In the end...

[T23] Wow, what an experience! HPL Learning 2.0 has opened up a new world for me. Though there were times I felt like banging my head up against the wall (i.e. no pain, no gain, right?-lol), it wasn’t vain. The amount of knowledge I’ve gained these past few weeks is not only vast, but very useful. I didn’t realize how advanced the internet has become. From creating blogs, to downloading podcasts, uploading pictures, learning about RSS Feeds and much more, I feel this is only the beginning for me. More importantly, I feel this is only the beginning for us. HPL can definitely move in a new direction with all that is at our disposal. For instance, using Zoho, proposals can be written and edited collaboratively. Meetings can take place via web using wiki. Blogs could be used to inform/update one another on projects/events/activities that are going on in our relative branches. There’s a lot of promise here.

I have to confess, though—some of this stuff was hard in the beginning. Would you believe that I kept creating a new blog thinking I was adding a new post? It mysteriously dawned on me one day that something wasn’t right. That’s when I discovered I had like five blogs or something. LOL. Others things, like delicious and librarything, went smoothly.

Going back to the 7 ½ pointers from lifelong learners, this program engages and makes you become a lifelong learner (if you weren't one to begin with). Throughtout the course of this program, completing 23Things was the goal (p1-begin with the end in mind). We were able to learn at our own pace thereby accepting responsibility for our learning (p2). I, for one, personally came across many challenges (p3) and, through the use of various tools (p5) and technology (p6), I successfully handled them. Having confidence and the "I think I can" mentality (p4) is the only way I overcame those challenges. And though, I was no expert at what I was doing, sharing this experience (i.e. teaching-p7) and sites with other members outside of the HPL community (i.e. family members) really reinforced my learning. And I would be lying if I didn't say I had a good time all the while (p7.5-of course, some times were more enjoyable than others). In summary, Learning 2.0 was useful, at times tough, but overall, fun!

Utube {Week 9}

[T20] YouTube is fun. My little sister actually turned me on this some months ago. I've tried finding the clip she showed me, but I think the name I'm searching with is not quite right. (If only I knew what tagging was back then! lol). As a consolation, I found some funny clips. Kids are the cutest! They say and do the most hilarious things. I could see the library using youtube for a whole host of purposes: (1) recording events and using them for presentations/advertisement, (2) showing patrons how to use services.

[T21] Searching for free podcasts (extra emphasis on the free) was time consuming, but podcastalley and yahoopodcasts are excellent directories. One site in particular caught my attention, mevio.com. Being the music lover that I am, this site provides up and coming artists with a platform. Again, it takes time to weed through all they have to offer (both the good and bad), but I've managed to find a few gems.

[T22] All Right! I did it! Yay! I downloaded Uncle Tom's Cabin from Librovox. It only took a couple hours to wrap my head around it, but I've finally done it. I think the reader (Johng) did it justice. More often than not, readers tend to kill the literary work. This reader brings it to life by changing voices as often as he changes characters. Sites like this are revolutionizing our industry as we know it.

Tools&Apps {Week 8, Part 2}

[T19] The site I explored was netvibes. It's cool in the sense that you can create your own mini "universe". Very user friendly. I like how I can log into this one site and be connected to different pages (RSS). {For instance, my homepage has a section for digg, youtube, weather, google, ecosystem and flickr]. In addition, you get to create personal pages.

Wiki Wiki Wiki {Week 7}

[T16] I think wiki's are nice for small communities. I'm not too fond of the idea of other people being able to alter my writing. I guess there has to be basis of trust and good faith between the users. I like the fact that libraries can and do use them to network with patrons and amongst personnel for book selections. I think wikis would work well for book clubs. Wikis would probably be great to find out activities that patrons would like to see the libraries host in the future.


[T17] I added a favorite book and some favorite movies to the PLCMC sandbox. I need to decide on favorites for the other topics before I could post them. Excellent place to get ideas, though.

"Tag" : Technorati is It! {Week 6}

[T13] Delicious is CRAZY (In a good way). I'm like a kid who just discovers the power something (i.e. like a button that turns something on and off). I think I've gone tag it mad. Nearly everything that crosses my path is getting smacked with a label. Watch out, you may be next! Te he he. jk. Seriously, though, I love being able to pull up things I like without searching all over for them. Before delicious, I used to jot down search words and instructions (i.e. click on the 4th hit then click on the 2nd and etc. etc.). Though I have yet to experience the collaborative aspect of delicious, I'm sure it'll come in very handy once I do.

[T14] Tagging blogs are outrageous. It's like gossip central. Technorati does a bang up job of pulling all these sources together.

[T15] The problem that I have with theories is that they don't necessarily translate well in terms of practicality. I'm all for patron empowerment and getting them to the point where they can use our services confidently and independently, but we have to be feasible in our applications. How many patrons have access to computers outside of the library? I might be mistaken, but I think most of them go to the library solely for that purpose. Shifting to web-based services might propel us into the future, but it will surely leave a huge number of patrons behind. However, I do like the idea of librarians working collaboratively with patrons to guide usage. Ideally, that's what we're striving for now.

AMENDMENT After reading a comment that a 2.0 learner made, I've adjust my stance. In essence this person states, 'we're not leaving behind our .75 or 1.5 patrons; we're simply providing more services to those patrons who want more to work with.' In that respect, web-based services would be wonderful.

I also think there's nothing wrong with having a back up system. "Just in case" web systems miraculously failed, there would be something to fall back on. I guess I'm cautious of what my math teacher use to refer to as the "Calculator Syndrome" (Everyone gets so used to punching in keys that no one remembers how to do simple arithmetic in their head anymore, especially if circumstances demand it).

