Search Me

Take a at

 Many of us are VERY familiar with Google.  It's the number one search engine around the world!  But did you know it can be so very much more? 

A search can be a tricky thing, especially if you get all of these hits on the words you use.  Why not narrow the search parameters?  There are a variety of tips and tricks users can use.  One of my favorite ways to narrow a search is to put quote marks around my search terms.  By doing so, I tell Google I only want results that have to do with those words.  Simple, right?  But wait!  There's more!  Google has a guide for basic search operators which can make your searches faster and easier. 

There are even more tips on LIFEHACKER.  Check out the countdown of the top 10 Google search tips that people find helpful.  There are videos, examples, links - pretty much everything you need to make your search successful. 

Google is trying to make your life easier, so they have a page which hosts the various tips and tricks based on the users need.  Want to plan a trip?  Click on the page link and you will be taken to all of the Google search tips which have to do with traveling.  Click HERE to give it a try!  

DID YOU KNOW?  Google has been scanning out of print books in order to make them more accessible?  You can read these books for free online.

Google Books is an amazing opportunity for people to find and read books online.  If your students are doing research, why not try searching through Google Books?  Here is a VIDEO about how to use Google Books for school research. 

While Google is the most popular search, there are other search engines out there.  Have you ever heard of Wolfram/Alpha?  Here is a quick VIDEO to introduce you. 

Wolfram/Alpha is an amazing search engine which uses a knowledge base data set to find the answers to a users query.  The database is curated by actual people, who verify the information input and update as necessary.  The only drawback is that the queries work better if they are computational or logical in nature.  The search engine doesn't handle cultural or social studies queries without getting things confused.  If the question is asked in a logical way, the answer will make more sense.  For some people, this is too confusing.  The only way you can decide if this is the search engine for you is by trying it out for yourself.  

HAPPY SEARCHING!!!

     

Pinterest Addiction

Hi, my name is Lauree and I am a Pinterest addict.  Yep, it's true.  I have fallen in love with a great site, so much so that I have become obsessed.  Just what is the appeal?  Well, imagine if you will a site that allows you to save links to cool items, articles, websites, and funny memes.  Pinterest is a virtual collection of "pin" boards created by the user.  When you find a link, you create a pin to it under whatever board makes the most sense.  But Pinterest is more than just a collection of favorite things.  It has become a networking site, a place to advertise business interests, connect to blogs and bloggers, and a resource bonanza. 

When you get started on Pinterest, you will find many connections to resources and lessons in addition to personal interests.  Be sure to follow some of your favorite pinners, especially if they have the same interests you do. You will find some beneficial posts and ideas for your own library or classroom use.  Here are some great pinners to check out for a start:

All Things Upper Elementary Blog        Teachers Pay Teachers 
   
Hello Literacy             School Library Displays             Library Learners

When you get to Pinterest, plan to spend a good amount of time getting pins and pin boards put together.  You will get lost in the wonderland that is Pinterest, and that can be a good thing.  Just give yourself some time to enjoy the journey.

Social Media in Life and in the Classroom

It's rare to encounter a person who doesn't have a Facebook or Twitter account these days.  The social connection is amazing!  I am able to connect with friends all over the world from the comfort of my own home.  I can't believe how simple it is sometimes!  Yet in all the grandeur of social media, one has to remember that the audience is much wider than we ever imagined.

Facebook is a great way to reach out to friends and family.  I share all kinds of funny memes, great links, and photos of the family.  I keep in touch with cousins far away and nearby.  This social tool is a fantastic way to socialize, but it also has its hazards.  You see, sometimes people forget just how public Facebook can be.  People rant and make personal statements, even teachers.  We are human, after all.  Still, there a repercussions for our actions. 

No doubt you have seen articles of educators who have made poor choices in regards to using social media as their outlet.  They mistakenly feel that they are protected in making comments by the right to free speech.  Well, yes and no.  You see, we have a moral obligation to be more thoughtful of our words and actions.  Just like anyone in a sensitive position, discretion is important.  It is better to err on the side of caution than to lose your job due to a fit of pique! 

Take a look at this NEA ARTICLE regarding the perils of social networking nightmares for teachers.  The examples they give are chilling reminders of how public posting can be a person's downfall.  The ultimate message is: be smart.  Don't post anything inappropriate, no matter what. 

In spite of these negative examples, I believe social media has some redeeming qualities.  I follow quite a few educational pages and bloggers on Facebook.  Their pages are informative and provide links and resources for followers. 
Like any business, schools need to promote themselves and their mission and vision.  There are ways to navigate social media which are beneficial of schools.  Making connections with families and the community on a well traveled social site really opens up the opportunity to connect.  Announcing events, offering topical discussions, providing educational links - all of these are ways that schools can make social media work for them.  Follow this link to read about TEN WAYS  schools can use social media positively.  There is a benefit to social media for educators.  You just have to be smart about it.          

Have you heard about Google...?

We are all familiar with the Google search engine, but how many know about the other tools Google offers?  Google is rapidly becoming a mecca for technology tools, making life easier for users in a variety of ways.  Take Google Drive. 


Google Drive is a tool which enables users to connect with others in a way that could only be dreamed of once upon a time.  A person can create and share documents, presentations, forms, spreadsheets - just about anything!  the best part is, you can connect that document with anyone around the world!  Imagine!  Collaboration on documents and projects was once limited to sending and resending files.  With Google Drive, no one has to resort to the "old fashioned" way of file sharing.  This is so much cooler. 


