Yesterday both kids went back to school after eight weeks school holidays. This year sees Liam in year 8 and Maggie start year 3! Back to school for the kids means back to real life again for me, making school lunches, ironing uniforms, driving here and there to extra curricular activities and, most importantly back to uni.
I am so looking forward to attending the Beyond the hype web 2.0 Conference in Brisbane this weekend. Can't wait to learn heaps!
Better finish getting the kids to school..
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
A chiclet is what?
A few friends reminded me that I forgot to answer the question I posed, 'What is a chiclet?' According to Wikipedia a chiclet or chicklet "is a small icon adjacent to a blog post, article or web page that indicates the availability of an RSS feed". One of the best definitions and explanations of a chiclet I found was on an online Realtors website. It talked about them being eye candy!
You can even make your own with whatever you want on them!! I found a great tutorial on how to..
http://www.squidoo.com/chiclet
Just thought I should add to your trivia knowledge base!
see ya
You can even make your own with whatever you want on them!! I found a great tutorial on how to..
http://www.squidoo.com/chiclet
Just thought I should add to your trivia knowledge base!
see ya
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Finally finished!
Yeah! I have finally completed my Learning 2.0 23 Things project. The last few 'things' have taken a while as I've had a very sick dog who is still not well :( , more trips to the orthodontist with more broken wire and brackets, and gathering the last minute back to school things for the kids.
Task #21 was discovering some useful search tools for locating podcasts. This task was .. different. I spent quite a lot of time actually learning about podcasting, which I was so glad to do as the word is bandied around quite a bit. I discovered http://podcastalley.com/ 'the site to find podcasts'. Like stepping into a whole new world!! I listened to podcasts on library info, harry potter, coffee, parenting and I still think I may be a little disappointed with the quality of some of the podcasts I listened to. Maybe my expectations were to high? I have previously listened to podcasts from the Australian War Memorial, which were great, so I may have been expecting some of the same high quality.
Task #22 was to take a look at some titles that are available on NetLibrary, and learn how to download audiobooks. I was very impressed with this site and loves playing with all the interactive options whilst 'learning' about the different options available. The notion of downloading an eaudiobook is great!! If you were at a computer for a lot of the time, you could be listening to a favourite book being read to you!! Don't you just love multi tasking? Oh the things I have discovered!! The implications for this technology are so widespread. I was thinking of all the visually impaired people who use libraries, with these ebooks added to collections, their reading materials are almost endless.
Task #23 is to summarise your thoughts on this program. I have loved doing it! I am so glad I read about it in a library journal and signed up to do it. I have learnt so much over the last few months, and am feeling more confident using/talking about some of the new technologies around at the moment. This learning will be added to by my attendance at a Learning 2.0 seminar in Brisbane next weekend, where papers will be presented on some of these technologies, as well as forums discussing their use in libraries. Can't wait.
I have decided to keep blogging also. I must admit is is very cathartic, and I have really enjoyed this part of my 23 Things journey. I have enjoyed reading other people's blogs as well, and have learnt so much from reading them. If I had to pick one thing to take away from this online learning experience, it would be to never stop learning about new things, or be afraid to try them out. Who cares if you don't like them, the process is just as important as the product! May life long learning become an important part of who we are.
see you
Task #21 was discovering some useful search tools for locating podcasts. This task was .. different. I spent quite a lot of time actually learning about podcasting, which I was so glad to do as the word is bandied around quite a bit. I discovered http://podcastalley.com/ 'the site to find podcasts'. Like stepping into a whole new world!! I listened to podcasts on library info, harry potter, coffee, parenting and I still think I may be a little disappointed with the quality of some of the podcasts I listened to. Maybe my expectations were to high? I have previously listened to podcasts from the Australian War Memorial, which were great, so I may have been expecting some of the same high quality.
