Assignment 3: OLJ/Evaluative statement

PART 2(A) Evaluation of OLJ 3, 4 & 5

In this evaluation report I will cover 3 online journal entry reflections presented in my blog. After careful consideration I was able to extract from the OLJ entry 3 the definition of Library 2.0 : a model library service that encourages constant and purposeful change, inviting user participation, and supporting by consistent evaluation of services.  The major idea expressed in Casey and Savastinuk (2006) is that web 2.0 technologies have played a significant role in their ability to keep up with the changing needs of library. Careful assessment of my resource materials has led me to believe Library 2.0 allows technology to make libraries customer-driven, following the web 2.0 tools.  In essence Library 2.0 will replace traditional, one directional offering that were the norm.  Drawing from my reflection an important characteristic of web 2.0 professional is that they should possess the attributes of adaptability; flexibility; persistence; and resilience. These attributes emphasize greater status than IT skills and professional skills.  Knowledge of web 2.0 professionals in the information industry landscape is evolving and they should be versatile to adapt their knowledge at any given time. In conclusion I have provided my supporting reasons why Library 2.0 is a fundamental part of the modern library concept in contrast to the traditional library.

OLJ 4

After careful assessment and the evaluation of the online journal entry 4 I presented in my blog an outline of why organisations should implement a social media policy. The reasons are as follows. (1) A social media guideline shows how to use social media on behalf of the organisation.  (2) Social media tools are used to build more meaningful relationships with stakeholders where staff are encouraged to share ideas and information through blogs and wikis run by the organisation for the purposes of work collaboration. (3) Breaches of the policy must ensure staff behaviour, and be in line with the code of conduct and values of the organisation. (4) The role of the digital media section is to monitor social media and be responsible for monitoring social media online services. The main message reflected and advice provided to readers is that staff are to use work technologies for work related use and not for personal use. The major idea expressed in the OLJ entry is that any organisation’s social media policy guideline and code of conduct indicate that work technologies should only be used by employees for work use and personal work should be done in their own and not in work time.

OLJ 5

After evaluating the second article I was able to draw upon the relationship between information fluency and online-communication and web-based sources of information and ensure the need for educators to support current students to achieve an acceptable level of “information fluency” in their academic careers. The concepts and tool used as a catalyst for change are “connectedness, “ participatory environments” and “distributed cognition”.  All of these in combination with new media developments, such as the latest video technologies, example smart phones, give people control over their time, self-empowerment and choices in meeting their knowledge acquisition needs. The main concept drawn after the assessment of this article is that technology changes quickly, therefore having a basic understanding of how information is created, how information is communicated, and what’s needed to manage, evaluate, synthesize and present information is required. With developments in Web 2.0/Library 2.0 world library management is a difficult task which challenges libraries at different human and technological levels.

After careful consideration of the article on Wikipedia I was able to draw the following main points. One major problem noted in Wikipedia’s epistemology is its traditional notion of accuracy. I have learned that Wikipedia is a community-written encyclopaedia which has redefined the word truth.  After careful evaluation of Wikipedia's articles I have concluded that they are the first or second-ranked results for internet searches. This means that the emphasis on content and truth in these articles really matters. Another message discussed in the article is Wikipedia's articles can't be trusted, because they are written and edited by volunteers who have never been vetted.  Studies have found that the articles are remarkably accurate. The reason is that Wikipedia's community of more than seven million registered users has organically evolved a set of policies and procedures for removing untruths and inaccuracies. In conclusion, Wikipedia is the most widely read online reference on the planet and it is the standard of truth that most people are implicitly using, leading to its advantages outweighing its disadvantages.

PART 2(B)

After careful assessment and evaluation of myself, as information professional my goals, objectives and mission in the future are to function as an effective social media professional, meeting the needs of the global information society.  My objective is to serve as an intermediary between information and information seekers, as well as serve crucial roles in a wide variety of settings with increasingly sophisticated social media technological tools for example: setting up websites, blogs, wikis etc. My aims are to possess the necessary strength to improve in the quality of my research, and maintain social media excellence with in my organisation and community. My mission is to provide support to social media services in my profession and, after completing this current course perform as a high quality information professional making a difference in the state, nation and the world.

