Computers in Libraries 2008 Wiki

http://cil2008.pbwiki.com/

Next week I'll be heading down to the Computers in Libraries/Internet @Schools East Conference to do a presentation on Screencasting..."Just Push Play: Screencasting for Your Library". As I start to collect info on what to see, what to do, good bars to go to and all those other important conference things, I was happy to receive an email from the conference organizers about the conference wiki.

What's even more intriguing to me is the Social Software aspects of the conference and how the conference organizers are embracing and hoping to utilize bloggers, flickr folks, wiki participants, del.icio.us devotees, tweeters, slidesharers, etc. to improve the individual and collective experiences of participants and non-particpants alike.

I know I'm looking forward to using the resources that get developed before, during, and after the conference AND I'm looking forward to participating as well...

Mind Games

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/03/26/mindgames/

As we're going to be covering some gaming issues AND because if you're half as stressed as me you might need this.

:-)

Next week is Video...

For the video segment of class you'll need to be able to capture video and get it onto your computer.

I'm not going to make you purchase any device, but this does mean instead of spending $$ you'll need to figure out for yourself how to create/capture your own video content.

I'll be asking for a few short video "snippets" that will be under 3 minutes, you can use a digital camera that captures video, a web cam, a "camcorder" that you get video from, etc.

The least expensive options are generally the web cam or to use your existing digital camera (assuming that it captures video)

Audio won't be important to me so if your digital camera is like mine and doesn't capture audio that's fine...you'll just have to consider that when "communicating" your message

"Good" Audio

Hello all,

As we head into a few weeks where you'll be talking to your computer I just want to bring up a few things:

1. This is not about "perfection", I don't think any of us are announcers or radio personalities...learn to like your voice...it's not bad...it's yours...own it (I've been told I sound like Bob Ross of PBS fame...if I can live with that, you can live with your voices :-)

2. Avoid hot and cold drinks when recording...your voice will "work" better if you have some warm tea or cool water

3. You can alway re-record, but don't spend so much time on redos that you forget to live your life

4. If you have a cheap mic you won't get good sound quality...that's ok for this class, but if it bugs you get yourself a good ($30-$70) usb headset with microphone...you can get lots of good headsets at Office Depot, Office Max, Staples, Radio Shack, CompUSA, etc. In my opinion the best brands are Logitech and Plantronics

5. Lastly, make sure you know how to control the volume out and IN to your computer...on XP that little speaker icon on the bottom right of your screen will take you to your main volume and if you double click on it and choose options, you'll be able to get to the recording settings (xp does it a bit differently depending on your sound card (check in the Control Panel area)

Welcome Back...Podcasting starts Monday AM

Hope everyone had a good break.

Mine was a bit hectic...lots of flying, lots of training...glad to be home.

Sitting here Sunday night...podcast page on the wiki is done, vodcast is getting updated now...Monday morn I'll post the main lecture and homework review.

Don't know 'bout you, but I'm really looking forward to the audio/podcasting, video/vodcasting, and screencasting sections of this class...reaching people via "new" media has been a lot of fun for me. Additionally, I'm definitely a visually oriented learner so I love all the new educational and instructional video that's emerging and I love having some podcasts with me in the car (or on the plane).

Images "week"

Just because I think I might have been unclear about when I think the homework project for the Images section of class is due...

I'll be grading on Monday 3.17...if you're not done, I'll be grading 3.24

Remember from 3.17 5pm till Sunday 3.23 I won't be around...

Have a good break

Vote for your favorite...or just shop around...

Webware awards 2008...lots of cool stuff...lots that applies to this class.

http://www.webware.com/html/ww/100/2008/index.html

On the Long Tail Topic...

http://tinyurl.com/3ythra

HP BookPrep Creates Long Tail for Out-of-Print Books...

Does "print on demand" eliminate the "need" for ILL?

Very nice wiki/user guides

Just finished viewing all the great user guides and wiki work you all did...nice job.

I especially appreciate those groups who came up with a profile "system" where you all answered the same question/addressed the same topic...great idea

Spring Break

Just a reminder that Spring Break is officially: Sat. 3.15 to Sun 3.23

This means I'll be checking your Images/Flickr homework projects on 3.24

During Spring Break, I'll be in California doing a series of Workshops on Screencasting for the Infopeople Library training organization...hence, I'll be around very little online. You can email me if you like, but I won't return from California till 3.22 so you may not receive a response till 3.22/3.23

Hope you all get to take a break and recharge for the "end of the semester" push.

Order and Media

Hi all,

Just a couple of quick notes:

I reordered the Student Pages page on russl so that you're all ordered by first name...this should make checking to see if you've got everyone (when making buddies/contacts) easier.

Welcome to the media section of class...this week we start Images/Flickr and after break we'll podcast, use video (vodcast), and screencast...these are some of the most fun weeks for me as I LOVE this stuff and I'm looking forward to being able to listen to/watch your homework projects rather than having to do all this reading :-P

Anyone else...

spending "way too much" time exploring everyone's bookmarks...lots of very cool stuff :-)

Enjoy wikis/collaborative docs/presentations...there's a group project this week so please plan accordingly.

Steve