Module 7 Using Jing and Other -ings

Jing is the easiest application I have ever used. Sorry, to jump in with no preamble but it is! (By the way, Check the title! I now remember which module we're on.) I watch the video tutorials and I got it. Jing has very few icons so ... there are very few icons to remember. What took me forever was recording the video. Not that Jing had anything to do. It was all me. Me. And my inability to talk sensibly for more than a minute at a time. It was ridiculous.

I just realized I've never had to talk for that long. Usually in a conversation someone interjects so we all probably only talk for seconds at a time. I have decided that I need more practice. I think I'm going to start reading out loud when I do my leisure reading. 'Cause my final product might sound okay but that took hours ... literally. *sigh* Alright, the vent is over.

*Inhales* I think libraries could really make use of Jing for tutorials alone. Especially, when it comes to showing how to place holds. I can't tell you how many questions I get a day about placing a hold (and I don't work in circulation). It is a great way to interact with patrons online and to gain the interest of some prospective patrons.

One major drawback is the time it takes to make a Jing video. If the maker is anything like me they will spend hours re-recording over and over again. I don't see a librarian doing this on top of ordering materials, conducting programs, provide reference assistance, and all of the other things librarians do in an eight hour shift. It would be way to prep intensive.

Also, when the library changes the way it does something the video tutorials would need to be changed as well. Which means remembering there is a video tutorial for it in the first place. It's a lot to manage. I am starting to see more and more reasons for the poorly executed library pages on Web 2.0 sites. Who's supposed to find the time to do all of this stuff?

Navigating the NLW guide

This video took a very long time to create. I wish I could show you guys my bloopers. LOL After reading a few posts I noticed that a lot of people ran into the same problems I did. I had a problem with the size of my video as well. I ended up shrinking my page until it fit in 600x600. I couldn't read it while I was doing it and I still can't read it now that is done. 0_T (Half crying) Also, I noticed that the Jing videos do lag if you are not mousing over the video while it is playing. Just my two cents on the confuddilations...

Module ? Lovin' Wiki

There is a question mark in the title because I honestly do not remember which module we are on in class. Even though, I have looked at the directions page for this module at least a dozen times. My only excuse for this memory loss: After this week of wiki madness, I have brain fatigue.

I truly love these wikis. After viewing every group’s wiki I can say with certainty, that I now understand the reason a lot of libraries don't have one. These things are work! ... Full time jobs! ... Toddlers! They take as much time to care for as toddlers! Even in a group of six people this wiki seemed like a lot of work. From what I have seen on the web, most libraries can barely keep their Facebook pages current. How would they keep a wiki up-to-date?

Now that all the rant is out of my system, I can list the good things about wikis. The sky is the limit. I wanted to add something extra to my page. I thought I would finally go buy Photoshop and do a cool "Welcome to my page" icon, but I got lazy ... and cheap (Price of Photoshop). I could have downloaded some free application (Check out Gimp, I like what I see). I finally decided to add a sound file to my page. PB works makes it easy, since they allow plug ins within their page editing. If you don't know what page I'm taking about click here. I had a friend listen to the file and she said it was funny T_T. *sigh* Oh well, I tried.

After viewing the comments about group alpha's wiki, I decided to add a Tweens page at the last minute. A few people commented that it was odd we didn't have one since every other age group was covered in the wiki. So, now we're complete! I almost wish we uploaded our sites earlier so we could give each other feedback. But as usual, (for me anywayz) it all comes together at the eleventh hour.

Diigo is Delicious... and vice versa

I love them both! My delicious account and I have been through ups and downs. I had it and them I forgot about and then I remebered it and then I lost it. And I recently created a new one at the beginning of this year. My diigo account was very easy to learn. I thought the directions were clear and I followed them without problems. I found that having both open at the same time really slowed down my internet. (Not sure what happenend there)

I think libraries could use these to connect patrons to information. I also think this is a great way to see what your patrons are interested in (keeping privacy laws in mind of course). I have see bookmarking sites used for classes. I attended a webinar that showed looks of resources for educators. At the end of the webinar the instructor gave us the delicious link for all the sites. It was nice to have an online copy that would be maintained by someone else.

One major drawback to bookmarking: The information is only as good as its internet life. If someone's page goes down or gets hacked you've lost all that information. If you had a hard copy or created a personal file you would be able to control how long the information is available. But that's the Internet.

Module 5 QR Code

Here it is! The QR code to my google site. I do not have a smartphone so I cannot test it. Please let me know if it is not working. I use a different site at work to make QR codes so I am excited to find a new site.

P.S. - Did anybody end up having to export there QR code so that it would save as a jpg. only to realize that your blog would have opened a png. file? I was so upset I took 3 extra seconds to do all that. (LOL) I don't know. Maybe if it was a png. file some of you guys might not be able to view it?

Libraries and Podcasts

After creating a podcast for the recent class assignment, I can truly say ... that it is FUN! (I usually don't blog in CAPS but this assignment was cool.) I am partially wondering if there are libraries that have positions open just for this! How cool would that be? Enough of my excitement rant. Let's get to the real topic.

I did a search for "libraries podcast" and came up with a few library sites. It seems that most libraries use these podcasts as an instructional medium. I think that's a great idea. Not only do they provide another entry point to the library, but they also provide an opportunity to reach out to other communities in their areas. For instance, these podcasts may appeal to the visually impaired community, just like text instructions would appeal to the hearing impaired community.

I am sure that most libraries have a target audience (that has nothing to do with disabilities), however, by providing information in various formats libraries can optimize their outreach. I am not naive. I'm sure that many students of podcasting academic libraries have no idea that these resources exist. I do hope that as librarians continue to use emerging technologies and that students begin to expect these podcasts.

The only drawback I can think of with podcasts is that they take time. You have to outline what works best in audio. For instance, a library's newsletter may have to be reworded for a podcast. Each format needs a different adaptation of the message to be effective. There needs to be a team or committee working together or designated librarians. If not, we will see inconsistencies in the amount of podcasts and when they are done.

I don't think podcasts will replace newsletters, calendars, etc. I think it is just another way of getting the information out there.
  

Module 4 Podcasts Give Virtual Reference a New Meaning

My podcast is a reader's advisory for adults with young children. The podcasts answers a reference question providing listeners with book choices appropriate for their children's reading level. This podcast promotes the use of local libraries. It is meant as another bridge between communities and their libraries.