Assistive Technology

This week certainly sparked my interest with the assistive and adaptive technologies discussed. My group partner is Christina Huesman. We are composing our questions by the end of this week and setting up appointments for next week-or at least that is the plan. We have a good start on the project. We have also both selected the Assistive Tech 13.2 project as it directly correlates within our current project. It should make for smooth transition.

Facebook Logo by AJC1 CC License: some rights reserved

My social media experience with Facebook has been informative and yet is complicated. I have pursued following several libraries on Facebook. However, many are commercial sites and only utilize the "like" feature. So to remedy this, I have elected the Google Reader to assist me in keeping up on these sites. I have joined the Libr 105 group and conversed with other classmates there. I do use Facebook on a daily basis. In fact, I prefer it over My Space. I find it difficult to

believe that I actually do prefer it. My Space accommodates html and comment posting with an additional blog application and I would never have believed that I would prefer Facebook

it. I guess this is much like the difference between Facebook and Twitter. Apps do not necessarily mean better. I enjoy Facebook simply because everyone is on it. I have located high school friends and am able to keep up on "little things" that would normally be overlooked. Some

of the apps that are listed in our assignment that I have been pursuing are being blocked by security browsing issues. I have to discover why this is happening to access and explore these applications.

Twitter by xotoko CC license: some rights reserved

Twitter is a new experience. It took a little search and find; though, I am beginning to get an understanding of it. Searches seem easier on Twitter. Perhaps this has to do with the brevity of the postings. It reminds me of Google Reader at least that is how I would use the source. I do not think it is much for social media after experiencing Facebook. I do think that it would be more of a professional service for quick broadcasting.

For my video project I am working on CyberLink DVD Suite Deluxe. I have to work through the tutorials to figure out how to use all of the "magic touches" that may be applied. I will post more as I discover more. Here is a video that I found on YouTube with screencasting using the software that I am embarking on.

Cyberlink DVD Suite 7 by CyberlinkChannel

I have been exploring Second Life. I think quite honestly that there are a lot of weirdos on it. I have been very vulgarly approached while in process of figuring out my appearance and would never recommend this to a child in naivety. While I am not big on censorship, I do hold to guidance and this is definitely a source that needs some guidelines attached to it. I have only begun to check out the appearance and so have not found my way to other sites. (I am not sure that I want to!)

I pray that everyone had a lovely weekend and a wonderful fresh new week in this lovely month of November.

Video Sharing Project

Under my video sharing project I found a link to nbc.com which posts videos of shows that people may have missed. I found this Halloween treat there.

Horror genre has found a new home

I also looked up HULU which took me to the TNT website for a CHARMED episode.

I have been checking out Second Life. I still think it is kind of creepy. While I was attempting to fumble to set up my avatar, I continually am approached by strangers who seemingly jump at the first notice of a life form. I am not happy about that. I should not have to be bombarded by others while setting up. Setting up my appearance does not seem very user-friendly. I have read through tutorials; however, it seems rather difficult. I will have to get back to it at a later time.

I did also check out Machinima. This seems confusing as well. It appears to be a news update to keep people abreast through Facebook, Twitter, etc. I did watch a video clip through You Tube about little green men. The front page leaves much to be desired as far as information about its service goes.

My next venture will be in Google Reader for Podcasting.

Learning and Teaching Technologies

Library Instruction Lab by
prettydaisies
CC license: some rights reserved

This week has been rather exciting. Learning about presentations and actually having an opportunity to experience a mock situation has been rather encouraging. I have enjoyed having the opportunity to explore resources out there that may be utilized to better serve patrons. I have enjoyed seeing how others have approached their projects. There were different templates used with different presentational styles that were notable. Our Wimba meeting occurred on Saturday and everyone managed to present their presentations rather effectively with very little interference. Screencasts, distance learing and course management systems are very practical subjects for library instruction. I am not terribly familiar with screencasts; yet this is an area that I will be discovering in my video project. I am presently working on exploring the editing of a video. I know how to shoot and upload. The trick will be to discover editig options. I have editing software; though, I am unfamiliar with it. So my time is being spent on how to upload and edit the frames for a video. I have Widows live movie maker. I think that I have figured out how to make it fade in and out. When I have completed this, I will place a post here and let everyone see how I have progressed.

