Virtual Literature Circles

After talking to some colleagues about integrating technology into their reading program, I decided to explore blogs, wikis and literature circles. First I explored the idea of using Weebly; however, I didn't like the idea that students could make up fake names and emails to comment on our blog. I then explored PBworks which my school has used in the past. PBworks is a free easy to use wikispace. 

After exploring PBworks, I finally decided to create a sample Virtual Literature Circles wiki to learn more about how I could collaborate with classroom teachers and implement them into classrooms' reading program. To help me create my sample wiki, I wiki hopped and read through the book called Teaching with Wikis, Blogs, Podcasts & More: Dozens of Easy Ideas for Using Technology to Get Kids Excited About Learning by Kathleen Fitzgibbon and the book Literature Circles The Way to Go and How to Get There by Teacher Created Resources. Click on the screenshot to visit my sample Virtual Literature Circles wiki.

I feel that this is a great Web 2.0 tool to utilize in the classroom. I look forward to introducing this tool to the teachers at my school. I would love to hear about how you are using a wiki in your classroom. 

Collaborate with Wallwisher

As I have been researching ways to use technology in the library, I came across a really cool website called Wallwisher. ”Wallwisher is an Internet application that allows people to express their thoughts on a common topic easily.” Two things I love about Wallwisher is that it’s super easy to use and it is another great way to establish an interactive community.

To help you get started with Wallwisher, I decided to create  a comic tutorial using Comic Life to show you how.

To get a better feel of what Wallwisher is and how it works visit my Wallwisher wall. Please feel free to create your very own post-it note with any ideas on how Wallwisher can be used in the classroom or library and stick it onto my electronic wall. 

Blogging in the Classroom

As a new teacher-librarian, technology has become an integral part of my role. Although I am comfortable using it, there are many new aspects that I need to become familiar with. So as I am new to this role, I have decided to learn about and begin to use blogging in the library to form an interactive community.

Since I am a bookaholic, I purchased a book called Blogging in the Classroom. After reading the book and doing some additional research on blogging, I wanted to start by creating my own blog.

I am excited for the start of the school year to allow my students to communicate with each other and to create their own publishing space with information and ideas that they want to share with others.

Here is a picture of the book: