Whew, I'm done. Inspired by the deadline, I've met it.
I just removed from my blog the countdown clock I had added a few weeks back (and so much work it took to get that item working). I replaced the clock with a jpg picture of a ticket saying that I'd finishd 23 things - and it looks great!
This is proof that I have learned a whole lot in this project, enough to make minor changes to graphics, to be able to make the blog aesthetically pleasing, at least to myself.
I'm glad I pushed through to the end of this program. Quite recently, we had to log on to the 23 Things ning, one of many social networking sites (I'm not sure how they all differ exactly, but that's a question to answer later). All who join are presumably 23 things on stick contributors, and activly trying to fisnish up. Sending a note to another member was one of the assignments. My person wrote back to me, and I intend to reply. So- I actually have been 'social' in the social networking tool. I didn't just 'observe' this phenomenon !
As I wrote in my survey response, I was really impressed with the Common Craft videos, and the most useful was the one which described wikis, and when they were a good idea, and when a blog or other tool is better. It raised the question: What ARE we trying to accomplish with a particluar tool, and is it the best one? What incentive do my intended users have to log on and participate?
With 23-things, it has been self interest - an excitement to learn. My users have to get somthing out beyond the joy of using the tool.
Showing posts with label wiki. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wiki. Show all posts
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Thing 10 - Wikis
This focus on Wikis was fun and informative. The video was particularly well done. It demonstrated quite well how a wiki can be a great tool compared to email when a group of people is trying to accomplish something - like organizing a camping trip.
One of my colleagues set up a wiki for my work group, and it was fun to explore the tool, but we had very few contributions. A few people added notes after attending a conference or meeting, but no one else ever commented or edited (that I knew of).
It was informative to review some wikis used in libraries. In particular, it is amazing to see how effective it can be for organizing reviews of books. A real and collaborative 'readers advisory'.
On the other hand, one of the other wikis is now limited to people who are members, as there had been vandalism to the site. The problem with a resource available to anonymous people.
I took a look at the library bloggers wiki, which looks like someplace I could stand to spend a lot more time. There's even a section for 'special' libraries. Publicly funded, of course, none obviously corporate.
I only looked closely at one, the 'Royal College of Midwives' library, and they posted their last blog in February 2008: The RCM Library is closing on February 16th 2008. The stock is being put into storage and the library staff have been declared redundant. There will therefore be no more entries in this blog. It will be retained on Blogger, however, for reference.
Such a sad thing, and memorialized here, on a blog from Minnesota.
Which brings me back to my library organization's defunct wiki (last I looked). We probably lacked a reason to go to the wiki, and had no incentive to contribute. I heard people say that they are worried about writing or complaining - which they seem to do in every workplace. People need some sort of incentive. The readers wikis were a great example. . .
Maybe a place to go for fun? The joke of the day? Of course, humour can be a fine line, with sharp teeth if you slip.
One of my colleagues set up a wiki for my work group, and it was fun to explore the tool, but we had very few contributions. A few people added notes after attending a conference or meeting, but no one else ever commented or edited (that I knew of).
It was informative to review some wikis used in libraries. In particular, it is amazing to see how effective it can be for organizing reviews of books. A real and collaborative 'readers advisory'.
On the other hand, one of the other wikis is now limited to people who are members, as there had been vandalism to the site. The problem with a resource available to anonymous people.
I took a look at the library bloggers wiki, which looks like someplace I could stand to spend a lot more time. There's even a section for 'special' libraries. Publicly funded, of course, none obviously corporate.
I only looked closely at one, the 'Royal College of Midwives' library, and they posted their last blog in February 2008: The RCM Library is closing on February 16th 2008. The stock is being put into storage and the library staff have been declared redundant. There will therefore be no more entries in this blog. It will be retained on Blogger, however, for reference.
Such a sad thing, and memorialized here, on a blog from Minnesota.
Which brings me back to my library organization's defunct wiki (last I looked). We probably lacked a reason to go to the wiki, and had no incentive to contribute. I heard people say that they are worried about writing or complaining - which they seem to do in every workplace. People need some sort of incentive. The readers wikis were a great example. . .
