Holey dooley - that list of Google products and services is huge! I'm looking forward to exploring some of them, and then showing my team at school. Hopefully I won't just be learning about them, but I will actually USE some of the options available!
Anyway I've been playing with Google Docs. I've tried to share a file that was already created, and one that I just created then and there. I invited my friend Simon to share these files - but I need to see if it actually worked. When I see him next we can experiment a bit more with Google Docs. I'd like him to share something with me so I can see how that works too.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
#4 Web 2.0
I think I understand what Web 2.0 is all about. It is simply the new website/internet technology that makes me feel old.
When I was in high school I did computing. Our class was one of the first where computing was offered, and I remember going through Uni feeling like I was quite up to date in the computing world. When I started teaching in 1994 all the teachers around me were much older and made me feel like a computer genius compared to them! They would say things like "You young people are so lucky to have grown up with computers and know how to use them. We don't understand a thing about them!"
So I would show them how to use a word processor and send emails and teach them how to borrow a book using the Alice library management system.
And now I have turned into one of them! Our "young people" have grown up using new and fantastic ways of using technology, and I somehow forgot to keep up with it all! I think Web 2.0 is a term that means "the stuff Pamela doesn't know how to do yet".
Anyway on a different note, I was also checking out the Library 2.0 links provided in #4, and there were things I agree with and don't agree with.
I agree that my job is to help people find what they need and to help make libraries more interactive places. I'm sure this course will help me do that, even if I start with something simple like getting my kids to write book reviews on my library catalogue. That would be making my catalogue more interactive I guess.
But I've also been reading about the "libraries without books" debate. I don't think we will ever have libraries without books. Books may take a back seat to technology, but there will never be libraries without books. Not in my lifetime anyway. There is just something so enjoyable about having a book in your hands that no computer will ever be able to replace.
Just like I could choose to go and buy a cake from the shops because it is far easier and quicker than baking, but there is still something very satisfying about making a cake from scratch. Or hand-sewing your own clothes or quilts. I truly believe that while traditional hobbies/methods may never be as popular (or necessary!) as in the past, there are people in the world who will choose to do them simply for the enjoyment of it! No, books will never be gone from our shelves.
One last thing I have discovered about Web 2.0 - blogging is a great way to have a good old natter to someone, or no-one, and I don't even mind if no-one ever looks at it! (Sorry Fiona, I know it is your job to read our blogs, so I apologise for the drivel!)
When I was in high school I did computing. Our class was one of the first where computing was offered, and I remember going through Uni feeling like I was quite up to date in the computing world. When I started teaching in 1994 all the teachers around me were much older and made me feel like a computer genius compared to them! They would say things like "You young people are so lucky to have grown up with computers and know how to use them. We don't understand a thing about them!"
So I would show them how to use a word processor and send emails and teach them how to borrow a book using the Alice library management system.
And now I have turned into one of them! Our "young people" have grown up using new and fantastic ways of using technology, and I somehow forgot to keep up with it all! I think Web 2.0 is a term that means "the stuff Pamela doesn't know how to do yet".
Anyway on a different note, I was also checking out the Library 2.0 links provided in #4, and there were things I agree with and don't agree with.
I agree that my job is to help people find what they need and to help make libraries more interactive places. I'm sure this course will help me do that, even if I start with something simple like getting my kids to write book reviews on my library catalogue. That would be making my catalogue more interactive I guess.
But I've also been reading about the "libraries without books" debate. I don't think we will ever have libraries without books. Books may take a back seat to technology, but there will never be libraries without books. Not in my lifetime anyway. There is just something so enjoyable about having a book in your hands that no computer will ever be able to replace.
Just like I could choose to go and buy a cake from the shops because it is far easier and quicker than baking, but there is still something very satisfying about making a cake from scratch. Or hand-sewing your own clothes or quilts. I truly believe that while traditional hobbies/methods may never be as popular (or necessary!) as in the past, there are people in the world who will choose to do them simply for the enjoyment of it! No, books will never be gone from our shelves.
One last thing I have discovered about Web 2.0 - blogging is a great way to have a good old natter to someone, or no-one, and I don't even mind if no-one ever looks at it! (Sorry Fiona, I know it is your job to read our blogs, so I apologise for the drivel!)
Saturday, February 20, 2010
First Blog
Hi there. I apologise for having such a boring title for my first blog! You'd think I could think of something a bit more exciting... but no.
Anyway just a quick introduction. My name is Pamela and I am the teacher librarian in a large school in Canberra. I'm doing this course because I am so far behind in technology, and I'm sure there is much more I could be doing for our students and teachers.
I have the help and support of our IT coordinator, Simon, which is very lucky. After receiving the first email on Monday I couldn't go any further - the blog site was blocked. Simon had to put in the request for it to be unblocked - which took the department until Friday afternoon!
I have recently found out I won a job in Hong Kong, which starts in August, so I'm sure doing this course will be very helpful for my new job. I'm really excited about going!
Looking forward to the next email
:-)
Anyway just a quick introduction. My name is Pamela and I am the teacher librarian in a large school in Canberra. I'm doing this course because I am so far behind in technology, and I'm sure there is much more I could be doing for our students and teachers.
I have the help and support of our IT coordinator, Simon, which is very lucky. After receiving the first email on Monday I couldn't go any further - the blog site was blocked. Simon had to put in the request for it to be unblocked - which took the department until Friday afternoon!
I have recently found out I won a job in Hong Kong, which starts in August, so I'm sure doing this course will be very helpful for my new job. I'm really excited about going!
Looking forward to the next email
:-)
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