The most startling thing I learned with these 2.0 steps is how opinionated I am about what I want in my library and what I do NOT want. I thought I would be more tentative because I am so new to this profession, but as I went through 2.0, I found things I will NOT use in the library, things I plan to use, and things I have already used.
I KNOW I will use image generators. I KNOW I will use Wordle and other "fun" technology that will help the librarian be visually inviting to the students. These things I have discovered through 2.0. At the same time, I can't say I WON'T use other applications, but right now, I don't see an application for Skype and blogs in Murray High School Media Center as it exists right now. At the same time, I realize the danger of saying "never" because times change. The nature of MHS library might be entirely different in two years than it is right now. Technology is changing so very quickly, and I am committed to keep the library up-to-date with applicable technological advantages. I appreciate having exposure to those things so that if the opportunity presents itself, I can implement them as part of my library program.
I have appreciated hearing the class opinions as to what they see is applicable. Although many of the opinions are different from how I feel, they have helped me see applications and possibilities that I could never have thought of on my own.Thanks for all of your input. My library will be better because of 2.0 and all of you!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Wordle
Free audiobook downloads
Netlibrary is a great tool for downloading free audiobooks. I also spent quite a bit of time looking for other sites since our faculty is VERY interested in this feature. Other sites I have found for both audio and ebooks include:
Downloads for MP3 players--except iPods:http://pioneer.utah.gov/digital/netlibrary.html Downloads that ARE iPod compatible:http://fcit.usf.edu/ (Then click on lit2go.)
World Book Encyclopedia (available through pioneer.org) also has an ebook library.
Most public libraries now have free audiobook downloads--you access them through the library websites--all you need is a library card.
A final site to look is on Sony. Not only does it have free audio books and ebooks, but it has links for sites that have iPod compatible downloads.
Downloads for MP3 players--except iPods:http://pioneer.utah.gov/digital/netlibrary.html Downloads that ARE iPod compatible:http://fcit.usf.edu/ (Then click on lit2go.)
World Book Encyclopedia (available through pioneer.org) also has an ebook library.
Most public libraries now have free audiobook downloads--you access them through the library websites--all you need is a library card.
A final site to look is on Sony. Not only does it have free audio books and ebooks, but it has links for sites that have iPod compatible downloads.
Thoughts about YouTube
My kids are crazy about YouTube. My students are crazy about YouTube. My nieces and nephews are crazy about YouTube. I am not crazy about YouTube, but then I think it really is a generational thing. I DO appreciate YouTube and what it does, but I am not about to spend hours pursing its offerings.
Some things I DO like about YouTube are the following: my husband posts home movies on YouTube that are not available to the public. Our family has access--nobody else. He does this so that our daughter who is going to school in DC can see what all of her crazy siblings have been doing while she is gone. It is the "next best thing to being there." Between cell phones where we talk at least once a day and YouTube, she is as connected as can be considering all of the miles between all of us.
I also like some of the videos that are on YouTube that are about our "adopted" daughter, Sutton Foster. As a Tony winner and Broadway star, Sutton is very busy with her professional life. However, she is also overly humble. She doesn't tell us a whole lot about her accomplishments or public concerts. Our family will often search YouTube just to see what she has been doing in the professional world.
Another thing I like about YouTube is that my children will often show me things that they think are funny on YouTube. It is another way for us to stay connected. One of our favorites is a clip with Madonna. We aren't Madonna fans, but we LOVE this clip. The URL is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srrbvNNUKrA Check it out. It is great fun!
Some things I DO like about YouTube are the following: my husband posts home movies on YouTube that are not available to the public. Our family has access--nobody else. He does this so that our daughter who is going to school in DC can see what all of her crazy siblings have been doing while she is gone. It is the "next best thing to being there." Between cell phones where we talk at least once a day and YouTube, she is as connected as can be considering all of the miles between all of us.
I also like some of the videos that are on YouTube that are about our "adopted" daughter, Sutton Foster. As a Tony winner and Broadway star, Sutton is very busy with her professional life. However, she is also overly humble. She doesn't tell us a whole lot about her accomplishments or public concerts. Our family will often search YouTube just to see what she has been doing in the professional world.