Here is something that I found on You Tube. It uses Second Life.



Haunted Halloween Library Style: Hovering over Infoisland in Second Life® by HVXSilverstar

Web 2.0

I have been checking out You Tube and reading about apps in Facebook. The video sharing and social networking projects are my selected projects. I am somewhat familiar with Facebook, yet have not utilized the various applications. I do play Farmville which will be noticed by anyone who visits my page.

Our monitoring projects are at an end. My favorite and most referenced was the Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki. While it was not a website that issued the latest released information in the library world, it was quite informative if one would search through its recently changed listings. I am happy to see them close to be honest; though, have learned a lot from them. I am eager to move on to what I have been waiting for in this class. I will continue to use Google Reader to keep informed of everyone's blogs.

My virtual reference went well; though, I had to become familiar with the settings. I think that I have found that virtual reference may not be reflective of one's searching abilities necessarily as people may at times be overly zealous or become nervous. I think that screen share could be initimidating to some as their work becomes more visible to the viewer. I think this would become easier over time as one became accustomed to being watched in action.

Here is an example from You Tube that will demonstrate the how sound and video can work together and how wonderful the service can be for those who use it. I pray that you enjoy it as I have.

Autumn in Norway~Secret Garden~A Walk in the Forest posted by ETTA48

Web 2.0 & Delicious, Evolving from Bookmarking to Tags

I would first like to discuss how libraries are using Web 2.0. One feature that I have been particularly interested in is the wiki and how libraries are using it to enhance library services, communication, and collaboration. One website that I have been following is Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki. On the main page on will find a Table of Contents that lists Categories that may be utilized. If one follows the link further, you may do so here . The user will find an extend listing of information relative to the library science profession. I think this is remarkable to provide resources in such a manner that will assist any who have informational needs in this regard. This resource also lists community links to provide a wiki user list as well as a list for librarians who use instant message. This would enhance communication aspects that we have discussed in class. There is also a section on collaborative tools listed to demonstrate the collaborative nature of this website. I managed to locate a video on collaboration between a teacher and library and think that it demonstrates how applicable Web 2.0 and collaboration are to education today.



Going further into the concept of education is the subject of research and how Delicious might be utilized to further one’s progression in utilizing Web 2.0. I believe here would be the best place to discuss the many benefits that I have encountered with Delicious. I have long since Bookmarked and saved continuing lists of links to make reference to in future context. Delicious is the perfect solution to organization. Not only does it provide organization, it also connects one to others to assist one in branching out and exploring Web 2.0 and broaden one’s horizon. I think the key objective is the condense nature of a tag verses topical indexes. This is one way that I used Delicious. I also utilized Featured, stacks, and recent links to give insight as I would browse the sight to see what was available. I did also utilize Library of Congress Subject Headings to locate key tags of note. Google Reader is yet another resource that I have used alongside of Delicious. Where tags are the condensed form of bookmarks and topical lists, Google Reader is much like an expanded index list. A tag would not be appropriate for clustering blogs as reader is quite appropriate for. I think using these resources in conjunction to each other seems to be a nice pair.

One way that I use Delicious is to keep abreast of the latest information and development in the library world. I have often felt in the dark on issues, wondering how I would keep up-to-date without having a professional subscription set before me. Delicious is a wonderful way to do this. Another way that I utilize Delicious is to connect subject matter of topical interest. For instance in the featured section, Harry Potter Recipes is listed. This might be linked to feature Harry Potter Series or even with the Pumpkin section for seasonal reading and local interest for a book club. Something that occurred to me is that I love religious fiction and women love Amish recipes. Delicious could then be used to connect to sights that offer information on Amish recipes found in a particular book series such as Beverly Lewis and Whoopee Pies.

Overall Delicious has been an inspiring discovery. It is a useful tool for organization, yet gives wings to unleash a wealth of information that is only at one’s fingertips. I am looking forward to advancing forward in my pursuit of utilizing this source to its fullest potential as we press forward through the rest of this course’s offerings.

