My Journey

This assignment has opened some new doors for me. I never really paid attention to the RSS feed icon on websites, now I know what they're for :O)! I also found some fantastic blogs to follow, something I've never done before. Until this class, I used the computer for word processing and googling - now I feel like I've learned about some really amazing and useful technologies. Thinking about how the "things" could be used in the library setting was especially helpful. It gave me a real reason for exploring each item. I have really enjoyed this assignment! I plan to complete all 23 "things" and to explore others a little more in depth. This is a journey that is just beginning:O)!

Flickr - Revisited!

I found this great link about How To Make Flickr Work For Your Library! I would never have thought of all those possibilities on my own. I love when people share their knowledge :O) - enjoy!

ZohoWriter Document

Here's the link to the very simple poster that I created on zoho.com using the Zoho Writer program, an online productivity tool.

Delicious Bookmarking is Dee-lish!

I was very intrigued by delicious.com bookmarking. What an amazing idea - the ability to access your favorite internet sites, whether they're blogs, wiki's or association sites from ANY computer or device with internet access. Talk about convenience! It's an easy way for a library or librarian to add important link to their site. The ability to share your bookmarks is also a valuable tool for libraries and librarians. A patron or other librarian would have an instant set of valuable sites to access. I found a great blog that created a list of practical uses for delicious bookmarks in the library setting located at a blog called melange. I've added a few items to my bookmarks,but there are many others that I'd like to add. It's another one of those ideas where you think - "why didn't I think of that?".

Wiki's - The possibilities are ENDLESS!

Wiki's are really a fascinating web tool. In researching the whole idea of wiki's, it's interesting to learn that they began as a way to share ideas and knowledge between scientists and researchers. I never really thought about how easy it is to use a wiki, but it is true. You don't need to be technically savvy at all to participate in the creation of a wiki. It's actually pretty straightforward and simple. You basically clicked on the Add buttom at the top of the page and added what you wanted to add. Obviously, specific wiki's had guidelines about their style and areas that needed work such as additions, citations, and graphics. I see lots of potential in using it in a library setting. First of all, what a great way to collaborate on planning a program in your library with other librarians without having to leave your office. You could have the greatest librarians ideas across the country contributing to you Reading Celebration event, just by giving them the web address to your wiki. Because you're able to add photos and video to a wiki, the possibilities are endless! Some of the ways libraries are already using wiki's is a Book Club wiki (great idea!) and a best practices wiki for librarians (which librarian wouldn't want a place to find new ideas or share one of their own?). Reading about wiki's and how libraries are using them made me contemplate starting one myself next year for the Battle of the Books program that we use in Hillsborough County for our fourth graders. I think that they would really enjoy using technology to share their thoughts with each other. Since it's impossible for me to have a book club at once with all of our 7 fourth grade classrooms - all students could participate in it via the wiki. Just a thought:o)!