www.citelike.org/www.mendeley.com/www.zotero.org - The Librarian at work offers sessions in Harvard Referencing to learners mostly level 3 and above. We have a Harvard Referencing guide which we hand out to learners and we all try to help with the referencing. If any further guidance is required, the Librarian will offer individual sessions.
I've read the information on CPD23 about the above 3 tools and glanced at the websites but have not loaded any onto my personal laptop. The traditional way of writing references down and managing research and using sticky post-its could become obsolete for some learners. From the knowledge I have gained they are good tools. Bibliographies and citations could be created/generated according to the style selected eg. Harvard. One of the problems I forsee is that because there are several different tools that do a similar job it will take a fair amount of time to look at them and get a good enough grasp of them in order to decide which of them would best suit the learners.
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
CPD23 Thing 13
Google Docs, Wikis and Dropbox
I haven't used Google docs so I read up that it allows multiple people to edit the same document, presentation etc. without creating multiple copies. I looked at the templates and I thought that the 'personal monthly budget template' could be a useful tool for my finances.
Dropbox will allow access of documents from multiple computers. I went through the process to load Dropbox onto my home computer but I decided that I would wait and load it onto a work computer when I returned to work.
The only Wiki I was aware of before CPD23 was of course Wikipedia the online encyclopedia. I have to admit I do not encourage its use by students if it has to be referenced. I can see that blogging on shared Wikis could be extremely useful. These file-sharing resources could have a place in my workplace if we have future projects to work on jointly. I must say, however, that when it comes to file sharing I am a little old fashioned and like a memory stick for my own personal use but of course always backed up.
I haven't used Google docs so I read up that it allows multiple people to edit the same document, presentation etc. without creating multiple copies. I looked at the templates and I thought that the 'personal monthly budget template' could be a useful tool for my finances.
Dropbox will allow access of documents from multiple computers. I went through the process to load Dropbox onto my home computer but I decided that I would wait and load it onto a work computer when I returned to work.
The only Wiki I was aware of before CPD23 was of course Wikipedia the online encyclopedia. I have to admit I do not encourage its use by students if it has to be referenced. I can see that blogging on shared Wikis could be extremely useful. These file-sharing resources could have a place in my workplace if we have future projects to work on jointly. I must say, however, that when it comes to file sharing I am a little old fashioned and like a memory stick for my own personal use but of course always backed up.
CPD23 - Thing 12
Social media - I have to admit, I do not, as I've said before use social networks Facebook, Twitter etc. in my personal life. I think we have to remember that there is a large number of people not involved with social networking and that the proportion that are using them is not a complete picture. I've only just started looking for a mobile phone with internet access - so I'm behind in personal use of technology! I'm well aware that it is the future way to communicate - I see my daughters sitting for hours using Facebook.They participate in an online community where they can keep in contact with people who they would not communicate with. Hopefully the CPD23 will encourage me to at least look at different aspects of the new technologies I wouldn't otherwise look at.
Social media can help people advance themselves professionally in light of training budget cuts within employers and help improve knowledge. Social medias provide access to ones own and different fields and professions.
Social media can help people advance themselves professionally in light of training budget cuts within employers and help improve knowledge. Social medias provide access to ones own and different fields and professions.
CPD23 - Thing 11
Mentoring - the mentoring process is a good way of learning new things. I don't have a formal mentor, however, as a busy team we all help and encourage each other. Cara our assistant librarian has been extremely helpful in guiding me through the CPD23 programme. Whilst on holiday for the summer holidays she has kept an eye on my blog whenever I have asked, for which I am grateful.
I have been mentor to students at work when they are taking part in work experience in the library. Some of the mentees have learning difficulties and sometimes it is hard to find them tasks to do which are within their capabilities and they need encouragement. When the mentee completes a task, even something as simple as filing journals in order, there is a sense of achievement for both of us and it helps increase their confidence. I have also mentored L1 and L2 Business and Administration students. It is very rewarding when they come back to you after receiving their certification for passing their course.
By observing young people today and their use of the online world, they just have a natural way of communicating with online digital media one learns an awful lot without even realising it.
I have been mentor to students at work when they are taking part in work experience in the library. Some of the mentees have learning difficulties and sometimes it is hard to find them tasks to do which are within their capabilities and they need encouragement. When the mentee completes a task, even something as simple as filing journals in order, there is a sense of achievement for both of us and it helps increase their confidence. I have also mentored L1 and L2 Business and Administration students. It is very rewarding when they come back to you after receiving their certification for passing their course.
By observing young people today and their use of the online world, they just have a natural way of communicating with online digital media one learns an awful lot without even realising it.
CPD23 - Thing 10
Masters Degrees, Chartership, Accreditation and Certification - I am aware of the Post-graduate library qualifications which are usually a pre-requisite for a librarian in an academic library. Chartership is one way for a professional librarian to develop their knowledge whilst working. It is important for professional and non-professionals to continually develop their knowledge which makes us more employable.
I am a non professional who has worked in the college library for over 20 years. I must say that the library has changed an awful lot, but so has education. The role I have has changed dramatically. When I started all those years ago as an evening member of staff and then as a part-time member of staff my job was priimarily issuing, returning books shelving etc. The role I play now is more of a learning resources assistant. We have to keep up with the technologies required that learners need to complete their studies.
I may look again at registering with CILIP in order to improve my own personal development and actually get some certification for what I actually do.
I am a non professional who has worked in the college library for over 20 years. I must say that the library has changed an awful lot, but so has education. The role I have has changed dramatically. When I started all those years ago as an evening member of staff and then as a part-time member of staff my job was priimarily issuing, returning books shelving etc. The role I play now is more of a learning resources assistant. We have to keep up with the technologies required that learners need to complete their studies.
