Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Netizens Needs Netiquette




"Apply real world rules whenever appropriate (if it is not acceptable behavior offline 
it is probably not acceptable online)"

The evolution of technology had changed our lives not only through technicality but socially. Socially, not limited to social networking but on how we communicate as a person to another person. As the networks closes the gap between cross-cultures so is the understanding that differences exists. Differences in beliefs and opinions and ability to comprehend things.This paper examines several issues related to netiquette and online communication and provide some solutions on how to addresses the problem.

Learnings

Still human. Can you check your pulse? Do you feel it beating? If yes, good. Sometimes we tend to forget that the person whom we are communicating through the internet is also human. A human who is rational and an emotional being. If you are communicating online or even simply posting words it would be better to imagine first the situation in real life - if you can do it in person before pressing that send/enter button. Some netizens are very vulgar in posting and speaking up their mind online because there is no physical presence involved only online but remember, what you do online will affect you (accept it or not) in real life. So better think twice.

Moral obligation. Remember that you are still human who's involve in a community whether you like it or not. And as a human, we are expected to act like one. What then does it take to be a human? Well you must be humane. But (you might ask) what does it take for us to be humane human in an online society? I can give you list of things but you may only need one for now. As a human, we have a moral obligation to another. Values then are still involved, though it may vary from one culture to another, the reality is it is still involve.

Intact education. Recently news broke out that teacher has now an added responsibility beyond academic scope and it is now what we call - in loco parentis. It is a Latin word which means, "in place of a parent and as a parent we are ought to teach values to our children especially certain etiquette. How do we that in lieu of modern technological advances? Through "netiquette." We may post and post policies through net but will the message get through? No, that is why educating the generation is still vital. 


Implications

In my grade school years the common conception of 'net' is a meshed fabric that is used to catch fish and the likes. Then in high school I started going into 'net'shops. A shop that doesn't sell fabric catching fish but a shop that offers rental to use computers with access to internet and so it happens the word net now connotes internet, such a change for a span of years. But it doesn't stop right there. We have now what we call 'net'izens which refers to the citizens of the internet community and so the flow of communication follows which leads to the creation of some moral obligation as a human resulting to the needs of etiquette in the social networking that is now what we call 'netiquette'. How did the transition affected me? Well, it affected my everyday life. The way I do simple things in life such as communicating with a friend and some shopping too. These simple things though (even done via online) are still social interactions that is very similar to personal social interactions. That is why I am surprised that people even some of my own generation seems to have forgotten it. They lash out and ramp out in their social networking profile, very unethical. Gladly there is now what we call netiquette and I've seen articles about this publish in popular magazines which for me is good. People has to know. They must be reminded especially for those who are 'supposed' to be educated. A reminder, that I must also remind myself especially when I am working because my work which involves lots of communication and dissemination of information.  

References:
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Friday, July 26, 2013

Security Brawl









Being gullible in this concern as a librarian would be fatal. As an individual librarian this is an eye opener regarding open source and proprietary giving me facts that could weigh in a situation. There is no universal solution for every problem, that is what I thought after reflecting in this reading. Though there is a universal understand of the sum of the triangles, personal situations don't work that way, that is why it is important to scan your environment for certain situations. As a librarian working in school library (and in the kind of setting that we have) I can have the option or the privilege to use the open source. Why? Because our focus is teaching students and not more as a data bank but that is our current situation it is subdue to change when pressing times might come that is I personally do not close myself to the possibility of taking proprietary. 

Allison, J. (2009). Which is more secure? open source vs. proprietary. Interactive Week. 8(28). 23. Retreived from: http://web.ebscohost.com
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More Is Merrier


"Learning has a social context... bridge an important divide between 'how' to use and 'why' they are vital to education."

-Laura Brooks






Social learning by design: the role of social media
by Brooks, Laura
May-June 2009
Knowledge Quest

It was said that learning must be fun. What can be more fun for the students of today than to learn on their mode of communication - social networking. In our traditional context this is known as social learning but the context of social learning have changed through the emergence of social 'technologies.' How much of this upgrade can impact us, the librarian? As librarian media specialist we work with these kind of clientele (students/ researchers) everyday and by understanding how this can affect the learning system gives us a one foot forward in giving the best services. If you are a librarian learning how the social 'context' can affect your library this article is a good jump start

Learnings

Constant change. We know the adage that 'change is the only thing permanent in this world.' Perhaps it is true especially when we talk about social learning in the emergence of social technology. As Neilman Postman said, "... a new technology does not merely ass something, it changes everything."

Bridgemakers. Most of the students might have better understand on how to use the advance techonological gadgets compared to the much older generation but the question is do they know how to use it properly? As the research conducted, student know how to operate technicalities of the physical gadget but fails to create a higher cognitive level conversation and just falls into superficial chatting-style interaction. As librarians, we are the bridgemakers to this divide.

