Wednesday 1 November 2017

Thing 6 Reflection


Thing 6 Reflection

 

Thing 3 – Reusable Image Banks – I used Pixabay

Thing 4 – Communicating Visually – I used Quik

Thing 5 – Video Presentations – I used Powtoon

All new tools I’d not used before.

I signed up for Rudai23 with the intention of gaining new skills and updating existing ones, and to engage on a path of continued learning.

I’m a regular user of social media and have fully embraced new apps and tools for communication in recent years, such as Pinterest and Instagram, and can see many individuals and companies now using these to promote business and services. However the tasks required for the Rudai Things involved tools and apps which I had little or no prior knowledge of, and I have to say I am so glad to have been pointed toward them.

Pixabay for example is an absolute gem. I was one of the many using Google as my first port of call for an image – and whilst knowing that images must be credited when used – Pixabay makes finding free images a breeze! I’ll certainly utilise this a lot, especially since the site is easy to navigate and the images are great quality.

I set up a Flickr account too – this site I was previously aware of, but had never actually used myself. I’m yet to add my own photos, but I have downloaded the app to my phone for on the go use. I’m looking forward to this.

Thing 4 called for some video editing. This initially scared me slightly since I’ve little experience of this. I have uploaded videos to apps and streamed myself live, but never actually thought about editing. Quik makes this so simple. The choice of themes and music are easy to navigate and select. I opted to create a video out of some stills I had taken the day before of my dog on the beach. The theme I chose lent itself well to the fun subject, and uploading the video directly from the app to my social media was simple.

Thing 5 built on these creative skills further. I have had prior knowledge of creating presentations with Powerpoint and Camtasia – but I have to say I really dislike hearing my own voice back – so am not really inclined to record voiceovers! So I created a simple and silent video using the graphics and animations. It was quite effective, but I admit that it would have been enhanced by voiceover.

I feel as if I approached Things 3 to 5 with a somewhat cautious attitude. The content I usually post online is usually a lot simpler, and doesn’t reflect upon my knowledge of anything in particular – I like to think that my photos of my dog taken on my iPhone will not be judged in technique by experts in photography for example. So in my contributions for Rudai23 I perhaps felt a little inhibited in terms of unleashing my creativity since I am less familiar with writing for blogging, and with the tools for Thing 4 and 5. Where there’s judgement involved I am definitely more cautious.

As I was tentative I didn’t explore the tools and exploit their full potential, but this is clearly then a confidence issue. With practice I’ll improve in ability and self-belief. I am incredibly happy to have been introduced to the tools – Pixabay in partiucular is a superb tool – the site is easily navigated and a joy to browse, and the images are cool and relevant. Quik will also be staying on my phone for playing with further.

Use of the new tools and the chance to reflect upon my use of them also caused me to think hard about the use of image and accreditation. Working in education I have a good understanding of copyright laws and regularly speak to library users about what they may reproduce, and how they use it. For my own work and social media I have always used my own photos and drawings, and although I am no artist I generally feel happy with what I produce. Thing 3 showed me how I can also share my work as well as using those of other people. Direction to sites such as Pixabay has opened my eyes to new possibilities.

Considering all that I have done so far, it is clear that involvement and practice provides a better understanding of new areas compared to reading or hearing the information. Engaging in a task and uploading it for others to comment upon is in itself an education. It allows for a certain level of vulnerability in allowing other’s to judge, and yet it is an exciting opportunity for feedback and constructive criticism. Confidence in ability is clearly an issue I have discovered in the Rudai process, and one which I aim to work upon through further engagement, looking for areas to push myself.

Moving forward I am excited for new opportunities – I know I need to bite the bullet and immerse myself in order to unleash ability.

 

 

 

Thing 4 - web tools for visual comms

 
For Thing 4 I used Quik.

I had never heard of this app when I downloaded it to my iPhone, but it will definitely be staying! It is very user friendly free video and photo editor created by GoPro, Inc.

Keeping it simple, I opted to create a 'story' of my walk that day using still images. The app let me add music and a theme, and upload it easily and quickly to my personal social media. Its on Instagram at rachel_gibb_ with the hashtags #rudai23 and #thing4 if you're familiar with the app at all. As I said, it is a simple first crack at using the app!

I like the app a lot, I'll definitely use it again, and I can see how it can be beneficial for use in business and education. The option to upload to social media, or send your creation to email is simple. Short punchy videos can be attention grabbing and perfect for plasma screens in public areas.

I've also discovered that it is time to create an Instagram account for my professional learning journey. I'll add this once I've created it.


Tuesday 24 October 2017

Learning new skills - Thing 5 - Video Presentations



So today I learned a new skill - creating a video with Powtoon.
As Thing 5 of Rudai23, I admit this was incredibly daunting.. 'd only created Powerpoint and Camtasia presentations before, and had never actually heard of Powtoon..