After completing INF506 I will achieve an in-depth understanding of the concepts, theories and practice of social networking technologies.  Casey & Savastinuk (2006) explain the concept of web 2.0 as user-centered change that encourages constant and purposeful change, inviting user participation in the creation of both the physical and the virtual services consistently evaluating the services. Web 2.0 technologies have played a significant role in our ability to keep up with the changing needs of library users. Technological advances in the past several years have enabled libraries to create new services that before were not possible, such as virtual reference, and personalized OPAC interfaces. This increase in available technologies gives libraries the ability to offer improved, customer-driven service opportunities. Proponents of this concept expect that the web 2.0 model for service will ultimately replace traditional, one-directional service offerings that have characterized libraries for centuries. Currie (2010, p.2) states interactivity distinguishes Web 2.0 technologies from other electronic tools (see also Redecker et al. 2009). Users not only access content but make it their own by contributing, editing, or generating it.

Currently I have joined and used a number of social networks such as Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace and in future I plan to join potential social networking websites that interest me. At present I am practising my social networking skills to support my educational, organisational and professional needs. Some of my favourite social networking applications skills which I demonstrate are blogging, wikis, Facebook, and twitter.  My strong web 2.0 skills have influenced my technological, communication and professional skills and generally the way I design and develop library websites.

Throughout this course, and after completing INF506, I will have mastered my own educational journey and supported my own professional growth through an independent online learning environment with minimal supervision from my supervisors.  Presently, as a student of INF506 my vision is to increase my knowledge, use, understanding and experience in social media networking.

The outcomes of INF506 will allow me to implement my web 2.0 skills in three ways: 1) Implementing web 2.0 by planning for the effective use of web 2.0 and by applying my leadership skills in leading, directing and designing of web 2.0 project teams. 2) Implementing the use of web 2.0 skills by providing a robust, reliable, and securing information technology infrastructure for the community, professionals and colleagues. Lastly, I will implement my web 2.0 capabilities by attracting, developing, and retaining the quality of information technology professionals that I come in contact with.

After studying INF506 I will bring my skills and the capacity to evaluate social networking technologies into my professional life. I will develop my ability to be aware of social media networking and evaluate its advantages and problems amongst my peers, community and organisation.  In a similar way the American Library Association website (American Library Association [ALA], 2013) describes an evaluation of web 2.0 tools for their quality and reliability of information achieved by developing an assessment tool such as survey monkey and customer surveys to critically evaluate instructors, courses and web 2.0 programs that need to be established (see also National Library of Australia [NLA], 2013 & Public Library Victoria Network [PLVN], 2010).

Social networking has provided me with an understanding of issues in a global information society.  User expectations are ever-changing in this new era of web 2.0, and so the challenges faced by the library professionals to support the tech savvy user generations are multi dimensional. After studying this subject, I can contribute to these positive challenges and ensure the broad aim of social media to achieve the highest level of customer satisfaction.

In conclusion INF506 has brought into my professional life web 2.0 skills and my capacity to plan, implement and evaluate social networking technologies in a socially networked world.

References

American Library Association.  Characteristics of programs of information literacy that illustrate best practices: a guideline.  (2013). Retrieved from
http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/characteristics

Casey, M.E. & Savastinuk, L.C. (2006). Library 2.0 service for the next-generation library, Library Journal.

Currie, J. (2010). Web 2.0 for reference services staff training and communication. Reference Services Review, 38(1), 152-157.

National Library of Australia.  Social media strategy 2013- 2014.  (2013). Retrieved from
http://www.nla.gov.au/policy-and-planning/social-media-strategy-2013

Public Library Victoria Network. Strategic evaluation of programs toolkit for public libraries. (2010). Retrieved from
http://www.plvn.net.au/sites/default/files/strategic_evaluation_toolkit_final.pdf

Redecker, C., Ala-Mutka, K., Bacigalupo, M., Ferrari, A., & Punie, Y. (2009). Learning 2.0: the impact of Web 2.0 innovations on education and training in Europe: final report, Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities,
DOI 10.2791/33043