Post #23: Evaluating 23 Mobile Things

I didn't know quite what to expect when I began examining all the different "mobile things" that were included in this "learning program," but I really did learn quite a lot by participating.  I don't own a cell phone or any other kind of mobile device (my wife has one she rarely uses), so the program helped me see the value of the apps and the devices themselves.  A mobile device doesn't immediately seem to be a useful learning tool or something that would assist patrons in a library, but actually there are many uses.  The fact that so many people today use mobile devices and apps on a daily basis means that library staff need to be aware of how the devices can be used in a library setting.  Patrons, whether they be students or adults, will be expecting that libraries use the next generation of cutting edge technology to make their visits easier and more productive, so libraries must incorporate these technologies for survival, as well as to fulfill their role as centers of learning, information and community service.

My personal favorite "things" were those that were useful for the classroom or school library, as well as the apps that related to my interests outside of work.  Dragon Dictation, the Hennepin County Library App, Free Books, the Bill Nye the Science Guy app and several others could all be used to enhance the classroom and make learning easier for students (and teachers) and provide an engaging learning environment.  Apps are, at times, very user specific, but I felt like there were many uses for these apps in the school or library setting.  MyGarden was especially cool for me because I love gardening and I could easily see myself using the site, or even the app, in the future.  I would say that all of the apps have their uses, but these were some of the ones I either thought were the best or helped me see that mobile devices can be used for learning or, more specifically - learning in the library!

It was easy to connect with others and share what I learned because I am taking classes to become a school librarian.  Classmates and I shared information and traded experiences, which was especially helpful as I worked through all 23 "things."  Sharing and reflecting together is an important part of the process because it helps one see things from different points of view.  It certainly helps me see more value in apps I didn't personally like, such as Pinterest.  Several classmates seemed to really enjoy using it.

The thing that surprised me the most about this program was how much it helped me see the usefulness of mobile apps and the extent to which they can be used for reference and learning.  Also, surprising to me was the fact I found some of the apps very fun - Bill Nye was a blast, as was Temple Run and ipadio.  Apps like those may someday convince me to buy my own mobile device, such as an ipad.  Sometimes it was shocking just how many uses the apps have - and how interesting they can be to use.

The program was revelatory for me, so it's difficult for me to comment on what could be done differently.  My only suggestion would be that if another 23 Things is done in the future, it may be useful to put together a completely library-specific program that leaves out some of the games and social networking apps; or perhaps do a 23 Things for school libraries.  All-in-all, I thought the suggestions for different apps were appropriate and provided users with ideas for the future.  There isn't much I would change, actually.

I would participate in another program like this one to help continue my learning about mobile devices and apps, especially if, as mentioned previously, it would directly apply to library studies or school libraries.  I think a 23 Things for school libraries would be a great idea because many schools are eliminating school library positions due to administrations not seeing the value of having a school librarian or media specialist.  Providing school librarians with an opportunity to discover new skills and new ways to integrate technology into the classroom would help them keep school libraries vibrant as centers of learning within school buildings.

Describing my learning in one sentence: Before doing 23 Mobile Things, I had no idea a person could do so much with an ipad!

Post #21: Free-For-All - geotimescale

This was a difficult blog to write, simply because of my limited experience with apps and mobile devices.  In fact, as suggested, I blogged for #22 first because I had no idea what app to look at for #21.  I went back to Quixey and looked at some of the "sample searches."  One sample search was "find historical references."  I selected that phrase and conducted a search to see what Quixey offered, as I definitely wanted to find an app that could be used for education.  The results that came back were very promising - in fact, I had a hard time choosing an app to review because there were several good ones.  While looking for "historical references," I found - and decided to examine - geotimescale (a science app) because it received good reviews and sounded interesting.  The app is very basic, but it's extremely useful as a reference for a science class that studies earth's geologic eras.  The app is a continuous "Geologic Time Scale" that is broken down into eons, eras, periods, epochs and time measurements.  There are various reference points throughout the time scale that can be clicked for further information.  They are marked by an "i" and provide details, such as when the genus homo evolved or when when dinosaurs dominated.  The app is very basic and is useful for a niche audience only, but as an educational science reference tool it serves its purpose very well.

