Thing # 23 - reflection

This has been a sharp, but fun, learning curve for me. By doing the Learning 2.0 program I have benefited by learning about web applications that are available on the Internet. Some I had never heard of before, others heard of but not interested in finding out further information about them as I thought they would be too difficult to learn.

RSS feeds and newsreaders was something that I thought would be difficult. I'm certainly glad that I learnt how easy it actually is to subscribe to a feed and I now have a whole list of useful feeds that I browze through on a regular basis.

I also really liked Flickr since I like photography. I think this is a great site with so much to offer.

This program has assisted my lifelong learning as it has shown me different tools and applications that I can use in my studies. I also use these things in my personal life now. I have benefited from doing this program by having my knowledge base expanded considerably.

Unexpected outcomes from doing this program, I would have to say I was quite surprised to find out how easy all the tasks were to do and just how useful these web 2.0 tools have proven to be. I am far away from being an expert on these applications but I am surprised with just how much I learnt during this journey.

I like the Learning 2.0 format and concept (combining podcasts with text was great) and I don't think it needs to be changed. It worked well for me, especially getting participants to blog about their experiences while doing the program. A great example of incidental learning.

If another discovery program like this was run again I would consider joining in. My learning journey has after all, just begun.

Thanks Helene Blowers, for designing this program and leaving it online long after PLCMC's staff had finished, as it has helped me to develop new knowledge and skills.

Thanks also to my TAFESA library studies lecturer, who had us research this program and the 8 topics that are the 23 things, for "Use, Evaluate and Extend Own Information Literacy skills." I have certainly extended my skills.

Audiobooks

I was not able to create an account for NetLibrary since I am not a staff member nor do I have a library card for PLCMC. I did have a look at the list of audiobooks supplied by the link "downloadable eAudiobooks" and found a James Patterson book first up (one of my favourite authors).

NetLibrary provides a wonderful service for those requiring audiobooks. However, I must say they are not something I would require for personal use. I would much rather read a book than listen to one. That being said, I know there are a lot of people, including people with vision impairments, who really like audiobooks. So NetLibrary offers a service that would be quite popular.

Podcasts

I had a look at a few podcast directories that were listed for this site. Found an interesting podcast put out by justonemorebook.com. This was an interesting site that does podcasts about a children's books, interviews with authors, play reviews and promotes books that users may not have heard of previously. These book review podcasts are done by Nancy Pearl. I thought the one she did on "Throw like a girl" short stories by Jean Thompson was excellent and I am going to see if this book is available in my local library. I added an RSS feed for Nancy Pearl's podcasts to my bloglines account.

By using Podscope, I found a podcast by Bill Thompson on The Bookcast, in which he was talking about the ALA Conference. He interviewed people promoting their products at the conference and discussed how digital America's libraries are becoming and how technology has added new services that libraries can offer. Google was also represented at this conference and he talked about how Google makes a good partner for libraries. Interesting stuff.

My computer is not the best at the moment so I am not even going to attemp to make my own podcast.