Off to CHLA

Greetings - I am off to the annual meeting of CHLA in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where I look forward to meeting old friends, sharing information and learning from the experiences of our colleagues up north! I am also presenting a paper on interdisciplinary collaboration in informatics. Content related to this paper is accessible at this WIKI site: http://spacelibrarian.wikispaces.com

MASHUPS AND MPI

This week's topic, Mashups and UPI, illustrates the "free-for-all" nature of the evolving WEB. The "mashup" concept reminded me somewhat of a federated search engine, in that it combines information from a variety of sources. The concept of merging different technologies and applications is extremely appealing and, offers much promise. In one respect, this technology, to me, illustrates one of the best features of WEB 2.0, that of an emerging information environment increasingly flexible and leaning away from controlled, rigid "boxed in" sites for different types of knowledge. The two sites I visited were DBpedia and Lyricsfly, both good examples. DBpedia, interestingly, reminded me of a "goosed up" City search feature found on many search engines. It combines a GPS with information on specific locations - a very practical tool. As a musician, I found Lyricsfly particularly interesting. It combines lryic text with video and audio files, all within a package which appears to be much more user-friendly than related Google applications.
What are the downsides? I found some other sites I checked out to be password protected, and, like all web sites, there is always the issue of no one web site providing access to "all" information. However, as I mentioned above, Mashups illustrate the evolving nature of the WEB into a less rigid, more integrated, flexible, improvisable media. Great stuff!! A fitting finale to a VERY COOL course!!

Using video content

The ability to use video content opens new opportunities, not only to engage targeted viewers, but to expand the volume and nature of content. In a library setting, video can be used as a skills teaching resource or a support document within the context of a larger presentation. I am using short video (as introduced in this class) in support of a paper I am presenting next month. In addition, I will be using short video segments to add "personality" to an online course I will be teaching in the fall. Beyond using the same care you apply to any other "medium" of information, one must grapple with the "performance" feature of presenting in a video format. To do this, you must be brutally honest about your own "presentation style" - which can be quite humbling. Also, the "nature" of the content presented may determine if video is the best medium for presenting. I have some experience using the tegrity system and "live performance" does have its challenges. However, the rewards inherent in broadening your pallete of presentation options is worth the work. Video can also be quite humorous and reflective of changing "social practices". Take this video from UTube, for example. (:-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RGccQFxi3U

Online photo sharing

Honestly, I was least impressed by this application. Although I agree that Flickr is probably the most usable application, I found the "yahoo pushing" on the site a real negative feature. Account creation is a problem here. I eventually got an account in atpic and used that. I have used PC based photo programs and, combined with email and WEB browsers have found that they work well. However, understanding the "interconnected nature" of WEB 2.0, Flickr type tools are obviously the wave of the future. However, they have to clean up the login issues and curb pushing an agenda on potential users. Just my 2 cents worth.

Web Office Tools

WEB office tools, particularly the Google Docs application, is/are extremely useful additions to your "arsenal" of resources. As mentioned elsewhere, it bypasses the need to utilize email attachments, providing a central platform for joint editing and viewing ventures. In fact, I am presenting at CHLA next month and am using Google Docs with my co-writers as we speak to edit our paper. I may also test the forum as a backup (not confident yet to use it as the primary source) for accessing the document at the conference. I believe this is the "direction" of document sharing. However, I think you will see such features appear in a number of forums (wait until Microsoft gets a hold of it) and will be as common as WEB based banking. Very good topic, and, for me, VERY timely!!

Social bookmarking tools

Social bookmarking tools offer some distinct advantages over the traditional terminal based variety. First, there is the obvious "portability factor" (which raises the question: I assume Del.ic.ious offers hand-held access. True?). Second, and more significantly, the "folksonomy" factor expodentially expands access to potentially useful sites. Like other aspects of WEB 2.0, this feature facilitates information sharing among like-minded people who, otherwise, would not likely to connect. I can see the potential for using this tool as a current awareness opportunity. On the down side, there is the ever-present issue of "information security". One can gain much information on an individual by the types of sites he or she bookmarks. As with other Internet based resurces, one must use the standard precautionary measures. It is a fact of life that greater access to information also includes greater security issues. Thatis the reality we live with, unfortunately.

Social networking tools

Social networking is a potent tool, not only for librarians but also for educators. I see it as a logical extension to online content probrams like Blackboard, because students have at their hands another method for communicating information related to assignments, study related networking and communication with faculty and fellow students.

Indeed libraries should have social networking pages, both as a general means of communicating and also for special projects. For instance, information literacy programs could benefit from a combination of blogs, wikis and social networking applications.

As with any internet based activity, security must be a concern. Use the same precautionary measures you would apply to any WEB based forum.

I was most impressed with the "democratization" of information access provided by social networking applications. With this new freedom comes both opportunities and risks (both obvious - greater access to information on the one hand and security issues on the other). The best precaution one can take is the judicial use of "computer # 1", your own common sense, when utilizing any of these resources.

