Thoughts on the 23 Things Online Learning Program
In some ways, this program is not about the "23 Things" themselves, but it is about the process of learning through exploration and reflection.
In searching for a justification for my participation in this exercise, I thought about what I am learning and how I am learning it. The "how" is, in many ways, more important than the "what". For example, I may never use a Flickr mashup to teach information literacy or promote library services, but the process of learning about mashups, figuring out how to use them, following through to create a mashup and then reflecting on the process is an excellent way to learn a new skill.
I recently participated in part of the interview process for our consortium's executive director position. One of the candidates discussed the future of libraries, (and the future in general,) and stated that in the future we will be in a cycle of continuous learning. In this new paradigm of constant learning, change will be the only constant. Since most libraries do not have endless time and resources available for constant teaching and training, a lot of this continuous learning will have to be self-administered. If this is the case, the more experience I have with this type of learning the better.
This same executive director candidate pointed out that this is the way our traditional students already learn new technology - by experimentation and application. How many of our students, when they purchase a new computer or iPod, actually sit down and read an instruction manual? Rather, they start pushing buttons and experimenting as soon as it is out of the box.
This type of learning is not about a professor standing in front of a classroom, giving students all of the answers. It is not even about reading a textbook and taking a test. It is about jumping in and trying new things, taking risks, learning from mistakes and applying and reflecting on what you've learned.
It is almost certain that library technology will change during my career. Perhaps it will change rapidly in the next few years. If our consortium chooses open source software for our next ILS, not only will we have to learn a new system, but we will have to be proactive in changing and improving the system to meet our needs. I believe we will learn about possible new ILS features (tagging, for example,) not only by reading about them, but by experimenting with these features in other venues.
This is just one of the many reasons why is so important for librarians and staff to participate in a program such as 23 Things on a Stick. It's not just "extra" or "busy work", it is the future!
What were your favorite Things and discoveries?
My favorite Things for entertainment value were Flickr and YouTube. I love looking at other people's Flickr photos from their vacations, and I enjoyed the Flickr mashup with the world map. I was happy to discover both Google Docs and Meebo, since we are now considering using both applications to improve Reference service.
How did you connect with others doing the 23 Things On a Stick?
I chatted with colleages in Meebo and Google Talk, and I joined the 23 Things Ning for collaboration within a social network of like minded individuals. I also had face-to-face discussions about the 23 Things with colleagues here at the library and also across our consortium.
Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
I was suprised at how easy it is to get started with many of these online tools. All it typically takes is setting up a free account and learning by trial-and-error.
What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or content?
Try to create a cleaner "look" for the 23 Things blog. It was difficult to navigate at first.
If we offered a 23 More Things On a Stick program like this in the future would you participate?
Yes.
How would you describe your learning experience in one word or in one sentence, so we could use your words to promote 23 Things On a Stick learning activities to others?
It will open up a Web 2.0 world of possibilities!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Thing 22 - What Did I Learn Today?
I hereby resolve to keep my blog and write about the things I learned every day. Every day, I will ask myself, "What did I learn today?" and record my response in my blog.
Blog about how you plan to keep up with the Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 tools.
I plan to keep up with the Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 tools by adding some of the suggested blogs to my aggregator and reading what other librarians are learning, doing and writing about. I will also attend a webinar or workshop every now and again, and I'll join College 2.0 and other collaborative social networks on the 2.0 theme.
Recommend a way to keep up that you have found useful.
I've found it useful to just jump in and try new things. I keep up with my Bloglines and Facebook, and now there's the 23Things Ning.
Blog about how you plan to keep up with the Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 tools.
I plan to keep up with the Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 tools by adding some of the suggested blogs to my aggregator and reading what other librarians are learning, doing and writing about. I will also attend a webinar or workshop every now and again, and I'll join College 2.0 and other collaborative social networks on the 2.0 theme.
Recommend a way to keep up that you have found useful.
I've found it useful to just jump in and try new things. I keep up with my Bloglines and Facebook, and now there's the 23Things Ning.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Thing 21 - Other Social Networks
Are you a member of any online communities?
I am a member of LinkedIn, and I just signed up for Dogster.
Are any of these social networks appealing to you?
The College 2.0 community is interesting to me. I like the fact that it has both professors and librarians as members, and that they are drawn together by the common theme of teaching and learning in a Web 2.0 environment. I think I might join that social network next.
What did you find that was interesting and that you might use later?
I found the 43 Things concept very interesting. It seems only natural for people with common goals to come together in some forum to support each other. I think I might sign up for an account to see if it provides any more inspiration for my goals.
I am a member of LinkedIn, and I just signed up for Dogster.
Are any of these social networks appealing to you?
The College 2.0 community is interesting to me. I like the fact that it has both professors and librarians as members, and that they are drawn together by the common theme of teaching and learning in a Web 2.0 environment. I think I might join that social network next.
What did you find that was interesting and that you might use later?
I found the 43 Things concept very interesting. It seems only natural for people with common goals to come together in some forum to support each other. I think I might sign up for an account to see if it provides any more inspiration for my goals.
Thing 20 - Libraries and Social Networks
Which groups did you join and why?
I am a member of Facebook. I joined that social network back in 2005 in library school, because I had a college email address, (albeit a .ca email address,) and I wanted to keep up with the college crowd. I wanted to see what the college kids were doing these days, and keep up with my younger siblings and cousins at college in the States.
Shortly after joining Facebook, I started a group for the other students in my MLIS program and invited a few friends. Before long there were over 100 people in my online group. It felt great to have started a group in Facebook, though I realized that it was not the same as having a group in real life. I later joined and/or created Facebook groups that mirrored "real life" groups, such as a Facebook group for my book club.
I find Facebook groups as extensions of real-life groups to be helpful in organizing events, posting questions and opinions, and keeping up with the lives and interests of the other group members.
Reflect on why Facebook may be the fastest growing social network. Is that reputation deserved?
I think Facebook got a head start in the social network race by being exclusive and limited to college students with a .edu email address. The exclusivity of Facebook was part of its coolness factor, as well as the fact that it seemed like a "private" venue to socialize online.