Team up. You expect your students or researchers to understand the 'social learning' and yet you the librarians, refuse to do the same? How can you teach what you do not know then? That is why it is important to collaborate. Team up with the faculties especially if you are working in educational institution.

Maybe Brooks was right when she said that, "As library media specialists work... they take for granted their pedagogical roots in social learning theory." We must remember that students need modeling and observation to learn from one another. Remember your basic psychology in college. We are taught that one of the modes of acquiring knowledge children uses is observation, s/he needs to observe the environment s/he belongs. We as librarians must understand that this act is not merely petty observations but vital information gathering that is a key activity for sharing knowledge. With this, we are expected to make available space in this kind of learning -  a place where the students can reach their full potential in choosing appropriate tools for sharing. I'm starting to be pretty involve in this by always bringing the current issue to my colleagues in my workplace. We are now have adding this concern in our strategic planning to improve and be of more valuable to our clients.

Brooks, L. (2009). Social learning by design: the role of social media. Knowledge Quest. 37(5). 58-60. Retreived from: http://web.ebscohost.com
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Friday, July 12, 2013

Extinction of Tyrannosaurus Librarian




Using Social Networks to Create Powerful Learning Communities
by Marianne Lenox and Maurice Coleman
September 2010
Computers in Libraries
http://www.infotoday.com/cilmag/sep10/index.shtml






  • Evolve or go extinct. Scary? Maybe for some but it's the way the cookie crumbles. It's just the way it is. Just like what the original vampire told her daughter-like vampire (the protagonist) in the movie underworld, 'evolve or go extinct.' So is our roles in information. As the mode of information changes so must we - the so called information specialist. How can we share things we do not have? That's why it is very important to be open-minded with this change so we can share the best knowledge of the past.
  • We make ways. Heard this before? This is the motto of BDO - Well, I'm not promoting this bank but I think their motto is applicable in our roles as librarians especially in times of web 2.0 Should we neglect our clients if they are having trouble understanding 'how' to search the information that they need? Of course not. We as the librarians must also make ways. 
  • Connect the dots. Can you remember your activity book where you connect the dots to create an image of animal? Sounds pre school, isn't it? But it is the concept of networking. The dots are the various people wanting to get connected, wanting to get the same information and it had been made easy by the evolution of technology especially the creation of social networking.
Implications

Have you seen a real-life, moving T-Rex. Well I hope not because you might have run for your life. Kidding aside, really have you seen it? Of course not because they've gone extinct. This is quite scary if the future generation will think of librarians as the same. They will not know us for we have gone extinct. That's why in my personal views, evolution is necessary. Let the T-Rex Librarians go extinct and let us create a new set of librarians. Librarians that will create impact in society. Librarians who initiates change through the use of technology. Just like Maurice who created T is for Training podcasting group we can make ways - helping each other, training librarians. Look also at the picture above. It is good caricature of today's generation. This is the implication of using social networking without really knowing the information content that they are sharing. They are diminishing the quality hence creating a community with thinking that is not far from the people who have started the information cycle. This is the challenge to us now. Be involve in their modes of information to influence their modes of thinking whether you are a librarian in educational institution, in a business setting or in government communities.

Reference
Lenox, M. (2010). Using social networkg to create powerful learning communities. Computer in Libraries. 30(7). 12-17. Retreived from: http://web.ebscohost.com
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Sunday, July 7, 2013

Happy Together

An overview of electronic information resources sharing initiatives in Kenyan universities 
by Munge, Evans M.
April 1, 2007
South African Journal of Libraries & Information Science
http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=87060ded-61f4-412d-ab47-d0f320d63dc6%40sessionmgr4&vid=1&hid=11



 “Share your
knowledge. It is
a way to
achieve 
immortality.” 
― Dalai Lama
 XIV
You cannot share what you do not have, that is the rule not only applied by those who collaborates but a universal rule in imparting something to someone. When you successfully shares, it alleviates each ones burden creating a more delighted community. But nothing is always easy at first. This article includes the experiences of different libraries in resource sharing. Imparting their knowledge based on first hand encounters. They suggested guidelines and policies in resource sharing. The focus of their resource sharing is electronic based. If you are planning to create on this article will help you and if you just want to have an idea of what entail resource sharing, stories in the article are very informative.

Learnings
  • Know the talk. We deal with people. People who, as described by Dale Carnegie, are very emotional being. When we communicate we must reach the feeling of helping each other but still  not losing sight and moving towards the started vision.
  • Stay on your grounds. Sharing is good but it will be beneficial for your library if you know where you stand. Knowing what you can offer and up until what limit. 
  • We are a community. It has been said, 'United we stand, divided we fall.' It is good to know what the power of helping each other can do - surpassing struggles and reaching things beyond the goals of one man. 

