SlideShare is sort of a Flickr for powerpoints. I like the idea of people sharing their presentation creations and looking for ideas for making your own. why re-invent the wheel? There are lots of presentations filed according to subject, so searching through endless slideshows unrelated to your interest is kept to a minimum. The next time I have a presentation to make I know I'll search this data bank before starting the writing process.
Prezi is a completely different take on presentations. Rather than using the 35mm photo slide, or sheet of paper, with outlined or bulleted script as its metaphor, Prezi starts with a blank slate that allows you to view text and images at all 2D angles. You can also zoom in and out of text to create focus. As you create a Prezi you are free to post anywhere on your slate and then create a sequential map to get you from spot to spot in order.
As with SlideShare, Prezi has a data bank of stored and shared presentations enabling the newbie to get a better idea of how to create an effective presentation. A word of caution, be careful how you use zoom and side to side travel or you can give the viewer a seasick experience.
I think teens and college students, especially, will love presentations created with Prezi since it gives a new visual metaphor and seems less linear in construction.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
CPD23 - Thing 19 - Reflection and Adoption
During our CPD23 experience we've been exposed to a number of applications and websites that can improve our online professional image, and help us create teaching demonstrations.
I found the "Thing" on branding very helpful and have cleaned up a couple of my profiles on various social sites. As a result, I started a professional Twitter presence and made some changes in the professional presence on facebook. I really like the examples of LinkedIn profiles that were posted, and I plan to re-vamp my profile in a couple of weeks.
I was already familiar with several of the tools such as dropbox, google docs, and audacity, but some new tools that I want to investigate are Mendeley and Jing.
I appreciate the effort to create this professional development series, and congratulate the authors/compilers on a wonderful asset for working library staffers.
I found the "Thing" on branding very helpful and have cleaned up a couple of my profiles on various social sites. As a result, I started a professional Twitter presence and made some changes in the professional presence on facebook. I really like the examples of LinkedIn profiles that were posted, and I plan to re-vamp my profile in a couple of weeks.
I was already familiar with several of the tools such as dropbox, google docs, and audacity, but some new tools that I want to investigate are Mendeley and Jing.
I appreciate the effort to create this professional development series, and congratulate the authors/compilers on a wonderful asset for working library staffers.
CPD23 - Thing #16 - Advocacy
Omaha Public Library had a wonderful experience two years ago that staved off the threat of staff layoffs and a branch closing.
In our current economic environment, the city government was running several millions of dollars in the red. As a result, all city departments were going to have to cut back drastically. In our case, the library was going to layoff all part-time staff (I don't know how they expected to operate without these workers)and close one branch library.
The area residents living near this branch were very upset to hear that they would lose a vital community resource. At the same time an individual came forward with a "challenge" matching grant offer. If the library could raise $300,000 in one week, the individual would match the money and all library services would be restored.
As one of the laid off workers, I can tell you that I am thankful, AND impressed that the community responded within 3 days to provide all the money for the challenge grant.
These events became such a big news story in Omaha, making all the local TV newscasts and newspapers, that the city government was forced to reevaluate future library budgets, and has not attempted to reduce allotments since.
This is what I call ADVOCACY. The citizens poured out their advocacy for the library in the way of hard currency, and government leaders got the message.
In our current economic environment, the city government was running several millions of dollars in the red. As a result, all city departments were going to have to cut back drastically. In our case, the library was going to layoff all part-time staff (I don't know how they expected to operate without these workers)and close one branch library.
The area residents living near this branch were very upset to hear that they would lose a vital community resource. At the same time an individual came forward with a "challenge" matching grant offer. If the library could raise $300,000 in one week, the individual would match the money and all library services would be restored.
As one of the laid off workers, I can tell you that I am thankful, AND impressed that the community responded within 3 days to provide all the money for the challenge grant.
These events became such a big news story in Omaha, making all the local TV newscasts and newspapers, that the city government was forced to reevaluate future library budgets, and has not attempted to reduce allotments since.
This is what I call ADVOCACY. The citizens poured out their advocacy for the library in the way of hard currency, and government leaders got the message.
