Thing 17

I like ELM tools. I use MNLink all the time. I actually used the savings calculator to see how much I save using my library and MNLink for myself and family. It came up to $1400 a month, ChaChing. WOW!
I am a patron of the Great River Regional library system. As my dollar amount shows I use it a lot and love it.
I thought I used every tool they have on the site until today. I found NoveList K-8. I love it, I love it. I'm asked by the kids in this library what book to read next. I can now take them to this site and show them how to search for a book they might find interesting. If we don't have it they can get from the city library. What a great use for both libraries.
ELM Rules.

Thing 16

Looking through the research tools or assignment tools they could be useful. I liked the pdf file in the informational planning guide for the library media specialist. What a handy form, it would be helpful to the teacher and myself when helping with the research.
I put a stickie on the Research Project Calculator. What a cool tool.

Thing 15

I am posting so many Things in a row now. I have been going to these sites but haven't had time to post.
I went to pirates and found out I wouldn't be a good one. I'm not a gamer. Hard for me to find the appeal. I have a son who is a gamer and I watch him and see how much he enjoys it.
Gaming online or at home on the many different platforms for kids is just the way it is. They are born into the world having technology at their finger tips. They don't hesitate to jump into a game or on the computer.
I went to Second life but the computer was slow and it made it difficult to do. Looked interesting. If it's like Simms I can see using that for social learning.
Using games in libraries isn't a bad thing. Just need to know what is being used and why.

Thing 14

I like Library Thing. I am using it on Dewy Stacks blog. I put the books that are currently being read in the blog. I use it for my personal books to help me remember what books I want to read and what I have read.
It could be a good tool for students to keep track of their reading lists.
I enjoy the reviews. Helps me to find the books I want to read rather than get bogged down in a book that had me yawning. I do the 50 page rule. If you don't have me by than I'm done. Too many books so little time.
So many uses for Library Thing I haven't even scratched the surface of it's uses. This is a site I will not lose.

Thing 13

Whew! I just finished going through all the productivity tools out there. I can't believe all the sites to keep me organized. In all honesty it's all too much. Weeding through this kind of gave me a headache.
I liked Backpack and could see using that for many reasons. School, family, groups and offices. The draw back for me was the paying for the service. Since you pay for it that's probably why it's so good.
I did go to About.com and went through the calendar sites they listed. Could find whatever scheduler to meet any ones needs.
I'll stick to My Yahoo. Been using that for years and it has served me well. I like the calendar, it's simple.
I tried the widget for the countdown. Couldn't get it to work. Must be blocked. It would be a fun to countdown to the end of school.
I have never been one to have to do lists. I write it down and then I never look at the list.
With the productivity tools I could become a organized diva.

Thing 12

First, I need to say I know my titles aren't very creative. However it helps me to keep track of where I'm at in my Things.
I have gone through the news sites and found them interesting. I went to Reddit first. Wasn't that impressed. Really didn't like the layout. Next I went over to Mixx. I like the layout. Liked that I can set it up with what I want. I like to have headlines in the news and I can pick and chose from there.
I can see these sites being used by high school and college kids more than the middle school kids I work with. I don't see them going to one of these sites since the information is listed on the homepage of Yahoo or Google. They aren't going to "Digg" deep into the news at this age.
What I like about it is you get news from all over the world. I have the local and surrounding papers here in this library. Having access to this gives a person a broader view of the world. Since we are becoming a "global" community this is a good thing.