Another app I found really useful was the U.S. Historical documents app, but unfortunately it is a paid app (but only $0.99, $4.99 for the "pro" version).  It has copies of U.S. historical documents, which the user can read and highlight using different colors; fonts can also be changed and bookmarks added to certain documents.  Searches can be conducted using a text box.  This would be a good investment for U.S. history classes.  I'm glad I went back and searched Quixey again after Thing #22, because I found a lot more useful apps the second time around.

Post #22: Discovering Apps - Quixey

Since I have very little experience with apps, other than the ones I have tried for 23 Mobile Things, I went to Quixey.com to see what I could find.  I tried to find more apps that would be appropriate to a library or school setting, and while some had potential in the library or classroom, there were many that didn't seem very worthwhile for an educational setting.  Many of the more useful apps that are already on 23 Mobile Things were on Quixey and available for free download - Pinterest, Photo Editor by Aviary, LinkedIn and many others.  The "Learn" section offered apps for Google Play Books, WebMD, BBC News, Wikipedia Mobile and many others.  The selection in the "Learn" section was pretty small.   I think looking only at free apps is somewhat limiting in quantity and quality, but Quixey features a good selection overall.  On the positive side, the site has many quality apps that assist with "quick" information, such as Yahoo Weather, Google Translate, Mapquest - and those are going to be the most valuable for someone using a mobile device.  Knowing and being able to use a site like Quixey is important for librarians because one never knows what kind of a question or need a certain patron will have.  If the patron has a mobile device and the librarian can point them to a site like Quixey (or better yet, to a specific app), the patron's need will be fulfilled - and that is always the ultimate goal in a library.  It's all about getting people the information they need.

Post #20: Games - Temple Run

Since I was a history major in college and teach social studies, I elected to try out the Temple Run game.  Okay, the real reason I chose this app is because I love Indiana Jones and I played the Tutankham game on my Atari 2600 for hours when I was a kid.  Temple Run just sounded cool.  I played it for a while and it is a fairly fun game.  The "adventurer" character in the game needs to escape by running, jumping, sliding and collecting tokens.  It's fast-paced and has good graphics, so I think a lot of kids and young adults would enjoy playing it.  Games like this could be made available to students, either in the public or school libraries for free time.  I say that because, while it is only another video game (and I know many kids play way too many video games), it may foster student interest in archeology or other cultures.  I know my interest in history was partially fostered by movies, games and comic books and I think the same holds true for kids today.  Limited time playing a game like this may spark an interest in actual learning, so I think it could have a positive impact.

Post #19: Hobbies - MyGarden

As soon as I opened the "Hobbies" page of 23 Mobile Things and saw "MyGarden," I knew that was the app I wanted to try.  Since my wife and I spend much of the summer gardening, it was the perfect "hobby app" for me to try.  The free app provides the option of registering with myGarden.org so the user can connect with other gardeners, ask questions of other users and post useful information.  The website can be used independently of the app, but both compliment each other nicely.  Through the app, users can browse plants by popularity or name.  Each plant has a profile which includes planting information and a general description; users can also add plants to a list  This app and the accompanying website would make a valuable resource for gardeners, especially beginners.  Librarians could refer patrons to this site if they have questions about gardening and show them how it works.  The app would be perfect for a gardening class at a local library (or even a school library).  An expert could come in and teach about how to start a garden, then the patrons/students could use this app to begin planning their own gardens.  The expert would be on-hand to mentor and make suggestions as well.  The app isn't perfect.  For example, the plant list can only be searched by using "popularity" or a text box search, so users either need to know what they are looking for or rely on the "popularity" of plants - not the best way to find them.  But overall, its useful and fun - and the website has extra features that help gardeners be successful.

Post #18: Education - Bill Nye the Science Guy App

Since I have limited experience working with elementary school students as well as science, I elected to try a program designed for that age group and subject.  I downloaded the Bill Nye the Science Guy 20th Anniversary app. This app is a lot fun and teaches through the use of interactive games.  Bill Nye walks users through the different scenarios where kids can learn about astronomy, home experiments, the human brain and other topics.  Actually, the game for astronomy was so fun, I didn't want to stop!  The app would be very useful for an elementary school class that studies the planets or any of the other topics included.  Not all of the "games" are related, so the usefulness of the app would largely be based on grade level science standards.  If libraries had ipads, students could use the app during library time (or free time) to learn about a topic that interests them.  The app could also be used if a library had a special display or class on astronomy and the planets.

