Storytelling Guild Accreditation Sept 2008

You would think that telling stories in front of a room full of storytellers would be easy wouldn't you? Sympathetic listeners, kindred spirits, all of that. But going for Accreditation with the Storytelling Guild was one of the hardest things I've ever done - storytelling-wise.
Sure, they're great listeners, and of course they are a fantastic responsive audience, but they are also very experienced in the art of storytelling, and know all the tricks in the book.
Anyway, I stood in the usual room at the Hughenden Hotel that we have our Teller's teas in, took a deep breath and plowed right in with asking the Riverside riddle question, and while they were thinking of that, the Guild president Vivienne very kindly agreed to be my volunteer as the lion in the story of the Dancing Lion. She did a great job, and telling a story that I've told for over twenty years allows you to relax into it, and play around with it as necessary.
The audience were then asked if anyone had solved the riddle. A few suggestions were made, but none really answered it, so then I told the story of The Riverside Riddle.
Eve Hoff and Stephen Martin also told for Accreditation.
We were then each called out individually to the dining area of the hotel to get feedback. How nerve-wracking - 3 professional storytellers doing a written critique of your telling. The feedback was great! One of the panel said she didn't have much written down because she was so engaged in the stories that she forgot to write! Music to a storytellers ears.
So, after telling stories for well over 25 years, I know am an Accredited Teller with the Australian Storytelling Guild (NSW)

PBwiki

I had a look at the PBwiki site, but our computer at home didn't wnat to play the sound, so I couldn't access the tutorials.
I managed to register, but the methods of editing were beyond me, so I'll move on to other things until I can look at it later.
Very frustrating, as I think this would have a lot of applications.

Wikis

I had heard of wikis before, but didn't completely understand the concept, so I was really interested in this module.
I think the most relevant point for me, having worked through the different sites, was the one made by Meredith Farkas on the site
http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=11264
to ensure that a wiki is really the most appropriate type of software for the purpose.
I have a lecturer who is interested in setting up an interactive journal club for her students, and we have been talking about the possibility of a wiki, which I now think would be really useful.
I think we could certainly look at the idea of a wiki for the Info Services Team, to keep each other up to date on assignments that we're helping with, databases issues etc.
Perhaps its time we looked at inquiring if the Uni has purchased a sitewide wiki licence, and how we go about that if it hasn't happened yet.
Using a wiki for our subject pages is also something I think would be possible.

Library 2.0

The OCLC pages were very interesting and obviously techno-savvy.
The intention to incorporate Web2.0 into library services is a sensible and inevitable progession for libraries if they are to remain relevant to the majority of their users.
I can't help but worry though about the clients that we see on a daily basis who struggle with the most elementary aspects of technology. I'm thinking of those students who even at this stage of the semester, when we have spent hours in training classes, tours and individual help, are still struggling with using Blackboard, studentmail, catalogue searching and literally tremble at the thought of database searching.
How do they even begin to cope with blogs, wikis, online training and the like?
Yes, we as a profession absolutely must get on top of the Library 2.0 technologies, and develop our own services to incorporate them. It is an exciting development in our careers, and we need to allow time for staff to pursue, create and understand.
But we also need to ensure that we also always have staff and services available to assist those students who are in real danger of being left totally behind.

Technorati

I think this is the site I have enjoyed least. I can see it might have a purpose, but I don't find it very user friendly at all.
I have claimed my own stoytelling blog
http://ttt-thetaleteller.blogspot.com
but wasn't able to add the html link to my blog for people to add it as a favourite on Technorati.
Still, only one disappointment out of all the sites looked at so far isn't shabby.

If only I could schpell

Yep, I know, I know.
It's del.icio.us with a "c", not an "s"

del.isio.us

I have been using del.isio.us for several months; ever since all of my favourites were inadvertantly wiped on our home computer (twice).
It's so easy to use and is really useful when you use several computers like we do. I use it for work, study and personal use.
It's much easier to keep track of one set of favourites than several, and trying to update in different places.
Being able to add your own set of tags is an advantage over just using the favourites folders also.
Quite often, things fit into more than one category.
I'm sure I'm only using the basics of the software, but like a lot of other things on this course, it's useful to know there are more applications of it that I can get around to when time allows.

