Slide Space

I like Slide Space, it could be really useful like Google docs for being accessible from other computers. It will free me up from dragging my laptop around although I would probably still use my flash drive as a backup. I do believe in multiple backups. The ability to share with a select group is nice. It could make trying to email a ppt obsolete. i haven't tried accessing Slide Share through the filter at school yet so that could be a problem but I will try that after break.

http://www.slideshare.net/janegend

My Slidespace

Library 2.0

There are parts of Library 2.0 that make my life easier. I like being able to access the catalog of the public library from home and managing my account. I really like accessing my own school's library from home, I can help staff with books, share book lists, order from other schools and do it in my sweats on Saturday. I enjoy being able to get a jump on Mondays when I get e-mail on the weekend requesting books from other schools by our teachers.
I also think the increased accessibility for patrons is wonderful. Living in a remote area doesn't hinder your access to books and materials when they can be downloaded at home. Originally being from a small town, I used the library a lot but it really wasn't a great research tool. I was almost overwhelmed by the choice of libraries at the University of Wisconsin when I got there in 1974. My Mom was on the local library board so I had access but there wasn't much there. Kids today can access quality information from around the world from home. We need to teach them how to select quality, legitimate information from the mountains of stuff out there. Just because it's on the Internet doesn't make it great.
I know from assisting in the selection of books for the collection it is very hard to anticipate needs. In an elementary school it is possible to follow the curriculum to some degree until it changes and your collection is out of whack again. Interlibrary loan is useful in not having to keep multiple copies. A web-based system does allow our patrons to request new titles for purchase if they can't find it in the catalog
I think Dr. Wendy Schultz' article taking us up to Library 4.0 was great - I'd really like a meditative, spa-like experience in a library, no tech and lots of books and comfy chairs. I still like the feel of a book in my hands, curling up in a good chair and whiling away the morning.

twittering

I've tried Twitter but I can't figure out who would care enough about my day to follow it. Those few people are living life with me. I think the 140 character limit is less functional than conventional e-mail. My age maybe showing, I am a technology immigrant rather than a native.

I'm enjoying LibraryThing. I'll probably max out the free list quickly. Check out my list using the link provided.
6 Months later -
I really use LibraryThing. It has become a great resource for my teachers, I can search for a booklist on alliteration or pourquoi tales and compare it to our collection to create pull lists. I also add books with tags that may be helpful to other media people. It has helped when conventional cataloging is not enough. I can't recommend it enough. I still look at the books I've pulled to make sure they are tagged correctly before sending them to a classroom but what a timesaver.
The lists are easy to manipulate in Excel on my desktop to create a new list that reflects only our collection. I also use the booklists to create resource lists in our Destiny software that can be shared with other users by scanning the pulled books into the system. This not only helps me but our teachers or anyone checking our collection online. I have been told that other schools do this to borrow our ideas which is great. I love the lack of notebooks filled with lists that are just a snapshot in time. LibraryThing has enabled me to create an evolving list to better serve my school and others.

IM'ing

This was my fisrt experience with IM'ing. I can see an application for IM during meetings or conference calls to share thoughts with others in real time. I'm not sure I would use it as a means of regular communication with someone though and I know I wouldn't learn the lingo. The emoticons were fun, I never use them when I'm using email. I'm just afraid it could be one more distraction during the day since I would want to know what was going on and have to check. I'm already lost when my email notify feature doesn't work on a Mac.
Two of did a group chat with Allana, there was feeling of safety in numbers since I knew one of the group.
I'm not sure there is a use for IM'ing with K through 5 students or their parents but it would be interesting to explore. We could answer teacher questions during the day or walk them through a problem quickly. It would require being at my desk quite often and I do tend to drift around the library with students searching for the right book. We'll have to decide if it enhances our ability to provide better service in our library or is just another fun thing to play with on our computers.

help I'm blogging

I've ditched my first attempt but I'm going to meet my goal of blogging successfully. I'm not sure why I'm intimidated after 27 years at a computer. Look out obstacles here I come.