Virtual Worlds

#9
I have had a play with Second Life, created an avatar and entered some worlds, although I really didn't participate just observed. I watched the video for Exit Reality and wondered why the 'other' guy was there as he didn't say anything at all - maybe he was virtual.

But I can't see any real benefit for the time and energy expended. Maybe its my age but I think its just a gimmicky approach to social networking which in my opinion, can be conducted possibly even more effectively over simpler platforms.

I'm sure for gamers its just an extension of their life, but not mine, I prefer the real thing.

But it was fun having a look.

iGoogle

#8
I had, in the past, set an iGoogle page according to the brief introductory instructions on the page, and I thought what is so good about this - frogs or sunsets. But when I had a look at some of the other blogs and saw what they had done I went back and had another look. Thank you 'Seekingfinding' for your screen shot that showed what it could look like. And so I found a beautiful background from National Geographic on Colourful India (my next travel destination) that changes with the time of day and the seasons. I went into 'add stuff' and put up My Bookshelf - which is still empty but I will now be encouraged to fill it, translators, currency converters, news sites etc that I currently just have bookmarked. And when I have more time I will really investigate further to see what else is out there.
Always something new!

Google Books

#7

I have searched for books and found reviews. Great for keeping slightly abreast of all the new YAL that is proliferating the shelves at the moment and sounding more knowledgable than I am when talking with the students.

I will investigate the Book Shelf further for use with our Year 7 and 8 reading classes as a way of keeping track of what the boys are reading.

Google Maps

#6

Love Google maps for directions.

My only real criticism is that the ETA doesn't take into consideration the volume of traffic. Maybe an addition to the program could be 'a time of day' option to more accurately estimate the time required to get from point A to B.

Very handy travel tool.

Google Docs

#5

I created a Google Doc using a Scrapbook Album template. A lot of fun but as I read my fellow bloggers comments I also see I need to explore this facility in much greater detail.
That is definitely on the to-do list.

I am a little confused as to the machinations of the privacy bit, but hopefully I will work it out as I go along.

Web 2

#4

Technology has such built-in obselescence that trying to keep up with everything is impossible. Therefor part of the reason for participating in this course is to help me to identify the social web technologies that enhance the core concepts of collaborative teaching and learning.

What is it that empowers the library user to be an active participant, co-creator, builder and consultant in the creation of meaningful content?

Reecie's 1st Blog

#2
I would like to establish this blog to use as a travel/photo diary to communicate with my collegues and family whilst travelling.

More to come.