Generating Fun {Week 5}

[T10] Online generators rock! Even if your not artistically inclined, they make you seem like you know what you're doing. My particular favorite is the sketch generator. If only I could do a split screen (Anyone has any tips?!) Another one that I liked was the Warholizer. Andy would be proud.

[T11] LibraryThing is very useful. I'm actually using it to catalogue books that I personally like as well as books that I am currently reading to my daughter/books that I would like to read to her when it's developmentally appropriate for her. Having my a family library is something my mother did and something that I would love to do when I own my own home. It's good to know that I'll already have a list at hand. As a side note, LibraryThing is an excellent way for Children Librarians/Educators to not only keep a record of books, but jot down instructional ideas or how they could use text to interact with kids.

[T12] I love the concept of putting together all the search engines I normally use and merging it into one site. It makes life so much easier and saves so much time. I especially like the fact that when I research topics such as infant health and development, browsing to find which articles relate to my daughter is less complicated because I don't have to navigate between several pages. I wish someone had mentioned this to me a long time ago

Feeding My RSS Curiosity {Week 4}

[T8] My understanding of RSS Feeds is still a little hazy. But going by the Wikipedia's definition, I think it's safe to say that blogger is an example of one. Come to think of it, a lot web based programs (more than I take notice of) are probably running using RSS Feeds as well. I'll have to keep my eye out for that.


[T9] Woo hoo. I've successfully created a bloglines account. I've subscribed to a couple of news reads as well. I'm not sure how much time I'll have to keep up with them, though. We'll see...

Smart Baby

Mom's Beware!

2 Funny Babies Laughing

IF ONLY PARENTING WAS THIS EASY! For all those out there with little ones, this is what we have to look forward to. For all those who've raised them, I'm sure that you've had your share of laughs!

Nasma {Week 8, Part 1}

[T18] Below is document I created on Zoho. Super easy. There are still some features that I need to explore with. (What's the horizontal thing about?) I like the fact that, unlike a wiki, you have control over who sees your documents as well as who can alter them. I definitely think Zoho will give Microsoft a run for its money! As far as I can see, the only negative to using Zoho would be worrying about hackers.

Nasma Baby

When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I see is you

You rub your eyes, and spread a smile to greet each day anew

How can I describe thee?

Let me list the ways…

• A little angel sent by God to brighten everyday
• Funny
• Smart
• Precious Heart
• My SweetTart

Although, you’re really not a tart at all

You’re more like my little butterball

Anyhow Darling

Angel

Sweetie Pie

Honeybunch

Sugar Plum

Pumpkin

Cupcake

Gumdrop

Schnuckums

You get my gist

You’re qualities extend far beyond this list

Introduction {Weeks 1 & 2}

Note to Readers:

I actually posted this blog sometime in February, the 29th, to be exact.

Please excuse the fact that it's out of order.

[T1] At first glance, the Learning 2.0 Project blog makes Learning 2.0 seem overwhelming (and it may very well be). A closer look at the 23 things gives me confidence and makes me think that it'll be sectioned well enough for me to manange. I wonder...time will tell.

[T2] Wow! I am both shocked and amazed to see how so much, and yet so little has changed about technology. I feel as though I'm taking undergraduate courses all over again. I also feel that the 7 1/2 pointers for lifelong learning are things that most people instinctively know and may already practice. Personally, I've always been a "lifelong learner" and it's reassuring for me read these pointers. (Makes me feel like I'm on the right path)!

[T3] Success is sweet! Writing this first blog wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I'm sure things will become more challenging as we move along in learning 2.0. I'll probably have a lot more to say.

[T4] Registering an account for the weblog was also fairly easy to do. I think keeping up with it is going to be the challenge. I look forward to learning more things, even if it might be painful at first! lol!

Technology {Week 3}

[T5] I'm still messing around with flickr. Much like my space, I think Flickr is a lot more fun when you are part of a group experience. (This seems to be true for other acitivities as well-lol). My mission is to get friends and family as "addicted" to flickr as I am.

[T6] The flickr mashups that I enjoyed were (a) spelling with flickr and (b) delivr. Spelling reminds me of one of those movies where the serial killer cuts out letters from magazines and leaves clues for the police; I can't explain, but it's cute and creepy at the same time. Delivr, on the other hand, is a nice way to send ecards (post/birthday/mothers day/etc). So for those of you who can't keep an address to save their lives, there is a way!!! I didn't particularly like retrievr. With that program, it seems like there's more emphasis on matching colors than pairing shapes. Then again, trying to match pictures with rough sketches is like trying to pair kids fingerpaints with Van Gogh.

[T7]Of particular interest to me is fine tuning my online search skills. I always feel overwhelmed by the amount of hits I originally get. Sometimes, I feel as though I happen to stumble upon what I'm looking for.

I think people should checkout instant messaging. It's a great diversion and a cost effective way to keep in touch/communicate with friends/family. The down side is that it often leads to procrastination.

Creating an Avatar is so cool. It's like having an online doll. Only problem is I don't have the time it takes to change outfits and hairstyles or backgrounds as often as I think I should (lol).

Overall, I'm enjoying the new experience!

Live and Learn

I posted a response about three weeks ago (pertaining to the original task of responding to the Learning 2.0 pod), now it's gone. I'm still trying to figure out what happened to it. If anyone knows, please respond! Thanks.

Flickr Fever

[T5] I've spent a total of 5 hours or so exploring flickr and what it has to offer. I don't have too many pictures up though. (Personally, I'm not crazy about the idea of putting intimate/personal pictures online for the world to see; although, technically, one can restrict certain pictures for certain people, are those pictures really safe?). Let me tell you all that I'm still learning. It's sooooooo addictive! The pictures you come across are mesmerizing. Some of them look manufactured. Others are simply too beautiful to be real. Almost makes you want to take up photography.