Post #17: Connecting to the Community - Highlights of the Superior Hiking Trail

When I saw that the first app for #17 was one for the Superior Hiking Trail, I knew that was the one I needed to examine in more detail.  I love the outdoors and have wanted to explore the Superior Hiking Trails for a long time.  The app itself is fairly simple, but for someone planning a trip to Minnesota's North Shore, it provides valuable information.  As an app for a mobile device, it would come in very handy while hiking the state parks and trails along the North Shore.  The app has three sections - the first is a map with with links to descriptions of trails in each area of the North Shore, with details on the local state parks, including camping spots.  The second is a summary description of the trail system with additional links, and the third has contact information for state offices related to the S.H.T. and state parks.  This app is good for travelers and tourists but could also be used for library programs.  For example, a librarian could have students explore the North Shore area as part of a student program about Minnesota State Parks or Minnesota in general.  The uses for this app are somewhat limited in an educational setting simply because it is designed specifically for hikers out on the trails.  It's important for librarians to be aware of these apps  because people visit the library looking for all kinds of resources.  If a patron inquired about information on the North Shore, I would definitely recommend it if I were the librarian helping them.  There are a lot of apps out there that serve a variety of purposes and librarians need to know about them - especially the "local apps."

Post #16: Audio - ipadio

The ipadio app allows the user to record, upload and share music.  After downloading the app, it requires the user to register with ipadio before the app can be used.  Recording is very easy, as the target on the screen is the "record" and "pause" button and it is easy to see and use.  For the other features, I had to consult the "help" screen because it's pretty unclear how anything else works (or maybe it's just me, as I rarely use mobile devices and apps).  The help screen (accessed by the "i" in the upper right corner)  assisted me in figuring out how to use the other features - the directions are arranged by section and the sections are well-labeled, so it is easy to find what you need.  I recorded myself playing "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" on guitar and then uploaded it to ipadio.  I was surprised at the variety of features on ipadio - audio recordings can be trimmed and edited just like on the "professional" audio software for P.C.s.  I think this app would be incredibly useful for a music class.  Students could make recordings of songs or instrumentals, solo or with a group, and then play them back to see how they sound.  Is everyone hitting the right note?  Do the instruments need to be mixed differently?  How is the vocal solo coming along for the spring choir concert next week?  The ipadio app can do all of these things.  It won't take the place of software with more options, but it does offer some great tools to help people practice or share music.  Libraries could even use this app and have children or teens record themselves playing an instrument or singing and use the recordings in a contest or as a way to share young peoples' talents with the public.  Ipadio is a cool program - and I think kids would love it.

Post #15: Videos - iVisual info Touch

The iVisual Touch app comes in in both a free and paid version.  I tried all of the features on the free version and it feels  a lot like a simplified art and design program.  The app provides different choices of background (patterns and a map of the world).  The user can place objects and texts over the background and create a scene or artistic design; messages can then be added to explain the graphics or add to the creation.  There are a variety of colors that can be applied to the objects and text to further customize the design.  The program would never take the place of a program like Microsoft Paint, but a user could easily produce some interesting business graphics that incorporate data and pictures.  So I think this program could be useful to a high school business/marketing class.  A math class like geometry could use the shapes to help students visualize math problems.  The program could be used for creating electronic signage for the library, such as an "electronic display" that changes every few minutes and contains infographics for categories such as "new books," "spy thrillers" "what's new at the library" or almost anything.  In today's world, much of the information presented to the public needs to be catchy and short, due to decreasing attention spans, and this app could help with any number of library or classroom graphics.  It's simple, but allows for creativity.

Post #10: Sharing Photos - Instagram

Instagram is an app/site directed at people who like to share photos, but its benefits depend on the user.  I signed up and viewed some of my friend's accounts based on Facebook contacts.  After playing around with Instagram and posting some photos of my own, I decided that it is absolutely not an app I would use.  I didn't feel like it was much different than viewing their photos on Facebook, honestly, although there are some ways to edit photos - cropping, changing the colors and turning the photo.  Other apps designed specifically for photo editing have more options (as far as I can tell) and do this much better.  I think Instagram would be useful for almost any library (public, school or even academic/college) because it is a good way for an organization to share photos and let people in the community know about programs, activities and new additions.  Many businesses have accounts on multiple types of social media and I think it is important for libraries to do the same thing - it reaches more people because not everyone uses the same kinds of social media.  By reaching more people, it increases patron usage of the library, which is ultimately the goal of all libraries.  By posting photos of classes, new technology, or reading programs, peoples' interest will be piqued and they will, hopefully, stop in the library to participate.  Instagram would be especially useful at reaching young people, as they often post "selfies" and are sharing photos through the app.  Libraries need to enhance their public profile and Instagram can help them do that.

Post #9: Taking and Editing Photos: Photo Editor By Aviary

Photo Editor is an interesting program to "dress up" photos using a variety of visual adjustments and enhancements.  I used a photo from my garden that my wife took a few years ago.  Since I like plants and gardening, I thought it would be nice to see how the app would work on a photo of some flowers - Asiatic lilies to be precise.  I first gave the photo a frame using "splatter," which gives a ragged appearance on the edges.  It really did enhance the photo - drawing the viewers attention to the center where the lilies are located.  There are also features for adjusting the sharpness, amount of light and an enhance feature, which adjusted the look of the photo, depending on the topic.  There was a special choice for "scenery," which fit my photo almost perfectly.  Overall this app is really useful for people who like to play around with photographs or just for those who need to fix up their photos a little bit.  The app is easy-to-use and has a variety of features - more than I mentioned above.  This app would be prefect for a beginners photography class (in the school or library) or to "jazz up" pictures and photos that are displayed in the library.  The fact that anyone can use it easily adds to its value - elementary school children would have no problem with this app - and it might foster an interest in photography.  The app could also be used to add variety to photos in scrapbooks, which often are themed and utilize different frames and picture styles.  A scrapbook class at the public library could find a lot of uses for this app.  All -in-all, this is one of the best apps I've looked at so far.

Post #8: Social Media Management Tools - Friendcaster

This was the hardest blog for me so far.  The task of linking social management tools together is not a concept I am interested in.  I have a few accounts, like Facebook and LinkedIn, but I don't particularly want to link them together using one app because, to me, they are completely separate - one is for my personal life and one is for my work (career) life.  I decided to try Friendcaster, so I could focus on Facebook without having to link it to anything else.  I downloaded the app and I actually didn't find it very useful or engaging.  It's good for people who like to check Facebook on their mobile devices, but it doesn't do very much that a person couldn't do on a personal computer or laptop.  It displays friends' posts in cascading order and has a sidebar where the user can click on all of the different "pages" from their Facebook account, but it adds nothing new or interesting.  Also, the app runs annoying ads on the bottom of the page which attempt to get the user to click on surveys, paid games and other advertisements.  The only useful application for a library that I can think of is this app could be installed on a librarian's mobile device and used for showing patrons the library's Facebook page, as well as the links to library services.  Otherwise, its only good for those who use their mobile devices to interact with their Facebook accounts.

Post #14: Videos - Viddy

Viddy is a program that enables the user to record brief videos and share them with others via Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites.  Videos are easy to record and share because of the easy links.  Accessing recorded videos on the ipad is a bit more difficult, but overall the app works well.  This app would be useful for making and posting short videos of people doing testimonials for a library's services or for providing people with a tour of each part of the library.  In the classroom, ipads could be used to record student presentations (or at least small parts or snippets) to help students become better presenters.  The length of the videos is short, so it is limiting.  Another use would be in the English learner classrooms, where students often need to work on developing their reading and speaking skills. With this this app, students could record each other reading or speaking and then play them back to make improvements.  All-in-all, there are uses for this app, but it is very limited and would never take the place of other video programs with more features and options.

Post #13: Presentations - Deck Slideshow Presentations

Deck Slideshow Presentations is an app that allows users to easily create a slideshow of information without having to work on the design aspect themselves.  It provides easy-to-type boxes for the user to insert text and then presents the information in an attractive way.  It has many different slide layouts/designs to choose from, but many don't seem very professional and most cost extra to purchase.  I have used several different types of programs to present information - Power Point, Google, Projeqt and others - and I like them all better than Deck Slideshow because there are more tools and choices for how best to present the information.  This would be a useful app for someone who is just learning how to present on a computer or other electronic device.  It would also be useful in a classroom if a teacher wanted students to focus on presenting information instead of the different "bells and whistles" of other presentation programs.  The app is simple and easy-to-use and the creations can be exported.  A third use would be for people who are traveling and want to work on presentations while moving around - focusing on content instead of layout.  Personally, I don't think I would ever use this app - I actually like to include some creativity in the presentations I make - so this app actually takes some of the fun out of it.

Post #12: Books, Books and More Books - Free Books

For this "thing," I downloaded the "Free Books" app for the ipad - after all, how can someone pass up access to free books?  The first thing this app did when I opened it, was to present me with a summary of all the new features that have been added recently.  Users are able to highlight text or add notes, as well as look up words in a dictionary post.  There are also more options for "connectivity" - sharing with friends and using an "idea forum," where users can vote on ideas submitted by others.  Also added is  a "Modern Books" collection that includes works that are not in the public domain.  The app is user-friendly and while it doesn't have a lot of features, those that it does have are pretty cool.

I perused the selection of books to see what the app had to offer.  Since I like to read paper books instead of using an electronic device, I wanted to see if the selection would warrant using an electronic reader for the first time.  I clicked the "Modern Books" tab first.  There is an interesting selection, including works by Kurt Vonnegut and treatises published by the European Union.  After examining the titles, one possible use for this app would be for high school or college social science and English courses - the titles are free and there are a plethora of scholarly works that include research on many topics.  It would also be perfect for a course teaching "classic" literature, since many titles can be accessed for free with the app.  The fact there are tools for highlighting, note-taking and organizing books and notes make this a very valuable app for students or teachers.  Clearly the fact that many of the works included are from before 1923 is a drawback, but the user knows exactly what they are getting with the app.  This is a valuable resource for primary sources and classic novels, especially if users are on a budget of some kind - unlikely if they own an ipad or iphone, but possible.

Post #11: Library and Reference - The Hennepoin County Library App

I downloaded the Hennepin County Library App for ipad today.  Since I often use the library to look for and check out books, I used the search feature first.  I checked to see what titles the library had by famous science fiction author Philip K. Dick - the library had many titles, which could be clicked on and reserved.  I couldn't find a way, however, to find the bibliographic information of the books, which seemed very odd.  It was hard to believe that information couldn't be accessed using the app, especially since this information was readily available for new and upcoming titles. 

The "Events and Classes" tab was much more helpful and user-friendly.  Users can search "events by library," "events by type," "events today," or "events by audience."  The individual entries for events have dates and times along with descriptions.  It's important to have these easily readable for people "on-the-go" so people can see what is going on at their local library when they are "out and about."  This may increase traffic into the library since people may decide to stop at some events if they are already driving around.

The other features all seem to work nicely on an ipad or phone.  eBooks and eAudiobooks can easily be downloaded on the device and there is a BookLook feature that allows the user to scan the barcode of a book to see if the Hennepin County Library owns a copy.  This is a useful feature if the user is in a store and finds a book they think would be interesting - if the library has the book, they could check it out instead of buying it.  The options to also follow the Hennepin County Library by Facebook or Twitter are also a handy way of keeping tabs on what is going on at the library without going to the website to check.  All-in-all, this app is pretty useful for ipad users.

Post #7: Content Saving And Sharing - Pinterest

Pinterest is a site that allows users to create categories for various interests and then share photos, pictures and links with other users or share information of their own.  I signed up and created a category for "All-time Great Musicians" since I have an interest in many different musical artists.  I "pinned" other peoples' links and photos to my page that I liked or was interested in.  I found some pictures and articles that I hadn't seen/read before.  I also linked my page to some websites I frequent that fit the category.  It seems a lot of people really like the site.  It's a good place to share recipes or ideas for various hobbies and "interests" such as gardening, crafts or even books.  I saw some intriguing ideas for gardening as I looked around the site, but I think it ends up being a bit time-consuming.  It would be a cool way to explore books, since following peoples' pages would enable a person to find similar books from a certain genre.  It could also be used by teachers as a place to share lesson plans and as a way to keep up on current teaching trends.

Post #6: Creating and Editing Docs - CloudOn

The CloudOn program is a wonderful addition for someone who likes to use the Microsoft Office suite, but wishes to use it "on-the-go."  CloudOn recreates Office on the ipad and all of the controls and interfaces mirror those found on PC's and laptops.  It prevents users from having to learn a new program to do work when they are traveling or moving around.  Personally, I think that typing and using the features of Word or Power Point on the ipad are somewhat difficult, but I always prefer to use a standard keyboard and mouse.  I would personally use this app if I had to take a bus or train to work because I could open files and get things done while traveling.  It would also be easy to work while traveling by plane - long trips are a perfect time for getting reports or plans done - this app makes it very easy.  The size of the ipad makes it perfect for travel and this app allows the user to take Microsoft Office with them as well.  It's also good for someone who moves around on the job and needs their Office tools to be mobile - and today this often happens in education and business.  The fact that it does exactly what it advertises - Microsoft Office with the standard interface for a mobile device - makes it a necessary app for Office users. Since I prefer Microsoft Office to Google Docs, mostly due to the layout and ease of use, this is an app I would definitely use.

Post #5: Notetaking - Dragon Dictation

The Dragon Dictation app is simple and easy-to-use.  I downloaded it because I thought it would be interesting to see how the interface works.  It's a great tool because it could have a lot of potential uses.  Since it records the speaker's voice and creates text from whatever the person says, it would be perfect for someone who wants to take notes, make lists or do any kind of writing, but can't due to a medical condition or physical disability.  It would also be interesting to record lectures using the app because it could be recorded to share later on - for the lecturer, audience or perhaps someone who wasn't in attendance.  With this app, a person could give a speech in private, bring the device and read off of it in front of the audience.  It would also be a good app to use with students who are working on language, especially English Learner students practicing speech and writing.  The app sometimes misunderstands some words that need to be fixed later, but overall it works fairly well.  It's a simple tool, but it could have many uses, depending on the situation.

Post #4: Keeping Up - Flipboard

I downloaded the Flipboard App because, unfortunately Zite was no longer available.  Flipboard is useful for seeking out information on a particular topic because it provides multiple links to varies sites.  Then if the user chooses, they can subscribe to the pages.  It would be very easy to keep up with stories on a particular subject because the app will push them to the "cover page" if you "subscribe."  There is a lot of content on any given topic, but not all of it ends up being useful - the user has to sift through entries that aren't quite relevant.  It is, however, better than a standard internet search, as it does provide a lot of good articles and specific topics can be included on the cover page.  I would use this app for favorite news sites along with hobbies such as music, hockey or gardening.  It would also work well for keeping up with current research on education or libraries, because of the subscribe feature - the user doesn't have to go looking for new, up-to-date information - it is provided by the app.

Post #3: Utilities - Red Laser

After browsing the "Utilities" section of 23 Mobile Things, I elected to try the "Red Laser" app, which can scan bar codes and provide prices for items. I would have preferred to try the Google Goggles, as it seemed much more far-reaching in scope and, therefore, more useful.  I downloaded Red Laser and and used it to scan the bar codes of a few items around my house.  I scanned mostly cds and books, as those would be some of the most likely items to find in a library setting.  The app gave me the online price of a Woody Guthrie cd ($12.99) but couldn't identify a book about Minnesota gardening or a an out-of-print Grateful Dead cd.  It did, however, provide the online and "local" prices for a Bruce Springsteen biography ($1.65 online and $20.78 local).  This app would be best used on a cell phone that could be carried around to compare prices.  It's a nice app, but hardly essential since it doesn't provide information about all items.  Library staff looking to find deals on specific books may find it a quick alternative to performing an online search for prices.

Post #2: Ipad Tips and Tricks: Ipad

The ipad was the device that was available for me to use for 23 Library Things, and I'm pretty happy about that because the platform, as with most other Apple products, is relatively simple.  I hadn't really used an i-pad before this because I prefer standard computers and laptops.  I was eager to see how it worked and if it would be useful, or just another expensive toy.  I watched the ipad iOS 7 overview, which definitely helped me understand the device.  I don't really care for the touch screen set-up on the ipad, and even after watching the tutorial, I found it irritating to use. I find it particularly difficult to use the screen for everything - keyboard, opening windows, etc.  With practice, however, I think I could get used to it.  The ipad is definitely a cheaper alternative to a laptop or other standard computer if library patrons or students need to access internet resources or educational apps.  The exclusivity of some apps to certain devices makes the ipad useful for a library or school, because it appears to have many educational apps.

Post #1: Blogger

When registering for 23 Mobile Things I used my existing Google account to create this blog space through "Blogger."  The platform is easy to set up and even easier to use, since it resembles the other Google apps/features in layout.  Making posts is simple and the site allows you to follow other blogs and create new blogs of your own with ease.  Blogger would be very useful as a tool for sending out library information to patrons (who sign up), or especially the staff at a school.  If the school uses G-mail, as many now do, teachers and staff could follow the library blog and be provided with helpful information about resources and programs.  Blogger would also be a useful tool for classroom teachers to use for communicating information or to have web-based discussions.

New Blog!!!!

First post, but I have nothing to say yet.