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Showing posts from September, 2010

Community Conversations: Using Google Forms, Docs & Wikis to Connect Outside Your School

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((re-post from my MHMS Media Blog - showing how we use our Google Forms, Google Docs and Wikspaces to have a conversation with our community!)) Murray Hill Middle School strives every day to put into practice our motto “excellence is our standard” and in doing so we need your help and your action! Utilizing Google forms, docs, and wikipages we provide many ways for you to feel connected to our school and to have a voice! You suggest the books & we buy them! During your media center orientations you will hear more about contributing YOUR suggestions to our annual book order. But for those of you who are tech savvy, at home, you can Google “MHMS Learning” and our Learning Wiki comes up first! (OR you could click the link ! LOL) ….there you will see the banner “ I WANT THIS BOOK .” Click on that banner and you can add any books, authors, or subjects of books that you would like to see purchased for our school library collection. (Murray Hill peeps only...sorry world!) You suggest

It's a Moo's Flash to Save Cash!

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Nom nom! Yummy new Mini Moo cards all cooked up & ready to serve! Featuring Reed & Barton 1800 flatware & my Kitchen Aid stove! Moo is having their 4th anniversary...and they've got a gift for those of you who haven't tried it yet. I've already blogged about my love of the Moo Mini cards - I've shown these for Inspiration And Business Cards for myself and our Geek Tribe! And I've blogged about design tips , too! With Templates, suggestions, and more! But now I can reveal a special deal that will get you 10% of your order! Share the code 282Y68 with your friends new to MOO 10% discount until Thursday 30th September. My next set of MOO cards are going to have a QR code on the front and the back. I've blogged about QR codes and mobile library apps before ....but now I want my own! Want to make your own QR code? Go to the QR Code Generator and you can code: URL Text Phone Number SMS Download a free barcode

The Perfect BrainStorm: Edistorm Crowdsourcing

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According to CrunchBase " Edistorm is a social brainstorming application empowering friends and coworkers to rapidly brainstorm and make better decisions. " And as one of my EdTech heroes Chris Smith aka Shamblesguru said "Edistorm ... looks like #Wallwisher on steroids" and it's true! Sometimes I stumble across new ideas and they just make me shiver at how cool and mind blowing they are or could be!... this is one of those moments ! Need convincing? Watch this! Try it out & help us get ready for the November TL Virtual Cafe session: Picture That: Using Images In The Classroom Join us on November 1st - 8pm EST Special Guest: Diane Cordell (left) with yours truly as the hostess! Keep an eye on our Session Wikipage for more information. Why not gear up for this exciting webinar by trying out Edistorm and add your ideas to this! Started Brainstorming - Uses of Digital Imaging in the School, Library, & Classroom - on Edistorm I just joined and

Library Decorating & Back to School Special Slidedeck!

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How exciting! We were so pleased to see so many wonderful "faces" at the TL Virtual Cafe webinar this past Monday! New & Familliar ones, too! (BTW, I Love hosting #TLChat Cafe but am always juggling 2 much to give a proper shout out to everyone.. forgive me peeps if i missd ya! LOVE YA!) Here are the slides we shared which are being featured on Slideshare's Education page! I got this email today: "Your presentation Tl cafe btsn_combined1 is currently showcased on the Education page by our editorial team. It's likely to remain there for the next 16-20 hours..." and wouldn't you know it, we've had over 600 hits! Makes me wish I had taken the time to name it better in my rush to solve the Elluminate slide issue that cropped up at the last min! Back to School Special: Making You & Your Library Indispensable View more presentations from gwyneth jones . It was great sharing ideas on how to collaborate with teachers at the beg

Maryland Educator 2.0 Challenge

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How do you use technology to reach your students? from the MSEA website and super cool Adam Mendelson the Managing Director, Communications and Program Services Center for Public Affairs of MSEA Marylanders: "Show how your innovative use of technology has helped you connect with students and you could win $100 and a trip to Ocean City to present at MSEA’s 2010 Convention! It’s easy— register for an account on the MSEA website and join MSEA’s Educator 2.0 discussion board . To enter, post a description of your project explaining how you’ve been able to better connect with your students using technology. Tech learning specialists will choose their top 10 favorite entries to receive a $25 gift card and a one-year subscription to Wired magazine . Your project also will be highlighted on the MSEA website. If you’re chosen as one of the judges’ top three innovators, you’ll receive a $100 gift card and a trip to MSEA’s 2010 Convention in Ocean City .* There, you’ll share your project

Video Book Trailer Awards

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From Joyce Valenza, on the NeverEndingSearch Blog: New Book Video Trailer Awards! "On September 27th, School Library Journal will ask readers to vote for the best video trailers that promote books and encourage reading. Voters will be asked to select the best video in six categories: Publisher/author created for Elementary readers (PreK-6) Publisher/author created for Secondary readers (7-12) Student created for Elementary readers (PreK-6) Student created for Secondary readers (7-12) Adult (anyone over 18) created for Elementary readers (PreK-6) Adult created for Secondary readers (7-12) There will be four nominations in each category, selected by a committee of librarians. Winners will be announced at the School Library Journal Leadership Summit on the Future of Reading on October 22, 2010 in Chicago. The primary purpose of these awards is to recognize the important role that video plays in bringing readers to books as well as the wonderful creativity of th

Shine a Light (on Your Professional) Future!

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I was asked to give a short overview about advocacy for school libraries (and librarians) to the middle school media specialists in my district and created a Prezi giving quick highlights. I based it on the powerful & informative School Library Journal article co-written by Joyce Valenza and Doug Johnson that really spells it all out! Things That Keep Us Up at Night along with a few of my opinions thrown in for good measure. This incorporates a lot things that I've been thinking lately AND issues we've been discussing at the TL Virtual cafe and within the Geek Tribe. I foresee this evolving into a larger presentation at some point - because we're all passionate about keeping school libraries funded and staffed nationwide - and being the best teacher-librarians we can be! Get the BIGGER Prezi Experience HCPSS Library Media Wiki