#23

I think the concept behind Learning 2.0 was a good one. There are so many useful sites and applications on the internet and this was a good way to introduce them to everyone. It taught everyone how beneficial the internet can really be.

I think one of the problems was the length of the project. Stretching it out over so many weeks with only one task to work on was the reason I got so far behind. A lot of the tasks didn't take too much time and I knew I had plenty of time to accomplish all of them. I think if all the tasks were available from the start (for anyone who requested it maybe), or more were available at one time, I would have kept up with it more and not rushed to get everything done at the end. I consider myself very computer savvy and this project was geared towards people who weren't. Most of the applications I already knew about and used and the ones I wasn't familiar with specifically, I used something different that was similar. I also think too many of the applications had the same idea behind them and the tasks were too similar. I found myself going through them thinking the same things and writing the same things in my blog. The internet is useful, I already knew this.

If there was another library wide project like this, I think it should be shorter with more specific tasks to accomplish, other than just writing about my experiences. I enjoyed actually going to sites and setting up accounts and actually using the applications. I realize there is no other way to keep track of who's doing what task, but I found it tedious just writing about my discoveries every time.

Like I said, I liked the idea behind the project, and I know it was fun for other people and very beneficial, but for me, I don't feel I got much out of it.

#22 Social Networking

I have had a facebook and myspace account for years. I have found people I haven't seen for years and use them as a way to keep up with what my friends are doing. I love the fact that you can customize them to suit your tastes, especially myspace. I've spent countless hours picking the proper backgrounds, font color, random html codes to make my myspace mine. I enjoy being able to send messages quickly to everyone. If I'm having a party, I create the event, invite people, and can track the RSVP's. I've done this several times.

Unfortunately, these sites are beginning to help discrimination. A potential employer may look at your profiles, and while never admit, may not hire you based on the content. Luckily, these sites have realized this and have many adjustable privacy features.

These sites are designed for bringing people together and that's the only way they can be used. In that respect they could be used in the library, but I don't think it would be work related necessarily. They are social sites...it's in the name of the applications.

#21 Podcasts

Truthfully, podcasts bore me and I never use them. I've never been one to like audiobooks, my mind tends to wander, and podcasts give the same affect. If it's just audio, I get bored. I'd rather read about "it" than listen to "it". At least that way I can skim through a boring section or skip it altogether. I played around with some of the sites and nothing really caught my ear.

I like the idea of podcasts and think they are great tools to, again, share information to a target audience.

#20 Youtube

I love youtube.com and have been using it for entertainment purposes or years. You can tell this since I've had it linked on the left side of my blog since this project was started. There have been several videos that have become infamous all over the world. I believe youtube and sites like it can benefit the library. It's a quick, easy, user friendly way to share clips with people. By embedding video directly to a site, it could be used to share information, give directions, or just show something funny, but relevant.

This video is hilarious. Not only has it been seen worldwide, but I know people who know the guy in the video. Enjoy and prepare to cringe.

#17, #18, #19

First of all I added my blog to the Favorite Blogs list.

Secondly, Web based apps... I think we see right now how they'd be useful. Three words Microsoft Office 2007. I have received a few emails recently that I can't view because they were written in Office 2007 and I have 2003. If they were typed in an online document I wouldn't have that problem. Again, online applications make life easier. You can access information from more than one place without obstacles.

Lulu.com seems neat. Being able to publish your own book and share it with the world is awesome. I like that you can sell your creation and the way it can bring people with similar interests together. The concept of online has the potential to revolutionize the way authors publish their work. Why only try a publishing house when you can do it yourself and reach a larger audience. I'm not sure how this particular application could be used to benefit the library.

#16 Wiki's

Wiki's are great. It's easy to keep information up to date, because anyone can change the information at any time. Alden is using wiki's in just the right way with the development of the staff wiki. Every department can keep their own information current and everyone has access to it. I like the ease of some wiki's, the way they are set up, the way they have categories. It's also easy to find things. The search functions are set up in a way to help you find what you're looking for quickly.

#15

Away from the “icebergs”--Rick Anderson

I agree with everything he said. Patrons more and more are doing research online from the comforts of home. How many times do we hear a senior say "This is the first time I've been in the Library"? Because of this, they rely on databases. Several databases are rarely used by the average patron because they have no idea they exist. They use the first one from a list or whatever their roommate has used before. Basic education in what's available to them would help them with research. Patrons grow up using a computer from an early age, having access to whatever information they need when they need it. Using the technology available, the internet, there is the ability to extend this to serious research.

#14 Technorati

When I typed Learning 2.0 in the tag search, one of the first things to pop up was a video featuring Jan Maxwell. It was surprising to see something familiar on an open website anyone in the world has access to. The internet is great for entertainment, so anywhere where there is "popular" anything is fun. Techorati is no different. According to the site, Brittney Spears is the most searched phrase right now. After her performance on the MTV Awards, I'm not surprised. I am surprised that she's not the most searched video too.

#13 del.icio.us

I love the idea of setting up bookmarks, I think that's what is most beneficial. I have several bookmarks on my home and work computer and it's a pain if I'm somewhere else trying to find a website I need. Being able to access saved sites anywhere could be beneficial in research because you'd be able to access saved sites from anywhere. You could stop in the middle of an article you were reading, save the site, and come back to it from somewhere else.

Rollyo #12

Rollyo seems neat. It would be a big help if you had something specific you were looking for, you'd be able to search several places for exactly what you need. I use google a lot when I'm searching and while I eventually find what I'm looking for, I usually have to go through several sites. Rollyo could be beneficial for the library if specific search rolls were created for patrons. They could use Rollyo instead of searching through several databases.