Week 6, Thing #15: Perspectives on Web 2.0 Future of Libraries

Dr. Wendy Schultz's article, "To a Temporary Place in Time ... On the way to the library experience of the future," resonates with me. Her perspective touches me on numerous levels - intellectual, emotional, sensory - and from a variety of perspectives - bibliophile, technophile (my word?), human being.

I appreciate Dr. Schultz's keen ability to provide linkage and logical continuity to the ever-evolving world of libraries and information, from its most basic incarnation to the anticipated Library 4.0 world of "Augmented Reality" (AR). Her vision manages to incorporate the seemingly endless expansion and development of technological resources and capabilities with the continued, albeit always evolving, presence of the librarian as interpreter and facilitator in selecting, accessing and using information.

Blending the best practices and principles of libraries past, present and anticipated future, Schultz's concept of Library 4.0 unfolds as "... the library for the aesthetic economy, the dream society, which will need libraries as mind gyms; libraries as idea labs; libraries as art salons. But let’s be clear: Library 4.0 will not replace Libraries 1.0 through 3.0; it will absorb them. The library as aesthetic experience will have space for all the library’s incarnations: storage (archives, treasures); data retrieval (networks—reference rooms); and commentary and annotation (salon). Available as physical places in the library “storefront,” they will also be mobile, as AR overlays we can view (via glasses, contacts, projections) anywhere. ... But Library 4.0 will add a new mode, knowledge spa: meditation, relaxation, immersion in a luxury of ideas and thought. In companies, this may take the form of retreat space for thought leaders, considered an investment in innovation; in public libraries, the luxurious details will require private partners as sponsors providing the sensory treats. Library 4.0 revives the old image of a country house library, and renovates it: from a retreat, a sanctuary, a pampered experience with information—subtle thoughts, fine words, exquisite brandy, smooth coffee, aromatic cigar, smell of leather, rustle of pages—to the dream economy’s library, the LIBRARY: a WiFREE space, a retreat from technohustle, with comfortable chairs, quiet, good light, coffee and single malt. You know, the library."

Here is the URL for the complete article: http://www.oclc.org/nextspace/002/6.htm

Libraries as "mind gyms, idea labs, art salons, knowledge spas"... To my mind, while this vision represents new technologies within new contexts, the role of the librarian/information specialist should remain pivotal in the Library 4.0 world, assuming we continue to hone our skills and expertise as information managers, purveyors of knowledge and ideas and as literary experts. It is my belief and hope that libraries, in their various incarnations, will always serve as forums for ideas, information and community. As such, the human component will always be at the helm.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007: Checking In

I'm just checking in to say that I, along with my fellow district media specialists, have been focused on the back-to-school crunch: teacher workdays, district meetings, school-based meetings since my previous post of August 21 (seems like a month or more ago), and today was the first day of school for students.

I am committed to completing my "things," although the time frame will extend beyond summer. So, I will become an Autumn Web 2.0 learner in addition to a SummerLearner.

Week 6, Thing #14: Technorati

The leading Web 2.0 tool for blog-searching, Technorati currently tracks approximately 62.5 million blogs. If following blogs is your primary interest, then clearly Technorati is the way to go. It appears to be sufficiently user-friendly.

I decided to go ahead and "claim" my SummerLearner 2007 blog with Technorati, thereby creating my profile and officially adding my blog to the site. Here is my profile page:
http://www.technorati.com/people/technorati/sher51


A brief note about the term "Ping": When a blogger updates her blog, she can click on Ping to alert Technorati to the fact that the blog has been updated.

Week 6, Thing #13: Tagging, Folksonomies, & Technorati

Del.icio.us makes more sense to me than Rollyo.

I understand the utility of a web-based bookmarking tool for one's favorite web sites. Then the individual can enjoy online access to his/her Favorites from any computer connected to the Internet. In the case of Del.icio.us, I found it easier to navigate through the registration and usage procedures (as opposed to Rollyo).

