We had a look at the Web 2.0 Awards short list and chose the catagories of Blog Guides and Video. From these we then chose and examined Technorati and YouTube. We decided to do a keyword search in Technorati in order to identify blogs on library user education. We tried using the phrase "university library user education" as well as "university library literacy" but in both cases we found nothing. We then tried the term "library literacy" which found one relevant site. As in any searching it is important to use the right term or the most common term used by others.
We think that the simple search interface on YouTube as well as the fact that there is no need for third party software makes it a good forum in which to share videos with others. This could represent an opportunity for libraries to make available user education videos to their customers that will be easily accessible. YouTube is probably better known to students than other video sharing sites. This would be a simpler way for students to search and access library user education or library literacy.
What have you personally learned from this program?
We have become familiar with various examples of Web 2.0 technology ranging from blogs, wikis, RSS feeds, podcasts and videos. We have learned how they are defined and their characteristics. We have used many of these technologies and examined their relevance to libraries as part of our blog.
What have you learned about yourself, others and the organisation in which you work?
We have learned that by careful application and attention to detail over time, these technologies can be understood and applied. We also found that by teamwork and joint effort we were able to share ideas and further strengthen our understanding of Web 2.0.
What was the most important skill you have learned and why?
We discovered a common thread of these technologies which is the ability for users to generate information and share it with others. This principle can be applied to the creation of blogs, wikis or videos. The ability to establish RSS feeds was also extremely important because this drew more of the technologies such as blogs, wikis and library databases together in a form useful for library users.
What action will you now take if any?
The most important action will need to be much practice with these technologies. Practice will also involve examining the relevance of the technologies to the library and its users.
Would students use these technologies as part of the library's online environment?
Students may use these technologies providing the library clearly provides useful, relevant and interesting information. This information could cover library services, user education and current information on available resources. Students would need to be provided with clearly identifiable and simple access points to this information. This would apply whether it be access to blogs or RSS feeds or to interactive features of the catalogue.
Is there some specific technology that you would like to see ECU library adopt?
It would be a good idea for the library to generate a blog containing current information on new services and resources. This could be made available by an RSS feed that would keep the user up to date with developments in the library.
We think that the simple search interface on YouTube as well as the fact that there is no need for third party software makes it a good forum in which to share videos with others. This could represent an opportunity for libraries to make available user education videos to their customers that will be easily accessible. YouTube is probably better known to students than other video sharing sites. This would be a simpler way for students to search and access library user education or library literacy.
What have you personally learned from this program?
We have become familiar with various examples of Web 2.0 technology ranging from blogs, wikis, RSS feeds, podcasts and videos. We have learned how they are defined and their characteristics. We have used many of these technologies and examined their relevance to libraries as part of our blog.
What have you learned about yourself, others and the organisation in which you work?
We have learned that by careful application and attention to detail over time, these technologies can be understood and applied. We also found that by teamwork and joint effort we were able to share ideas and further strengthen our understanding of Web 2.0.
What was the most important skill you have learned and why?
We discovered a common thread of these technologies which is the ability for users to generate information and share it with others. This principle can be applied to the creation of blogs, wikis or videos. The ability to establish RSS feeds was also extremely important because this drew more of the technologies such as blogs, wikis and library databases together in a form useful for library users.
What action will you now take if any?
The most important action will need to be much practice with these technologies. Practice will also involve examining the relevance of the technologies to the library and its users.
Would students use these technologies as part of the library's online environment?
Students may use these technologies providing the library clearly provides useful, relevant and interesting information. This information could cover library services, user education and current information on available resources. Students would need to be provided with clearly identifiable and simple access points to this information. This would apply whether it be access to blogs or RSS feeds or to interactive features of the catalogue.
Is there some specific technology that you would like to see ECU library adopt?
It would be a good idea for the library to generate a blog containing current information on new services and resources. This could be made available by an RSS feed that would keep the user up to date with developments in the library.
