I've played with Audacity and recording voice and music. As usual, much trial and error. However, it wasn't that bad (one more confidence point!). I now have a file that I am happy with. I just have to figure out how to put it in this blog.
Okay, I just found that there is no way to way to put an audio file on this blog unless you store it with some other web hosting service. I could put it on my web site, but I really don't want to do that for two reasons: 1) I am not going to pay a fee to Freeplay Music, and 2) My website is an example of a page promoting a lapsit program. My podcast is for a teen poetry reading. I don't want anyone to see that even by accident.
So, there will be no link here, but I will just submit it through Blackboard. It's been fun!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Podcasting
The technical side:
Notes: Audacity, which we will be using for this project, is a cross-platform digital audio editor. We will be making MP3 files. It is a free software app.
MP3 file: a type of digital audio encoding format. It is not high fidelity, but rather lossy, allowing for reduction of the amount of data stored. It is close enough, for say, a 30 second commericial. The file is about 1/10th the size of an original CD file. A LAME encoder is necessary to is needed to import or export.
LAME encoder: Also a free app., it encodes audio into an MP3 format.
This is my first attempt. I just timed it and it was EXACTLY 30 seconds. I may have to trim if I need to slow down.
"Have you heard? The youth of Hastings definitely have a way with words. In fact, they've been working for over a year with writer Kim Bradley. Come hear them read from their newly published book, Juice Up the True Say. That's right, they're published, they're talented and they'll be presenting their works in person. Join us at the Hastings Branch Library for Juice Up the True Say on Tuesday, May 26th at 4:00 P.M."
Okay. I've downloaded Audacity and LAME. Now on to the tutorials: I have looked at the written tutorials from Audacity, and I'm afraid it might take a whole semester to acquire the skills that way.
YouTube: Wonderful. I get a visual, sound, AND someone who speaks slowly. (Note to self: speak slowly!
Notes: Audacity, which we will be using for this project, is a cross-platform digital audio editor. We will be making MP3 files. It is a free software app.
MP3 file: a type of digital audio encoding format. It is not high fidelity, but rather lossy, allowing for reduction of the amount of data stored. It is close enough, for say, a 30 second commericial. The file is about 1/10th the size of an original CD file. A LAME encoder is necessary to is needed to import or export.
LAME encoder: Also a free app., it encodes audio into an MP3 format.
This is my first attempt. I just timed it and it was EXACTLY 30 seconds. I may have to trim if I need to slow down.
"Have you heard? The youth of Hastings definitely have a way with words. In fact, they've been working for over a year with writer Kim Bradley. Come hear them read from their newly published book, Juice Up the True Say. That's right, they're published, they're talented and they'll be presenting their works in person. Join us at the Hastings Branch Library for Juice Up the True Say on Tuesday, May 26th at 4:00 P.M."
Okay. I've downloaded Audacity and LAME. Now on to the tutorials: I have looked at the written tutorials from Audacity, and I'm afraid it might take a whole semester to acquire the skills that way.
YouTube: Wonderful. I get a visual, sound, AND someone who speaks slowly. (Note to self: speak slowly!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Thing 23: The End!
The requirement for Thing 23 was to fill out a survey on the program. I was overall very pleased with it. Even if I don't remember every detail of every Thing at this point, I have much more confidence in my ability to search and to try. My practice at problem solving has helped me, too. I am not as panicked when something doesn't work immediately.
I think that I have mentioned before in my blog that I would perhaps been more enthralled by the social networking aspect when I was younger. Now I am so busy, and would rather not have the world reading my opinions. However, I see how other people are doing it, and that will help me in assisting patrons and in incorportating new technology as it comes along.
I think the Things that will help me most in my own life are the Backpack and certain Google apps. I am more interested in the timesavers and organizational tools. The things that will make me waste time (relax?) are silly gossip blogs/sites, and YouTube.
This was a time consuming project. I feel a sense of accomplishment.
I think that I have mentioned before in my blog that I would perhaps been more enthralled by the social networking aspect when I was younger. Now I am so busy, and would rather not have the world reading my opinions. However, I see how other people are doing it, and that will help me in assisting patrons and in incorportating new technology as it comes along.
I think the Things that will help me most in my own life are the Backpack and certain Google apps. I am more interested in the timesavers and organizational tools. The things that will make me waste time (relax?) are silly gossip blogs/sites, and YouTube.
This was a time consuming project. I feel a sense of accomplishment.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Thing 22: Staying Current
I have come a long way when I think of where I was when I even started using this blog tool. I have become much more confident in my problem solving skills, especially in trying multiple avenues to fix a problem. I tend to think of technology and its tools as this mysterious, difficult thing that only people with special powers can use. I'm finally starting to feel like it's not. You just have to become familiar with it. That's all! Keep trying and work through feeling discouraged. There is probably a solution.
