#6 Podcasting

Hands on Activity
In these activities, you can find, listen to, create and/or contribute to a podcast. Some podcasts are also "talkcasts," allowing multiple people to participate in the recording.

Activity 1: Locate and listen to a podcast(s) using a mobile device or your computer.

First, you will need to download podcast software (or "podcatcher" software) to your computer. Examples include Apple's iTunes and Juice (formerly iPodder). For more options and comparisons, see Podcatcher Matrix.

Next, you want to search for podcasts to subscribe to. In iTunes, you can go to the iTunes Store and then search within the searchbox for 'podcasts.' This will bring up many choices such as iTunes U (university class lectures), and a variety of others such as radio shows, many of which are free. If you are using other podcatcher software such as Juice, search on the Web for podcasts to subscribe to or use podcast finding sites such as Odeo, PodcastAlley, Educational Podcast Network and PublicRadioFan.com. With your podcatcher software running, click subscribe on the podcast of your choice. Once your chosen audiofile finishes downloading, you can play it and listen to it through your podcatcher software; it will also continue to download future 'episodes' of that podcast which you have subscribed to as they become available.

Activity 2: Create a podcast "talkcast."

To create a talkcast, go to Talkshoe. You can create, schedule and run a live show. Here is how it works: First, create your community call by describing, scheduling and inviting others. At the time you have determined, go to myTalkshoe, select your call and click on "Start my show." Now it's time to talk! Remember to click on Start recording while you are talking.

A call can be syndicated and downloaded after the live show ends as a podcast. When you’re finished recording, your show is listed on Talkshoe, and can be listed on your blog, iTunes, and other podcast directories. You can also go to the following page to watch a 1-2 minute video on podcasting with Talkshoe Podcast Recording.

Activity 3: Record an audio file and create a feed (rss.xml)

If you have your own way to host audio files in a Web directory, you can create and host your own podcast. First, to record your audio file, you will need a microphone or headset with a microphone, and software for recording such as Audacity; alternatively you could use a digital voice recorder. When you have completed recording and editing your audiofile, save it as an .mp3. Then, create a Web directory named 'podcast' for your audiofiles and the rss.xml file which is your 'pointer' file. The rss.xml file that you will create and load in the 'podcast' directory should list each audiofile you create as an item with descriptive fields for each. Here are examples of what your rss.xml file should look like, from Danny Sullivan's Searchenginewatch.com, Podcast 411 and Apple iTunes example rss feed. You'll notice that your podcast series is a "channel" and each audiofile is an "item"; there are descriptive tags you fill in for your overall podcast series or 'channel,' and then for each of your audiofiles or 'items.' Each time you upload a new audiofile, you need to edit your rss.xml file to add a new set of 'item' tags and information for the new file.

As your final step, check that your rss.xml feed file is working correctly by pasting the URL link for the file into Feed Validator. If it is correct, then you are ready to start listing your podcast rss.xml file URL link with any podcast directories of your choice such as Odeo, iTunes and Podcast Alley. Listing in various directories will help people to find your podcast.

EXAMPLE:
The library can use podcasts to create book talks or capture book talks. We have had local authors come in and not everyone has the opportunity to attend the event. Once we capture the authors words we can then place it on the website for patrons to refer to and for the author to use. In addition, for story time away from the library podcasting can provide parents and their little ones with a story.

In regards to information literacy...

#5 Virtual Worlds

Hands on Activity
This hands-on activity explores the virtual world of Second Life. To get started with Second Life, register for a free new account at http://www.secondlife.com You will need to download and install the 'client' software and run that on your computer to access Second Life.