Task #22 was to take a look at some titles that are available on NetLibrary, and learn how to download audiobooks. I was very impressed with this site and loves playing with all the interactive options whilst 'learning' about the different options available. The notion of downloading an eaudiobook is great!! If you were at a computer for a lot of the time, you could be listening to a favourite book being read to you!! Don't you just love multi tasking? Oh the things I have discovered!! The implications for this technology are so widespread. I was thinking of all the visually impaired people who use libraries, with these ebooks added to collections, their reading materials are almost endless.
Task #23 is to summarise your thoughts on this program. I have loved doing it! I am so glad I read about it in a library journal and signed up to do it. I have learnt so much over the last few months, and am feeling more confident using/talking about some of the new technologies around at the moment. This learning will be added to by my attendance at a Learning 2.0 seminar in Brisbane next weekend, where papers will be presented on some of these technologies, as well as forums discussing their use in libraries. Can't wait.
I have decided to keep blogging also. I must admit is is very cathartic, and I have really enjoyed this part of my 23 Things journey. I have enjoyed reading other people's blogs as well, and have learnt so much from reading them. If I had to pick one thing to take away from this online learning experience, it would be to never stop learning about new things, or be afraid to try them out. Who cares if you don't like them, the process is just as important as the product! May life long learning become an important part of who we are.
see you
Saturday, January 19, 2008
"I'm just not an adventure type of girl"!!
Was thinking of my friends who live in Charleville and the flooding that is happening there at the moment, and wondering this morning if they were evacuated during the night. In talking with them, my friend said, "I'm just not an adventure type of girl" ! Who would want to be? Here's hoping that the river stays it's banks, and that the gully doesn't rise too much more.
Here is a link to some of the amazing photos of the flood taken by our friends :
http://www.pastdown.com/jan18
Thinking of you all....
Here is a link to some of the amazing photos of the flood taken by our friends :
http://www.pastdown.com/jan18
Thinking of you all....
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Elvis on YouTube!
Can you believe what is on YouTube? I just LOVE Elvis, and especially love this song. Task 20 was discover YouTube, and I cannot believe some of the things that are on it!! Some is very clever and creative, some just weird! Being an 80's queen, I searched for bands like Duran Duran, Spandeau Ballet etc, and had a fabulous time watching and singing along.
As for YouTube and libraries, who knows? It would possibly be funny attaching a few clips that show librarians not taking themselves so seriously (library dominoes, blonde in library), but I don't really think so. It would be interesting to find out if librarians are using YouTube, and how.
Hope you enjoyed one of my all time favourite artists and songs!
8.15 am
Me back again. Was thinking over this issue of libraries and YouYube and thought that the possibilities are endless! Clips of instructing patrons on how to use the... was one thought. I decided to type libraries into the search engine on Youtube and spent way to long watching some very clever clips. Two in particular were great: a film clip of a typical work day in a public library using Madonna's 'Ray of light', and the winner of a competition looking at popular misconceptions of the library. What a great way to promote your young adult section of the library by running a contest on Youtube?
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Have spent some time looking at new and innovative online applications and tools. The first was Zoho writer, a web-based word processing tool, that allows users to create and share documents over the net without specific installations.
I also chose to explore meebo and Ning, two award winners from the 2007 Web 2.0 Awards list.
Meebo is an instant messaging service that allows you to IM from wherever you are, regardless of what software you are using. The ramifications of this are incredible. Many library reference services now are using meebo to enable their patrons to IM them regardless of which provider they are using.
http://wwwl.meebo.com/index-en.html
Ning allows users to incorporate many of the new Web 2.0 tools into a website, encouraging social networking. The Beyond the Hype: Web 2.o website is a great example of this, and allows users to chat, post to forums, develop widgits, badges and encourages users to explore the new technology.
http://www.ning.com/
To see many of the new Web 2.0 innovative websites http://www.seomoz.org/web2.0
better go...
I also chose to explore meebo and Ning, two award winners from the 2007 Web 2.0 Awards list.