Implications
Once again a call of duty beyond the desk. Another skill required from us which is called - interpersonal skills. In here we deal with other professionals who have the same concerns as us and hopes to help each other. I have a good vision with resource sharing, for me sharing is vital for survival in times of change especially for human beings. We are supposed to be there for one another before the domino effect might befall, paralyzing us. But the challenge will always be there. What playable language will the other parties are willing to take part of? To what extent should we reach to help and yet still not lose our own identity as an institution or unit. That's why I concluded that librarians must not only have the ability or organize the flow of information but also has business skills who can make sound decisions for the users of their services.

Reference
Munge, E. (2007). An overview of electronic information resources sharing initiatives in Kenyan universities. South African Journal of Libraries & Information Science. 73(1). 64-74. Retreived from: http://web.ebscohost.com





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Saturday, July 6, 2013

Knowledge is Power

Testing Information Literacy in Digital Environments: 
ETS's iSkills Assessment 
by Katz, Irvin R.
Information Technology & Libraries
http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=c50bb547-2be3-4dec-8497-ba36cc33fa2f%40sessionmgr12&vid=7&hid=11

"However, anecdotally and in small-scale studies, there is increasing evidence that students do not use technology effectively when they conduct research or communicate" - (Rockman 2004)


'Keep moving forward', one of Disney's motto. Sounds right ain't it? But how do you sustain the change on moving forward if those who are involve is not yet prepared? Have you also considered a gap between information literacy and digital literacy that occurs in today's students process of learning? What kind of assessment would help today's generation be prepared of the future? The article revealed the problem of today's generation and provided a chance to solve the dilemma through gathering of data. If you have a vital role in this kind of formation, the article can help you have a head start through the solution of ICT and iSkills assessment.

Learnings

  • Vital Roles. There are still irreplaceable duties bound on teachers, administrators as well as librarians. Some people take it for granted thinking that technology had replace these place in learning but in reality furthered the expectations on us, those involve with vital roles.
  • Two is better than one. The learning of today shouldn't favor one side - whether be in favor of digital literacy or information literacy alone. 'Two heads is better than one' remember? So is in education, learning how to be literate in the two perspective will bring out the best of the learner.
  • Primer. We have been so used in finding information in few minutes, in one click. A vast of information identified in just seconds. Sadly, we have one of the most important part in education that had started millenniums ago, the education primer: thinking process. We have become so used in having results presented to us that a vital process, the art of thinking, we needed for our own advancement is somehow lost. 
Implications

The experts keep on reminding us that health is wealth, never take it for granted. But how much have we took for granted the technology that promised progress. Progress in saving up time but took away some important things such as the thinking process. Isn't it said that a sound mind makes a sound body? Therefore we must learn how to properly use the technology in our advantage such as developing one of the most important things - our critical thinking. Even if technology can bring us progress through its fast-paced features we should remember that our minds are like a crop, to harvest the best product takes time. 

Reference

Katz, I. (2007). Testing Information Literacy in Digital Environments: ETS's iSkills Assessment. Information Technology & Libraries. 26(3). 3-12. Retreived from: Academic Source Complete.
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New Niche in Library


Ebrary finds the public niche
by Michael Kelley
June 15, 2012
http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=c50bb547-2be3-4dec-8497-ba36cc33fa2f%40sessionmgr12&vid=5&hid=11



"I don't want to buy a lot of reference stuff that doesn't get used," Brewer says. "The great number of books on ebrary really sold us." -Becky Brewer, the head of information services for the Jackson County Public Library

Inevitable shift, the main reason behind the creation of the Ebrary by ProQuest. This article contains a short but good narration on the experience as well as the logical facts that proceeds the shift from print to electronic format. It is also good to take note the shift coming from a different perspective, aside from librarians  which is the provider. If you are a new librarian or unfamiliar on the shift from print to e-resources this is a good article to start with. 

Learning

  • The shift is inevitable. That in the age of information it is a form of adaptation or else will lead to extinction. But it doesn't mean that it's inevitable, it's bad. It is a good 'inevitable' circumstance that pushes us to something better. 
  • No good thing comes without a cost. Did I said cost? Yes and not only that but also hard work. Just like someone trying to lose weight and putting effort to be in shape so does the library (and especially the librarians) putting effort and hard work to keep our collection fit for the minds of our users. 
  • Domino effect in community. Somehow we are driven to look at things solely in our point of view wherein fact the things that we are experiencing is the same with those around us just in a different form. We librarians experience it, the providers and the vendors experience it and so does the people who uses our services.
Implications

The bar is now leveled up. Have you noticed how often a single cellphone changes it's model? If my would-be users have adapted that fast changing mode of information, as a librarian who is expected to give them the best information resources, I personally feel the pressure. Fortunately, I like change. Just like what Gerry Lane from World War Z said, "Motion is key to survival."

Reference: 

Kelley, M. (2012). Ebrary finds public niche. Library Journal. 137(11), 26-28. Retreived from: web.ebscohost.com



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