Information literacy for ubiquitous learning

Today Jemima McDonald and I presented at the ALIA Information Online conference in Sydney. The title of the paper was Information Literacy for Ubiquitous Learning. A quick summary: to create an environment where ubiquitous learning is possible you need to understand the context of your clients - who they are and what they do? The focus was on two of our special events - Library Fun Day and Research Week. We also discussed the vodcasts/screencasts we've made which are available online and on mobile devices. Our prezi is here for your viewing pleasure. As we said during our presentation, everything described is the work of a very talented team of librarians who are not afraid to come up with ideas, learn from each other, collaborate with people inside and outside the library world, and experiment with what works best for our clients. We are also very lucky to have a management team that allows us to experiment, that encourages us to come up with innovative solutions to issues and continue to improve our services.

Information Literacy for Ubiquitous Learning on Prezi

Hope you enjoy!
p.s. Happy to answer questions here via comments since there was no time during our session.

Intro to podcasting workshop

A couple of weeks ago I was asked to run two short introduction to podcasting workshops for academics so they could understand the basics of how to create a podcast. In 30 mins I managed to give them an overview of the pedagogy behind podcasting, we discussed how they could use it in their teaching and we recorded, edited and uploaded a podcast using an iphone (voice memos app), mac and audacity. Quite a feat! There were about 10 in each group and none of them had tried making podcasts before. Overall, the response was very positive and they all felt it was something they could now have a go at. I told them I'm a very lazy podcaster and gave them all my tips for making a podcast quickly without worrying if it's perfect. One of the participants had just been to a screencasting workshop and asked why you would podcast when you can screencast? I said that it depends on what you need it to do. In a library we're often teaching people how to use databases which is better explained through a screencast that provides a visual demonstration. However, for teaching you might be explaining ideas, concepts and theories that don't necessarily NEED visuals. In that case you can make a podcast. Of course you can put slides or other visuals to accompany the podcast if you wish. The other reason for making a podcast is because you can easily put it on your ipod and listen on-the-go, on the bus, in the car etc. which is not as easy to do with a screencast.

Here's the handout I made for them using prezi. All I did was make it as a single view in prezi without any zooming path and then when you hit print, it saves as a PDF and you can print it out as a handout. Much more exciting than a word doc handout!

Interactive podcasting on Prezi

So here's my intro to podcasting:
1. Have a reason for it. Ultimately it has to add value in some way.
2. Plan what you're going to say. Either rough notes or more scripted. Keep it short,  simple and to the point. Between 5-20 mins is best but keep it as short as possible.
3. Find a recording device. Either an iphone or ipod with mic attached OR a USB mic plugged into a computer with audacity open
4. Start recording. Keep mic close to your mouth, record in a quiet place, don't worry if you cough, sneeze, say ummmmmmm, make a mistake or swear - this can all be edited out VERY easily. Just keep going. Even start a section again if you want. (Maybe do a short test first time to check the sound isn't too loud or soft).
5. Speaking tips - speak slowly, clearly and use your voice to provide emphasis and sell what it is you're trying to say.
6. Plug your device into a computer and open the sound files in audacity. If you plugged a mic into audacity you're already there.
7. Listen to what you recorded and identify any bits you want to delete. Simply click and drag to select and then hit delete. Easy!
8. 'Normalise' the file for better sound quality - this can take a little while. Don't worry if you forget.
9. Save as a compressed file so it's a smaller file and quicker to download
10. Export file as MP3 or WAV and save
11. Upload to Learning Management System or somewhere sensible for easy access
12. Even better if people can subscribe to your podcasts via RSS so they automatically download to iTunes.

Here's a screenshot of audacity which is the free audio editing/recording software I used and available for mac or PC. I think it's easier to use than garage band for podcasting.

Image from flicke by npslibrarian

Have fun podcasting!

