ICT, Web 2.0 and Library 2.0....explained.

In first few lectures, we discussed ICT's, Web 2.0 and Library 2.0. The adoption of these applications in our everyday life has transformed the way we live, work and shop. Personally, I cannot live without my phone, laptop and tablet. I facebook, tweet, blog, Pinterest, and various other folksonomy sites. This has become a way of life for most people. No one knocks on doors anymore, instead a text, WhatsApp, or a phone call to announce, "I am here, please open"
Our lives have become so consumed by technology.

"In this fast-growing global information society, technology has had a profound effect on every aspect of society and each individual's life. Importantly two distinct technologies: information technology (IT) and communications technology (CT) have gradually become integrated to form a new technology – ICT (information communications technology). Looking back at the development of ICT, one of the most impressive events is undoubtedly the emergence and rapid adoption of iOS and Android smart mobile terminals, and the increase in value of the mobile Internet which has been boosted by the popularity of mobile terminals"
Report -  ZTE ICT Development Trends (2014): Embracing the Era of Mobile-ICT ZTE CORPORATION 

O'Reilly (2005) coined the term Web 2.0. Davis (2005) refers to Web 2.0 as an attitude, not a technology.

Web 2.0 applications encourage patrons to be an integral part of the virtual community by sharing ideas, thoughts and content. with this application, patrons have now become consumers and contributors to library services. Tripathi & Kumar (2010) says the term Web 2.0 refers to second-generation development and design of the web that aims to facilitate communication and to secure information sharing, interoperability, and user-centered design.

Examples of Web 2.0 applications in libraries include social networking sites, video-sharing sites, wikis, blogs and folksonomies.

Libraries, in my opinion, need to latch on to this discovery and explore novel ways of communicating and attracting users through Web 2.0.

The application of Web 2.0 tools can easily help libraries to survive and flourish in the internet age.

 Web 2.0 in libraries and information centres is, popularly know as Library 2.0.
Library 2.0 is a concept that operates to meet the changing needs of the users.


Davis, I. (2005). Talis, Web 2.0 and all that.
http;//blog.iandavis.com/2005/07/talis-web-20-and-all-that

O'Reilly, T (2005).What is Web 2.0?.
http://oreilly.com/web2/archive/what-is-web-20.html.

Tripathi, M & Kumar, S. (2010). Use of Web 2.0 tools in academic libraries: A reconnaissance of the international landscape. The International Information & Library Review. 42, 195-207.

Reflective Writing - A Very Brief Guide

I deliberately used this particular video, for me it is killing two birds with one stone. This piece very simply, explains pros and cons of reflective writing.

This video was created by PowToons. This is an awesome way to teach or lecture as well, most especially for creative students and to keep the boredom at bay in class. I use this tool often and get my students involved in creating PowToon videos (as projects). This is a perfect example of using ICT in the classroom environment, in school or university level.

Enjoy!!

Reflective writing

What is reflective writing?

Reflective writing, in my opinion, is something you reflect upon, think about, experience; then you write about it. 

The experts, on the other hand, define reflective writing as…..

"Looking back at something (often an event, ie. something that happened but could also be an idea or object)

"Analysing the event or idea (thinking in depth and from different perspectives, and trying to explain, often with reference to a model or theory from your subject).

 Reflective writing is thus more personal than other kinds of academic writing. We all think reflectively in everyday life, but perhaps not to the same depth as that expected in good reflective writing at university level.

Maughan, C. & Webb, J. (2001) Small group learning assessment. Retrieved 16 March 2015, from the Higher Education Academy website www.ukcle.ac/resources/temp/assessment.html 

Ok, so this puts things into perspective for me. It is academic writing, with a twist. 

Let the writing begin......

Unapologetically me.....

"You are going to keep a blog", says our lecturer.

Yes!, I mentally fisted my hand, while the mind is frantically thinking about all the things I want to write. Excited much.

Then the bombshell, 'it's going to be an academic blog."

I have never before blogged about academics, so this is going to be different for me.

Let's see how it pans out....

Suffice to say it’s not easy to type this, I had an operation and my right hand is in a sling. Typing with the left hand, one finger at a time is hilarious, yes pun definitely intended. 

I love writing, words are fun and expressive. What I like about writing is the play on words. How I can make it mine, how it can convey exactly what I feel and see. Academic writing is anything but fun. 

This is my first entry and it’s going to be totally off subject. I will reflect about my lecturer and my fellow classmates.

Dr Sandy Zinn

Before going to my first class, as I would normally prepare for anything, I read the bio on my lecturer. Dr Sandy Zinn, head of Library and Information Science department. Holds a doctorate degree and is well published and travelled. So in my mind’s eye I see this librarian who is a no-nonsense, strict lady.

How wrong I was. What a pleasant, beautiful, articulate woman. Humble to the core. She introduces herself as Sandy. Yes, she is no nonsense when it comes to class work but she also makes the lectures fun and lively with participation and some laughs. I am indeed honoured to have Sandy as my lecturer.

We are a small, intimate class of five, myself included. The attention we get as a group is personal and one feels included in the many discussions that takes place. 

Rachel

Friend of many

Student of five

Daughter of some

Mother of two

Wife of one....my best friend

That is the sum total of me

It is the people in our lives who shape and ground us and make us who we were meant to be.....

Thuleta

Easy going person
Funny
Likes making jokes and making people laugh
Friendly
Easy to work with

Linon

I am Linon Taurai Magana. Born on the 19 January 1988 in Zimbabwe. I did my primary and secondary education in Zimbabwe before emigrating to South Africa. I attended Walter Sisulu University where I pursued my BSC in Computer Science. I worked as an Automated Systems Librarian where I developed a passion for Librarianship. Three years later I enrolled for PGDLIS. I am currently pursuing my Masters in Library Science.

Hana

And then there's me. I am quoting my son, as he describes me (at a CHEC course I attended last year).

So that's us, our Masters class doing ICT Trends and Applications.