I prefer Facebook over MySpace because of the uniform look of the profile and group pages. That uniform look has changed somewhat since Facebook made its code available to third-party application developers, and hundreds of new Facebook applications were developed and adopted by users.
I am a member of Facebook. I joined that social network back in 2005 in library school, because I had a college email address, (albeit a .ca email address,) and I wanted to keep up with the college crowd. I wanted to see what the college kids were doing these days, and keep up with my younger siblings and cousins at college in the States.
Shortly after joining Facebook, I started a group for the other students in my MLIS program and invited a few friends. Before long there were over 100 people in my online group. It felt great to have started a group in Facebook, though I realized that it was not the same as having a group in real life. I later joined and/or created Facebook groups that mirrored "real life" groups, such as a Facebook group for my book club.
I find Facebook groups as extensions of real-life groups to be helpful in organizing events, posting questions and opinions, and keeping up with the lives and interests of the other group members.
Reflect on why Facebook may be the fastest growing social network. Is that reputation deserved?
I think Facebook got a head start in the social network race by being exclusive and limited to college students with a .edu email address. The exclusivity of Facebook was part of its coolness factor, as well as the fact that it seemed like a "private" venue to socialize online.
I prefer Facebook over MySpace because of the uniform look of the profile and group pages. That uniform look has changed somewhat since Facebook made its code available to third-party application developers, and hundreds of new Facebook applications were developed and adopted by users.
Thing 19 - Podcasts
1. Which podcast(s) did you listen to?
I listened to the National Geographic podcast from podcast.com. It was very interesting and educational. Where else but National Geographic can one learn about a 10-pound frog the size of a beach ball that was found Madagascaar?
2. Which of the directories did you find easiest to use?
Podcast.com was definitely the easiest directory to navigate and use. I was unable to figure out how to get the podcast.net podcasts to play, (though it could have been an issue with my computer or network firewall,) and the podcast content on podcast alley looked questionable. With Yahoo Podcasts I was not sure if all of my search results were actually podcasts. Educational Podcast directory looked promising, but again I was unable to play any of the podcasts.
3. Has this Thing inspired you to do any podcasting yourself or to subscribe to a podcast to listen to it regularly?
I tried Gcast to create my own podcast, and it was fun! I can see myself podcasting in the future, but I was not impressed with all of the advertising on Gcast. I will have to obtain my own podcasting equipment and produce and publish podcasts for myself.
Seeing all the different categories of podcasts available made me feel inspired and a bit overwhelmed at the same time. On one hand, these podcasts offer another venue for exploring a new hobby or interest just by listening, without tiring one's eyes by staring at a computer screen. (I do enough of that in a day!) For example, I am inspired to subscribe to podcasts on cooking and documentary film making. Now I really want to purchase an iPod!
On the other hand, the idea of the hundreds of thousands of podcasts out there makes me feel even more behind given the millions of books, journals, newspapers and blogs I'm not keeping up with. Even so, listening to podcasts (on an iPod or other mobile device) can help me accomplish two goals by fitting more exercise and learning into each day.
I listened to the National Geographic podcast from podcast.com. It was very interesting and educational. Where else but National Geographic can one learn about a 10-pound frog the size of a beach ball that was found Madagascaar?
2. Which of the directories did you find easiest to use?
Podcast.com was definitely the easiest directory to navigate and use. I was unable to figure out how to get the podcast.net podcasts to play, (though it could have been an issue with my computer or network firewall,) and the podcast content on podcast alley looked questionable. With Yahoo Podcasts I was not sure if all of my search results were actually podcasts. Educational Podcast directory looked promising, but again I was unable to play any of the podcasts.
3. Has this Thing inspired you to do any podcasting yourself or to subscribe to a podcast to listen to it regularly?
I tried Gcast to create my own podcast, and it was fun! I can see myself podcasting in the future, but I was not impressed with all of the advertising on Gcast. I will have to obtain my own podcasting equipment and produce and publish podcasts for myself.
Seeing all the different categories of podcasts available made me feel inspired and a bit overwhelmed at the same time. On one hand, these podcasts offer another venue for exploring a new hobby or interest just by listening, without tiring one's eyes by staring at a computer screen. (I do enough of that in a day!) For example, I am inspired to subscribe to podcasts on cooking and documentary film making. Now I really want to purchase an iPod!
On the other hand, the idea of the hundreds of thousands of podcasts out there makes me feel even more behind given the millions of books, journals, newspapers and blogs I'm not keeping up with. Even so, listening to podcasts (on an iPod or other mobile device) can help me accomplish two goals by fitting more exercise and learning into each day.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Thing 18 - YouTube & Other Online Video
What did you like or dislike about the sites you explored?
First of all, I found the library musical concept very amusing! That's one way to star in a musical!
The thing I like best about YouTube is the fact that I have access to so much historical video footage (television, concerts, etc.) that I missed by not being alive in the 60's and most of the 70's. For example, I enjoy watching performances by Ella Fitzgerald and other favorite jazz singers.
Why did you choose the video that you did?
I chose the Minnesota promotional video because I want my library school friends to come here for a visit and I'm trying to promote Minnesota to them as a vacation destination. There is no other "library" connection other than that, and the fact that our library is located in Roseville and the video was produced by the Roseville Area Visitors Association.
Can you see any ways to use video--YouTube or other sites--on your library Web site?
I think a library orientation video would be a helpful thing to embed in the library's website, especially if it were at least mildly amusing to watch. Having such a video in the website would allow patrons to become familiar with the library staff and services, and perhaps feel more comfortable coming to the library and utilizing the services.
Thing 17 - ELM Online Productivity tools
How can these tools be applied to your everyday work?
The web page features on the database would be very helpful for creating subject guides or class guides and linking them to our library webpage. This way, a student in a particular class could get an idea of some possible resources available in their area of study, and then do a search on their own in Academic Source Premier. I could also create search alerts for students or professors for topics of interest/research, or show them how to create alerts for themselves
How can these tools facilitate collaboration with your colleagues?
