This course has been fantastic!

The course has been fantastic and the knowledge I have gained has been invaluable. I have learned many things - some which are of interest and many that I hope to put into practice and use both in my work and in my studies.

Many thanks to the State Libray and the wonderful team that have supported us all in our learning experience.

Mashups

I've used mashup programs before, without actually realising that they were called Mashups.

They are lots of fun and the potential for use in the library is endless..... For promotion and publicity, for teen and children's websites, to teach children and teens to use different programs, for craft activities .....

Podcasting

I can see great potential for libraries to use podcasting to promote their services and reach the wider community (libraries without walls).
Although I can't see them being used much in Australia at the moment, the potential is there for storytimes and baby rhyme times, teen webcasts, book reviews, poetry readings, author talks, HSC lectures, special events, library news.

Answer boards

It's nice that librarians can answer questions and get rated as the best answers (well of COURSE they know the best answers... that's why they are librarians!)
But, I must admit, I found a lot of the questions and answers on yahoo answers so silly that I didn't bother asking a question or answering one...
examples of silly questions:
How can a prostitute get and online job?
How long is the best for holding a party?
If I am two months pregnant, when did I conceive?

Could be fun using these sites if you need a life.... I have more important things to do. A bit of a waste of time in my opinion, but I can see that lots of computer buffs get into it..... all a bit silly to me.

Library Thing

Is good for sharing your favourite books and discovering others' favourite books too.

I have added a few of my favourites for storytelling

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/leescastledine

Del.icio.us

Is fantastic! I love it!
What a great way to share my favourite craft and storytelling sites with my colleagues (or anything else for that matter) as well as saving anything that I think is interesting without having to bookmark any site that I think will be useful.
It's a great way for me to be able to view my favourite sites from home as well.

I can see huge potential for libraries, teachers, researchers and the general public for using this technology.

http://del.icio.us/leescastledine

Google video

I searched Google videos and found this interesting video
"If Google becomes Giigle"
ABSTRACT - In this talk I will focus on the importance of designing new technologies for children and how children can change what we design. Our methods at the University of Maryland for design with children will be highlighted. In addition, examples of the work we have developed with these methods will be presented e.g., the International Children's Digital Library,