I vow to incorporate the most useful tools into my everyday life and to keep learning. Also, I am going to try not to use the less useful tools as a way to procrastinate!
I vow to incorporate the most useful tools into my everyday life and to keep learning. Also, I am going to try not to use the less useful tools as a way to procrastinate!
Thing 21: Student 2.0 Tools
Assignment Calculator: http://www.lib.umn.edu/help/calculator/
Wow! Everything is here to help you do an assignment, and I mean everything. I made up an assignment and received a guide to the 12 steps for completing it. The links under those steps are so helpful. Examples: QuickStudies in finding articles, books, and web sites, links to sources for writing help at the University, and citing sources. There is so much here, in fact, that I think incoming freshemen should have to take a required tutorial on it. It could be enormously helpful, but not something you should try to use at the last minute.
I can see a library doing a summer program on research skills for freshmen, or anyone, going to college. It would only scratch the surface and you would have to carefully select the areas you wanted to cover. It might overwhelm.
Research Project Calculator: http://rpc.elm4you.org/ This is clean looking and seems to contain all of the necessary info. I would almost rather start with this tool for college freshmen. The site lists 4 steps to a research project with links under each heading. Yes, this is much more managable. Under Step 4, Communicate, there are even steps on how to make a documentary video. I've pretty much got the research writing steps down, but if I were going to do a multimedia presentation, this timeline would be a good guide.
Teacher Guide to the Research Project Calculator: http://rpc.elm4you.org/support_materials.php Everything is here to guide the educator and media specialist. There is even a section to teach students how to gather information by listening to podcasts.
If the librarian worked in conjuction with a teacher, she could have handouts at the library and be familiar with what the students are trying to do. This makes me think: What can I do to help teachers??
Wow! Everything is here to help you do an assignment, and I mean everything. I made up an assignment and received a guide to the 12 steps for completing it. The links under those steps are so helpful. Examples: QuickStudies in finding articles, books, and web sites, links to sources for writing help at the University, and citing sources. There is so much here, in fact, that I think incoming freshemen should have to take a required tutorial on it. It could be enormously helpful, but not something you should try to use at the last minute.
I can see a library doing a summer program on research skills for freshmen, or anyone, going to college. It would only scratch the surface and you would have to carefully select the areas you wanted to cover. It might overwhelm.
Research Project Calculator: http://rpc.elm4you.org/ This is clean looking and seems to contain all of the necessary info. I would almost rather start with this tool for college freshmen. The site lists 4 steps to a research project with links under each heading. Yes, this is much more managable. Under Step 4, Communicate, there are even steps on how to make a documentary video. I've pretty much got the research writing steps down, but if I were going to do a multimedia presentation, this timeline would be a good guide.
Teacher Guide to the Research Project Calculator: http://rpc.elm4you.org/support_materials.php Everything is here to guide the educator and media specialist. There is even a section to teach students how to gather information by listening to podcasts.
If the librarian worked in conjuction with a teacher, she could have handouts at the library and be familiar with what the students are trying to do. This makes me think: What can I do to help teachers??
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Thing 20: Books 2.0
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/books/27reading.html?pagewanted=4&_r=1&ref=books This is a link the the article about literacy and young people in the New York Times.
Some things that struck me: Of course the skills required by online searching and reading are different from those required for sustained reading. Both types of skills are important. On line navigation, reading, and critical evaluation are necessary today, esp. in the work force. On the other hand, sustained reading of "good" literature can lead to insight and growth in the same way that other art forms can.
I was happy to read that struggling readers are aided from graphical cues when reading on-line, and thus might read more.
I disheartened to read that reading for pleasure by young people (of literature) is down. Then I think back to when I was a teenager. I read for pleasure in the summer and on vacations and before homework took over my life. But when school and other activites kept me very busy, I only read what was required. If I had any free time, I would watch re-runs of the Brady Bunch. That's not very productive or educational. Usually I was with my friends, though. It seems that a lot of the time teens spend on-line is social in nature. That just goes with the territory.
What really gets me mad is when parents forego reading to or interacting with their child because they want to go online. That's my pet peeve.
How Libraries Can Survive in a New Media Ecosystem: I wish there was a way to make the PowerPoint bigger and I wish I could hear the speaker. I'm having to do a lot of guessing. But enough complaining.
One of the slides contains a quote of Henry Jenkins and David Weinberger that includes the idea of collective intelligence asserting itself through collaboration. That's fine, but it makes me think of how important it is to have critical reading and thinking skills in order to evaluate your sources. Even when you have those skills, it's hard to know if the person speaking has anything to back up what he's talking about.
One slide says, "Be findable. Be available." Absolutely. Interesting perspective suggested by Rainie: think of yourself as an information hub, node, or link.
