For Research: 13 Types of Citation Generators

A few days ago, my niece asked me for information about how to format a bibliography. I couldn't help but tell her the story of how "when I was in high school" we had to follow a formula which the teacher provided on a handout. Each book, newspaper article, magazine article done by hand and then typed on the typewriter for my research paper. "You are so fortunate, today.." I told my niece. There are free programs on the Internet which will practically do all the work for you, including putting your bibliography in a Microsoft Word document. So I sent her a small list of my favorite programs, and then expanded the list here. I've starred my personal favorites.

BIBMe*

Bibomatic- for books only; enter the ISBN number of a book for the citation

Citation Fox for APA

Citation Fox for MLA

Cite This For Me

CiteBite- link directly to specific quotes on web pages

CiteFast- covers MLA, APA, Chicago and newspaper, magazine, web site, journal, book

EasyBib*- also now has an iPhone app where you can scan the ISBN number on a book

GoBiblio- free bibliography and citation generator

KnightCite- enter the information in the blank fields and your citation is generated; covers MLA, APA, Chicago

NoodleBib Express- free version of Noodle Tools

OttoBib- for books only; enter the ISBN number of a book for the citation

Son of Citation Machine- for APA, MLA, Chicago, Turabian formats

Zotero*- keep all your research in one spot

24 Infographics For Teacher-Librarians and Media Specialists

As I have mentioned many times before, I love infographics. Here are 24 I have added to the Media Specialists-Teacher Librarian page.




40 Years of E-books 

America's 100 Largest Libraries 

Anatomy of a Librarian 

Books VS eBooks 

eBooks: The Greener Choice 


The Evolution of the Book 

The Evolution of Classroom Technology 
 

Evolution of the Noble Librarian  

The Evolution of Story Telling 

The Evolution of Typography


The History of Science Fiction 

A History of Typography 


How Digital Devices are Replacing Textbooks 

How Google Works  

The Influential Power of Print


Is Print Dead? 

A Librarian's Worth Around the World

Most Targeted Books


Press Facts 

Publishing in the Digital Era


The Top 10 List of Mark Twain's Popular Quotes

U.S. Public Libraries at Risk 
 

A Visual Summary of Harry Potter 

What Makes Good Information Design? 


You Should Read This Before You Write That

Web 2.0 Tools: 10 Apps for Screencasting

 I'm a visual learner, how about you? I've personally used screencasting not only for my students, but for the faculty in my school. With Jing, I was able to show them how to use the calendars in FirstClass (our email program) to sign up for the computer lab. Students can view tutorials on how to use our library's database of books.. How about using one of these programs to create a lesson for your students when you are out sick? With so many to choose from, see what works best for you.

Camstudio- for Windows computers only; files are in AVI and SWF format.
 

Copernicus- for Macintosh computers only; captures stills and video with NO audio

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FreeScreencast- download their software and create your screencast; embed in your site or share with the world

Jing- available for Windows or Macintosh, Jing lets you capture your screen; larger swf files and 5 minute limit in the free version. Pro version $$.

Screencast-o-matic- available for Windows or Macintosh; videos can be up to 15 minutes long in the free version; file is .mov format and stored on their website.

Screencastle- one click screencasting through your browser

Screenpresso- only available for Windows computers; screenshots in image formats jpg, png, bmp, gif. (no screen motion, just screen capture) You can edit your images within this program.

ScreenR- use your Twitter account to save your work and publish your screencast

Screentoaster- free online screen recorder

Webinaria- for Windows computers only; files can be downloaded in FLV (FLASH) format.

Web 2.0 Tools: 26 Survey and Poll Creation Resources

It's easier than ever to get instant feedback in the form of a survey or poll. Most of the free plans offer between 10 and 20 questions and up to 100 respondents. If you have a web site or blog, you can embed the survey/poll on the site, or you can usually email a link to the web page where your respondents can view your survey/poll. Pick which tool you like from the list below:


CreateSurvey- 7-day free trial; $$

Doodle- registration is not necessary

EasyPolls- it really is very easy!

Flisti- create free online polls without signing up

FluidSurveys- unlimited surveys with up to 20 questions each; up to 100 respondents per survey

Free Online Surveys

Google Forms-use a template or make your own; must be logged in with a Gmail account

Kwik Surveys- unlimited number of questions, answers and surveys

Micropoll- many features; free

Obsurvey- "unlimited surveys, responses, questions and pages, no ads and no cost."