Maybe a place to go for fun? The joke of the day? Of course, humour can be a fine line, with sharp teeth if you slip.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Thing 2 - Library 2.0
lToday one of my colleagues Chris made a presentation to my department on the subject of Library 2.0. I have been reading and thinking about this subject (and trying to find the time to read more - but that's another posting), but not putting anything into print. Instead of trying to do more research, I think I'll summarize my colleague, who has taught a course to librarians on this subject. Then I can move on to the many tools that we will be covering, and that, really, is why I'm here.
Chris started with one major point - that Library 2.0 is all about interaction and collaboration. And that all of us are probably already using Library 2.0 tools, without even knowing it. We have shared databases that we use together, interactive meeting software, chat tools that we use for quick messages among colleagues. These tools are regular tools, things we use daily, and not some great scary unknown.
With these palliative thoughts in mind, Chris moved on to other tools. The things we may have only heard about. She gave us a quick tour of Google docs, the tool she has used to build the presentation slides she was using. This tool, hosted 'out on the web', can be used to collaborate on documents with others, anywhere on line - which brought up the caveat - not behind a firewall - an issue to keep in mind in the corporate environment. We quickly stepped into the concept of blogs, reading them, organizing them, keeping up with them using RSS feeds. Lots of people in my group read blogs regularly, but only a few of us (two) have a blog ( I was so proud to raise my hand). Chris quickly built a blog, right before our eyes, using Blogger! Her point - easy and accessible to all of us.
Chris quickly stepped through some other cool tools - flicker, wikis, wikipedia, our in-house wiki tool Maven, and then into the social networking sites. She discussed Facebook briefly, then showed us the 'professional' networking tool, LinkedIn. With fine finesse, she showed us the LinkedIn page of our highly networked boss. Oohs filled the room.
So, Library 2.0 is clearly already here - in my own back yard. But I'm even more inspired by all those tools that I haven't used that I want to dip my toes into. I have been motivated to learn them, and this 23 things on a stick is a structured opportunity for me to play with them. Onwards.
And, thanks Chris!
Addendum -
The course description for Chris' course earlier this summer:
Library 2.0 and Social Networking
This course will examine the advent of social networking tools, the creation of online collaboration and communities via those tools and their adoption by libraries as well as the rise of Library 2.0 thinking, a service philosophy born out of discussions of Web 2.0 and participatory library services. Students will experience an immersive learning environment via blogs, wikis, IM and social networking sites. We will discuss the definitions of Library 2.0, examine the tools and examine what this shift means for libraries in the 21st Century.
Chris started with one major point - that Library 2.0 is all about interaction and collaboration. And that all of us are probably already using Library 2.0 tools, without even knowing it. We have shared databases that we use together, interactive meeting software, chat tools that we use for quick messages among colleagues. These tools are regular tools, things we use daily, and not some great scary unknown.
With these palliative thoughts in mind, Chris moved on to other tools. The things we may have only heard about. She gave us a quick tour of Google docs, the tool she has used to build the presentation slides she was using. This tool, hosted 'out on the web', can be used to collaborate on documents with others, anywhere on line - which brought up the caveat - not behind a firewall - an issue to keep in mind in the corporate environment. We quickly stepped into the concept of blogs, reading them, organizing them, keeping up with them using RSS feeds. Lots of people in my group read blogs regularly, but only a few of us (two) have a blog ( I was so proud to raise my hand). Chris quickly built a blog, right before our eyes, using Blogger! Her point - easy and accessible to all of us.
Chris quickly stepped through some other cool tools - flicker, wikis, wikipedia, our in-house wiki tool Maven, and then into the social networking sites. She discussed Facebook briefly, then showed us the 'professional' networking tool, LinkedIn. With fine finesse, she showed us the LinkedIn page of our highly networked boss. Oohs filled the room.
So, Library 2.0 is clearly already here - in my own back yard. But I'm even more inspired by all those tools that I haven't used that I want to dip my toes into. I have been motivated to learn them, and this 23 things on a stick is a structured opportunity for me to play with them. Onwards.
And, thanks Chris!
Addendum -
The course description for Chris' course earlier this summer:
Library 2.0 and Social Networking
This course will examine the advent of social networking tools, the creation of online collaboration and communities via those tools and their adoption by libraries as well as the rise of Library 2.0 thinking, a service philosophy born out of discussions of Web 2.0 and participatory library services. Students will experience an immersive learning environment via blogs, wikis, IM and social networking sites. We will discuss the definitions of Library 2.0, examine the tools and examine what this shift means for libraries in the 21st Century.
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