Thing 46: Updates!

Like sands through the hourglass ... so are the sites of our lives?

A lot has changed since we officially started our Learning 2.0 journey on August 3, 2006. We've all learned a lot, and one of the things I've learned is that anything on the internet can change overnight.

With that in mind, I thought it might be time for an update on the sites we've visited in Learning 2.0 (our original 23 things) and Learning 2.1. Just to check, you know, and make sure they're still around. I'll be doing it in stages - here's the first set.

Feel free to leave any comments, either on this blog or on the Zoho Notebook pages, if you know of other significant changes to these sites, or have a new favorite that does the same thing. (Let me know what you think of the update format too; I haven't used Zoho Notebook before, so I'm not sure what looks best.)

For your Discovery Exercise, check up on your favorites sites and see if there have been any changes. Then, you know, blog about it.

The adventure continues...

With an upcoming change in my future, it's time to turn the steering wheel for this learning endeavor permanently over to Jamie Christenbury, Training Specialist at PLCMC's Virtual Village.

Personally, I can't think of better individual to help guide the future of this discovery learning site for library staff. And given that Jamie is also the talent behind the L2.1 Ning group, I know that she'll do an amazing job in helping to steer the direction of this learning adventure.

Please help me in welcoming Jamie as the new administrator for Learning 2.1.

Oh & btw, if you're also interested in becoming a Discovery Guide for a month -- Psst .. it's not only fun, but it's a great resume builder too -- just let Jamie know ;)

Helene Blowers

PS: Don't worry I'll still be hanging around here at L2.1 and checking things out. Over the past few months, I've learned so much from all the guest bloggers who've offered up great discoveries, that I'm addicted myself to Learning 2.1. :)

Thing 45: Go With The Flow

Who's a freak for flowcharts? I know I love 'em. They can make concepts easy to grasp and solutions easy to find. When describing complex relationships or presenting a variety of choices and outcomes, they're wonderful at keeping important points from getting lost in translation.

Mind maps (an offshoot of the same idea) are similarly useful, though I think they work better for the creator than the reader. They're good at uncovering the relationships between multiple ideas and are not restricted to linear concepts like time and work flow.

So, here are some web-based tools that I've used for projects in the past (I just hate installing stuff):

Gliffy (flowchart)


Bubbl.us (mind map)


Flowchart.com (flowchart, duh)


mindmeister (mind map)


Discovery Exercise:

• Choose at least two of the above (one flowchart, one mind map) and set up an account.
• Note that flowchart.com will have you request an invitation which should arrive within the day (mine took 15 minutes).

• Explore the differences between mind maps and flowcharts, and consider using (or at least testing) one of these tools with a real project that you may have coming up.

Enjoy, and leave a comment here with your thoughts on these or other similar tools.

-Russ

Thing 44: Nag Yourself

Wow, I've really enjoyed reading this blog so far, and what great finds!! I'm still having fun exploring retroland.com, so I feel compelled to share my (other) new favorite blog: Mustaches of the Nineteeth Century! Not for everybody, but if you suffered through 1900 House on PBS, have a look.



Well, onto the point. Jott.com. If you need to send yourself a message & can't get to pen/paper/keyboard, just speed-dial the Jott phone number, speak a message, & it will store that message online, email your message back to you (and anybody else you like), and it will even transcribe it into text for email or text messaging - again, to anybody you like, and all without pressing a single button!

It's better to set this up on your cell phone as Jott will only know you by the number you call from, but you can set up multiple numbers as well. It can be a really powerful tool (see the video below), but keep in mind that if you want your messages transcribed to text you'll need to talk a bit slower and more clearly than this example:

Video


[Hear a real example] This is a test message I did from my cell phone. Click the play button below the message to hear the recording. It transcribed it perfectly.

Discovery Exercise:

1. Go set up a Jott account (free beta).
2. Call in a reminder to yourself to check out the Learning 2.1 blog next Monday.
   (Here are the instructions for setting up a reminder)
3. Then explore the following features:
   (Here's the link to the How To page)
   

• Create To Do lists
  
• Send email and text to other people, even groups
• Jott your blog posts (don't worry, this one was typed!)
• Set up and Jott to different folders
• Jott The Vote (you'll just have to see this for yourself)
• Jott to Twitter, 30 Boxes or other web tools
  

Have fun!!!