Creating a shared folder in NetLibrary seemed like the most collaborative idea in this Thing. This is one way that an entire library staff can read the same book, without having to purchase multiple copies, and share "notes" and feedback within the book in an electronic environment. This might be a good idea for a shared book discussion at a reference meeting.
How can these tools benefit your patrons/students?
I often tell students about the "notes" feature in NetLibrary, but I am not aware of how many students actually use that feature when they log into their NetLibrary account. I don't believe our college allows students to create webpages on its server space, so I don't think they'd benefit from creating webpages in ProQuest or EBSCO, but you never know.
The web page features on the database would be very helpful for creating subject guides or class guides and linking them to our library webpage. This way, a student in a particular class could get an idea of some possible resources available in their area of study, and then do a search on their own in Academic Source Premier. I could also create search alerts for students or professors for topics of interest/research, or show them how to create alerts for themselves
How can these tools facilitate collaboration with your colleagues?
Creating a shared folder in NetLibrary seemed like the most collaborative idea in this Thing. This is one way that an entire library staff can read the same book, without having to purchase multiple copies, and share "notes" and feedback within the book in an electronic environment. This might be a good idea for a shared book discussion at a reference meeting.
How can these tools benefit your patrons/students?
I often tell students about the "notes" feature in NetLibrary, but I am not aware of how many students actually use that feature when they log into their NetLibrary account. I don't believe our college allows students to create webpages on its server space, so I don't think they'd benefit from creating webpages in ProQuest or EBSCO, but you never know.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Thing 16 - Student 2.0 Tools
How might the RPC and the Teacher Guide help you help students plan and manage research projects?
I can see myself recommending some of the documents in the Teacher Guide to students, such as the Taking Notes document, Boolean Basics document, Useful Transition Words document, Evaluating Websites document, Improve Your Google Search document, Outline Organizer document, and possibly others as well. These documents are very basic, and so they are suitable for middle school, high school, or even undergraduate students.
I think these documents and the RPC would be very helpful for students who needed reserch remediation, or even those students who like to be ultra-organized and have a well thought-out plan for their research endeavors.
Can you think of any uses for library projects—could you use it to help manage a timeline for a project of your own?
I used the research project calendar to create a timeline for my presentation at this summer's ACL (Association of Christian Librarians) conference. The overview of the process was simplistic, but it gave a good timeline of tasks and examples of deadlines. I think I will also use the suggestions in the Public Speaking Tip Sheet document for my very important presentation.
I can see myself recommending some of the documents in the Teacher Guide to students, such as the Taking Notes document, Boolean Basics document, Useful Transition Words document, Evaluating Websites document, Improve Your Google Search document, Outline Organizer document, and possibly others as well. These documents are very basic, and so they are suitable for middle school, high school, or even undergraduate students.
I think these documents and the RPC would be very helpful for students who needed reserch remediation, or even those students who like to be ultra-organized and have a well thought-out plan for their research endeavors.
Can you think of any uses for library projects—could you use it to help manage a timeline for a project of your own?
I used the research project calendar to create a timeline for my presentation at this summer's ACL (Association of Christian Librarians) conference. The overview of the process was simplistic, but it gave a good timeline of tasks and examples of deadlines. I think I will also use the suggestions in the Public Speaking Tip Sheet document for my very important presentation.
Thing 15 - Online Games and Libraries
Is there a role for Second Life in libraries?
Better yet, is there a role for libraries in Second Life? I know that there are already a few successful library ventures in Second Life. I believe they go by names like "Info Island" and "Medical Info Island". Real life librarians have already braved this new world, creating avatars for themselves and creating and staffing virtual libraries. In doing so, they have reached out to patrons that might not frequent a bricks-and-mortar library.
One of the reasons Second Life has a role in libraries has to do with some of the reasons Second Life is so popular. First of all, it breaks down some of the barriers present with face-to-face interaction. Potential library patrons are not hindered by a lack of confidence in their appearance or verbal skills, and might feel freer (as their avatar selves) to approach a Second Life librarian to ask a question. They might feel more free to ask potentially embarrasing questions without fear of being identified. I've noticed in the "Real Life" library that "library anxiety" happens with (and sometimes because of) the most mundane of reference questions.
Another reason for Second Life in libraries is that it breaks down distance and (potentially) time barriers to reference service. Virtual reference has been catching on in libraries as a way to reach geographically distant patrons through email and chat, and Second Life takes that concept one step closer to a "face-to-face" transaction.
Better yet, is there a role for libraries in Second Life? I know that there are already a few successful library ventures in Second Life. I believe they go by names like "Info Island" and "Medical Info Island". Real life librarians have already braved this new world, creating avatars for themselves and creating and staffing virtual libraries. In doing so, they have reached out to patrons that might not frequent a bricks-and-mortar library.
One of the reasons Second Life has a role in libraries has to do with some of the reasons Second Life is so popular. First of all, it breaks down some of the barriers present with face-to-face interaction. Potential library patrons are not hindered by a lack of confidence in their appearance or verbal skills, and might feel freer (as their avatar selves) to approach a Second Life librarian to ask a question. They might feel more free to ask potentially embarrasing questions without fear of being identified. I've noticed in the "Real Life" library that "library anxiety" happens with (and sometimes because of) the most mundane of reference questions.
Another reason for Second Life in libraries is that it breaks down distance and (potentially) time barriers to reference service. Virtual reference has been catching on in libraries as a way to reach geographically distant patrons through email and chat, and Second Life takes that concept one step closer to a "face-to-face" transaction.
Thing 14 - LibraryThing
How can you use LibraryThing for your library?
Library Thing can be used in any library to highlight a special collection or a suggested reading list for a particular topic. For example, I'm calling my latest Library Thing endeavor the "Ring by Spring" collection, which will surely be a big hit with the college students here.
Seriously, though, I see the benefits of Library Thing as more of a social network for readers. I am endlessly fascinated by the "members with your books" tab, and I enjoy perusing the rest of the books in their collections. This is one way I can get ideas for other books to read, in addition to the suggestions directly from Library Thing.
How else do you share booklists, etc. with library patrons? Would LibraryThing offer an alternative?
