Individuals and libraries can definitley benefit from using social networking services. Social Networking is a way to keep in touch with friends and relatives. Since I have opened a facebook account, I have been able to locate friends of mine I haven't seen in years. It's also a good way to share pictures with loved ones that you may not get to see very often. I have several friends that I graduated high school with that I haven't seen in a long time, however, I am able to keep up with what they are up to these days and see how they have changed over the years.
Libraries can benefit from social networking, because facebook and myspace are two services that the majority of people use these days, especially college students. I guarantee you that a student is 99% more likely to check their mail on facebook, rather than their student email through the University. If our Library set up our own page, I believe that we would be able to reach students easier, and they would be more apt to visit our page and find out what's going on here rather than look for it in their email accounts.
If you'd like to take a look at my profile pages, click the link below...but wait...there's a catch...be sure to add me to your friend's list first, so I can confirm our friendship and then you can check out my site to learn more about me! =)
www.myspace.com/brandimize
(when you click this link, sign in to your account and then search for my name using facebook's search engine...once you find my profile pic, click on add friend) www.facebook.com
Monday, December 8, 2008
Searching for Libraries on Facebook
I created a facebook account a few years ago. I found it an exciting and excellent way to keep up with old and new friends. Before Learning 2.0, I had no idea that libraries were utilizing facebook, as well. I searched for libraries using the search engine, and found several. However, all of the sites I found were private, so I would have to add them to my friend list and wait for an approval before I could actually see the site. I understand why personal sites are set to private, however, wasn't quite sure why a library site would set theirs to private...it seems to me that if they kept it unlocked, more people would access their pages.
Podcasts
Well, I've always wondered what the big deal was when it came to podcasts...I guess you could say now I know...
I browsed several podcasts, and I found that there are so many interesting topics to choose from. I came across a podcast called JazzSet that features different Jazz artists. The artist being featured when I checked it out was Johnny Griffin. It gave a brief summary of his life, and told us about many of his accomplishments he has reached during his lifetime...not only did I learn about Johnny Griffin as an artist, I also was able to hear a concert that he did while in New York. His concert lasted nearly an hour, and the entire performance was on podcast. Of course, I wasn't able to listen to the whole thing, but it was very enjoyable to hear what bit I did. I love music...all kinds of music...Jazz is a favorite of mine, so it was exciting to find another way to enjoy a passion of mine.
The library can utilize podcasts in several ways. By creating our own podcasts, we could make it easier for the students to access certain sites. Rather that try to go step by step with each student individually, if we created podcasts to instruct the students "how to", they could listen to our podcast and walk themselves through the process. If they didn't get it the first time, or couldn't remember how to do it again in the future, all they'd have to do is replay it. I believe creating podcasts to help students with various things such as accessing webct, student email, pulling up their library accounts to renew books, ect. is an excellent idea!
I browsed several podcasts, and I found that there are so many interesting topics to choose from. I came across a podcast called JazzSet that features different Jazz artists. The artist being featured when I checked it out was Johnny Griffin. It gave a brief summary of his life, and told us about many of his accomplishments he has reached during his lifetime...not only did I learn about Johnny Griffin as an artist, I also was able to hear a concert that he did while in New York. His concert lasted nearly an hour, and the entire performance was on podcast. Of course, I wasn't able to listen to the whole thing, but it was very enjoyable to hear what bit I did. I love music...all kinds of music...Jazz is a favorite of mine, so it was exciting to find another way to enjoy a passion of mine.
