June 29, 2011

History Teaching with Moodle 2

History Teaching with Moodle 2  is a useful resource even for LIS practitioners, who wish to design and develop Information Literacy courses using Moodle or integrate Information Literacy instructions in Moodle courses.
This book covers the following chapters:
Chapter 1 - Course Structure looks at different course formats, effective use of labels, and the creation of a simple forum.
Chapter 2 - Create Attractive Courses demonstrates how images and word clouds should be used to enhance course pages.
Chapter 3 - Adding Interactive Content focuses on important procedures including uploading of files and creating links for students to submit work. A glossary is also created.
Chapter 4 - Quizzes looks at different types of learning objects that can be created and also demonstrates good practice in organizing questions using categories and the question bank.
Chapter 5 - The Gradebook looks at ways in which the Gradebook module enables teachers to replicate their markbook electronically and use it for the collation of reports, target setting, and more.
Chapter 6 -  Student Collaboration examines ways in which students can be encouraged to work and learn together. The chapter looks at wikis, polls, and databases.
Chapter 7 - Lessons and Blogs covers modules that reinforce learning. The first module enables teachers to create exciting content that captures their expertise and the second enables students to pursue independent learning.
Chapter 8 - Using Xerte and Audacity looks closely at two examples of open source software that enable teachers to add rich content to their Moodle courses.
Chapter 9 - Moodle Workshops demonstrates how this important module empowers teachers and students to conduct meaningful and rewarding peer-to-peer assessments of work.

I'm yet to review this book. I feel it might be useful to  everyone who wish to develop or improve  Moodling skills. You can download the Chapter 7 - Lessons and Blogs here.

June 25, 2011

CPD23 Learning Path


Week 1
I started my career way back in 2000 as the Librarian of a Polytechnic College. Later in 2003, I joined ICFAI University as a Faculty Member and involved in designing and developing courseware for B.L.I.Sc. and M.L.I.Sc. programmes. My research interests include: Library Automation, Digital Libraries, Information Literacy and e-Learning. Currently, I'm working on designing and developing blended online courses on Moodle. Also researching on how to embed librarian, library components and Information Literacy activities in Moodle courses. 


Coming to CPD23, my objective is to learn about how various social media can be used for rendering Library and Information Services and also for professional development activities. Though participation in this course, I would love to upgrade my social media skills. 
Step (Thing) 1 - Blogs and blogging
I would like to share my CPD23 journey from the day I learnt about this professional development programme (posted on Sheila Webber's Information Literacy Blog). When I thought of registering for this programme I came to know that Blog title is required to see my name/blog in the list of participants. That prompted me create my LIS Professional Development blog on June 10, 2011.  I'm exploring various features of blogger to improve my blog.  


Step (Thing) 2 -  Investigate some other blogs
I explored various blogs and found the following blogs useful for CPD23:
  1. 23 Things @ Sims Library
  2. University (of Saskatchewan) Library 23 Things
Week 2
Step (Thing) 3 - Considering personal brand
Creating an online presence helps us not only showcase our competencies but also build an image or brand. I believe, maintaining consistency is an inherent quality of LIS professionals (don't we maintain consistency in our daily operations, say for example, classifying,  cataloguing and tagging documents!). 
I always try to maintain consistency both personally and professionallyLet me reflect on how do I maintain consistency in the following aspects:
  • Name: I use my real name "Indira Koneru" across various platforms, whether it be on Facebook or LinkedIn or WikiEducator or Mahara or blog etc.
  • Photograph: I always upload my original photograph so that it would serve as an identifier.   
  • Professional/personal identity: I always try to maintain my brand as "profersonal"; why because my core values and instincts drive me in the right direction professionally. 
  • Visual brand: Partially, i.e., on font size and type; but not on colours and images.  
Activity: I searched for my name in Google, Bing and Yahoo; retrieved the pages that reflect more of my professional interests and activities. 


Week 3
Step (Thing) 4 - Current awareness - Twitter, RSS and Pushnote
Twitter
Singed up for a twitter account with my profersonal brand name. Updated my profile and left the the Twitter Privacy box unchecked because so that CPD23 participants can read my tweets. Started tweeting CAS news (online events, satellite conference) useful for LIS professionals. Added #cpd23 hashtag to one of my tweets. 
Following CPD23LISResearch, JISC and nelliemuller tweets. Yet to use RT - Retweeted JISC tweet on Metadata. 
RSS
I use Google Reader for subscribing to RSS feeds. RSS feeds enable me to keep updated of latest developments in the LIS field across the globe. That's how I  learnt about the CPD23 programme. I subscribed to Phil Bradley's weblog in October, 2010.  
Pushnote
Signed up for pushnote; downloaded Google Chrome add-on and rated CPD23 blog and posted a comment on WebJunction Webinars. Found even many of CPD23 participants tested Pushnote application for rating and commenting on the CPD blog! 



Week 4
Step (Thing) 5 - Reflective Practice

ClipArt
Reflecting on our learning is a way of promoting constructive learning. Joining CPD23 programme enabled me to learn about how various social media tools can be used for Library & Information Services and profersonal development activities. Activity-based learning helped me to create LIS Professional Development blog and also explore other blogs. Trying to post real professional development programmes so as to retain the interest of my blog visitors. Not that easy!
I have created my online presence
on Facebook or LinkedIn or WikiEducator or Mahara etc. long ago; but I never tried to google my name. I retrieved many pages that reflect more of my professional interests. Coming to consistency; though I maintain profersonal consistency,  I need to focus on maintaining visual consistency.
Signed up for Twitter account and started tweeting online events, satellite conferences, new publications, and how libraries can make a difference in the lives of adults with learning disabilities and difficulties.
I am not new to RSS feed; using Google reader for aggregating RSS feeds. I also configured RSS feeds in Moodle. Pushnote is a new tool that I learnt about. Quite interesting tool for rating and commenting on a web resource.