Another thing I like about YouTube is that my children will often show me things that they think are funny on YouTube. It is another way for us to stay connected. One of our favorites is a clip with Madonna. We aren't Madonna fans, but we LOVE this clip. The URL is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srrbvNNUKrA Check it out. It is great fun!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Online applications and Tools
This week we looked into online applications such as ZoHo and Google Docs. Google Docs was my favorite. I wonder why I even bothered to buy Microsoft Office Suite after looking at Google Docs. I especially like how I can access my documents from any computer when I use this online application. My very favorite part of Google Docs was the templates. I have this "thing" about templates. I usually don't use the template itself because it isn't structured exactly like I usually need, but I like to use it as a catalyst for designing my own page layout.
I also explored the Web 2.0 Awards list. When I first went to the list, I was expecting five or six websites. Instead, I got a long list with a wide variety of topics. My favorite site wasn't even a winner--it got an honorable mention. It is http://www.onesentence.org. This URL leads to single sentences that are hysterical--but then I am a word person. I love to see what others do with words.
Another site I liked from the awards list is http://wufoo.com/. Wufoo makes surveys and sends them online to people you want to question. It has a wide variety of options. I especially like how many of the examples are humorous. I plan to use this site when I plan my family reunion this summer.
I also explored the Web 2.0 Awards list. When I first went to the list, I was expecting five or six websites. Instead, I got a long list with a wide variety of topics. My favorite site wasn't even a winner--it got an honorable mention. It is http://www.onesentence.org. This URL leads to single sentences that are hysterical--but then I am a word person. I love to see what others do with words.
Another site I liked from the awards list is http://wufoo.com/. Wufoo makes surveys and sends them online to people you want to question. It has a wide variety of options. I especially like how many of the examples are humorous. I plan to use this site when I plan my family reunion this summer.
Monday, March 2, 2009
RSS and Newsreaders
I am NOT enthusiastic about this topic. The thought of getting news without paying for it is a little hard for me to stomach considering my husband Steve's occupation. Steve is an editor at the Deseret Morning News. Like many newspapers throughout the country, the Deseret Morning News is quickly losing revenues. Part of it is because of the economy. Most of it is because of the internet and television. Even with 25 years of seniority at the Deseret News, we have been carefully watching the layoffs. We have been worried about Steve's position for almost a year. Now before you say that newspapers need to keep up with the times, keep in mind that they are trying. Most of them are now online and are actively finding alternate ways to get revenue. However, most internet users want their news FREE. They don't stop to think that someone has to pay for the service that is being provided. Online advertising is the only way for newspapers to get compensation for the service they provide every time someone logs on to their site without a subscription. The scary thing is that most people don't realize that if they eliminate newspapers, the face of news changes tremendously: most television and internet sites rely on newspapers. If newspapers go, the other news sources suffer tremendously, and the public doesn't have the extensive, balanced news that they are accustomed to having.
I understand why RSS and newsreaders are so "valuable" for readers, but the fact that even the 2.0 segment proudly proclaimed that readers can now get news without advertising leaves me to wonder if in their quest for easy, free news, readers are inadvertently and systematically getting rid of news. Just last week two major papers folded. More closures are to come.
I signed up for the RSS just because it was part of the assignment, but I won't be using it. It is a matter of principle: I'd rather have my husband (and all of the journalists just like him) have a job. News without advertising? Somebody has to pay--and it should be the readers--even if their payment means they just have to deal with the advertisements that are posted to the side of the story. What a sacrifice!!!!
I understand why RSS and newsreaders are so "valuable" for readers, but the fact that even the 2.0 segment proudly proclaimed that readers can now get news without advertising leaves me to wonder if in their quest for easy, free news, readers are inadvertently and systematically getting rid of news. Just last week two major papers folded. More closures are to come.
I signed up for the RSS just because it was part of the assignment, but I won't be using it. It is a matter of principle: I'd rather have my husband (and all of the journalists just like him) have a job. News without advertising? Somebody has to pay--and it should be the readers--even if their payment means they just have to deal with the advertisements that are posted to the side of the story. What a sacrifice!!!!
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