Web 2.0 Techonology

Jenny's blog at http://uonlearning2.blogspot.com/2007/11/12-making-use-of-web-20-technologies.html
gave a really good overview of the ways in which the Uni of Newcastle Library is using this ever emerging technology.
There are new adaptations of social networking being created all the time, and I have added a few articles about them to the Library pages under Staff Development.
While some libraries have been using MySpace and FaceBook to promote their library services, my feeling is that these sites should be left for social, rather than education purposes.
I think we could possibly make more use of YouTube to promote the library, and have noticed that a few American uni's are starting to place their public lecture series on there.
One lecture that is relevant to us in the library is by a Library and Information Science academic Brian Sturm, who is incorporating storytelling theory into his lectures (now how would I come to know about that.)
His really interesting lecture can be found at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFC-URW6wkU
and he has given us permission to view this and use it for Staff Development purposes. Brian would really appreciate our feedback on this.

I can see our library moving in several possible directions in the future. More interactive catalogues that encourage clients to add tags and reviews is a distict possibility. Some of my lectureres are encouraging me to add a Library module in their BlackBoard sites, and I can see that Subject specific blogs or wikis would be useful here. Oral Health has been looking at the possibility of a journal club for its students, and we will be exploring the use of wikis for this.
So, time for me to work through the rest of the program...

Library thing

Ok, just just how am I supposed to EVER get any work done now that I have discovered this.
This is like leading an alcoholic to a free bottle shop.
I guess if I just pace myself, and gently add only a few books every week, I should be OK.

Now I have to work on my profile, find a publicly presentable photo, answer the hundreds of emails that are bound to come in...
All for something called Library Thing.

http://www.librarything.com/profile/thetaleteller

Image generators

I had so much fun with this step. Being able to manipulate photos for so many different uses appeals to the mischief-maker in me.
I had a look at all of the different sites for image generators, but found The Generator Blog to be the most user friendly.
I'm going to try to create a mobile phone wallpaper and screensaver next.

I love the photo of the old "Russian" (???) ladies, and used them for my poster.

Technology

It always surprises me how quickly things that you learn build on each other.
I have been asked to take part in a regular radio program that the Storytelling Guild have become involved with, on Community radio, and of course wanted to immediately know if they podcast (so I could play around more with RSS feeds.) I want to have a listen to the first session before I do mine.
They don't, but they do stream live, so I'm going to muck around with free software called Audacity, that I believe will allow me to record the audio streaming.
I'll let you know how I go.

Flickr

Wow, how easy is Flickr to use. The hardest part was getting accustomed to the Library's camera.
I wish I'd thought of documenting the changes to the CRC earlier.
You can find me on Flickr under
juliemundytayor (how original huh?)

Author blogs

I've been looking at some RSS feeds that I subscribe to through Google Reader and came across this gem.
This is a really interesting podcast from the ABC's Bookshow about
authors and their blogs.
http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/bsw_20071213.mp3

It's amazing how fast the Web 2.0 technology is being adopted for new uses, seemingly on a daily basis.

Julie

Authors blogs

I've bben having a look at some podcasts I get through Goggle Reader and came across a few gems.
This is a really interesting podcast from the ABC's Bookshow about
authors and their blogs.
http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/bsw_20071213.mp3

It seemed appropriate for our Library 2.0 project.
The uses of Web 2.0 technology are just expanding seemingly on a daily basis.
Julie

Jessica about to go into her 6th Class formal - "The best night of my life so far."

I may be biased, but I think she looks gorgeous.

Habits of lifelong learners

Seven and 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners

This was a really useful podcast, and one I’ll revisit.
I jotted down some notes as I watched it.
1. Goals – I sometimes have them, but it would probably more productive if I made a point of always writing them down.
2. Responsibility for own learning – always feel this. It’s good to take pride in your accomlishments.
3. See problems as challenges – I try to always do this, but when faced with time constraints, it’s sometimes the case that you just see problems as a pain in the you-know-what.
4. Have confidence in myself as a learner – always, even if I don’t grasp something immediately. I’m a stubborn person, so persevere.
5. Learning – I didn’t realise that I had one, but can see that I do.
6. Feel comfortable with technology. I love it!!! The trouble is, it can become addictive.
7. Teach and mentor others – I try to do this as often as possible. Knowledge is only knowledge when it’s shared.
7 ½. Play – as often as possible.