Exploring the World of Blogs

After getting the hang of blogging, I am quite fond of it. It releases your thoughts, for example like my new Tumblr account http://amcarrizales.tumblr.com/.  Check it out, it is still new, but it will soon embody  my personality.

However, when I researched the various Blog readers, I immediately fell in love with Tumblr. I thought to myself, " This is  it. Don't look any further. I found what I needed." And I did. I chose my five, plus more blogs to follow. It is was user friendly and I had no worries. I eased through the site.   

Here are some of my pictures from my Tumblr experience.

Although, Bloglovin' didn't get my excited. I went through the motions and set up an account, but after awhile I was, " Eh, I am done." It was bland and "high school libraries" did not show up. I had to enter libraries  to get any type of results. It lacked the personality I was hoping for and I had to go looking for my other blogs I followed. I didn't even like it enough to enclose pictures of my stop with Bloglovin; for you all to see. I expected more. I guess this what I get for starting with Tumblr.

 On to the next, Feedly. It is a part of Google. Convenient and I like it too. It is like Tumblr.... my decision is now wavering... Tumblr has competition. Here are some screen shots of what my homepage looks like... so much to read! :)

The last for me for this  entry is, Digg  Reader. I had high hopes for this site, but they soon deflated because it lacked the luster I was looking for. I didn't find the personalization  button, the color, or pictures to hold my full attention. I guess I am like my students because I got distracted and bored fast, despite the newsworthy blogs I followed. No noteworthy pictures.

So in my book the blog readers I looked at are ranked as follows:

1. Tumblr
2. Feedly
3. Digg Reader
4. Bloglovin'

As you can see I rated Tumblr the best blog reader for myself. I like that it allows me to customize my space with options and has quality blogs to follow too. I cannot lose with Tumblr.

Librarians are using Tumblr and others like it to relate information the best way, through social media. How we receive and send information is changing. Librarians are not notifying the teachers, administrators,  professionals, parents, and students through an announcement, letter,or word of mouth anymore.

It is expanding through Facebook, e-mail, blog readers, and others. Reading and writing go hand and hand and stem off to other subjects, professions, and life skills that children will develop in time. Libraries are vital to the development of children and society. They, and we know it is.

We seen, heard, and  made known because of how they taken action to reach students and the public.  Here are five examples I chosen to follow on Tumblr.

So in my book the blog readers I looked at are ranked as follows:

1. Tumblr
2. Feedly
3. Digg Reader
4. Bloglovin'

As you can see I rated Tumblr the best blog reader for myself. I like that it allows me to customize my space with options and has quality blogs to follow too. I cannot lose with Tumblr.

Some blogs I started following are:

1. librarytiger-blog (Chapel Hill High School Library: http://librarytiger-blog.tumblr.com/ ):  It allows the follower to see more than pictures. It shares articles, opinions, and the plain hilarity out of the complicated. It will hold the follower's attention (students) because of the content that it shares. It is more than just a plain a plain site of information.

 

 

 For example, they posted a thought provoking article that will capture a student's mind because of the subject it is addressing:  Banned books based on girls and color.

2. mhslinrary (Montclair High School Library http://mhslibrary.tumblr.com/ ): Captures my heart immediately because of the quote that welcomed me to their site. Their site has the perfect mixture of information, humor, book reviews, date, and more. It is perfect and whoever is the user behind this blog is doing a great job.

 

3. nikkidrobertson (The True Adventures of a High School Librarian
http://nikkidrobertson.tumblr.com/) :  has a homey feeling to it.   The follow can see the earnest of the librarian maintaining this bog because of the information that is presented on this blog. It shows the journey of this librarian authentically. This blog shares photos, articles, and professional information to help students and teachers.

4. librarieschangedmylife (http://librarieschangedmylife.tumblr.com/): Depicts the importance of  libraries. They share articles and testimonials of actual people and events that changed by libraries.

5. librariesbuildcommunity (Library Journal http://librariesbuildcommunity.tumblr.com/): Show the importance of the library through articles, pictures, and videos. An example:

These are the reasons why I chose this blog reader over the others. They are blogs that can help me become the librarian I know I can be. Like everything, I cannot do it alone.  But, blog readers like this will help develop and transform me into the reading butterfly that is inside me.

Intertwining Pew and Infographics

  I continue on my journey on becoming a librarian, Dr. Perry has taught me that it is essential to read and keep up with  literature and studies on technology and its effect on teens, children, and young adults in and out of the classroom. I will even included technology statistics that involve parents before I am done with this semester!!!