We typically share booklists and bibliographies with patrons though handouts, files on our webpage, etc. Library Thing might just be an interesting alternative to this, since it incorporates cover art and social data.
There are many other alternatives for sharing booklists in a Web 2.0 environment. One could create a wishlist with Amazon.com, a Lazybase, a Ta-Da List, bookshelf application in Facebook, etc.
I am looking forward to hearing Tim Spalding (the creator of Library Thing) as the keynote speaker at the 2008 Association of Christian Librarians conference!
Library Thing can be used in any library to highlight a special collection or a suggested reading list for a particular topic. For example, I'm calling my latest Library Thing endeavor the "Ring by Spring" collection, which will surely be a big hit with the college students here.
Seriously, though, I see the benefits of Library Thing as more of a social network for readers. I am endlessly fascinated by the "members with your books" tab, and I enjoy perusing the rest of the books in their collections. This is one way I can get ideas for other books to read, in addition to the suggestions directly from Library Thing.
How else do you share booklists, etc. with library patrons? Would LibraryThing offer an alternative?
We typically share booklists and bibliographies with patrons though handouts, files on our webpage, etc. Library Thing might just be an interesting alternative to this, since it incorporates cover art and social data.
There are many other alternatives for sharing booklists in a Web 2.0 environment. One could create a wishlist with Amazon.com, a Lazybase, a Ta-Da List, bookshelf application in Facebook, etc.
I am looking forward to hearing Tim Spalding (the creator of Library Thing) as the keynote speaker at the 2008 Association of Christian Librarians conference!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Thing 13 - Online Productivity Tools
Which start page did you choose? Why did that one appeal to you? Will you make it your permanent home page?
I chose iGoogle as my start page. I figured I've become so accustomed to Google interfaces such as Gmail, Google talk, Blogger, etc., that it would be easier for me to navigate. I was amazed by the speed of implementation - I had my desktop set up in approximately 1.2 seconds. I do not think I will make it my permanent home page for home or work.
Did you find a tool that has some uses for you at the library or at home? Which tool(s) would you recommend to others?
I used Ta-da Lists to create a "Things to do today" list and a "Things to do for dinner party" list. I like the fact that items can be re-ordered and checked off, and that the list can be shared publicly or with selected others. I think my mom would enjoy the Ta-da list making application. She enjoys making lists and using the computer, so I wonder if she would enjoy combining those two pastimes.
How can the online calendars be useful to you?
I was amazed to find that Google calendar can be synced with my Outlook calendar at work. This way, I could check my work calendar and even add to it from anywhere! I am a little wary of Google knowing all of my calendar events, however. I am especially wary since Google had already created a calendar for me and filled in certain events from trolling through my email.
Did you try out Backpack? What did you think?
I did not try Backpack, but I watched the introductory video. It seems slightly more functional than my Outlook calendar, but without email. Although, it can send email reminders about items in the Backpack, which is cool.
I chose iGoogle as my start page. I figured I've become so accustomed to Google interfaces such as Gmail, Google talk, Blogger, etc., that it would be easier for me to navigate. I was amazed by the speed of implementation - I had my desktop set up in approximately 1.2 seconds. I do not think I will make it my permanent home page for home or work.
Did you find a tool that has some uses for you at the library or at home? Which tool(s) would you recommend to others?
I used Ta-da Lists to create a "Things to do today" list and a "Things to do for dinner party" list. I like the fact that items can be re-ordered and checked off, and that the list can be shared publicly or with selected others. I think my mom would enjoy the Ta-da list making application. She enjoys making lists and using the computer, so I wonder if she would enjoy combining those two pastimes.
How can the online calendars be useful to you?
I was amazed to find that Google calendar can be synced with my Outlook calendar at work. This way, I could check my work calendar and even add to it from anywhere! I am a little wary of Google knowing all of my calendar events, however. I am especially wary since Google had already created a calendar for me and filled in certain events from trolling through my email.
Did you try out Backpack? What did you think?
I did not try Backpack, but I watched the introductory video. It seems slightly more functional than my Outlook calendar, but without email. Although, it can send email reminders about items in the Backpack, which is cool.
Thing 12 - Do You Digg?
How do you think you can use these tools in your library or at home?
If I knew that these social media sites were popular with our students, I would create accounts (and perhaps "friend" some students) to see what kinds news stories they were reading. As things stand now, I believe the most important "social" websites for our students are Facebook and MySpace. As college students, they seem to be more interested in the news from their friends' lives than the news of the world. (This is a broad generalization, I know.)
Looking on these social media sites can give us an idea of what news stories are popular with people. Just because something is in the news does not necessarily mean that people care about it, and these social media sites provide the popularity element. This might help us with collection development, as we seek to anticipate the kinds of topics that students might choose for their argumentative research writing papers.
Do these tools seem to be a productivity enhancer or a productivity detractor?
I do not think these tools will necessarily increase my productivity, but they may increase my creativity. These news stories may give me insights or new ideas for teaching, and keeping up with current events might help me in my work at the Reference desk.
I've noticed that I've occasionally been helped in my reference work by something that I've read in my Bloglines. It has occasionally happened that a news story from a feed I subscribe to gave me a good background for the context of a reference question. The difference between my Bloglines and these social media sites is that I have selected the general kinds of information (mostly education and library news) that comes through my Bloglines, whereas the stories that come through Digg and other social media sites are chosen by the masses. Reading these news stories might give me context and background information for a wider variety of reference questions that come to the desk.
Have you ever read a story/item as a result of seeing it on one of these sites?
Now I have! I must admit I had never visited one of these sites before, with the possible exception of Digg. Some of my friends who blog about current events occasionally credit Digg as the site where they found the link to an interesting news story.
If I knew that these social media sites were popular with our students, I would create accounts (and perhaps "friend" some students) to see what kinds news stories they were reading. As things stand now, I believe the most important "social" websites for our students are Facebook and MySpace. As college students, they seem to be more interested in the news from their friends' lives than the news of the world. (This is a broad generalization, I know.)
