"For your last and final exercise for this program please reflect on your learning journey and post a few thoughts. Here are some questions to prompt you if you're drawing a blank..."
What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
blogging (and Blogger).
Flickr
online image generators (such as FD Toys).
Bloglines/RSS feeds
wikis (such as PBwiki)
online productivity tools (such as Google Docs)
How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
I finally finished a Learning 2.0 program! I tried a couple of other programs (such as the Charlotte Mecklenberg and the California School Library programs) but rarely made it past week 3. While Learning 2.0 at SPPL took longer than I anticipated, I finally finished!
Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
The exercise on wikis was helpful. For a very long time I have wanted to create a story kit wiki.
I have most of the info in a Word doc (now also a Google Doc), but I didn't know how to get started. The PBwiki exercise helped me figure it out. Here is the link to the wiki I am creating: http://spplstorykits.pbwiki.com/.
What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
As I mentioned in a post at the start of this program, one of the most difficult parts of participating in a Learning 2.0 program (for me) will be finding the time and making the commitment to do the work. Finding the time to do the work proved to be the most difficult part of this program. Frequently, I would do some of the work "on desk", during slow times or between customers, but then I would encounter a video that would have to be watched and I would have to wait until later (or the the next day) to complete that part of the exercise. I did what I could "off desk", but sometimes found I needed more time. So, an answer to this question would be: provide more time to complete the exercises.
And last but not least…If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you again chose to participate?
Maybe. It would depend on the content of the program. Right now I am looking at "Learning 2.0 in 15 mintues a day" (from the Library Instruction wiki), Learning 2.1 (from Charlotte Mecklenberg) and 23 Things on a Stick as ways to learn more. But, I would also like to try online gaming (with Runescape) so I can try to better understand why so many of our younger patrons visit that site.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Discovery Exercise #22 Discovering Web 2.0 Awards
Several of the sites listed as Web 2.0 Awards nominees were sites we already visited as part of Learning 2.0. The ones we didn't visit but that I liked were http://www.cocktailbuilder.com/, http://www.onesentence.org/, and http://www.peertrainer.com/. Although I do not drink alcoholic beverages or allow them in my home, Cocktail Builder has an interesting idea: " Tell the Cocktail Builder what liquor and mixers you have lying around and it will tell you what cocktails you can make!" Now, if they could develop a site that does the same with food--"Tell the Menu Builder what food you have in your refrigerator, cupboards, or pantry and it will help you plan a meal"--that would be a totally awesome site.
One Sentence was also a interesting site. "One Sentence is about telling your story, briefly. Insignificant stories, everyday stories, or turning-point-in-your-life stories, boiled down to their bare essentials." Some of the entries made me laugh. Some of them made me think. Some of them made me say "What ???"
Peer Trainer also has an interesting concept--connecting people who are interested in fitness and training or finding support from users who share the same goals as you. While I don't know if I would feel comfortable "connecting" on the site, I can see the site used by people looking for motivation or support as they try to lose weight or get fit.
The one site on the list that I was surprised about was Yahoo! Answers. Slate magazine recently called it "a Librarian's Worst Nightmare" because "It encourages bad research habits, rewards people who post things that aren't true, and frequently labels factual errors as correct information. " Why would you give an award to a website that gives inaccurate information and encourages bad research habits? Sure, it ranked high in usability and social aspects, but if I had question, I would want it answered accurately. But, you can judge for yourself. Here is the link to the Slate article: http://www.slate.com/id/2179393/fr/rss/. If you find if any websites that highlight the good aspects of Yahoo! Answers, let me know. (Oh, wait! Here is an idea: ask Yahoo! Answers. It would be interesting to see what their answers are!)
One Sentence was also a interesting site. "One Sentence is about telling your story, briefly. Insignificant stories, everyday stories, or turning-point-in-your-life stories, boiled down to their bare essentials." Some of the entries made me laugh. Some of them made me think. Some of them made me say "What ???"
Peer Trainer also has an interesting concept--connecting people who are interested in fitness and training or finding support from users who share the same goals as you. While I don't know if I would feel comfortable "connecting" on the site, I can see the site used by people looking for motivation or support as they try to lose weight or get fit.
The one site on the list that I was surprised about was Yahoo! Answers. Slate magazine recently called it "a Librarian's Worst Nightmare" because "It encourages bad research habits, rewards people who post things that aren't true, and frequently labels factual errors as correct information. " Why would you give an award to a website that gives inaccurate information and encourages bad research habits? Sure, it ranked high in usability and social aspects, but if I had question, I would want it answered accurately. But, you can judge for yourself. Here is the link to the Slate article: http://www.slate.com/id/2179393/fr/rss/. If you find if any websites that highlight the good aspects of Yahoo! Answers, let me know. (Oh, wait! Here is an idea: ask Yahoo! Answers. It would be interesting to see what their answers are!)
