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.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
CPD23 - Thing #13 - Google Docs, Wikis, and Dropbox
I began using Google Docs in 2007 when I began working on multiple computers at multiple locations. The ability to save and share documents, and have immediate access was of prime importance. On my Google Doc page I have shared photos and records with my son who lives in Virginia. Expanding the Docs page to Google Sites allows for a wiki-like creating/sharing experience. For a community workspace for the board of my adult band I created a Google Site with separate pages for each of our projects. When writing our group's constitution and bylaws we used the site to edit and share various versions of the document. Pretty cool!
Also in 2007 I began using Delicious to bookmark all the webpages I regularly visited and new ones I was saving for a class i was taking. That site worked very well and I could access it on multiple computers. But, I needed to sync documents and other files, and Delicious wasn't as good for that. So, I began using dropbox in 2010 and have installed it on work and home computers and my portable devices as well. I really like it because it will sync the Microsoft Office files that I regularly work with.
I'm glad to hear about Dropbox's sharing abilities and will try using them with my adult band.
Also in 2007 I began using Delicious to bookmark all the webpages I regularly visited and new ones I was saving for a class i was taking. That site worked very well and I could access it on multiple computers. But, I needed to sync documents and other files, and Delicious wasn't as good for that. So, I began using dropbox in 2010 and have installed it on work and home computers and my portable devices as well. I really like it because it will sync the Microsoft Office files that I regularly work with.
I'm glad to hear about Dropbox's sharing abilities and will try using them with my adult band.
CPD23 - Thing #12 - Social Networking
I've participated in social networking since 2007 and regularly use facebook and twitter. I have a Google+ account, but so far don't like it much. I also have a LinkedIn account. On facebook I belong to several social groups in addition to my friends, and some of these are professional groups aimed at mentoring.
One of these networks is for music teachers within our state. This network is working pretty well as both new and experienced music teachers ask and answer questions. It really helps to have a wonderful moderator who is positive and encouraging.
The advantage of this kind of network is that individuals can ask professional questions anytime during their day and get responses within minutes or hours. Some of the posters teach in small and isolated communities where physical mentors may not be readily available, and where they may be the only one teaching their subject in the district. Now they have a place to go and ask questions.
CPD23 hasn't helped me to make contact with others, and perhaps that's because I didn't reach out. Being a fairly quiet guy I have a hard time typing out to the cloud and trying to engage people that I don't know anything about. So, I think fostering a sense of community may depend on the individual.
One of these networks is for music teachers within our state. This network is working pretty well as both new and experienced music teachers ask and answer questions. It really helps to have a wonderful moderator who is positive and encouraging.
The advantage of this kind of network is that individuals can ask professional questions anytime during their day and get responses within minutes or hours. Some of the posters teach in small and isolated communities where physical mentors may not be readily available, and where they may be the only one teaching their subject in the district. Now they have a place to go and ask questions.
CPD23 hasn't helped me to make contact with others, and perhaps that's because I didn't reach out. Being a fairly quiet guy I have a hard time typing out to the cloud and trying to engage people that I don't know anything about. So, I think fostering a sense of community may depend on the individual.
CPD23 - Thing #11 - Mentoring
Thing #11 discusses the importance of mentoring in developing professionally. I've never had a formal mentor, but I greatly appreciate some managers that have helped guide my "career."
One manager was a great friend to all, and who gave me freedom to make mistakes and to develop my reference chops without hovering over my shoulder. He also assigned work tasks that built on my strengths and interests. This manager also provided the opportunity for me to write an article for a professional journal of which he was the editor. Finally, he showed appreciation for me as a person and as a library staffer. He became a non-judgmental friend to whom I could go when I needed to talk.
Another manager also recognized my strengths and interests and encouraged me to plan programs and displays for our library branch. The encouragement allowed me to continue to develop my skills and experience.
I am grateful to both of these managers who took a personal interest in me and who guided me in my professional development.