CPD23 - Thing #15 - Attending, Presenting, Organizing Conferences
In my music profession I've attended and presented at several conferences, and as a member of the NMEA executive board I've helped organize clincis and meetings for my area. I liked the statement about "being inspired" by something at the conference. I remember convention concerts that I've attended that have moved and inspired me. These sessions expand your understanding beyond the walls of your present conceptual box.
What advice would you give to others, based on your experiences?
Pre-plan which sessions you want to attend so that you don't miss the one event that you need the most. But, don't worry about attending every session on your list. Networking with people is an important facet of attending conferences. You'll get to visit with friends you haven't seen since last year's event, and you'll meet new people that can expand your present circle.
Are there conferences you’d like to attend?
I'd like to attend more Mid-West International Band & Orchestra Clinics, CBDNA conferences, and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. Mid-West is THE conference of the year for band director at all levels. You always hear new music and wonderful performances by DC based service bands and outstanding college and high school bands. Great networking, too.
CBDNA is where I go to get musically challenged by new music written for advanced university and professional wind bands. Many times I don't hear music that I owuld ever program, but my consciousness is always expanded, and so I'm a better musician for experiencing the unfamiliar. WASBE pulls the best of CBDNA together with directors and ensembles from all over the globe. There are incredible performances, and exposure to the musical styles of different countries.
What advice would you give to others, based on your experiences?
Pre-plan which sessions you want to attend so that you don't miss the one event that you need the most. But, don't worry about attending every session on your list. Networking with people is an important facet of attending conferences. You'll get to visit with friends you haven't seen since last year's event, and you'll meet new people that can expand your present circle.
Are there conferences you’d like to attend?
I'd like to attend more Mid-West International Band & Orchestra Clinics, CBDNA conferences, and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. Mid-West is THE conference of the year for band director at all levels. You always hear new music and wonderful performances by DC based service bands and outstanding college and high school bands. Great networking, too.
CBDNA is where I go to get musically challenged by new music written for advanced university and professional wind bands. Many times I don't hear music that I owuld ever program, but my consciousness is always expanded, and so I'm a better musician for experiencing the unfamiliar. WASBE pulls the best of CBDNA together with directors and ensembles from all over the globe. There are incredible performances, and exposure to the musical styles of different countries.
Monday, September 12, 2011
CPD23 - Thing #14 - Academic Reference Aids
Thing #14 asked us to investigate Zotero, Mendeley, and citeulike. Zotero, a FireFox browser plugin makes it easy to assemble bibliographic citations in text or in a reference list. This is very helpful for those writing academic papers. Unfortunately, you must use FireFox in order to take advantage of Zotero. Were I to embark on an academic projectg requiring footnotes and reference lists I would seriously look at using FireFox so that I use Zotero.
citeulike also works to create bibliographic citations from website, online documents, and papers. The video presentation wasn't too inspiring and the product didn't seem to fit my need.
However, I found Mendeley very interesting. The product allows you to access academic papers on the web, to form groups around specified research fields, and to access your saved documents from Mac, Windows, or iOS devices. I signed up for a free account and began playing with the app. I found some papers in my field and saved them to my library. I looked for groups in my field (wind band conducting), but wasn't surprised to find none. I allowed the app to search my email contacts for others using Mendeley, but there were none. So, I haven't yet found a group with similar interests. I'll keep looking after I download the iOS apps and the Mac desktop app.
citeulike also works to create bibliographic citations from website, online documents, and papers. The video presentation wasn't too inspiring and the product didn't seem to fit my need.
However, I found Mendeley very interesting. The product allows you to access academic papers on the web, to form groups around specified research fields, and to access your saved documents from Mac, Windows, or iOS devices. I signed up for a free account and began playing with the app. I found some papers in my field and saved them to my library. I looked for groups in my field (wind band conducting), but wasn't surprised to find none. I allowed the app to search my email contacts for others using Mendeley, but there were none. So, I haven't yet found a group with similar interests. I'll keep looking after I download the iOS apps and the Mac desktop app.
Friday, September 9, 2011
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