Impressions of 2.0

For the most part, I found 2.0 to be quite useful and fun. I especially liked being introduced to Flickr and Blogs. S0me online applications and tools were particularly useful such as using free library cataloquing. It is good to be exposed to social software as it opens up a world that I'm sure many people aren't aware of. To work in a library setting and especially with young clients, I think it would be particularly useful to work with this software as it would definitely enhance their learning experience. Because many are using some of this software in their leisure time and with their communication, it is good to be aquainted with it so you are clued into that culture.

Browser tools

Firefox looks like a good bet if you want to block pop-ups. I was a little overwhelmed by the add-on selection. For many of them I wasn't too clued into what they were all about. I guess I could have read further on them but it all just seemed a little daunting. Morris booklets would definitely helpful when wanting to combine the library collection with Web research. It takes the step away of writing down or copy and pasteing search terms into Morris.

Gaming

I got a chance to try games on Pop Cap. Bookworm was kind of fun. I must admit I am not much of a games person. I prefer reading and working with my hands with other things like weaving, cooking and card making. To tell the truth, I have never really done any games on the computer in my life. I enjoy putting up Websites for others because there is a finished product that I usually get some recognition for. I can see where gameing would be very attractive to those who got into it. I guess I am sort of out of the loop when it comes to popular culture. Working with students, I think it is important to understand their culture and work with it. I can see where games are a big part of it and using something they enjoy to enhance their learning experience would be beneficial. I guess the trick is to successfully integrate academic rigor with this.

Online Social Networks

I checked out Facebook and MySpace. I'm not so sure about social networks. When I checked out MySpace, I found there were quite a few questionable characters posted in men aged 45-60. It kind of distresses me to see the part of the Internet that I find lacks integrity. It is a social anarchy which in some ways is good but some ways bad. I still find talking to people on the phone or face to face more to my liking than using the Internet. I don't know if that will ever change.

So far, I have tried google docs. It seems pretty straight forward. I had a little difficulty publishing to my Blog but then realized I had to do it on the Beta verson of blogger.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/creamykiwi/431377378/

Lynn's Spring Flowers from Adam's Market

IMGP2471
Originally uploaded by comiskl.