I spent Mother's Day (well, part of it!) getting my newest minion, the felhunter. Here he is and I'm sure we'll make beeyutiful music together!
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
Summary -- The End of the Beginning
I have really enjoyed doing this project and learned more than I expected to. I hope to continue with many of the things I have started here.
What was the most important thing that you learned?
Really, I think that the most important thing I learned was how much I didn't know! And how much more I want to know.
Why?
If you don't know what you don't know, you can't learn!
How can PVLD use these technologies to deliver or improve library services?
We can implement the instant messaging feature for patrons both in and outside the library. We can use YouTube to promote library services, especially to our younger patrons. We can use blogs as a way to communicate informally with our patrons and get feedback from them.
How successful was the “self-directed” learning model?
For me personally, I thought it was a great way to do this because I could do it at my own pace and in making mistakes and correcting them myself, I learned even more.
Is this a useful way of encouraging staff development?
For instances such as this, i.e. learning about technology, it works well. In other instances, I believe that group dynamics enhance learning.
I encourage everyone to take on these tasks, you may surprise yourself!
What was the most important thing that you learned?
Really, I think that the most important thing I learned was how much I didn't know! And how much more I want to know.
Why?
If you don't know what you don't know, you can't learn!
How can PVLD use these technologies to deliver or improve library services?
We can implement the instant messaging feature for patrons both in and outside the library. We can use YouTube to promote library services, especially to our younger patrons. We can use blogs as a way to communicate informally with our patrons and get feedback from them.
How successful was the “self-directed” learning model?
For me personally, I thought it was a great way to do this because I could do it at my own pace and in making mistakes and correcting them myself, I learned even more.
Is this a useful way of encouraging staff development?
For instances such as this, i.e. learning about technology, it works well. In other instances, I believe that group dynamics enhance learning.
I encourage everyone to take on these tasks, you may surprise yourself!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Task 10 MySpace
I created a "space" on MySpace, you can check it out by clicking on this link:
Find me on MySpace and be my friend!
It was really fun! I explored and found some friends - even someone I went to high school with. I found a group that I wanted to join (we'll see if they accept me).
If you like to connect with people online, then MySpace is the place. There are many nice features, you can post a bulletin if you're selling something or having a party. You can search for people you may have lost touch with. You can create a group page for people who have similar interests. It's an easy way to have a web "presence". The pitfalls of course would be that you really have no idea who you're talking to! This is especially important for kids as we've all heard about. You also need to be careful about the information you put out there, nothing too personal. Again, as a children's librarian this could be a great way to reach kids who may not come to the library that often and I guess, there might be a certain "coolness" factor to it. Librarians are not boring! So I will probably keep working on this virtual "space".
Find me on MySpace and be my friend!
It was really fun! I explored and found some friends - even someone I went to high school with. I found a group that I wanted to join (we'll see if they accept me).
If you like to connect with people online, then MySpace is the place. There are many nice features, you can post a bulletin if you're selling something or having a party. You can search for people you may have lost touch with. You can create a group page for people who have similar interests. It's an easy way to have a web "presence". The pitfalls of course would be that you really have no idea who you're talking to! This is especially important for kids as we've all heard about. You also need to be careful about the information you put out there, nothing too personal. Again, as a children's librarian this could be a great way to reach kids who may not come to the library that often and I guess, there might be a certain "coolness" factor to it. Librarians are not boring! So I will probably keep working on this virtual "space".
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Task 9!
I explored the Google Docs and Spreadsheets and am excited because I think I will use it to create a spreadsheet of storytime books that I can access from home whenever I want. Also if I find myself working at home on booklists, I can create them and have them floating on the web for me to get to when I get to work. I guess you can do this with email too, but this way might be easier.
Another thought I had was that our department could use this tool to create our desk schedule. This way we could all see it at our desk and even suggest changes if needed. We were trying to use the Outlook calendar for this but we couldn't print the schedule screen. If we used Google Spreadsheets, we could create, view and print. Easy!
Another thought I had was that our department could use this tool to create our desk schedule. This way we could all see it at our desk and even suggest changes if needed. We were trying to use the Outlook calendar for this but we couldn't print the schedule screen. If we used Google Spreadsheets, we could create, view and print. Easy!
