Thing 8 - Share Your Creations

I spent quite a bit of time with Picture Trail and Flicks. I over planned on my first couple of attempts and was unsuccessful with my uploads. I scaled back the project and did experience success. I posted some pictures from a recent European trip using one of the Flicks tools. I can defininately see using this for personal use. In my professional life, I see using these tools for professional organizations and I can also see classrooms using this to post things like field trip information or information from a special presentation.

Thing 7 - Web 2.0 Communication Tools

I never thought of many of the applications for many of the communication tools that were covered in "Thing 7". Sending text messages when materials are available or having instant messaging available for reference questions would be great uses. One frustration that I have with these tools is the difficulty in crossing computer platforms. I like using both Mac and Windows OS's. MS Messenger does not work on the Mac regardless of what has been promoted with the interface. I believe that the industry is closer to the interface, but not quite there yet.

Thing 6 - Online Image Generators

These tools definitely are a lot of fun. I can see many applications for these tools. It was a little cumbersome to print due to the steps involved in saving and then manipulating the image. Importing images into other applications was very user friendly.

Thing 5 - More Flickr Fun

These tools were fun. I did not realize all of the different things that I could do with a photo through web based applications. I believe that teachers would really utilize some of these tools. I intend to show many of these tools to the district curriculum team.

Thing 4 - Explore Flickr

I spent quite a bit of time working with this "thing". I see where I would use Flickr for managing my personal photos. I can also find some application in my professional life for exchanging large files that get flagged through email systems. The Library of Congress site was amazing. There are many classroom use options. I believe that thought should be put into the tags. I found that when I searched some keywords, I was getting hits that really had no noticable connection to the picture. Good cataloging enables good retrieval.

Thing 3 - RSS

I have used RSS feeds in the past. I tend to get excited about the concept, keep up with it for a few days, and then get too busy to check the posts. By the time I get around to attempting to get caught up with my reading, the task seems to be too large to compete. I believe that the best use for RSS in my personal and professional life is in doing research. Keeping up with the information for a set task seems manageable.