Future of the Book: I have to admit, thinking of this makes me antsy. Books seem almost peripheral to what we do every day in the library, especially when it comes to young adults. So much reading for pleasure is online. I wonder if one day, reading books will be considered quaint and eccentric.
Exploring Tools:
*DailyLit: I like the free "poem a day" feature. Personally, I would not want to read a book on a mobile device given to me in installments. Even if I had a daily train ride to work every day, I wouldn't want it. Give me the book any time. Maybe that will change as digital natives replace people like me.
*What Should I Read Next? Excellent! For the patron who has read everything and you don't know what to do, try this! Unfortunately, an error message came back after my second search.
What's Next? Keep this in your book marks, both for yourself and your patrons!
Which Book? Do you have the patron who says, "I only want something 'clean.' Nothing racy!" Or (and this really happened last week): "I want a book with a happy beginning, a happy middle, and a happy ending." Go to this site! There are little sliders that you can move back and forth in a range, for example, between "sex" and "no sex" or "optimistic" and "bleak."
Online Book Communities:
BooksVideos.tv Good, but there aren't that many of them.
*Booksprouts What a find. I am trying to start a teen book club, but last week only one member showed up. Another teen wanted very much to come and had even chosed the title, but had another commitment. It would be great if we could have looked her up on this site and at least looked at her comments.
Book Reviews:
*BookBrowse Okay to browse, but how could M.T. Anderson not be in there?
Book Rental:
BookSwim Plans range from $19.98 to $39.94 per month. If this is based on the NetFlix model, it could spell trouble for booksellers, but I don't think it'll affect library use as much (I hope!) College text books for rent is a great idea, but you won't be able to write in them.
Apps for Facebook:
WeRead (Books iRead) Sort of like LibraryThing. I'll stick with the latter.
I think these tools will enhance, not hamper, the reader's experience. In fact, this thing has given me a lot that I can use on the job!
Some things that struck me: Of course the skills required by online searching and reading are different from those required for sustained reading. Both types of skills are important. On line navigation, reading, and critical evaluation are necessary today, esp. in the work force. On the other hand, sustained reading of "good" literature can lead to insight and growth in the same way that other art forms can.
I was happy to read that struggling readers are aided from graphical cues when reading on-line, and thus might read more.
I disheartened to read that reading for pleasure by young people (of literature) is down. Then I think back to when I was a teenager. I read for pleasure in the summer and on vacations and before homework took over my life. But when school and other activites kept me very busy, I only read what was required. If I had any free time, I would watch re-runs of the Brady Bunch. That's not very productive or educational. Usually I was with my friends, though. It seems that a lot of the time teens spend on-line is social in nature. That just goes with the territory.
What really gets me mad is when parents forego reading to or interacting with their child because they want to go online. That's my pet peeve.
How Libraries Can Survive in a New Media Ecosystem: I wish there was a way to make the PowerPoint bigger and I wish I could hear the speaker. I'm having to do a lot of guessing. But enough complaining.
One of the slides contains a quote of Henry Jenkins and David Weinberger that includes the idea of collective intelligence asserting itself through collaboration. That's fine, but it makes me think of how important it is to have critical reading and thinking skills in order to evaluate your sources. Even when you have those skills, it's hard to know if the person speaking has anything to back up what he's talking about.
One slide says, "Be findable. Be available." Absolutely. Interesting perspective suggested by Rainie: think of yourself as an information hub, node, or link.
Future of the Book: I have to admit, thinking of this makes me antsy. Books seem almost peripheral to what we do every day in the library, especially when it comes to young adults. So much reading for pleasure is online. I wonder if one day, reading books will be considered quaint and eccentric.
Exploring Tools:
*DailyLit: I like the free "poem a day" feature. Personally, I would not want to read a book on a mobile device given to me in installments. Even if I had a daily train ride to work every day, I wouldn't want it. Give me the book any time. Maybe that will change as digital natives replace people like me.
*What Should I Read Next? Excellent! For the patron who has read everything and you don't know what to do, try this! Unfortunately, an error message came back after my second search.
What's Next? Keep this in your book marks, both for yourself and your patrons!
Which Book? Do you have the patron who says, "I only want something 'clean.' Nothing racy!" Or (and this really happened last week): "I want a book with a happy beginning, a happy middle, and a happy ending." Go to this site! There are little sliders that you can move back and forth in a range, for example, between "sex" and "no sex" or "optimistic" and "bleak."
Online Book Communities:
BooksVideos.tv Good, but there aren't that many of them.
*Booksprouts What a find. I am trying to start a teen book club, but last week only one member showed up. Another teen wanted very much to come and had even chosed the title, but had another commitment. It would be great if we could have looked her up on this site and at least looked at her comments.
Book Reviews:
*BookBrowse Okay to browse, but how could M.T. Anderson not be in there?