Web 2.0 (Social Networking)

Tour de France Mashup by Richard Masoner/Cycleicious with Creative Common License: some rights reserved.

This week has been somewhat easier than last as it has not been so overwhelming with assignments to hand in and quizzes to take. Mashups, Wikipedia and VoIP are topics of interest this week. I have seen mashups and use wikipedia cautiously; however, I have actually never taken part of a VoIP session. I have placed a video call. This was used in my practicum as my instructor was located in Indianapolis and it saved her a trip. It proved to be an adequate service for such a project; though,there were transmission concerns. I had to keep the screen at the smaller imagery setting as apparently the distance complicated it to such a great detail that it was not practical nor clearly visible to view anything other than static and bouncing. I need to also mention my selection for our next projects. My selection is the Social Networking/Facebook Project and the Video Sharing/YouTube Project. I made these based upon the fact that I believe these will assist me to develop my knowledge of web 2.0 the most.

I am beginning to get excited about our approaching projects. This is what I have been waiting for. These little touches make a great difference in one's web page. As I have stated before, I have been interested in PSP which is making animated graphics. I am mainly interested in this out of a kosher issue. Many graphics are unsuitable for professional or religious applications. Gender is also of concern. My beliefs curtail selection based upon regulations to gender and this makes selection rather difficult, if at all possible. I think another issue that makes me so excited about this class is just the idea of being up on the world of information. I have felt so behind in the information of technology that it made my head swim. I can certainly understand why older generations are wanting to completely ignore it. This is a gender issue with me. If it involves technology, I leave it to men. I just have never truly held it as a woman's place, in all respect. I do have scientific interest; yet if it begins to rip things apart and examine under the surface, then it is very much like handing me a wrench for the automobile and who are we kidding?

Our Delicious blogs are due this week which will follow this posting and the two selections that I am following are WebJunction and Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki. I have previously stated that I have been somewhat unhappy with the updates that have been derived. I think, however, they are truly good resources and have selected not to side-track and pursue other links even though they are not as considerably active as other links. For the Library Success... site, there is a link to Web Tricks and Tips, which further redirects one to a list of suggestions. One of which is Successful Redesign Projects. This link takes you here: http://www.libsuccess.org/index.php?title=Website_Design#Successful_Re-Design_Projects. This page has a multitude of links that may be accessed to observe activity in this area to give librarians an idea of what may be working for others in this regard. Webjuction did not appear to have any new activity, so I followed a link under the Technology tab to Social Networking and Web Tools. I discovered a link to 31 Flavors: Things to do with Flickr in Libraries: How to use photo-sharing web sites for your library. This may be found here: http://www.webjunction.org/technology/web-tools/articles/content/450126 if you chose to pursue it.

Overall, I think this class has been very successful thus far and continue to enjoy reading everyone's blogs and taking part in the discussion boards. Have a nice weekend everyone!

Information Discovery Tools...

This week was quite busy indeed. In fact it was rather hectic getting everything accomplished. Yet here I sit typing in my last assignment with a few hours to spare. The connector quiz was unbearable. It was simply horrific. I can follow instructions as well as any; though, I just received my first dose of information that I never would have pursued otherwise. I have to say as painstaking as it was that I actually did learn something and I yet have time to take another attempt at perfecting my grade. If I convince myself that I can improve my score, I may just overcome my satisfaction with an acceptable grade. I am a glutton and will probably retake it as I see what a wasted chance it would be and hate to let such flap in the wind of mediocracy.

I have to say that I am confident in my search skills. I know that I am no equal with one who possesses an MLS; however, I know that the lta program as prepared me adequately for searching. I may not know all of the reference tools out there; though, have a general idea and am able to discover options upon need. I also understand formats and their various purposes, boolean operators, advanced search methods and have discovered how some search engines are more beneficial in some areas than others. I think that everyone should find this to be true of their abilities as they finish up their coursework.

I did make a video out of my tech tool user guide. This is my first attempt at such and am rather happy with it. I was then going to create a license in Creative Commons and realized that I have not even began to understand the process of doing such. So I am uploading it straight as it for scholastic purposes only. I pray that it is acceptable and meets the quality that is demanded of such.