Wow! I finally got here at last. One of the main things I learnt here is to be aware of the technologies that can assist with library users accessing the library. The library is now not just a building with walls but an entity that pervades all areas globally.
Favourite discoveries, experiences
Favorite discoveries are del.icio.us and rollyo for searching and generating bookmarks. Setting up my blog was a lot of fun and I wished I had more time to experiment with it. Podcasts I am exploring more and plan to use them to enhance library service delivery. Getting familar with RSS feeds was also a useful exercise.
The unexpected was how far web based applications programs have come such as Zoho for generating blogs, database applications and many others that you can do on any PC anywhere.
Effect on lifelong learning goals
One of the main things I got out of this exercise is to keep learning, testing and using the new technologies which are continually changing. This is more than the beginning, it is a continuance of my life long learning experience. I will continue learning some of these web applications in more depth and apply them in my liaison work
What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
I have grown up with the beginnings of data communications and the age of the internet which is always changing. Links to web applications do keep on changing and this makes it hard to try to improve the structure this course anymore.
Finally, if there are any more discovery programs offerred in the future, I would probably do it.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Online Communities
I found joining to Facebook simple and easy to do. I have had an Edna account for many years and the 23Things has now made me use it again and realise how valuable it could be. This would be a good way for TAFE Librarians to communicate with each other, sharing ideas, professional development as well as files.
Podcasts
I've just discovered that Yahoo as a podcast finder will cease on the October 31st. It was fairly easy to use but because it is not continuing after the 31st October 2007.
The other podcast finders I used were podcastalley.com and Podcast.net. Podcastalley doesn't let you listen to a lot of clips to see how much you like them. It makes you subscribe using a podcast aggregator. Podcast.net I found two types of podcasts, one was an audio podcast and the other a combination of audio and video podcast. I added a RSS feed to my Blogline account from Podcast.net. Overall, I found a few good professional podcasts, but there are a lot more unprofessional ones.
Creating a podcast I decided to leave at the moment, because I am currently working on a podcast project for information literacy. Podcasts as far as the library is concerned could be applied to information literacy, staff and public communication, conferences, seminars, forums, library orientation material, training of staff, etc.
Daily Motion - Video Hosting Service
I looked at both YouTube and Daily Motion. I found lots of videos relating to technology and especially to astronomy that are exciting to watch.
I selected a video 'Extreme Star Clusters Come To Life'. This makes studying astronomy lots of fun and has applications for both libraries and education. You could tape Library events, information literacy or library guide tours so that users or other interested parties could view it at their leisure.
Extreme star cluster bursts into life
Uploaded by spacetelescope_org
Discovering Web 2.0 tools - Google Maps
Google Maps are very well designed, intuitive,interactive, and the good search capabilities. I found using it is good looking directions or maps of any location. It also provides aerial photos in impressive detail for many areas. Found it very applicable when planning trips and to organise locations for taking photos and videorecordings.
I found you can use Google Maps to:
- Search for locations and addresses
- Find businesses in your area
- Get directions and check live traffic
- Create and view personalized maps
- Mark your favorite places on my map
- Draw lines and shapes to highlight paths and areas
- Add your own text, photos, and videos
- Share your map with friends and family
This application would be useful Tourism and hospitality, Business and Multimedia couses.
Zoho Writer
Applications like Zoho Writer make my life a lot easier. Why use installed desktop applications like Microsoft Word when you can use free web based applications like Zoho Writer. Zoho writer gives me the ability and is realtivley easy to ceate and share my documents over the Internet and is not restricted by an individual computer or location. I can log on anywhere at anytime and I don't have to transport files work to home on a USB or disk.
Documents can be shared, published, emailed, exported, saved, print and develop using using Zoho Writer inbuilt script builder. The toolbar has everything to choose straightaway - emotions, table button, insert a site, and table button to assist me in document creation. saving and retrieving a document it is relatively easy. It makes publishing to my blog simple and quick. Documents can easily be converted to HTML and pdf is an added bonus.
Zoho has a lot of possibilities and looking at its other applications to compilment Zoho Writer makes sharing and sending information to people quick and easy.
I found using it here and posting to my a breeze. Good Bye Microsoft and now enter into the world of easy and quick web based applications like Zoho.
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