8.19.2009
Stay Tuned!
This blog will be revamped shortly and will focus on children's librarianship, storytime planning, and more...so stay tuned!
9.10.2008
An Exit Interview of Sorts
What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
I'm really glad I was "coerced" into setting up my own blog. It's something I've meant to do for a long time, since I've always enjoyed writing, but I haven't really tried it (aside from a blog I created during my first graduate program that I posted to, maybe, twice). I hope to continue posting on the blog and make it a place where I discuss programming ideas that have and haven't worked, etc. A lot of these same topics were skimmed over during library school and it was definitely nice to explore them a little more in depth.
How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
It just reinforced the importance of keeping up-to-date on new technology and trends when you work in the library and information science field. I know a lot of the things we talked about really aren't super new themselves, so it helped me realize how much I need to get caught up on. I also wanted to learn more about web 2.0 since I work with teens and they know so much more about all of these things, having, essentially, grown up with them.
Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
It was definitely more interesting than I thought it would be, especially since we got to explore things for ourselves and at our own pace...instead of sitting in a classroom listening to a lecture or viewing a powerpoint presentation.
What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
I think it would be nice to have different "levels" of the course, for those with different levels of knowledge about the internet or, perhaps, for those in different positions (i.e. a children's or teen librarian might need to focus on different elements of web 2.0 than someone who works mostly with adults). Maybe you could have even more lessons in which learners have a choice of which activities to complete; that may help tailor it to their specific jobs a little more.
And last but not least…
If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you again chose to participate?
I would definitely participate because, like I said, I need to learn about new technologies and trends, and I sometimes, like many of us, have to be given a little push in order to do so.
I'm really glad I was "coerced" into setting up my own blog. It's something I've meant to do for a long time, since I've always enjoyed writing, but I haven't really tried it (aside from a blog I created during my first graduate program that I posted to, maybe, twice). I hope to continue posting on the blog and make it a place where I discuss programming ideas that have and haven't worked, etc. A lot of these same topics were skimmed over during library school and it was definitely nice to explore them a little more in depth.
How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
It just reinforced the importance of keeping up-to-date on new technology and trends when you work in the library and information science field. I know a lot of the things we talked about really aren't super new themselves, so it helped me realize how much I need to get caught up on. I also wanted to learn more about web 2.0 since I work with teens and they know so much more about all of these things, having, essentially, grown up with them.
Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
It was definitely more interesting than I thought it would be, especially since we got to explore things for ourselves and at our own pace...instead of sitting in a classroom listening to a lecture or viewing a powerpoint presentation.
What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
I think it would be nice to have different "levels" of the course, for those with different levels of knowledge about the internet or, perhaps, for those in different positions (i.e. a children's or teen librarian might need to focus on different elements of web 2.0 than someone who works mostly with adults). Maybe you could have even more lessons in which learners have a choice of which activities to complete; that may help tailor it to their specific jobs a little more.
And last but not least…
If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you again chose to participate?
I would definitely participate because, like I said, I need to learn about new technologies and trends, and I sometimes, like many of us, have to be given a little push in order to do so.
Digital Audiobooks
I've always thought the idea of downloading an audiobook was really cool, especially when I walked to and from school/work while studying for my MSLS. Downloadable books were available at the library system in the town where I went to school. My old MP3 player has minimal memory compared to most (512 MB), however, and could probably have held only a small part of a book at any one time, so I never tried it.
I am excited to be getting a device that might actually hold a full book.
I knew the basics of how the files work, i.e. that they deactivate after a certain period of time, but I had no idea that you could put holds on digital audiobooks just like you do "regular" library items.
Overdrive was easy to download and install.
We have a very helpful menu on the side that breaks the e-books down by genre. Plus, we seem to have quite a varity and even have some titles for children and teens. Cool! The first thing I listen to will probably be Alice in Wonderland, one of my all-time favorites.
I'm glad I've had the chance to investigate this more, so I can tell customers about it.
I am excited to be getting a device that might actually hold a full book.
I knew the basics of how the files work, i.e. that they deactivate after a certain period of time, but I had no idea that you could put holds on digital audiobooks just like you do "regular" library items.
Overdrive was easy to download and install.
We have a very helpful menu on the side that breaks the e-books down by genre. Plus, we seem to have quite a varity and even have some titles for children and teens. Cool! The first thing I listen to will probably be Alice in Wonderland, one of my all-time favorites.
I'm glad I've had the chance to investigate this more, so I can tell customers about it.
Searching for Podcasts.....and Some Griping
I decided to search for podcasts using itunes, since I already have it on my computer. I've actually never used it to search for podcasts, so it was a new experience. I am an avid fan of NPR, so I looked through their list of NPR podcasts first. I like the convenience of podcasts. You can listen to your favorite show whenever you want. I know I hate it when I can't hear the last few minutes of a program because I have to get out of the car for one reason or another and it would be easy to listen to the rest if you got a podcast. We have definitely come a long way from the days when you had to order a transcript of a show to revisit something you had missed or something you really liked.
