Blogpost #3 Wikis

Collaboration is a key ingredient in the learning process. Darlene Fichter explains in her article, "Using Wikis to support Online Collaboration in Libraries" how easy and beneficial it is to use wikis. It is an excellent tool for online collaboration. People are sharing or creating new information without having to be the "real author" of this information; they are able to add or delete any information to improve or reorganize the material. This seems as though it would be very helpful and foster collaborative efforts in both academic and business. We are able to help each other.

There is one thing that I find disturbing in using wikis. They might not be authoritative enough because anyone is able to add or delete information to a wiki. This information may or may not be true and it can be misleading to the reader. While working with students I would want to offer the most authentic and authoritative knowledge.

Wikis are here and another tool of technology that has proven interesting to learn about. I am passionate about team work and collaborative projects. By using this tool in libraries we may be able to accomplish more while using less time. I have looked at some of the suggested library wiki sites and plan on exploring more. It would be helpful to collaborate lesson plans between the classroom and the library online.

Blogpost #2 Podcasting

"Podcasting 101 for K-12 librarians" was refreshing to read. I work with students in these grades and want to keep as current as I can. There were many excellent ideas about ways to use podcasts and how to go about introducing them within a school. The format of the article was easy to read and understand. It seems that podcasting is new and what students enjoy. When they like what they are learning it makes teaching so much easier and rewarding. I also am eager to learn more about this area, so I found this article very informative. It gives a good, basic understanding using definitions and examples.

Using certain podcasts for research and various workshops seems to be an excellent use of time and money. We just need to sell this idea to the people who determin the budget. I do think if money was not an issue we would get so much more accompolished. Unfortunately, we must plan and make these issues our priorities. It is extremely important that librarians stay as current with technology so that we could better guide students with their studies. Podcasts seem useful and exciting today. Ipods and MP3 players are popular items and if students could learn through the use of this type of technology we should try to use it in teaching.