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Discovery Exercise #21 (con't)
What a mess! I tried to send the post for Web Based Apps--Discovery Exercise #21 to this blog from Google Docs and it was posted to another blog I am trying to start! (I am positive I filled in the info correctly.) So then I had to go to http://littlepiecesofpaper.blogspot.com/ to try and copy the post so I could paste it here in Chronicles of the Library Slayer and I couldn't do it! So then I went back to Google Docs thinking I could copy and paste the post from there, but realized I had deleted the document after I tried to post it on this blog. It took some time for me to figure out how to retrieve the document from the Google Docs trash can. Then, when I had finally posted the post, I went back to Little Pieces of Paper to delete the wayward post and some how (I honestly don't know how I did it!) I accidentally deleted the previous post for Discovery Exercise #20. So I had to start all over again creating another post for Discovery Exercise #20.
UGGHH! This whole process shouldn't have been this difficult! But, keep in mind, I was "on desk" again and was being interrupted by someone every 3 minutes (or it seemed). No sooner would I figure where I had gone wrong with the posts and what to do to correct them, then someone would ask me a question, I would forget what I was doing (with the posts) and have to start all over again. I finally gave up and decided to wait until later, when I wasn't working the reference desk.
UGGHH! This whole process shouldn't have been this difficult! But, keep in mind, I was "on desk" again and was being interrupted by someone every 3 minutes (or it seemed). No sooner would I figure where I had gone wrong with the posts and what to do to correct them, then someone would ask me a question, I would forget what I was doing (with the posts) and have to start all over again. I finally gave up and decided to wait until later, when I wasn't working the reference desk.
Web-Based Apps Discovery Exercise #21
This exercise was one of the easier ones. I have been using Google Docs for years and have a variety of documents saved in various folders (documents, spreadsheets, powerpoint presentations, etc.) I find it easier to write certain items in Google Docs because then they are "portable", meaning I can access that document from almost any computer with Internet access--no floppy discs, no flash drives; just log-in and type. I considered using Zoho Writer (as suggested in SPPL Learning 2.0), but then decided I have way too many accounts in too many places on the Web as a result of participating in Learning 2.0 and I really don't want to add to another. So, I stayed with what I know: Google Docs.
One thing I did learn from this exercise, however, is that it is possible to write in Google Docs and publish a post to your blog. (I have "shared" douments before, but never posted one to a blog.) Let's see how well that works...
One thing I did learn from this exercise, however, is that it is possible to write in Google Docs and publish a post to your blog. (I have "shared" douments before, but never posted one to a blog.) Let's see how well that works...
Discovery Exercise #20 PB Wiki
This exercise was a confusing one. I needed more instructions, at least to get started. The instructions posted said:
1. Click "Edit Page" at the top of this page
2. Type something
3. Click Save!
So I clicked "Edit Page", logged in (per the directions on the web page) and ended up at the Front Page.
"This can't be right, " I thought. "This isn't where I should be adding my blog." (Although now I understand how the Yarn Harlot's Blog was added to the front page.) So I clicked on Favorite Blogs.
"This is more like it," I thought. But then I couldn't figure out to get my link to look like all the other links. I decided I probably should watch the video before proceeding any further. But, I was "on desk" meaning I would be interrupted every few minutes by someone with a question. Plus, I had no headphones, which meant I could not quietly listen to the video. So, I decided it was probably best to wait and watch the video on my break. (This "waiting and watching videos later" is one of the major problems with Learning 2.0 and one of the main reasons it has taken me so long to complete the program! But, more on that in a later post...)
I watched the video. It was informative, but it didn't help me figure out how to make my link look all the others. I decided to go to the list of SPPL Learning 2.0 participants, copy the link of my blog and paste it in the wiki. It worked. (I really enjoyed changing the font style and color of my link, too. That is a way cool feature!) But, this problem with creating a link has given me a hint on where I need to do more learning with SPPL Learning 2.0 or at least go back and review previous lessons.
1. Click "Edit Page" at the top of this page
2. Type something
3. Click Save!
So I clicked "Edit Page", logged in (per the directions on the web page) and ended up at the Front Page.
"This can't be right, " I thought. "This isn't where I should be adding my blog." (Although now I understand how the Yarn Harlot's Blog was added to the front page.) So I clicked on Favorite Blogs.
"This is more like it," I thought. But then I couldn't figure out to get my link to look like all the other links. I decided I probably should watch the video before proceeding any further. But, I was "on desk" meaning I would be interrupted every few minutes by someone with a question. Plus, I had no headphones, which meant I could not quietly listen to the video. So, I decided it was probably best to wait and watch the video on my break. (This "waiting and watching videos later" is one of the major problems with Learning 2.0 and one of the main reasons it has taken me so long to complete the program! But, more on that in a later post...)
I watched the video. It was informative, but it didn't help me figure out how to make my link look all the others. I decided to go to the list of SPPL Learning 2.0 participants, copy the link of my blog and paste it in the wiki. It worked. (I really enjoyed changing the font style and color of my link, too. That is a way cool feature!) But, this problem with creating a link has given me a hint on where I need to do more learning with SPPL Learning 2.0 or at least go back and review previous lessons.