The library can utilize podcasts in several ways. By creating our own podcasts, we could make it easier for the students to access certain sites. Rather that try to go step by step with each student individually, if we created podcasts to instruct the students "how to", they could listen to our podcast and walk themselves through the process. If they didn't get it the first time, or couldn't remember how to do it again in the future, all they'd have to do is replay it. I believe creating podcasts to help students with various things such as accessing webct, student email, pulling up their library accounts to renew books, ect. is an excellent idea!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Browser Tools and Online Applications
When I go out to eat, I always go to either Ameca or La Terraza...I love Mexican food. Not only do I go to the same restaurants all of the time, but I also order the same dish EVERY time. You would think I get tired of it, but I don't. It's rather odd, I know. Point being...I do not like change. I have come to the realization that I am set in my ways, and I am quite comfortable with that. Needless to say, I wasn't too impressed with Firefox. I have used Internet Explorer for years, and honestly, I don't think I will switch browsers. It was fun breaking out of my ways and trying something new, but like I usually do, I will resort back to my old routine. I guess it's like buying a new phone...you know...one of those with all of the neat gadgets and such...I've never really had any use for all of the "extras" because I use my phone for one thing (ok, two if you count text), but mainly to make calls. Yes, my phone has a camera on it as well, but I'm talking about those new phones that have mp3 downloads, internet, ect, ect, ect...all of that isn't really necessary for me...same goes for all of the internet browser add-ons...they're nice to have if I decide I want them, yet I don't really need them. It is interesting seeing what all is out there, but I haven't really found anything extra that I thought I HAD to have. The Snap Shots add-on is a neat feature though. It's nice to be able to preview a web page just by placing your cursor over an icon next to the page link...but do I really need it...not really.
As for online applications go, I had already played around with Picnik and really enjoy this application. I love taking pictures, so this was a fun site to play around with. It's a place where I can get creative and personalize my pics. Now that I think about it, I guess I wouldn't really need this site either, but I do enjoy it...maybe I should be more open minded and see what all else is out there...it's so funny how writing makes you discover things about yourself and see things that you wouldn't ordinarily see...hmmmm.... =)
As for online applications go, I had already played around with Picnik and really enjoy this application. I love taking pictures, so this was a fun site to play around with. It's a place where I can get creative and personalize my pics. Now that I think about it, I guess I wouldn't really need this site either, but I do enjoy it...maybe I should be more open minded and see what all else is out there...it's so funny how writing makes you discover things about yourself and see things that you wouldn't ordinarily see...hmmmm.... =)
Friday, October 17, 2008
I had no idea that Twitter even existed. Once again, I am truly amazed at what all I'm learning. I believe that Twitter is fascinating simply because of the fact that it enables us to see what others are doing throughout the day...something we once thought would be an interesting concept yet never thought it could happen...and here we are...making those "interesting concepts" reality. I had already gotten used to the idea of making posts throughout the day that let others know what I am doing through facebook and myspace. These two applications enable me to update my status whenever I'd like to let the world know (or atleast my friends) what I'm up to. Myspace even has "mood" updates to inform people of my current mood-ha! It is interesting to be able to login to your computer and look at these updates and know what someone is up to that day...know their mood...what their plans are for later that day...ect...without even talking to them...
While it seems interesting and neat to be able to do these things, I also feel that modern day technology is taking away our ability to communicate on a personal level. Writing a letter and mailing it to someone today is almost absurd to most people. Email is much more efficient...who needs a handwritten letter...typing is so much faster...
Think that's bad? Now we're all about "instant messaging"...it has gotten to where email has almost gotten outdated...why send an email and wait for the recipient to check it when you can instant message them and get a response quicker...
Not to mention phone calls...I'd say 99% of college students today would much rather TEXT someone than pick up the phone and have a one on one conversation with someone...
WHAT HAPPENED TO ONE ON ONE INTERACTION PEOPLE?!
Slowly but surely we are losing our communication skills...
So, to answer the questions for this week's lesson...
Yes...I find Twitter fascinating...however, I don't think that I would use it very frequently...
Implementing Twitter for library services...not so sure this would be extremely beneficial...could possibly use it within our staff to inform eachother of the projects we are currently working on...let eachother know when we are out to lunch, running an errand, ect....but once again...i'd much rather pick up the phone and talk to someone...less miscommunication that way...
All in all, yes it is an interesting concept...
