Thing 23 - You made it! Conclusion and feedback

Wow what can I say? I have completed the “23 Things” program. It was quite the journeyJ. Thanks must go to Kate for organising the running of such a program and for her weekly posts to do with my own 23 things blog.

By doing this program I can honestly say that it has helped me significantly. The program has certainly opened my eyes to the fact that there is so much social and other networking tools out there for both professional and personal use, some I had already heard or have used, but many I had not.

 It was these “things” that I personally found the most rewarding. To be able to go and look at a “thing” which I knew nothing about and to go into more depth, to read and research about it and to come to my own thoughts and conclusions on it, was I thought the most beneficial. It helped me to gain understanding in tools that I may never have entertained the thought of using before.

Since being on this 23 things journey I have been actively involved in a process where I am gaining firsthand experience, in looking at a different “thing” each week. I have been able to direct my attention to a certain application and to explore it in greater depth.

I have gained knowledge in things such as collaboration tools, social bookmarking and using apps to enhance and support library work.  What I really found useful was my ability to look deeper into Google and all of its services that it has to offer someone like me. I now have a Gmail account; I have explored Google drive and Google reader.

Other “things” that I found interesting were – Prezi and Slideshare as well as information about various forms of online learning.

I found the whole program to be of benefit. I loved where we would go and explore a “thing”. Sometimes I found it challenging when it came to what to write in my blog. I had never “blogged” before and I did think at times how I would cope with the blog aspect of the program. I will admit to everyone that I was apprehensive at first with thoughts of having to maintain a weekly blog, but by the end of it all I think I managed it ok.

I can say without a doubt to any other ACU staff that if it were not for the 23 things blog I would most likely still be in the “dark” when it comes to social media content. I would recommend going on the “23 Things” journey.

  Not everything out there in the cyber world is scary. I can now attest to that……

Thing 22 – Networking (including LinkedIn)

In this week’s blog it is all about Networking. To start off I have never really had the opportunity to network in regards to something like a PLN (Personal Learning Network)

Working at a University that has multi campuses in different states and locations I understand the importance of having the ability to network internally with my fellow library colleagues.

I have been fortunate enough to have had times where I have interacted and spoken via email and phone to my fellow library colleagues whom work interstate. Even though I don’t work with them on a daily basis at my campus I do feel a rapport with them. Another opportunity that was given to me was a 2 day workshop that I attended late last year where I was able to in person interact with a number of ACU library professionals who work in all different roles and positions.  I personally think that these types of opportunities help to increase not only moral but also our professional working relationships. I feel that when given the chance it is much better to meet in person fellow staff as it helps you to enhance the working relationship. I think it’s great that we have so much technology today that we can interact with staff electronically, but personally you can’t beat the one on one interaction.

I can see where a PLN could be beneficial within my job. I understand that we as individuals use various social networking tools for different tasks in both our professional and personal lives and having gone through some of the “23 things” I have seen where some can actually merge the professional and personal social networking tools into one.

At this stage I personally don’t yet have a PLN but after having read further information about a PLN I can see where it could be of personal benefit for my own work and future career growth. From looking at “thing 22” this is something that I would look into further.

PLN’s appear to be a cost effective means for staff to grow professionally. I can see where a personal PLN could be developed and personalised to suit the individual’s needs.

Networking for me could be a way for me to interact and obtain knowledge and information from fellow library professionals. It would be a great tool for me to connect and develop my own personal network. I did like the idea if I were to attend library related learning conferences how taking the time to chat and to follow users via their own twitter feeds of the presenters or other library workers could be benefit to be professionally.

While reading up on PLA’s I took the time to go and look at the State Library of Victoria and there – Personal Learning Network.

http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pln

It was interesting to see where an institute such as the state library offers a 7 unit course solely to do with PLA’s.

When it comes to LinkedIn I have previously done some exploring on this tool. I personally have not joined but I have found information about other library professionals from it. I understand that LinkedIn is a large professional network that can allow us access to people’s insights and knowledge. I can see where using such a networking tool could help with one’s professional development. It seems to be heavily used by people with professional occupations.  I found from when I was looking into this tool that over 4 million Australians are members. By registering with LinkedIn it allows the user to maintain a list of contact’s details with whom they have had a professional relationship with. I love the word “Connections” that is often used with LinkedIn. I can see some positives if you were to use LinkedIn.

