The Finale - Lunge 21

What were your favourite modules?

I really enjoyed using most of the modules in this exercise because I felt it was beneficial to learn about each of these technologies. I think if I was to name a few and I have to refresh my memory here.
Module 11 – Social video and entertainment. I had not used video sites such as You Tube or Sqidoo but found them very entertaining. You can find anything and everything on You Tube it’s very entertaining new technology especially I imagine for young budding film makers and as learning tools in the case of Teacher’s Tube. Another of the modules I found interesting was RSS news feeds making the news come to me at my blog was good. I did not have to go and check a website so regularly since it was being feed to me through the service.

What technology did you find most interesting for your personal use?

I defiantly enjoyed the photo element and now regularly use Flickr to locate photos and soon hope to add some when I get a digital camera and I enjoy using Facebook to contact with family and friends.

What technology did you think would be most useful professionally for RMIT University Library?

I think a blog is a good news and information sharing tool for an organisation such as a library. I also think mapping and mash ups is a good professional tool for the University such as Create a map in Google Maps of Melbourne specifically of RMIT campuses and RMIT buildings adding value by inserting information about the buildings and services. Plus I think Linked In would be a good professional networking site when it has included some more Australian content. Also the way the University students are able to listen to their lectures on-line and RMIT could certainly incorporate Podcasts and this would help students to catch up on lectures and would help students with sight disabilities to listen to their lecture.

Were there any unexpected Web 2.0 modules that really surprised i.e. that you really didn’t know anything about or expect?

There were several of the modules that I knew nothing about prior to completing the exercises, some I knew the concept but was unfamiliar with some tools and websites associated with these technologies. For example Pipes and mash ups I had not ever used or heard of them before. I quite liked the mash up maps but the pipes as I mentioned I found confusing. I enjoyed finding out about new sites and experimenting using the lunge exercises. I guess the one thing that surprises me is the amount of sites where people are self publishing such as Blogs, Article sites like Buzzle, Facebook to a certain extent My Space and You Tube.

What could be done differently to improve this program’s format or concept?

The only thing I would change is that the homework is less time consuming and maybe cut out some lunges like article assessment and make the homework one step only to write about or do to achieve the mark.

Anything else about the program:

I enjoyed reading other peoples points of view on the Lunge exercises and I would really like the iPod please,I don’t have one!!

Lunge 20 - Web 3.0 and semantic web

Web 3.0 the next step from Web 2.0 well we have to move on after a while but in terms of what 3.0 can offer us. The plan seems to be more virtual technology and a smarter internet search and retrieval system these are all possibilities. After reading about Web 3.0 I interpret that the idea of Web 3.0 is to find ways in which the user can gather data for their needs quickly and efficiently using technologies evolved from web 2.0.

Example: Semantic web; if you wanted to go on holiday and you were not sure where you would think of some destinations and look up some information about those places on the Web. With semantic web you would add what you like doing on holiday and what you are looking for out of your holiday and semantic web would come up with some recommendations. Just like if you visited a travel agent today.


As for virtual technologies users seem to be catching onto virtual technologies and using them as a educational tool in the case of RMIT and as a recreational tool in the case of the TAB are running virtual horse races for the punter to bet on! But seriously I feel it will be up to Gen Y and the following generation to expand the use of these technologies because if the population do not like using them and see no benefits or get bored then they will not grow as they were intended.

Right now the trend of social interactive sites is spreading rapidly the user feels like not an outsider to the news and events they are part of news and events commenting and information sharing more than ever with friends and colleagues. I am interesting in the way technologies will develop and if social networking and virtually technologies will continue to grow or go by the way side, we will wait and see

Pipes: Lunge 16

I have found Yahoo Pipes quite a difficult tool to use and to navigate. The instructional video showing how to make pipes was difficult to comprehend and as an instructional tool was not basic enough in it’s instruction. I am pleased there was a change to the exercise because I was not able to produce a pipe. I have been browsing the pipes that others have made and have decided to add the Amazon best seller list pipes which is regularly updated. I like mashing different websites and feeds. The benefits are that you can then compile what you want in the list and make it relevant to you.

http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/pipe.info?_id=tpfHdM8d3BG6c3O_yjUFzw

43 Things: Lunge 19

I have several goals posted on 43 things: Eat less sugar, visit the gym more regularly and do a creative writing course. I have written a little about each goal and set reminders to myself through 43 Things website.

Things I like about this site: Good for motivating people toward their goals in life

Things I don't like: Sponsored advertising, the goals being on a public website

http://www.43things.com/person/darcher32

Google chat: Lunge 18

I have signed onto Google chat and I sometimes chat with my sister and my dad on-line. Instant message is a fun novelty but the inconvenience is that you have to arrange to be all on-line at the same time. I did a subject at RMIT last year within the class we had to form groups and do activities for class each week. Most of the group wanted the form of communication to be instant messaging. I found that those who chose to take part in instant messaging took a lot longer to complete tasks than other groups who chose to meet face to face and discuss activities Instant messaging is useful for brief chats with up to three people but not the most productive use of time for allocating tasks conducting discussion for a work group. It concerns me that students will lose verbal communication abilities if they rely on e-mail, texting and chatting for means of communication only.

Forums, Groups Marketing & Professional Networking: Lunge 17

I registered with LinkedIn a professional networking website and created a profile for myself with my employment details. Setting up the profile was quite simple and I could see how it would be beneficial for people wanting to connect with others in their field of employment and can connect with others by joining professional groups, even Hilary Clinton has a profile!. The site can receive mail; can research companies and which employees from a particular company have joined LinkedIn. Plus you can send professional questions that will be answered by an expert in the field. Again the site is primarily set up for an American audience and perhaps would not be as useful for Australians, but I enjoyed using it.

Flickr Image: Lunge 15

I found this beautiful photo of Cradle Mountain in Tasmania my home state through Flickr. I was very impressed with the quality of the photos. I do not have a digital camera but when I do I will try uploading some of my photos when I do eventually get one.