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Dynamic Instructional ContentLibrary 2.0 on a
budget

• Chad F. Boeninger
• Computers in Libraries 2007

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What this presentation is not..

• Podcasts
• Videos
• Screencasts
• Assessment

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What this presentation is about

• Wikis
• Blogs
• Podcasts
• Screencasts
• Surveys
• Polls

• meebo
• Facebook
• del.icio.us
• YouTube
• Other tools

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Outline

• Definition of open source and free
• Pre-class preparation
• In class feedback
• Post-class assessment
• Additional Instruction
• On-site support
• Additional tools

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Open Source Software

• Open-source software is computer software whose
  source code is available under a license (or
  arrangement such as the public domain) that
  permits users to study, change, and improve the
  software, and to redistribute it in modified or
  unmodified form. It is often developed in a
  public, collaborative manner.

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Is Open Source Free?

• Open source software is as free as a free kitten.
  http//www.infomotions.com/musings/oss-in-thirty-m
  inutes/

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Free Applications

• Applications or services that cannot be modified,
  as the source code is not available
• Often contain advertisements
• Often contain basic and premium accounts
• Example Facebook, YouTube

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Where does learning occur?

• In a classroom
• In a dorm room
• In a group study room
• In a quiet study space
• At the reference desk
• In a virtual setting (Facebook, IM, etc)

• In a car
• On a train
• Walking to a destination
• In a coffee shop

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How are librarians teaching?

• One shot instruction sessions
• Often attempt to squeeze too many learning
  objectives into one session
• Sessions are often not at the time of need

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Where are librarians teaching?
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Pre-Class Preparation

• Everyone loves a good handout
• Did I bring enough?
• Is the information current?
• Will students lose/leave them?
• Alternatives to paper handouts
• Blogs
• Wikis

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Pre-class Preparation

• Blog posts can be post dated for repeat sessions
• Wikis and blogs are on the web, not on paper
• Both can be updated anytime, anywhere
• Both allow linking directly to resources
• Get students using your blog/wiki in class

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Pre-class Prep Tools
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In Class Feedback

• Clicker systems
• Expensive
• Proprietary
• Often require Power Point
• Free alternatives
• Polls
• meebo me widget

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In Class Feedback Tools

• Meebo
• Meebo.com
• Polls
• WordPress (locally hosted version)
• WordPress.org
• Wp-Polls Plugin
• www.lesterchan.net/portfolio/programming.php

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In Class Feedback can

• Alleviate student boredom
• Allow students to have partial ownership of the
  class
• Help the instructor/librarian grow

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Post-class Assessment
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Post-class Assessment Tools

• phpESP
• http//www.butterfat.net/wiki/Projects/phpESP/
• Data lives on your server
• More functions for the price
• Lots of alternatives
• Survey Monkey http//www.surveymonkey.com/
• Free version is limited

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Additional Instruction

• May be supplementary or complementary
• Podcasts
• Screencasts
• Video

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http//audacity.sourceforge.net/
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http//www.debugmode.com/wink/
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Videos

• The Process
• Record video with Camcorder
• Capture screen video with CamStudio
• Edit with Windows Media Maker or iMovie
• Upload to YouTube

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• Records screen movements to AVI format
• Also converts AVI to Flash (.swf)
• Linear recording process

http//www.camstudio.org/
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Audio and Video

• Can have a bit of a learning curve
• Initial experiences can be very time consuming
• End product is well worth the investment
• Adds a human element with voice and/or video

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Issues With Video

• Matching resolution sizes
• Multiple takes of the recording
• Write down your process
• Video vs. Screencast
• Depends on the content and the delivery mechanism
• Depends on hosting options
• Size of files (YouTube limits 100 MB/ 10 min.)

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After Class Support

• Typical follow-up support includes
• Instant Messaging
• Email
• In-person consultations
• Social Software tools can help
• del.icio.us
• Facebook

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After Class Support

• Typical follow-up support includes
• Instant Messaging
• Email
• In-person consultations
• Social Software tools can help
• del.icio.us
• Facebook

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http//del.icio.us/
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http//facebook.com/
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Other Tools

• Online FAQs
• Online Scheduler

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http//www.kbpublisher.com/
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http//www.php.brickhost.com/
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Tying it all together
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Closing Thoughts

• Dont be afraid to get under the hood
• Learn from failures and successes
• Try new things and get momentum to get buy-in
• Try looking at other tools with an eye for
  potential library use

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Questions??