Yesterday I took a moment to play around online and do some research on rss feeds, since we will be working with them during Week 4 of 23 things and I didn't know a single thing about them. While searching around online I found that google has an rss feed reader, and I wanted to share that as something technological that interests me because I think that it will be useful for anyone who does week 4 and becomes interested in rss feeds to know that this tool is available.
You can take a tour of the Google Reader at: http://www.google.com/intl/en/googlereader/tour.html
The thing that I like about Google reader is that we can use our 23 things gmail account to access google reader from any computer with internet access. Google reader allows you to add subscriptions to different rss feeds that interest you. That way google reader automatically updates you when new information is available and you have access to all of your feeds in one place. You can also search their directory to find more feeds that interest you and you can subscribe to. The reader also allows you to share information with your friends, and has a customizable clip that you can add to the side of your blog or website, and it will display your latest shared items in a sidebar. Another bonus is that Google reader works with any mobile phone browser, so it will allow you access to your information on the go. So if while working on week 4 of 23 things you get bitten by the rss bug, then Google Reader may be just the tool for you.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Week 3- My flickr photo
El Dedo de Dios
I really enjoyed week 3 of 23 things. It was fun looking at images on flickr and learning about the different things that the website has to offer. One of the features that I really enjoy is the map feature because you can find pictures that average folks have taken from different parts of the world. It is a very neat way of organizing the photographs.
The photograph that I have chosen to share is of 'El Dedo de Dios', from Gran Canaria. My mom is originally from the Canary Islands and I have visited family there before. During my last visit when I was 16 I was able to travel more. One of the things that I saw was 'El Dedo de Dios', which means 'God's finger' in English. The rock formation got it's name because to many the top portion looks like a finger pointing to the sky. This landmark had sentimental value for many people. I was disappointed to learn recently that a while back there was a severe storm and the winds knocked the finger part off of the formation and into the water. This was heartbreaking to many of the people who lived in the area because they had sentimental value attached to El Dedo. I heard that government officials were looking into ways in which the "finger" part would be able to be lifted out from the water and reattached to the rock. The last I heard it seemed to be a near impossible undertaking and hope was being lost, but I hope that they find a way.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Ideas on how blogging can be used in libraries...
I have a few ideas on how blogging can be used in libraries. For one, if we have a blog for our library we can update patrons with more current information on events and happenings without the expense of having to print flyers and posters, or the time consuming task of calling patrons. If we had a blog which allowed users to comment back it would also serve as a forum for patrons to give us their input, and tell us their thoughts and feelings.
Blog use is also a good way for us to keep up with other staff members and read about the happenings at their libraries. It is interesting to see others share the same experiences, as well as read about different experiences that what we may have at our branch. One thing that I plan to use blogger.com for is to read blogs from other libraries around the country and their happenings. It should prove interesting.
Another good way to use blogging would be for staff to hold blogging computer classes with both teens and adults to show them how to create and use a blog. I think patrons would enjoy learning how to use a blog.
Blog use is also a good way for us to keep up with other staff members and read about the happenings at their libraries. It is interesting to see others share the same experiences, as well as read about different experiences that what we may have at our branch. One thing that I plan to use blogger.com for is to read blogs from other libraries around the country and their happenings. It should prove interesting.
Another good way to use blogging would be for staff to hold blogging computer classes with both teens and adults to show them how to create and use a blog. I think patrons would enjoy learning how to use a blog.
7 1/2 Habits of highly successful learners
Here I was trying to think about something to blog about and coming up empty handed, so it's a good thing the 23 things team would like for us to write our first blog on the 7 1/2 habits. Thanks. That takes the guess work out of trying to figure out what to write atleast this time around! I don't know that I will be using this blog for much other than the 23 things project and maybe adding some library blogs that I can relate to/learn from. I know I would be treating this as an actual journal, because I have a hard time being that open knowing that people I know irl and through work will read it.
I have an AS in Staff Accounting, and through the business courses I took as part of my degree I became familiar with the 7 1/2 habits years ago. Can't say I've always applied them effectively.
The part of the presentation that I agree with the most is at the end after presenting the 7 1/2 habits where they suggest how to impliment them. I think that writing down your goals is a good idea and coming up with the steps to achieve your goal. Having it in writing helps to keep me on task with what I am doing, and signing a contract and having steps to accomplish helps to keep me honest with myself.
I am enjoying this 23 thing activity at work. I think it was a good idea for administration to give us something for us to work on at our own pace and learn more about technology. We always have patrons who ask us how to do every little thing, like we are supposed to know everything there is to know, but with this we can atleast became a little more internet savy. I am also a big fan of message boards, myspace, IMs, etc, so I personally enjoy the opportunity to learn more things that I can use for fun in my life and having more tech toys to play with;-P I just wish that we were still having an ATD. I understand the decision to do away with it because saving money to save jobs is more important, IMO, but I am glad that we are still getting learning opportunities like this to supplement our learning.
I have an AS in Staff Accounting, and through the business courses I took as part of my degree I became familiar with the 7 1/2 habits years ago. Can't say I've always applied them effectively.
The part of the presentation that I agree with the most is at the end after presenting the 7 1/2 habits where they suggest how to impliment them. I think that writing down your goals is a good idea and coming up with the steps to achieve your goal. Having it in writing helps to keep me on task with what I am doing, and signing a contract and having steps to accomplish helps to keep me honest with myself.
I am enjoying this 23 thing activity at work. I think it was a good idea for administration to give us something for us to work on at our own pace and learn more about technology. We always have patrons who ask us how to do every little thing, like we are supposed to know everything there is to know, but with this we can atleast became a little more internet savy. I am also a big fan of message boards, myspace, IMs, etc, so I personally enjoy the opportunity to learn more things that I can use for fun in my life and having more tech toys to play with;-P I just wish that we were still having an ATD. I understand the decision to do away with it because saving money to save jobs is more important, IMO, but I am glad that we are still getting learning opportunities like this to supplement our learning.
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