Thing #9 (blogs and newsfeeds)

Which Search tool was the easiest for you?
Topix.net was the easiest because I could do key word searches by title, subject, zip code, or topic. It's user-friendly.

Which was more confusing?
Syndic8.com because its layout is not visually appealing and way toooooooo busy.

What kind of useful feeds did you find in your travels? Or what kind of unusual ones did you find?
I previously subscribed to several feeds and blogs. This time, however, I added some new ones I learned about in my classes. I also found a couple that will come in handy now that the district is cutting funds for technology.

For example,

http://www.adlit.org/?theme=rss

http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/feeds/posts/default

http://readergirlz.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

http://feeds.feedburner.com/yalsa_blog

Thing #8 (rss feeds and readers)

RSS feeds and readers are both very user-friendly.
RSS feeds allow you to subscribe to blogs or podcasts quickly and easily, and readers are a good way to organize the blogs or podcasts to which you already subscribe.

I currently subscribe to several blogs related to my library science classes. I am sure that I will also be accessing these blogs once I become a librarian. The only non-education specific blogs to which I subscribe are those related to news or those to which I feel obligated to view (as they belong to friends).

Libraries/teachers/administrators can use readers or take advantage of this new technology to promote books or authors, school events, or host a place where students can organize their own blogs.

Thing #7 (Cool Google Tools)

I explored a lot of apps available through Google...GoogleEarth, Google Scholar, Google Docs, and apps under "the even more stuff" tab... alerts, dictionary, transliteration, etc...

I figure that one application I could use as a school librarian is Google calendar. I could create a calendar for the library schedule and events, so that teachers or any other interested party could access it from anywhere.

http://docs.google.com/
http://www.google.com/alerts/
http://scholar.google.com/
http://www.google.com/transliterate/
http://www.google.com/calendar/render/

Thing #6 (Mashups)

I created a Wordle for words identified with Havighurst's Adolescent Developmental Tasks.
It was a great way to review important terms and have fun at the same time.

I would promote the use of this program with all teachers. Students can create Wordles for books they've read instead of writing summary after summary. Additionally, content area teachers can introduce important unit vocabulary, tap into students' schema, and review concepts through Wordles.