Additional Thought

As I look back over all the new gadgets and gizmos that I have been exposed to during this course, I am amazed at how much I have learned. I now realize the advantage of cloud computing, how to have a back up of my precious family photos, that a regular person like myself could have a blog and a podcast, that social bookmarking makes a lot more sense than a long list of links some of which aren't "favorites", not to mention the valuable privacy and legal issues that must be taken into consideration when using technology.

I'm sure that there are tons of other tools out there that I have yet to discover. I'm excited to learn them as well, but for now I will return to the Web 2.0 Two Step site (hopefully it will remain available) and continue to review and practice the new skills I have learned. Practice makes perfect.

Thanks for putting this training together! I have enjoyed participating!!!

Method 12 Evaluation

I really enjoyed this traning program. As I mentioned in the survey I felt that there was the expectation that some level of computer skills were needed in order to advance. I know others in our office wanted to participate and truly did try but they needed more step by step support in order to build their confidence and skills so that they could move forward.

I think this is an important point when using any technology though. I see it all of the time with our patrons when they come in to use our computers. They know a little but there is so much that they don't use because a. they don't know it is available and b. they need someone to patiently teach them how to use those features.

I loved blogging. I wish I knew html so that I could really customize the format more, but even as limited as it is, I still had a blast. The putting the viewmaster slide over the youtube video was really amazing. I think that was a real "Cool" moment for me. I am also fascinated and definitely want to learn more about social bookmarking. Podcasts would be great for so many programs in the library. Perhaps a training session could be offered to teach us how to pull off professional looking productions.

I hope I get the opportunity to learn more and to use what I have learned before I forget it.

Method 11 Podcasts

I looked at various library podcasts and listened to many of them. I loved the one called "Booktalks". It gave an interesting overview of children's books. It was really wonderful and reminded me a lot of how Levar Burton introduces stories on Reading Rainbow. It would be a great way to put in a blurb about books in any collection in the library. I discovered one promotional podcast for a summer reading program that frankly would have made me less likely to participate which brings up the obvious distinction that just because we can doesn't mean we should. If the podcast isn't executed properly I can see where it could be a distraction or even a detractor from the library programs.

I think it would be great to put a weekly storytime podcast by our Storytime Lady. Also blurbs from our librarian who purchases our collections so that if someone has a question about a book or an author they can get the information from an informed source. It would also be a great tool for "How To" segments.

I am just not sure how to pull off production so that it maintains an air of professionalism.