-Russ

Welcome Russ

Sorry that I’m little late in welcoming November’s Discovery Guide. But,it seems that the month of October just flew by and was over before I knew it.

Anyway, please join me in welcoming Russ Reed as I once again pass the baton. When I asked Russ to share with me a small bio for his introduction, what I received was so perfect, that I thought I'd just post it exactly as I received it. :)

“I work in the Technology Education department at ImaginOn where I hold classes for kids and teens on anything from digital photography to online gaming, and many things in between.

A degree in Mass Communication and a strong interest in music provide the background I need to teach video and music production in ImaginOn's Studio i.

I love exploring new toys, tools, and technologies, and am constantly on the lookout for something new to share with the young people at ImaginOn.

My wife Lori works at PLCMC's Main branch as a staff technology trainer, and we are raising two wonderful children”

Welcome Russ! I can’t wait to see what discoveries you have in store.

Thing 43: Midi Files

In my humble opinion, one of the coolest things available on the Net is Midi files.

MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface and was first standardized back in the early ‘80s. Even as old as they are Midi files are wondrous things, especially for musicians. Midis are small files (20-50k) that tell a sequencer how to play a particular song. The thing that’s so cool is that you can change virtually everything in the song. The tempo, the key, even the instruments playing the individual parts can be changed and then saved. I use midis to give my aspiring rock star 12 year old a back-up band and to hear how, for instance, a bass line is played.

Here’s the Wikipedia article on Midis

The first thing you need is a sequencer and there's a good free one called the Jazzware Jazz++ Midi Sequencer. Just scroll down a bit to find it. You'll need to install it.

Now you’ll need an actual midi file. Just stick the name of a tune along with the word midi into Google and you should find a bunch. Alternatively, go here and download the old ‘60s hit Rhythm of the Rain. Left click to hear it and right click SAVE TARGET AS… to download it. Don’t blink as it’ll only take a second.

Discovery Exercise

Open the midi in the sequencer

1. Play it with the arrow at the top and then
2. Change tempos (r or l click on speed)
3. Mute or solo instruments (click on P)
4. Change instruments (click on the instrument)

Also, of all the things you can find easily on the net, one thing that’s difficult to find is sheet music. Here’s how to get some. Go to the midi converters for Windows part of hitsquad.com and download MidiNotate Player v1.1.1 I’m sure there must be others but I found this one pretty easily.

Install it and pop in a midi file and presto-printable sheet music.

Finally, if you can’t find a midi for some song but you have the chords, here’s a $10 program that allows you to quickly turn those chords into an accompaniment. I use it. It works great. It’s called Band Minus One.

- By R.A. Meyer

Thing 42: Google Groups/Usenet

Back when the Internet was just getting going, access to the WWW was $8/hour, at least around here. But for $10/month you could get email and something many of us thought was pretty cool called Newsgroups or the Usenet. These electronic bulletin boards on virtually anything were great for getting expert information or finding people of like interests. I set up a job exchange to England using the Usenet and it’s had a soft place in my heart ever since. Here’s the Wikipedia article on Usenet.

Anyway, I thought the Usenet had gone the way of the Dodo but no, it’s alive and well and accessible through Google Groups. Google bought the archive resource for the Usenet brilliantly named DejaNews back in 2001 and has expanded the whole operation.

Now you don’t have to use Google to get to the Usenet. In fact it’s more fun if you don’t. Here’s a complete tutorial and almost everything you’ll want to know.

One thing’s for sure, if you’re going for a merit badge in Geekology, using the Usenet is one way to help you get it. And oh! Librarians, here’s a good newsgroup just for you!!

Discovery Exercise:

1. Go to the Google Groups site Society.libraries.talk
   
   
2. Click on the About this group link on the right hand side.
   
3. Note the usage for this site as the www has taken over.
   
4. Click on the Google Groups link above.
   
5. Search for something your interested in like the Minnesota Vikings, or Reincarnation, or maybe Dr Demento.
   
6. Check out some postings.

Have Fun!

- by RA Meyer