RSS Feeds

I like the Google Reader. I taught a blogging class with a fellow SBISD employee and she taught me a lot about Google Reader. It makes it easy to check for current posts without going to individual sites. Saves time and energy!

If I started bloggin with students again it might be helpful. When I did it before the teacher tool let me know if anything was updated. If I used a different site then that would not be an option, so the Google Reader would be great. As for my personal life, I only subscribe to some myspace blogs. I get an alert there so no need to use the Reader. If I ever subscribed to more rss feeds then I'd use it for sure.

I'm not sure how libraries can use this technology. I know I have seen some great sites out there for the kids to see what is going on in their library. Since I left the elementary world I haven't been as connected to what is going on in the library.

Google Tools

Google Earth is wonderful! I'm teaching a current event class and the kids like seeing where the stories are coming from. Of course, the first thing they want to do is find their house! ...umm.. and I did too! My grandfather lives out in the country on 120 acres. It took a lot of navigation but I found his house. I was surprised I could get some images from Cuba! I used Google Earth when I taught a course on ArcView too.

The other tool I checked out was the igoogle. I didn't know they had that available. I half way set up a page. I already set up one for my grandfather with rss feeds using his internet company's version. I don't personal need or want one, but I see why some people would enjoy having them set up. The weather and calendar feature were the only thing of interest for me.

Mashups

I LOVE the mappr! I mentioned a trip to Honduras in the last blog. I have been on 11 mission trips to Romania, Cuba (x3), Mexico (x3), Nicaragua (x3), & Honduras. I think it is a great way to share my photos from each trip on a map... although because of computer failure and reformatting I lost pictures from half of those trips :( Anyway, I found it very easy to pick a few photos from Honduras and get them on the map! I am glad this was on the "things to do".

Flickr

I've used a several different photosharing sites, mainly photobucket, but was very impressed with Flickr. The noticeable difference that I liked was the privacy settings and guest pass! I had trouble with sharing photos from my mission trip to Honduras. I was surprised it made it easy for someone to link to my other albums within photobucket. I also like that Flickr is more of a "one stop" sharing. I've have jumped from site to site making flipbooks and other items. I am thinking of using Flickr for all my stuff now!