week14

So I know there was no real deadline for this last post, but I think I am extremely late!  I had a wedding to attend in Ottawa this weekend and got home late SUnday, so I apologize for such a late post.  WHile last week I pretty much went through what I liked best and how some social softare could be used in the library, I;ll keep this last post short!

 First of all, I thought that taking this course through distance ed was really the only way it should (not could) be done.  These tools are only valuable when put into play, thus practicing and experiencing them while learning the course material was such a useful and worthwhile experience.  It would be less productive and less meaningful to sit in a class and 'lecture' on the different tools without getting a feel for them individually.  The fact that it is online really gets you to explore further, rather then just 'skimming' a reading.  I had never blogged before and now I am a frequent blogger on radio 3 and feel really comfortable posting my opinions and stories.  

 Speaking of stories, to answer the question what social software applications can be used by information organizations, I know see a blogs, wikis and media sharing as valuable information resources.  WHIle we (librarians, scholars, professionals) have this great concern with authority and credibility, using these tools throughout the course allowed me to realize as well as accept that information should not and often is not always written by scholars that are published etc.  I was watching the tv show the Hour and there was a discussion on how youtube allows anybody to watch videos that our soldiers overseas are posting of their daily routines, battles and living arrangements; we are currently documenting the world through our own eyes, not filtered by the media.  I think this is an amazing step that will embrace differences, realities and lead to change.  TO me, information that is produces by people like ourselves is very valuable because it is information we can all relate to in some form, understand, use and develop points of view.  FOr information organizations, providing resources to and informing our patrons of the different formats of information is one way to promote neutrality and facilitate open-mindedness. These social software tools also create more access to information because they are online and thus not limited to the size of your library and its collection.  I really enjoyed reading everyone's stories and how they used, experienced and thought of these applications, which in the end, was a personal learning experience from which I gained a lot of valuable information.  

Thanks and good luck everyone!