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
http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/characteristics
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
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
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
DOI 10.2791/33043