Yeah, going out of order here.
I had a bit of trouble getting to post to the CML wiki since I'm not a CML employee, but I was granted permission very quickly after posting a request, so thanks wiki administrator!
I like PBwiki, it's very easy to use if you're familiar with using a blog, and even if you haven't, it's a snap to pick up. Another wiki I've heard good things about is wetpaint.com, although I haven't had a whole lot of experience with it. So I added my blog to the front page, and I added info to the fave books and fave quotations pages. I liked being able to read about other people's likes; fun activity!
~T
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thing #18: Discovering Web 2.0 Tools
For this "thing", we're to look at the Web 2.0 Award winners and talk about one in particular. Looking at the list of winners, I have heard of a few of them, but many I had not. Under the "food" category, I found imcooked.com. I'm already aware of recipe-sharing and review sites like allrecipes.com and recipezaar.com, so I was curious to see how this Web 2.0 site was different from the ones I already know.
Imcooked is youtube meets allrecipes, where users upload videos of recipes and viewers can rate them. The videos' production quality ranges from high to low, but it's interesting to actually "see" cooking techniques instead of just reading about them. While many videos are made by actual chefs or people who talk as if they're on TV, I like the videos of real people best.
There's also groups of videos by type "College Cooking" and you can search the videos by type of recipe as well. I also like that you do not have to sign up to watch the videos, only if you want to contribute or interact with the other users.
~T
Imcooked is youtube meets allrecipes, where users upload videos of recipes and viewers can rate them. The videos' production quality ranges from high to low, but it's interesting to actually "see" cooking techniques instead of just reading about them. While many videos are made by actual chefs or people who talk as if they're on TV, I like the videos of real people best.
There's also groups of videos by type "College Cooking" and you can search the videos by type of recipe as well. I also like that you do not have to sign up to watch the videos, only if you want to contribute or interact with the other users.
~T
Thing #17: Web Based Apps
Well, it looks like I can't participate in Thing #16 just yet, I'm having trouble getting access to edit the wiki, so while I'm waiting, I suppose I'll move onto the next!
So, Web-based applications. I've had experience with Google Docs before, but not in the way the video (and this discovery exercise) intends it to be used. I took a class where we all submitted our own documents to a Google Docs account so our instructor could keep track of everyone's submissions. I like the idea of a collaborative document writing. It utilizes the goodness of wikis but takes away the public aspect. This could be helpful in libraries when members of a "team" or workforce are composing a document, report, or presentation together but don't want to send multiple documents around through the Internet.
The other way in which this would be helpful is with patrons. My library only has 8 computers that have Microsoft Word installed on them, and for some reason, people always take those computers first, even if they're just using the Internet. This is a problem when someone wants to use a word processor but can't have access to the right computers. Using Google Docs or Zoho Writer, they can use a free word processor to type up whatever, and save it without needing a disk or flash drive. Unfortunately, if the user does not already have a Google account, most of the time they don't want to take the time to "sign up for something else". But if they do have an account already, it's pretty awesome to be able to show someone something new they didn't know about!
Also, Web-based apps provide security in saving files. I had a mishap with my flash drive a few months back, and I lost a bunch of important files for my practicum. I started redoing docs and saving them on Zoho Writer, and I knew I wouldn't have to worry about them being lost again. Useful for patrons who never think to bring a disk (which happens a lot).
~T
So, Web-based applications. I've had experience with Google Docs before, but not in the way the video (and this discovery exercise) intends it to be used. I took a class where we all submitted our own documents to a Google Docs account so our instructor could keep track of everyone's submissions. I like the idea of a collaborative document writing. It utilizes the goodness of wikis but takes away the public aspect. This could be helpful in libraries when members of a "team" or workforce are composing a document, report, or presentation together but don't want to send multiple documents around through the Internet.