Tagging, using suggested tags or creating your own, is an "open" classification system that allows users to group their favorite sites or blogs under a specific label or topic. Taking this concept a step further into the social realm ... you can access others' Favorites when you search with a particular tag in mind. Over time, you might find that you are consistently accessing, using/sharing sites posted by a particular individual with whom you share a common interest or goal. That name becomes familiar over time, and you come to know the nature of the sites associated with that name. Since Del.icio.us provides this sharing/social component within its working format, it is easily described as a "social bookmarking" web site.

Week 5, Thing #12: Roll Your Own Search Tool with Rollyo

Unfortunately, I've had enough of playing with Rollyo. I registered and created a search tool around the topic of "The Big6." There is something I am not getting when it comes time to actually utilize the roll. Is it possible that I am missing a step?

Regardless, it's time to move on. I'm determined to complete this project before the new school year takes over, which is just about to happen.

I will address each thing, some perhaps with scant attention and those that tempt me with more deliberate focus. I want to know that I have at least made some kind of contact with each of the Web 2.0 tools that comprise this summer learning project.

Week 5, Thing #11: Explore a Site from the Web 2.0 Awards List

So much to explore, and never enough time!

I decided to play with the 43 Things web site, since I am so into "things" this summer. This site won first place in the category of "Lists and Polls." Here is the URL: http://www.43things.com/

It is very interesting to explore the goals and concerns of other people, total strangers to us, and discover how much we have in common. While I am not one to initiate social relationships on the web, this site provides a means by which to establish a personal sense of human connection via writing entries about personal experiences and opinions relative to the selected topic/goal. Of course, creating and sharing one's own goal(s) is key to the function of the site. In order to respond to a writer's goal about committing to exercise, I had to create an account. Therefore, I did just that and wrote a brief entry about my commitment to my yoga practice. Here is the entry I wrote in response to a writer's goal to "exercise regularly."

exercise regularly
"Make it Personal — 15 minutes ago
My advice is to choose an exercise that makes you feel good about youself, one that enhances your sense of well-being both emotionally and physically.My chosen physical activity is yoga. I feel that yoga is an asset to my life in every way, and it is definitely a workout. Some fitness experts advise varying physical activities. If, however, committing to a specific one keeps you motivated and committed, in my opinion, that is the best way to go. A final thought … if you’re going to commit to some form of exercise, it would make sense to take a look at your eating habits. Eating natural, and when possible, organic whole foods makes the most sense to me. Every individual must make his or her own decision about eating. Whatever it is, don’t think of it as a diet (something temporary). Like fitness and exercise, if it is going to work for you, it should be a lifestyle choice, one that enhances your quality of life."
Jul 28, 01:22PM PDT

I also briefly explored One Sentence, a site that won second place in the category of "Fun Stuff. Participants tell a personal "story" in one, complete sentence. This is really a special skill. Some writers are quick and funny with their single sentence stories, while others write in a style that is very poetic, very literary. Quite a skill, indeed. http://www.onesentence.org/

Week 5, Thing #10: Play Week with an Online Image Generator

http://www.imagechef.com/

Here is my newly created "Web 2.0 Computer Key" using Image Chef. I have just started to play with this web tool and wanted to make an initial post for Thing #10. To be continued ...

Week 4, Things #8 and #9: Learn About RSS Feeds and Set Up a Blog Reader Account

I set up a Bloglines account and subscribed to several feeds, including the following: NYT Book Review, Wired Top Stories and several feeds from School Library Journal. I also created a blogroll of the nine of us GCS librarians/media specialists who are participating in this Web 2.0 summer learning endeavor. I even made my Bloglines page public. Here is the address: http://www.bloglines.com/blog/sher51

I can definitely see the usefulness of RSS for tracking news and info updates, especially for those individuals who need to cover a lot of area in terms of maintaining currency for their work and information needs.

It takes a real commitment of time and mental energy to sift through all the information required to learn about and fully utilize a new Web 2.0 tool. I believe that I need to intentionally work with RSS more before stating a final opinion about it. For now, I do not think that I will naturally prioritize use of my Bloglines account over accessing the actual site(s) I have in mind at the moment of need.

