Thing 23: Feedback

Well... it took me a little longer than first anticipated, but I've just finished "my" 23 Things!!

Although I had heard about most of this stuff I hadn't really had a chance to investigate properly and definitely hadn't thought about how it could contribute to my work. Now that I've used various tools and services I can see that some might be useful, but others I may not use again.

• useful things (which I'll probably use again) include: blogs, delicious, flickr, Google Docs, podcasts, RSS feeds, social bookmarks, web based communication tools


• things I probably won't use again (but glad I know about!) include: Facebook and iGoogle - only because I value my privacy and not sure how flexible iGoogle is for my own needs

It's been a worthwhile enterprise in that I will now be able to answer users' queries and has also given me some insight into how new technologies can be used to support teaching and learning and to add value to the more traditional* library services we will continue to offer.

* For traditional, read Libraryish!

(Image credit: Ian Kim)

Thing 22: Communication

I decided to use MSN Messenger because I've used it before. I also use Skype regularly to keep in touch with family and friends. The beauty of these services is that they are easy to use and much more cost-effective than using the telephone. I like the immediacy of Messenger too.

The advantage to libraries would also be cost-effectiveness and online communication services like Google Talk and MSN Messenger would allow library users to ask a question and get an answer in real time.

Thing 21: Podcasts

Much like YouTube, the ability to download and listen to (or view) a variety of broadcast media via the web is another valuable teaching and learning tool. I have found an excellent series of libraryish podcasts produced by SirsiDynix on EPN (Education Podcast Network). The SirsiDynix Institute podcasts will add to my knowledge of many of the topics we've already covered in the 23 Things programme.

Thing 20: YouTube

YouTube is a great source for videos covering all subject areas. Remarkably, a search for "libraryish" picked-up a number of hits, some serious and some not so serious - like this film produced by Library staff at Harper College:


So let's hop on a library cart and take a tour...

These guys have given me a few ideas for our next round of student inductions... or at least voiced it in a way I'd like to be able to do it, but we'd never patronise our users in such an obvious way... would we?? On a more serious note, YouTube has huge potential as a teaching and learning tool and can add interest to presentations, though all things in moderation!

Thing 19: Wikis

If only I had a real Meerkat for a pet!

Adding a photo of my pet to the VU Wikibrary was straightforward, so all looks pretty simple to me! I've often thought that wikis could be a good way to allow a group of people who are based in different locations to view and edit the same information via the web. Having also used Google Docs, I think I would probably use that as a way to share documents, but wikis might be better for sharing non-text based materials.
More investigations may follow...!

Any reservations I have about wikis (and Wikipedia in particular) are linked to some of the issues mentioned in my previous post (Thing 18: Library 2.0) and the need for library & information professionals to advise their users that not everything they view online is correct. In my best libraryish manner; I always advise students, that if they must use Wikipedia, they should also check some other independent, peer-reviewed sources to be sure that the "facts" they are quoting are indeed correct.