I wish that all news was delivered in the same fashion as NWA World Edition. This “news” delivers news via a YouTube channel using animations and avatars. As this is a parody of news stories, NWA World Edition appeals to people who want to get a laugh, but also appeals to those who want to see the news in a fun and relevant way. I don’t watch television and I don’t read print newspapers. Occasionally I’ll skim online editions of newspapers, but I rely on other people to send me links or post on Facebook when there is something relevant to myself that I may want to read. Just the other day I tried to watch the news to get more information on something and received a brief and superficial analysis of the situation. However, this video and the others posted in this channel, offer in-depth explanations and use animation to illustrate ideas. I believe this is an excellent and relevant way to deliver news in these times.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Instant Messaging at Chatsworth University
Dear Director,
We have discussed in previous meetings our dilemma at the reference desk in our library. Chiefly, reference librarians, such as myself, are concerned that we are not meeting the needs of our users as well as we might with a virtual reference service. The reference desk is commonly underused and the reference librarians find themselves answering questions about lavatory locations and how to printer materials more frequently than they're asked for research assistance. After conducting a recent survey, we found that most students conduct research online and would be more inclined to use virtual reference service than in-person reference services.
As such, we propose using our staff in the place where we're needed most: on the web. We would like to start a virtual reference service on our homepage. Below are the top 5 reasons:
1.) Remote flexibility. Using an online chat service will allow our users to get timely responses from our librarians without visiting our library. They can access our reference services wherever they are during library hours. Our university's mission to increase hybrid learning capabilities is another reason why virtual reference services would benefit our university.
2.) Anonymity. Some students may feel awkward asking some questions. This will allow students to satisfy their reference needs without feeling embarrassed or "dumb."
3.) Easy linking abilities. Since there is a good amount of resources that librarians use on the Internet, sending patrons helpful links to websites and databases is easy online. Librarians can simply add the link to the chat.
4.) Eliminate bias. Virtual reference eliminates prejudices and biases that a librarian may have when helping users. Although librarians should assist every user in the same manner, an online virtual reference source further eliminated such biases.
5.) Low cost. Using open source and free chat software ensures that there not be a high overhead cost for this addition. Training for our librarians and marketing for these services are the only costs our library will endure. These costs are well worth the investment for the improvement of our reference services to our users.
Thanks for your time and I hope to discuss matters with you in person (or via instant message . . .) soon.
We have discussed in previous meetings our dilemma at the reference desk in our library. Chiefly, reference librarians, such as myself, are concerned that we are not meeting the needs of our users as well as we might with a virtual reference service. The reference desk is commonly underused and the reference librarians find themselves answering questions about lavatory locations and how to printer materials more frequently than they're asked for research assistance. After conducting a recent survey, we found that most students conduct research online and would be more inclined to use virtual reference service than in-person reference services.
As such, we propose using our staff in the place where we're needed most: on the web. We would like to start a virtual reference service on our homepage. Below are the top 5 reasons:
1.) Remote flexibility. Using an online chat service will allow our users to get timely responses from our librarians without visiting our library. They can access our reference services wherever they are during library hours. Our university's mission to increase hybrid learning capabilities is another reason why virtual reference services would benefit our university.
2.) Anonymity. Some students may feel awkward asking some questions. This will allow students to satisfy their reference needs without feeling embarrassed or "dumb."
3.) Easy linking abilities. Since there is a good amount of resources that librarians use on the Internet, sending patrons helpful links to websites and databases is easy online. Librarians can simply add the link to the chat.
4.) Eliminate bias. Virtual reference eliminates prejudices and biases that a librarian may have when helping users. Although librarians should assist every user in the same manner, an online virtual reference source further eliminated such biases.
5.) Low cost. Using open source and free chat software ensures that there not be a high overhead cost for this addition. Training for our librarians and marketing for these services are the only costs our library will endure. These costs are well worth the investment for the improvement of our reference services to our users.
Thanks for your time and I hope to discuss matters with you in person (or via instant message . . .) soon.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Facebook "friends"?
Do I spend more time on Facebook posting about myself or checking up on my family and friends?
On days when I'm feeling down or disconnected, do I check my Facebook account more or less? Do I immediately want to update my status with my lament? Or when I'm having an exceptionally terrific day, do I immediately want to post the good news?
When someone "likes" my status or comments, should it really validate my thoughts and feelings? If no one "likes" my status or offers any comments, should I take it that my thoughts and feelings are not viable or important?
Why do I get friend requests from people I barely know or don't know at all? Why do old high school classmates who I NEVER talked to or, better yet, who were absolutely horrible to me, feel the need to add me as a friend?
After a falling out with a real-life friend, why do I de-friend some on Facebook and not others?
If I de-activated Facebook for GOOD (if, by some miracle, that was a possibility), would I still have any friends at all? Or would doing this be like using a colander on my social life, weeding out the liquid waste and leaving only the good stuff?
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