What an Adventure!

Learn and Play, my techno garden, has been as fruitful as my vegtable garden.  Oh the things I learned along the way.

The first four or five steps where under the watchful eye of a mentor.  As I completed each of those first steps, I wasn’t sure I was learning anything.  But when I finally became an independent learner, the progress was remarkable.

Not that there weren’t challenging moments.  For example, most of my learning was through CMLsi Remote.  So I missed all those little videos of staff in Learn and Play….they were just black boxes on my home computer.  Also, about three quarters of the way through, I discovered I had been recording my Progress Tracking in the wrong format.  I was not linking them to individual blog postings.  I’ve gone back and modified them all; I just hope I now have them correct so that I can recieve acknowledgement of completion and a Flash Drive…..if not, well, another lesson learned.  I’ve gotten good at “copy” and “paste” of the URLs, but have noticed that they always “paste” with some duplication in the middle which I then delete.

Some of my new learning I will continue to use; MOLDI, delicous, podcasts.  Some did not interest me right now; particularly Twitter.  I have watched the Twitter Adicted in action and know it is very important for some staff already.  Perhaps I will have a need for it in my future.

The program overall deserves great credit.  I now know a little about quite a bit more than I ever dreamed.  Imagine my surprise when I was able to introduce to one of my kids a cool product such as Image Generator!  It may be the only moment when I was one step ahead of a “native” to these tools.

While not very wordy in my blog use, I have come to a degree of comfort with it, and intend to continue blogging into the future.  It is a great way to share news/photos with family far and wide.  In fact, I think during the next Extended Family Reunion, I will suggest that we all share our blog sites with each other.

Thank You so much, CML, for giving us the opportunity to learn a bit more about Learning 2.0.  It has given many staff a window into how we can assist our customers in new ways, as we continue to enjoy our Learning Harvest.

Gratefuuly, Ohiogardener.

Podcasts are always timely

Others have shared their favorite podcasts with me.  I have heard of a popular 3 minute soap show that is very popular.  But today I went hunting for a podcast that would interest me.

It wasn’t a hard, or lengthy, search.   ChefsLine.com has recordings of live interactions with culinary experts and the home-cooker such as myself.  It is rated with 5 stars, and deserves each one of them.  During Thanksgiving Week, the shows are dedicated to the unexpected; how to change an “Oh No!”  moment into a “one-of-a-kind-thrill” for the family feast.

This will be a great source for new receipes for all those vegtables in my freezer.

 

http://Podfeed.net/ChiefsLine

MOLDI is a handy addition to my tool kit

I enjoyed the introduction to MOLDI, and will be a constant user in the future.  This is a wonderful tool.  Why, during my first browse of the product, I located a current top selling book, Talking Back by Andrea Mitchell, that I would like to read during the cold winter months.

This has opened up a new level of timely comfort for me as a library user.  Thanks!

I Too on Youtube

This is a part of my technology garden with which I am already familiar.  Why, Sociologists could simply monitor Youtube and be “in the field” while tracking cultural variants!  Meme’s are very popular.

Learning a forgein language?  Enjoy the latest musical groups from Japan or Germany, or current pop-culture moments.

Had a memorial moment in you wedding?  My son did, and it was on Youtube before the afternoon festivites ended.  You will find it under Flying Flowers.

Want a quick laugh?  Visit the Ask a Ninja.com website which was discovered by seeing an example on You tube.

This techo tool reminds me of the quirky scuptures with which some gardeners decorate their veggie gardens.  Most are not substanative, but all are eye catching.

Power Tools

Yes, another example of how CML is a profession leading library system.  The CML Power Tools Blog explains useful knowledge in pedestrian manner.

I explored “Top Five Reasons To Use Gmail”.  The portion that caught my attentions is “mail management”.  To have all emails about a specific topic linked into one flow sounds very good to me.  It reminds me of a tidy row of beets, instead of random plants scattered throughout a garden.

I’ll visit Power Tools regularly.  Thanks for offering this service to external and internal customers!

Options, options, options

It is interesting to see the list of logos shared on Web 2.0 Awards.  Nearly all 2.0 needs seem to have been met by invested 2.0 stakeholders.

I chose to try Thoof.  It is described as a “Social News and Culture Site”.  The idea is that the site learns your preferences through repeated use, and offers choices to suit personal taste.  I noticed quite a bit of Spam content while I was there.

By googling “Thoof”, I discovered an article written in December 2007.  It predicted a short life span for this social tool after a mere six months from launch.  Apparently preferred customers had not found the site.  “People who Thoop are not the same people who Digg”.  So, this may not be one which remains at the top for long.

Sweet Success!

Please celebrate with me.  I had spent several days attempting to complete Thing #16.  Finally, just to feel some sort of forward progress, I moved on to Thing #17 (results posted below).

I felt so good about Google Docs, I tried Playing Around with Wiki just one more time tonight.  And wouldn’t you know, it worked!  I completed all my intents!  I edited/added to our Wiki!!!!!  Persistence counts in both the physical and technological garden.

Ahhh.  I think I’ll streach the celebration to include a Berry Smoothie!

Goggle Docs

While I’m figuring out why I haven’t been able to successfully complete the second wiki excercise, I thought I would have some fun exploring Google Docs.

What a useful tool for anyone wanting ideas, or software use, at our internet fingertips!  I was delighted to locate a template design entitled Green Presentation.  The template really jazzed up my simple message.  I will share the excellent utility of Google Docs with all my family and friends.

The Wonderful World of Wikis

I am delighted to be learning more about a tool I have already discovered is very useful.

For example: suddenly people were refering to “Blue Tooth”.  I turned to a Wiki to learn that it is wireless technology named after an ancient Scandinavian King.

For example: I hosted a staff farewell celebration around the theme of “coffee”.    Wiki gave me a quick history and discribed modern variations of the marvelous beverage.

Exploring various self-produced Wikis around the library world was a lot of productive fun.  I am particularily struck by the Library Success Wiki.  Suddenly at my fingertips is a Management and Leadership Training tool.  After I have completed Learn & Play, I intend to spend time at this site for personal professional growth….not only is it easily accessable, but it will allow me to spend less money at Barnes and Nobles!

Wikis are wonderful tools for both large and small groups.  My branch has a Wiki on which are posted staff book reviews, and often used for Reader’s Advisory just as Princeton and Grand Rapids Public Libraries have offered for thsir customers.  If organized well, a Wiki could replace the “V” drives CML now employees.

Library 2.0

Having read a number of perspectives surrounding Library 2.0, I found inspiration in Michael Stephen’s piece.  He looked beyond collections, staff and customers withing building walls.  Libraries were in part defined as “a social and emotionally engaging center for learning and experience”

Gone are the limits to our customers of operational hours (time) and building walls (space).  We are “where customers are” through the web.  I have found CMLs focus on Young Minds, particularly teens, to be a stiking example of this.  Teens simultaniously inhabit both a physical and web world….and we can easily be found in both.  Need help with homework?  Come to our Homeworkhelp Centers or ask us on-line.  Want to meet with friends?  Share a table at the closest branch, or connect through Facebook.  Want a challenge?  Join the Teen Board or write a book review on the Teen site.  Volunteer at the local branch to fullfill Community Hours or explore the public library as a possible career choice.

At one time, I would say that the library is where people and books met.  Now I say the library is where people meet information and other people.