Monday, April 13, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Thing 22: Staying Current
Whew! Time does fly. Has it really been three months since we all started the 23 Things journey?
I learned a bunch. While I knew about, or even used, some of the web 2.0 tools I hadn't spent much time with most. They are like a Swiss Army Knife. You use the big knife a lot or the bottle opener. However, there are another 8-10 things you can do with this knife.
Will I keep this blog updated? I will break it to you gently...Nope. I will go back to NEFLIN's Blah, Blah, Blah Blog which is where I'll continue to blog about these 2.0 things and more.
I did meet my original goal. I feel more confident to be able to discuss these Things with others, especially those younger folk who are digital natives and use these Things as a part of their daily lives.
I had a great time at the Blogapalooza. Thanks for joining the party!
I learned a bunch. While I knew about, or even used, some of the web 2.0 tools I hadn't spent much time with most. They are like a Swiss Army Knife. You use the big knife a lot or the bottle opener. However, there are another 8-10 things you can do with this knife.
Will I keep this blog updated? I will break it to you gently...Nope. I will go back to NEFLIN's Blah, Blah, Blah Blog which is where I'll continue to blog about these 2.0 things and more.
I did meet my original goal. I feel more confident to be able to discuss these Things with others, especially those younger folk who are digital natives and use these Things as a part of their daily lives.
I had a great time at the Blogapalooza. Thanks for joining the party!
Thing 21: Student 2.0 Tools
I used both the Assignment Calculator and Project Research Calculator. They appeal to my right brain.
Like most of us, I wish that I had tools like these when I was in school. I was the unfortunate class that was at the tail end of the typewriter era. My mom packed me a suitcase and a typewriter when heading off to college. The next gen brought their backpack and PC.
I mapped out on paper what these calculators provide electronically. Having e-mail reminders are my favorite feature.
Like most of us, I wish that I had tools like these when I was in school. I was the unfortunate class that was at the tail end of the typewriter era. My mom packed me a suitcase and a typewriter when heading off to college. The next gen brought their backpack and PC.
I mapped out on paper what these calculators provide electronically. Having e-mail reminders are my favorite feature.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Thing 20: Books 2.0
A "back to book basics" Thing, combined with a future of books Thing. Nice!
I am interested in e-books and the Kindle. The sites that showed/discussed this product, and libraries that are checking out Kindles were the most interesting to me. If you are into this product or want to know more you can contact Michael Kucsak, Director of Library Technology, at UNF (and former NEFLIN employee). He is very knowledgeable about the Kindle.
On the book 1.0 front I looked at all the Reader's Advisory sites. I love to read fiction and wanted to see what was out there. One site I use is Fantastic Fiction. It has bibliographies of over 20,000 authors.
I am interested in e-books and the Kindle. The sites that showed/discussed this product, and libraries that are checking out Kindles were the most interesting to me. If you are into this product or want to know more you can contact Michael Kucsak, Director of Library Technology, at UNF (and former NEFLIN employee). He is very knowledgeable about the Kindle.
On the book 1.0 front I looked at all the Reader's Advisory sites. I love to read fiction and wanted to see what was out there. One site I use is Fantastic Fiction. It has bibliographies of over 20,000 authors.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thing 19: Other Social Networks
I took some time to visit WebJunction and Ning. WebJunction has a lot of great content. From their discussion groups, to webinars, to their great monthly newsletter. I quickly found myself in the bowels of site, such as following a couple of discussions and browsing back issues of their newsletter. Great content. Nice layout. I give it **** stars.
Ning was just okay. I will say the Library 2.0 group is hopping with over 4,000 members. It seemed that 3,995 of them were lurkers, but that's normal. A few do a lot of the talking/posting.
Ning was just okay. I will say the Library 2.0 group is hopping with over 4,000 members. It seemed that 3,995 of them were lurkers, but that's normal. A few do a lot of the talking/posting.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Thing 18: Facebook and MySpace
I created an account on both of these sites when I first began teaching my "Pop Culture" workshop. At that time MySpace ruled and Facebook was a niche social site for college students. Now Facebook has surpassed MySpace in the number of users and "time spent on the site per day" (a precious commodity when you are making your living off ad revenue). Each has their own appeal, which is probably why they can continue to co-exist.
I don't regularly visit or maintain either site, so I won't link to them here.
I will do a shameless plug for an upcoming NEFLIN workshop "Facebook for Librarians" in May.
I don't regularly visit or maintain either site, so I won't link to them here.
I will do a shameless plug for an upcoming NEFLIN workshop "Facebook for Librarians" in May.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thing 17: Podcasts
I have been listening to podcasts ever since I bought an iPod a few years back. I downloaded iTunes and started poking around. I found that a few shows that I listened to on the radio were available as podcasts, usually the same day.
I set up iTunes to download these podcasts daily and then I started listening to them in my car and on my computer. Aaahhh, the good life. My love affair with the Tivo, now spread to podcasts. I could listen to quality programming on my time and schedule, with no commercials interruptions. Sweet!
I have listened to a few library webinars that were really podcasts. There was no visual content, just a talking head (without seeing the head). Depending on the subject matter and length of program (i.e., programs that understood my short attention span), some were good and some not so much.
I set up iTunes to download these podcasts daily and then I started listening to them in my car and on my computer. Aaahhh, the good life. My love affair with the Tivo, now spread to podcasts. I could listen to quality programming on my time and schedule, with no commercials interruptions. Sweet!
I have listened to a few library webinars that were really podcasts. There was no visual content, just a talking head (without seeing the head). Depending on the subject matter and length of program (i.e., programs that understood my short attention span), some were good and some not so much.
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