Final Blog Post- Reflection time!

I can't believe this semester is over! It's my last week at Ivy Tech and I am so excited to be done with school.  My last day for my practicum is Wednesday, and I will really miss working at the Wells library in Bloomington. 

So, this is my second go-around for this course and I have to say that I did not do too much better in the procrastination department.  I almost thought that I was going to not get everything done, but I've been working really hard in the past week to turn everything in on time. 

Even though I wasn't required to take this class for my degree, I am glad that I was able to and I feel like it adds to the program tremendously.  When you think about libraries you should think about technology.  I see it everyday at my job and I feel like it has impacted the way we do things so much more than anyone has expected. 

As for the assignments and projects in this course...well I'm not sure! I still need to complete my final project, but I'm looking forward to it.  I am completely unmotivated but I know that I will get everything done.  This semester has gone by so fast for me. 

I wish everyone the best and I hope you've succeeded in this course.

My two favorite shows! Source

Session 4

This week I chose the Resouce Shelf and Librarian in Black.  Both are blogs and are focused around the same type of information, but in completely different formats.  The Resource Shelf was much more formal and looked more professional but I didn't subscribe to their newsletter.  The Librarian in Black is only written by one person and is much more personal.  I like how she presented her information and the site itself is very easy to navigate.  She also does YouTube videos which of course I subscribed.

During session 4 we learned all about RSS feeds, which I have to say are not at all new to me! I love using RSS feeds and I follow so many blogs already that I had to create a new Google account just to keep my LIBR 105 RSS feeds different from my regular account.  This week we also started the Tech Tools project.  I have to say that even though I am behind in this course, I am looking forward to starting this project.  I just started doing ILL this semester so I want to create a user guide that helps library users from both Ivy Tech and IUPUC.  It's so confusing at my library because even though everyone has access to the same resources, they have to use different ways to gain that access.  For instance, if a Ivy Tech user wants a book from Bloomington, instead of requesting it via ILL, we actually have to place a hold for them or "request delivery."  Ivy Tech users don't have a WorldCat account unlike IUPUC students.  Confused yet? :)
 I hope I create a guide that helps both types of users and I'm definitely going to have my supervisor, who does ILL, look over it for me.

S4 RSS Feeds

This session was mainly about technology tools.  I'm pretty familiar with RSS feeds because I've been using them for a couple of years now.  I've mainly used the Google Reader for the past year and I've had  a pretty good experience with it.  So needless to say,  I choose Google Reader to subscribe to RSS feeds! I immediately subscribed to my favorite sites (temptalia.com, reddit.com, XKCD.com) and then set forth to subscribe to my classmates blogs.  I really enjoy this reader and sometimes when I really like a site I'll add it to my Google homepage as well as Google Reader.  The only problem I ran into was with tumblr.  I disklike the fact that on most tumblr pages, the user won't add a link for RSS feeds.  Most people want you to subscribe to their tumblr and I'd rather not.  I like having all of my favorite blogs and websites all in one reader.

Session 3

This week was much more easier to understand than last week! I feel like I am getting the hang of the Wikis but next week I am definitely starting on them earlier in the week! Sometimes my classmates posts change the font and layout of the Wikis which can make them look jumbled and difficult to read through.  I have yet to start on monitoring my chosen sources.  I will start next week and just do two weeks in one.  Hopefully this wont make me behind because I think that would be a mistake!

I love that this is a technology course and I feel like I am already learning so much (wikis, online searching) and it will help me with my current library job.  I am to start interlibrary loan at the ULC next week. Although Illiad(the interface we use) makes for easy searching, sometimes we have to search through IUCat(sic). I'm excited to start doing ILL but I've learned that I'm not the best for article searching.  Maybe it's my home computer?  I'm not sure! 

Image via imgur

Cheers!

Session 2

     I've kind of had a shaky start this semester.  I must admit that I originally took this class last semester but stopped after session two for various reasons.  For a 100 level class there is a lot of course work, but it's manageable.  A major reason I dropped this course was because of the Wikis.  Even now, I haven't the slightest clue about them.  I feel completely lost after reading the Wikis Orientation and the information is all very scrambled and presented in a very confusing way.  In a way, I feel like Blackboard 9 has enhanced online classes, but I feel like this particular facet does not benefit.   I'm sure as the weeks progress, I'll get the hang of it.  Right now, I have not idea what I'm doing.

"Review" button? What?

Self-Assessment

Basics Assessment

Word Processing Assessment

Spreadsheets Assessment

Database Assessment

Presentation Assessment

Internet Assessment

Web Development Assessment

I've taken this assessment before, so I was quite familiar with each category.  Also, this is my last semester at Ivy Tech so I've taken all of the required computer and office administration courses.  I've taken a class on spreadsheets, publisher, and I've also taken an advanced computer class that covers databases, computer basics, and some web development.  Although I scored fairly well in each assessment, I feel comfortable with each topic with the added exception of web development.  In one of my courses we touched briefly on web development.  However, I took many classes (many many years ago) in high school that let students build web pages and work on the school web site.  I'm sure that things have changed in the past seven or eight years! 

Sarahdams

Hello everyone!  My name is Sarah and I live in Hope, IN.  I have a four year old and she keeps me pretty busy! 

I'm finishing school this upcoming Spring, and hopefully I will continue on to a four year institution, then to get my MLIS.  In my limited free time I like to hike, camp, and Reddit.  I'm really into make up and I follow many blogs about make up and nail art.

 

I work at the University Library of Columbus, I am doing my practicum at the Wells library in Bloomington, and I work at a pizza joint on the weekends.  Like I said before, this is my last semester and I am super excited to be working in Bloomington!  I'm in technical services and I know that it will be a great learning experience.  I want to work in an academic setting in a paraprofessional setting, but I am completely undecided on where I want to be as a librarian. 
On a completely different note, is there anyone interested in work in Columbus? The ULC, is looking to fill a work study position! Come get an application!