Entries for May 04, 2006
Freedman Center - More Information
I have received several comments and questions about my original post that introduced my library's Freedman Center. Let may share some more information.
Let me introduce the facility by sharing the mission:
The Mission of the Samuel B. and Marian K. Freedman Digital Library, Language Learning and Multimedia Services Center is to bring togetherI hope you noticed the full name as used in the mission statement. Something I did not mention before was the language learning component. Students have access to an online language learning website or can use Pimsleur Bookchips in the Freedman Center with materials for 14 languages. In addition, 16 computers have been equipped with Logitech Quickcam Webcams, instant messaging applications, and Skype to promote international videoconferencing to supplement classroom language instruction.
in one place a variety of technological resources in order that these
resources support and sustain learners and create new ways of teaching
and learning. The Freedman Center will be an innovative partner with
faculty, students, and staff in providing full-service digital library, language learning and multimedia services so that members of the Case community can achieve their research, scholarly, and artistic goals.
The Center offers plenty of equipment to be used in-house or for lending. Faculty, staff, or students can borrow digital voice recorders, miniDV video cameras, 5MP digital cameras, Apple iBooks, Garmin eTrex GPS Units, and jump drives.
Earlier I had mentioned the new podcasting studio, and Michael had asked for some more information. The Freedman Center was completed last summer and a studio was not in the original plans. As voice recordings were being made for podcasts and other presentations, it became apparent very quickly that some privacy was needed to produce high quality materials. A storage room was sacrificed and the podcasting studio was born.
The recording equipment includes a Alesis Multimix 8USB Mixer, 3 MXL-990 microphones, and a Heil PR-40 microphone. The mixer is great in that by allowing USB interface with a laptop and not being much bigger than a laptop, it allows for some portability. I shared a booth with the Freedman Center staff and a recent Research ShowCASE across campus. They conducted interviews from the booth and demonstrated the equipment and resources to faculty and students.
I will get some better pictures of the Freedman Center and the new podcasting studio, and share them here on my blog. I will also have a discussion about the new studio, how it is being used, and related policies. I will try to even record the discussion as a podcast and share it.
First SPARC Innovator
SPARC recognizes Herbert Van de Sompel, who is the initiator of the Open Archives Initiative (OAI) and the open reference linking framework (OpenURL).
SPARC RECOGNIZES HERBERT VAN DE SOMPEL FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCHOLARLY COMMUNICATION
April 18, 2006
SPARC (the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition) has named Herbert Van de Sompel, who leads the Digital Library Research and Prototyping Team at the Research Library of the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), as the first SPARC Innovator. The SPARC Innovator program is a new initiative that recognizes an individual, institution, or group that exemplifies SPARC principles by working to challenge the status quo in scholarly communication for the benefit of researchers, libraries, universities, and the public. SPARC Innovators will be featured on the SPARC Web site each month. See full announcement for more information.
(Orginally seen on the Library Journal Academic Newswire, April 20, 2006)
7 Ways Nonprofits Can Use Podcasts
Britt Bravo's blog on NetSquared shared seven ways that nonprofits could utilize podcasts, along with specific examples.
- Talk about what is going on in the organization and in your field.
- Short, informational pieces about one issue combining voiceover by a narrator and/or interviews with the people you serve.
- Weekly updates about what is going on in your organization followed by interviews with experts in your field.
- Have your constituents create the podcast.
- Be creative!
- Use recordings from presentations.
- Turn your radio show into a podcast.
(Via: Open Stacks, April 10, 2006)
Opening Session & Web 2.0
When people talk about Web 2.0, I think usually too much emphasis is put on the technology. I think the technology is only the tools to meet user needs and expectations. To me, Web 2.0 is more of a mindset that the newer generation have openly embraced.
We just had our opening session for ALA Library 2.0, so lets look at the framework used. In my lists below, I will look at a need or trait as addressed by a technology and/or a meeting's structure.
