Thing #23 Thoughts on ELL

I think this program was a very good idea because it forced me to become aware of the vast arena of tools and websites out there on the Internet that I previously had no knowledge of. The fact that I had a lot of trouble working in them is another matter. After this ELL program, I now have an idea of what's available, even if I don't feel very capable of using much of it. One other good thing is just learning so many new terms associated with the Internet, ones I had never heard of, such as podcast, Flickr, del.icio.us, RSS feeds, mashups, social networking tags. It was all new to me.

In a way, the best thing might have been being able to work at our own speed or whenever we were able, but that could also have been the worst thing, because I felt that I was drowning in the Internet sea, and really wanted instructions. More on that under Suggestions.

What I might continue using: I still want to set myself up in Facebook, and will probably use that to find friends I have lost contact with. I want to make use of e-books and e-audiobooks, as soon as I figure out how. Googledocs can prove to be very useful for putting things on it to share. And I'd like to use a wiki with one of my friends for writing something together.

Obstacles: my main obstacle was not always understanding what to do and how to do it.

Suggestions: I would have greatly benefitted from a series of, say, 20 minute classes instructing how to work in each of these "things." I know I could ask Heather or other staff members for help, but I kind of wanted someone right there showing me what to do. We who are not very computer literate need more than just self help. No matter how clear the video tours explained things, it didn't always stick. It may not be realistic here in the library, but classroom instruction would be much more beneficial for me.

Prizes: I must admit, it's always nice to work for something, even though learning is supposed to be its own reward! It was definitely a nice incentive. I think it helps motivate people who would otherwise not attempt it, especially people like me who are hesitant to venture into the computer world. That, I confess, was probably the biggest motivation. Not being graded is another factor. Being encouraged by Heather was a third motivation. Thank you, Heather, for doing this for us!

Thing #22 MyMediaMall -- ebooks

Well, I investigated it, took the video tour, and even registered on Adobe Digital Editions, although I'm not sure that's necessary, and put an audiobook on reserve. But I didn't really know what I was doing, and also, I had to give the organization I was from (which turned out to be Mt. Prospect Public Library because that's where my library card is from), so I think I need to do this from home. I do want to learn how to download e-audiobooks because I'd like my daughter to listen to them on her iPod, if we can find some that are iPod compatible, as she otherwise will not find time to read in book form.

Thing #21 Podcasts cont'd

I looked at a long list of them in podcastalley.com and chose one on vegetarian cooking and one from Shatiniketan, a school in West Bengal founded by Tagore that we had visited once. I did have trouble trying to listen to a story in the Vegetarian cooking one, couldn't get it to play; it just kept playing the podcaster's introduction. And if I wanted recipes, I would have to pay for them. Not sure I see a real use for podcasts for me. But it's still important to know what's there are what other people are using the Web for.

#20 Podcasts

It may have been the word of the year 2005 but I just heard of it today. It seems similar to blogging or to RSS to me. I'll see in the next Thing how to find them. Not sure yet if I'd use them.

#8 Flickr

The whole Flickr thing is a world of its own and since I haven't tried to do anything with photos, it's way out there for me. Looked at some sunsets and a color wheel, but am not yet ready for delving into this. I registed in Flickr just as part of the exercise but don't know what to do in it. I hope to learn at least how to transfer photos to the computer and go from there. Bella was showing me how to download pictures from the web since I didn't have any of my own. I get the concept of Flickr but all the techniques are not something I understand.

#19 Web 2.0 tools

First I looked at biblio.com but it was similar to Barnes & Noble in purpose. I've been able to find bookes through the Barnes & Noble used books sites quite easily.

Then I viewed oodle and also craigslist and was checking for Toyotas under $5000. Craigslist had a bigger and better selections than oodle.

I think people will choose to post their items to sell on the most used websites like ebay and craigslist. The others will eventually melt into obscurity.

As far as library use, if it has to do with searching and finding, it's got a place in the library, now that the computer has taken over the world.

#18 Google docs

I opened Google docs and found that my daughter had typed an essay in it that she wanted me read back in the spring, which means she obviously knows how to use it.

I created my own spreadsheet just to get some practice and added two people as collaborators. I realize I need to know more about working with spreadsheets too. I also opened the Trash and deleted several items in it that others had put there, like the calendar my son's friend had made of their itinerary for their Europe trip this past summer. It's all very interesting, like walking into (and waking up in) a new world.

I can see a definite use for this, for things you want other people to view, as it would be easier to use than attachments to an email, but also for looking them up yourself when you're not at your own computer.

Now I need to learn how to manage my blog so I can put things in number order...