·         Users can upload a resume

·         They can design their profile to show both work and community engagements

·         It can be a tool to look for potential jobs/careers

·         If you were a jobseeker you could try to use LinkedIn to find out more information about the employers.

From what I read LinkedIn could be a tool to use if you wanted to actively network on a professional level.

I did find Dave Stein’s blog about his thoughts on LinkedIn to be interesting.

http://davesteinsblog.esresearch.com/2012/02/14/some-thoughts-about-linkedin/

Thing 21 - Mobile, QR, AR!

In this week’s posting we were asked to go and explore a few items under Thing 21, these being Mobile, QR and Augmented reality.

I have had a smartphone for a little while now and I do find it helpful. I am always using it for looking up maps and other locations. The days of where the phone book and street atlas (hardcopy) came in handy are now a thing of the past……

I also use the smartphone for notes and emails as well as looking up websites and other applications for on the spot information when I need it. Now having such technology in the palm of my hand I can now look back and say that we are certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to available technologies today.

I managed to go and view a number of mobile sites using the smartphone. I can see where it is important to have the important information in a succinct format for ease of use. It is different to viewing a sites home page on the web where we have the mouse and we can go and click on different headings and icons. I think the option to have both mobile and the traditional home page to be both beneficial.  As I have mentioned in my other blog postings – society today is always on the go, we want information straight away, we want to find out things right now. The ability to access information instantaneously via mobile devices is not only an amazing thing but it’s also I think a positive step in the right direction.

Now when it comes to QR codes I had some knowledge of what it all meant.

Where I work our library has used QR codes in a number of ways, they are used to promote services and other important library information to our clients, particularly new users. It was also used as a library scavenger hunt, which the liaison librarians developed for orientation week. When QR codes were first mentioned at work I went and downloaded one of the apps where I could download a QR scanner to my smartphone. From there I was able to use the QR reader to scan the library QR codes that the librarians had made. I found this exercise to be very interesting. QR codes seem to have become popular of late. I have seen them on lots of different things from shopping catalogues to bus stop shelters. I see it as a good way of promoting a product and/or service in a way that if the person wants to know more all they do is scan the code.

When it comes to AR or Augmented Reality I knew very little about this except from what I have heard from the librarians whom I work with. They have started to use AR on some of the library signage. I decided to go and look more into what AR is all about. Thanks to wiki I was able to understand in more detail what AR means.

 “Augmented reality (AR) is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data”

It seems to me as if AR is the new “it or must have” item. I have noticed that big companies are starting to use augmented reality when it comes to marketing of products and/or services. I can see a huge positive with AR, the ability that AR allows us to test drive a product all from the comfort of our smartphones or computers.  It does sound amazing. But I think we also have to be aware that not every person wants to use AR. Not everyone out there is tech savvy so I think we also have to take into account people who may not have such technologies. I know understand that there is more than just one type of AR. That the two most popular types are –

·         Web based where AR uses a computer or webcam to deliver its experience

·         Mobile based where we can use our smartphones to obtain AR.

I have noticed too there is a third type which I have seen mentioned and that is “kiosk based” This option seems to be the most expensive as it does away with the use of a webcam but instead needs a more costly kiosk to be constructed.

I can see a place for AR materials alongside the traditional formats. A good example could be say a library brochure. What a marvelous idea would it be to have such a thing by using AR. The traditional brochure or leaflet is something that can be all glossy and has all the good stuff on it, but if we were to have the same brochure in a augmented reality just imagine what it could look like if the brochure came to life in front of our eyes.

I also took the time to look at everything to do with Google Glass. Thanks to Kate I was able to view the Google Glass video. From what I saw it looks terrific.

Technology is changing at a fast pace. It is truly amazing what things are now being developed. As a child of the 80’s to think that things like AR and Google Glass could even exist and that things are evolving so quickly is in my opinion astonishing.

I recently read an interesting article about 3d technology.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2281188/Forget-ballpoint-The-30-pen-write-3D-using-plastic-wire.html

After reading the above article it made me want to buy such an item……..

I am just waiting for the day where we can teleport  J

Thing 20 - Online learning, where is it going?

In this week’s blog we are looking at all things to do with online learning. I know what online learning means but I have never heard of it being referred to as MOOCs. I had to go and find out what it meant. MOOC stands for “massive open online courses”. For me personally this was a whole new world that I had never explored before.

When I was studying for my Library Technician degree it was a full time program run through Tafe Queensland.  I studied 2 years full time. I never had the opportunity to study this online.

