Tech Tuesday RETURNS: Writing the Web One Image at a Time
As we continue to make the evolution from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0, I am astounded by the number of excellent creativity tools available for learners. Web 2.0, which ushered the era of content-creation, social media, and production (Google, YouTube, etc.) , following the dot-com crash in 2001, brought with it tremendous tools for learning. Now we’re beginning to see the impact Web 3.0, which empowers users to re-create, mix, transform, and produce new forms of information (Mozilla, Tagxedo, etc.).
Students now have the ability not to just be consumers of the web, but to be producers. There are numerous sites and applications that invite students to collect web parts, information, graphics, and media and mix them together to create a new interpretation of that topic or idea (Glogster, Videolicious, etc.)
Today I’d like to share a site that is rather new to me but that is simple to use and grasp for students and teachers: Thinglink.com
A Thinglink is a visual representation of a topic that embeds pictures, graphics, sound, text, and links. A creator chooses an image as the background and then can link in web content, providing a digitally engaging and unique experience.
It’s quick and easy to register and create an account with the opportunity to link your Facebook or Twitter account for set up. Then, you begin by importing a picture from your hardrive, choosing from your Facebook albums, browsing Flickr’s public photo gallery, or providing a web address for photo.
You are able to share your creation through Google+, Edmodo, Facebook, Twitter, and many other social platforms or by the link, like here (Thinglink for the book Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein).
Thinglink is also available as a gadget for blog services. Check out the gadget on my blog on the upper-left hand corner!
It’s Monday! What are you reading? 3/18/13 (The Evening Edition)
I don’t have much to report this past week (sad face). But I did manage to finish one book and a brand-spanking new shipment of books did arrive in the library today with more expected this week, so my TBR list is about to sky-rocket!
Books I read:
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| Hardcover–which I much prefer. Suits the tone and mood of the book with the rough-hewn dress and sans make-up |
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| Mary in smoky-eye and blackliner? I don’t think so paperback cover. |
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. I am a self-professed M. Night Shamylan fan and as I mentioned in last week’s report, I was really excited by the The Village-esque quality to this story. I don’t know how I feel about the protagonist, however…I’m getting a “I’m a choosy girl who has two great guys who adore me and I just don’t know what I want so I’m going to let my indecisiveness destroy everyone around me” vibe. But, Mary does have some difficult decisions that I know all seventeen-year-old girls can relate to:
Do I believe what I’ve always been told and conform to what’s expected of me?
Do I leave the familiar but limiting community I’ve grown up in to face the dangers of the unknown and risk being even more alone than I am now?
Do I choose the boy who makes me feel like I’m burning or the one who has the constant source of warmth?
Do I run into a forest of flesh-eating zombies, many of whom were once my neighbors and relatives, or do I hide on a platform indefinitely?
I mean, come on…who wouldn’t relate?!
Books I’m Reading:
Books to read:
It’s Monday! What are you reading? 3/11/13
It’s a very special Monday–Spring Break Monday–which means that I am sneaking in a quick post in between car inspections, tire rotations, and a bathroom remodel.
Last week I neglected my favorite day of my blogging week but for good reasons; I am now a GREAT aunt! Between the arrival of a new baby and three classes of seniors researching in the library for the last two weeks I am “knackered” (to quote the characters from one of my favorite reads these past two weeks). So, here is my reading report for the last two weeks:
Books I finished:
Yes, this is a big one–Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake. And, I really enjoyed it. Granted it was full of horror and ghosts and gore, all of the things I try my hardest to avoid. I was completely captured, however and promptly passed it on to as many patrons as I could find. I even included it in my Romeo and Juliet book talk, likening the star-crossed Anna and Cas to Shakespeare’s quintessential teen lovers.
P.S.– apparently Stephenie Meyer is producing a film adaptation of Blake’s gothic romance.
I also read Falling for Hamlet by Michelle Ray. I enjoyed this contemporary re-make of Ophelia’s experiences growing up in the midst of Elsinore’s family drama, but I found myself feeling detached to the heroine rather than empathetic in the end.
And finally, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer Smith (sigh). Confession: Sears has commercial called “Connecting Flights,” a spoof on the romantic comedy flick. But, every time I see it , I am secretly wishing that it really were a film! The trailer begins with two professional bloggers who meet in the airport when their flights have been cancelled, thus ensuing a comedy of errors-adventure, resulting in true love. This book is that movie, but better! Jen talks about her thoughts regarding the emotional layers to this book, and I absolutely agree.
