The End - Method 12

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!

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.

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 . . .

Facebook , and Myspace, and Twitter, oh my! - Method 8

SO the question that is posed is, "how do I feel about social networking sites in general?" My answer is, "if it weren't for Myspace and Facebook I would have completely lost touch with my high school and college friends. Thanks to these two sites I have been able to reconnect with many of my friends from past and know what is going on in their lives - husbands, wives, kids, etc. I love it!"
I do not worry about privacy, because you only post what you want public. If you don't want people to know it, don't write. If you don't want strangers to know anything, keep your profile private - then only people you approve can see your profile and information. If someone you don't know requests to follow or friend you, JUST SAY NO! I do worry a little about the personal life vs. professional life. I have solved this by keeping my Facebook page as personal site, and though I accept friend requests from some people in my working life, they understand that the Facebook is separate from work. I have solved the need for social networking in my professional life with my Twitter account, though I have to admit I am not very good with tweeting - but I will work on that.

Method 7 is Delicious

Ah! Delicious. This is another tool I have been using, but not to it's fullest. I love that I can "take my bookmarks with me." But, I'm afraid I do not use delicious to it's fullest extent, nor do I promote it to it's fullest extent.

I can see, with proper publicity, the use of delicious between librarians in my district as a quick share of resources. We all look for the same types of resources and web pages around certain times of year - Columbus day, Veterans day, Halloween, Thanksgiving - basically any holiday, and we are out there searching for good informational websites. Whether it is for classes, lesson planning, or display ideas. How nice would it be to create a network of already found and usable websites?

Shenanigans' Debut - Method 6

I enjoy Teachertube. I'm very glad that it is available to our schools and libraries, since Youtube is blocked. I like Youtube for home use, but I do believe there is way to much "other stuff" to wade through in order to find what you want or need. Teachertube is the perfect alternative for school use. They have channels related to content area, they having tagging, and you can search.

In this age of technology I'm glad there are places for students who are interested in film making and technology to post their products to. Also, there are many Media Contests out there (TLA has one, HISD Library Services's Name That Book Media Contest, etc). Having Teachertube available for the students who enter these contests to post to and browse for ideas is wonderful. Now that I have a Flip video at my ready access, I plan to try to do more videoing and video editting. Wish me luck!