Cloquet Region YD http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/ en Copyright 2009 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:33:03 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.25 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 2.0 Reflections I really enjoyed this course and learning more about both familiar and new technology tools available and thinking about potential applications to my Extension work. I appreciated the structure and design of the course, it provided the flexibility I needed to set my own pace around other work responsibilities while also allowing me "permission" and time to explore technologies as part of my work.

My favorite part of the course was really just exploring different technology tools more in-depth and having the description and video introductions to help guide and inform my learning. I would certainly participate in another course. Thank you Amy! This had been a very positive experience.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/10/20_reflections.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/10/20_reflections.html Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:33:03 -0600 UMConnect UMConnect has been a wonderful tool for connecting with others, interacting and sharing documents. I previously have participated in many meetings this way, co-presented with another colleague and have hosted one session alone. I decided to play with some of the features I have not used. I really enjoy the ease of using UMConnect and it provides a number of features to tailor to the particular needs of the meeting or training. I didn't have any trouble posting documents to share, setting up a poll, sharing my desktop, using video, etc. I hope to use this tool more with staff I work with in my region to minimize travel. We have had discussion about using this as a vehicle for our volunteer trainings - it's on the horizon.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/10/umconnect.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/10/umconnect.html Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:42:15 -0600 Twitter Twitter is interesting and something I think I will need to check in with a few more times. Interestingly, I first learned of twitter during an NPR piece back around State Fair time. I'm not sure right now how I might use it in my Extension work, but it is certainly another tool to keep in mind.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/10/twitter.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/10/twitter.html Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:38:12 -0600 Social Networking Friends encouraged me to create a LinkedIn account (years ago) and more recently a Facebook account. Both are fun ways to stay connected. I found the article interesting to think of the use of social networking leading to an increase in one's technological skills.

Related to work, I can see social networking as an important next step. I could see it useful with our camp counselor program (as shared by Brian M), the Ambassador program, our volunteers, alums, etc. I know, nationally, many camps have Facebook accounts to recruit both counselors and youth to their programs. Similarly, I believe the 4-H program could utilize social networking. The challenge is to identify exactly how as an organization we move forward.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/10/social_networking.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/10/social_networking.html Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:11:58 -0600 Productivity Tools The productivity tools that I have some experience with are Google Docs, NetFiles, UMCal, & Doodle. I like the collaborative nature of Google Docs and that multiple users can be accessing at the same time, etc. With another project, we utilized NetFiles to share information more broadly but still maintain some control of who can access. I can't imagine calendaring without UMCal or some similar onlne tool. I haven't actually set up Doodle for my work, however others I work with have used this polling to identify meeting dates, etc.

I am interested in Slideshare and developing collaborative PowerPoint presentations. It is something that I will explore more in-depth.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/10/productivity_tools.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/10/productivity_tools.html Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:24:48 -0600 Wiki, Wiki oh my... Wikis are an interesting collaborative tool. I found it interesting to see the variety of Wikis available and fasciniating to think about all of the information sharing that is happening online. It is definitely a tool that I will need to explore more and think about appropriate applications within my Extension work.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/10/wiki_wiki_or_my.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/10/wiki_wiki_or_my.html Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:03:20 -0600 Podcasting Podcasting is a great way to link to audio files. I enjoy the ease of finding podcasts related to areas of interest I may want to explore. I subscribed to the Nature Conservancy's "Nature Stories" series that connects people with landscape. It is a wonderful way to learn more about the larger world that we live and how people connect with the landscape.

I enjoy listening to public radio. Podcasting seems like another way to connect on my own time to stories of interest via audio format rather than always in print.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/10/podcasting.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/10/podcasting.html Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:45:29 -0600 Flickr I have used Flickr for storing and sharing family photos. More recently I have transitioned to using a family blog for updating family and friends and use an external hard drive for photo storage. Flickr is easy to use and there are benefits for Extension staff to use namely minimizing the storage overload in our Outlook Inbox.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/08/flickr.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/08/flickr.html Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:00:42 -0600 RSS Feeds I previously set up a Google Reader account. I've enjoyed using it as a way of tracking multiple websites and looking for what's new in one place rather than scouting individual websites to see if anything new has been added.

Adding a few additional feeds was relatively easy since I am a bit familiar with the process.

As far as use in my Extension work, again I could see utilizing it with a 4-H blog that perhaps isn't visited daily, but when new items are posted would automatically be displayed to staff and/or volunteers who utilize the RSS feed option. It would be interesting to hear how other staff see this integrating with their work, etc.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/08/rss_feeds.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/08/rss_feeds.html Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:31:19 -0600 Blogs We have a family blog site that we created using blogger.com. We started the family blog as an opportunity to keep our family who live great distances away from us in touch with our everyday lives. Most of our blog posts are focused on our young son and his milestones that we want to share with others. We have also limited access to our blog by inviting only those who we want to have access.

Similarly, I can see applications of blogs with Extension. For example, as I was setting up this blog site I thought perhaps it could be another tool I use with the local 4-H staff in my region. As a tool, it may be another way of prompting conversations, potential opportunities for staff development, or even a venue for reporting our program successes. I'll keep thinking about this.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/08/blogs.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/meyer178/cloquetyd/2008/08/blogs.html Tue, 05 Aug 2008 09:25:01 -0600