Thing 5 Reflection

This is my second time around with CPD23, so you could say that the whole course is a reflective practise for me. I wanted to see how far I'd come in a year, what tools I use on a regular basis, as well as getting updated on new things. I agree that reflective practise should be cyclical, analytical and should feed into further development. I often learn more from the difficulties than those things that go smoothly, so those who read this and think the Librarians have an easy life...better think again! One issue that crops up is the ever changing tools, so that a tool like Evernote works one day, but not the next. Very frustrating, but I think it's them not me! What I am bad at is recording, so having this blog helps me enormously.  One thing I have found difficult following last year's course (which was truely enlightening,) is using that knowledge to persuade senior management that these tools need to be integrated across the entire organisation. Maybe CPD23 could do a 'Thing' on how to influence managers??? As to the 'Things' so far this year, I have managed to integrate a lot of them into my daily life except for Storify which isn't available in school because of restrictions on Java script and browsers. I can get this from home, but that means there is limited access for our students too. Yes I even sound like I know all the geek speak too!

Thing 4 Storify

I've just been playing with Storify. What a fun and very easy tool to use. I can see a simple application in libraries. I have been trying to set up Resource pages specifically for projects and topics for 6th formers and IB students, just as Anne Robinson has done at Dixie Grammar. Storify would help certain subjects such as PHSE with some current awareness information/resources by collecting links all in one place. They may well go out of date quickly, but that's the nature of social networking. Fab tool!

Thing 4 Current Awareness

Some things have changed since I last looked at this. Twitter is proving to be a valuable tool for keeping up with what's going on in the Porofessional and I use it to follow fellow librarians rather than friends. However, certain professionals don't do the same and I often see their holidays snaps as well as the latest on Library issues! However it's my favourite method of keeping in touch. Note to self: 'must post more'! RSS is fabulous too, as I've managed to link RSS feeds into our intranet. Those that get directed into my web browser are a little lost because I have to remember to click on the right tab. That's as much my fault as browser inefficiency.
I failed to look at Push note last time around but was sad to see a farewell note online when I checked http://www.pushnote.com/farewell. Maybe something will replace it eventually. However, it does demonstrate the fickle nature of web 2.0 tools if they aren't popular enough. It seems that we need to stay with the big ones like Twitter, Facebook, Dropbox & Evernote which are my current favourites. One area not included in the CPD23 list is an online forum. I belong to the SLN forum which goes directly into my email inbox. I find this invaluable in connecting with the latest and very specific issues that are affecting school libraries in particular. It also helps those who are one man bands feel connected.

Thing 3

Have googled myself and found loads of other people with my name! How do I make sure that people who want to find me and me alone can do so? Mind you, some of the others have fabulous jobs such as 'Professor' or a 'Radio Presenter'. I'm thinking I ought to do some more tweeting. I tend to be a bit of a voyeur in the social networking field. Also, I have organised some local Librarians meetings to discuss e-books recently. They don't appear on the internet, so blogging may be the way forward? I'm still trying to persuade my emplyers a year after taking on the job, that I need an online presence. They are paranoid about their own brand, so I don't have permission yet, but I'm wearing them down!

Some of the extra reading listed in Thing3 is very interesting. More please CPD23!

Thing 2

Exploring blogs. My favourite one has to be Phil Bradley's:
http://www.philbradley.typepad.com/

So many good things for Librarians on his blog.

Also a plug for an author I know personally: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3006397.Mike_Shevdon/blog

There's so much out there in the cloud, it's hard to keep up!

CPD 23 2012

I've signed up to cpd23, an online professional development course in order to update some ICT skills with new applications. Our new school, Bedford Girls' School was officicially in September 2011 and our Grand Opening was on 4th May 2012. I would like to use my blog and other applications as a way of connecting to the student body in a space that they understand, available 24/7

Joining CPD23

Dear All

Joining CPD23 for a second time. I got a lot out of it last year, so hoping to re-visit and get more out of it this year!