I can see that the option to do online learning has many benefits. We as a society are becoming time poor, so we are looking for other ways to learn in our own time at our own pace. So to have the option to do a course or program that is fully online is an enticing one.

In my current workplace I have had to do online learning programs on such things as –

Trade Practices Act

OH&S - Legal Compliance

Workplace Behaviour - Bullying

I found the online learning option to these courses to be beneficial. They were self-paced and I could work on these courses when I had the time. 

I decided to spend some time delving deeper into MOOCs.  I found a number of articles that helped me to gain a better understanding of what it is all about.

We all have hobbies and interests. Doing an online course is really just an extension of say going to the gym or taking a class in photography.

Doing online learning can help us in many ways. I can certainly see the positives. It is a great way to update one’s skills or to do something for yourself that maybe you always wanted to learn about. I was truly amazed by the high volume of open online courses that are out there in the cyber world.

The world where I live in today is so much different from when I initially did my studies in the late 1990’s. Today most people have a smart phone or a tablet and are using multi social media applications to stay connected with one another and with work. I have a smart phone now that I can access my work emails.  Personally I do see online learning as a positive rather than as a negative. I see online learning as a future way of learning. We are in a culture where we want information then and there. We want it all now.

With everything in life there will always be positives and negatives. I can see both sides to online learning.

Some of the positives I found were -

·         Study can be scheduled around work and family obligations

·         Online learning can accommodate different learning styles and can provide for a variety of learning activities

·         Self-paced learning allows for people to study at their own pace.

·         Study can be anywhere you want it as we can access internet through Wi-Fi, tablets and smartphones etc.

The negatives I guess you could consider when it comes to online learning are -

·         Poor study habits and not being motivated enough may lead to falling behind

·         People may feel isolated from their teacher or peers.

·         Teachers may not always be available at times that are more convenient to others when needing feedback or asking questions.

·         The other negative (which we all know about) is slow internet connections or Wi-Fi issues.

Having thought about the positives and the negatives I still think that online learning is a great option to have and to consider.

Just by doing the “23 things” program and the subsequent blog I am learning in an online environment. I make sure that I find the time each week to read and to blog my thoughts and opinions on everything that I am learning on a weekly basis. Having spoken to fellow “23 Bloggers” I know how easy it can be to fall behind.

For me online learning was effective when I managed to put the time and effort into it. I needed to make sure that I was on top of the weekly readings and tasks and to make sure that I kept up to date with my weekly blog.

I personally see that the concept of online learning is a positive one and could help to enhance workplace learning.

Thing 19 Twitter

Another week in and this time we are looking at all things “Twitter”. I personally don’t use twitter or have a twitter account but I do know what it is all about. Lots of people use twitter. You see the twitter icon all around the place. I understand that Twitter is an online social networking service and micro blogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based messages of up to 140 characters. (also known as tweets)

I know people who use twitter and I have come across some who I like to refer to as” twitterholics”

 I do think when twitter first started there was much interest in allowing friends and family to follow you and to find out what things were happening in your life, but as with time things progress and change, often into bigger and brighter ways.

After doing a lot of reading up on Twitter I can see why it is so popular. I took the time to read articles and viewed the “Twitter Guidebook” and other user guides that are out there. I must admit that I did enjoy reading the stuff about the 10 basic rules of twitter. I think it is very true that twitter has indeed developed its own language. You can see from my comment above when I used the word “twitterholics” J

Twitter seems to be the “micro blog” of choice. It allows users to send and to reply to messages. A popular part of the “twitter sphere” is the ability one has to re-tweet information that they find interesting. By re-tweeting this it allows all your followers to read what you have posted. I do like the added features of direct messaging. Having the ability to send private messages to someone who follows you directly without having to post them publicly is fantastic.

I now see why so many people like to use twitter. It’s not all about what someone has had for breakfast. I can see that people use this tool for other things besides personal information.  As I work in the library field I took time out to go and read twitter accounts from some Australian Universities. I also went and looked for news sites that use twitter as well as the odd celebrity. I can understand why a news site would use something like twitter, if there were a breaking news story, this could then be seen by all of the newspapers followers, instant access to something that is happening in our world right at this exact moment.

From all my readings about twitter I can clearly see where a library could go with using twitter. It’s a service that we could use at work to get feedback on library policy changes.  An example that is close to my work was when we changed our borrowing policy. By using twitter we as staff could have gaged our client’s reactions via twitter.

