Wow! I've learned a lot...and completed the survey!
Yay me!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Thing 22--I can't believe I did the whole thing...almost!
You have to be my age at least to get the commercial reference to the title. I really can't believe I have come so far with these things. I had a slow start and a lot of frustrating moments in doing these things, but I'm glad I persevered. I definitely learned a lot and I hope the NEFLIN site stays up for awhile because I would love to refer to it for some of the tools.
I have found that while I am not a writer, I'm not witty, clever or creative and I don't really like to write. Blogging is pretty easy, especially if you don't think anyone is reading. I don't know if I will keep up this blog, but I will miss it to a certain extent. I have offered to keep up a blog for my department on the new website and I hope to introduce some of these tools to the public at large. Thing 20 had so much information that I will have to go back and look at that thing again because I think those tools will be interesting to patrons.
I would love to keep learning about new web tools and one of the ways I think I can do that is just by talking to colleagues.
Thanks for the project and the fun!
I have found that while I am not a writer, I'm not witty, clever or creative and I don't really like to write. Blogging is pretty easy, especially if you don't think anyone is reading. I don't know if I will keep up this blog, but I will miss it to a certain extent. I have offered to keep up a blog for my department on the new website and I hope to introduce some of these tools to the public at large. Thing 20 had so much information that I will have to go back and look at that thing again because I think those tools will be interesting to patrons.
I would love to keep learning about new web tools and one of the ways I think I can do that is just by talking to colleagues.
Thanks for the project and the fun!
Thing 21--Student tools
The idea of this thing is good, but the reality is pretty humorous. Most students only think about their assignment a few days before it is due. We've all been at the reference desk and has students tell us that their 10 page paper is due tomorrow. My 10 year old is not there yet since in elementary school there is very little homework, but she is generally interested in school work and likes to get started early.
I looked at the Assignment Calculator and thought that the steps laid out by the program seemed useful if you give yourself enough time to do the assignment. As a librarian in the public library, I can see myself suggesting this to patrons who are working on a project. I don't know if would work for library projects, since they don't fit into the subject categories, but since the guidelines are very broad and general, it could be useful.
The Research Calculator is interesting. After listing the assignment dates, this tool gives you questions to contemplate as you work on your project. It teaches students to think about their project. I liked this one and I think it could be used for library projects.
The uses of these tools are limited, but still have value.
I looked at the Assignment Calculator and thought that the steps laid out by the program seemed useful if you give yourself enough time to do the assignment. As a librarian in the public library, I can see myself suggesting this to patrons who are working on a project. I don't know if would work for library projects, since they don't fit into the subject categories, but since the guidelines are very broad and general, it could be useful.
The Research Calculator is interesting. After listing the assignment dates, this tool gives you questions to contemplate as you work on your project. It teaches students to think about their project. I liked this one and I think it could be used for library projects.
The uses of these tools are limited, but still have value.
The Book Thing--#20
OK, I tried to read the article about "the future of the book," and I found a blog with all sorts of information, but none of it was really discussing the future of the book.
As Librarians, we have been discussing this topic for a long time. I remember the issue coming up in graduate school, 15 years ago when the internet was just becoming a known tool. We had email and Netscape, file sharing and listservs. It was all very mind blowing at the time. I remember the discussions about how academic journals were becoming irrelevant because, by the time the information was published, it was already old new.
I do see the dissolution of print when it comes to magazines and periodicals. It seems that we get a notice each week of defunct magazines and struggling newspapers. There are more and more e-journals and news blogs and we can read whole issues of magazines online.
I read the article about "Literacy Debate: R U Reading," and yes I can see the concern, but reading online is also reading. It's just blips of reading instead of long reading. Current society is perfect for people with A.D.D, because we are constantly moving our attention from one subject to another.
On with the things... I looked at the following sites:
Twitterlit-this was cute. I enjoyed reading the ticklers or first lines from the books, but I couldn't get further into the book. I guess I needed to sign up for an account and I didn't.
Dailylit-this was interesting and I did sign-up for an account. It seems to be promoting group reading. I wanted to read the book about western art, but I also realized that I would miss out on the images by reading the text. I'll have to see when I validate my account.
