Habit 1 – Begin with the end in mind
Habit 2 – Accept responsibility for your own learning
Habit 3 – View problems as challenges
Habit 4 – Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner
Habit 5 – Create your own learning toolbox
Habit 6 – Use technology to your advantage
Habit 7 – Teach and mentor others
Habit 7 ½ – PLAY!
Follow this link for a Wikipedia definition of Lifelong Learning
Watch actor Stephen Fry discuss Web 2.0.So fasten your seat belts, grab your mouse and get ready for a discovery adventure… Be sure to tune in every second Monday, for the next "thing" or Test drive lesson... or better yet, subscribe to the RSS feed. [Don’t panic we’ll cover RSS in Test Drive #5]
Introduction to blogs
What is a blog?
A blog is a shortened form of the word "weblog". A blog is a different form of website. A blog's content and purpose varies. Some are simply personal diaries, some focus on a specific subject such as politics or travel, and some are primarily "newsy" and informational. Also, links to other sites on the web are common. Here is a short video created by Common Craft that describes Blogs in Plain English.
The main features of a blog which make it different from a regular website include:
- Content is presented in an ongoing series of data entries or posts-kind of like a diary or journal
- Typically displayed in reverse chronological order with the most recent entry on top
- Latest news or information is easy to be identified
- Allows for comments regarding a specific post from the readers
For the nontechnical person - no knowledge of HTML or uploading files is necessary. Source
Now to the big question - what use could a blog be in the Library environment?
Here are some examples of how libraries are using blogs ~ please take a look at each of them
- John Oxley Library Blog
- Readers Corner Reviews Blog - Eastern Regional Libraries
- Blurb it - Gold Coast City Council Libraries
- Yarra Plenty Genealogy Blog
- LISNews
- OPAL Training
As you can see blogs can be used to highlight collections, events and exhibitions and to contribute to professional knowledge sharing just for starters! You can even blog in more than one language as the National Museum of Wales / Amgueddfa Cymru demonstrates. Here is another interesting example: WW1: Experiences of an English Soldier [hint - check the biography].
This week you will set up your very own personal blog as a learning diary - this is where you'll record your thoughts on Learning 2.0 discoveries and the exercises you take part in. At the end of the course you can decide whether to keep your blog or delete it. Your Licence 2 Test Drive Blog will be set up using Blogger, a popular free online blog hosting service that is extremely easy to use. How easy? This blog you're looking at is also on Blogger (look at the blog URL - http://licence2testdrive.blogspot.com/).
What about the slq code of conduct?
Remember that what you put on a blog [either one you create or one you post to] is out there for everyone to see. Our code of conduct applies to all work related blogging. Here is the link to slq's Comments Policy page http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/about/pol/user_online_comments_policy . For general information about blogging etiquette it's worth reading the guidelines that IBM provides for their employees.
Discover: Watch this videoclip which shows step by step how to set up a blog using Blogger. Blogger: How to start a blog
Explore: Follow these steps to create a blog for yourself and start blogging
- Create a Gmail account [if you already have one you can use it]. Don't forget to write down your username and password
- Go to the Blogger website: http://www.blogger.com/ Scroll to the bottom of the screen and click on 'Create Your Blog Now'.
- This is what you'll see:
- 4. Name your blog. [hint: Your blog title? Be as creative as you like - Your blog URL? The easier to remember, the better. And WRITE THIS DOWN... ]
- 5. Select a Template. There are plenty of options and you can change your template at any time.
- 6. Write and publish your first blog posting. This is the fun part - just click on the 'start posting' link and go...
Try something on the theme of Learning 2.0.
- What do you hope to learn from the program?
- What do you think about Lifelong Learning?
- What other blogs have you discovered? What do you like about them?
- Can you see a use for blogs inside the Library?
- How about blogging for a client audience?
Remember this is out there on the web and may be read by anyone so keep your code of conduct in mind. Comments are the fuel that blogs run on. Feel free to comment on your colleagues blogs – see the links to the Participants blog rolls on the right of this screen.
How much do you write?The recommended minimum is 150 words. The Licence 2 Test Drive team will be reading your blogs regularly. Feel free to use dot points rather than paragraphs.
Course sign up and blog registration
Creating a blog is a requirement for completing the course. Go to the top RH side of this page to register your blog and complete the pre-survey.
WARNING If you skip this step you will not receive feedback, or any acknowledgement for completing the program.
If you need more assistance contact the Licence 2 Test Drive team – mary.kajewski@slq.qld.gov.au or one of the learning advocates.
How do you get back to your blog, to add future postings?
You have two options, type in the URL (web address) for your blog or if you can't remember it (or didn't write it down) head to http://www.blogger.com/ and continue with the next steps.
Look to the top right corner of the screen and click on the 'New Blogger' link.
Log in with your Username and Password (these will be tied to the Google account you set up a few minutes ago)
Find your blog on the 'Dashboard' and click on it's 'New Post' linkBlog away...
Once you've logged in you'll also be able to change your blog settings - there's a series of 'Manage' links in your 'Dashboard'.
Should you run into problems and/or would like more information about blogs and using Blogger , take a look at Blogger’s Quick Tutorial - just keep clicking on the 'continue' buttons at the end of next screen to keep going...
Adventure: Search for other library related blogs using Technorati, a specialist search engine for blogs and other social media. Share your discoveries in your own blog. [Remember, this is an optional activity.]
Help
The Licence 2 Test Drive team will be online using slq's web conferencing software for 30 minutes on Wednesday 18 March, 2:30-3pm and Thursday 26 March, 11-11:30am to answer any questions. You must register for these events. Contact mary.kajewski@slq.qld.gov.au .
slq's monthly Emerging media and new technology session will highlight this month's Test Drive theme on Wednesday 25 March, 9-10am at slq.
Next Test Drive: Photo Sharing ....
1 comment:
This is great fun! I can see so many uses for many of these technologies. Some of them I've never even heard of but I can't wait to give them a go. I'm giving everyone I know my blog site and see what happens.
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