13+Things

 13 things in 6 weeks: Web 2.0 tools for Librarians
Based on Charlotte-Mecklenberg Public Libraries self-training program called 23Things, this is our Eanes version--the 13 Things challenge.

Each "thing" is a self-paced challenge to use a different web 2.0 tool. Because it is self-paced, you can move through the goals at your own pace. However, the goal is to finish the challenges before school starts! Many of these exercises are borrowed from other 23Things sites.

Blogging challenge 1. Create a blog or quick sharing site of your own!
 * Week One--**

Use either Blogspot, Tumblr.com or Posterous to create the site. What are the differences? Blogger is a full-fledged blog with all the features you'd expect in a blog, sidebars, areas to post, calendar wizards, etc. Tumblr.com is a quick to set up blog site for short postings, sharing photos, etc. Posterous allows you (or students) to blog via email or online. You can email your photos or posts in, paste links, etc.

If you need help with this challenge, see the tutorials here: Blogger: []

Tumblr (Tumblr is so easy you probably don't need a tutorial but if you need help, this might be useful!) []

Posterous [|http://help.posterous.com/what-is-posterous-video] []

2. Post something on your blog about what you learned this week.


 * Week Two-**-

Flickr and Images Flickr has great images to use in projects, but the "free" creative commons area is a little hard to use.

3. So this time, experiment with the [] site, and look for images from Flickr on a subject of interest. After you do a search, click on the toolbar on the left and select "creative commons" to limit your choices to only images that are allowed to be used.

4. Once you click on an image, it will take you to the original in Flickr, where you can download it. To download, click on the word "Actions" above the photo. It will give you choices of sizes to download. Pick the size you want and download the image. Tip: Be sure to give credit to the creator of the image when you use it by including their user name or a link back to the photo.

5. Try uploading it to your new blog. List the creator of the photo beneath it, or paste a link to the page on flickr where you found the photo.

Extra credit: If you want to really have fun with Flickr, try out the Fd's Flickr Toys site which lets you create motivational posters, trading cards, etc. You can upload photos to create with, or you can connect it with your own photos on Flickr (if you have created an account on Flickr).

More fun with images
 * Week Three:**

6. This huge list of "image tools" are from Gwyneth Jone's(the Daring Librarian). Playtime! Try to design a handout, poster or video for your library using one of these image generators--your choice! Explore and play. []

Or if you'd rather create your own "avatar" and learn how to help students create theirs, try some of these sites from Joyce Valenza: http://copyrightfriendly.wikispaces.com/Avatar+Makers (warning, some work better than others--make sure there is a way to save your avatar as a .jpg so you can post it elsewhere or see if it can be printed out.)

7. Extra! Check out all the handy "comix" posters that Gwyneth created for different web 2.0 sites. Click "next" to go through all of them. She invites librarians to print or use any or all of these! []

8. Google. Since the district will start using Google tools next year more, this will give you a head start!
 * Week Four:**

Pick one Google tool from these listed below that you haven't used before and try it out. Google Calendar [] Google Documents--create a document and "invite" someone else in to edit it and share it with you. Try out the highlighting and notes features. Great tutorial of special features here: []l Google Sites (a website creator; makes beautiful sites but not the most intuitive site, so be patient!

This tutorial has tabs on the left hand side that walk you through steps on using Google Sites. Click on each tab to start a section. []

9. Post on your blog one thing you learned about Google this week.

10. QR Codes. QR Codes can be used from everything to scavenger hunts in the library to on the cover of books and linked to author websites. Here's an example of the Daring Librarian's QR Code scavenger hunt: []
 * Week Five**

Now it's time for you to create one.

a. Go to http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ b. Paste in a website link (like your library webpage or an author website) c. It'll generate the "Qr code" that can be scanned with an iphone, android, or iPad. It looks like this: d. To copy yours, right click on the actual QR code on the Kaywa site. Save it just like you would any image. Then you can print it, insert it into a website, whatever you like. e. To scan it, you need to download a QR Reader app to your iPhone, Android, or iPad. When you scan it, it will go to the website that you entered. Try scanning the one above.

And if you really "get into" QR Codes, here are lots of ideas for using them: []

11. Explore iPad apps []/ []
 * Week Six--**

12. Find another iPad app site that looks interesting. Post it (if you want to) on your blog or posterous site.

13. Congratulations! You have completed the "13 Things" training!

page created for EISD Librarians; Carolyn Foote; @technolibrary on twitter, 2011