Odyssey 13 - Information Landscape: Information Literacy & Public Library

Article Title: Information Literacy & Public Library

Journal Article: InCite, Issue 30, Jan - Feb 2009, p. 18 -19

Authors: Josella Chan & Janet Dudley

Abstract:

Information Literacy (IL) is considered as the core of lifelong learning in the information age. It is widely accepted in the educational sectors; however, some people missed out during formal education. Can IL programs in public libraries support these people to continue their learning? This article explores whether a possible Community IL framework, Prague’s Frame, can facilitate adult learning in public libraries. Further research on CIL is required to extend to many areas in multi- and inter-disciplinary manner.

Acknowledgement: Special thank to Associate Professor Helen Partridge at QUT. Her feedback and support make this possible.

This article is dedicated to the future of public libraries.

Odyssey 12 - Exploration of Writing

A Journey of Writing

This is a journey of learning how to write.

Writing is like an experiment that I can plan and design what I am going to write and what the ultimate product will look like. It is an adventure in the world that I have never been. It will lead me to explore the subject that I have never investigated in it or that I have never thought clearly about it before.

Writing could be challenging that I might get criticism that makes me vulunable. But I must be brave enough to embrace different views from my audiences and am being flexiable to change and improve myself.

Writing can be a self-exploration and healing. It reflects what is in me, so I can find who I am and what I will be. It has a healing power by tapping into my feeling.

Odyssey 11 - A Virtual Landscape: Social Networking

Social Networking becomes popular nowadays. Many social networking software are available online, such as Facebook, Second life, Hi five, My space. I personally feel that sometimes they are good, but sometimes they are bad. It is good when my friends want to find me and that they can find me on the net, even though I move to another country. It is bad that my personal space shrinks and is invaded when I want to be alone. I feel that I am obliged to reply to friends or some acquaintances. Sometimes I feel bad that some strangers can view my friends and get on to them via my account. But someone said, 'That is social networking all about!' So, we are all responsible for our privacy and security. Be careful of giving out and using information!

How Big is Social Networking?


Safer Social Networking


"BE SAVE ON THE NET!!!"

Odyssey 10 - New Space : Online Applications

Online Application, such as Google Docs, creates a new workspace on the internet for everyone. I recently created an account on Google Docs for myself. My friend and I are working very hard on a document which I posted on Google Docs. I find that it is exciting because I can save it on the website and share the document with her. I sent her a link to invite her to join Google Docs, so she can edit wherever she is and whenever she wants. I really like the idea! So even though we are busy in our life, we still can work at our own space to meet the deadline.

We also think about combining other web 2.0 technology to make our work more efficient. For instance, we can have a web conference when we work on the same document on Google Docs at our homes at the same time. Such a wonderful idea!

My only concern with Online Applications is all about security. Although these online applications are available and are free to the public, I am worried about whether there are cyber criminals who can log in my account and steal my document. Would the Google company guarantee their internet security that their applications are save enough if people use them for small business or at work.

Odyssey 9 - Landscape of Mashup

What a clever idea of Mashup is! I thought that Mashup is very difficult and technical web technology and I would not be able to manage myself to do it. But it is as easy as snapping your finger and make it. "I make it!"

Where I have been


http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/map.php

Odyssey 8 - Landscape of Podcasting

Podcasting is an innovative idea to library services. How amazing is! Information service no longer focuses on keeping physical collection in the library, but it becomes reach out to the target community groups, such as children, young adult, adult, senior or professionals via broadcasting on the internet.

I enjoy listening to the teen podcasting at the Cheshire Public Library (CPL). The CPL teen podcasting is absolutely stunning. It is an award-winning audio-magazine featuring teen writers, musicians, and reviewers. It contributes story ideas, songs, poems, essays, book/movie/music reviews, comic sketches, or announcements. The CPL creates a space for teenagers to participate, create and express themselves on the air. The teenagers absolutely love it, but also the adults.

The Medline podcasting podcasts the current medical concerns and research. It is amazing to see that academic library services break the physical barrier, extends their information services to media broadcast and delivers information to their served community with digital format.

To learn more about how to make your own podcast, there are free information available on the internet.

Odyssey 7 - Landscape of Answer Broad

Answer Board is a cool idea for collaborative learning. Someone throw a question on the website, then other people on the web will throw their answers back to your question. That can occur within a second, or few days, or no answer at all.

I posted a question out there. The question is 'how does the decilious social bookmarking work?' Within an hour, one person replied to me. But the answer does not seem to be helpful to me, because that person replied that he/she just got on the delicious and needed time to work it out too. It seems to me Answer Board is more popular among the young people and their concerns; whereas the mature people haven't pay a lot of attention to it.

This may suggest the need for promotion of Answer Board could make a different of its use in the community.