The other way in which this would be helpful is with patrons. My library only has 8 computers that have Microsoft Word installed on them, and for some reason, people always take those computers first, even if they're just using the Internet. This is a problem when someone wants to use a word processor but can't have access to the right computers. Using Google Docs or Zoho Writer, they can use a free word processor to type up whatever, and save it without needing a disk or flash drive. Unfortunately, if the user does not already have a Google account, most of the time they don't want to take the time to "sign up for something else". But if they do have an account already, it's pretty awesome to be able to show someone something new they didn't know about!
Also, Web-based apps provide security in saving files. I had a mishap with my flash drive a few months back, and I lost a bunch of important files for my practicum. I started redoing docs and saving them on Zoho Writer, and I knew I wouldn't have to worry about them being lost again. Useful for patrons who never think to bring a disk (which happens a lot).
~T
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thing #15: Wikis
The wiki is a romanticized, utopian view of what sharing information on the Internet should be: an open place where the common man can contribute and share content easily to the masses. Surely libraries, who praise the dissemination of information, would approve of such a technology! The obvious positive side of wikis is that they are open and welcoming to anyone who wishes to share content. Getting a wiki to actually function the way you want it to,...well, that's a different story.
I think that wikis have a great potential for use in library systems. They can be used wherever information is shared and displayed. Wikis in libraries can have various types of collaboration: between libraries, among library staff, between staff and patrons, or just patron contribution. In fact, my library has their own staff wiki, which is helpful for finding details about programs, our tutor rooms, and where to find a notary when our library manager is out (useful information that I needed just yesterday!)
There is a wide scope as to how a wiki can be implemented at a library; they can be as simple or as intricate as you please. A Summer Reading Club wikis can share information to others on good books for young patrons to read, or information for parents on how to get their child to read more often. A local community information wikis can share information on various aspects of a community all in one place with opinions from the general population. Even a library’s home page can have a wiki section. One fantastic and simple example of a library wiki is shown at the Princeton (NJ) Public Library, where a book review wiki shows how a library community can work together to share book reviews and thoughts about literature and library services. I also like Butler (IN) University Library's Reference Wiki, which gives a complete (and I do mean complete) list of reference sources, added by users of the library.
~TMonday, November 24, 2008
Thing #14: Web 2.0 v. Library 2.0
Ok, a lone week left to L&P@CML, and I think I can finish in time (in time for what? Well, I just like deadlines, I guess). I’ve been a busy bee because I’ve been finishing up my MLS. Wee!
I’m trying to reach back into my brain and remember the first time I heard the term “Web 2.0”. Of course, this term is passé, as many libraries are involved in Web 3.0 (Virtual 3D services). But I suppose we can’t all move onto the next level until we’re proficient with the current level, so Web 2.0, although I know plenty of people sick of the terminology, still endures. And again, the idea of Web 2.0 is old hat to us library folk, but to some library users, it is new to them. How fun it is to share cool new tools and tricks and methods of information sharing with people who aren’t aware of it!
But I’m getting away from what I’m supposed to talk about. The 2 articles I read were “Into a New World of Librarianship” by Michael Stephens and “Away from the Icebergs” by Rick Anderson. Now, the term Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 mean two different things to me. Web 2.0 summons the idea of shared content between users utilizing the World Wide Web. Library 2.0 takes it a step further and integrates library services and shared learning utilizing the Web. As the Learn & Play initiative shows, there is A LOT out there for libraries! The key is making Library 2.0 tools available that are accessible on different user levels. There are users that are so adept with technology (as well as the ones that find new technologies interesting and have a desire to learn), and then there are the second group who is at a low-functioning level of technology and also resistant to change. Users in this second group should be introduced to simple Web 2.0 technologies that are slightly above their level (Vygotsky’s “Zone of Proximal Development”). Then ask if you can show the patron “something really neat” and tailor it to suit them. For example, with children (who may be at a low level of tech-proficiency), show them Flickr or an online image generator! Soon they’ll be sharing pictures with grandma all on their own.
