Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
My Thoughts on Learning 2.0
I've learned quite a bit from being part of Learning 2.0. Now I know what Wikis are and I've been introduced to different tools and sites that I never would have discovered on my own.
I have to admit that Wikis confused and frustrated me at first. However, it's a tool that I may decide to use to keep my Student Assistants up to date on Circulation/Reserve/ILDS information and also have them use to switch shifts. This discovery is a surprising one for me because as I mentioned above I wasn't too sure about Wikis when I first began the exercise.
As for my favourites I have to say that Facebook is on top as well as Blogger. But before Learning 2.o was around I was already familiar with both. If anything now, I use Facebook daily whereas previously it was every once in a while.
As for suggestions, definitely keep having the drop in sessions because I know it helped me to catch up and just to have the hour of no interruptions certainly helped me and I know helped others. Maybe another suggestion would be to even out the number of activities required from us instead of having one activity one week and three the next. I found when I had to do three I fell behind. Also, having these ETG discovery programmes during our busiest time can be hard task to accomplish.
Would I be willing to participate in another ETG programme? MOST DEFINITELY, count me in! Thanks for this opportunity and giving me a chance to learn a lot.
I have to admit that Wikis confused and frustrated me at first. However, it's a tool that I may decide to use to keep my Student Assistants up to date on Circulation/Reserve/ILDS information and also have them use to switch shifts. This discovery is a surprising one for me because as I mentioned above I wasn't too sure about Wikis when I first began the exercise.
As for my favourites I have to say that Facebook is on top as well as Blogger. But before Learning 2.o was around I was already familiar with both. If anything now, I use Facebook daily whereas previously it was every once in a while.
As for suggestions, definitely keep having the drop in sessions because I know it helped me to catch up and just to have the hour of no interruptions certainly helped me and I know helped others. Maybe another suggestion would be to even out the number of activities required from us instead of having one activity one week and three the next. I found when I had to do three I fell behind. Also, having these ETG discovery programmes during our busiest time can be hard task to accomplish.
Would I be willing to participate in another ETG programme? MOST DEFINITELY, count me in! Thanks for this opportunity and giving me a chance to learn a lot.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Week 11: Browser Tools
I installed Firefox which was easy and then my choice for an add-on was the "ClickWeather" which is very cool. I'm constantly checking The Weather Network's site but by installing ClickWeather it's right on my browser and even gives me a picture of the moon phase. All I have to do is place my mouse over the temperature information on my tool bar. I like the convenience of not having to go into a web page to get the information. I also installed the 123 Travel Search add-on. I love to travel so it's great to find information on flights, hotels and car rental bookings just at my toolbar.
As for the Morris bookmarklets I downloaded the Journal Title and Title Keyword ones. I then went into another webpage and highlighted a word from a paragraph and inserted in the search engine. I really like this feature and how it brought up all the Morris hits. I could see using this when you're looking through a website and then wonder if we have any books in the library. A very quick, easy way to do the search.
I have to say that all the add-ons I've downloaded I've really liked and found useful. It was a fun way to end our assignments.
As for the Morris bookmarklets I downloaded the Journal Title and Title Keyword ones. I then went into another webpage and highlighted a word from a paragraph and inserted in the search engine. I really like this feature and how it brought up all the Morris hits. I could see using this when you're looking through a website and then wonder if we have any books in the library. A very quick, easy way to do the search.
I have to say that all the add-ons I've downloaded I've really liked and found useful. It was a fun way to end our assignments.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Week 10: Gaming & Virtual Environments
I'm sure like everyone else we've all played Solitare on the computer. I don't play often but when I do it's addictive. I've played Bejeweled, Mah Jong tiles, and jigsaw puzzles online. Again, they can be very addictive.
I signed up for IMVU and Second life but the work computer did not allow me to download the necessary program to view it. I'll have to give it a try at home.
Due to my busy home life I don't have much time to dabble into Gaming deeper. Maybe one day.
In terms of gaming in a library environment, I could honestly see a virtual library. Students could go to each floor and learn where their book is kept and even sign an ebook out online! They could also learn about fines, how to use the library, what collections are in which library etc... just by being a virtual character. They would learn more about the library even before stepping into the building. I'm wondering now if a library made itself available to this gaming virtual format this would be a new way of instant messaging with patrons.
I signed up for IMVU and Second life but the work computer did not allow me to download the necessary program to view it. I'll have to give it a try at home.
Due to my busy home life I don't have much time to dabble into Gaming deeper. Maybe one day.
