Suzanne Extension 2.0 http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/ en Copyright 2011 Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:26:41 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.31-en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Reflections This course has been excellent in that it provided a roadmap by which I could explore Internet 2.0. As much as these tools come with exciting possibilities, I also feel overwhelmed and at a loss as to how I can make use of them. However, this is just the beginning and the more I see these tools in use by other people and programs, the more I will figure out how I can make them work for me.

Things really fell into line last week when a non-Extension colleague forwarded me a Powerpoint that also reviewed some of these "new" web features and how they were being used by some local programs. First of all, I hadn't realized that 2.0 was a widely used term. Secondly, I am in the process of developing a communication plan for a financial empowerment collaborative and it has become clear that a web page is actually a bit passe. So, using the philosophy of social networking, our committee decided to go forward with an e-news network. We haven't launched it yet, but this idea seemed ingenious the more we discussed it. And, it took the heavy weight of developing a website off our backs.

Thank you very much for providing this educational opportunity. I appreciated the various teaching styles including the use of video, blog and attached readings. I hope that I will be able to access this blog in the future so I can review some of the sections.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/10/reflections.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/10/reflections.html Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:26:41 -0600 Web Conferencing This is a really exciting feature! I have to imagine that it is widely used in the corporate world. I booked a meeting with myself and had a little self-chat. I was very impressed with the note feature. It is so much more convenient than having a pen and paper handy. I uploaded a Powerpoint about using credit even though the topic of the meeting was about building schools in Nepal. I had to use the Powerpoint that I had on hand for the purpose of this exercise. How could I use this feature in my job? Well, I am at a bit of a loss for that. However, I can definitely see uses for it in our organization. Our monthly sector phone call could be replace by a web conference. I think the video capability really makes this a powerful tool!

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/10/web_conferencing.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/10/web_conferencing.html Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:18:51 -0600 Instant Communication This is my second entry since I forgot to save it the first time!!! I am learning.

I remember using UChat a few years ago for a distance ed class. Several classmates arranged a meeting time and chatted about some readings. I recall that it was fairly expedient and efficient. One use for UChat that I can see is replacing some conference calls with chat. It might be cheaper for one thing.
I am rather Zen and don't really like being connected all the time. That said, I prefer discussion boards to live chat.

Twitter is quite an enigma for me at this point. If one had a really specialized topic then it might be good to follow that. I think professors are challenged with all the technological devices and outposts that students expect these days. Seems like they will feel obligated to offer a class with bells and whistles just to keep students engaged. This is where the digital divide could really hamper student performance in some places. Then again, think of all the possibilities!!

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/10/instant_communication.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/10/instant_communication.html Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:46:12 -0600 LinkedIn Still loving it and getting more links ever day.
This is really genius!

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/10/linkedin.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/10/linkedin.html Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:17:52 -0600 Productivity Tools I especially appreciated Zamazar for its ability to translate file formats. This could be very useful for reducing file sizes such as turning a Powerpoint into a PDF. One use for document-sharing sites would be if I am working on a grant with other partners. This would enable us to have one official working copy, so as to avoid confusion.

I have used a productivity tool called "RefWorks" through the University of Minnesota Library system. This is actually a citation management system that can be accessed by numerous team members.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/10/productivity_tools.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/10/productivity_tools.html Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:07:00 -0600 Wikis (Week 6) I toodled around with some of the wikis. I think they are a little bit cumbersome, but I am sure that will change over time. I manage a unique Extension program and am without team with whom to strategize my work.
Blogging and wikis really have me thinking about the possibilities of finding a network of people with whom I can strategize and discuss pertinent issues.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/10/wikis_week_6.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/10/wikis_week_6.html Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:53:38 -0600 More Social Networking I opened a Linkedin account for myself. I love it and have connected with former colleagues and classmates. This is an excellent resource for staying in touch with professional colleagues and better understanding what your network entails. Thanks for the nudge on this one.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/10/more_social_networking.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/10/more_social_networking.html Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:02:20 -0600 Social Networking I have a Face Book entry and more and more people from past lives are finding me. I think this is a great idea in our mobile society. Regarding the reading and the digital divide. I have a hard time believing that 82% of low income students have internet at home, as the study suggests. Although, maybe this is the case in Minneapolis which has citywide wi-fi?? I think it is more likely that low income youth are going to libraries, youth centers and gathering at homes where internet is shared. This is a big difference because youth with limited internet time will only spend time social networking.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/09/social_networking.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/09/social_networking.html Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:00:32 -0600 Podcasts I just listened to a lesson on Coffee Break Spanish which is pretty neat. I am a visual person, so it would be more helpful if there were video to go with it, but I guess this podcast isn't quite there yet. In any event, I can see how remarkable this is for educational purposes.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/08/podcasts.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/08/podcasts.html Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:33:08 -0600 Picture Perfect Learning about Flickr and some of the other cool options out there is really mind boggling. I take a lot of photos in my programs and organize them through Kodak.com. Unfortunately, this means I also store them on the office network or on CDs. I will have to think through if something like Flickr would be a good change.

In any event, I have enjoyed looking at the photos available. It's fun to be an arm chair traveler, if not a real one.
Since I am not in China like the rest of the world, here is a fabulous photo of the Great Wall.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xiangdian/795349151/

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/08/picture_perfect.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/08/picture_perfect.html Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:15:37 -0600 RSS Feed Experiment Well, I set up a Google Reader account since I am already a GMail user. I am worried about being overwhelmed by too much news, so I immediately deleted some of the options in the pre-selected package. I chose news, finance and fun feeds including videos from the Daily Show and quips from the Onion. Now, this is fun stuff, but I will have to edit things further once I get the hang of things or I will have information overload.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/08/rss_feed_experiment.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/08/rss_feed_experiment.html Sat, 16 Aug 2008 22:31:17 -0600 First Time Blogger Well, I am excited to learn all about the world of blogging. Let the bloggin begin!

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/08/first_time_blogger.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sheri008/extension20/2008/08/first_time_blogger.html Sat, 16 Aug 2008 21:14:50 -0600