Social Tagging
Personalised tags are useful for the individual but may prove a problem when we use social tags for information which will be accessed by multiple users. I like word clouds but if the concept is new or open to interpretation even in Technorati, some searches pull in too many false hits. I will need to get my head around the use of social tagging in library use as it does go against the library profession's decades long use of controlled vocabulary subject headings, thesaurus, etc
"Chip off the old blog" thought that social tagging could perhaps be used for bookmarks but I personally prefer to organise my bookmarks in folders.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Wk 13 Grand finale
#22
Examining a Web 2.0 Awards website
I went through the Web 2.0 Awards list & selected the PEERtrainer - an online peer weight loss and fitness support group (it may help with my new year's resolution!). It's free to join, and the idea is similar to WeightWatchers & other groups in that it uses group support. The site offers small group (max of 4 members) or team support(larger number of members)& there also appears to be a community blog. The originator of a group makes up the name & focus of the group. There appears to be hundreds of groups to choose from and each group aims to find members with a similar profile or problem "eg gardeners, exercisenot, knitters, over 50s, 20 something, etc) and you choose which one you wish to join. The website offers some information & ideas as well as a motivational dimension. Motivation is provided in 2 ways - peer support & also a personal support (input your own daily journey into your own journal). The site also seems to show only active or viable groups which is useful. As with all websites, it is time consuming to explore and I imaging it will take some time to explore everything it has to offer.
Application to the library? Perhaps something like this could be used as an adjunct to Liberty. Students or researchers could choose the levels of support they want eg. choice of peer groups (small or large), or librarian moderated groups, or blogs; groups which may focus on particluar databases, search techniques or referencing. The originator of the group makes up the name & focus of the group which will in turn attract the attention of library users who are experiencing have the same difficulties.
#23 My personal experience with Library 2.0
What have you personally learned from this program?
Firstly, keeping a learning journal is pretty useful. Secondly, I've learned that Web 2.0 is constantly evolving. Some are even talking about Web 3.0. However, alot of the new technologies are not too difficult to learn and one shouldn't be put off by first impressions. Thirdly, make time to learn.
What have you learned about yourself, others and the organisation in which you work?
I've learned I and other participants are able to learn new technologies. Obviously, old dogs can learn new tricks. Mentoring is also very importants for people who are put off by having to learn new technologies. Should the library decide to add elements of Web 2.0 to the library website, with a little bit of training we'll all be able provide technical support.
What was the most important skill you have learned and why?
To keep looking at new things, approach new technologies methodically, and to have a go at doing something new.
What action will you now take if any?
I'll probably keep on with flickr & recieving RSS feeds. I quite enjoy reading blogs as well.
Would students use these technologies as part of the library's online environment?
If the content is interesting, relevant, up to date, and has the fexibilty to allows user participation (should they wish to ask/answer questions), students will use it.
Is there some specific technology that you would like to see ECU library adopt?
Blogs or wikis, online peer groups for various topics.
Examining a Web 2.0 Awards website
I went through the Web 2.0 Awards list & selected the PEERtrainer - an online peer weight loss and fitness support group (it may help with my new year's resolution!). It's free to join, and the idea is similar to WeightWatchers & other groups in that it uses group support. The site offers small group (max of 4 members) or team support(larger number of members)& there also appears to be a community blog. The originator of a group makes up the name & focus of the group. There appears to be hundreds of groups to choose from and each group aims to find members with a similar profile or problem "eg gardeners, exercisenot, knitters, over 50s, 20 something, etc) and you choose which one you wish to join. The website offers some information & ideas as well as a motivational dimension. Motivation is provided in 2 ways - peer support & also a personal support (input your own daily journey into your own journal). The site also seems to show only active or viable groups which is useful. As with all websites, it is time consuming to explore and I imaging it will take some time to explore everything it has to offer.
Application to the library? Perhaps something like this could be used as an adjunct to Liberty. Students or researchers could choose the levels of support they want eg. choice of peer groups (small or large), or librarian moderated groups, or blogs; groups which may focus on particluar databases, search techniques or referencing. The originator of the group makes up the name & focus of the group which will in turn attract the attention of library users who are experiencing have the same difficulties.
#23 My personal experience with Library 2.0
What have you personally learned from this program?
