Assignment #10 - Library Thing

Played around with Library Thing. Very simple and easy to use. If I ever have the time, I will create a full blown "library" with at least a portion of my fairly sizable paper library.

Lesson #21 - Mashup Editors

I couldn't come up with two things I wanted to "mash", but I like the idea of combining two useful applications into one. I always feel like I don't have time to keep up with everything new coming out, and anything that can make my life simpler and easier is absolutely a good thing.

I especially liked Popurls: http://mashupawards.com/popurls/

Lesson #20 - Mashups

Went to the Mashup directory and browsed through some of the mashups. Spent a little time in the "Secret Fishing Holes" site and found a cool mashup of ACT scores comparisons of all 50 states.
Pretty cool...

http://www.1001seafoods.com/fishing/fishing-maps.php
http://www.mibazaar.com/education/actscores.html

Lesson #19 - Podcasts

Tried Yahoo first, but didn't have a lot of luck. Moved on to podcast.net. Searching for "information literacy", I found a podcast series called "Open Stacks" by Greg Schwartz. They are primarily news items related to librarianship Mr. Schwartz had come across. Interesting. I added a feed in my bloglines account and will keep an ear on it in future.

Lesson #18 - Video - Discover YouTube

YouTube rocks! ;-) It is very, very addictive and easy to get off track. I started out searching for videos that had something to do with librarianship and wound up 30 minutes later realizing that I was watching animation clips of how famous films should have ended. Hah! :-)

Lesson #17 - Processing Words on the Web

I chose Google Docs as the word processing app I would explore. GD compares favorably to Word, in my opinion, since Word really frustrates me at times, trying to be too helpful. GD is a little more basic and intuitive, at least to me.

Again, the collaborative features of GD are the main selling point for me, along with the ease of use in comparison to M-Office products. I think students will find this to be of great use as well.

Lesson #16 - Intro to Web Based Applications

Of the apps mentioned, I found Google Docs to be of the most interest. I have used it myself and it is a very easy to use and powerful application that lets you collaborate in real time. You can literally be editing one part of your document while a colleague is editing another at the same time. You can see the changes being made and can comment on them in real time.

This would be a great tool for our students, especially commuters or distance students. who want to work on group projects without having to travel to Richmond.

I don't think we have to implement or be users of every web 2.0 app that comes down the pike, but we should be aware of them and at least conversant in the major players, because our students are going to expect that, at least.