INF506 - Social Networking for Information Professional - First Entry, Part C

a)   C)  Describe what you expect to learn from completing INF506

I expect to gain first-hand experience using social networking tools and to learn more about their potential for professional applications. Through professional reading and shared online learning experiences, I hope to identify professional tools that could be used to assess the value of specific software programs and to build a network of professional colleagues. Through participation in the assessments, I hope to improve my skills in critical analysis and to build up a body of knowledge in relation to privacy, security, copyright and ethical issues in the online environment that will enable me to implement an information policy and manage library services effectively in the future.

INF506 - Social Networking for Information Professionals - First Entry, A & B

a)Social networking is the practice of using online software tools for social or professional interaction and sharing of contributions between participants. Participants’ join an online network of users, create their own personal profile and make contributions that will be published on the site. Social networking enables connectivity to an online local or global community and collaboration.

b)List of social networking technologies and sites I have already used:-

2009: Participation in CSU student forums, Oztlnet professional network

Creation of Online Learning Journal for study on www.blogger.com

Creation of group Powerpoint presentation and collaborative planning using Skype, Webcam and Google docs.

2010: Creation of Facebook profile for social purposes

Joined School Library Association of Victoria’s Bright ideas [Blog] and RSS feed

2011: Participant in Med TL CSU Facebook group created by past students

July 2011: Personal Learning / Work Experience

I am pleased to note that I have had more work experiences in Library settings. For five weeks, I replaced the Head of Library (the only TL in a team of four library staff) at a large secondary school in Melbourne, with 1400 students. This experience gave me insight into the level of commitment required from the TL as a leader and the manager of the library, which is a focal centre for the whole school community. I quickly realized the importance of establishing positive communication with all sectors of the community, including library staff, teachers, students and school leaders. As Head of Library, these alliances were essential for support when staffing and student management issues arose. The prompt dissemination of information about new resources and staff orders, was a time consuming aspect of the role. In addition to being present for circulation desk duties, general library organization, cataloging and ensuring timely processing of new resources were  priorities. I enjoyed teaching Literature to a small group of international students and creating a Winter reading brochure for publication on Moodle, in the school intranet.

Semester one study, 2011

EER500 - enabled me to develop a deeper understanding of the complexities of educational research and the significance of conducting it in real life settings, if it is to be relevant as evidence for professional practice of educators/ librarians. Despite my initial lack of interest in this subject, I found it to be more stimulating than I thought it would be and the regular, positive feedback from the lecturer, Bev Moriarty was motivational. Through the assessments tasks, I believe I have gained greater insight into research methods, processes and designs that will assist me to more critically assess the value of articles and research findings in future.