Bone 15: Digg

I don't really dig Digg--mainly because I am becoming more concerned with the concept of freely labeling any website that allows people to post their opinions as "social". But never mind, just my own eye-rolling at the appalling grammar and sentence structure used by people. Digg looks likes the thesis project of some graduate student who is trying to cover all the bases to get a good grade. I feel like way too much information (and advertising) was being thrown at me at one time. Again, as a news site, I began to question what is news-worthy. Some of what is listed for entertainment, lifestyle, and sports has questionable value for enlightening, inspiring, and boardening of the mind. And even more distrubing are some of the comments posted in these three genres, once again causing me to question "social". As a saving grace, Digg does have critical news stories from more global perspective sources, such as the BBC, MSN World, etc., where more thought provoking comments are provided. The "social" aspect of voting and participating in a discussion is really stretching the meaning of social. I did like being able to quickly search a subject (even subjects with a narrow audience) for news, like Wales or castles; and even better, I could quickly search for videos. However, I could have just as easily Googled or gone to Youtube. Perhaps Digg works for other people, but for elementary students it does not have much potential. For me, I will add it to my list of places to research information, but I won't be getting "social".
LKO

Bone 14: Delicious

I had to work a little for this bone as I found myself having to constantly login into the site to add bookmarks. The tagging is fun and I can see students (and adults) relating it to keywords--keywords that you get to choose. For teachers, this could be a powerful tool for sharing resources, which is mostly what I did for my bookmarks. The automatically imported bookmarks from my email I find annoying and would not encourage this step, but adding bookmarks is cool and meaningful. Every year I do a staff presentation (with handouts) which includes popular teacher lesson websites, and then get requests for months for "what was the website for ______ lessons?". Now, I can bookmark all these popular sites and just email my Delicious address over and over and over. Much easier. I believe I will grow to like the site.
LKO

http://delicious.com/Denver23

Bone 13: Tagging

Does tagging belong in the library? Does it replace or complement subject headings? Should we encourage or discourage the practice?

I believe that any system that allows a person to organize is a good thing; therefore, tagging is a good thing. Many of the blogs that I frequent use tagging and it makes navigating their blogs easier when I am searching for information. Since more school districts are going to individual student computer logins where a student can set up their own files, icons, etc., then tagging would be great since it allows for a personalized system of organization. They can label and group information in a way that makes sense to them. So, for infomation that students find in the Library and want to save/use, sure they should be able to tag any way they want. Should the Library catalog that is accessible to the general public? No, I believe it must continue with a formal format they most people are familiar with, i.e. Dewey. Does tagging replace subject headings? No, because personal tagging is too nebulous in meaning, terminology, etc. Can tagging complement subject headings? Sure, because to me, it would be like a mindweb which could lead a person into new ideas, connections, and research. Should Librarians encourage or discourage? As long as the tagging can be done on a personal level that does not influence the main Library catalog or another patron, then it should be encouraged. However, just because I tag something a certain way does not make it right or wrong, it's just the way my brain organizes information and that probably would not make a lot of sense to someone else. In some ways, this is like the tagging seen on the sides of train cars, building, and bathroom stalls. It means something to someone, but not everyone. LKO

Bone 12: Twitter

Oh, no! Not another social network--is this all Web 2.0 really has to offer? Does our society really need this and have that much to say? What happens when the novelty wears off? I am losing track of all my usernames, passwords, codes, etc., so needless to say I am not thrilled about Twitter and having to set up an account (which is set up for my dog). It makes me think about an episode of The Big Bang Theory were Sheldon talks about everyone knows he moves his bowels at 8:20 a.m. and Leonard replies, "What did we ever do before Twitter?". Which is mostly all I have seen on Twitter. A friend of mine has a twenty-something son and I have been following his Tweets on his blog. One entry was: (his name) Sweats. That's it. He sweats. Now, I realize it is meant to be funny and he is a funny guy, but did it need to be said? So much for enlightened thought.

I do not see Twitter having any application at the elementary school level. And I know my school district will never allow Twitter because of "acceptable use" policies. Personally, I know I can live without Twitter-it's cute but not a necessity.


If you would like to Tweet my dog: https://twitter.com/DenverOwens. Do it soon as this account will be gone soon.

LKO

Bone 11: IM on AIM

Instant Messaging, or IM, has been a Web 2.0 thing I have participated in for many years. In fact, my students used it over a decade ago for homework help when I was online. It cracked me up when the little box would appear asking to accept their question, which I always did. Boy, did it spread like wildfire when students found out I would IM--then I started getting IMs from students that were not even in my class, but needed help with assignments. Then came IMs from parents checking up on their student's progress. So, I have always found IM to be fun, especially when students would used their texting abbreviations and I would spend hours trying to figure them out. I can remember the first time a student used LOL--after many hours trying to decipher LOL, I had to ask the student in a later conversation for the meaning--he still laughs about it today. Teachers, couselors, Librarians, and other staff could be IM live accessible at certain times and messages could always be left for them. This could be a cool school idea.
I use AOL's AIM and can be reached at LOKOESL.
GG AFK LKO

Bone Ten: Ning

I find Ning very repetitive--it's like Facebook all over again--maybe with more bells and whistles. Ning offers people a forum to express themselves and I was able to find a lot of blogs, pictures, links, and videos to support this expression. Again, the content ranges from very construstive projects, such as the Kahani Movement, to people with way too much time on their hands, or the one group that said to join or they would break your knees. Although I do not agree with censorship, some of the content I have seen may make me change my mind. Also, the need to borrow so much, example Youtube videos, instead of original work, information, discussion, etc. I begin to question why there is this need to express so much, and I am grateful that if was not assigned to make an account in Ning.
LKO

Bone Nine: Facebook 2

Well, shopping around for Facebook friends and groups is very hard for the private people. I finally decided to join the following groups: ALA, TLA, and German Shepherds. The sites were interesting, easy to read, but I think I could have gotten just as much usable information from their websites. From the German Shepherd site, a popular blog topic was best type of dog food. Dog Food. I guess asking dog park friends, their vet, dog walker, K-9 trainer, or Humane Society never occured to these owners. I am still waiting to see if someone from these groups contacts me, or to see if I can free up more time to read their blogs. I have received messages on my Facebook from people I went to high school with, which is cracking me up as my dog's name is on the account--gee, I wonder if these people remember the bari sax player? It certainly wasn't my dog Denver. It's probably just me, but I just don't see the excitement to all this.
LKO