Blogs, podcasts, wikis, webcomics, and social networks are just a few of the ingredients of today's technology-rich library programs. This session explores a dozen key technologies along with important issues and practical strategies for their use. How will you "spice up" your program with emerging technology?
Programmatic Reasons for Technology
It's easy to get caught up in the "coolness" of technology, so it's essential that we step back and look at programmatic reasons for infusing technology. Let's explore two questions that school, academic, public, and special libraries are facing:
- How can technology help us address specific needs?
- In what ways, can technology generate interest and enthusiasm in our programs?
Recipes for Success: Specific Technologies for Specific Needs
Have you noticed how many things have changed with the introduction of technology? Let's say you need to create a dessert for a luncheon. Instead heading to your recipe book, you might use AllRecipes.com and take photos of your results to share on Flickr.
Begin by determining the needs...
- Am I meeting the needs of today's children, college students, and/or adult patrons?
- How can technology be used to address the needs of today's citizen?
- Can I recruit new patrons through the use of technology?
- How can I use technology to engage today's technology saavy young people?
In this section of the workshop, we'll explore six specific technologies that will address specific needs.
1 - Need for Outreach
Needs
- I'd like an easy way to find out what's happening at the library.
- I want to stay in touch with parents who are busy and don't attend school functions.
- We have a large school, so I need a way to connect with all of my teachers.
Solutions
- Use blogs for ongoing connections, news, and comments.
Technologies
- Microblogging
- very simple without many bells and whistles
- Posterous - email your photos, video, MP3, and files; automatically posted to your blog; commenting
- Soup - basic blog; audio, video, images, text; no comments
- Tumblr - basic blog; no comments
- Twitter - most popular microblog
- Blog Tools
- Blog Examples
Recipe for Outreach:
- Identify a purpose for the blog
- Select meaningful content
- Develop a plan for ongoing entries
- Provide opportunities to comment
- Provide incentives to interact
2 - Need for Virtual Discussions and Social Interaction
Needs
- I'm uncomfortable expressing myself in a live discussion, so I like the idea of an online book club.
- We want to start a book club, but our students can't stay after school because of bus schedules.
- It's impossible to listen to all of the discussions in classroom literature circles, so threaded discussions are a wonderful assessment tool.
- I have young children and I'm stuck at home, so I want to connect with others for informal programs.
Solutions
- We use online forums for book discussions.
- Our library social network helps young families connect.
- We're using existing services for our online projects.
Technologies
- Forum Tools
- use these tools to find existing groups or create your own
- Online Book Clubs
- BookGlutton - share readings online and discussion the books
- BookSprouts - join a book group or create your own
Social Networks
- use these tools to join or create groups
Social Networks Tools
- Google Sites - develop a website that includes web pages and social networking elements
- imbee - designed for kids
- Moodle - software for course management
- NiceNet - course management for nonprofits
- Ning - create your own social networ
Recipe for Virtual Discussions and Social Interaction
- Establish goal-oriented groups
- Select existing service or create new group/network
- Coordinate meaningful activities
- Stimulate or prompt discussions
- Monitor or moderate group activities
3 - Need for Virtual Assistance and Messages
Needs
- With high gas prices, I can't afford to drive to the library.
- I'm homebound and thirst for interaction, but I can't come to the live library events.
- I've got texting on my phone, can I get my questions answered that way?
- I'd like a quick place to go for local information like weather reports, do you provide that service?
- I need help with research, can you provide some simple tools?
Solutions
- Use live conferencing tools, widgets, and research tools.
- Use widgets on your library website to provide basic services
- Use texting for virtual reference assistance, announcements, and reminders
- Provide links to research tools
- We use conferencing tools for live interaction beyond the library.
Technologies
Synchronous Tools (live, real-time communication) - Live Conferencing and Sharing
Use a video camera and microphone to communicate live.
Features: text, audio, video options; 2+ people; recording the event
- Live events
- Author Events - ALA Teen Read Events. In 2007, Stephenie Meyer was the culmination of a month of 31 flavorite authors in Myspace.
- National Events - Explore WebCasts from Library of Congress
- Multi-User Virtual Environments
- Video Conferencing
Tools
- AOL Instant Messenger - text, audio, video chat
- Elluminate - live whiteboard, audio, video, presentations
- Gizmo Project - free, closed source, peer-to-peer, Voice over IP network uses open standards technology for Internet phone.
- Google Talk - text, audio, video chat
- MeBeam - browser-based video chat
- MSN Live Messenger
- Selfcast - free live broadcast (audio, video, text); recording
- Skype - proprietary, closed source, peer-to-peer, Voice over IP network provides some free voice and video conferencing services.