Looking on these social media sites can give us an idea of what news stories are popular with people. Just because something is in the news does not necessarily mean that people care about it, and these social media sites provide the popularity element. This might help us with collection development, as we seek to anticipate the kinds of topics that students might choose for their argumentative research writing papers.
Do these tools seem to be a productivity enhancer or a productivity detractor?
I do not think these tools will necessarily increase my productivity, but they may increase my creativity. These news stories may give me insights or new ideas for teaching, and keeping up with current events might help me in my work at the Reference desk.
I've noticed that I've occasionally been helped in my reference work by something that I've read in my Bloglines. It has occasionally happened that a news story from a feed I subscribe to gave me a good background for the context of a reference question. The difference between my Bloglines and these social media sites is that I have selected the general kinds of information (mostly education and library news) that comes through my Bloglines, whereas the stories that come through Digg and other social media sites are chosen by the masses. Reading these news stories might give me context and background information for a wider variety of reference questions that come to the desk.
Have you ever read a story/item as a result of seeing it on one of these sites?
Now I have! I must admit I had never visited one of these sites before, with the possible exception of Digg. Some of my friends who blog about current events occasionally credit Digg as the site where they found the link to an interesting news story.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Thing 11 - Tagging and Del.icio.us
Can you see the potential of this tool for research assistance? Or just as an easy way to create bookmarks that can be accessed from anywhere?
For research assistance, reference librarians could create unique tags based on particular subjects, courses, projects, or even individual students when they ask a research question. Students could then find those tags within the library's del.icio.us account and access the tagged webpages. This would work well for phone or IM reference, where the student is not physically present at the reference desk. The reference librarian could simply tell the student to access certain del.icio.us tags on the web, rather than emailing all of the links to the student.
How could youur library or media center take advantage of tagging and del.icio.us? Look at the sites in the Resource list above to see how libraries are using Del.icio.us.
I see that the McMaster team has created useful tags for webpages they want their colleagues to view. The tag library_websites indicates other library websites that might serve as inspiration for improvements to McMaster's library website. Our library could do the same, especially as we are thinking of integrating IM reference into our website. It would be helpful to see some examples of how other libraries have done that in their webpages.
For research assistance, reference librarians could create unique tags based on particular subjects, courses, projects, or even individual students when they ask a research question. Students could then find those tags within the library's del.icio.us account and access the tagged webpages. This would work well for phone or IM reference, where the student is not physically present at the reference desk. The reference librarian could simply tell the student to access certain del.icio.us tags on the web, rather than emailing all of the links to the student.
How could youur library or media center take advantage of tagging and del.icio.us? Look at the sites in the Resource list above to see how libraries are using Del.icio.us.
I see that the McMaster team has created useful tags for webpages they want their colleagues to view. The tag library_websites indicates other library websites that might serve as inspiration for improvements to McMaster's library website. Our library could do the same, especially as we are thinking of integrating IM reference into our website. It would be helpful to see some examples of how other libraries have done that in their webpages.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thing 10 - Wikis
What did you find interesting about the wiki concept?
There are many things I find interesting about the wiki concept. The first is the concept of linking between pages. Wikis take full advantage of the hyperlinked web environment. Wikis are read differently than other forms of "linear" media. Quite often while reading Wikipedia I've clicked a hyperlinked word to a new article before I've finished reading the original article. This process is often repeated with the new article and can be repeated ad infinitum or until my eyes are tired of staring at a computer screen.
What types of applications within libraries and schools might work well with a wiki?
Our library uses PBwiki as a knowledge management tool. We post information from reference questions and organize them by topic. I like using a wiki, because we can create numerous indexes that link to the page containing information about the reference question. These can be arranged different ways - alphabetically by topic, by subject, by professor, by date, by class, etc. The reference librarians can create as many indexes linking to these pages as they deem necessary or useful, and they do not take up extra "space" in the same way multiple indexes would take up pages in a book.
Many teachers/faculty "ban" Wikipedia as a source for student research. What do you think of the practice of limiting information by format?
I don't think it is so much the "format" of Wikipedia that these teachers and faculty are concerned about. If it was, say, a science wiki created by a group of world-renowned scientists and accessible to the public, I think the teachers would be more willing to allow it as a source for student research. Wikipedia is occasionally edited by scholars in various fields, but also by many people who are not experts at what they write about. I think these teachers and faculty members are more concerned with authority than format, which is a perfectly reasonable concern.
There are many things I find interesting about the wiki concept. The first is the concept of linking between pages. Wikis take full advantage of the hyperlinked web environment. Wikis are read differently than other forms of "linear" media. Quite often while reading Wikipedia I've clicked a hyperlinked word to a new article before I've finished reading the original article. This process is often repeated with the new article and can be repeated ad infinitum or until my eyes are tired of staring at a computer screen.
What types of applications within libraries and schools might work well with a wiki?
Our library uses PBwiki as a knowledge management tool. We post information from reference questions and organize them by topic. I like using a wiki, because we can create numerous indexes that link to the page containing information about the reference question. These can be arranged different ways - alphabetically by topic, by subject, by professor, by date, by class, etc. The reference librarians can create as many indexes linking to these pages as they deem necessary or useful, and they do not take up extra "space" in the same way multiple indexes would take up pages in a book.
Many teachers/faculty "ban" Wikipedia as a source for student research. What do you think of the practice of limiting information by format?
I don't think it is so much the "format" of Wikipedia that these teachers and faculty are concerned about. If it was, say, a science wiki created by a group of world-renowned scientists and accessible to the public, I think the teachers would be more willing to allow it as a source for student research. Wikipedia is occasionally edited by scholars in various fields, but also by many people who are not experts at what they write about. I think these teachers and faculty members are more concerned with authority than format, which is a perfectly reasonable concern.
Thing 9 - Online Collaboration Tools
Which of these tools is easier for you to use?
I believe the Google docs version of the document was easier for me to edit, because Google has become such a familiar interface for me. Google, Gmail, Google groups, etc. all have similar-looking tabs and functions.
What would the Founding Fathers think?