Meebo is an instant messaging service that allows you to IM from wherever you are, regardless of what software you are using. The ramifications of this are incredible. Many library reference services now are using meebo to enable their patrons to IM them regardless of which provider they are using.
http://wwwl.meebo.com/index-en.html
Ning allows users to incorporate many of the new Web 2.0 tools into a website, encouraging social networking. The Beyond the Hype: Web 2.o website is a great example of this, and allows users to chat, post to forums, develop widgits, badges and encourages users to explore the new technology.
http://www.ning.com/
To see many of the new Web 2.0 innovative websites http://www.seomoz.org/web2.0
better go...
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Monique's quilt
As the title of my blog suggests, quilter jo is learning new things! I couldn't resist making a mosaic of some of the photos taken of the completed top of my sister-in-law's 40th birthday quilt. It is based on the pattern Ruth's Quilt, by Leanne Beasley of Leanne's House. Still needs lots of work before it's finished....
Week 7 Wikis
I can't believe I finally know what a wiki is!! I have heard it used fairly often lately, and whilst I had some notion of what it was, I understand so much better now thanks to the 23 Things program. I can see many ways that they can be used in libraries, and I especially loved the book lovers wiki. This style of wiki could become a great addition to an online library page with patrons and staff alike adding information. I also loved the comments about the conference wiki that was set up for people travelling to the area, what a great way to find out info.
I enjoyed playing around in the Learning 2.0 Sandbox wiki. Although hesitant at first, I found it very user friendly and would feel confident using this technology myself in the future. Creating a wiki would also be a great way of doing a collaborative uni assignment (actually, to my way of thinking there is nothing good about collaborative uni assignments!!). But if you had to, creating the wiki and all adding the content would save much time in emailing, then waiting for the new updated version etc.
I am so enjoying this Learning 2.0 - 23 Things online learning project. It wasn't until I was playing around in the sandbox wiki that I realised just how many people have also worked their way through this program from all around the world. I wonder if Helene Blowser knew how big it would become when she created it for her staff?
On a personal note, kids are still alive with only 2 and 1/2 weeks to go until school starts again. I have found the threat of no electronic gadgets works wonders!!!
I enjoyed playing around in the Learning 2.0 Sandbox wiki. Although hesitant at first, I found it very user friendly and would feel confident using this technology myself in the future. Creating a wiki would also be a great way of doing a collaborative uni assignment (actually, to my way of thinking there is nothing good about collaborative uni assignments!!). But if you had to, creating the wiki and all adding the content would save much time in emailing, then waiting for the new updated version etc.
I am so enjoying this Learning 2.0 - 23 Things online learning project. It wasn't until I was playing around in the sandbox wiki that I realised just how many people have also worked their way through this program from all around the world. I wonder if Helene Blowser knew how big it would become when she created it for her staff?
On a personal note, kids are still alive with only 2 and 1/2 weeks to go until school starts again. I have found the threat of no electronic gadgets works wonders!!!
see you :)
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Week 6 completed!
This week has for me been a huge learning curve. I am still trying to come to grips with the huge amount of content I have been learning about, and trying to understand how it all fits in with what I am learning about in my degree.
Reading through different perspectives about Web 2.0, and Library 2.0 has opened my eyes to the inevitability of change, and how we deal with it. Reminds me once again of the concept of life long learning that librarians talk so much about. It is so important to apply this same concept to our own lives so that we can forever be open to hearing about, learning about and trying out new things. Who cares if they don't work? At least we can say we tried!!
I read a great new blog this week, definitely worth a read.
http://librariesinteract.info/2007/12/31/ten-library-20-resolutions-for-2008/
What I have loved about doing this online course so far is using what I am learning to manage all the information I am learning about! It was so amazing to be able to use my bloglines account to subscribe to the libraries interact blog, thus allowing me to view all their posts when posted! Amazing.
Reading through different perspectives about Web 2.0, and Library 2.0 has opened my eyes to the inevitability of change, and how we deal with it. Reminds me once again of the concept of life long learning that librarians talk so much about. It is so important to apply this same concept to our own lives so that we can forever be open to hearing about, learning about and trying out new things. Who cares if they don't work? At least we can say we tried!!
