How will I use Web 2.0 tools?

When I first started learning these new items, I was gung-ho to share them with teachers, students, parents, etc. I still think that is the way to go. However, I am now concerned about legal ramifications for materials that are posted to the wiki and blog by others. What would happen if someone posts an inappropriate comment to the blog or wiki and other students see it and comment before I see it and remove it? What would the district's position be if parents complain? What exactly is district policy regarding the use of wikis and blogs as part of classes held in DISD? I have heard of students sabotaging websites, wikis, and blogs and of teachers losing their jobs over the information posted.

Until I am sure of where the District stands on these issues, I will have to limit access to my creations. 

Principals - Don't you just love them!

I had forgotten what it was like to be brand-spanking new at a job. My principal is very new at his job. It is really a pleasure to work with him. He knows he is new and is not afraid to ask for help. I am just thrilled that he chose to come to work at Molina. Mr. Ramirez just seems so happy to be here. He is friendly with the students, talks to them all the time, makes his presence known to one and all, meets and talks frankly with the parents, meets and talks frankly with the staff. He is up-front and honest. I really appreciate that in an administrator.

I am just thrilled to be working with someone who values the librarians as vital members of the faculty and who seems genuinely pleased to have a hard working library staff. No, I am not trying to brown-nose. I am just SO VERY HAPPY to have the library and its contribution to the overall workings of the school recognized and appreciated by the principal.  I just wanted to put this out there for the library world to see.

Dead Girl Dancing sounds like me right now

Linda Joy Singleton has written another in the Dead Girl Series. Dead Girl Dancing features Amber, a Temp Lifer. Amber's grandmother recruits her to be a Temp Lifer - one who takes over another's body when that person needs a break from his or her own life. Usually Temp Lifers have been dead for a while. Only rarely is a live person used. Amber is still alive, or at least she is in a coma after having been hit by a truck. Amber "wakes" to find herself in Sharayah's body. Sharayah is the 21-year-old sister of Amber's boyfriend Eli. Sharayah has serious problems: the love of her life tried to kill her, she is going from man to man, she parties constantly, her grades are dropping, and she has a stalker. Amber must maintain Rayah's life while in her body and still stay away from the Dark Lifer who wants to take Amber's life force.
So how does this apply to me? Every once in a while I would like to have a temp lifer. I could use a short break away. Luckily Thanksgiving break is just a few days away.

Trying to catch up

If you miss a day or two of work, you are really behind. I missed Tuesday and Wednesday. My older daughter, Jami, was in a motorcycle accident Monday night. She has at least 4 broken bones, a wrenched back, and a strained knee. I was home with her since she couldn't do anything for herself. Those risky behaviors sometimes have a way of getting back at you when you least expect it. Hopefully she will confine her vehicular movement to a car or truck. I am just thankful she was not more seriously injured.

On a more positive note, I work with two wonderful women. They are able to keep this library running like a top with or without me. It is such a pleasure to know that work will not just pile up and up and up. Our teachers are able to continue to have their library classes scheduled; our students see no difference in the running of the library. Things just progress smoothly. I hope that all of you have the chance to work in a situation like ours at Molina. I work with great people who really care what happens not only at work but at home. We each pick up each other's slack and complement each other's weaknesses and strengths. Maybe I am just so glad not to have to be playing Mama nurse. ; )

WIKI vs BLOG

I really didn't understand the differences between a wiki and a blog. So, librarian that I am, I researched the answer.
As I understand it, a blog is created by one person to offer personal opinions and comments for many to read. The readers may leave comments if they wish. The creator of the blog holds the power and updates the information whenever he or she chooses. A blog is a web site controlled by one person.
A wiki, on the other hand, is created for others to add to or adjust the information. It is a means of communication that should be based upon a consensus by many creators. A wiki is a web page.

Million Word Reader

I am on my way to reading my first million words this school year.  I have read over 359,000 words since October 15. I hope we have lots of participants this school year who read at least one million words.

Reading is the best thing ever! I can get totally lost in a book. For a little while I become someone else, living someone else's life, enduring his or her problems, and feeling his or her emotions. Quite a wonderful sensation to be living another way.  I highly recommend it to anyone.

Read first, type second

I should have read the instructions.  I am Hazel, librarian at Molina High School. This is my 37th year as a librarian so most people would think I should already be retired, not to mention too old to learn anything new. I took this class so I could learn about blogging, WIKIs, and all the other Web 2.0 materials. I am really looking forward to the class and to "learning a new thing everyday" which is my motto in life.

Wow! This really requires thought and imagination.

Here is my very first blog. I understand what Claire meant about frustration and working problems through. I can't imagine what will happen next.