Why the Opening Session Was NOT Library (Web) 2.0
Real-time Discussion
The chat function was not turned on within Microsoft LiveMeeting. Today, many people prefer to discuss items immediately as IM, chat functions built into web sites, cellular phones, and other technology push the desire to react to other's opinions. I think that the chat function in LiveMeeting is one-to-one, but I have seen other online meeting applications that allow the entire group to comment and
discuss without interrupting the speakers. I personally feel more
ownership and larger gains from a meeting, if I share in other's
perspectives and thoughts.
Lack of Mobility
By relying on audio provided by a telephone conference call, mobility was limited for most. If mobility was desired, the costs were pushed to the participants to utilize cellular phones or other fee-based technology. If the audio capabilities of LiveMeeting were utilized, those with high speed Internet and a microphone, could have participated directly from their computer, or in my situation laptop. My university's campus is wireless, so I would not have been forced to return to my office to gather and could have used the pre-meeting time more effectively.
Open Source/Free vs. Purchased Applications
By utilizing, Microsoft LiveMeeting artificial restrictions are placed on participants and organizations. Again, users are mobile and may not
have permission to install onto the computer being used. In addition,
should we pick applications that restrict users to a single web browser? If open source was used, could participants have conducted more customization to their view? Another consideration that an organization must rationalize is covering the costs for applications such as LiveMeeting, if "free" alternatives exist. Of course, we know nothing is totally free.
Lack of Immediate Results
People expect immediate results, such as a copy of their work. I was disappointed that we did not receive an immediate copy of the presentation, so that we could continue digesting the content. Do we hamper follow-up and discussion if content is delayed to the participants? How many people like to respond immediately versus those that respond days down the road?
User options/settings
The way LiveMeeting was configured and the nature of the presentation, very few options for customization were available. Maybe none were needed, but with 40+ participants, I am sure some people thought of some that would have been nice.
Why the Opening Session WAS Library (Web) 2.0
Multitasking
Participants were able to continue regular work tasks or other activities.
Collaboration
I am talking beyond the fact that a large group gathered for the opening session. Smaller groups were able to utilize CampFire to work on details. The telephone allowed for full group discussion (which was a poor answer to some of my concerns above, but maybe the best available at this time for this group).
Options
Participants did have some options. Some people may have chatted in the external CampFire application rather than watching a portion of the presentation (of course, ideally chat would have occurred within the LiveMeeting format). People may have left after hearing that the presentation would be made available at a later date as a podcast. I doubt anyone did leave though with all the interesting content and discussion.
Interaction & Sensory
Surveys, break away chats, phone comments, slide content, etc. People learn very different, and the combinations of technology developed to support Web 2.0 allows a larger pool of people to participate and benefit at the greatest level possible for each person.
Opportunities for Follow Up
With the blog system, CampFire chat, copy of the presentation, and recorded podcast, the learning and discussion is not limited to a short meeting. People can absorb the information at their own pace, and still play with everyone equally.
Ability to Overcome Technical Difficulties with Alternatives
I think this goes back to options. The newer generations are not locked into a single format of communication. As a result, the technologies that have developed have made it easier to overcome technical difficulties. Many more alternatives exist for the same or similar tasks.
My Summary of Web 2.0
Lets make this short and sweet: alternatives, user options, & participation/ownership.
SAE Eye on Engineering Podcasts
Access the SAE Eye on Engineering podcasts for quick 60 second updates on timely topics impacting automotive technology and business today. Brought to you by the editorial staff of Automotive Engineering International, these weekly educational audio broadcasts are delivered direct to your desktop. Listen to them on your computer or load them on to your MP3 and take them with you.
Automotive Engineering International is available in the Kelvin Smith Library periodical collection.
Youths Use Cell phones as Mini-PCs
From eSchool News (April 5, 2006) comes information on the results of a new survey suggesting that today's youth--and minorities in particular--are using cell phones more and more as mini personal computers. See the full article for more information.
This article does bring up some interesting considerations for libraries, universities, and other content producers. Are we producing web pages and data that users can access on a small screen?