To depict the presentation I read, "10 Things to Know About How Teen Use Technology,"presented by  Dr. Kristen Purcell at the ACT Enrollment Planners Conference on July 10, 2013 I will use one of the following infographics: Easel.ly, Pikochart, or Infogr.am.

Before I start analyzing the presentation, I have to choose what infographic app I like better.

I like Easel.ly a lot, but needing to use Firefox for the program to work effortlessly is a major turn off. It is a deal breaker for me.  At least, Easel.ly did not hide it from its users. The app will notify the user about the inconvenience with a pop-up message before they start. I still tried through. I used Firefox, but it was still difficult to use. It was  going smoothly until I wanted more. The editing bar got in the way and didn't want to move. I couldn't figure out to create other graphs the template had.  As you can see, I did not get very far. I couldn't  complete my infograph on that app. Here is my first try. EPIC FAIL!


easel.ly

Using infogr.am was not any easier  for me to use to create my infograph. Yes, all you had was double click  to change the information, but the things I wanted it do was for the pro version. You as a user couldn't do very much or I am not very technology savvy.  The header text was to big, I didn't know where to go to minimize it. The title didn't totally fit on the screen at one time. I finally got to get the quote the way I wanted, but the graph did not work the way. I wanted to move something it disappeared  and I couldn't figure our how to get back.  For example, the title in the third photo. I tried several times before saying and thinking this app isn't for me.  As you can see I was not very successful. On to the last and final suggestion, Piktochart. 

 

 

 

 

 When I saw that Piktochart format I thought I found the app that could do the things I wanted it to do. It took me forever to create a functional infographic about how cell phones have gotten popular and  being used in education. But, I became  a pro after continuously messing around with it. This is a seek peek into the presentation I chose was about.

 

The presentation I chose reveals ten things we as  teachers, adults, parents, and librarians should know about... how teens are using technology.

Teens are in the forefront of the development of technology. They know the new tech before we know about it. They are teachers in these areas in my opinion.

However, in this presentation by Dr. Kristen Purcell does not approach it in that way. She uses this presentation as a way to educate the masses and not simply talking at us. She uses data to enforce her ten things.

Her ten things are:
1. Among  Teens 12-17, social network site growth had slowed, but Twitter use is growing rapidly
2. Today's teens are sharing more personal information online than teens in the past
3. Today's teens do care about online privacy
4. Today's teens take active steps to manage their online reputations
5. Parents of teens are very aware that online content can impact their teen's lives
6. Most teen's educational environments include the use of at least some digital technologies
7. The internet has fundamentally altered how teens do research, but not necessarily for the worse
8. Digital tools can benefit teens' writing skills and abilities according to teachers
9. Teachers are divided as to whether "digital natives" are all that unique
10. A digital divide persists in the area of education and technology

The parts I found most interesting came at the end. I think because it had to deal with the teacher and  what is being implemented in their classrooms technologically.

 I know it is a struggle to incorporate technology in our already stretching curriculum, but we have to find a away because it is possible.

 I created another infographic to stress what the last pages of the presentation was about. It is not all, but what I found interesting and important.   Here is also the link to the presentation I used for this  entry. There were 46 pages in the presentation.
http://www.pewinternet.org/Presentations/2013/Jul/10-Things-to-Know-About-HowTeens-Use-Technology.aspx

Getting Organized...

For me organization does not come easy. I tried and tried, but my mess wins all the time. When I clean and put things away, I cannot find them. However, in my organized mess I know where everything is. I  have high hopes for these "organizers" to help me. Although, I am a little hesitant because I tried everything and nothing seems to work.

The organizers that I am researching to get me organized are: Wunderlist, Remember the Milk, WorkFlowy, and Pinterest.

I started my journey with Wunderlist and got deeply discouraged. I watched the tutorial videos for the app and was excited to create an account, but when I did, it was not  like what the tutorials depicted. I tried and tried.  So I think Wunderlist is not for me.

EPIC FAIL!!!

However, Remember the Milk  was easier for me and I got what I needed entered rather easily. I liked that it was straight forward and did not consist of a lot steps to set up your different lists.  So far Remember the Milk is my  favorite personally.

It is definitely looking up  for me with these organizational apps.

WorkFlowy is a user-friendly application that compiles different lists for the user. They have a Getting Started Video to help new users with their lists.  It was easy to follow and you do what the presenter is doing while seeing it.

If I had to assign my students to find an organizing app to use for my class or school in general, it will be  Remember the Milk. If I got frustrated with Wunderlist, maybe my students will too.

 Remember the Milk, doesn't hide behind backgrounds, it does what it needs to...remind its user of what  needs to be done . Students don't have the time to mess around with steps, they are busy, so  if something needs to get entered onto a list, Remember the Milk  will have to be the app to be used.

