Thing 12: Digg and others

Blog Prompts

• How do you think you can use these tools in your library or at home?
• Do these tools seem to be a productivity enhancer or a productivity detractor?
• Have you ever read a story/item as a result of seeing it on one of these sites?

Of all the tools we are being introduced to, I'm having the toughest time seeing the relevancy and productivity enhancements associated with these sites. I hope this doesn't sound overly cynical, but I'm not sure that the "popularity" of stories dictates any more relevancy or importance than if the "editors" choose what we read (as the 23 things site advertises). If anything, seeing what the culture finds important can be quite discouraging. When I searched for the most popular current event news stoires, the 3rd most popular story was about the 50 worst sex scenes in movies. Quite discouraging when you think about all that important news, events, political decisions, etc. going on today. I guess that this may be a method of "keeping up" with what the kids are reading these days? Boy, does that make me feel old. In the same way that catching the latest popular video on Youtube can help me understand conversations that are happening in my classroom (despite the often ridiculous content), Digg (and others) may give a pulse as to what online readers are into. In that sense it may be a good resource? Does somewhat else see relevant and productive application of these sites for educators?