In terms of gaming in a library environment, I could honestly see a virtual library. Students could go to each floor and learn where their book is kept and even sign an ebook out online! They could also learn about fines, how to use the library, what collections are in which library etc... just by being a virtual character. They would learn more about the library even before stepping into the building. I'm wondering now if a library made itself available to this gaming virtual format this would be a new way of instant messaging with patrons.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Week 9: Online Social Networks
This week's assignment is familiar territory for me. I've had a Facebook account for about 3-4 months now. Just recently people are starting to find me, some of which I haven't talked to in months. I found some people I went to high school with which was great to see. I think a lot of the times people are really interested in other people's photos just to see if they have changed since the last time they saw them. I'm finding that I am on Facebook on a regular basis now to let others know what I'm up to that moment (I love leaving the up to date comments) and to see what my friends are up to.
As for MySpace and LinkedIn I already have a MySpace account but for privacy sake (just as I have a private blog for close friends only) I decided to sign up for LinkedIn. I have to say that I really don't like the look or the setup of LinkedIn. I prefer MySpace. MySpace is less frustrating to use and simple. Even changing the look of MySpace is so easy. I have even added a favourite song to my profile so that every time someone views my profile they'll hear that song. I also like the idea of being able to add a MyTube video to the my profile which I haven't done yet. I probably should spend more time on LinkedIn but even just the setup of the profile turned me right off of it. I'll just stick to MySpace.
As for MySpace and LinkedIn I already have a MySpace account but for privacy sake (just as I have a private blog for close friends only) I decided to sign up for LinkedIn. I have to say that I really don't like the look or the setup of LinkedIn. I prefer MySpace. MySpace is less frustrating to use and simple. Even changing the look of MySpace is so easy. I have even added a favourite song to my profile so that every time someone views my profile they'll hear that song. I also like the idea of being able to add a MyTube video to the my profile which I haven't done yet. I probably should spend more time on LinkedIn but even just the setup of the profile turned me right off of it. I'll just stick to MySpace.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Week 8 - Online Applications & Tools
I really had fun with this week's assignment. I like the idea of having these online applications available without having to download the program. Some of my favourite applications are: Snipshot, fd's Flickr Toys, and LastFM. There's been a lot of times where I wanted a photo resizing application - something quick to use and with Snipshot that's possible. In fd's Flickr Toys it gives you a little bit of everything. I like the CD Cover maker. It all looks simple to use. LastFm is great to have if you just want to listen to your favourite music and don't want to listen online to a radio station's feed. The added bonus of no talk with your music! Perfect!
I played around on RedKid.net and made up a sign to share with all of you:
I played around on RedKid.net and made up a sign to share with all of you:
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Week 5 - Tagging, Social Bookmarking & Folksonomies
Activity #1
I searched for vegetarin slow cooker in del.icio.us and the first thought when I saw the results was that it looked more organized and easier to read. It also shows you the most popular searches saved by others which I found helpful. I looked at those results first than the ones with only 1 or 2 saved by others. The only funny and confusing part of the del.icio.us search was the following result: "Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup Recipe - Split Pea Soup with Ham Hocks and Carrots". It's obviously not a vegetarian recipe but the funny thing is it had the most saves by people.
When I searched Google for the same subject it gave me everything including books available to purchase on Amazon.com. Normally that would be fine but I wasn't interested in purchasing a vegetarian slow cooker recipe book but rather I wanted to find recipes online.
Activity #2
Here's the link to my del.icio.us favourites:
http://del.icio.us/annpearce
Activity #3
Here's the link to a great photo on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pierrepierrepierre/437296360/
Activity #4
I installed the del.icio.us buttons on my browser toolbar and find it very helpful.
I'm also very grateful for the catch up weeks. I'm enjoying working on these assignments but I find it hard to concentrate on it when you're interrupted by the phone, questions etc... at work.
I searched for vegetarin slow cooker in del.icio.us and the first thought when I saw the results was that it looked more organized and easier to read. It also shows you the most popular searches saved by others which I found helpful. I looked at those results first than the ones with only 1 or 2 saved by others. The only funny and confusing part of the del.icio.us search was the following result: "Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup Recipe - Split Pea Soup with Ham Hocks and Carrots". It's obviously not a vegetarian recipe but the funny thing is it had the most saves by people.
When I searched Google for the same subject it gave me everything including books available to purchase on Amazon.com. Normally that would be fine but I wasn't interested in purchasing a vegetarian slow cooker recipe book but rather I wanted to find recipes online.
Activity #2
Here's the link to my del.icio.us favourites:
http://del.icio.us/annpearce
Activity #3
Here's the link to a great photo on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pierrepierrepierre/437296360/
Activity #4
I installed the del.icio.us buttons on my browser toolbar and find it very helpful.
I'm also very grateful for the catch up weeks. I'm enjoying working on these assignments but I find it hard to concentrate on it when you're interrupted by the phone, questions etc... at work.
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