Students can use WorkFlowy too because it can house everything and as they are completing their tasks they can hide them or leave them there. It can also support a big list of tasks without going crazy. However, I believe it is targeted for an older audience because it is in just black and white, no calendar, and no bells and whistles for the younger crowd.

My favorite, Pinterest, is a place where students can see examples of assignments and projects. They can get ideas of how to do something crafty instead of a paper. Students won't be asking or questioning as much because Pinterest provides visuals, OPTIONS, and websites that can help students be more creative and excited about an assignment.

Here is my Pinterest board of  Education. These are my ideas for my classroom, suggested assignments,  and other things that have captured my eye in education.

Facebook: School Libraries

Facebook has become a social phenomenon and  a monster people cannot get enough of. Even school libraries have gotten on band wagon. School libraries use Facebook to promote events,  newsworthy reading material, and more. However, like everything there are advantages and disadvantages to it.

Navigating Facebook for school libraries only Pasadena High School Library and Thomas Downey High School Library caught my eye. These two libraries held qualities I would like for my future library.

*Promotes school participation
*Announcements and Reminders
*Events
*Updates
*New books
*Book Reviews
*Connecting with Patrons

 

Pasadena HS Library update their page frequently and added personality. You can see the passion the library has for what they do . They have authors visits, book reviews, school spirit, and they even hold Teen Book Con for their students. They put their heart and soul into the page to make sure it a utilized resource for their students, community, and school.

Thomas Downey High School Library caught my attention by their bulletin boards!  They used these boards to draw students to the different genres their library offers.  The page manager also uses this page has their review site for the books they are reading. I believe this brings in the personal aspect many librarians are missing because  the manager doesn't shy away from what they have to say about the book. It shows the manager's literary journey to the students and those that like or follow their page.  It is personalized.

 

 

Other libraries like Montclair High School Library just capture my heart immediately because of what it has to offer. They  have library quotes, relatable material for students and adults, and most of all it's welcoming.  

 

 

 

School libraries might have started Facebook pages with good intentions, but some are not well kept or updated. Some libraries like Providence High School Library lacked the following:

*Maintenance
*Activity
*Response from student body, faculty,  and school
*Promotion of site and what it offers
*Student participation

 

 

What  I wanted to see while doing this research was more great libraries utilizing social media instead of the sparse population I found. However, the few that I found did an awesome job incorporating Facebook into their library. They also showed  me what I have to do in order to have a successful library program wherever  I am in the future. I have to be innovative, current, and continuously learning  about technology to ensure that my library and patrons have what they need.

Keeping it Real and Straight Forward

RT @HuffPostTeen: You are a teenager, so stop trying so hard, expecting so much, crying so often. http://t.co/OAldngPkQN
— Linda W Braun (@lbraun2000) September 1, 2013

Reading this post will make teens reflect on the life they live. Maybe it will shed some light on what they experience and try to be just themselves- not adults. They can enjoy their adolescent years more than trying to be older than they are.  What is your point of view?

I also believe nowadays men are not like the gentlemen of past, but this man is a fine example of what one is.  He rather give up luxury to be with his wife. Today not many men would do this. 

Fellow passenger asked me if I would take his seat in first class so he could sit in coach with his wife! w00t! #thisismyluckyday
— Kathy Schrock (@kathyschrock) August 24, 2013

Being a teacher, my passion for what I do comes across when I teach and these quotes having me reflecting on different topics that have been risen recently.

With the new indicators and what is expected from schools now has me and my school looking at new material than last year. It seems we are not the only ones looking.

"We do not learn from experience…we learn from reflecting on experience." Students can reflect with these QR codes: http://t.co/sgxFt4kxQC
— Tony Vincent (@tonyvincent) August 28, 2013

WritingFix: prompts, lessons, and resources for writing classrooms ~ Northern Nevada Writing Project http://t.co/NNyQpMkyin
— Jim Lerman (@jimlerman) September 2, 2013

ACT scores fall to lowest level in five years | Inside Higher Ed http://t.co/6WsWCZisfy
— Buffy Hamilton (@buffyjhamilton) August 21, 2013

@WhiteGoblin_Inc @heidinelt @mattBgomez We're teachers, librarians, & ed tech geeks. Our passion is to inspire & teach this tech to students
— The Daring Librarian (@GwynethJones) August 6, 2013

Still Investigating...

Last semester I was given an assignment that I had to choose ten books from different lists that featured award winning books in a specific category. For example, The Coretta Scott King Book Awards. The tweet I found by Dr. Rosemary Chance reminded me of this assignment and the impression one book left on me.

