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 professionally. Let 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 CPD23, LISResearch, 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

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.