It's been a while

I've sat down numerous times since my last post, but have not yet made it back to my blog to add a new one. I'm busy working, but find all sorts of other neat things to wade into. One trouble spot is Google Reader. I find that by the time I've gone through the feeds, the time set aside to complete class work has evaporated. So today I'm working through this problem by limiting the number of links I follow within my Google Reader feeds. Another trouble spot (if you can call it that) is that I've discovered that I really enjoy the book related blogs I am following. Whether it's a discussion of the future/existence of ebooks, an unveiling of new titles, or commentary on the cover of a recent School Library Journal issue, I'm pulled in, unable to resist the lure of a link. They are informative, insightful, and humorous.

Blog tidbits:
Critique de Mr. Chompchomp blog. He comments about ebooks, especially those that have special interactive features, and states " Gizmo promoters talk about making books interactive, as if they weren't." Cool comment. He also talks about the fictive dream. I'll include it here - "But there is a type of reading, both a pleasure and a skill, that all the flashy images and intrusive puzzles inhibit. It's that fully absorbing type of reading, sometimes called entering into the 'fictive dream.' While for many avid readers, reading in this fashion is second nature and is the reason why we read, it is, nonetheless, a learned skill. A reader must learn to fully engage the text, to offer up his or her imagination to the writing, engage in the collaboration of creating the fictive dream." I'm not sure how much sense this makes standing alone in this post, so I'd encourage you to read his.

Through another blog, Neverendingsearch, I was introduced to another K12Online09 keynote, Wizard of App (think Oz). I haven't watched the entire video yet, but love the back story included in the post that also includes the video. It's worth a read. One new piece of knowledge for me (and only from the first few minutes of the address - just think how much more awaits) is the existence of such sites as Pipl. She has students check their digital footprint as they begin the college process. One more link for me to follow, but tomorrow is another day...

I've also watched Kim Cofino's address and hope to add a new post soon (I was thinking it would be tonight, but you know what happens to the best laid plans), before I have to watch it again. She speaks of culture shock - My husband is the one in culture shock as I've been exploring all the web has to offer. The lights are off, the house is quiet, and here I sit. An image from Chris Van Allsburg's book, The Wretched Stone, comes to mind...