- TokBox - live video calling
- Yahoo Messenger - text, audio, video chat
- Chat Widgets
for Virtual Reference
- Widgets
- Online Recommendations - Ideas as you're helping others find good materials
.
- Citation Tools
Recipe for Virtual Assistance and Messages
- Identify the specific needs and likely users
- Test the service on a small group
- Determine whether widgets and links work on all systems or slow down the system
4 - Need for Online Learning Opportunities
Needs
- I need to learn how to...
- I'd like step-by-step instructions for...
- I need online tutorials on the topic of...
- I'm looking for engaging interactives and games for my students.
Solutions
- We can provide access to locally produced online workshops and courses.
- We can organize access to online learning materials.
Technologies
- Text-based Tutorials
- Video-based Tutorials
- Interactives & Online Gaming
- Multi-user Games
- Planet Green - lower CO2 emissions
- BBC Games
- CBBC (BBC) Games
- Discovery Channel Games
- Planners and Calculators
- National Geographic
- Practice Environments
and Game Makers
- Puzzles
- Simulation and Role-playing
- Tutorials
- Create Online Learning Games
and Quizzes
Recipe for Online Learning Opportunities
- Identify learning needs
- Select or create learning resources
- Establish an online learning environment
- Nurture online learners
5 - Need for High Quality Information Access
Needs
- I'm looking for age appropriate websites for my children.
- I'm frustrated with locating resources related to my hobby, I'd like it all in one place.
- I'm too busy (lazy) to walk to the library... I want access to resources online.
Solutions
- Build and maintain subject-matter and thematic pathfinders
- Identify online periodic and news resources
Technologies
- Information-Rich Interactive Learning Environments
A growing number of websites are combining the power of Web 2.0 applications with quality content and interactive learning experiences.
Identify quality starting points and websites with deep content.
- RSS Feed Readers
- Social Bookmarks
Save and share your favorite URLs.
Features: shows screen shots from websites; option for notes or descriptions; allows comments or ratings; allows sharing
- del.icio.us - most popular
- 2Collab - sharing and comments
- MiddleSpot - screen shots and sharing
- Only2Clicks - screen shots and sharing
- oSkope - visual search
- SearchMe - visual search; find, organize, share; web, images, video
- Sitemark - save, organize, share and discover your favorite websites (screen shots)
- Web2Wave - screen shots and categorizes
Helpful Tools
- Iron Thunder by Avi
- Creating Pathfinders
Recipe for High Quality Information Access
- Identify popular topics
- Select interactive websites and quality starting points with Web 2.0 features and deep content.
- Develop pathfinders
- Use social bookmarks to encourage collaboration
- Incorporate RSS feeds
6 - Need for Local and Global Events, Programs, and Promotions
Needs
- We've been involved in lots of your programs, we look forward to innovative events.
- I like to feel part of something that's larger than our local community.
- I enjoye special days, weeks, and months.
Solutions
- Join an existing project.
- Create your own project.
Technologies
- Resources
- Develop Online Collaborative Projects
- One Book Projects
- Collaborative Projects (maps, books, birdhouse display)
- Mapping Tools
Recipe for Local and Global Events, Programs, and Promotions
- Connect with a local, regional, or global project
- Identify a local twist for a global project (one book, one community)
- Develop specific activities
- Create a shared experience (discussion or event) or environment (bulletin board)
Explore Web 2.0 resources and create your own recipes.
Look for libraries that are using Web 2.0 technology and see what works for you!
The Spice: New Technology, New Opportunities
Over the past few years, a new wave of technology known as Web 2.0 is moving people from being traditional information consumers to information contributors and creators. Let's explore some Web 2.0 tools that help consumers become creators.
1 - The Spice: Collaborative Content Creators
Old Way - Ask people to send in ideas and someone must put it all together.
New Way - Create synergy through ongoing collaboration.
- Collaborative Tools
- Create collaborative projects that include shared web pages with text, images, audio, video, and other content.
- Features: sharing, publishing, access restrictions, commenting
- Wikis - Collaborative Web Pages
- Wiki Tools
- Participate in Wikis
- Create Unique Wikis Projects
- Collaborative Writing
- Collaborative Concept Mapping
- Collaborative Timelines
- CircaVie - create and share
- Dipity - create and share
- MagicStudio - stories, images, timelines
- Mnemograph - remember, plan, learn
- TimeRime - create, share, compare
- Time Toast - images, text, create, share
- Xtimeline - multimedia (video, images) create, share, rate
- Learn more at Wiki World and ReadWriteWiki.
