Meg as an educator

I have been a librarian for over 20 years, worked in special libraries (one person- sending out braille, large print and audio - cassettes! books), public libraries, public schools and private schools. I have recently completed my teaching qualifications.

I would say I am an avid user of Web 2.0 and I love sharing what I find. For example in the first week of my teaching Uni course, I was in front of all 100 students and staff showing them how to use Pearltrees.  Now I would show them diigo!

At school all the staff have iPads. In the library we had one last year shared between 2 staff members (it doesn't work) and now we each have our own. We are trying out different apps and trying to discern how do you pick the right one and share that with other staff.  The students are mainly on PCs but the students in year 11 and 12 are bringing their own laptops more and more.

My current network is a practical one.  I am part of the OZ TL net group and have posted some questions and answers but mainly use it to gain insight and knowledge.  I am part of SLAV, ALIA and CBCA Vic. I chat with librarians I have worked with in the past and share and learn from them.  I love going to conferences and mixing with people and finding out what they are doing and what I might be able to do.

My goal for the PLN is to become more fluent and practiced in the tools available. To share that knowledge with staff and students.

back to blogging

well it has been a while between posts. At the moment I am having trouble getting this current one to save and load. I have enrolled for the PLN with the State Library of Victoria so there will be more regular posts.

Online magazine

So having a play with issuu.com. Found it very easy to upload some documents from my computer and then see them turn into a magazine. The teacher notes on David Cali's book "The Enemy" is one of my test documents.  Tried to change magazine background cover and it didn't work, so time to try another one.

David's The Enemy

Finished e book

Well the iPad was easy to use as an e-reader and I finished the novel in one day. I found that it is possible to make notes about the text and when you look at the contents page there is a symbol to indicate that notes have been made.

e-reader

So what would I install and use as my first real app? e-reader. so I have downloaded 2 e-readers and bought the book I need to read for Book Group next week. (one chapter read already). why 2 e-readers? I was recommended Bluefire but I think I was too impatient to let it load so I also downloaded the free iPad one and that is where the book I purchased went to.

learning about iPads

well here I go. I have an iPad from work, now to play with it and learn all the tricks and useful educational things it can do. Son put Angry Birds on it as soon as I brought it home!