Google - Shared Endorsements

How often do you click the 'Accept' the terms of service of a site as a matter of course, anxious to get on with the business of using the site?  Some people will say 'never', however many like myself, will click their way through to the action as quickly as possible.  Hence this word of CAUTION with regard to Google's latest change to security settings involving 'Shared Endorsements'.

Endorsements are content where you have clicked on the +1 option.  It's Google's equivalent of the 'Like' button and is undergoing a major shift of focus.  Google will be asking you to accept the change in terms whereby you agree for your name and photo to be used to advertise products or sites that you have +1'd.  The default option for this setting is 'On' and Google are warning of this change so take note and read the fine print.  It's easy to protect your profile by simply logging into Google+ > Settings > Shared Endorsements and selecting the 'off' option.

If you are happy to see your name and photo flashed around the Internet endorsing various products, places etc you don't have to do anything.  Personally, I'd prefer to have more granular control over how my profile is used so have selected the 'off' option.

Google have put this change into plain language with the explaination below, so you make the choice!  I've unticked this option.  The default setting has this box ticked.

A Discussion of Digital Deployment

This webinar - Avoiding the Pitfalls of Digital Deployment was created as part of Project 24 a district level initiative in US education.  It is an excellent discussion of deployment from the actual experience of experts-  Patrick Larkin, Scott Smith and Lenny Shad

Graphic novels as a choice for adolescent readers

The reading habits of today's teenagers have changed but does this mean that they are reading less? Recently I conducted an investigation into the online reading habits of our students having observed them accessing and sharing online graphic novel sites within the library during recess and lunch breaks. While some students read alone, reading and sharing ‘good reads’ is an obvious social activity. 

We already know that these students are avid readers of hard copy graphic novels, so the purpose of this exercise was to establish what they read for recreation online and how this fits with what we provide as a school library.  Do they read online instead of borrowing from the library or is reading online a supplement to their current reading practice?  What is the attraction to reading online?  

The results of this investigation showed that students do not rely on the school library for their recreational reading and that it is worth taking note of their interests when considering collection development.

In addition to the resources included in this investigation are other graphic novel resources on this site. 

Library 2.013 - 2 days of collaboration

Over the past 2 days Steve Hargadon and the team at Library 2.0 have facilited the third annual worldwide conversation about the future of libraries via the Library 2.013 Worldwide Virtual Conference.   Held entirely online, around the clock, in multiple languages and time zones, it's been a fabulous conversation.  I only caught parts of it but am looking forward to catching up on those missed via the Session Recordings.

Alignment of the Conference Schedule to each time zone made keeping track of sessions simple e.g. the Melbourne Schedule.  All sessions were broadcast via Blackboard Collaborate. Twitter hashtag was #lib2013.

I was particularly pleased to attend Virtual Learning Commons by Dr David Loertscher and Carol Koechlin who have applied their extensive knowledge of learning and libraries to provide a framework that can be adopted by any school library.  Having spent the day with Carol in Toronto last year, this was a wonderful opportunity to further consolidate knowledge of the Learning Commons concept.

Kelly Gardner from State Library of Victoria, coordinator of the SLV/ School Library Assoc of Vic (SLAV) Personal Learning Project (#vicpln) presented Delivering Library Learning Online.  Kelly described how the concept of the VicPLN is now being applied to other services within the State Library.  A clear indication of the flexibility and opportunities offered via the online format.

The variety is astounding with presentations from experienced and highly qualified library professionals across the whole range of public and academic libraries.  Sprinkled with the experiences of developing African libraries, social media, knowledge management and MOOCs, this is a truly valuable resource.

Thanks again Steve H and team for making this collaboration and learning possible.

Student ICT leadership - Tapping into the Talent

Presented at the ELH Conference, Lorne, Victoria, August 2013, this presentation shared the journey of the iSupport Team at Mazenod College since its inception in May 2012.  

The premise of the iSupport Team builds on that fact that students are the largest group of users of technology within any school, representing a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm, yet their voice is largely unheard in relation to ICT planning and deployment.  Formation of the iSupport Team in 2012 has given Mazenod College students a voice.  It has brought like-minded students together under the umbrella of a shared passion for technology and a willingness to act as mentors and guides to others.  The Team provides a network of students across the school identified as ‘ICT experts’.  Students who can assist teachers in the classroom or on a one-to-one basis; support new staff and students; provide feedback to the IT Department, inform college families about safe use at home and coordinate the introduction of gaming experiences such as Minecraft within the college.

Inspired by the successful GenYES program and its president Sylvia Martinez, the iSupport Team is a service model of leadership whose members support the growth of digital literacy skills and confidence in the use of technology by all members of the school community. 

Lead by the Year 12 iSupport prefect and senior students, the Team meets fortnightly, and between meetings keeps in touch via social media.  Tapping into this talent at Mazenod College has been an empowering experience for all involved.  Students have gained an authentic role representing, not only their own peers but all members of the college community.  As they discuss, translate and transfer knowledge and ideas about the technology in their daily lives its more than an information process, it’s empowerment.