At this preliminary point in my learning about RSS, I see it is an application that extends well beyond the concept of bookmarking by providing up-to-the-minute text shortcuts (headlines, summaries) and access to full articles of information within a controlled format. The available search tools function well to provide access to specified topics of interest. Of course, the user can independently browse the web and note if a particular site provides a feed.

One more point of interest: A Georgia middle school media center blog that incorporates individual blogs for the school's administrators and teachers. That is impressive. With no criticism intended, we are still encouraging our teachers to create and maintain their teacher web pages. In all sincerity, technology use, for a number of teachers, is still a rather intimidating proposition.

I hope the information, as I understand it, makes sense to the reader. At the moment, I feel myself laboring under the influence of information overload!

Week 3, Thing #7: Teacher Tube Continued

Pat commented on my Teacher Tube post dated July 2. In addition to noting that Teacher Tube really looks like fun, she expressed her frustration at our inability to access Google Video and You Tube in our schools. Click on "2 comments" on the 7/2 post to see Pat's complete comment and my response to it.

Following is a sample video from Teacher Tube. I decided to embed it for the fun of it. Click on the video to start it. If you want to stop it, click on the video again. Mrs. Burke, math teacher, has made something of a name for herself with her math raps! I've included a few additional videos and their URL's after the embedded video. You will probably want to explore Teacher Tube on your own by typing in search terms and viewing the various results.

Mrs. Burke's Probability Rap



Here are a few additional Teacher Tube video titles and their links:

Internet Safety
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=764c8e3a691fa2b3a321

Think Before You Post
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=97eeae6788aa3348e553

Brain Teaser #1
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=cb220ffe637cda29bb3f

Welcome to the Media Center
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=a5dbcde49d31bec1537b

Street Cred: Vocabulary Song
http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=5d97f69902e7972c2b2e

Week 3, Thing #7

"Teacher Tube"

How many of you have explored "Teacher Tube," the education-based version of "You Tube?"

Teacher Tube is a web 2.0 tool that can be used to address students and teachers alike. Videos are created and posted for direct instruction to students. Other video/visual presentations are created specifically for staff development purposes.

By virtue of its educational/internet-based framework, Teacher Tube is a web 2.0 tool that teaches, promotes and exhibits web 2.0 skills. This site affords educators the opportunity to compete, creatively and technologically, on the level typically embraced by today's techno-savvy students and the world wide web community at large.

Learn more about Teacher Tube by checking out this blog: http://www.teachertube.blogspot.com/

Then click the Teacher Tube link to explore the variety of video posts available on the site. I will share some links to specific video posts tomorrow.

Week 3, Thing #6

Flickr Fun, Mashups, and 3rd Party Sites

Having been out of town last week, I am playing catch-up. I have explored mashups and 3rd party sites primarily via Flickr: sites that address the creation of trading cards, motivation posters, magazine covers, etc.

Flickr and related "things" seem to have been extended for a few weeks now due to a variety of interruptions. And, quite honestly, there are other sites that interest me more. At this point, I am ready to move on to Thing #7.

Week 3, Thing #5 Continued

So, since I made a comment concerning my frustration over looking for info about posting Flickr photos to our blogs yesterday, I thought I should also be proactive in providing that information directly to others. Here is the URL for that specific Flickr page:

"Help / FAQ / Blogging
How do I post photos to my blog?"
http://www.flickr.com/help/blogging
Of course, I found the page through my own trial and error, ultimately ending up in the FAQ's area where this informaton is found.

This morning, in rereading the 23 Things pages on the School Library Learning 2.0 web site, I found a direct link to the above page in "Discovery Exercise a." in which a link, Flickr's blogging tool, is noted. Here is the link to the School Library Learning page that addresses "Thing #5 (Week 3)":
http://schoollibrarylearning2.blogspot.com/2007/02/5-week-3-explore-flickr-and-learn-about.html

Tuesday Morning, June 19:

I've explored libraries and librarians through Flickr. I've just finished playing with Picasa. There is so much to see, so much to discover that time gets away far too quickly. I never cease to be amazed by the amount and variety of new web tools, information, innovations and users (of all ages) who connect on the internet as a matter of course. Just think back to our earlier educational and social experiences in contrast to today's "norms." We are truly living a cultural and societal phenomenon!

