Conclussion and Self Assessment

As the end of our lovely 5720 class draws near, I realize that I have learned quite a bit.  In the beginning, I didn’t realize there were so many technology tools out their readily available for us to use.  I was somewhat familiar with podcasts and blogs, but I never learned to use them or realized their potential in the library.  I learned about different websites for tagging and gathering information that will be useful in my library.  I especially liked the Diigo website that allowed you to tag other websites and information to keep the information and sites you gathered in a centralized location. In my library, I could have the students use their Diigo accounts to tag different reviews, books, and information that they find about a specific author or genre depending on the assignment given.  Another very helpful tool that I learned about in class was the Personal Information Space through netvibes.com.  I feel like this is an expanded version of your favorites that you have on the internet.  But, it is much better and much more customizable.  Students, as well as teachers, would be able to use this for their personal interests, as well as their educational interests. I would have an informational session at the beginning of the year with the classes to inform them of these great resources they can use throughout the year.  I would, also, make sure they are able to use these tools during their tenure at the school.  I will create a library Netvibes space to keep relevant information for students and teachers in one centralized location. In the future, I will be a part of the technology community through blogs and other social networking sites to keep up with what is new in the Web 2.0 world.

The Job of Organizing

I don't believe that there really are any implications for librarians if everyone can organize information.  I believe that everyone should be able to organize the information that they need.  If everyone were able to organize their information, we would be a less chaotic world.  Just because everyone can organize their information, doesn't mean librarians become obsolete.  There still needs to be someone there that can help you find information, someone who can help disseminate the information, and someone who can help manage the information.  Just because you can organize information doesn't mean that you are getting the information that you want, or using the best possible outlets for your information.  Librarians are trained to the max to know about different ways to access information and different technologies to express that information.  An example of a piece of technology that I did not know much about, but librarians have dealt with, is diigo.com.  It allows you to organize the information that you encounter online, and have it in a centralized location where you can bookmark, highlight, add notes, and send to other people to share.  So, no, librarians will never be obsolete.

The Machines Are Us/Using Us

When I viewed the video, I was profoundly moved. I had never thought of how easily things can be changed on a computer. Yeah, you can change things on a piece of paper by either using an eraser or using using white out. But, it's not the same; it comes out sloppy looking usually and takes awhile. With the computer it is nearly instantaneous and there is virtually no proof of what was once there. I believe that he named the video such because its easy how interchangeably these phrases are. We use the machines to get our work done or to communicate with others. However, the machines are using us to keep the world connected virtually.  In every way that we use the machines, the machines are using is exactly the same way. We are both equal parts of the equation. Without one, there cannot exist connectivity.

QR Codes in My Library

At first I was very confused about QR codes.  It wasn’t until good old CSI New York explained it to me.  It made so much sense after that. As soon as I watched the clip and understood QR codes, I couldn’t stop thinking about different things that I could use them for.  I initially thought of using QR codes for movie trailers for books made into movies such as Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Lightning Thief.  You could also have two QR codes in close proximity to one another; one for the book and one for the movie that is based on the book.   I think that this would really be helpful in the library because kids are more likely to want to watch a movie than read a book; but if you combine the two then you can show the kids how books are different and how much better they are.  I also thought about using QR codes for programs that the library is offering.  For instance, the Denton Public Library puts on a Summer Reading Program.  As far as creating a QR code for it, you could create one for the webpage that has all the information about the program and what prizes you can win for reading.  I think that QR codes are so intriguing to students that they would want to scan them and figure out what information they can find. It is almost like a treasure hunt with wonderful, mysterious prizes at the end.

Individual Technology Assessment

Well currently I am not an educator, so I have no serious experience in the classroom.   What I feel I would bring to the classroom as far as technology goes is limited.  I could know so much more about technology then I do at the moment.  I feel like there is so much software out there that can be beneficial in the classroom; however I have not been introduced to it.  I will definitely be searching for new technologies and software to bring to the classroom before I enter it.  I believe that as an educator you can always learn while you are in the classroom as well, so I will always be on the lookout for new things.  What I can bring as far as technology goes is the use of mp3 players as audio book players.  Children can learn listening skills as well as different writing styles by listening to audio books.  It works even better when you have the book in front of you to help get a better visual.  I have recently purchased a Nook which I have absolutely fallen in love with.  I still love books, but I think that my Nook is wonderful as well.  I could bring the use of eReaders to the classroom through either simply the software such as the Nook software or through the actual eReaders by allowing my students to check them out during down times.  I feel that there are so many possibilities when it comes to eReaders.