Google Docs - Forms

You can create any form you wish in Google Docs.  There are a number of templates to choose from, or you could create your own.  It's simple.  When in your Google Drive, click on CREATE and simply choose FORM.  Follow the instructions, and you have an instant online form.  Imagine the paper you will save!  You can easily conduct surveys of all types using Google Drive Forms.  There are so many great ideas for using Google Forms in the library setting.  Here's a link to a Book Request Form, just one of the many ways in which librarians can use Google Forms.

Presentations are a snap when you use Google Drive.  Collaboration is easy enough when everyone can work together from their own place.  Check out the video below for an incredible demonstration of what Google Drive is capable of allowing: 

There are so any ways in which you can improve your library program by using Google Drive.  From lessons with students to creating surveys to team collaboration on presentations and documents.  it is all here, and oh! so easy to do.  If you are still unsure about how to get started, this Google Docs in Plain English video will give you a quick idea of just how easy Google Drive can be:

   To show you just how much Google Drive can change the way you use your library and teach, head over to a wonderful tech blog for more ideas.  Van Meter Library Voice is a super technology blog which gives great ideas on how to implement technology in the library.  It's a brand new world out there! 

 
 

Organize Me!

Have you heard about Diigo?  If not, you HAVE to check this out! 

Diigo is a wonderful website dedicated to keeping you organized.  But it doesn't stop there!
In this age of technology, we tend to gather a lot of virtual clutter -  and save it on our favorites bar.  But what if there were a better way to organize all of that information?  Enter Diigo. 

I get too busy to go through all of these websites I've favorite and often I forget what they are about.  With Diigo, I can bookmark the site with a quick explanation, as well as some tags for easy searching for other users. But that's not all.  On the page I want to save, I can HIGHLIGHT information I find interesting or important! This video will give you a better idea of how Diigo works:

Diigo is not just for personal use.  It can be used in the classroom as well.  Imagine, giving directions to students and helping them connect to resources for their projects.  Likewise, connecting with colleagues and small groups.  I can even add notes to my bookmarks, which can come in handy when giving instructions to students.  The mind boggles! 

This video will give you a better explanation of just how Diigo can be used in the classroom setting: 

 

 

 

I know!!!  Great, right?  There is so much more to see.  Whatever you have been using before, give Diigo a look.  Diigo.com  I promise you, it will be worth it!

 

 

 

Personal Learning Networks

PLNs (Personal Learning Networks) are a very useful tool for anyone.  Educators have access to quite a few out there.  Has anyone ever used Edmodo before?  I have recently discovered it and I can’t WAIT to share it with you!  Edmodo is a great tool to stay connected with not only your students, but teammates and colleagues as well!  If you are collaborating on a project, Edmodo will help you stay organized.  Anyone in the group can post, share documents, and links.  There are file folders where documents can be stored for easy access by group members.  How do you get started?  Check out this video for your introduction to Edmodo. 

 

Cool, right?  I have already set up a couple of groups for myself: Specials Team, Book Fair volunteers, 5^th grade students.  I am still very new at this, but the possibilities are amazing!

Besides connecting with people you know, how about gathering resource information from people you don’t?  You can join groups in your content area, connecting with teachers just like you!  It’s a virtual network of teachers and professionals sharing great ideas, asking questions, and sharing resources.  I’ve recently hooked up with a library group and I can’t wait to find out what great resources they will be sharing!   

In this digital day and age, it is nice to have a way to connect with other professionals.  Besides that, there is the connection with students.  Imagine, being able to give assignments to students, have them work on it, and turn it in to a community folder.  You can give feedback to them, leave messages and notes, provide links – the possibilities seem endless!  I can’t wait to explore Edmodo more and become more proficient.  After all, what’s the use of having a tool if you don’t know how to use it?  Edmodo has a super help section with every kind of topic.  There are videos, PDFs of information, and if all else fails, you can contact them and they will guide you through.      

 Isn’t it great?  And best of all, Edmodo is FREE!  As a teacher, I love free.  Check out Edmodo today!  You won’t regret it! 

www.edmodo.com

Battle of the Books

Whew!  What a week!  We've been busy bees at school this week, with a Bond Celebration for the completion of our new school wing, Family Literacy Night, and Battle of the Books! 

I am SO proud of my Battle of the Books team, because they WON!!!  Hurray!  The kids did SUCH a great job reading 64 specific books and practicing their titles and authors. 

See, here is how the competition works. 
All 3rd-5th grade students are given the opportunity to participate.  It is their choice. 
There is a list of 64 specific books.  The list is split into 4, with a set of 16 books for each student to read.
In December, a school battle takes place with students answering questions about the books they have read.  Those students with the most points for correct answers will be on the team. 
The team of four then works together to practice book titles and authors, review books, plan a Book Talk to give, and read, read, READ!

The competition is between four schools.  Two schools compete to answer questions about the books, earning 5 points for the correct title and 5 points for the author for 10 points total.  Believe me, those author points make a difference!  The winner of the first round competes against the winner of the second round and one is declared an overall winner.  Actually, they are ALL winners because of all of the books they have read, but one group gets some bragging rights.  This year, WE WON!!!  I have to say I am super proud of my kids. They did all the work.  I just guided them slightly and provided support. 
One of the other librarians put together the most amazing review using QUIZLET.  She put in all of the book titles and authors for kids to take quizzes on.  I really think this helped strengthen their recall! 


 

QUIZLET is an amazing tool for teachers.  You can create quizzes of all kinds, from flashcards, to fill in the blank, word match, to true/false quizzes.  Search the site to see if there is a quiz already created on your subject or create one yourself.  This is a perfect tool to use for book reviews and comprehension checks.  Students take the quiz and receive a grade on their effort.  Quizlet allows them to see what the correct answer is in comparison with their answer, so they can analyze their choices for themselves. 
I encourage you to give Quizlet a try!   
You can check it out at  http://quizlet.com/