Week 5
Step (Thing) 6 - Online Networks

I have been a member of LinkedIn and Facebook for 3 years. LinkedIn helped me in connecting with professionals and institutions with similar interests. It also helped me in keeping updated in my areas of interest and in joining various professional development programmes, such as Moodle for Teachers and Webinars.

I use Facebook for profersonal interest. I'm a member ofIntegrating Technology, WikiEducator, LokSatta etc. On Facebook, I socialize with my friends. I also post messages about social movements that require public attention and participation and about  professional development programmes.

Joined LISNPN, LAT Network and CILIP Communities. Hope these networks will aid in networking and professional development. 

 I recently joined Google+, and believe that it will provide ample scope for both personal and professional networking. People already started using Google+ talk gadget 'hang out' for live meetings.

June 24, 2011

eduMOOC, 2011: Online Learning Today... and Tomorrow

eduMOOC: Online Learning Today... and Tomorrow
The Center for Online Learning, Research and Service at the University of Illinois Springfield welcomes you to a Massive Open Online Class (MOOC) on “Online Learning Today...and Tomorrow.” It will begin June 27, 2011 and run for eight weeks. It is totally open, free, and collaborative. It can be totally asynchronous, or those attending can join in weekly panel discussions with experts in various aspects of the topic. This is an active and growing resource and networking center on the topic of "Online Learning Today, and Tomorrow." You will have the opportunity to meet many people around the world who share your interest in this topic.

June 21, 2011

Webinar - The Biggest Green IT Opportunities for Nonprofits and Libraries

Join the TechSoup for Libraries  free webinar (1 hour) The Biggest Green IT Opportunities for Nonprofits and Libraries on Tuesday, June 28, 2011.
Time: 10:00 am to 11:00 am (Pacific), 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM (Eastern)
Presenters: Mike Walker of Beacon Consultants and the U.S. EPA and Jim Lynch of TechSoup Global. 
This webinar will cover the biggest green IT opportunities for nonprofits and libraries, including numerous ways we can save on our electric bills, on new equipment purchases, and how to access free technical support and software from Energy Star's Low Carbon IT Campaign [www.energystar.gov/lowcarbonit].
Register for the free webinar here.

June 20, 2011

CILIP - Ethical Principles for Library & Information Professionals

CILIP  Policy (2011) on Ethical principles for library and information professionals recognises professional development as one of the professional ethics for Library & Information Professionals. 
Here are the 12 principles:

  1. Concern for the public good in all professional matters, including respect for diversity within society, and the promoting of equal opportunities and human rights
  2. Concern for the good reputation of the information profession
  3. Commitment to the defence, and the advancement, of access to information, ideas and works of the imagination. 
  4. Provision of the best possible service within available resources. 
  5. Concern for balancing the needs of actual and potential users and the reasonable demands of employers
  6. Equitable treatment of all information users. 
  7. Impartiality, and avoidance of inappropriate bias, in acquiring and evaluating information and in mediating it to other information users. 
  8. Respect for confidentiality and privacy in dealing with information users. 
  9. Concern for the conservation and preservation of our information heritage in all formats. 
  10. Respect for, and understanding of, the integrity of information items and for the intellectual effort of those who created them. 
  11. Commitment to maintaining and improving personal professional knowledge, skills and competences. 
  12. Respect for the skills and competences of all others, whether information professionals or information users, employers or colleagues.

June 16, 2011

Stephen Abram launches Murdoch University’s 23 Things.

Stephen Abram, Vice President of Innovation at Sirsi-Dynix authored one of the seminal works about Library 2.0 Web 2.0, Library 2.0, and Librarian 2.0: Preparing for the 2.0 World.




This video recorded on 30 August 2007 will provide you with a basic understanding of Web 2.0 and Library 2.0.

June 14, 2011

Library Widgets

Widgets enable us add Library Services (search widgets) to our institution's CMS/LMS and also to our library social network pages (facebook etc.). I find this presentation An Introduction To The Use Of Widgets in libraries useful.  

Adding library widgets to Course Management Systems, such as Moodle enable us embed: 
  • Ask-A-Librarian (Meebo)
  • Federated search 
  • 'Point of need' services

June 10, 2011

Free 2-day Online Conference – Trends in Library Training and Learning: Developing Staff Skills for the 21st Century


WebJunction, OCLC’s online learning community for library staff, and the ALA Learning Round Table will offer a free, online learning and training conference - Trends in Library Training and Learning: Developing Staff Skills for the 21st Century during August 10–11, 2011.

The conference, to include eight one-hour sessions over two days, will be hosted using the WebEx web conferencing tool, which will provide attendees with easy online access to all live sessions and the ability to interact with other attendees and presenters using text-based chat. Registration details are available on WebJunction.

ACRL | Conferences & Events

ACRL | e-Learning
ACRL offers a number of online learning opportunities to meet the professional development needs of LIS professionals.
Instructional Design for Online Teaching and Learning (July 11-29, 2011) course focuses on using good instructional design and Web page design principles. Participants will also be introduced to Web-based Teaching techniques and materials using standard Web pages and the Moodle (Learning Management System). 

Free CPD from Cambridge University Library

Cambridge University Library's 23 Things for Professional Development is a free, online self-directed course open to librarians and information professionals, in all types of role and anywhere in the world. 
The "CPD23 Things" to do with professional development include: 
  • some web 2.0 and/or social media gadgets and gizmos, and 
  • some  ways of developing (y)our career by more 'traditional', less technology-focussed, means. 
The programme starts on 20 June and will run until early October 2011. You can sign up for the programme at the CPD 23 blog