As a Texas transplant - I don't two-step. But this form of two-stepping I can get on board with. As i mentioned in an earlier post, i decided to go through the program, not because I am unfamiliar with these 2.0 tools, but because I wanted to be able to support the librarians I support if they decided to do the program. I still don't know if any of them are doing the program, so that either means they are doing it successfully without my help, or they are not doing it (and shame on them). Being familiar with, but not actually doing, all of the tools was an added advantage, and I completed this program very quickly (not start to finish time, but hours spent). That is not to say I didn't learn things. I did. I learned new features of products that I didn't know were there, I learned about other places to go for multiple tools, I learned that Flick'r has a lot more to offer than I first thought. I also created this blog - an ambition that I toyed with, and maybe now I'll keep it up . . . but is anyone out there reading? Or will I be blogging to myself???
As for improvements, I would like less You-Tube videos, as I cannot access them through my school districts filter, and though they are good - I cannot use them (easily) to help the librarians in the district.
It's been fun!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Method 11 - podcasting
Podcasting can be a great tool for learning. Through this exercise I discovered that Nancy Keene - book talking extraordinaire - is podcasting some of her talks. This is a great resource for librarians just learning how to book talk, or to use with students to help them learn to book talk.
I also discovered Librarian Live, and listened to part of the "Breaking up with Dewey" podcast. This volume on the person being interviewed was not very good and I had a hard time hearing what she was saying - which is what I really wanted to hear.
I have librarians and schools who want to learn more about podcasting and how to use it in their day-to-day teaching. And I have a desire to learn how to do it. I have been to session after session about podcasting, but it never seems to show me exactly what to do. Maybe I'll try to learn myself . . . but realistically I know other tasks will always come first.
i think a library can utilize podcasts for many things. To document a quest speaker or interview. To broadcast upcoming events. To publicize a book club book. The ppossiblities go on and on.
I also discovered Librarian Live, and listened to part of the "Breaking up with Dewey" podcast. This volume on the person being interviewed was not very good and I had a hard time hearing what she was saying - which is what I really wanted to hear.
I have librarians and schools who want to learn more about podcasting and how to use it in their day-to-day teaching. And I have a desire to learn how to do it. I have been to session after session about podcasting, but it never seems to show me exactly what to do. Maybe I'll try to learn myself . . . but realistically I know other tasks will always come first.
i think a library can utilize podcasts for many things. To document a quest speaker or interview. To broadcast upcoming events. To publicize a book club book. The ppossiblities go on and on.
Wiki while you work! - Method 10
The Wiki is my new favorite tool. I started using wikispaces back in August to create a space for the libraries I support to collaborate or go to for information (Please browse if you like - it's linked through the title of this post). I love that anyone with an account can become the editor of the site - so if I make a mistake, or don't post something - one of the librarians in the schools can. I can see great things for the Wiki. I can see the librarians using it for a sharing space of great lessons, programming, collaboration etc. Sadly, it is not being used as I would like it to be (and have presented it to be). It is currently mainly operating as a website that only I edit. I love the discussion board areas on wikispaces, one is attached to each page so that the discussion threads don't become jumbled, they can be about what the page is about. Hopefully, my vision of the Wiki will come to fruition - I'm patient - sometimes.
Method 9
In college, before everyone had cell phones and could call long distance without paying, and long distance calls were expensive, and I was broke I used IM constantly I used it not only to keep in touch with friends all over the country, but also to friends who were in the next dorm over, or even just on another floor. I would sit for hours chatting with several people at once, instead of doing the homework that my computer and desk were "made for."
I don't IM as much as I used to, but I have to say I like the built in IM on Facebook. It makes it very easy to quickly reconnect to a friend who you may only "see" on Facebook. IM'ing is just as easy as typing right now. Though I don't use it very much anymore (simply because at the end of the day I just don't want to be in front of a computer any longer) it is a tool that can be utilized.
I think using IM in libraries is a great idea for the public and academic libraries. Working with school libraries, I don't see a huge benefit for them. Not because I don't love the idea of giving the students another way to reach the librarian, but because the working hours of the librarian limit its usefulness. Very few school librarians work past 5 PM. If they enabled an IM feature, then the students would most likely already be in school and could (hopefully) walk to the library. I see the best benefit of an IM feature in those evening homework sessions when a student needs a quick reference question answered, and I don't see his or her school librarian sitting at home with his or her family with a laptop open so he or she can chat with a student . . .
I don't IM as much as I used to, but I have to say I like the built in IM on Facebook. It makes it very easy to quickly reconnect to a friend who you may only "see" on Facebook. IM'ing is just as easy as typing right now. Though I don't use it very much anymore (simply because at the end of the day I just don't want to be in front of a computer any longer) it is a tool that can be utilized.
I think using IM in libraries is a great idea for the public and academic libraries. Working with school libraries, I don't see a huge benefit for them. Not because I don't love the idea of giving the students another way to reach the librarian, but because the working hours of the librarian limit its usefulness. Very few school librarians work past 5 PM. If they enabled an IM feature, then the students would most likely already be in school and could (hopefully) walk to the library. I see the best benefit of an IM feature in those evening homework sessions when a student needs a quick reference question answered, and I don't see his or her school librarian sitting at home with his or her family with a laptop open so he or she can chat with a student . . .
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