Having visited Thomas Jefferson's house, I know that he was a fan of invention and innovation. He was already into collaborative writing technology before it was in fashion. One of his inventions was an improved polygraph machine, which duplicated his correspondence as he wrote it. This improved collaboration by ensuring that both the sender and recipient possessed identical documents. I'm sure he would enjoy the ease of collaborating with his fellow founding fathers using Google docs, not to mention saving on postage.
I believe the Google docs version of the document was easier for me to edit, because Google has become such a familiar interface for me. Google, Gmail, Google groups, etc. all have similar-looking tabs and functions.
What would the Founding Fathers think?
Having visited Thomas Jefferson's house, I know that he was a fan of invention and innovation. He was already into collaborative writing technology before it was in fashion. One of his inventions was an improved polygraph machine, which duplicated his correspondence as he wrote it. This improved collaboration by ensuring that both the sender and recipient possessed identical documents. I'm sure he would enjoy the ease of collaborating with his fellow founding fathers using Google docs, not to mention saving on postage.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Thing 8 discussion
What uses do these tools have for library or personal use?
The slide show tools could replace PowerPoint presentations in some settings. Online slide shows such as those created with ZohoShow are accessible from any computer with Internet access - there is no need to access your network files or a flash drive to present your slides. Online slide shows also facilitate collaboration by allowing geographically distant colleagues to edit the same slide show via the Internet. One could also present a slide show over the Internet to people at a distance, or post the show on your website for public access.
I can see a use for this type of slide show tool in our library instruction sessions. Instructors could access their slides from any computer on campus. The slide shows could be linked or embedded on the library website or within the portal for students to review at a later date.
I used Picture Trail to create the photo slides hows seen below. This type of visual slide show could be used as a fun way to increase library users' familiarity with the people and places of our library. Slide shows give people an "insider" glimpse of people, places or things. I think people feel included as part of a group when they are given the chance to see someone else's slides. Our library might be able to benefit from generating that feeling amongst our users.
I enjoyed using lazybase, an online database tool with potential uses for academic libraries. I've already started a database for my C.S. Lewis book club. Our library could use a lazybase, linked to our website or the portal, to organize and share Research Writing topics, book reviews and recommendations, subject guides, etc. We could choose to give editing privileges to everyone or restrict editing access to library staff.
I was also quite impressed with eFolio Minnesota. What a wonderful tool for everyone in Minnesota to organize and share their professional development activities! Using web functionality, educators, students and other career people can present their professional portfolios using text, pictures and links between sections. With eFolio, I can read about what other educators in Minnesota are doing, learning, presenting and publishing. This will give me ideas for my own professional development, as well as the ability to network with people who have similar professional interests.
I hope this idea catches on on other states and countries. It would be a helpful tool for students researching scholar's credentials for their Research Writing papers.
Was the tool you used easy to navigate and understand? Would you recommend it to others?
I thought that all of the tools were easily understandable, and I would recommend them.
The slide show tools could replace PowerPoint presentations in some settings. Online slide shows such as those created with ZohoShow are accessible from any computer with Internet access - there is no need to access your network files or a flash drive to present your slides. Online slide shows also facilitate collaboration by allowing geographically distant colleagues to edit the same slide show via the Internet. One could also present a slide show over the Internet to people at a distance, or post the show on your website for public access.
I can see a use for this type of slide show tool in our library instruction sessions. Instructors could access their slides from any computer on campus. The slide shows could be linked or embedded on the library website or within the portal for students to review at a later date.
I used Picture Trail to create the photo slides hows seen below. This type of visual slide show could be used as a fun way to increase library users' familiarity with the people and places of our library. Slide shows give people an "insider" glimpse of people, places or things. I think people feel included as part of a group when they are given the chance to see someone else's slides. Our library might be able to benefit from generating that feeling amongst our users.
I enjoyed using lazybase, an online database tool with potential uses for academic libraries. I've already started a database for my C.S. Lewis book club. Our library could use a lazybase, linked to our website or the portal, to organize and share Research Writing topics, book reviews and recommendations, subject guides, etc. We could choose to give editing privileges to everyone or restrict editing access to library staff.
I was also quite impressed with eFolio Minnesota. What a wonderful tool for everyone in Minnesota to organize and share their professional development activities! Using web functionality, educators, students and other career people can present their professional portfolios using text, pictures and links between sections. With eFolio, I can read about what other educators in Minnesota are doing, learning, presenting and publishing. This will give me ideas for my own professional development, as well as the ability to network with people who have similar professional interests.
I hope this idea catches on on other states and countries. It would be a helpful tool for students researching scholar's credentials for their Research Writing papers.
Was the tool you used easy to navigate and understand? Would you recommend it to others?
I thought that all of the tools were easily understandable, and I would recommend them.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Thing 7 - Web 2.0 Communication Tools
Describe how your library uses email. Has it improved productivity?
The staff at our library use email to communicate with each other and with the rest of the college: faculty, staff and students. Many of us store important messages for future reference, and retrieve them using the search feature or a sorting feature.
Our library uses Outlook email, with the feature that alerts us to incoming messages. I believe this feature can be turned off, but so far, we have all left it on. Some might argue that this decreases productivity by providing random interruptions to workflow, but I would argue that it adds variety to workflow. I typically enjoy answering emails as soon as I receive them, so that I know that task is done and I can move on to other things.
Share your thoughts on online reference using some of the other Web 2.0 communication tools.
I think online reference is a good idea, if it will be used by the students here. One important principle of online reference is to go where the students are. It would be helpful to do some kind of survey of the student body to determine which online Web 2.0 tools they already use, and then to incorporate those into our reference services.
Are you an active user of text messaging, IM, or other communication tools?
I do not currently use text messaging, because I do not own a cell phone. The only IM I use is within Gmail. When I am logged in to Gmail, I can see which of my friends are also logged in and chat with them. This has been a great tool for keeping in touch with friends from graduate school. Since they all live in Canada, chatting with them in Gmail is a lot less expensive than phoning them.
For this Thing I used Google talk to chat with Dora. It was remarkably similar to chatting within Gmail, and probably just as permanent.
Which OPAL or MINITEX Web conference (Webinar) did you attend? How was it? What do you think of this communication tool?