And now I must shamelessly scour the internet for any reports of an upcoming film adaptation…
Books I’m reading:
The Forrest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. This series has been sitting on my TBR shelf for about a year now, but I’m really enjoying it. It has a definite M. Nnight Shyamalan’s The Village feel to it. My mind has already robed all of the characters in mustard yellow and bright red.
Books to read:
I should be binge reading this week, but I have wracked up a “honey-do-list” for myself this week. I will most likely continue with Ryan’s series and move through The Dead Tossed Waves and The Dark and Hollow Places. It’s Monday! What are you reading?
Reel Reading for Real Readers: Sometimes you need something sweet
Join Amy and Heather over at threeteacherstalk.com for more fantastic YA book trailers to share with teen readers every Thursday.
There was a little paperback book with a simple black and white photograph of a couple kissing with a cool title that made huges waves at my book fair last fall. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith is the perfect cure for your reading sweet tooth. Like Sarah Dessen, Jenny Han, and Elizabeth Scott, Smith writes a simple, honest, sweet book about love. But don’t let her simplicity fool you.
Reel Reading for Real Readers: Bad Girls Don’t Die
Teens love horror. Is it because they are adrenaline junkies or truly that masochistic? Either way, they flock to the latest slasher/ paranormal/ serial killer flick like bees to honey, drawn by the promise of a horrifying and thrilling time.
I find that with many of my teens who are brought, most of the time unwillingly, into the library to check out a book, I’m able to hook them with the promise of “this is so scary! Don’t read it at night or you’ll have seriously crazy dreams!”
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake has opened my eyes to the realm of teen horror. This morning I was reading it while standing at the circulation desk (no judgment, I’m in the last few chapters), completely engulfed by the action and drama, when I (very loudly and unaware of my surroundings) let slip “oh my god this is so freakin’ scary!” Sixty senior heads popped up from their workstations and stared. “Well it is!” I shook the book at them, “I mean just check out the title and book cover!” They nodded in assent and returned to their research, sharing a brief moment of understanding of how one can become totally involved in a scary moment that leads to such an outburst.
Later, I spent some time walking around looking for titles that I knew my horror-loving students passed around and recommended and found Bad Girls Don’t Die by Katie Alender. When I book talk this one all I have to say is, “Look at the cover. Doesn’t it remind you of The Grudge or something?” And, that’s all I’ve been able to get through–the cover. I’m such a scaredy-cat.
The sequel was released this year, From Bad to Cursed. Creepy!
Sometimes it helps to remember that the way to some teen readers’ hearts is through a little bit of creepy-crawly.
It’s Monday! What are you reading? 2/25/13
Thanks for joining me for another #IMWAYR!
With my 2 year old’s birthday party, a parent night for the big grant project, and major iPad woes at work all added up to reduced reading time 😦
But! I did finish one book that I promised to last week, continued on my audiobook adventures on bomb-making, and even found some courage to start a truly frightening book. Here’s my reading report:
Books I Finished:
Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver. I gotta say I saw it coming! (Okay, so maybe I had a hunch, accidentally dropped my book, which happened to land on the last page of the book and my eye naturally caught one word…which is all that it took!) Can’t wait to see how Lena continues to evolve and how the series concludes. I’ve read parts of some reviews from ARCS, carefully avoiding spoilers. But, I know that Oliver really comes into her own in the final installment, Requiem.
Books I’m Reading:
Today, I sat outside while my toddler played with bubbles, trucks, and sidewalk chalk and devoured the first 100 pages of Anna Dressed in Blood. Now, I’m the girl who has to plug her ears and closer her eyes when a teaser for a horror film that is rated pg-13 comes on during Once Upon a Time. The cover of Anna alone is enough to give me nightmares. During bathtime I managed another 15 pages, but it was getting to dark for my scaredy-cat heart to pick it up again later. I might be such a wuss that I even stowed it in my bag in my car so I don’t accidentally glimpse the floating white-dressed girl with inky-black hair. Other than being scared of a book in broad daylight, I’m really enjoying Cas and his quest.
Books to Read:
Amy over at www.threeteacherstalk.com published a retro review over at Nerdy Book Club introducing me to Falling for Hamlet by Michelle Ray. My nerdy heart goes bonkers over literary adaptations, and I’m really looking forward to this modern re-telling.
Now, I’m expecting a HUGE order from my jobber anyday now, which will bring with it many of the 2013 YMA winners and honor books. Where on earth am I going to begin??? Spring break is two weeks away; I think my TBR pile is about too take on a life of its own in preparation.
What are you reading?
Reel Reading for Real Readers: And the winner is….
Welcome to Thursday’s meme Reel Reading for Real Readers started by Amy and Heather over at www.threeteacherstalk.wordpress.com?! I love book trailers and believe in their power to build readership for certain books and engage ALL readers, no matter their reading habits.
Celebrating Books Awards With Teen Readers
The 85th Academy Awards are this Sunday night. The Oscars trumpet the peak of awards season in Hollywood following the Golden Globes and Grammys with flair, pomp, and fashion. Growing up, I loved watching the Oscars. Dressed in my finest wares, I’d lounge for the four hour awards show in front of our box t.v., slices of pepperoni pizza in hand and a 2-liter of Coke. I loved everything: the orchestra, the dresses, the speeches, the movie clips, the hosts.
For book lovers, we feel similarly about the ALA Youth Media Awards in January. Although we may not be decked out in fashion-forward formalware and most of us are streaming the event live through our computers or following the Twitter feed, there are just as many raucuous rounds of applause, audible gasps of shock, and even a little flair at the event.
Readers, just like movie-goers, love to celebrate their favorite books, put them on display, slap big metallic award stickers on their covers, and collect them. IMDB, TCM, and many other Hollywood afficiando sites provide lists of the top 100 films. Film followers find pride and enjoyment in having watched all 100 of those films just as readers find a sense of accomplishment and pride in having read all the Newbery award winners since 1929 with the Twitter meme #nerdbery.
This week in the library I am unveiling our latest special display: 2013 Book Awards. Books featured in the display are recipients of the Newbery, Printz, National Book Award, Morris Award, Pulitzer, and Nobel just to name a few.
Take time to celebrate books and authors who have been recognized for their contribution to children’s and teen literature with book trailers from some of the 2013 recipients:
It’s Monday! What are you reading? 2/18/13
It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…who knows, you might discover that next “must read” book!
Be sure to stop by Teach Mentor Texts for a list of participating bloggers and even more great reading ideas from Jen and Kellee.
Read more: http://www.teachmentortexts.com/#ixzz2KcK6RDGH
I spent my life folded between the pages of books.
In the absence of human relationships I formed bonds with paper characters. I lived love and loss through stories threaded in history; I experienced adolescence by association. My world is one interwoven web of words, stringing limb to limb, bone to sinew, thoughts and images all together. I am a being comprised of letters, a character created by sentences, a figment of imagination formed through fiction.
Books I’m reading:
Bomb: The Race to Build–And Steal–The World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin–I never thought I would enjoy listening to a nonfiction book as much as I do this one. Reading it in print would be just as pleasurable. I’ve already passed the library copy onto our AP World History teacher, and I have two more teachers in line to read it. I’m excited to hear their reactions.
In Darkness by Nick Lake. I have to digest this one in small doses. It is just like it sounds, dark.
Books to read:
Decisions, decisions…
Hopefully, Unravel Me, will show up on my library door step. And, poor Anna Dressed in Blood is still sitting on my bedside table. This week is a busy week as the Boy is turning 2, and we have a wonderful Winnie the Pooh party planned for Saturday.
Introducing Blog-of-the-Week
I read so many wonderful blogs each week from colleagues, librarians, and book-lovers that I want to start adding a blog-of-the-week for #IMWAYR.
How often do you hear from students and colleagues, “I don’t have time to read?” Jennifer over at Empathic Teacher has a response to that! Check out her blogpost reflecting on all the creative ways she finds time to include reading in her busy day
Happy reading!
Reel Reading for Real Readers: Maggie Stiefvater
How excited am I about this new meme, Reel Reading for Real Readers started by Amy and Heather over at www.threeteacherstalk.wordpress.com?! I love book trailers and believe in their power to build readership for certain books and engage ALL readers, no matter their reading habits.
Today, I am featuring two book trailers for my author BFF, Maggie Stiefvater. Don’t believe we are BFFs? Check out this awesome pic from NCTE of the two of us. ‘Nuff said.
Maggie is a master at fantasy, folklore, and mythology. Check out the trailers (illustrated and produced by Maggie herself) for two of her books.
(Re)Inventing the Librarian 