I read a great new blog this week, definitely worth a read.
http://librariesinteract.info/2007/12/31/ten-library-20-resolutions-for-2008/
What I have loved about doing this online course so far is using what I am learning to manage all the information I am learning about! It was so amazing to be able to use my bloglines account to subscribe to the libraries interact blog, thus allowing me to view all their posts when posted! Amazing.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Halfway through week 6
Over the last few days I have learnt about Folksonomies, tagging and discovered Del.icio.us (a social bookmarking site). Folksonomies or tagging is a free form method of categorising information, allowing users to associate keywords with online concepts. This is almost the exact opposite of taxonomies or the strict cataloging system used in libraries based on LCSH.
Del.icio.us is a great site and I could not believe how much time I spent on this site following tags to different blogs. I bookmarked many things and followed links to other people who had also bookmarked that topic, and then followed links to their bookmarked sites and so on and so forth.... The kids were on time out and off the computer so I spent a lovely afternoon clicking and reading.
http://del.icio.us/
I also learnt about Technorati, one of the leading authorities and search tools on blogs and blogging. Many people use tags or keywords to describe posts on their blogs, and Technorati allows users to effectively search blogs using these specific tags. I still am amazed at what people write about, but then I guess I can because I am yabbering away about what I am learning!!
http://www.technorati.com/
Oh, I also learnt a new word, well actually quite a few this week, but the one I like best is 'chiclet'. Anyone know what it means?
Well, better go and get kids up for a visit to the orthadontist before work.
Del.icio.us is a great site and I could not believe how much time I spent on this site following tags to different blogs. I bookmarked many things and followed links to other people who had also bookmarked that topic, and then followed links to their bookmarked sites and so on and so forth.... The kids were on time out and off the computer so I spent a lovely afternoon clicking and reading.
http://del.icio.us/
I also learnt about Technorati, one of the leading authorities and search tools on blogs and blogging. Many people use tags or keywords to describe posts on their blogs, and Technorati allows users to effectively search blogs using these specific tags. I still am amazed at what people write about, but then I guess I can because I am yabbering away about what I am learning!!
http://www.technorati.com/
Oh, I also learnt a new word, well actually quite a few this week, but the one I like best is 'chiclet'. Anyone know what it means?
Well, better go and get kids up for a visit to the orthadontist before work.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Week 5 Play Week
Today I have learnt about online image generators. I cannot believe the incredibly rich variety available to use! I played around with a couple, and decided to use something dear to my heart - a cup of coffee!!
http://generatorblog.blogspot.com/
I also learnt about Library thing, an online catalogue that allows you to keep track of all the books you own, or are reading at a particular time. I spent some time on this site and think it has the potential to become very addictive!!! Bring on the completion of my degree!!
http://www.librarything.com
I also successfully added a widget to my blog. I still can't believe I know these words and their meanings, and may even be able to discuss them in conversation.
I will leave you with wise words from Blackadder (found on another image generator site!!)
Blackadder: Baldrick, believe me, eternity in the company of Beelzebub and all his hellish instruments of death will be a picnic compared to five minutes with me and this pencil if we can't replace this dictionary. - Ink and Incapability
http://generatorblog.blogspot.com/
I also learnt about Library thing, an online catalogue that allows you to keep track of all the books you own, or are reading at a particular time. I spent some time on this site and think it has the potential to become very addictive!!! Bring on the completion of my degree!!
http://www.librarything.com
I also successfully added a widget to my blog. I still can't believe I know these words and their meanings, and may even be able to discuss them in conversation.
I will leave you with wise words from Blackadder (found on another image generator site!!)
Blackadder: Baldrick, believe me, eternity in the company of Beelzebub and all his hellish instruments of death will be a picnic compared to five minutes with me and this pencil if we can't replace this dictionary. - Ink and Incapability
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