The End of the Wild Ride of 2.0

Whew! I have finally reached Thing #23 - the end of Learning 2.0. It has been 10 long weeks, and I can honestly say I'm glad it's over.

When I started this program, I was excited and very enthusiastic about learning new things I didn't know how to do (but envied those who did). I enjoyed setting up a Blog and learning how to add pictures, videos, and posts. I enjoyed learning about what the Web has to offer to help create images for those of us that are creativity-challenged. I liked the ease of RSS feeds.

I accomplished Learning 2.0 by keeping to my learning goals:

1. Begin with the end in mind. From the start, I knew I had to keep plugging away at this in order to earn the prize at the end. Earning a prize is a good motivational tool.

2. Accept responsibility for my own learning. No one else was going to be able to do these tasks for me; I had to be responsible for completing them on my own, and in my own time. I worked hard to keep up and not get behind. I did, however, get behind by 2 weeks during surgery, and I have to tell you, that getting behind and trying to catch up is not a good time. It's exhausting to get back on track.

What will I take away from this? Technology is easier than I thought. Time-consuming, but do-able.

Would I participate in another Discovery Program? I would make that decision after learning what it would involve and how much time would be needed to devote to the assignments.

In closing, I want to thank The Learning 2.0 Team for putting this together. I do think it was worthwhile.

Facebook & MySpace

I'm not sure about social networking over the Internet. Isn't social networking about face-to-face interaction? I don't understand how social networking can be accomplished successfully through cyberspace. Where's the "social" in posting pictures of yourself and making up stories about yourself while sitting alone on your couch tapping on your laptop? Social? I don't think so.

After reviewing Facebook and MySpace, I realize I'm in the minority of people who don't buy into this craze. Yes, it's nice to have your own "page" complete with photo and every boring detail of your life. But, do I really want strangers to know everything about me? Not really. I'm too private for that. In fact, I'm too private to have an "All About Me" page on these social sites. I think it's way too scary to put all my guarded information out there for some stalker to find me and make my life miserable. No thanks.

Social networking for libraries? I don't know. If we all had accounts, we would spend all our working hours updating our pages only to start over the next day. We could become consumed with chatting that our "real" work could be put on the back burner. However, if it was used as a way to stay in contact with what other libraries were doing in terms of innovation, and sharing ideas of what does or doesn't work, then perhaps it would benefit all.

Thoughts from others?

You Tube & Podcasts

You Tube is fun. One could spend endless (and mindless) hours perusing these videos. Some are good, some are goofy, and some are plain bad. GAWD AWFUL in fact. Obviously, people have too much time on their hands.

I did find one that I enjoyed, and I was able to add it to this blog. It's short, involves cats doing stupid things, and music. If you have time to read my entries, you have time to watch this video.

As for Podcasts, I can see where these would benefit almost everyone. Everyone who spends a lot of time glued to their computers. I think podcasting might take the place of TV-viewing. Anything to stay indoors and not exercise.

I was able to view a couple of podcasts related to fitness and running in Podcastalley.com and Yahoo Podcasts. Podcast.net wouldn't open on my PC, and created an IE error shutting down all my open browsers. So much for that.

Web 2.0 Awards

I perused the Short List. This list is good because it lists everything in one place. If I would ever want to use any of these tools, I could scan the short list for what I needed. I was proud of myself for recognizing names in this list. At least I've retained something from these exercises! Woo hoo.

Google Docs & Spreadsheets

By now you've probably read my first letter created by Google Docs & Spreadsheets. I found this exercise to be easier than previous exercises, but still time-consuming. While it's nice to know how to use GD&S's, I'm not sure it's something I would use on a regular basis. I don't find it any different than email, where I have lists already created. I suppose GD&S's would be good for attaching letters to blogs, but then I wouldn't need to use this "create" box, would I?

Greetings to all -

I'm experimenting here. This is my first document using Google Docs & Spreadsheets. I hope it works.

Since I'm not creative enough to think of something unique to discuss, I'll talk about Longaberger's Spirit Basket that is available in August. Afterall, I am the crazy basket lady of Alden.

The Team Spirit Basket is a customized basket designed and decorated for your favorite team. The Basket is actually the Lunch Box Basket, but what makes this basket unique is the trim strips and tack covers that you choose. Choose two colors for the double trim strip, say Gray in the background and red over-top and adding footballs as the tack cover - GO BUCKS! Or, White background and Green over-top with Volleyballs as tack covers - GO 'CATS! You get the idea. The possibilities are endless. Tack Strips are available in football, basketball, cheerleading, volleyball, Soccer, Musical Note, and Baseball. The Team Spirit Basket would make an excellent gift for any sports fan or musician in your family. Order now.... August will soon be over and these baskets will be a thing of the past.

Debi