LIS 9763

I can't believe this term is already over! I had a great time taking this class. Here we go...
1)  Has your view of social software changed since starting this course? If so, how?

Yes, my view of social software has radically changed through-out this term. When I think about what I knew in January, compared to what I know now, I am shocked. I started this term not knowing what RSS feeds were, and now, I believe we are on the cusp of a cultural revolution. However, I have been completely immersed in web 2.0 this term. I have been reading articles, working on the Government of Canada wiki, and reading the Gospel of Clay Shirky. When I took the Facebook quiz, which reference librarian are you, Facebook told me I was a web 2.0 librarian. I believe this will be the stream of librarianship I will pursue. Heck, Facebook thinks so to :P
 
2)  Of all the social tools we've reviewed this term, what are your "favourite" tools for libraries and why? What would you consider to be the low-hanging fruit, i.e. the tools that could be implemented easily and with the greatest impact?

My favourite tools are Folksonomies, and social tagging, though, I don't think they are the easiest tool to implement, but I believe they have the potential to enhance searching and user participation in libraries. I believe taking these, and mixing them with classic organizational structures will give the users the best search results.
For an easy, quick tool I would have to choose blogging. Blogs have already been successful in libraries, they an easy to use, and a great way to communicate with patrons.

 
3)  What social software tools (if any) do you consider to have the least potential for library service and why?

I think this is a hard question to answer. Any web 2.0 tool can be successful, if implemented properly. 
 
4)  Tell us about your personal experiences with the social software tools we’ve used & looked at this term. Which tools have worked for you, which haven’t?

I am in love with Google docs! I ve basically completed this course on a netbook, thanks to Google docs. It's like a portable desktop! I have also became a big fan of Twitter, and wikis.
The one tool that still doesn't work for me is RSS. I still don't use them, maybe there's something I'm not doing right, but, I can't get down with RSS.

 
5)  How has the distance ed. experience been for you?

Overall, distance ed. has been a really good experience. However, I have missed class discussions, and going to Timmies with classmates, but, staying in Ottawa and taking a course that was directly related to my co-op was amazing! It really enhanced my knowledge of this subject. I was able to bring what I learnt in my co-op to the class, and the class, to my co-op position.