I like this idea. As a casual staff member I am often at different places and this application would be great.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Week 7: Wikis
It is always a worry when the instructions say 'it is easy to do if you follow this simple syntax'. You follow the simple instructions and it just doesn't work.
In steps my wonderful, fantastic, brilliant life-saver of a husband to save the day. Who I might add has been of great assistance to me along my journey (is that enough grovelling dear!). The problem we think was with the browser that I was using so this is just something to be aware of.
As I approach week 8, I have found the instructions for Learning 2.0 Activities really poor. Often the instructions have been followed and then a large amount of time has been spent trouble-shooting trying to find out how the applications can be applied.
In steps my wonderful, fantastic, brilliant life-saver of a husband to save the day. Who I might add has been of great assistance to me along my journey (is that enough grovelling dear!). The problem we think was with the browser that I was using so this is just something to be aware of.
As I approach week 8, I have found the instructions for Learning 2.0 Activities really poor. Often the instructions have been followed and then a large amount of time has been spent trouble-shooting trying to find out how the applications can be applied.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Week 7: Wikis
A Wiki allows a group of people to collaboratively develop a Web site with no knowledge of HTML or other markup languages. Anyone can add to or edit content. Sound interesting!
Advantages - Easy to use; anyone can make changes; free and open source options; flexible and extensible.
Disadvantages - Disorganized; too open; not enough control; vandalism and spam.
So where do wikis fit in to libraries? I believe there is a place for wikis in the library world. The lack of editorial control and a wiki being prone to being subjective, or strongly influenced by opinion, is of concern. If a wiki is designed around a specific subject/topic and directed towards a very specific audience, eg. reader's reviews (such as the Book Lover's Wiki, developed by Princeton Public Library) or family historian's discussions on a specific topic then I think there is potential for wikis.
However the suggestion of adding 'wiki functionality' to the library catalogue - I don't think so....... A 'community wiki' via a library would be a great idea. With libraries becoming the 'hub' of the community, a wiki would be great for the local community to advertise certain materials. For example, local schools or community houses could advertise their activities via the wiki. They would then have flexibility of making changes to the entry.
Library Success: a Best Practises Wiki was a wiki created to be a 'one-stop shop' for great ideas and information for all types of librarians. Under specific categories which can be added to. But once again, I think it is successful because it is targeting a specific audience and is less open to abuse.
I also enjoyed the You-Tube on the campers using a wiki to co-ordinate the camping trip instead of emailing many people. That has huge potential but I have visions of families organizing thier Christmas lunches and what to bring via a family wiki - 'no you said you'd bring the plum pudding' 'no you were supposed to bring the turkey'' you forgot the bon bons'. Aaah - roll on Christmas! Ho, ho, ho.
Advantages - Easy to use; anyone can make changes; free and open source options; flexible and extensible.
Disadvantages - Disorganized; too open; not enough control; vandalism and spam.
So where do wikis fit in to libraries? I believe there is a place for wikis in the library world. The lack of editorial control and a wiki being prone to being subjective, or strongly influenced by opinion, is of concern. If a wiki is designed around a specific subject/topic and directed towards a very specific audience, eg. reader's reviews (such as the Book Lover's Wiki, developed by Princeton Public Library) or family historian's discussions on a specific topic then I think there is potential for wikis.
However the suggestion of adding 'wiki functionality' to the library catalogue - I don't think so....... A 'community wiki' via a library would be a great idea. With libraries becoming the 'hub' of the community, a wiki would be great for the local community to advertise certain materials. For example, local schools or community houses could advertise their activities via the wiki. They would then have flexibility of making changes to the entry.
Library Success: a Best Practises Wiki was a wiki created to be a 'one-stop shop' for great ideas and information for all types of librarians. Under specific categories which can be added to. But once again, I think it is successful because it is targeting a specific audience and is less open to abuse.
I also enjoyed the You-Tube on the campers using a wiki to co-ordinate the camping trip instead of emailing many people. That has huge potential but I have visions of families organizing thier Christmas lunches and what to bring via a family wiki - 'no you said you'd bring the plum pudding' 'no you were supposed to bring the turkey'' you forgot the bon bons'. Aaah - roll on Christmas! Ho, ho, ho.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Week 6: Web 2.0-Library 2.0
So what is the future of libraries?
I decided to look up my daughter's year 11 recommended dictionary, The Oxford Australian Student's Colour Dictionary, 3rd ed, 2005, for a definition of a library. Library (noun): 1. a collection of books for reading or borrowing; 2. a room or building where these are kept; 3. a similar collection of recordings, films, computer routines, etc. 4. a series of books issued in similar bindings as a set. Librarian (noun): a person in charge of or assisting in a library. Mmmm, I think Melvil Dewey could have written those definitions! I only hope that year 11 students never have to look up the definition of a library and see such an archaic definition of a library in the year 2007! Especially when these students could do a blog in their sleep!!!!!