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Task 8 - YouTube
I created an account on YouTube, my user name is "loumewz". Here is the first video I found,
I found it by playing around with the categories and then using the browse links. This video was under the "Pets & Animals" categories.
I found it by playing around with the categories and then using the browse links. This video was under the "Pets & Animals" categories.
Libraries Using YouTube
There are many ways libraries could use this site. One would be for fundraising. Check out this public campaign video for the new Vestavia Hills Library. I liked how they were able to show the actual building site along with the architectural drawings. I also thought they very effectively used real people’s commentary and segments with children exploring the site and reading as if the library were actually there. Videos like this are very powerful tools for fundraising as they can be easily accessible by almost anyone.
Rock 'n' Roll Library
Another good use would be for promotional purposes. Look at this video created by library graduate students at the University of Pittsburgh.
I think a video like this would be especially appealing to younger patrons, especially if they had a hand in it's creation! PVLD should definitely explore using this resource.
Flickr photo
This is a picture of one of the canal boats in Berlin. Look at my Task 5 post to find a link to more photos of our trip.
Flickr, task 5
I created a Flickr account and here is a slide show that I created there:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/88917988@N00/sets/72157594574238117/show/
As I explored this site, I was amazed at the photos that people have taken. It was very inspiring and made me want to run out and start taking more photos! One of the features I really liked was call "interestingness" where photos are chosen based on certain things such as comments, tags, or how often it's marked as a favorite. I was mesmerized by the range of photos there, people are so creative and talented! Check it out (click the "reload" button to get more):
http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/
Tagging is important for finding photos in Flickr that have a certain element you may be looking for. If people tag their photo with certain words that describe the photo, then when you search for something in Flickr, it will find those photos that are tagged. For instance, I searched for "tiger", which is a broad term and found photos of butterflies, sharks, a baseball park, and of course, tigers! The more terms you put in, the less photos you'll get. Another search I tried was "tiger water play" which resulted in a more focused photo set.
Metadata like tags have been used for a long time in libraryland so it's interesting to see it being used by "civilians" now.
I looked at the user group page and searched for groups based on birds. I found some fun ones. One was called "Bird Identification Help Group" where you could post your photo of a "mystery" bird and others could help you identify it. I thought that was pretty cool! Online communities like this one are useful for sharing ideas, etc. on the internet. The great thing about them is that there are no geographic limits and it is basically free.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/88917988@N00/sets/72157594574238117/show/
As I explored this site, I was amazed at the photos that people have taken. It was very inspiring and made me want to run out and start taking more photos! One of the features I really liked was call "interestingness" where photos are chosen based on certain things such as comments, tags, or how often it's marked as a favorite. I was mesmerized by the range of photos there, people are so creative and talented! Check it out (click the "reload" button to get more):
http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/
Tagging is important for finding photos in Flickr that have a certain element you may be looking for. If people tag their photo with certain words that describe the photo, then when you search for something in Flickr, it will find those photos that are tagged. For instance, I searched for "tiger", which is a broad term and found photos of butterflies, sharks, a baseball park, and of course, tigers! The more terms you put in, the less photos you'll get. Another search I tried was "tiger water play" which resulted in a more focused photo set.
Metadata like tags have been used for a long time in libraryland so it's interesting to see it being used by "civilians" now.
I looked at the user group page and searched for groups based on birds. I found some fun ones. One was called "Bird Identification Help Group" where you could post your photo of a "mystery" bird and others could help you identify it. I thought that was pretty cool! Online communities like this one are useful for sharing ideas, etc. on the internet. The great thing about them is that there are no geographic limits and it is basically free.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Task 7
I created my Wikipedia account with the name "Librarian4kids". I used that name to give more credence to any edits I may decide to make to Wikipedia in the future. I edited the PVLD page by adding information and links to our storytimes.
In my experience kids use Wikipedia a lot so I take every opportunity I can to show/explain to them that they must be "critical thinkers" when using this resource. Most of them don't know that the pages can be edited by anyone with an account -- which could be them! I personally haven't used Wikipedia for this reason. I figure there is probably an accurate source for the information I need elsewhere.
