick'r and create an account for yourself. Remember to record your password and login information in a secure place.

1. Explore Flickr
Take their online tour. If you create your own account and you have digital camera images, try to upload these to your Flickr account.

2. Create a blog entry
Create a post in your blog about your chosen photo and your experience exploring Flickr. Upload the image to your post. You can do this either of two ways: using Flickr's blogging tool
or the Blogger's photo upload tool.

3. Explore Picasa Web Albums
Read and learn about this web tool from Google. Remember photo ethics regarding permission before posting minor's images online. In addition, never upload photos that weren't taken by you without the photographer's permission and then give credit to your source.

4. Explore Online Image Applications
Many tools have been created using programming interfaces and Flickr images to create new application.
  • Mappr uses Flickr images and allows you to create a map
  • Montagr will create a photo mosaic with images you found on Flickr
5. Play with Online Image Generators
Generators are websites where you can quickly and easily manipulate the images. Enjoy using some of the image generators and create one for your blog. Adding them to your blog is as simple as copying and pasting the code that the page provides. Sometimes you may wish to save it on your hard drive first.

6. Curriculum Connections
Use your blog post to share your ideas about using the images that you have generated with these tools. Generate an image for your bulletin board, web site, or newsletter!
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Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Web 2.0 Learning Tutorial

Welcome to the Web 2.0 Learning Tutorial!
New Tools for Learning

This summer I had the opportunity to participate in the California School Library Association (CSLA) Learning Tutorial 2.0. This is patterned after that learning experience. Hopefully, over the fall semester, you will discover the Web 2.0 tools that your students are using to connect with the world. My hope is that you will discover new tools to integrate into your teaching and engage the "millennials." There are many places and tools to explore and creative ways to use collaboratively with the library media teacher or in your classroom.

Each tool will be introduced with a brief introduction followed by discovery activities to engage your experience. Post or comment on your experience by listing the Web2.0 tool and discovery activity number. Communicate your feelings, concerns and collaboration ideas. I hope that you will share your curriculum connections as your explore these new tools.

You may work from school or home to access this tutorial. Your lifelong learning will develop through exploration and play. Your blog post will track your progress. Let me know the name of your blog and I will attach it to this link. As you explore Web 2.0 tools please share your ideas for '2.0 Best Practice.'

I am available through e-mail to assist you in your exploration and learning. Please use my school e-mail: krs4295@lausd.net and put Web 2.0 in the subject line. I will be your Tech support.

Tutorial format
Each new Web 2.0 tool will begin with a brief explanation. The discovery activities will help you to learn about the background to understand the new tool. The activity will be your "blog" or comments to your online log or "blog."

The links below will take you to each of the new Web 2.0 tools.
1. Set up your own blog and add your first post! You may use one of several free online blog hosting services including Blogger, Wordpress or Typepad. This blog was created on
Blogger.

2. Create an account at one of these free hosting services. Remember to write down your Username and Password.

3. Name your blog
 Remember the entire web community will see your blog title and blog address. Consider using something anonymous and unique. Please remember your URL address and bookmark it. The URL for your blog will look like these examples:
http://learningtrek.blogspot.com
http://joycevalenza.edublogs.org/
http://heyjude.wordpress.com/

4. Select your template
 Play with your new blog and test a post or two.

5. Blog Examples
6. More About Blogging in the Classroom


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