Pollcode- up to 30 possible answers for your poll

Pollmo- very simple application

Poll Daddy-I have used this one; easy to set up

Poll Everywhere- free and $$ accounts

Qualtrics- survey design,analysis, reporting; free and $$

QuestionForm- limit to two surveys

QuestionPro- free and $$ accounts; offers many types of reports and a large choice of question types, even in the free account.

Quizsnack- online surveys and polls

Stellar Survey-10 surveys and up to 100 respondents

Survey Monkey-used this one and like it

Text the Mob- poll people through their cell phones

Thinkmeter- helps you make decisions

Urtak-question and answer tool

Vorbeo-basic format for simple poll

Yarp- simple invitations and surveys

Zoomerang

Web 2.0 Tools Pages Are Evolving......

As I continue to post my Web 2.0 resources, they will be added to the new pages at the top of my blog. As usual, your suggestions are always welcome.

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Web 2.0 Tools: 30 FREE Photo Editing Programs

With so many free photo editing programs on the web, why worry that you can't afford to purchase Adobe Photoshop? This listing has programs which are online as well as those you need to download on your computer.



Amazifier- online photo retouching, effects, stamps and seals; free

Animoto- upload your photos, video and music and Animoto makes it into a slick video. Free for 30 second videos; educational prices available for longer video.

Aviary- online photo editing plus much more

Cellsea- draw on images,rotate, resize, fix brightness, special effects including distorting

Citrify-edit photos online using a Flash-based program

CleVR- online photo stitching software; make panoramas

Dr. Pic- basic online photo editing

FlauntR- add effects, blend world famous painting with yours, add fancy fonts and backgrounds

Fotobabble- add your voice to photos; student projects will come to life

FotoFlexer- fonts, effects, doodling, layers, retouching, distortions and advanced effects

Hornil StylePix- download the freeware and use the many editing functions 

ImageChef- customize photos and clip art

iPiccy- edit pictures with paint, text and many tools

Lunapic- supports many image and video types; 200+ effects including reflecting animation, retro color

Pixa-social photo sharing service

Panraven- online editing for photos plus lots of cool stuff

Photoscape- download for Windows only; batch editing, clone stamp, create animated GIFs

Photoshop.com- online version of the popular graphics program

Photovisi- create photo collages

Picasa- Google's photo editing; download for Windows or Mac

Picnik- cool online editor owned by Google

Pixer.us- basic online photo editing

Pixlr- online photo editing

ResizR- easy online image resize

Shape Collage- free automatic photo collage maker

Snipshot- basic adjustments are free; pro account required for most other effects

Splashup- multiple image editing, pixel-level control, and basic Photoshop-like tools. Try Splashup Light if you are a photographer and want more control. (download necessary)

SumoPaint- online interface resembles Photoshop; filters, effects, photo editing, drawing, cloning. blurring and more

Windows Live Photo Gallery- face recognition and retouching; for Windows only

Zoner Photo Studio- view, edit, manage photos; download for Windows only

2011 Edublog Awards Nominations Are Open!

Last year I was fortunate enough to win an Edublog Award (First Runner Up) in the Best Library blog category. It was such an honor just to be nominated!


Since 2004, The Edublog Awards ("Eddies") have been given to recognize the contributions that bloggers have contributed to education. Anyone who has a blog can nominate their favorites in 18 categories:

1. Best individual blog
2. Best individual tweeter
3. Best group blog
4. Best new blog
5. Best class blog
6. Best student blog
7. Best ed tech / resource sharing blog
8. Most influential blog post
9. Best twitter hashtag
10. Best teacher blog
11. Best librarian / library blog
12. Best School Administrator blog
13. Best free web tool
14. Best educational use of audio / video / visual / podcast
15. Best educational wiki
16. Best open PD / unconference / webinar series
17. Best educational use of a social network
18. Lifetime achievement

Here's how to nominate:

• Write a post with your nominations on your blog, link to them and link to the Edublogs Awards site
• Use the form at the bottom of the Nominations Page to send a link to your nominations

I will be posting my nominations in the next few weeks.