Screencasting-what makes a good one?

Screencasting is an extremely useful tool, and easily done with user friendly software. After several tries at it, I realize there are techniques and rules that apply that make screencasting effective:

• Have a topic or idea and a plan prepared ahead of time.
  
• Practice - the first cast is usually not the best.
• Keep track of trials by labeling them accurately.
• Play with the sound settings on the microphone and speakers to get optimal results.
  
• Play back the screencast - seeing it and hearing it before posting allows for editing.
• Be aware of the length - too long or too short is not ideal.
• Know who will be watching the screencast.
• Avoid speaking monotone - use enthusiasm in line with the presentation.

Watching grass grow !

This screencast demonstrates the limited ability I have when it comes to online gaming. Although I love Scrabble and play it often on Pogo.com, I realize I need to step up my gaming abilities ! Playing against other people and being able to chat with them during the game is actually fun (don't laugh all of you seasoned gamers !) If anything, it builds up my vocabulary !

Everything Bad is Good for You

I have spent many hours watching my son play games on his PS2 and XBox. That's right, just watching although he has invited me to join him. There is a certain level of humiliation I experience just watching him, let alone playing. The fact that there are many things happening at once and discovery as you play being the rule confounds me. I have an admiration for his ability to be successful at these games. Add in players that are out there somewhere, and I'm totally lost. I grew up in the Pac Man generation-not too many objectives and one dimension, leaving me with an admiration for anyone that is able to think on so many levels at once. As Johnson points out, the many nested levels of these sophisticated games, whether online or console gaming, requires a way of thinking that is far more sophisticated and relevant to life today, and particularly the workplace, than some are willing to acknowledge. In many games the rules change as you go on, and the interfaces of the games are sophisticated and multi-layered. A high degree of engagement and interaction is needed to navigate through them, and the fact that kids can make sense of this complexity is in itself amazing. As Johnson points out, during many games, the player has to constantly adapt to new knowledge and situations. This is stuff we don't teach in schools, yet is more relevant to today's workplace than ever before. Delivering stupidity? If you have ever watched or participated in games such as Halo,Call of Duty, Zelda or any Sims game (these are the only ones I'm familiar with!) you can see the level of intelligence and thinking skills needed to play. Like Johnson points out, we don't test for these skills. Game players are developing them on their own, and will be the interface developers of tomorrow.

Boyd : "Social Network Sites"

Several aspects of social network sites became apparent to me as I read this article. Social networks are really new, with the majority of them becoming prominent as recent as 2003. They have come a long way in six+ years, and when one thinks of the infancy of the technology, it makes you think about where it will be in another six. Libraries need to realize the generation of users coming up will have been a part of this evolution from its infancy, and will need to relate to them using social network technology. The globalization of social networking as mentioned in the article should emphasize the utility of the technology to librarians. Thinking beyond the 'body walking through the door' as comprising the majority of library users, the ability to reach a population of online library users should not be overlooked. The fact that users of social networks typically have a common offline element with one another is a facet librarians can capitalize on in expanding library use.

Ning-advantages?

The vice-principal at the elementary school where I 'play' has started a Ning for staff members. Not initially knowing what a Ning was, I was skeptical, but joined. After using the Ning, I can see advantages over a blog for certain situations. Using a Ning has allowed us to create and participate in a social network exclusive to Cedar Hill staff members. Participation is by invitation only, keeping the Ning private which allows posts between staff members on education related ideas and input. Our Ning does contain advertisements (this can be minimized if a fee is paid, however, we use the free version) yet the advertisments are not too intrusive. Ning is easy to use and offers over 50 design featuresso its appearance can take on the personality you'd like. I did find it a little clunky at times when trying to manipulate photos and such, but I worked through it. Content can be moderated before being posted, and members can set up ther pages to be private or public according to their preference. Ning competes with Facebook and MySpace, yet I found the privacy allowed with Ning to be greater than with either of them.