Firstly, keeping a learning journal is pretty useful. Secondly, I've learned that Web 2.0 is constantly evolving. Some are even talking about Web 3.0. However, alot of the new technologies are not too difficult to learn and one shouldn't be put off by first impressions. Thirdly, make time to learn.
What have you learned about yourself, others and the organisation in which you work?
I've learned I and other participants are able to learn new technologies. Obviously, old dogs can learn new tricks. Mentoring is also very importants for people who are put off by having to learn new technologies. Should the library decide to add elements of Web 2.0 to the library website, with a little bit of training we'll all be able provide technical support.
What was the most important skill you have learned and why?
To keep looking at new things, approach new technologies methodically, and to have a go at doing something new.
What action will you now take if any?
I'll probably keep on with flickr & recieving RSS feeds. I quite enjoy reading blogs as well.
Would students use these technologies as part of the library's online environment?
If the content is interesting, relevant, up to date, and has the fexibilty to allows user participation (should they wish to ask/answer questions), students will use it.
Is there some specific technology that you would like to see ECU library adopt?
Blogs or wikis, online peer groups for various topics.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Week 11 & 12
Week 11 & 12 Podcasts & videos
I personally easily absorb information when I listen or see. I like the idea of using of podcasts & video clips used in conjunction with written online subject guides for library instruction.
It's good to see that database providers such as Jstor are producing video clips. However, in-house generated video clips & podcasts can be targeted to specific assignments or subject areas. We could then target specific online resources available at our library. The downside is that the production of these clips can consume alot of time especially at the writing & editing stage. Its also important to keep a watch on any database interface changes & to make sure that any instructional videos/podcast are using the current interface & to know when any interface changes are imminent (as MW discovered!)
I personally easily absorb information when I listen or see. I like the idea of using of podcasts & video clips used in conjunction with written online subject guides for library instruction.
It's good to see that database providers such as Jstor are producing video clips. However, in-house generated video clips & podcasts can be targeted to specific assignments or subject areas. We could then target specific online resources available at our library. The downside is that the production of these clips can consume alot of time especially at the writing & editing stage. Its also important to keep a watch on any database interface changes & to make sure that any instructional videos/podcast are using the current interface & to know when any interface changes are imminent (as MW discovered!)
Week 11 and 12
Video clips
I found this weird video recommending using the online music reference "The new Grove dictionary of music and musicians".
I found this weird video recommending using the online music reference "The new Grove dictionary of music and musicians".
Library blog?
The library could try creating a general library news blog.
Having special blogs for subject areas which feed into relevant Blackboard units would be interesting but it may be very time consuming generating specialist news & keeping track of incoming comments or requests. If we decide to do this we'd have to re-look at work-load priorities.
Whatever we decide, I think that our blog would need to be interesting, informative & very relevant to what they are studying/teaching/researching. Would we need to do a writing course? There's nothing more boring than a boring blog!
Having special blogs for subject areas which feed into relevant Blackboard units would be interesting but it may be very time consuming generating specialist news & keeping track of incoming comments or requests. If we decide to do this we'd have to re-look at work-load priorities.
Whatever we decide, I think that our blog would need to be interesting, informative & very relevant to what they are studying/teaching/researching. Would we need to do a writing course? There's nothing more boring than a boring blog!
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Week 8: Second Life
Well I viewed the video. I'd previously watched someone playing Second Life & watched her moving her avatar around & I'm afraid Second Life didn't grab me like blogging, utube & flickr. Although I admit to enjoying the odd solitaire game, I found Second Life tedious. The running around/flying & visiting "virtual" buildings, seeing a "virtual couple" carry on etc. quite uninteresting. I might have reacted differently if I had an real goal or aim when visiting Second Life. Usefulness for libraries - you could run some virtual information literacy or virtual tutorials out to second life. Due to its speed or re-activeness, I think Second Life would appeal more to the older "gamer" and students in their late teens or early twenties may find the pace a little slow.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Week 6 & 7 Flickr
I had a great time playing with Flickr & have added some photos. I was also able to "mashup" the photo with the road leading into the distance with a map of its location. Click on the "map" link.
I've also had some fun adding bits & pieces & feeds to the blog layout
I've also had some fun adding bits & pieces & feeds to the blog layout
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