Look, boys and girls! A new Google application!

Well, not really.  But it’s either use the “G” word or tell them that they absolutely, positively cannot use a site to get them to want to use it.

I’ve spent parts of the last four days at work putting together book orders.  I found two sources my English teachers and students will love and have ordered not only print copies, but also the ebooks.  For most of today’s media specialists, this is probably no big deal.  But these are my LMC’s first ebooks, so I am excited to be a part of bringing my LMC into the 21st century!

Once I have them downloaded and have them available for access, I will have to convince my students to use them.  We have some excellent databases available to us that students have to be forced to use.  If it doesn’t say “Google,” they don’t seem to think it is worth their time.  Once I twist their arms and have them actually searching through a database on DISCUS, students find that I haven’t been lying – these sources really ARE awesome!

How has Google managed to brainwash our students into believing that the “G” way is the only way to research?

iPod Touch

Christmas came early today!  I had decided it was time to jump into the iPod world and spent some time searching for the iPod that would suit my needs.  I decided on an iPod Touch 8 GB.  Not only can I listen to music and podcasts, but I can also surf the Internet through a WiFi connection and watch videos and store pictures on this thinner than thin device.  We also bought a cover and Bose earbuds based on some consumer reviews I read online.

I downloaded the latest iTunes software, converted the music on my laptop to .wma files, and then synced the music on my laptop with my iPod. 

I’ve downloaded the manual from iTunes and need to read through it to take full advantage of this wonderful device.  I have been listening to Seedlings Bit by Bit from this morning.   I am amazed.  Amazed that this tiny device can connect me with the world.  Listening to Alice, Bob, Cheryl, and Vicki discuss Facebook makes me feel like I am sitting in the room with them.

Technology rocks!

Update on Flip Video

Last month, our media center purchased a Flip Video Ultra camcorder.  One of our social studies teachers had been to a conference where she had discussed her project of videotaping interviews with WWII veterans in our area.  She met another social studies teacher who was doing a similar project.

His students had been using the Flip Video camera and its editing software to create their final interview pieces.  These pieces looked impressive, so Mrs. A returned to school and shared the information with me.  The affordable price of these little camcorders and her information convinced us to purchase one.

The camcorder is small and easy to use and the quality of the video it captures is good.  However, the accompanying software leaves much to be desired.  It has frozen on me too many times to even be successful in transferring video to my computer from the camera, much less to work with the built in editing tool. 

We will not be purchasing another of these cameras due to the faulty software, but we will use the camera as we can import the video to a computer using Windows Media Player. 

I know that John Woodring has had success with this camera.  I hope that others will, too.