Sunday, November 11, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
The final tune
You don't learn and experience life if you don't have a go and dip your toe in. This program was a full body immersion. It has been at varying times frustrating, always challenging and most importantly very very satisfying and great fun.
I have set up so many online accounts I now have a directory to my usernames and passwords. Along the way I have set up some online documents to share with staff, joined our staff wiki, use the blogline book reviews frequently and will maintain my blog both on a professional and personal interest basis, keeping both colleagues and friends amused with my blog discoveries.
I have found the whole exercise not only informative on a library level, but also on a "keeping up with the savvy patrons" level. The program initiated many lively discussions around the staff tea table, which can only be good! There was of course the added benefit for my photography aspirations and I have now tracked down several blogs on the rather obscure pastime of digiscoping.
All in all a job well done by all involved.
I have set up so many online accounts I now have a directory to my usernames and passwords. Along the way I have set up some online documents to share with staff, joined our staff wiki, use the blogline book reviews frequently and will maintain my blog both on a professional and personal interest basis, keeping both colleagues and friends amused with my blog discoveries.
I have found the whole exercise not only informative on a library level, but also on a "keeping up with the savvy patrons" level. The program initiated many lively discussions around the staff tea table, which can only be good! There was of course the added benefit for my photography aspirations and I have now tracked down several blogs on the rather obscure pastime of digiscoping.
All in all a job well done by all involved.
Week 9 : ebooks / downloadable audio
There is certainly a huge variety of downloadable books out there. Shakespeare's sonnets certainly appealed to me. In a library situation I think this format would be useful in literacy programmes, where computer training and introductions to traditional literature and poetry could be combined in one attractive learning package.
But regardless of the proliferation of ebooks I still think the good old printed word version is alive and kicking for some time yet.
But regardless of the proliferation of ebooks I still think the good old printed word version is alive and kicking for some time yet.
Week 9 : Podcasts
Again there is a huge amount of material out there waiting to be heard.
I did find some useful podcasts, namely poetry readings, instructional directions for practically anything, wedding planning, old radio scripts, guided meditations and motivational tidbits which is very useful at the end of a busy week.
I have bloglined the best of National Gepgraphic and look forward to some tempting and interesting travel information on a regular basis.
I did find some useful podcasts, namely poetry readings, instructional directions for practically anything, wedding planning, old radio scripts, guided meditations and motivational tidbits which is very useful at the end of a busy week.
I have bloglined the best of National Gepgraphic and look forward to some tempting and interesting travel information on a regular basis.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Week 9 : Youtube
There is certainly much to waste time over here, but there is also much to benefit a library situation. Want to see something on film stars, movies, television or music? -- it's practically all there. Was also impressed with the original footage of the bigfoot, challenger space shuttle explosion and Marilyn Monroe singing "Happy birthday Mr President", just to name a few examples of the vastness of Youtube.
Had a particular preference for the summit of Everest as I've made it to the foot of the icefall and it's great to see the view from the top without the lack of oxygen and sheer exhaustion.
Had a particular preference for the summit of Everest as I've made it to the foot of the icefall and it's great to see the view from the top without the lack of oxygen and sheer exhaustion.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Week 8 : Web 2.0 awards - Stress buster cockroaches
Looked at several of the Web 2.0 award sites and can certainly see benefits and uses for many of the sites. I'm afraid the stress busting fun widgets site caught my attention, but there are many applications like the photo editing tools, the organizing and on line document sites that I will definitely use.
Week 8 :Google docs and spreadsheets
Have created 2 spreadsheets (see above for an example) and invited several staff to access these documents and regularly contribute. I have been trying to co ordinate monthly donations statistics and details across the region for ages and was very excited to try this application and put it straight into use. If this works I have several more spreadsheet applications I regularly update with region wide information, and would save heaps of time if branch staff were able to contribute data directly.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Week 7 - Wiki, wiki
Loved the SJCPL wiki with the concept of subject guides encompassing such an extensive range of resources. The new release titles, magazines plus the blogs and even links to local events and courses available on that topic.Also loved the book review wiki. As collection manager this type of feedback would be so-o-o helpful.
One of our staff members has even set up two wikis for the library, one for the reference information team and one for a project we are working on. It will be a great test to see how effective they can be.
Looks like the old reference print collection will be like "Mo" here...
dead but not quite buried.....yet!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Week 6, Tagging, social networking and del.icio.us
I'm sure this will be useful for navigating around websites and of course tidying up my long list of bookmarks. But the social networking has the biggest plus particularly if you are seeking information on sometimes obscure topics this way you can trace the tags other people have placed and save loads of time. Having registered on Technorati I have already found several relevant blogs which I will be able to enjoy.
I think the big message from learning 2.0 is the shared networking and the importance of creating a space for our library services where the patrons will want go - "Mingling in their preferred environment"
I think the big message from learning 2.0 is the shared networking and the importance of creating a space for our library services where the patrons will want go - "Mingling in their preferred environment"
Monday, October 8, 2007
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Week 4 RSS, feeds and such
Time saving - Yes, definitely ...
Did it take long to get there - Yes, definitely...
DO I know what I'm doing now - Maybe...
Of course the obvious benefits of RSS feeds and bloglines is of course the gathering of a myriad of info streams and redirecting them into some semblance of order to answer or fulfill that question or quest of the moment.
The benefit of this technology to information maestros such as librarians is incalculable.
What ever makes the provision of information better and easier for all concerned has to be for the good of all society.
Did it take long to get there - Yes, definitely...
DO I know what I'm doing now - Maybe...
Of course the obvious benefits of RSS feeds and bloglines is of course the gathering of a myriad of info streams and redirecting them into some semblance of order to answer or fulfill that question or quest of the moment.
The benefit of this technology to information maestros such as librarians is incalculable.
What ever makes the provision of information better and easier for all concerned has to be for the good of all society.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Week 3 Progress / Regress Report
As with most of us on technology training wheels, the scope of what is available via the web is mind blowing. Even more so for those of us who need to actually know how it works as well as what to use. This ambition is quickly shattered as there is just no way the majority of us has the knowledge or the time to even to begin to understand the workings of all the technologies available. So what to do?
Just go with it and choose those applications which either appeal, make the job easier or are just plain fun. (See Gobi camel.) To me the appeal is the mapping applications that now proliferate many programs. Not only the global google earth machinations but right down to the flickr mapp and now the feature on new digital cameras where, on taking a photo you are able to track via GPS the exact location that the photo was taken. So no more wandering the bush looking for that elusive orchid just check the digital data and presto there it is!
Just go with it and choose those applications which either appeal, make the job easier or are just plain fun. (See Gobi camel.) To me the appeal is the mapping applications that now proliferate many programs. Not only the global google earth machinations but right down to the flickr mapp and now the feature on new digital cameras where, on taking a photo you are able to track via GPS the exact location that the photo was taken. So no more wandering the bush looking for that elusive orchid just check the digital data and presto there it is!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