BooksinMyPhone-I won't be reading books in my phone because my phone is too small and I don't access the internet via my phone, even though it has the capability to do so--too expensive to add that feature. But while looking at the books listed, they seemed like old classics with free copyright, many of which I've read in my life, or that I'm not interested in reading.
Reading Trails seemed interesting and similar to Library Thing.
Booklamp did not interest me, so I really didn't go to far into it. I'm more more exploratory of a reader and like to read around.
I loved, What Should I Read Next! I typed in the title of a book I recently read and liked and I loved it that 10 suggestions came up immediately, several of which I had already read.
I've seen the What Next? DB before and it can be very useful. Now I see that Kent District Library has added a link to their catalog for the books and that's great for them, perhaps confusing for our patrons. This is a good service and can be done pretty easily in this database.
I didn't find Readerville very interesting because it's a forum about reading and a lot about writing. Since I'm not interested in writing...
Living Social is just a bunch of personal book reviews.
LitLovers seems like an excellent resource to connect to local book groups. I loved the reader's guides. They are comprehensive with lots of interesting information about the authors as well as discussion questions for the group. This is an excellent resource.
OK I'm getting overloaded...there's too much out there, I don't care anymore.
It's obvious that people like to connect around books and reading. It's a way of sharing ideas. It's more obvious that people want to give their opinion about what they are reading. What I see in the library however, is people wanting to connect with other people in person. I think all these online communities perpetuate isolation rather than help it!
As Librarians, we have been discussing this topic for a long time. I remember the issue coming up in graduate school, 15 years ago when the internet was just becoming a known tool. We had email and Netscape, file sharing and listservs. It was all very mind blowing at the time. I remember the discussions about how academic journals were becoming irrelevant because, by the time the information was published, it was already old new.
I do see the dissolution of print when it comes to magazines and periodicals. It seems that we get a notice each week of defunct magazines and struggling newspapers. There are more and more e-journals and news blogs and we can read whole issues of magazines online.
I read the article about "Literacy Debate: R U Reading," and yes I can see the concern, but reading online is also reading. It's just blips of reading instead of long reading. Current society is perfect for people with A.D.D, because we are constantly moving our attention from one subject to another.
On with the things... I looked at the following sites:
Twitterlit-this was cute. I enjoyed reading the ticklers or first lines from the books, but I couldn't get further into the book. I guess I needed to sign up for an account and I didn't.
Dailylit-this was interesting and I did sign-up for an account. It seems to be promoting group reading. I wanted to read the book about western art, but I also realized that I would miss out on the images by reading the text. I'll have to see when I validate my account.
BooksinMyPhone-I won't be reading books in my phone because my phone is too small and I don't access the internet via my phone, even though it has the capability to do so--too expensive to add that feature. But while looking at the books listed, they seemed like old classics with free copyright, many of which I've read in my life, or that I'm not interested in reading.
Reading Trails seemed interesting and similar to Library Thing.
Booklamp did not interest me, so I really didn't go to far into it. I'm more more exploratory of a reader and like to read around.
I loved, What Should I Read Next! I typed in the title of a book I recently read and liked and I loved it that 10 suggestions came up immediately, several of which I had already read.
I've seen the What Next? DB before and it can be very useful. Now I see that Kent District Library has added a link to their catalog for the books and that's great for them, perhaps confusing for our patrons. This is a good service and can be done pretty easily in this database.
I didn't find Readerville very interesting because it's a forum about reading and a lot about writing. Since I'm not interested in writing...
Living Social is just a bunch of personal book reviews.
LitLovers seems like an excellent resource to connect to local book groups. I loved the reader's guides. They are comprehensive with lots of interesting information about the authors as well as discussion questions for the group. This is an excellent resource.
OK I'm getting overloaded...there's too much out there, I don't care anymore.
It's obvious that people like to connect around books and reading. It's a way of sharing ideas. It's more obvious that people want to give their opinion about what they are reading. What I see in the library however, is people wanting to connect with other people in person. I think all these online communities perpetuate isolation rather than help it!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Thing 19-Other Social Networks
It's interesting to see all the places that people go to try and connect online through various social networks. The first social network that I signed up for many years ago was called Friendster. I just looked it up and it still exists and my account from 8 years ago is still active. Whodathunk!@#$? I never got very involved with it, because I felt kind of foolish sending out friend requests to total strangers. It also felt unsafe and vulnerable.
