This is my 23rd thing--to blog what I thought of the program. First, I must say that I had a GREAT time doing the Things. So, for anyone that is reading this and is ready to give up because I completed it and you are just beginning--Don't despair. I completed the program as soon as I possibly could because I am a Childrens Librarian and summer reading is upon us, and because I am a tech head (I think messing with the computer is very fun.).
That said, I made a lot of new discoveries in the course of this adventure. I really loved wikis, meebo and blogging. I see a lot of potential for collaborative wikis and I'm brainstorming how they could be used. Meebo solved a great problem for me since I have friends and family on many different IM products. Now I can be more available to them. Finally, I had a blogger account way back in the beginning of blogging but haven't visited it recently. There is so much more to it now and it is much easier to use.
The 23 Things fit in nicely with my goal of keeping up with technology. I was surprised to find a lot more uses for the technology that is out there than I thought going into the program. Handled intelligently, many of these technologies could enhance my life. However, some of them are an outlet for creativity that must compete with all the other things that might be part of my play time.
The format of the program was a good one for me. I learn by doing and don't mind writing about it. People who are not as comfortable with playing around with technology (and navigating the inevitable glitches that occur) may need some help. It might be good to partner newbies with old hackers to provide support. I found that there were a couple of tricky bits. For example, It wasn't self evident how to initially register. Clicking on the calendar entry was not something I initially though of. And, I know that some people completely missed the Register your blog step. Finally, it was a little confusing after you created your blog to be confronted with the sign in that requires a Google Account. But, all these things are fairly minor.
I would love taking another course like this and am very impressed with the job Helen Blowers and Charlotte-Mecklenberg did in creating this concept.
In the mean time, my next steps will be to learn podcasting and to help my coworkers with their 23 Things Journey.
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1 comments:
Hi Linda -
I liked your blog and agree with your thoughts on the program. The challenge I face as well is finding a means of taking the tech and integrating it into work so it is effective - not just recreation. I enjoy the fun but I would like to see work/learning be enjoyable but still be productive. A balance. It is exciting to think how this all could change how we work in libraries.
Great job and I look forward to exploring your blog more. I love the sharing of ideas and how people can take a project -- the same tools but create so many diverse results.
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