Today's Topics: Recent NICE meeting; eBook Virtual Summit; Build a PLN

Matt Stuczynski, a NICE Board member,shared his experience from last Wednesday's (September 29, 2010) NICE meeting called "Share-A-Rama" in which many teachers shared tools and resources in Highland Park.

Matt's Advice: Try to attend the next NICE meeting October 26, Deerpath Middle School in LakeForest. 
Topic:  "Do more with less!"

Share-A-Rama at recent NICE meeting
Some of the most interesting topics were:
ereaders
ipad applications --ReaddleDocs for iPad
Mashpedia
Libguides
Evernote
BLIO

Linda Straube shared what she learned at "Ebooks:  Libraries at the Tipping Point: An LJ/SLJ Virtual Summit" a day long webinar held on September 29. Linda shared highlights from the keynote:

It was amazing to hear that there were 1800-2000 attendees, with hundreds of school libraries represented! The number of ebooks available continues to grow. Only a small percentage of libraries currently carry ebook readers. Laptops and netbooks are the primary ways which libraries/patrons access ebooks. Currently, 6% of responding school libraries circulate dedicated ereaders.

The preferred ebook formats are still all over the board. It's very complex and multi-layered in terms of choices and reading formats.  There is significant confusion surrounding which platform to adopt. Moderator Joyce Valenza mentioned "eConfusion". Much needs to be done in the way of education for librarians and libraries.

A new tool introduced during Ray Kurzweil's opening keynote was BLIO - free download for reading digital books for windows computers. More download platforms will eventually be released.
iPad seen as exciting device because in recent studies, handwriting helps with retention.

Judy Gresssel presented a summary of "Build Your PLN Using Social Media Tools". The prezi is embedded below. There is some interest in having a full session on building a personal learning network.

Building a PLN: Start Where You Are Using Social Media on Prezi

In attendance: Raquelle Brennan, Ian Duell, Erika Eich, Judy Gressel, Keta McCarthy, Linda Straube, and Matt Stuczynski.