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.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
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.
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