In my experience kids use Wikipedia a lot so I take every opportunity I can to show/explain to them that they must be "critical thinkers" when using this resource. Most of them don't know that the pages can be edited by anyone with an account -- which could be them! I personally haven't used Wikipedia for this reason. I figure there is probably an accurate source for the information I need elsewhere.
Task 6
I have used AIM at home a little but not for a long time so when I took on this task I just went ahead and created a new screen name "loumewzz". I had some trouble actually getting the chat part to work, it turns out that just signing in isn't enough, you actually have to launch the program! I couldn't find where to do that from the AIM Today page that I had signed in on, so I went back to the PVLD learning page and clicked on the link there. Then I added PVLD2007 to my buddy list and here is the exchange:
loumewzz (11:23:17 AM): Hi! I'm trying to send you a message!
pvld2007 (11:23:18 AM): PVLD2007 is no longer signed on.
not too exciting, but I did it. I like the buddy list because you can tell immediately if anyone you've im'd in the past is on at the moment (right now none of my current buddies are on). I noticed that the minute you IM someone, they appear in your buddy list, so you don't really need to do a seperate action to "add" them -- convenient! You can also add them using the "actions" button at the bottom of the buddy list window. Doing this gives you the option of adding them to a specific list such as "coworkers" or "family". So now I'm ready to chat with you all!!!
loumewzz (11:23:17 AM): Hi! I'm trying to send you a message!
pvld2007 (11:23:18 AM): PVLD2007 is no longer signed on.
not too exciting, but I did it. I like the buddy list because you can tell immediately if anyone you've im'd in the past is on at the moment (right now none of my current buddies are on). I noticed that the minute you IM someone, they appear in your buddy list, so you don't really need to do a seperate action to "add" them -- convenient! You can also add them using the "actions" button at the bottom of the buddy list window. Doing this gives you the option of adding them to a specific list such as "coworkers" or "family". So now I'm ready to chat with you all!!!
Friday, February 9, 2007
Task 4
This task went quickly. I am pretty familiar with taking digital photos, uploading them, etc. Here is a shot of one of my favorite places (not my favorite ride!) at night during the holidays. I go to Disneyland as often as I can!
Check out the other photo I uploaded to the right. I took a screen shot of one of my World of Warcraft avatars. I've never taken a screen shot before. I used the "print screen" button on my keyboard. Then I had to search my system to find the file. Once I found it, I had to figure out how to open it (I used my photo editing program). I opened it, cropped it, and added it as a page element to my blog page. I really wanted it to show up in my profile section in lieu of a photo of me, but apparently that wasn't an option. Anyway, even though this task initially wasn't anything new for me, my desire to include a picture of my WoW avatar gained me new knowledge!
Check out the other photo I uploaded to the right. I took a screen shot of one of my World of Warcraft avatars. I've never taken a screen shot before. I used the "print screen" button on my keyboard. Then I had to search my system to find the file. Once I found it, I had to figure out how to open it (I used my photo editing program). I opened it, cropped it, and added it as a page element to my blog page. I really wanted it to show up in my profile section in lieu of a photo of me, but apparently that wasn't an option. Anyway, even though this task initially wasn't anything new for me, my desire to include a picture of my WoW avatar gained me new knowledge!
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Task 3!
This is the task I was looking forward to and it didn't disappoint! I found some great feeds by searching on the internet and I also used the search engine within Bloglines to find some others. I also used their feature to click on my interests from a list and found some that way. I wanted to find a way to share my feeds so I clicked on the "share" button. At first, I didn't understand what I needed to do, so I just experimented. I didn't realize that I need to take a couple of extra steps in order to make my feeds public, which I did, and now you can see them on the lower right. I plan on finding more by exploring the Bloglines site more deeply, but I've got a good start.
Has anyone else noticed that blogspot is slow sometimes?
So now I want to figure out how to get the "unshelved" strip to my blog . . .
Has anyone else noticed that blogspot is slow sometimes?
So now I want to figure out how to get the "unshelved" strip to my blog . . .
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
I'm In!
So I've begun the PVLD Learning 2.0 process! I will be formatting my blog page to make it more personal. I think this will be fun and I look forward to discovering and learning about things that, up until now, I've only heard about. So, that's it for now as I go off to accomplish more tasks.
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