One manager was a great friend to all, and who gave me freedom to make mistakes and to develop my reference chops without hovering over my shoulder. He also assigned work tasks that built on my strengths and interests. This manager also provided the opportunity for me to write an article for a professional journal of which he was the editor. Finally, he showed appreciation for me as a person and as a library staffer. He became a non-judgmental friend to whom I could go when I needed to talk.
Another manager also recognized my strengths and interests and encouraged me to plan programs and displays for our library branch. The encouragement allowed me to continue to develop my skills and experience.
I am grateful to both of these managers who took a personal interest in me and who guided me in my professional development.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
CPD 23 - Thing #10 - Professional Library Degrees and Certification
This week's "thing" deals with routes to professional librarianship. Usually in the US that means a Masters degree in Library and Information Science. Degree programs accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) are specified by most hiring institutions. A few years ago I began a degree program while working as a library clerk.
At the time, there was a hiring freeze at our library. Vacant positions were not being filled, and few, if any, employees were being promoted. The coursework didn't seem to apply to my clerk's job, and I grew tired of the expense that was largely unsupported by scholarships. I must add that I had already earned a Masters and a Ph.D. in my first profession, Music.
At the same time, I have begun a public librarian certificate program sponsored by the Nebraska Library Commission. In fact, completing CPD 23 will earn me 15 credits toward the certificate.
I am also happy to say that library budgets were somewhat restored and lots of employees have been promoted, me included.
In the meantime, in 2009 I founded a semi-professional adult concert band, Omaha Symphonic Winds, and spend many hours weekly managing its business and studying scores in preparation of rehearsals and concerts. So, I decided to retain my part-time status with the library to allow me more time for OSW. With professional promotion off the table, due to lack of full time status, I see no need to complete the expensive library degree program.
I look forward, though, to completing the NLC public library certificate.
At the time, there was a hiring freeze at our library. Vacant positions were not being filled, and few, if any, employees were being promoted. The coursework didn't seem to apply to my clerk's job, and I grew tired of the expense that was largely unsupported by scholarships. I must add that I had already earned a Masters and a Ph.D. in my first profession, Music.
At the same time, I have begun a public librarian certificate program sponsored by the Nebraska Library Commission. In fact, completing CPD 23 will earn me 15 credits toward the certificate.
I am also happy to say that library budgets were somewhat restored and lots of employees have been promoted, me included.
In the meantime, in 2009 I founded a semi-professional adult concert band, Omaha Symphonic Winds, and spend many hours weekly managing its business and studying scores in preparation of rehearsals and concerts. So, I decided to retain my part-time status with the library to allow me more time for OSW. With professional promotion off the table, due to lack of full time status, I see no need to complete the expensive library degree program.
I look forward, though, to completing the NLC public library certificate.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
CPD23 - Thing #9 - Evernote
Shortly after I purchased my iPad I browsed through the AppStore for productivity apps to add to the functionality of my new tablet. I had heard about Evernote, but had never investigated it. For several years I had transferred files between my various computers, or insured that I had universal access, first through Google Docs, and then through DropBox. It was really cool to have a desktop app that would automatically sync files among my various devices and workstations.
I took a look at Evernote and liked how I could set up "notebooks" for various clippings, files, and media. I liked the way Evernote displayed the files, especially web clippings and photos. So, I added Evernote to my iPad, iPhone and multiple desktops. Now, I use it more than DropBox, except for Microsoft Office files that are not compatible with the free Evernote app.
I like the web clipping feature of Evernote and frequently clip articles and web graphics to my various notebooks. It's quick and convenient, and I like it better than Instapaper. I'm still pretty new to Evernote, but it looks like a winner to me.
I took a look at Evernote and liked how I could set up "notebooks" for various clippings, files, and media. I liked the way Evernote displayed the files, especially web clippings and photos. So, I added Evernote to my iPad, iPhone and multiple desktops. Now, I use it more than DropBox, except for Microsoft Office files that are not compatible with the free Evernote app.
I like the web clipping feature of Evernote and frequently clip articles and web graphics to my various notebooks. It's quick and convenient, and I like it better than Instapaper. I'm still pretty new to Evernote, but it looks like a winner to me.
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