Amazing, really, how far we've come on this journey since that first tentative and confusing step. It really has been a good thing to check out a little bit of what that wide World Wide Web has to offer, and see how fast even that is changing as people imagine new tools, or new uses for the existing ones.
I resolve to spend a little time daily to use some of these tools, and blog what I learned each day....(liar, liar, pants on fire!). Honestly, I doubt I'll take it to that extent, but I will definitely keep using and exploring some of my favorites on a regular basis, and checking in on others occasionally as well. For better or for worse, for example, I have StumbleUpon on my toolbar and Overbooked in my Bookmarks. And I will no doubt be checking in on Facebook, various You Tube videos, Rollyo's search engine for herbal and medical products, Library Thing and whatever wikis are applicable at the time. And recommend many of them to others if they haven't heard of them, such as the Assignment Calculator or Flickr. Maybe I'll even drop a few names at parties to impress friends! (or not)
At any rate, it was definitely worth the effort, and in many ways seems at this 11th hour of the project to be as much a beginning as an end.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Thing 21:Assignment/Research Project Calculator
Considering the (almost) indisputable fact that time management is the weakest link in the chain of events involving a research project, the Assignment Calculator is a great recommendation for anyone requesting help with their research projects. Who hasn't underestimated the time it would take, and ended up in an 'eleventh hour panic', with a long way to go and a short time to get there? I also think that most people faced with a research project want to cut to the chase as much as possible, and the Assignment Calculator filled that bill better than the Research Project Calculator. Both work well for organizing a plan and setting up a schedule for carrying it out, and both offer suggestions for each step of the way, but the Assignment Calculator's interface puts the step-by-step details more in the background (i.e., more optional depending on the needs and existing proficiency of the researcher).
The Teacher Guide addressed some essential topics in a very useful way, and could be used by teachers or librarians to guide students through typically sticky areas such as optimizing a Google search, using proper format, avoiding plagarism, etc. Or, the self-motivated student could just as easily us it to as a personal guide.
I wish I had these tools when I was wading through my research projects in college and graduate school, and can see where it could be useful even in projects such as high school science fairs, etc. But I definitely do not wish for any more of those projects for myself, in order to try it out, thank you very much!
The Teacher Guide addressed some essential topics in a very useful way, and could be used by teachers or librarians to guide students through typically sticky areas such as optimizing a Google search, using proper format, avoiding plagarism, etc. Or, the self-motivated student could just as easily us it to as a personal guide.
I wish I had these tools when I was wading through my research projects in college and graduate school, and can see where it could be useful even in projects such as high school science fairs, etc. But I definitely do not wish for any more of those projects for myself, in order to try it out, thank you very much!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Thing 20: Books 2.0
I'll admit that I, too, suffered anxiety about the Web being the beginning of the end of books. But even as I have realized that nothing will replace the comfort of curling up with a good book, I am also comforted by hearing the same sentiments from others, and by reading articles such as the one in the NYTimes regarding the increase in reading. I also think there is a fairly healthy number of bibliophiles visiting the public library-probably even morein our economy crunch as the usual bookstore prowlers have started taking advantage of the collections available in public libraries for the right price. There is a caveat, however, both in the NYT article and in my personal observations. The article mentioned the increase in reading did not neccesarily refer to good literature in the young adult age group that was polled. And I have noticed a certain polarization in readers of books towards either middle aged to older adults, or younger adults with small children. I think popular reading (like Harry Potter and Twilight, and Oprah's picks) and graphic novels have probably brought former non-readers into the fold, though.
I think Books 2.0 enhances reading- primarily because the focus is on books and reading them. Much of the information is in regard to book recommendations, book reviews, book discussion groups, etc.-i.e. all whetting the appetite to read the book. And many of the sites were smart enough to realize what Amazon had figured out a long time ago; namely, the luring 'siren song' power of displaying beautiful, creative book covers...how can the inveterate browser resist that? It's that same feeling of excitement and anticipation when walking through the doors of any bookstore: "Oh boy, what will find today?"
Overbooked and BookBrowse.com were very interesting and inspiring sites for bibliophiles to prowl. I was intrigued by Librovox (what an ambitious project-recording all those materials), and the concept of Bookswim (it really is like Netflix, only for books instead of movies-wonder how successful it is, and the demographics of who is using it?). And WorldCat in Facebook has a very user-friendly interface, too, by the way. I was a little edgy about the information-sharing warnings in Facebook-I guess I have a few qualms in general about the open- information nature of Facebook, although it is a pretty fascinating network of both people and stuff. Overall, Books 2.0 was a comforting stop for a booklover like myself, careening down fast lane on the internet highway.
I think Books 2.0 enhances reading- primarily because the focus is on books and reading them. Much of the information is in regard to book recommendations, book reviews, book discussion groups, etc.-i.e. all whetting the appetite to read the book. And many of the sites were smart enough to realize what Amazon had figured out a long time ago; namely, the luring 'siren song' power of displaying beautiful, creative book covers...how can the inveterate browser resist that? It's that same feeling of excitement and anticipation when walking through the doors of any bookstore: "Oh boy, what will find today?"
Overbooked and BookBrowse.com were very interesting and inspiring sites for bibliophiles to prowl. I was intrigued by Librovox (what an ambitious project-recording all those materials), and the concept of Bookswim (it really is like Netflix, only for books instead of movies-wonder how successful it is, and the demographics of who is using it?). And WorldCat in Facebook has a very user-friendly interface, too, by the way. I was a little edgy about the information-sharing warnings in Facebook-I guess I have a few qualms in general about the open- information nature of Facebook, although it is a pretty fascinating network of both people and stuff. Overall, Books 2.0 was a comforting stop for a booklover like myself, careening down fast lane on the internet highway.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Thing 19: Other Social Networks
Because of the major time crunch I am suffering from at this time in my life, I chose not to sign up for any more online communities. However, I wish I had the time for the favorite reads. And I would like to come back to Web Junction for the tekkie ideas and their practical applications in the library world. I would also like to revisit the educational groups (particularly College 2.0) for the favorite teaching tools. Even though it takes time to really explore and utilize the information in groups like these, I can see the advantage of getting new perspectives of those in the field: finding tips, perspectives, and answers to questions I never even thought to ask!
Browsing the social networks is like listening in on conversations of experts (or at least people who are innovative and excited about their work). We never know what thoughts, perspectives and ideas we'll pick up. Although not particularly efficient, the rewards for time spent include the ways sharing ideas broadens our scope (and because it's interactive, the way we can do that for others, too) and the surprising unearthing of buried treasures we weren't even looking for!
Browsing the social networks is like listening in on conversations of experts (or at least people who are innovative and excited about their work). We never know what thoughts, perspectives and ideas we'll pick up. Although not particularly efficient, the rewards for time spent include the ways sharing ideas broadens our scope (and because it's interactive, the way we can do that for others, too) and the surprising unearthing of buried treasures we weren't even looking for!
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