23 things review

What a great training program - it took this boomer a while to get used to the independent online learning thing - remember I went to library school back in the dark ages with nothing but lectures and lots of papers that had to be TYPED!!!!

What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
Creating a blog - always wanted to do it but thought it would be difficult to start and keep up. It took me a while to find my "voice" and now I'm hooked. Also liked the Play Week, Wikis and YouTube (really hooked on that one!)

How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
Before this program, I felt that I was getting too close to retirement and did not need to learn anything new - felt like a jaded boomer librarian. 23 things encouraged me to learn new things and feel comfortable in the online learning format - will continue to take online classes and use the tutorials from YouTube and other programs.

Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
How easy it was to embed a video, add a gadget, and spiff up your blog.

What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
Create a community blog for participants to share their knowledge, excitement, etc. I found it difficult to read all of the individual blogs from this program.

And last but not least…
If we offered another discovery program like this in the future, would you again chose to participate?
Yes - when will it begin!

Thanks to the 23 Things team and Ramiro for offering this new learning experience!

Downloadable media

This is one of the lessons that I completed in 2007 when the library added downloadable media from OverDrive and NetLibrary. In fact, Robert Beebe and I worked with the vendors to bring downloadable media to the library.

NetLibrary/Recorded Books has a new format - Media Center - where you can download directly to your device without the hassle of using Windows Media Player. You can't download the Media Center on the library computers - you need administrator rights. Try this at home:

Go to http://www.netlibrary.com/MediaCenter/Download.aspx and login
For some unknown reason, the Media Center download did not automatically start. Look at Step 1 and click on start the download again.
Go through the installation process.
There should be a Media Center icon installed on your desktop.
Click on the icon and you will enter a great new interface for the Recorded Book downloadables.

I love downloadable media - the greatest thing since the Mickey Mouse Club song!

Podcasts

Spent a lot of time last night looking at podcast directories and downloaded NPR podcasts on
books and classical music and some of their radio programs - Fresh Air, All Things Considered and more.

I also tried the other podcast directories listed in the 23 things but did not like their layout and formats. Did a google search and found Podcast.com - like the format and quality of podcasts.

Did you know that AALS has podcasts?

YouTube continues

Wow - this boomer is very happy. Searched through Yahoo and Google video sites and for events and favorite TV programs from my early boomer years - Van Cliburn winning the First Tchaikowsky Competition in 1958 (my hero), President Kennedy's funeral (still get tears in my eyes), John Glenn orbiting the earth (what an event), and the Mickey Mouse Club with Annette, Bobby, Darlene (please don't laugh too much!).




My favorite video site is Google - like the layout and find it easier to do all of this 2.0 stuff with one vendor and logon.

YouTube

Really like the Photoshop tutorials though I am still using Photoshope Elements - too cheap to purchase the real thing....

These tutorials are provide short descriptions of the Photoshop task with examples of what to do (and not to do) to improve your photos or create new effects. I can envision youtube videos on our new web site to help patrons place holds, check their accounts, use CMS, etc. Also useful for staff training on the Intranet or a wiki (is that possible?)

I know that you always wanted to learn how to use Photoshop Curves....

2.0 Toolbox

Enjoyed looking at the variety of programs on the Web 2.0 Awards list. Some of my favorites are:

I tried to create a free account to use some of the forms but experienced network timeout problems. I will keep trying - liked the personal forms especially the ones for diets and fitness.

I was instantly drawn to this web tool - need to be on the lookout for program ideas for the 2010 TLA Conference. This site provides information on a wide variety of conferences. There were six conferences listed under libraries - none held in the U.S. But you can attend the Mom 2.0 Summit in Houston - "Join social media insiders, industry leaders and influential bloggers in sharing best practices. Discuss ways to create smarter web-based marketing, and discover social media tools that engage your audience and build relationships." Or for baby boomers, like moi, you can attend the 7th Annual World Congress on Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine - "This international conference coming to Orlando in April, 2009 is an opportunity to learn about the latest advances in anti-aging and regenerative medicine form renowned experts."

Added the Web 2.0 Awards on my delicious account.....

Online apps

Uploaded a Central Telephone Directory spreadsheet to Google Docs, made some changes and shared it with some of my staff. Again, online apps are easy to use and great for collaboration for library committees and projects.

If anyone is interested, I will share the Central Telephone Directory - it was up-to-date as of 1/28/09.

Can you tell that this boomer is trying to complete the 23 things at the last minute......