I need to investigate both Flickr and Picasa in more depth in order to come to some conclusions about how their formats and usabiltity features compare to one another. Picasa, Google-based, and Flickr, being Yahoo-based, what makes one a preferred tool over the other?

I need to move on to mash-ups, 3rd party sites, etc. Week 4, Thing #6 loom just ahead.

Week 3, Thing #5

Yoga Girl
Originally uploaded by pixieclipx

Explore Flickr:
"Yoga Girl" Poster

I had been exploring Flickr's web site late into the evening (Saturday night), searching not only for photos and images, but also for the process by which photos and images can be added to our blogs. Being new to this site, I found myself repeating several steps as I tried to find the information pertaining to that process.

My primary commentary is this: The most obvious and direct information on Flickr's main pages relates to uploading one's own photos and images, tagging and becoming part of a group(s). Ultimately, as a result of examining the FAQ's and other, somewhat more obscure links, I came upon a page that explained how to use an image from Flickr in another location, such as a blog. Ultimately, the user will be directed to a Google page (assuming Blogger is the blog source) from which the user will then grant access to Flickr for posting images to the selected blog(s).

So, I was mildly frustrated for a few minutes. If any of you think I missed something obvious on a main Flickr page that clearly provides the posting info I was searching for, please let me know in a comment to my blog. if this proves to be the case, I will then be "mildly" embarrassed, but better informed, nonetheless!

Finally, I decided to post "Yoga Girl" because I am a yoga girl, too. Interesting, the things we will learn about one another as we delve into the world of Web 2.0!

Additional Flickr "things" will be coming next.

Week 2, Thing #4

Registration was completed last week. Being an out-of-state participant (not from California and not a member of CSLA), it was gratifying to receive a confirmation post expressing interest in what my group of media specialists is doing on our own to participate in School Library Learning 2.0. We plan to partner off, providing one another feedback on this journey of self-discovery via our blogs. At times, we will post to the whole group. It's just the beginning, so it will be interesting to see how we progress over the summer.

Week 2, Thing #3

Creating the blog and avatar was fun. Since I had created a personal blog prior to this one (for reflections on work and life; a venting resource, if you will), setting up my SummerLearner 2.0 blog was not a brand-new experience. However, creating my avatar was a first for me. I found myself wishing I had even more choices from which to choose the "look" I wanted for my 21st Century Librarian!

Week 1, Thing #2

7 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Learners

1. Begin with the end in mind.
2. Accept responsibility for your own learning. *EASIEST*
3. View problems as challenges. *HARDEST*
4. Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner.
5. Create your own learning toolbox.
6. Use technology to your advantage.
7. Teach/mentor others.

7 1/2. Play!

Since childhood, learning is what I've always done best. And that is simply because I have always felt excited by learning new concepts, and then rewarded by using them and expressing myself through them. In fact, as a child, I remember having read something about the number of wrinkles in the brain being indicators of a person's intelligence. I latched on to that notion. From then on, every time I learned something new, I would imagine a new wrinkle forming in my brain. So, if an individual naturally loves to learn, I suspect that taking responsibility for one's own learning is a kind of intrinsic and intuitive response.

"View problems as challenges" would have to be the most difficult habit for me. While I believe that I am frequently able to view intellectual, learning-based problems as challenges, it requires more conscious effort for me to feel positive and confident toward those other "life" problems that involve interacting with a variety of people and personalities. I am definitely more a "concept-driven" person than a "socially-driven" person.

Week 1, Thing #1

I've spent some time reading about and exploring the School Library Learning 2.0 blog. The broad overview presents a self-directed course that provides the learner with sequential steps for exploring Web 2.0 technologies. Being self-directed, it also provides wonderful opportunities for creative self-discovery as a result of its design and emphasis on personal reflection and group commentaries.

As librarians and information specialists in this day and time, mastering current Web 2.0 technologies will certainly lead us to the next generation of emerging technologies once they appear on the horizon. We are, in fact, the perfect role models for lifelong learning because acquiring and dispensing knowledge and information is what we do. And we have fun doing it, too!

Thing #2 will be posted soon.