Try Collaborative Creators! A Pinch of Spice
- Identify the need for original content and collaboration
- Establish the framework for the wiki
- Add sample content or a demo page
- Develop guidelines for wiki access and use
- Use the power of collaborative tools: multiple creators, editors, discussion
2 - The Spice: Audio Creators
Old Way - Attend live activities or you miss the action.
New Way - Record and share audio experiences.
- Podcasts
- Audio Clips in Blogs
- Voki - Create an avatar and add audio to your blog (library example)
- Step-by-step directions
- World languages
- Multiple audio messages at website
Technologies
Try Audio Creators! A Pinch of Spice
- Identify timely topics.
- Create 30 second to 3 minute clips. For longer segments, establish "chapters"
- Use Audacity to mix and add music.
- When possible, use multiple voices and sound effects.
3 - The Spice: Comic Creators
Old Way - Build text-based communications.
New Way - Read graphic novels and create comic newsletters, posters, step-by-step instructions, scrapbooks, travel logs.
Comic Creators
- Create digital comics that incorporate pictures and words.
- Features: insert images, bubbles, sharing
- Ideas
- Multiple generations - christmases over time; Arrion/Alex
- Family trips
- Autobiographies/biographies
- Family history
- Library Newsletters
Technologies
- Comic Software
- Comic Creator
for Kids
- Comic Creators for All Ages (potential for inappropriate content)
- Cartoon and Caption Creators
- Create Avatars
Invent your own characters for stories.
- Examples
- Learn more at Digital Comics
Try Comic Creators! A Pinch of Spice
- Pick a small project
- Try online tools
- Download Comic Life to try
- Share
4 - The Spice: Multimedia Creators
Old Way - Send in film and get back pictures for bulletin board.
New Way - Create multimedia shows for promotion and programs.
Multimedia Creators
- Create online slide shows and multimedia projects that include images, audio, video, and text.
- Features: media (title, images, audio, video); commenting and rating; titles and labelling
Technologies
- Animation Makers
- Image Sharing
- Image Slideshows
- Audio and Video Sharing
- Multimedia Slideshows
- Moblyng - photos, music, and effects; collaborative feature
- Rock You - photos, music, videos
- Splashcast - videos, photos, mp3
- VoiceThread. - multimedia (text, images); sharing; audio narration; commenting (audio and text)
- Website Slideshows
- Scrapbooks
- Shows
- ipopetz - create a puppet show with audio
- Classroom Applications
- Create videos with existing clips
- Examples of Embedded Slide Shows
Try Multimedia Creators! A Pinch of Spice
- Take photos of events
- Create simple slide shows
- Share on library website.
5 - The Spice: Poll and Survey Creators
Old Way - Complete paper-based polls and surveys.
New Way - Embed surveys within online programs; engage visitors in interactive programs.
Poll and Survey Creators
- Create polls and surveys for your classes and libraries.
- Features: multiple question types, data management, password access, disallow multiple votes
- Ideas
- Online evaluations, assessments, fun (art contest), Book cover contest
Technologies
- Survey and Poll Builders
- Examples
Try Poll Creators! A Pinch of Spice
- Identify a simple survey need.
- Select an online builder.
- Embed survey in library website or use kiosk
6 - The Spice: Online Tools
Old Way - Use paper and pencil and share with myself.
New Way - Use Web 2.0 tools and share with everyone.
Collaborative Whiteboard and Art Creation
- The Broth - create works of art (graffiti mode, mosaic mode)
Art Tools
Book Builder
- Tikatok - write and illustrate stories (designed for kids)
Organizing, Notetaking
and Highlighting
Creation Tools
Website Builders
- Basic Postings
- Wix - Flash-based web creator
- WebQuest Builders
Word Tools
Learn more at High Tech Learning: Interactives.
Try Online Tools! A Pinch of Spice
- Identify a Web 2.0 tool
- Identify an audience that might find this tool valuable
- Create an example to share
Face the Issues
Although technology has lots of potential, it's also important to be aware of the drawbacks and obstacles:
- Inform users whenever you're accessing outside resources that you don't control.
- Remind patrons of the importance of intellectual freedom.
- Develop guidelines for acceptable use of resources and participation in online programs.
- Inform users about flagging offensive materials and reporting misuse of resources.
- Warn parents about use restrictions on social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace. Provide alternatives for young people.
- Remember that free resources may disappear. Keep backups and develop alternative plans.
- Weigh the pros and cons to serving your own web applications, participating in subscription services, and using free services.
Learn more at Intellectual Freedom for Youth.
Putting It All Together
The options can be overwhelming. Ideas to get started:
