#12 reflections on the learning 2.0 program

I've enjoyed this Learning 2.0 program. It has been good to feel encouraged to devote time to investigating all these whiz-bang web2.0 thingies that we hear so much about. While most of the Web tools investigated were ones I was already somewhat familiar with, it has been helpful to take the time to look a bit closer, and to reflect on how they could be used in a library context.

I like that the program we followed focused on just a few of the most popular and relevant trends and sites, and that the focus was on considering the potential for application within a library. The format of the program combining workshops, self-paced exploration, and blog sharing also worked well for me. I enjoyed being able to explore at my own pace, delving into more detail when the fancy took me, but also being able to refer to the other participant blogs, suggested readings or the workshops for alternative perspectives on the tools being considered. Blogging also encouraged me to think more deeply and reflectively about the program.

My biggest reservation about the program is that it focuses very heavily on building awareness of particular Web2.0 tools and sites as opposed to building the habits and skills that might support the continued use and exploration of Web2.0 tools more generally.

The knowledge that sets apart those who are "good with computers" from those who class themselves as technophobes relates less to fixed knowledge of particular programs, devices or sites than to knowledge of how to probe, how to test, how to play, and how to find out more. Computer technologies and the internet evolve so quickly that there is much more value in knowing how to find out how to use something than in just knowing how to use it.

Theoretically the learning 2.0 program fosters these skills by providing the tools to play with, and the space and encouragement to play. But I worry that anyone relatively uncomfortable with computers, with limited interest in the internet, and with a pressing workload, would be resistant to playing with Web2.0, when they have so many other things to do. Perhaps then the program could begin by outlining the real benefits of taking the time to explore and play, even when you don't know exactly what you will learn, or why it might be relevant.

Finally, if staff are to devote time to learning about Web2.0 they need to feel that they will be trusted to apply what they have learnt. There is great potential to use Web2.0 tools to promote library collections, to teach research skills and to share all kinds of library related information both with library users and with other professionals, but initiative can easily be stifled if even simple ideas must pass through several committees to gain approval. I think it would be wonderful if all staff who have completed the Learning2.0 program were granted a blanket Web2.0 license. That way we could experiment with SLV subject and collection blogs, with Flickr commons, or how-to videos, without everything needing to pass through complicated approvals processes. I think that libraries can only fully embrace the potential of web2.0 technologies if they really trust their staff and give them the freedom to experiment.

#11 my best of the rest

I find the chart of winners of the SEOmoz Web 2.0 awards overwhelming. Well over 100 sites are mentioned, but I only have the name and category of each to guide me as to whether I want to investigate further. And of course when I do investigate further Inevitably I discover that many of these award winners don't offer Australian service. Annoying.

To supplement the SEOmoz list, I went searching for an Australian list. BRW provided a list of 100 Australian web 2.0 tools and sites. And I like the fact that this list provides a short but helpful description of each. But this list is limited to tools which are "significantly Australian" (whatever that means), not everything available in this country. So I'm making my own list, drawing on the two lists mentioned, and other sites I know and like.

Sites I've used and find useful or interesting:
-Google Maps and Google Earth for geographic information
-Geni for recording and sharing family history info (I set up the beginnings of a family tree on Geni last year while familiarising myself with genealogical research, and relatives from England, Scotland and the US have all continued to add to it since)
-Facebook for keeping up with friends, acquaintances, colleagues and family wherever they might be. Along with Geni, Facebook has contributed to my getting to know my extended family better, as they are all outside of Australia.
-Go2web20 a very handy index to web applications. Great for finding that web tool that you need and hope someone somewhere has created.
-Powerhouse Museum's new collection search.
-Booko an Australian online book/dvd shop meta-search site. Very handy for finding the best price.

Sites I've not really used, but think deserve more exploration:
-Lulu for self publishing
-RedBubble: allows anyone to share their visual artworks or writings, and to sell them as t-shirts, mugs, calendars etc to others
-Street Advisor: tap into local knowledge, and find the streets and suburbs to choose or avoid. (I do wonder how many reviewers are in the process of selling their homes, but an interesting idea.)
-BugMeNot: allows web users to avoid compulsory registrations by sharing BugMeNot's own set of logins.
-Feedity: create RSS feeds from any webpage

YouTube

Potentially YouTube could be very useful for libraries as a teaching aid. I think we could create handy little 30 second to 5 minute how-to clips on doing all sorts of library activities, (such as how to put money on your library card, print from the internet PCs, or use the catalogues and databases to find scholarly articles). I know that for a user this library is huge, complex, overwhelming and maze-like. YouTube videos scattered appropriately on our website could really help some new library users to familiarise themselves with our systems and services. They would also be tools that people could return to when they've forgotten those confusing steps that a librarian patiently took them through, but which they can't quite recall. So, the library could also have a YouTube channel of how-to videos for visitors/users to view.

I also sometimes like it when YouTube clips are added to presentations or training sessions, (as long as the material is relevant, engaging and short).

However, I don't enjoy YouTube as a site to browse. I find it clumsy to search or navigate the site, compared to Flickr for example which I enjoy exploring, and which makes excellent use of tagging and sets to aid navigation.

tricksy technology

Technology is logical. Follow the steps correctly and technology will do your bidding. It cannot be temperamental or irrational, and lacks the will required to decide to be uncooperative just for fun.

Theoretically.

In reality, technology tends to be plagued by "temporary glitches" and unexplained quirks that often give the impression that technology is both moody and malicious, and certainly not logical.

For example, when I tried using the automatic blogging tool in flickr to post pictures to my blog it all seemed to go smoothly. It took a couple of attempts to get the sizing right, but after a little tinkering I had the posts just how I wanted, including that the information about the source of the images appeared below the pictures. But then, within minutes, and without my input, the captions disappeared. And I cannot get them back. I've tried editing the posts, but the captions appear in the previews, just not on the actual blog posts. I just cannot figure it out. Grrrr.

I understand (but I could be completely wrong) that this happens because Web technologies rely on complex code. A little mistake in the code here or there means that unexpected mistakes happen, and this is to be expected. Users need to be understanding and patient. But it will help users to be understanding and patient if we are not fed the line that technology is always logical. Technology is tricksy and complicated. It offers some great benefits, but it can also be unreliable, incomprehensible and sometimes unworkable. If you tell people too often to expect that technologies are easy to use, logical and reliable, they will naturally assume that if they can't make them work it must be because they are "not technically minded". And then they may well avoid using them at all.

So, I retract my opening statements. Technology is not logical. Learn to love the "temporary glitches".

Embedding a video

This is my attempt at embedding a clip from YouTube onto this blog. Will this work?



Yes, it did work!

Sleeping cat with soldier, 1915

Sleeping cat with soldier, 1915, originally uploaded by Australian War Memorial collection.

This photograph is from the wonderful "animals and war" set created by the Australian War Memorial, within the Commons on flickr.

I'm on flickr

Corner of Vincent St, Daylesford, originally uploaded by marshalljulia21.

I decided to upload some photos to Flickr myself, partly as a way of backing up some of my favourite pictures in case of hard-drive failure. So, I now have a Flickr photostream.

And I'm using the automatic "Blog this photo" process from flickr to add this to my blog.

#9 Flickr

I love this Lego public library by Teddy (Johan), and found on Flickr. It makes me want to try to build a Lego version of SLV.

on productivity

I enjoyed this short post by Google's Matt Cutts on how to boost productivity levels.

not the thing for me #8

I've had another look at Library Thing, having first set up an account a couple of years ago, and then ignored it. I just don't really get much out of it, despite the fact that I enjoy reading, discussing what I've read, and hearing about good reads discovered by others. Again, it is a case of one more thing to log in and out of, for relatively little benefit, when (as the badges say) I'd rather be reading.

But if other people enjoy using it, I don't see any harm in adding Library Thing reviews to catalogue records, as many libraries are now doing. And it is potentially very useful for very small libraries as a cataloguing tool.

the future of museums (and perhaps libraries)

A couple of interesting podcasts (part 1, part 2) from Radio National about the future of museums (and libraries) are currently available online. They look at the impact of Web2.0 and digitization projects, amongst other topics.

Store Wars

If you are either an organics fan or a Star Wars fan, (or perhaps both), you might enjoy this little video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVrIyEu6h_E

A great example of using Web2.0 as a fun way to get across an important message.