I’m trying to reach back into my brain and remember the first time I heard the term “Web 2.0”. Of course, this term is passé, as many libraries are involved in Web 3.0 (Virtual 3D services). But I suppose we can’t all move onto the next level until we’re proficient with the current level, so Web 2.0, although I know plenty of people sick of the terminology, still endures. And again, the idea of Web 2.0 is old hat to us library folk, but to some library users, it is new to them. How fun it is to share cool new tools and tricks and methods of information sharing with people who aren’t aware of it!
But I’m getting away from what I’m supposed to talk about. The 2 articles I read were “Into a New World of Librarianship” by Michael Stephens and “Away from the Icebergs” by Rick Anderson. Now, the term Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 mean two different things to me. Web 2.0 summons the idea of shared content between users utilizing the World Wide Web. Library 2.0 takes it a step further and integrates library services and shared learning utilizing the Web. As the Learn & Play initiative shows, there is A LOT out there for libraries! The key is making Library 2.0 tools available that are accessible on different user levels. There are users that are so adept with technology (as well as the ones that find new technologies interesting and have a desire to learn), and then there are the second group who is at a low-functioning level of technology and also resistant to change. Users in this second group should be introduced to simple Web 2.0 technologies that are slightly above their level (Vygotsky’s “Zone of Proximal Development”). Then ask if you can show the patron “something really neat” and tailor it to suit them. For example, with children (who may be at a low level of tech-proficiency), show them Flickr or an online image generator! Soon they’ll be sharing pictures with grandma all on their own.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Thing #13: Social Bookmarking
Man, I am way behind with this. I'm still on #13 when everyone is supposed to be finishing up their 23 things. Oh well, not like I can get the free flash drive anyway. =)
I recall an article a while back that talked about the future of personal Web organization, how it can be so much more than just that Bookmarking drop box on your Web browser menu. Enter del.icio.us. (I know the dots are no longer necessary, but I like them!) Del.icio.us allows users to set up an account, and tag their bookmarks with specific terms for easy sorting. What's more, you can see other users' bookmarks and search by specific tags to find links and pages, hence the "social" aspect of social bookmarking. I first used del.icio.us for a research paper for a class where the paper had different topics. This way, I could take my "sources" and continue to work on my paper at school, home, and sometimes even at work. (shh! Don't tell! It was off-desk hours anyway!) To be honest, I haven't really touched my del.icio.us account since my class ended in July, but it'd be nice to start it up again.
This is a good technology for public and academic library use. I liked CML's humanities page with all of its readers advisory book list links and "what do I read next" pages. I can also see possibilities for youth services too, with authoritative links to pages that can provide homework help and report research. Or maybe links to child-appropriate game sites like Webkinz and PBS Kids. The fact that any of these lists can be accessed from any remote location outside the library only furthers it's usage possibilities. Hmm, maybe I should mention del.icio.us at my next departmental meeting!
~T
I recall an article a while back that talked about the future of personal Web organization, how it can be so much more than just that Bookmarking drop box on your Web browser menu. Enter del.icio.us. (I know the dots are no longer necessary, but I like them!) Del.icio.us allows users to set up an account, and tag their bookmarks with specific terms for easy sorting. What's more, you can see other users' bookmarks and search by specific tags to find links and pages, hence the "social" aspect of social bookmarking. I first used del.icio.us for a research paper for a class where the paper had different topics. This way, I could take my "sources" and continue to work on my paper at school, home, and sometimes even at work. (shh! Don't tell! It was off-desk hours anyway!) To be honest, I haven't really touched my del.icio.us account since my class ended in July, but it'd be nice to start it up again.
This is a good technology for public and academic library use. I liked CML's humanities page with all of its readers advisory book list links and "what do I read next" pages. I can also see possibilities for youth services too, with authoritative links to pages that can provide homework help and report research. Or maybe links to child-appropriate game sites like Webkinz and PBS Kids. The fact that any of these lists can be accessed from any remote location outside the library only furthers it's usage possibilities. Hmm, maybe I should mention del.icio.us at my next departmental meeting!
~T
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