I viewed the archived MINITEX webinar on OCLC collection analysis. It was a really interesting product! As for the webinar itself, I liked that fact that it was archived, so I could view it in my own timeframe. I was also able to pause the webinar while I ate lunch and then worked at the reference desk, and then come back to it several hours later and pick up where I left off. I've attended and even led live webinars in the past, so I think they are a useful tool for communicating a message to a geographically distant audience.
The staff at our library use email to communicate with each other and with the rest of the college: faculty, staff and students. Many of us store important messages for future reference, and retrieve them using the search feature or a sorting feature.
Our library uses Outlook email, with the feature that alerts us to incoming messages. I believe this feature can be turned off, but so far, we have all left it on. Some might argue that this decreases productivity by providing random interruptions to workflow, but I would argue that it adds variety to workflow. I typically enjoy answering emails as soon as I receive them, so that I know that task is done and I can move on to other things.
Share your thoughts on online reference using some of the other Web 2.0 communication tools.
I think online reference is a good idea, if it will be used by the students here. One important principle of online reference is to go where the students are. It would be helpful to do some kind of survey of the student body to determine which online Web 2.0 tools they already use, and then to incorporate those into our reference services.
Are you an active user of text messaging, IM, or other communication tools?
I do not currently use text messaging, because I do not own a cell phone. The only IM I use is within Gmail. When I am logged in to Gmail, I can see which of my friends are also logged in and chat with them. This has been a great tool for keeping in touch with friends from graduate school. Since they all live in Canada, chatting with them in Gmail is a lot less expensive than phoning them.
For this Thing I used Google talk to chat with Dora. It was remarkably similar to chatting within Gmail, and probably just as permanent.
Which OPAL or MINITEX Web conference (Webinar) did you attend? How was it? What do you think of this communication tool?
I viewed the archived MINITEX webinar on OCLC collection analysis. It was a really interesting product! As for the webinar itself, I liked that fact that it was archived, so I could view it in my own timeframe. I was also able to pause the webinar while I ate lunch and then worked at the reference desk, and then come back to it several hours later and pick up where I left off. I've attended and even led live webinars in the past, so I think they are a useful tool for communicating a message to a geographically distant audience.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Thing 6 - Online Image Generators
Consider how you can use these tools in your library.
I think librarian trading cards would go over well with the students here. The librarians are popular and well-liked, and I'm sure students would appreciate having cards with librarians' image and contact information to take with them, anywhere.
How about a license plate with the name of your program?
Sure, why not?
Thing 5 - More Flickr Fun
Wow, it's a dog puzzle.
How can you use any of these tools in your library? Reading programs, posters promoting library events, librarian trading cards all come to mind as possibilities.
Our library does a fair amount of event promotion. We actually had a puzzle theme for last year's National Library Week events, and a puzzle generator might have been a handy tool to embellish our theme. Some of the other mashups, including the slideshow, could be added to our website as a way to share library photos. A moving slideshow might generate more interest in library events than clip art alone.
What do you think of sharing photos online?
I think it's nice if people want to share their photos with others. One thing I enjoy is looking at people's Flickr photos of places (mostly in Europe) that I'd like to visit. It's like taking a mini-vacation. My graduate school (in Canada) has a Flickr account where people upload photos from around campus. I occasionally enjoy looking at the UWO photostream to see what's happening at my alma mater. Our library could start a similar Flickr account for people to upload their photos of library events, or just everyday life in the library.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Thing 4 - Photosharing with Flickr
This dog picture was found on Flickr. It is by a photographer called Sputnik.
How might you use Flickr in your library?
Our library could use Flickr to show pictures of our remodeling projects. We could take pictures around the library and add captions that would serve as a visual library orientation.
How do you feel about having your photos public (note that you can mark your Flickr photos private, too)--any concerns?
I am concerned about having pictures of myself on the Internet. I like that the 23 Things on a Stick blog cautions photographers to ask permission before uploading photos of people. Whether or not this is recognised photography etiquette, I don't know.
Thing 3 - Set Up an RSS Account & Add Feeds
What do you like about RSS and newsreaders?
I enjoy logging into one place and having the importing education news of the day come to me. My strategy is to open my Bloglines, scan the headlines (the titles of the blog posts), and then skim the posts with interesting or pertinent headlines. The news blogs contain links to online newspapers, so if the story is very interesting I'll click the link to read the actual news story. Then, I can either bookmark the story for later or forward it to someone else who might enjoy reading it.
Basically, the people writing the blogs I subscribe to are doing all the work of visiting each news website and gathering the Higher Education or library related news stories and linking them to their blogs. By subscribing to these blogs in my Bloglines, I save a lot of time by not having to visit all of those news websites myself.
How do you think you might be able to use this technology in your school or personal life?
If the professors in my liaison departments wrote blogs, I could keep up with departmental happenings through subscribing to those blogs in my RSS feed reader. Also, I could subscribe to blogs pertaining to the news in my various liaison subjects, so that I could keep abreast of the news in those fields. I could even forward interesting articles to professors as I find them.
In my personal life, I could subscribe to my long-distance friends' blogs, though most of my long-distance friends have migrated their online presence to Facebook, which contains its own "news feed", similar to RSS. I could also subscribe to the blogs of organizations or issues that I am interested in, to keep up-to-date with the happenings in those organizations.
Find any great sources we should all add to our feed reader?
All academic librarians should subscribe to the Kept-Up Academic Librarian blog.
I also subscribe to The Chronicle of Higher Education News Blog, The Chronicle of Higher Education Wired Campus Blog, the CNN Education blog, Paul Pival's blog The Distant Librarian, and the Librarian's Internet Index New This Week blog.
I enjoy logging into one place and having the importing education news of the day come to me. My strategy is to open my Bloglines, scan the headlines (the titles of the blog posts), and then skim the posts with interesting or pertinent headlines. The news blogs contain links to online newspapers, so if the story is very interesting I'll click the link to read the actual news story. Then, I can either bookmark the story for later or forward it to someone else who might enjoy reading it.