It is for this reason that I initially listed in my profile that my occupation was 'information technologist' not librarian. We need to change people's fuddy duddy image of libraries as quiet repositories for books. In an information technology age, libraries need to be seen to be embracing new technology and passing on advice to users. According to Michael Stephens, in 'Into a new world of librarianship' ........'this librarian will help users become their own programming director for all of the content available to them'. I think that is being rather optimistic.
Libraries in five or ten years from now will look substantially different from libraries of today. I agree with the State Library of Victoria's vision statement in that we need to be able to offer worldwide information resources to enrich the patron's cultural, educational, social and economic lives. However we still have to live in a 'real' world.
We do need to find new ways to bring our services to patrons rather than insisting that they come to us - whether physically or virtually on the web. However, I agree with Rick Anderson's article, 'Away from the 'icebergs''. Libraries of today are facing severe cutbacks and facing severe budget constraints. Yes, libraries are poorly equipped and insufficiently staffed for teaching. We need to remove the barrier that exists between a patron and the information they need. We can assist and educate patrons when we can however, on a daily basis, I do not believe we have the resources to teach patrons.
As Web 2.0 evolves, patrons will expect access to everything, such as digital collections of newspapers (especially relevant in regard to family history research), books, blogs, podcasts, etc. Librarians, in their new role of 'information technologist', can and should be able to assist users to access such services but we are highly under-resourced to teach such new technology at present.
I decided to look up my daughter's year 11 recommended dictionary, The Oxford Australian Student's Colour Dictionary, 3rd ed, 2005, for a definition of a library. Library (noun): 1. a collection of books for reading or borrowing; 2. a room or building where these are kept; 3. a similar collection of recordings, films, computer routines, etc. 4. a series of books issued in similar bindings as a set. Librarian (noun): a person in charge of or assisting in a library. Mmmm, I think Melvil Dewey could have written those definitions! I only hope that year 11 students never have to look up the definition of a library and see such an archaic definition of a library in the year 2007! Especially when these students could do a blog in their sleep!!!!!
It is for this reason that I initially listed in my profile that my occupation was 'information technologist' not librarian. We need to change people's fuddy duddy image of libraries as quiet repositories for books. In an information technology age, libraries need to be seen to be embracing new technology and passing on advice to users. According to Michael Stephens, in 'Into a new world of librarianship' ........'this librarian will help users become their own programming director for all of the content available to them'. I think that is being rather optimistic.
Libraries in five or ten years from now will look substantially different from libraries of today. I agree with the State Library of Victoria's vision statement in that we need to be able to offer worldwide information resources to enrich the patron's cultural, educational, social and economic lives. However we still have to live in a 'real' world.
We do need to find new ways to bring our services to patrons rather than insisting that they come to us - whether physically or virtually on the web. However, I agree with Rick Anderson's article, 'Away from the 'icebergs''. Libraries of today are facing severe cutbacks and facing severe budget constraints. Yes, libraries are poorly equipped and insufficiently staffed for teaching. We need to remove the barrier that exists between a patron and the information they need. We can assist and educate patrons when we can however, on a daily basis, I do not believe we have the resources to teach patrons.
As Web 2.0 evolves, patrons will expect access to everything, such as digital collections of newspapers (especially relevant in regard to family history research), books, blogs, podcasts, etc. Librarians, in their new role of 'information technologist', can and should be able to assist users to access such services but we are highly under-resourced to teach such new technology at present.
Week 6: Technorati
The show goes on.......
It was interesting looking at the results of searching the term 'Learning 2.0'. For whole blogs -6,369, as opposed to searching via a tag- 622 posts! Big difference in numbers. Is 622 posts more maneagable and more relevant as the blogger considers it important enough to warrant the tag?
Searching for 'ice hockey' in entire posts yielded 6,895 results as opposed to searching the term in tags only came up with 245. Find searching for tags much less overwhelming.
It was interesting looking at the results of searching the term 'Learning 2.0'. For whole blogs -6,369, as opposed to searching via a tag- 622 posts! Big difference in numbers. Is 622 posts more maneagable and more relevant as the blogger considers it important enough to warrant the tag?
Searching for 'ice hockey' in entire posts yielded 6,895 results as opposed to searching the term in tags only came up with 245. Find searching for tags much less overwhelming.
Week 6: Del.icio.us
Mmmm. I like Del.icio.us. It is practical and useful. As a casual worker it is great to be able to access all my favourite websites from whatever site I am at. Tagging is great. One click and I can easily access the information. Goodbye 'Bookmarks' as my bookmarks are growing and growing and finding it difficult to find a favourite.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)