Monday, January 14, 2008
It's a Wiki Wiki World out there! (Discovery Exercise #19)
The Library Success: A best practices wiki and The Bull Run Library wiki were both fascinating. The Library Success wiki had so many different features which could be useful for library work, I will definietly be referring back to it in the future. (Maybe I should put it in my Del.icio.us account!) The Bull Run wiki had a link to "the ultimate defintion of a librarian", a humorous wiki which, among other topics, discussses Librarian Super Powers and How to Vanquish A Librarian. (Here is the direct link if you want to check it out: http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Librarian.)
A few other wikis I have come across in the past year are:
http://seriesbinder.lishost.org/index.php/Main_Page
"Created by the Webster Public Library Children's department staff members, the Children's Series Binder seeks to create a comprehensive listing of series books for children to help librarians, teachers, parents, and kids find the chronological and publication order of series books. "
http://instructionwiki.org/
Designed by an Oregon library, Instruction Wiki is "a collaboratively developed resource for librarians involved with or interested in instruction." Under Handouts, tutorials, and other resources to share, I found Library 2.0 in 15 minutes a day and University of Minnesota: Assignment Calculator along with many other helpful items.
http://mssv.net/wiki/index.php/ReadMe
This Reader's Advisory wiki was mention on the Librarian.net blog and contains "a categorized list of over 650 topics on what to read, linking directly to the Ask MetaFilter thread where the topic was discussed. There’s even a section about libraries." I agree with Librarian.net that this site still needs a bit of tweaking, but it does have potential as a future RA site.
A few other wikis I have come across in the past year are:
http://seriesbinder.lishost.org/index.php/Main_Page
"Created by the Webster Public Library Children's department staff members, the Children's Series Binder seeks to create a comprehensive listing of series books for children to help librarians, teachers, parents, and kids find the chronological and publication order of series books. "
http://instructionwiki.org/
Designed by an Oregon library, Instruction Wiki is "a collaboratively developed resource for librarians involved with or interested in instruction." Under Handouts, tutorials, and other resources to share, I found Library 2.0 in 15 minutes a day and University of Minnesota: Assignment Calculator along with many other helpful items.
http://mssv.net/wiki/index.php/ReadMe
This Reader's Advisory wiki was mention on the Librarian.net blog and contains "a categorized list of over 650 topics on what to read, linking directly to the Ask MetaFilter thread where the topic was discussed. There’s even a section about libraries." I agree with Librarian.net that this site still needs a bit of tweaking, but it does have potential as a future RA site.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
On Library 2.0 & Web 2.0 -- Exercise #18
Did anyone have a chance to attend Stephen Abram's presentation on Special Libraries 2.0 back in November? It was sponsored by SLA-MN. If you didn't attend, here is a link to Stephen's website and his powerpoint presentation. http://stephenslighthouse.sirsidynix.com/archives/2007/12/.
(Either search the blog for SLA Minnesota Chapter or scroll down to December 27, 2007 and look for the SLA Minnesota Chapter heading.)
Too bad there is no audio for this presentation. I am wondering if it is similar to the Library as Place: Physical Realms, Virtual Possibilities presentation he did for Minitex on May 15, 2006. The Minitex presentation can be still be viewed (with audio!) at this link: http://www.minitex.umn.edu/events/highlights/2006/refSymposium/.
While we are on the subject on Minitex, their November Reference Notes (newsletter) mentioned a series of articles on "Web 2.0 and Libraries: Part 2, Trends and Technologies." in Library Technology Reports (v43 n5). Apparently, these articles are a follow-up to a previous issue of LTR (v42 n4) which looked at "Web 2.0 and Libraries: Best Practices for Social Software." You can view the info on page 4 of Minitex Reference Notes at this link: http://www.minitex.umn.edu/events/highlights/2006/refSymposium/. You can also read the articles mentioned in Minitex Reference Notes by accessing the Professional Collection of the ELM database.
Oh (and before I forget) Discovery Exercise #18 of SPPL 2.0 asked "What does [Library 2.0] mean to you?".... I'll let you know in a later post.
(Either search the blog for SLA Minnesota Chapter or scroll down to December 27, 2007 and look for the SLA Minnesota Chapter heading.)
Too bad there is no audio for this presentation. I am wondering if it is similar to the Library as Place: Physical Realms, Virtual Possibilities presentation he did for Minitex on May 15, 2006. The Minitex presentation can be still be viewed (with audio!) at this link: http://www.minitex.umn.edu/events/highlights/2006/refSymposium/.
While we are on the subject on Minitex, their November Reference Notes (newsletter) mentioned a series of articles on "Web 2.0 and Libraries: Part 2, Trends and Technologies." in Library Technology Reports (v43 n5). Apparently, these articles are a follow-up to a previous issue of LTR (v42 n4) which looked at "Web 2.0 and Libraries: Best Practices for Social Software." You can view the info on page 4 of Minitex Reference Notes at this link: http://www.minitex.umn.edu/events/highlights/2006/refSymposium/. You can also read the articles mentioned in Minitex Reference Notes by accessing the Professional Collection of the ELM database.
Oh (and before I forget) Discovery Exercise #18 of SPPL 2.0 asked "What does [Library 2.0] mean to you?".... I'll let you know in a later post.
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