Salt and Pepper

SITES FOR STUDENTS

2008-01-23T23:56:00.000-08:00

Many of these sites look like useful ones for students old and young. Zoho would work well for library applications, since one doesn't need to download anything to use it. NoteMesh would be handy for a group working on a project (in-house at KRL) or taking a class together. I was impressed with Kathy Schrock's site for educators. I struggled to use Audacity for a personal project. The download came with NO instructions. One of the tools on her site is a "how-to" on Audacity. There are many suggestions and sites to visit to enhance any learning situation. I woud see KRL sharing this site with school teachers as well as KRL teachers.

Isn't it wonderful the quantity and quality of tools available to us on our computers!!

TWITTER

2008-01-23T23:07:00.000-08:00

Twitter seems kinda silly to me. I don't need one more chatty site. I found Shirlee and Shannon on the list of people signed up for Twitter. Shannon is a bit fragmented and crazy--just like the real Shannon. No wonder the kids love her!! And Shirlee...I'll always find Shirlee special. I can't think of a reason to abandon the applications we already have to add Twitter. I know the news padcast said that Twitter may replace some of the older ones, but until then, I'll pass.

FACEBOOK

2008-01-23T22:18:00.000-08:00

At first my reaction to Facebook (and MySpace) was that these sites were not very appropriate for a library to participate in. In reading a number of the articles about Facebook, I have changed my mind. When I read that many students could not access their own school library on the web, I realized that these same students wouldn't access KRL either. Being on Facebook gives the student and easy and convenient way to get to the library when they have questions (or when something piques their interest). Creating a library portal will get the student to what they need without having to go to the KRL website first. (And most students thrive on "easy".) They already know how to use Facebook, so the portal will be easy for them. Being able to access KitKat would bring them into contact with material quickly. It appears easy to update the info on Facebook and to add calendar items, too. With the lid lift coming up soon, this exposure to more community members (who may not be big library users at this time) is vital. "Get 'em hooked now!" Let's become a part of this network.

WIKIS

2007-12-22T23:39:00.000-08:00

KRL's wiki is beginning to take shape. I've read Port Orchard's page and can't think of anything to add. I also read the Sub page, and really admire whoever could come up with all that "sub" image. Great stuff!

2007-12-03T20:44:00.000-08:00

Library Self-Check Video How-To

YouTube

2007-12-03T12:48:00.000-08:00

I've viewed some videos, found the salmon story at KRL, and am about to try to do the extra assignments. I really don't think this video thing is for me. If the video is informative or educational, it would serve a purpose. The only other reason to spend my time viewing would be if I had a friend or family member (someday a grandchild???) who was starring in a video. So I don't think I will be using YouTube very much.

Library Self-check Video

LibraryThing

2007-11-05T12:16:00.000-08:00

Another successful "class" in krl2pt0! Library Thing was a lot of fun to learn about and to participate in. Along with increasing age comes forgetfulness. I decided to include a number of books I had read in the past two years that I found interesting in one way or another. --It took me FOREVER to remember the titles! Having them here will be great when I go to recommend a book and can't quite come up with the title. Also, looking at what other people think of these books was very informative. (It's always good to get a negative review in order to re-think the opinions I have formed.) And I've found a new source of new books to read. I really like this site! That public libraries can use it is great for patrons. Those tags are really helpful!!
http:\\www.librarything.com/catalog/SaltandPepper.

Flickr

2007-10-29T16:05:00.000-07:00

Finally I have come to a lesson that I understand. This Flickr project was lots of fun! I looked at some amazing photos. I have visited China and found viewing the photos others have taken while in China to bring back wonderful memories and show some awesome places. After traveling the world, I downloaded some photos I have taken of my bathroom remodel (in progress as we speak). (Since they said "1 1/2 weeks for the job" when it started, I am hoping now for somewhat more than 1 1/2 months and am going crazy.) I thought that taking photos might keep me amused so that I didn't kill anyone. After I put the photos into the computer, I used Flickr to store them and then invited my parents in Ohio to view them. I'll report next time about their reaction to Flickr (--that is, if I can get my dad to actually open a Flickr account). It was fun to be able to send a whole batch (15)of photos without doing the attachment thing over and over again. I don't have any other similar site to compare Flickr to, but was pleased with what I saw on Flickr. If you haven't tried it, do it. I found it a lot less confusing than some of the processes we have already done. And the photos are great!

Podcasts

2007-10-29T12:52:00.000-07:00

Deeper and deeper I get into this computer thing. I haven't done any viewing, but I listened to several book talks by authors that were done by Fairfax County Libraries. It's fun to have access to these materials when I have the time to listen AND the urge to hear info on a certain topic. Hearing the author speak about his/her own book adds an additional dimension to book talks. I think I'll use this saved podcast site. I'm sure more sites will be added as I wander through all the choices.

RSS

2007-10-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

Well, I've hit the end of feeling very confident about these computer lessons. (Was it just an illusion?) I've struggled and struggled. I now have a list of saved sites to look in on when I have a free moment. But with all this work on learning, I don't seem to have any free moments. This is taking me a LOT longer than I think it's supposed to. I am at the point where I can't remember which thing blogger.com does, or bloglines.com, etc. They are all mixed up.
I guess what you're hearing is frustration with myself. All these issues may be sorted out by Valentine's Day. BUT I WANT IT NOW!

RSS may be useful to me. I already have practiced 2 new words on Word Of The Day dictionary sites. It will be quick to review new info on krl2pt0, too.

Social Bookmarking

2007-10-25T11:42:00.000-07:00

Social bookmarking is a great idea for connecting with the young people in our library community. Tagging gives meaning to the organization of information. "Young people" means those who are computer savvy, regardless of age. People who have grown up with computers can use tagging to identify materials in KRL (whether or not they are adept at using the library catalog), avoiding repeated contact with the less user-friendly system.
I love the Port Orchard Reference del.icio.us account! Information used often is literally right at one's fingertips.

Week 2

2007-10-11T08:59:00.000-07:00

"The 7 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners" was a good beginning to my adventures in krl2pt0. I had never seen a pod-cast, or even a moving object on my computer. So I have moved forward already. Because I am trained as a teacher, the structure of "The 7 1/2 Habits" makes sense to me. I followed along, writing down my goals, obstacles, toolbox items, etc. This process is a great way to make a serious commitment to making a change. I am becoming more excited about the challenges of learning new computer technologies. "20 Reasons Why Learning Emerging Technologies Is Part of Every Librarian's Job" certainly makes a good case for our implimenting our krl2pt0 program. And, to conclude, the krl2pt0 program has eased me into the process of learning by making the steps simple and clear.