The difference between a wiki and a blog

The difference between a blog and a wiki appears to be that a blog is half way between a traditional WEB site and a wiki. With a blog, the blog creator has more control over the content and guests are limited to offering discussion points on the creator's posts. A wiki, on the other hand, is more open. "Guests" , if provided access, may have the opportunity to actually "edit" post made by the creator. As a result, a wiki would have a greater potential to evolve (because more people are involved in the creation process). This raises a variety of issues, positive and negatives. Is this correct? The comments above about the "discussion" nature of wikis is valid. However, perhaps this is partly due to the nature of this course (we are all learning (:-) ). If theis wiki were on a totally separate topic, astronomy perhaps, entries could be more like mini-articles.

MLA wiki list

This is a list of wikis in the MLA course:

http://mlawikiclass.wetpaint.com/page/MLA+Web+2.0+101+Wikis

MLA blog list

This is a list of blogs in the MLA training course:

http://mlawikiclass.wetpaint.com/page/MLA+Web+2.0+101+Blogs

WIKI site

I have started a new WIKI "Informatics you can use". Check out the site: http://informaticsplus.wetpaint.com/

MLA WEB2.0 course report week of 031008

This was a great start to the course. For the course, I actually re-activated a blog I began some time ago as a means to introduce myself into blogs. I added two RSS feeds as requested. The short YouTube videos were an enjoyable experience. Kudos for including them! I look forward to the additional information we will get into during the following weeks. Cheers!!

Current Literature Search - Informatics education and librarians

1: Hersh W.
Who are the informaticians? What we know and should know.
J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2006 Mar-Apr;13(2):166-70. Epub 2005 Dec 15.
PMID: 16357354 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
2: Barnard A, Nash R, O'Brien M.
Information literacy: developing lifelong skills through nursing education.
J Nurs Educ. 2005 Nov;44(11):505-10. Review.
PMID: 16342632 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
3: Klem ML, Weiss PM.
Evidence-based resources and the role of librarians in developing evidence-based
practice curricula.
J Prof Nurs. 2005 Nov-Dec;21(6):380-7. Review.
PMID: 16311234 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
4: Murphy J, Adams A.
Exploring the benefits of user education: a review of three case studies.
Health Info Libr J. 2005 Sep;22 Suppl 1:45-58.
PMID: 16109027 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
5: Nicholson S.
Understanding the foundation: the state of generalist search education in library
schools as related to the needs of expert searchers in medical libraries.
J Med Libr Assoc. 2005 Jan;93(1):61-8.
PMID: 15685276 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
6: Helms AJ, Bradford KD, Warren NJ, Schwartz DG.
Bioinformatics opportunities for health sciences librarians and information
professionals.
J Med Libr Assoc. 2004 Oct;92(4):489-93. Review. No abstract available.
PMID: 15494764 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
7: Lyon J, Giuse NB, Williams A, Koonce T, Walden R.
A model for training the new bioinformationist.
J Med Libr Assoc. 2004 Apr;92(2):188-95.
PMID: 15098047 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
8: Brown JF, Nelson JL.
Integration of information literacy into a revised medical school curriculum.
Med Ref Serv Q. 2003 Fall;22(3):63-74.
PMID: 14527141 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
9: Plaice C, Kitch P.
Embedding knowledge management in the NHS south-west: pragmatic first steps for a
practical concept.
Health Info Libr J. 2003 Jun;20(2):75-85.
PMID: 12786906 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
10: Brettle A.
Information skills training: a systematic review of the literature.
Health Info Libr J. 2003 Jun;20 Suppl 1:3-9. Review.
PMID: 12757431 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
11: Dorsch JL, Jacobson S, Scherrer CS.
Teaching EBM teachers: a team approach.
Med Ref Serv Q. 2003 Summer;22(2):107-14.
PMID: 12723819 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
12: Morgen EB.
Implementing PDA technology in a medical library: experiences in a hospital
library and an academic medical center library.
Med Ref Serv Q. 2003 Spring;22(1):11-9.
PMID: 12627687 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
13: Crowell K, Shaw-Kokot J.
Extending the hand of knowledge: promoting mobile technologies.
Med Ref Serv Q. 2003 Spring;22(1):1-9.
PMID: 12627686 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
14: Smith CA, Detlefsen EG, Tannery NH.
Medical informatics: the Pittsburgh experience.
Med Ref Serv Q. 2002 Fall;21(3):97-105.
PMID: 12238020 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
15: Moore M.
Training opportunities for librarians sponsored by the National Library of
Medicine.
Med Ref Serv Q. 2001 Winter;20(4):73-7. No abstract available.
PMID: 11865765 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
16: Turman LU, Koste JL, Horne AS, Hoffman CE.
A new role for the clinical librarian as educator.
Med Ref Serv Q. 1997 Spring;16(1):15-23.
PMID: 10168342 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Greetings fellow MLAers and welcome to my blog!!

This is a blog I had been working on and, shame on me, let it lapse. it was an experiment born out of curiosity. However, with this course, it is taking on a new life. Visit my blog from time to time. Good luck with the course colleagues. Cheers!!