Prezi workshops for professional development

Learning to use Prezi! on Prezi

Over the last few months I've been playing around with Prezi and given some presentations using it both inside and outside the library. Managers and staff were really interested in this alternative to PowerPoint and wanted to know more so I've been running a series of workshops for library staff on how to use prezi! The workshops were hands on and covered the whole prezi making process from woe to go. I made a prezi to show the class on 'how to use prezi' (above) and then as a class we made one together from scratch. I was surprised (probably shouldn't have been) by the diversity of creativity and skill levels within each group and luckily had two helpers with me. For example, in one class we had to repeatedly remind people to open a new browser tab when opening YouTube and Flickr! They kept losing their prezi! Luckily prezi auto saves so all was not lost. The most common problem was people having trouble using the mouse? I'm not sure why - maybe it was the combination of one click and double clicks you need to master?

We got them to add text, links, images, video and cite the creator. Then add frames, create the zooming path and play their prezi back. People were most excited when they saw their video load and then when they saw the prezi come to life by zooming.

My main tips were:

• Create a Student/Teacher account if you have a .edu.au email address because you get a huge amount of storage space which means you can embed images and video to your hearts content
• Think of it  like a poster you can zoom in on 
• Aim for simple uncluttered design
• Be creative! Surprise them!
• Group ideas together in frames
• Don't do too many dramatic zooms - known as the sea-sickness effect
• Begin and end with the whole picture so people get a good overview of the content

The workshops were well attended and each participant received their 'prezi license' if they successfully made a prezi - which they all did. Some were so excited to receive their prezi license that they've proudly stuck them around their desks! I'm considering running advanced prezi workshops for people who want to add animation and do other cool things! Since the workshops there has been a proliferation of prezi's around the library for various purposes which is very exciting and there's a real possibility we may never have to see another PowerPoint (or kill another kitten) again!

The Future of Libraries: VALA 2010 redux

In February this year Mal Booth, Belinda Tiffen and I made a big splash at VALA 2010 with this presentation on our vision of the future of libraries. We showed 3 videos, audio, slideshows, tweeted live and wore green as a sign of our committment to sustainability! Yes, we know how to put on a good show! We were blown away by the support and interest that was shown face to face, via twitter and by bloggers worldwide. The biggest concern people had was how they can make buzz words like trust and creativity - a reality? If you read my blog you'll know some of the things we're doing to try to promote trust and creativity among staff but what works for us may not work for you. Our best advice is to experiment, play, allow mistakes, communicate and share!

I was going to blog about our VALA 2010 presentation (much) sooner but held off because we've recently been asked to present it at a number of places, including the State Library of NSW Public Libraries Futures Forum #plff2010 last week. At VALA 2010 we presented our session with Keynote but we've rejigged it using prezi which we've used for our recent presentations. We've added the Google searchstory for fun (see previous post) and refined the words a bit but otherwise it's all the same.

Library of the Future - UTS on Prezi

As you can see there are three scenarios explored: what the future may hold for students, researchers and staff in our library of the future. The text accompanying each video are the key points we want you to get out of each scenario. We talked briefly to each point and summed up at the end while showing the wordle of our paper which can be found on the VALA website.

The most popular video by far is the one about staff. Not surprisingly, because it's about US! Now with over 6000 views on YouTube it continues to be shared by librarians the world over! Of course we're interested in how our lives will be affected in the future and yes, I think we've given quite a rose coloured vision but why not? And it's not just lip service (as some of the YouTube comments suggest). Experimentation, fun and play have become de rigueur around here and that leads to trust, more open communication and sharing among staff. Within this month I've run workshops for staff in our interactive teamboard room on developing skills for writing and delivering papers, how to use twitter and how to use prezi! Our annual planning day included group craft activities and live tweeting #libpd! We just ran our second Earth Hour competition to find new ways we can be more green and sustainable (we were surprised that no-one else brought up sustainability at VALA 2010). So we're not just talking the talk with this presentation. We're actively trying to create the future we want!

The student video in the prezi was actually made by some of our students with very little guidance from us! We gave them a few things to include like mobile devices and the ASRS but we wanted to see the future from their point of view. The researcher video was made using xtranormal.com, (a text animation program) to create a video blog in the year 2015.

We are really excited about the buzz this paper and presentation have received all over the world. It's sparked the beginning of some exciting things, not just for us but for many people working in libraries who are wondering what the future will bring. Thanks to all who saw the original at VALA 2010 and who came along to #plff2010 last week at the State Library of NSW!