Unspoken: A Story from the Underground Railroad by Henry Cole=pencil artistry, wordless book, acts of kindness, wonderful! Scholastic
— Rosemary Chance (@texaspageturner) November 11, 2012

This book made the struggle of African Americans comprehensible for children with its color and simple language.  The emotions moved on the page made it a memorable book.

Dr. Chance's Twitter account is insightful and full of short reviews about books she read. I will be following her account closely to keep up with my reading list.

20 Ways Libraries Are Using Pinterest Right Now via @joycevalenza http://t.co/PJKlKW828n
— The Daring Librarian (@GwynethJones) August 6, 2013

Any book recommendations for me?

***********
 I love this idea. This project help ONE see the importance of community within our profession for the greater good of our students. Just imagine if it grew from 84 educational professionals to more! The impact it will make for our classroom, students, society, and much more!

"volunteer teachers/librarians/reading coaches from all over the world will share their thoughts about connecting kids and books."

Kirby's Lane: A Place for Readers and Writers: From the Office of the Future of Reading* http://t.co/4gbXd0JOKm Great title, @kirbylarson!

— Colby Sharp (@colbysharp) September 4, 2013

***********

Thanks to Labor Day, I've already read 2.5 novels today. Hip, hip, hooray!
— John Schu (@MrSchuReads) September 2, 2013

I would have loved  having Labor Day off, so I could read too!  I find it funny how fast one reads for pleasure, because I do too!  I would have done the same, but I had to work.

I will love using these books in my classroom to bring my newcomer boys want to read!

@MaryAnnScheuer The Step Into Reading series has many superhero books: http://t.co/DzUUayKrPO
— John Schu (@MrSchuReads) September 1, 2013

I can also use this and more with the following tweet from Buffy Hamilton.

Writing With Pictures: Creating Comics in the Classroom | NWP Digital Is | @scoopit http://t.co/QxenachYql
— Buffy Hamilton (@buffyjhamilton) August 13, 2013

Investigating Twitter and its Friends

I love the quotes Dr. Lesesne posted on her twitter account. It is like she is reading my mind.

Empowering students and fostering creativity does not begin with a worksheet or end with a standardized test.
— Sean Junkins (@sjunkins) September 1, 2013

I believe in what Sean Junkins stated. Education is not about the tests, but the skills acquired. Standardized exams take the fun out of teaching and replace it with stress. It is not until the exams are over that it changes and teaching becomes rewarding again. Empowering students is difficult enough. Teachers have to be creative and educational artists to make sure that students receive more than what the test offers- an actual education, life skills, and good educational habits that go beyond that one classroom, but to a college environment.

There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all. — Jacqueline Kennedy
— Robert L. Forbes (@RobertLForbes) September 1, 2013

I'm a reading teacher and I believe it. If a child falls in love with books, they are hooked forever. They become avid readers for life. Books take children to new worlds, experiences, alternate universes, and places only their imaginations and words could go.  Books change people in general. Are you a believer in books and what they can do for children.

I am not have an opportunity to meet  Dr. Lesesne, but Dr. Perry proved my point without me having  to do it.  I have always been blessed to have great teachers and mentors and I believe I have some  in my graduate program.  This year I was given a Newcomers class and this picture posted by Dr. Perry is going to help me. I recognized  some of the books from our library, but I looked them. Now, I have to go back, check them out, and read them. These books will help my students and me  in return.

I love working with @professornana. Not only does she teach me stuff, but she also shares her books. http://t.co/qgiXe8dCJB
— KarinLibrarian (@kperry) August 27, 2013

Now, a retweet by Dr. Perry from Paul Hankins further my point.

When it comes to connecting young people with mentors, note that classroom teachers go with YA authors over contemporary musical artists.
— Paul W. Hankins (@PaulWHankins) August 26, 2013

I believe so, because I do. I don't totally believe in the cannon because for the students I teach I need to be able to reach them through books they can relate to. Books tend to last longer with students than music, since it is always changing. Books, novels, stay the same in the inside.  Even though, the cover might change. The content does not.

Students need lots of opportunities to preview, share, and talk about books. Not just at the beginning, but all year. #titletalk
— Donalyn Miller (@donalynbooks) August 26, 2013

Introduction:

I have been in education for three years. Yes, I know I cannot compare to some that have been at it so long, but I am on my way. I entered education because of my childhood passion for educating  young minds. I never thought my English degree would spark my love for reading all over again. When I was at The University of  Texas- Pan American  I rediscovered my enthusiasm for books, especially for YA Realistic Fiction.  Ever since then, I never looked back.  I am here now pursuing my master's degree in Library Science and cannot wait to see what things I'll do with it. Until then, follow me and see what adventures await.