Make a joyful noise

Make a joyful noise
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Monday, August 29, 2011

Method #12

There is nothing wrong with updating and learning new things and that is why even though I struggled (understatement of the year) to complete this program I am happy that I did. Being in the library requires that sometimes you have really unusual questions and even if I never get to show a student how to use these things I'll never regret it.
My favorite for this course was the social cataloging I fell in with with what other have done by way of reviewing all the books that makes it so easy for one to select.
with time I hope the libraries can move to skype and other conferencing devices that will make for more interaction with patrons. Reference librarians are better able to serve patrons if they can understand their questions.
Screencasting will answer some of these questions. My only problem is that anytime I have gone to youtube to view videos on libraries the stats are abysmal and I have a feeling that may be only librarians view them, there are hardly any comments.
The good thing is there are a lot of free software available for libraries to use.

Method #11

We recently used survey monkey to do a survey and I was so impressed with the way the results was presented in the different formats PDf and word. And the charts and graphs for each question was unbelievable. This analysis was done almost immediately right after we finished inputting the data manually since we did a paper survey.
I don't believe that libraries should pay for expensive instruments when they can use any of these relatively cheap ones. The results seem just as good.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Method #10

My first experience with Video conferencing was one of my class was a video conference with 4 sites back in 2003. I happen to be on the main campus so had the instructor in my class. Most times the class started late or ended early since there was a problem with the connection. That was 2003 now I can skye with my daughter for hours and I know that my school would have solved all the connection problems. One thing I remember from that experience however was the instructor paid a visit to the sites and when she came back she talked about how excited the students were to see her in person. So with all the technology nothing can take the place of the human. There is still the need for human interaction.
Technology may save cost, time and travel but it will never make up for physical presence.
Some of the frustration involved in instant messaging can be solved with skype.

Method #9

This has been the best of this Web 2.0 series for me. I have never haeard about digital storytelling of scrap blog and I think it an amazing concept. I am ready to scan all my photos and scrap blog them for my kids. this is awesome!!
This is just a taste of it starting with my grand son

Method #8

Screencasting was our project for this summer. Our scripts are ready but we are yet to record. We have even purchased Camtasia so hopefully this will get done. I was excited to try out on the free version but guess what.... there is no mic on my computer so no recording can be done.

The links some of the screencasting is broke eg the UT ones

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Method 7

I fell in love with Prezi the first time I saw it being used. It looked really simply and exciting. It provided wider range of presentation. But when I tried to create one myself I got stuck. After this lesson I was motivated to try and finish what I started. Even though I advanced this time and was able to put more information in my presentation I still could not create a path for my presentation. The tutorial looks simple enough may be I just am just slow at this.
I still think that Prezi makes presentations more interesting.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Beyond Method # 6

I am familiar with project Gutenberg and I have downloaded books to my computer before. back then there were not several options and now as I look I am not sure which option to use.
The problem with ebooks is complex. I think some publishers for now think if they bypass libraries they might make more money but with time they would come to realize that even though libraries buy only one copy and several people can read that one if they can sell to libraries there would more libraries to sustain the publishing industry.
I remember in library school one of my professors espousing on the CD-ROM talked about how you can put a whole library's collection on it. Now you probably could put all the books ever published on your kindle at least have access to it with a touch.