Book Rental:
BookSwim Plans range from $19.98 to $39.94 per month. If this is based on the NetFlix model, it could spell trouble for booksellers, but I don't think it'll affect library use as much (I hope!) College text books for rent is a great idea, but you won't be able to write in them.
Apps for Facebook:
WeRead (Books iRead) Sort of like LibraryThing. I'll stick with the latter.
I think these tools will enhance, not hamper, the reader's experience. In fact, this thing has given me a lot that I can use on the job!
Thing 19: Other Social Networks
WebJunction: What more could you ask for if you need to implement tech. plans or evaluate and brush up on skills? I looked at the webinar archive and found topics divided into Learning, Rural, Spanish Lang. Outreach, Community, TechAtlas, and MaintainIT.
I went to the Rural section, downloaded Wimba Classroom, and was able to get into a webinar about programming developed by the Chelsea District Library. This library was voted Best Rural Library in America, 2008.
Ning: A social network based around people with similar interests.
Gather: describes itself as the “leading social networking and media site for adults, with some of the highest quality user-generated content on the internet.” The format is mostly in debate format. American Public Media is highly involved. This is listed as a site for NPR listeners. When you go to sign up, the graphic is of a couple of well-dressed people at a dinner table. The headline says, "This Ain't Your Kids Social Network". It's for the "over 30" crowd.
LinkedIn: A social website for professionals that allows you build connections with clients, service providers, and subject experts. You can share files and work collectively. I would rather use this site than Facebook as a professional, although Facebook might reach a wider audience. As long as your connections were reliable, this would be a good place to go for specific, business related services.
Articles: MySpace for Books http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6290501.html
An article on Gather.com. It's a site that allows you to publish content and rate the content of others. It looks like a gathering place for readers and writers. Funded by American Public Media group. The site's publicist thinks Gather will do for books what MySpace has done for music. Houghton Mifflin is the first publisher to take part in the site. The site is now hosting a short story contest. It'll be interesting to see if it takes off.
http://www.webjunction.org/marketing/articles/content/451181 From Web Junction: Building a Social Networking Environment at the Library.
This article gives a vivid example of how an author visit could involve patrons in social networking through comments and podcasts. Promotion of the technology could go hand-in-hand with advertising of the event. That way, reluctant and potential users of the technology would be motivated by connecting with their favorite work and author.
Social web workshops sound like a good idea, too. I can see this going over well with the over 50 crowd.
Social Networking sites that interest me: FilmCrave. I love documentaries and I am always looking for good titles. A few years ago, I saw Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed about Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman to run for president. I was so struck by her conviction and honesty. No one has posted about this one yet.
Finally, I found the top 50 documemtary list. Our library does not have The End of America, but this site did remind me of one that I had wanted to see called, My Kid Could Paint That. I just ordered it.
I went to the Rural section, downloaded Wimba Classroom, and was able to get into a webinar about programming developed by the Chelsea District Library. This library was voted Best Rural Library in America, 2008.
Ning: A social network based around people with similar interests.
Gather: describes itself as the “leading social networking and media site for adults, with some of the highest quality user-generated content on the internet.” The format is mostly in debate format. American Public Media is highly involved. This is listed as a site for NPR listeners. When you go to sign up, the graphic is of a couple of well-dressed people at a dinner table. The headline says, "This Ain't Your Kids Social Network". It's for the "over 30" crowd.
LinkedIn: A social website for professionals that allows you build connections with clients, service providers, and subject experts. You can share files and work collectively. I would rather use this site than Facebook as a professional, although Facebook might reach a wider audience. As long as your connections were reliable, this would be a good place to go for specific, business related services.
Articles: MySpace for Books http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6290501.html
An article on Gather.com. It's a site that allows you to publish content and rate the content of others. It looks like a gathering place for readers and writers. Funded by American Public Media group. The site's publicist thinks Gather will do for books what MySpace has done for music. Houghton Mifflin is the first publisher to take part in the site. The site is now hosting a short story contest. It'll be interesting to see if it takes off.
http://www.webjunction.org/marketing/articles/content/451181 From Web Junction: Building a Social Networking Environment at the Library.
This article gives a vivid example of how an author visit could involve patrons in social networking through comments and podcasts. Promotion of the technology could go hand-in-hand with advertising of the event. That way, reluctant and potential users of the technology would be motivated by connecting with their favorite work and author.
Social web workshops sound like a good idea, too. I can see this going over well with the over 50 crowd.
Social Networking sites that interest me: FilmCrave. I love documentaries and I am always looking for good titles. A few years ago, I saw Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed about Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman to run for president. I was so struck by her conviction and honesty. No one has posted about this one yet.
Finally, I found the top 50 documemtary list. Our library does not have The End of America, but this site did remind me of one that I had wanted to see called, My Kid Could Paint That. I just ordered it.
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