I also attempted a search with Podcast Pickle, simply because the name got my attention, but I didn't really like it. I can't explain why. I could see that there were some podcasts there--including downloadable audio books, which I don't think really count as podcasts--which you had to pay for. The site just wasn't appealing to me, so I didn't look at it for long. It seemed a little disorganized to me, though you did have the option of limiting the podcasts by genre.
Podcast Alley seemed too focused on the supposed "best" podcasts and the search box was small and strangely placed. It took me a while to see it, which I don't think is a good thing.
I liked itunes the best of the three podcast searching tools I tried and found an NPR program to subscribe to. I think would also tend to go directly to the sites for certain networks, organizations, programs, etc. to find a podcast. I guess I like to make things difficult for myself. : )
I also attempted a search with Podcast Pickle, simply because the name got my attention, but I didn't really like it. I can't explain why. I could see that there were some podcasts there--including downloadable audio books, which I don't think really count as podcasts--which you had to pay for. The site just wasn't appealing to me, so I didn't look at it for long. It seemed a little disorganized to me, though you did have the option of limiting the podcasts by genre.
Podcast Alley seemed too focused on the supposed "best" podcasts and the search box was small and strangely placed. It took me a while to see it, which I don't think is a good thing.
I liked itunes the best of the three podcast searching tools I tried and found an NPR program to subscribe to. I think would also tend to go directly to the sites for certain networks, organizations, programs, etc. to find a podcast. I guess I like to make things difficult for myself. : )
On YouTube, you can find...
...an ad for a Library Workout Tape...from 1987! I think the staff at this library must have been really bored. Of course, we all have our weird library in jokes don't we? :p
Okay, so I'm sure others of you have posted this (I haven't had a chance to look at everyone's blog), but I just found it amusing. I love the old school library technology, giant 80's glasses, and classic as well as synthesizerish (my new word) music. Ahhh....brings back memories.....
Okay, so I'm sure others of you have posted this (I haven't had a chance to look at everyone's blog), but I just found it amusing. I love the old school library technology, giant 80's glasses, and classic as well as synthesizerish (my new word) music. Ahhh....brings back memories.....
9.05.2008
Thoughts on YouTube
Wow, how great to have Cookie Monster at the library, Mr. Bean at the library, and the library detective from Seinfeld all in one place! : )
I think YouTube is a fun site. It's a good place for people to be creative and have fun. I like how they show "videos being watched right now" on their homepage. It is always fascinating and sort of boredom alleviating to see what other bored people are doing on the internet. Was it google that used to let you look at what people had recently searched for? Can you still do that??
In addition to the aforementioned classics-from-TV library videos, I also watched some videos made in real libraries. There were library pranks captured by peeking through the stacks. There was a Japanese game show set in a library and a musical set in a library. I tried to remember if YouTube was where I had seen footage of some students making a coordinated, multi-vehicle effort to slow down traffic outside Atlanta--talk about angering people--but I couldn't find said video right away. I glanced at some other videos as well, but my favorite was one of the first I watched. I'll include it in my next post.
I think YouTube is a fun site. It's a good place for people to be creative and have fun. I like how they show "videos being watched right now" on their homepage. It is always fascinating and sort of boredom alleviating to see what other bored people are doing on the internet. Was it google that used to let you look at what people had recently searched for? Can you still do that??
In addition to the aforementioned classics-from-TV library videos, I also watched some videos made in real libraries. There were library pranks captured by peeking through the stacks. There was a Japanese game show set in a library and a musical set in a library. I tried to remember if YouTube was where I had seen footage of some students making a coordinated, multi-vehicle effort to slow down traffic outside Atlanta--talk about angering people--but I couldn't find said video right away. I glanced at some other videos as well, but my favorite was one of the first I watched. I'll include it in my next post.
Web 2.0 Tools - Zillow.com
I decided to check out Zillow.com. I am considering selling my condo and moving to a different neighborhood, so I wanted to see if Zillow made property searching any easier than looking at individual realty company sites or MLS listing sites. I really liked the fact that Zillow allowed you to limit your property search in various ways (i.e. bedrooms, price range, price, lot size, etc.). Plus, when you search for properties in a specific areas you can look at lists not only of what's for sale (which the site partly pulls from numerous realty websites), but also of what has recently sold in the area (among other things). It is very convenient to be able to get this information without having to go to a separate site or actually talk to an agent, etc. You can get a decent feel of what property values should be in a particular area. They also have real estate guides and discussions with supposed real estate professionals; I didn't enter a discussion, so I'm not sure if this part is legit or not. The site also includes information on current mortgage rates and has calculators to help you determine what you can afford to buy, etc. You can also get online quotes, but I'm not really comfortable with the idea of this, even though the site says the lenders won't call you (you call them).
Overall, I think this site can be really helpful, especially if you are in the early stages of looking for a home (and don't want to talk to an agent, etc., yet) or just want to get a general feel for the market in an area or get general information real estate.
Overall, I think this site can be really helpful, especially if you are in the early stages of looking for a home (and don't want to talk to an agent, etc., yet) or just want to get a general feel for the market in an area or get general information real estate.
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