WordStash

A comment on my 2CoolTools blog alerted me to a flashcard game, WordStash [subheading: Half flashcard, half dictionary, and full awesome!]

I asked teacher librarians if this is popular with students or a useful study help and only heard messages like "thanks for alerting us to this cool new tool."  WordStash is a cool tool for students who need to occupy their time after turning in their assignment or test -- or for after school.  For that matter, this might have appeal for new iPad users and senior citizens who want to stay sharp.

Examples of favorite lists:

• Top 250 most difficult SAT vocabulary words
• Words to impress your friends
• Biology vocabulary
• U.S. State Capitals
• about 200 lists in all

So, enjoy!  I see there is a teacher version.  And there's more!

Teacher librarians also recommend:

• Quizlet - free. 4 study modes: flashcards, spelling, learn, tests.  Audio in many languages. Very large collection!  
• Memorize.com - create pages, memorize, share with others

Internet Librarian 2011

Love the annual Internet Librarian conference in beautiful Monterey, California. Wish it was held in August, not October at the beginning of the academic year. Once again, I can only attend one day -- the day I'm presenting on behalf of the California Campaign for Strong School Libraries.  The session is a part of the Schools@Internet Librarian conference-within-a-conference.  Here is the promo:

E101 – Changing the Story: The California Campaign for Strong School Libraries
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM
Jackie Siminitus, VP, Communication, California School Library Association
Connie Williams, Chair, California Campaign for Strong School Libraries, California School Library Association

The California Campaign for Strong School Libraries is a public awareness campaign that seeks to inform the public and policymakers on the importance of a strong school library in increasing student academic achievement. The campaign promotes the new Model School Library Standards and works to “change the story” of what a school is. California School Library Association’s Siminitus and Williams showcase a number of major outreach efforts including an audio journal; bus ads; Illustrators Galore @ LIBRARY STORE; leveraging library vendors as advocates; plus how to design and offer their free, online tutorial for teens, “Tools2Create: Summer 2.0 Fun.”