I may look again at registering with CILIP in order to improve my own personal development and actually get some certification for what I actually do.
Saturday, 27 August 2011
CPD23 - Thing 9
Evernote - I do not have much to say with regard to Evernote however I'm sure it will have a place in education. From the little I've learnt it is certainly a good organisational tool for students. I can see the students using it for collating references, compiling to do lists and archiving web notes, texts, photos etc. I've had a thought that it may be useful for myself and colleagues when we have been set projects using information, photos etc. from the web. It will just take a while to get used to. Myself, I tend to copy and paste information into a word document and file it away to look at or add to at a later date. Evernote could be a tool that I may attempt to use for organising information when I return to work in September (however I may have to ask for help from more IT literate colleagues).
CPD23 - Thing 8
Google calendar - I'm just spending my Saturday afternoon trying to catch up on some of the CPD training. I wish I hadn't got so behind, but as many of you may know when you're on holiday not all of us think of reading our work emails. It is certainly true that 'if you don't use it you lose it'. I spent over a hour last night trying to get in, only to have to reset my password. Still, I got there in the end and completed 6 & 7.
I've read up on Google calendar and am aware of the organisational reasons for using it and the possibilities it has for personal and professional use. However, at work we use an online calendar with Microsoft outlook and it does have its uses. We are a multi-site college and it can quickly enable us to see where someone is at a glance (of course that is if we all remember to put any events, appointments etc. on that we are attending) and it usually works well.
However, I must say that for my own personal use I find it sufficient to have a diary (yes, a paper diary!) in which I write (yes, write) my own personal and work-related events, appointments etc. I unfortunately, do not have a current hi-tech mobile phone (I just pay for my daughter's and husband's Blackberrys').
I've read up on Google calendar and am aware of the organisational reasons for using it and the possibilities it has for personal and professional use. However, at work we use an online calendar with Microsoft outlook and it does have its uses. We are a multi-site college and it can quickly enable us to see where someone is at a glance (of course that is if we all remember to put any events, appointments etc. on that we are attending) and it usually works well.
However, I must say that for my own personal use I find it sufficient to have a diary (yes, a paper diary!) in which I write (yes, write) my own personal and work-related events, appointments etc. I unfortunately, do not have a current hi-tech mobile phone (I just pay for my daughter's and husband's Blackberrys').
Friday, 26 August 2011
CPD23 - Thing 7
Face-to-face networks and professional organisations
Here we have to examine or consider any experiences with professional organisations and blog about them. As a mere Library Assistant I am not a member of any organisations that relate to my work. As a team we have been fortunate enough to have had talks from members of 'CILIP' and 'JISC' which have been very informative. We as an educational library deal with organisations such as the British Library. The company I work for are unable to pay the annual subscription for CILIP and I suppose this is one, albeit a lazy reason for not joining. Due to budget cuts I am sure that many information conferences, events etc. are not as readily available as they may have been in many industries. It is important however, to use these organisations and others to benefit us as we make contacts at different levels and fields.
Most of my training needs are met by the organisation I work for, a FE College. Whenever I need help I can always ask my manager or a colleague for their help or input. I do not have a problem in asking for help at any time. I feel confident that we work well together as a team and have a wider internal network of colleagues throughout the college itself.
Online and offline networking should compliment each other and give us diverse skills.
Here we have to examine or consider any experiences with professional organisations and blog about them. As a mere Library Assistant I am not a member of any organisations that relate to my work. As a team we have been fortunate enough to have had talks from members of 'CILIP' and 'JISC' which have been very informative. We as an educational library deal with organisations such as the British Library. The company I work for are unable to pay the annual subscription for CILIP and I suppose this is one, albeit a lazy reason for not joining. Due to budget cuts I am sure that many information conferences, events etc. are not as readily available as they may have been in many industries. It is important however, to use these organisations and others to benefit us as we make contacts at different levels and fields.
Most of my training needs are met by the organisation I work for, a FE College. Whenever I need help I can always ask my manager or a colleague for their help or input. I do not have a problem in asking for help at any time. I feel confident that we work well together as a team and have a wider internal network of colleagues throughout the college itself.
Online and offline networking should compliment each other and give us diverse skills.
CPD23 - Thing 6
I'm a term-time member of staff in our team, and guess what - I've just looked at my work emails (all 170 of them). So, I'm a few weeks behind in my CPD23 training. Well, we are encouraged to go at our own pace! What is it this week? Guess what, those words that are still a little scarey to those few of us that are a little blogophobic or wary of the new ways of networking for the technically online folk.
I've looked at a couple of the most popular ones like Facebook and Twitter courtesy of my offspring. They of course find it the easiest way of communicating and interacting with friends, family abroad and of course it is the way these days of communicating and networking at work.
I do see the benefits of online networking, whether it be for social or work related reasons. The joining in on converstions and the sharing of information is of vital importance. It is obviously a most effective way of gaining knowledge and information from others, updating skills and sharing ideas with friends and people in the same profession.
I must add that I still like the face-to-face more personal or natural manner or communicating by telephone . I think that all forms of communicating make us what we are and that shows individuality.
I've looked at a couple of the most popular ones like Facebook and Twitter courtesy of my offspring. They of course find it the easiest way of communicating and interacting with friends, family abroad and of course it is the way these days of communicating and networking at work.
I do see the benefits of online networking, whether it be for social or work related reasons. The joining in on converstions and the sharing of information is of vital importance. It is obviously a most effective way of gaining knowledge and information from others, updating skills and sharing ideas with friends and people in the same profession.
I must add that I still like the face-to-face more personal or natural manner or communicating by telephone . I think that all forms of communicating make us what we are and that shows individuality.
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