Before doing the Week 3 challenge, I had my doubts about the usefulness of RSS feeds, but I have since learnt that RSS feeds are very convenient. Instead of going to lots of individual sites, that may not even have new updates, you can go to one site that lets you know if any, and how many, new updates have occurred since you last looked.
I used Google Reader (www.google.com/reader). And as I already have a gmail account, I apparently automatically get a reader account as well. I am a follower of Ruth's blog and it was automatically put in as my first RSS feed. Go Ruth!! Setting up the rest of my 5 feeds was easy. The hard part was deciding which sites to use. In the end I used: www.apple.com ; www.heraldsun.com.au ; www.thelibrarythingblog.com ; and www.weeklytimesnow.com.au.
I think that, in a library setting, RSS feeds could be used to let subscribers know of new books (maybe even by their favourite authors) that have arrived and are in the system; let them know of events, like author visits/workshops, etc. coming up; and you could possibly even personalise the feeds even further and let them know if books they have on hold are in or maybe even if they have overdue books and/or fines to pay.
Yaaay!!!! I've finished all 3 challenges.
Now all I have to do is to remember to submit that I've done it.
Hmmm, maybe I'll do that now too.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Week 5 - Play Week Part 2
I forgot to mention in my previous post on Week 5 that the searchroll I made in Rollyo was Oathbreaker. At first I didn't think it had worked, but after a bit of playing around, I found what I needed to know, and tested it to make sure that it worked.
Oh, and I just thought I'd mention that the email I sent to myself (you know - the image generator one) STILL hasn't arrived in my inbox!!!! I'll let you know when/if it ever gets here.
Oh, and I just thought I'd mention that the email I sent to myself (you know - the image generator one) STILL hasn't arrived in my inbox!!!! I'll let you know when/if it ever gets here.
Week 7 - Wikis (23 Things)
Well, I've done another 'week' of activities for 23 Things.
This time it was Wikis. I posted two comments in the 23 Things sandbox. One was in the Favourite Books, the other was in the Favourite Music. My name in the posts is Abby D.
While 'discovering' wikis, I have found that they can be used for practically anything, and by anyone.
Libraries can use them for intranets, projects - a group working together can have all posts/comments in one spot instead of lots of different emails, as they can all add to the wiki instead of just reading it. Although, wikis don't have to be open to everyone for editing - ie. if used for policies and manuels, they could be set to only allow those that are authorised to, to edit them.
This time it was Wikis. I posted two comments in the 23 Things sandbox. One was in the Favourite Books, the other was in the Favourite Music. My name in the posts is Abby D.
While 'discovering' wikis, I have found that they can be used for practically anything, and by anyone.
Libraries can use them for intranets, projects - a group working together can have all posts/comments in one spot instead of lots of different emails, as they can all add to the wiki instead of just reading it. Although, wikis don't have to be open to everyone for editing - ie. if used for policies and manuels, they could be set to only allow those that are authorised to, to edit them.
Week 5 - Play Week (23 Things)
Well I'm finally getting to post something for the 23 things challenge.
I'll start with the online image generators - fun, but a complete waste of my time. I don't really see the need at the moment for these things. I did email myself an e-card of the image I made though.
Rollyo - umm what do I say? I can possibly?? see a benefit for people who search for things all the time, but, really, if you know the websites to look for the information you want, why not just go there, instead of setting up a searchroll for it and then using it to go looking for the webpages that you already know about?
LibraryThing - I liked this one. I could spend a long time (wasting time) looking at all the things on here. I put up some of the books I've read, or have. There is a recommendation list that automatically fills after adding to your library. There is also an area where you can sign up to get free books/ebooks, from both publishing houses and member authors, in exchange for reviews of said books. I have signed up and requested a few (there aren't many for Australia) - so i've been put on the list and now have to hope I'm 'chosen' to get to review a book. Cross your fingers for me.
Oh!! I've put a link to my Librarything page on the side.
What's with the time on these posts?? Its 5. 44pm right now.
I'll start with the online image generators - fun, but a complete waste of my time. I don't really see the need at the moment for these things. I did email myself an e-card of the image I made though.
Rollyo - umm what do I say? I can possibly?? see a benefit for people who search for things all the time, but, really, if you know the websites to look for the information you want, why not just go there, instead of setting up a searchroll for it and then using it to go looking for the webpages that you already know about?
LibraryThing - I liked this one. I could spend a long time (wasting time) looking at all the things on here. I put up some of the books I've read, or have. There is a recommendation list that automatically fills after adding to your library. There is also an area where you can sign up to get free books/ebooks, from both publishing houses and member authors, in exchange for reviews of said books. I have signed up and requested a few (there aren't many for Australia) - so i've been put on the list and now have to hope I'm 'chosen' to get to review a book. Cross your fingers for me.
Oh!! I've put a link to my Librarything page on the side.
What's with the time on these posts?? Its 5. 44pm right now.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Information Literacy
Information Literacy refers to one's ability to realise when and what information is required; how to find it; to ensure the accuracy of information found and how to effectively use it.
The Big6 is a commonly used method for teaching information literacy. Developed by Mike Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz, the program splits information literacy into six parts: Task Definition; Information Seeking Strategies; Location and Access; Use of Information; Synthesis; and Evaluation. Most people use this method of information literacy whether they know it or not. The stages do not necessarily have to happen in order. Most successful problem-solving situations utilise all six stages. (Eisenberg, 2007).
Why is Information Literacy Important? "Information Literacy is a survival skill in the Information Age." (ALA, 1989). If you don't know how to look for the information needed, or even what it is you are looking for, then you are going to get no-where fast. There are so many sources of information available to everybody these days. To enable us to find out the information we need, we need to be able to discern what exactly we are looking for - what information we need; where we are going to look, or start looking, for said information; we need to be able to evaluate the information we find to hopefully ensure that it is accurate; and finally, we need to know how to utilise the information we have gathered effectively.
Bibliography
American Library Association (1989). Presidential Committee on Information Literacy: Final Report. Retrieved on June 12, 2010 from http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/publications/whitpapers/presidential.cfm/
Eisenberg, M. (2007). What is the Big6? Retrieved on June 12, 2010 from http://www.big6.com/what-is-the-big6/
Guess how many times (no counting) I used the word 'information' in this post.
Cookie for the closest!
The Big6 is a commonly used method for teaching information literacy. Developed by Mike Eisenberg and Bob Berkowitz, the program splits information literacy into six parts: Task Definition; Information Seeking Strategies; Location and Access; Use of Information; Synthesis; and Evaluation. Most people use this method of information literacy whether they know it or not. The stages do not necessarily have to happen in order. Most successful problem-solving situations utilise all six stages. (Eisenberg, 2007).
Why is Information Literacy Important? "Information Literacy is a survival skill in the Information Age." (ALA, 1989). If you don't know how to look for the information needed, or even what it is you are looking for, then you are going to get no-where fast. There are so many sources of information available to everybody these days. To enable us to find out the information we need, we need to be able to discern what exactly we are looking for - what information we need; where we are going to look, or start looking, for said information; we need to be able to evaluate the information we find to hopefully ensure that it is accurate; and finally, we need to know how to utilise the information we have gathered effectively.
Bibliography
American Library Association (1989). Presidential Committee on Information Literacy: Final Report. Retrieved on June 12, 2010 from http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/publications/whitpapers/presidential.cfm/
Eisenberg, M. (2007). What is the Big6? Retrieved on June 12, 2010 from http://www.big6.com/what-is-the-big6/
Guess how many times (no counting) I used the word 'information' in this post.
Cookie for the closest!
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