Webjunction is a network that I'm familiar with. I got an email from them once and signed up to get the newsletter. I get a newsletter from them quarterly, or monthly, I'm not sure. They sometimes have useful information, so professionally, I like this social networking site, although I have not utilized it fully.
I tried out Ning and I think the concept is interesting. I looked up a variety of potential social network groups including, Peace Corps, Families with Children from China, Nepal and Parenting Teens. I found some interesting sounding groups, but I could not explore most of them because I needed an invitation to visit or I needed an account--I'm not ready to sign up for a new account. I did peruse the "Nepal" group, since it was completely open and it looked like Facebook. Members loading photos, sending comments to eachother etc. The idea is good and maybe I'll want to join a group sometime, but I didn't find anything too compelling tonight. My life is too full right now to join another anything.
I perused Gather and it once again seemed like Facebook. I couldn't quite see how it was different from the others. I read through the profile of one of the highlighted users and it seemed very personal. I didn't see the conversation.
Social networking has some benefits, but mostly for folks who want to connect virtually rather than in person. I guess the virtual connection may eventually lead to a personal connection...but I don't know yet.
Webjunction is a network that I'm familiar with. I got an email from them once and signed up to get the newsletter. I get a newsletter from them quarterly, or monthly, I'm not sure. They sometimes have useful information, so professionally, I like this social networking site, although I have not utilized it fully.
I tried out Ning and I think the concept is interesting. I looked up a variety of potential social network groups including, Peace Corps, Families with Children from China, Nepal and Parenting Teens. I found some interesting sounding groups, but I could not explore most of them because I needed an invitation to visit or I needed an account--I'm not ready to sign up for a new account. I did peruse the "Nepal" group, since it was completely open and it looked like Facebook. Members loading photos, sending comments to eachother etc. The idea is good and maybe I'll want to join a group sometime, but I didn't find anything too compelling tonight. My life is too full right now to join another anything.
I perused Gather and it once again seemed like Facebook. I couldn't quite see how it was different from the others. I read through the profile of one of the highlighted users and it seemed very personal. I didn't see the conversation.
Social networking has some benefits, but mostly for folks who want to connect virtually rather than in person. I guess the virtual connection may eventually lead to a personal connection...but I don't know yet.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Thing 18--Facebook
Hurray! Another easy THING. I already am a member of Facebook and have been for several months, so this one was easy.
I have investigated both My Space and Facebook for work because as librarians we are always trying to find ways to outreach to different parts of the community. We created a My Space account for the Adult Services department a couple of years ago. We had an Intern from Ansan College in Korea and he did most of the layout work, we provided the content. The Alachua County Library District also has a nice My Space page, as do many other libraries.
I joined Facebook because old friends from the Peace Corps sent me invitations to join. At first I didn't see the point, but because I wanted to see what they were up to, I signed up for an account. Slowly but surely, I started adding profile information, pictures and looking at what my friends around the country/world are doing. Facebook can really drain your time. It took me several frustrating days to figure out how to load pictures, but then when I knew I was happy to have them up. Now they look out of date!
The group I signed up for most recently was FLA. I recently renewed my FLA memebership and while doing so a box came up with places that I could show-off my membership. So I signed into my account and now it's listed on my Facebook page.
This is another way that I see how these "THINGS" connect to other things.
Pretty cool!
I have investigated both My Space and Facebook for work because as librarians we are always trying to find ways to outreach to different parts of the community. We created a My Space account for the Adult Services department a couple of years ago. We had an Intern from Ansan College in Korea and he did most of the layout work, we provided the content. The Alachua County Library District also has a nice My Space page, as do many other libraries.
I joined Facebook because old friends from the Peace Corps sent me invitations to join. At first I didn't see the point, but because I wanted to see what they were up to, I signed up for an account. Slowly but surely, I started adding profile information, pictures and looking at what my friends around the country/world are doing. Facebook can really drain your time. It took me several frustrating days to figure out how to load pictures, but then when I knew I was happy to have them up. Now they look out of date!