Want to visit my Twitter site? Click on the link below and see what I'm up to...
http://www.twitter.com/bmize
While it seems interesting and neat to be able to do these things, I also feel that modern day technology is taking away our ability to communicate on a personal level. Writing a letter and mailing it to someone today is almost absurd to most people. Email is much more efficient...who needs a handwritten letter...typing is so much faster...
Think that's bad? Now we're all about "instant messaging"...it has gotten to where email has almost gotten outdated...why send an email and wait for the recipient to check it when you can instant message them and get a response quicker...
Not to mention phone calls...I'd say 99% of college students today would much rather TEXT someone than pick up the phone and have a one on one conversation with someone...
WHAT HAPPENED TO ONE ON ONE INTERACTION PEOPLE?!
Slowly but surely we are losing our communication skills...
So, to answer the questions for this week's lesson...
Yes...I find Twitter fascinating...however, I don't think that I would use it very frequently...
Implementing Twitter for library services...not so sure this would be extremely beneficial...could possibly use it within our staff to inform eachother of the projects we are currently working on...let eachother know when we are out to lunch, running an errand, ect....but once again...i'd much rather pick up the phone and talk to someone...less miscommunication that way...
All in all, yes it is an interesting concept...
Want to visit my Twitter site? Click on the link below and see what I'm up to...
http://www.twitter.com/bmize
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Using Wikis
I actually really enjoyed learning about Wikis. It is an interesting way to communicate with others, and can be a good tool to organize events and such. It is definitely a good way to make sure things are taken care of...much less of a hassle trying to remember who was bringing what...if something was forgotten...much more convenient...
Librarians do not recommend using Wikipedia as a research resource because it isn't reliable when it comes to reliable information...Wiki is a fun site to play around with, but not such a great site to rely on when it comes to needing facts...
I was excited that our site involves posting our favorite recipes. This may come as a surprise to many of you that know I don't cook...however...it is encouraging me to start. I most definitely love food, so I might as well learn how to cook. I've found some good recipes that I'm going to have to try for sure! They all look good to me!
You all can thank Allrecipes.com and Southern Living for my recipe postings! haha I did look up two of my favorites though, so hey...that counts for something right? =) Who knows...maybe I'll be so inspired I may be the one to bring one of these delicious dishes to work for us all to try...I'd like to ask you not to hold your breathe though... ;)
Librarians do not recommend using Wikipedia as a research resource because it isn't reliable when it comes to reliable information...Wiki is a fun site to play around with, but not such a great site to rely on when it comes to needing facts...
I was excited that our site involves posting our favorite recipes. This may come as a surprise to many of you that know I don't cook...however...it is encouraging me to start. I most definitely love food, so I might as well learn how to cook. I've found some good recipes that I'm going to have to try for sure! They all look good to me!
You all can thank Allrecipes.com and Southern Living for my recipe postings! haha I did look up two of my favorites though, so hey...that counts for something right? =) Who knows...maybe I'll be so inspired I may be the one to bring one of these delicious dishes to work for us all to try...I'd like to ask you not to hold your breathe though... ;)
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Lake Ouachita
The pictures I have uploaded to my Flickr account are from my trip to Lake Ouachita a couple of months ago. My fiance and I went with his family to the lake for a weekend. It was so nice to get away for a couple of days and enjoy spending time with eachother. The last day we were on the lake, I snapped a picture as the sun began to set. It was absolutely beautiful! I was so glad I brought my camera to capture that moment.
The other picture I downloaded is a picture of Lily...or shall I say my "niece". Justin's sister considers her as her child...she actually calls me Lily's Aunt Boo haha...She is spoiled rotten, but as cute as can be...as you will see in the picture. =)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30981446@N05/
The other picture I downloaded is a picture of Lily...or shall I say my "niece". Justin's sister considers her as her child...she actually calls me Lily's Aunt Boo haha...She is spoiled rotten, but as cute as can be...as you will see in the picture. =)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30981446@N05/
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