I love this tool! So far I have only used the option to edit a template - and what I have done seems so basic, but I'm now super inspired to create something more advanced!

I hope the embedded link works :)



Monday 2 October 2017

Thing 3 - reusable image banks and creative commons - new terminology


Having always searched in Google for ‘copyright free’ or ‘free to use’ images to use within the library for posters or information to pass to staff and students, the introduction to Creative Commons has really interested me. Knowing that information and images may be shared via the creation of simple to use copy-right licencing really does open up a world of resources – whilst also allowing others to use something I create on my terms.

Working in a library setting, the words copyright are always at the forefront of everything we do and see – we liaise with our information providers and comply with their terms for allowing access to their sources, we advise staff and students on their research and use of materials, provide directions for referencing, and create hard and electronic displays promoting our services. Legal responsibility to adhere to copyright affects our daily work.

The establishment of Creative Commons is therefore an asset, an exciting resource and breath of fresh air. Yet the types of licence are quite tricky to comprehend at first glance, and need understanding before sources are used. I aim to use Creative Commons, but will be sure to double check the licence type and ensure I attribute correctly. Indeed the bestpractices information would be my initial go-to, and I’m grateful for the pointers provided.

I’ve attempted an example downloaded from Pixabay

 
I also created a Flickr album, which I plan to add photos to in due course..
 


 

Tuesday 26 September 2017

Thing 2 - Thoughts on change and evolution in academic libraries


Old dogs, new tricks.

Evolution can be described as a gradual development; progress, expansion or advancement. In the same way academic libraries evolve, and at an ever increasing pace.

We live in exciting times; and whilst there is still a nostalgic hunger for beautifully bound volumes arranged in perfect sequence, in hushed and light dappled reading rooms, the reality is that readers for research, academia and pleasure also relish and devour information in the digital age. Our library spaces have become collaborative, interactive areas stretching beyond physical walls and toward infinite possibilities. We have not only utilised, but exploited technologies to meet our needs, discovering and opening up new approaches and practises. Print is our foundation – robust and static repositories centuries old built upon by generations – and still weathering the test of time. Our future information superstructures are built upon historic substructures. Physical spaces for learning, researching and reading are precious. Whilst encouraging spending on useful and credible resources, we also beware the fund-cutters and space-stealers.

As time has moved on librarians and information assistants have become ‘hybrarians’ (Sidorko 2004). Hybrid beings, dynamic and effective research facilitators, more necessary now than ever before as information becomes vast and varied. We care about the Library print resources; we are protectors of the print. We are also endorsers of the e-resource. Library staff can be described as ‘cybrarians’ – championing the ever expanding range of online resources, we also care about users’ experience; the challenges faced by researchers and academics of too much information, fake news, and unreliable non-credible sources for example (Dey, 2012). Library staff are still the go-to information resource for direction and quality control. We hunt down rare out of print books, we direct you to maths textbooks and photography journals, and we demonstrate an incredible range of e-resources.

Academic library users then, are no longer bound by walls, by closing time and shutters. Our resources for information and research are vast and instant. Our twenty-four-seven lifestyles are facilitated, our demands for new, fast access are being met. Our library is changing – this old dog can learn new tricks.

 

 

 

 

References

 

Braun, L. (2002). New roles: A librarian by any name. Library Journal, 127(2), 46-49. Retrieved September 20, 2017 from  https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.napier.ac.uk/docview/196838068?rfr_id=info%3Axri%2Fsid%3Aprimo

 

 

Dey, T. (2012). Cybrarian: the librarian of future digital library. International Journal of Information Dissemination and Technology, 2(3), 209-211. Retrieved September 20, 2017 from http://www.ijidt.com/index.php/ijidt/article/viewFile/99/99

 

Gelfand, A. (2015). From Page to Oixel: the Evolution of the Academic Library. Superscript, 5(1), 6-12. Retrieved September 26, 2017 from https://gsas.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/inline-files/superscript-winter-2015-interactive_0.pdf

 

Murray, J. (2000). Librarians evolving into Cybrarians. Multimedia Schools, 7(2), 26-28. Retrieved September 21, 2017 from http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.napier.ac.uk/ps/i.do?&id=GALE|A30317346&v=2.1&u=napier&it=r&p=EAIM&sw=w

 

Sidorko, P.E. (2004). The remaking of the librarian: average customer review 3 out of 5. Retrieved September 21, 2017 from http://hub.hku.hk/bitstream/10722/114212/4/Content_02.pdf

 

Thing 6 Reflection

Thing 6 Reflection   Thing 3 – Reusable Image Banks – I used Pixabay Thing 4 – Communicating Visually – I used Quik Thing 5 ...