I think there are other positives for libraries if they were to use twitter –

·         Maybe by having a question and answer session you could potentially get answers within minutes. 

·         With twitter the library could highlight new services and or current library news.

The big “positive” I have found which would make me consider joining twitter is the ability to get information about conferences. I could follow twitter feeds from the guest speakers or from the vendors. I think this is a superb way of staying informed with library related information. 

From my twitter investigations I can see that there is a time and place in a library working environment for such a social media tool. I would definitely consider using twitter on a professional and networking basis rather than a personal one.

Thing 18 Reflection Week

This week it is all about reflection. I know it is hard to believe but I have stuck with the 23 things blog and I am really glad that I did. At first I was a tad hesitant to commit myself to such a program, for me and I know others this time of the year can be super busy with the run up to the start of semester 1.

But now that I have been asked to take some time out to reflect I can say without a doubt how glad I am that I stuck with the 23 things. If it wasn’t for Kate and her program (big kudos to Kate) I wouldn’t have an understanding of a lot of the social media and other applications that are out there in the cyber world.

Since being on this 23 things journey I have been actively involved in a process where I am gaining firsthand experience, in looking at a different “thing” each week. I have been able to direct my attention to a certain application and to explore it in greater depth. I was able to do this in the midst of all my other day to day work tasks. I was able to give a small amount of time each week to examine and explore.

I now have a better understanding that what I have embarked on is a way of opening up possibilities for myself. To gain knowledge and understanding in such things as collaboration tools, social bookmarking and using apps to enhance and support library work.  What I really found useful thus far is the way we were able to look deeper into Google and all of its services that it has to offer someone like me. I now have a Gmail account, I have explored Google drive and Google reader.

If it were not for the 23 things blog I would most likely still be in the “dark” when it comes to social media content.

Thing 17 – Create content and content curation

If it wasn’t for thing 17 this week I would have had no idea about create content and content curation. This is extremely new to me.

First thing I did was find some meanings when it came to the terminology “content curation”

Thanks to Beth Kanter (www.bethkanter.org) I was able to understand what it all meant in a way I was comfortable with. Beth mentioned in her blog the following statement

 “Content curation is the process of sorting through the vast amounts of content on the web and presenting it in a meaningful and organized way around a specific theme. The work involves sifting, sorting, arranging, and publishing information. A content curator cherry picks the best content that is important and relevant to share with their community”

I also took the time out to look at the examples given on our 23 things blog. I managed to watch the YouTube clip for scoop.it. It was clear and easy to understand giving me a clearer picture as to what thing 17 is all about. A content curation tool I went and looked at in more detail was called “Flipboard”

Having an Ipad I decided to look at the Flipboard app. What I did love was that your personalized account gives you the same experience wherever you go, whether I am on an Ipad or an iPhone.  You can also connect with any social networks you may have like twitter or Facebook. What I like about Flipboard is that you can use the content guide to find anything that interests you say from a favourite blog to world news. I especially liked the terminology used on this app, that any content I find I can add these and then I can start “flipping”.  Flipboard is a great app when it comes to sharing photos, videos and even favourite sounds.

While I had the time I also had a closer look at “Scoop.it” I went to the home page for Scoop.it and took myself on their guided tour.

I could see Library staff using apps such as Flipboard and Scoop.it on library related topics. Maybe this could be used for library staff to place favourite book/s on a certain theme or topic. This could show our clients what books the ACU library staff enjoy. I think anyway we can engage our clients using apps or other social media is a plus in my mind.

I love the way how it looks like a magazine. The format is funky and easy to follow.

When it comes to online creation tools I took the opportunity to look at “Storybird” I decided to go straight to the webpage to delve deeper into this creation tool. What I did find really useful was the browse by topic function. It gave me a better understanding of what Storybird is all about. It was interesting to read all about things such as storyspotting and teachers and students using Storybird within a classroom environment.

http://storybird.com/books/about-us-a-peek-inside-storybird/ I found the following link to be quite useful when further understanding the Storybird format J

I can agree affirmatively with the Storybird mission of being an “advocate of imagination”

I can see Storybird being used as an app for creativity and the forming of new ideas.

Not only could content curation be used in the workplace it would also be a great way for individuals to express themselves in a creative format. If we are passionate about a certain “thing” then we could easily use apps such as scoop.it and Flipboard to our advantage in allowing others to read and to understand our personal “likes” away from the work environment.