Basically, the people writing the blogs I subscribe to are doing all the work of visiting each news website and gathering the Higher Education or library related news stories and linking them to their blogs. By subscribing to these blogs in my Bloglines, I save a lot of time by not having to visit all of those news websites myself.
How do you think you might be able to use this technology in your school or personal life?
If the professors in my liaison departments wrote blogs, I could keep up with departmental happenings through subscribing to those blogs in my RSS feed reader. Also, I could subscribe to blogs pertaining to the news in my various liaison subjects, so that I could keep abreast of the news in those fields. I could even forward interesting articles to professors as I find them.
In my personal life, I could subscribe to my long-distance friends' blogs, though most of my long-distance friends have migrated their online presence to Facebook, which contains its own "news feed", similar to RSS. I could also subscribe to the blogs of organizations or issues that I am interested in, to keep up-to-date with the happenings in those organizations.
Find any great sources we should all add to our feed reader?
All academic librarians should subscribe to the Kept-Up Academic Librarian blog.
I also subscribe to The Chronicle of Higher Education News Blog, The Chronicle of Higher Education Wired Campus Blog, the CNN Education blog, Paul Pival's blog The Distant Librarian, and the Librarian's Internet Index New This Week blog.
Thing 2 - What is Library 2.0?
Where will I find the time to do 23 things?
I will consider the 23 things part of the time I invest in professional development and reading the professional literature.
Why am I participating in 23 Things On a Stick?
I am participating because I want to go through the process with my colleagues and participate in the discussion of Web 2.0/Library 2.0 and how it could apply to our library.
What do I hope to learn?
I hope this will be a review of some of the things I learned in library school at the University of Western Ontario, particularly in the class LIS 525 Managing Internet Information Resources. I hope to learn about how other libraries are using Web 2.0 tools, and in particular how their patrons are responding to and using these tools.
How has the Internet and the vast resource it can be affected your use of time at work and/or at home?
So much of what I do involves the Internet, and I could be doing so much more with it. More shopping, more banking, more social networking, more research, etc.
Where are you in your knowledge and use of Web 2.0 tools?
I've kept various blogs for various purposes over the past few years, such as a blog to keep in touch with family and friends while I was at library school and another blog to keep in touch with library school friends now that we're all away from library school. I use Bloglines to keep up on the news related to libraries and higher education. I have Facebook accounts to keep in touch with friends and connect with students. I do not have a Flickr account because I do not own a digital camera or camera phone. I created a wiki for the reference staff here at the library, and I hope it will become an effective knowledge management tool for us. I started a Library Thing account and catalogued some of my books with it. I currently listen to podcasts and watch YouTube videos, but I have not created original podcast or YouTube video content.
What are you looking forward to in 23 Things On a Stick?
I am looking forward to learning about the the kinds of results these "Library 2.0" libraries are experiencing since incorporating Web 2.0 tools into their environment. (I find it interesting that the term "Library 2.0" was coined by Michael Casey in September of 2005, just as I was starting library school. Incidentally, he was referring to a group that started at my library school, Librarians Without Borders.) I want to know how things have changed for these libraries in the few years since they started implementing these tools.
I will consider the 23 things part of the time I invest in professional development and reading the professional literature.
Why am I participating in 23 Things On a Stick?
I am participating because I want to go through the process with my colleagues and participate in the discussion of Web 2.0/Library 2.0 and how it could apply to our library.
What do I hope to learn?
I hope this will be a review of some of the things I learned in library school at the University of Western Ontario, particularly in the class LIS 525 Managing Internet Information Resources. I hope to learn about how other libraries are using Web 2.0 tools, and in particular how their patrons are responding to and using these tools.
How has the Internet and the vast resource it can be affected your use of time at work and/or at home?
So much of what I do involves the Internet, and I could be doing so much more with it. More shopping, more banking, more social networking, more research, etc.
Where are you in your knowledge and use of Web 2.0 tools?
I've kept various blogs for various purposes over the past few years, such as a blog to keep in touch with family and friends while I was at library school and another blog to keep in touch with library school friends now that we're all away from library school. I use Bloglines to keep up on the news related to libraries and higher education. I have Facebook accounts to keep in touch with friends and connect with students. I do not have a Flickr account because I do not own a digital camera or camera phone. I created a wiki for the reference staff here at the library, and I hope it will become an effective knowledge management tool for us. I started a Library Thing account and catalogued some of my books with it. I currently listen to podcasts and watch YouTube videos, but I have not created original podcast or YouTube video content.
What are you looking forward to in 23 Things On a Stick?
I am looking forward to learning about the the kinds of results these "Library 2.0" libraries are experiencing since incorporating Web 2.0 tools into their environment. (I find it interesting that the term "Library 2.0" was coined by Michael Casey in September of 2005, just as I was starting library school. Incidentally, he was referring to a group that started at my library school, Librarians Without Borders.) I want to know how things have changed for these libraries in the few years since they started implementing these tools.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Thing 1 - Getting Started
What I’ve discovered and learned
I learned how to create an avatar. It does not look like me, but it was fun to create. It was a little like playing with paper dolls as a kid. Perhaps avatars are the paper dolls of the 'Net Generation.
What worked for me, and what didn't
The simple layout and color scheme will work for the purpose of this blog.
What I've shared with my colleagues
I shared how to use one of the WYSIWYG editing features with Dora - the button to add a hyperlink.
Any surprises, frustrations, and eureka moments
Blogger has made it easier to change or add to the layout of the blog template. I used to have to go in and edit the HTML code to add links and pictures to the template.
I learned how to create an avatar. It does not look like me, but it was fun to create. It was a little like playing with paper dolls as a kid. Perhaps avatars are the paper dolls of the 'Net Generation.
What worked for me, and what didn't
The simple layout and color scheme will work for the purpose of this blog.
What I've shared with my colleagues
I shared how to use one of the WYSIWYG editing features with Dora - the button to add a hyperlink.
Any surprises, frustrations, and eureka moments
Blogger has made it easier to change or add to the layout of the blog template. I used to have to go in and edit the HTML code to add links and pictures to the template.
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