The group I signed up for most recently was FLA. I recently renewed my FLA memebership and while doing so a box came up with places that I could show-off my membership. So I signed into my account and now it's listed on my Facebook page.
This is another way that I see how these "THINGS" connect to other things.
Pretty cool!
Podcasting-Thing 17
This was fun and exciting and it gave me a chance to see how some tools build on eachother. I'm a big NPR fan, and I know that they have all kinds of podcasts, so I went to NPR site to see what podcasts I could add to either my Bloglines account or somewhere. NPR makes it very easy to sign up for podcasts, they actually have a podcast button on their homepage. From there they listed all their programs and I found a couple of programs that I enjoy listening to "Whad'ya know" and "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me." Both are very humorous and when I can get good reception in my car I laugh my head off!
The best part is that NPR makes it so easy to download the podcast if you have a My Yahoo account. Well, I just happen to have a My Yahoo account! So I opened it up in a different IE tab and click, download to My Yahoo, and there it appeared. It asked if I wanted to keep the new additions to the page, I clicked OK and now I have a whole bunch of episodes from my favorite shows that I can listen to. Woo hoo!
I have to say that I tried figuring out how to add podcasts to my Bloglines account and I couldn't, so I'm glad NPR made it so easy.
I hope the rest of the things are this easy!
The best part is that NPR makes it so easy to download the podcast if you have a My Yahoo account. Well, I just happen to have a My Yahoo account! So I opened it up in a different IE tab and click, download to My Yahoo, and there it appeared. It asked if I wanted to keep the new additions to the page, I clicked OK and now I have a whole bunch of episodes from my favorite shows that I can listen to. Woo hoo!
I have to say that I tried figuring out how to add podcasts to my Bloglines account and I couldn't, so I'm glad NPR made it so easy.
I hope the rest of the things are this easy!
Thing 16--YouTube
I am so excited that I found this video. I originally saw it in a NEFLIN class about Library 2.0 and I was pretty blown away by some of the concepts in the video. I had searched in YouTube before under the title "Mind Blowing" but didn't find it. Tonight I searched under "technology" and found a very sexy video with 5 cents and Justin Timberlake, that didn't seem to have anything to do with technology...and I found some others. Finally I searched under "Information Overload" and I found the video and embedded it into the blog. I feel so cool right now!
Thing 16 Rocks!
Thing 15-Rolling
I was not really impressed with Rollyo. I clicked on the listed Rollyo sites for searching for quotes and searching for public domain books and I was not impressed with the results. First of all on the results page, it brought up a Google search box front and center. I looked at some of the suggestions for quotes on "family" as an example and many of the sites were not relevant to quotations at all. Google seems just as efficient with more relevant results. I guess with Rollyo you don't need to type in as many words.
I went to the Rollyo site and tried to do a search on "China Travel." The results were all over the map. I had done a similar search in Google and found the results to be much more relevant and useful.
I don't know how or when I would use this tool because the searches are less relevant than Google in my opinion.
I created my own search roll featuring "Cheap Air Fare" and of course I looked the topic up in Google to get ideas for the sites to add into the rolled search. What I found was that my Google search was just as, if not more relevant the Rollyo search. Hmmm, I'm not really seeing the advantages with this one, but at least I know about it!
I'm going to try to add the search box to my blog, but I'm not usually too successful with some of the add ons. I'll see what happens. Hopefully it won't make me!@#$%&*
I went to the Rollyo site and tried to do a search on "China Travel." The results were all over the map. I had done a similar search in Google and found the results to be much more relevant and useful.
I don't know how or when I would use this tool because the searches are less relevant than Google in my opinion.
I created my own search roll featuring "Cheap Air Fare" and of course I looked the topic up in Google to get ideas for the sites to add into the rolled search. What I found was that my Google search was just as, if not more relevant the Rollyo search. Hmmm, I'm not really seeing the advantages with this one, but at least I know about it!
I'm going to try to add the search box to my blog, but I'm not usually too successful with some of the add ons. I'll see what happens. Hopefully it won't make me!@#$%&*
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