For useful information in getting started, see Torley Linden's Second Life Quickstart Guide and Torley's video tutorials http://secondlife.com/video

Activity 1: Visit IPL 15 Things in Second Life for information about getting started and places to visit:

IPL 15 Things in Second Life http://slurl.com/secondlife/Imagination%20Island/226/129/24 (While Second Life is running, click this link in your Internet browser and use it to teleport)

Activity 2: Visit a virtual world library reference service. Alliance Virtual Library offers a virtual world reference service staffed collaboratively by librarians worldwide at Info Island in Second Life:

Second Life Library Info Island http://slurl.com/secondlife/Info%20Island%20International/116/237/34 (While Second Life is running, click this link in your Internet browser and use it to teleport)

Activity 3: Visit a virtual world health and medical library. Alliance's Health Info Island has a medical library and a consumer health library:

Health Info Island http://slurl.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/132/140/23

For more places to visit:

Second Life Education and Teaching Landmark Links by Lorri Mon http://ipl.ci.fsu.edu/teaching/virtual-worlds/second-life-links-lmon.pdf

EXAMPLE:
A library (check the name) in New York created a ghost hunt using iPads around the city. Once they completed each task they then made it into a virtual world.

#4 Wikis

Hands on Activity
IPL 15 Things Sandbox wiki - this "sandbox" wiki provides a place where you can experiment with creating and modifying your own wiki page.

To experiment with editing in the IPL 15 Things Sandbox wiki, click the link and follow the instructions on the next page you see. You can copy, paste, and modify the pages you see in creating your own experimental page.

EXAMPLE

#3 Social Networking

Hands on Activity
Explore some of the different social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Orkut, Ning, Linked-in, MeetUp, Friendster, Plurk. You can create your own page, and join relevant groups.

The Internet Public Library has pages on both Facebook and MySpace that you can visit:

Visit the IPL Facebook page
Visit the IPL MySpace page
Want to join a social networking group of others who are doing the IPL 15 Things? If you are on MySpace or Facebook, you can:

Join the IPL Facebook group for 15 Things
Join the IPL MySpace group for 15 Things


EXAMPLE:The library posts events, book clubs, etc

#2 Microblogging

http://ipl2.cci.fsu.edu/community/wiki/index.php/Microblogging

Signing up for a Twitter account is free: https://twitter.com/signup

After signing up your account, for more information about how to use Twitter, see:

Newbie’s Guide to Twitter created by CNet:
Twelve Minute Definitive Guide to Twitter by Fred Stutzman
16 Twitter tips to try from Chris Lake
Activity #1 on Twitter: follow another user. You can try this out by 'following' the IPL's account:

@theipl Follow the Internet Public Library on Twitter

Activity #2 on Twitter: tweeting with a group. You can add your tweets to those of others who use the same marker or "hashtag" (such as #ipl15things). The 'pound sign' or # indicates the hashtag. To tweet with the hashtag #ipl15things:

First, you need to 'follow' hashtags.org so that your hashtags will be indexed:

Step1: Go to: @ hashtags http://twitter.com/hashtags and become a follower

Step2: Then, tweet about the IPL 15 Things to shared hashtag #ipl15things. Send your message to everyone like this:

#ipl15things I'm doing the IPL 15 Things
Or, send only to those subscribed to received updates from #ipl15things, if you send it like this:

#ipl15things !I'm doing the IPL 15 Things

IPL Thing #1 Blogging

Hands on Activity
The IPL Learning Community provides a "sandbox site" where you can post to your own experimental blog. The "sandbox" is so-called because it is cleared out and returned to its basic settings every 24 hours (thus you can "play in the sandbox" without having to establish a permanent blog.)

IPL 15 Things Hands-On Activity: visit the IPL Learning Community's blogging sandbox site and practice creating your own blog entries. Additionally, you can practice making a "comment" on other people's blogs.



REFLECTIONS:
The sandbox site link was not working properly but I eventually found the blog. I registered, created a profile, wrote a blog post, and commented on other people’s blog.
http://ipl2.cci.fsu.edu/community/blog.php?u=2193

Blogging for Resources:
Blogs are a great way to provide up to date information on topics, themes, or resources for particular school projects students are researching. I created a PowerPoint presentation on how to prepare for a science fair project but information continously gets updated or better resources may come along. Blogging allows librarians to show and indicate to students which sources they may want to use on the Internet or databases and why so that they can in return make their own decisions based on the examples.

Blogging to Review:
The Martin County Library System offers teens the opportunity to gain volunteer hours or possibly win an iPod Touch if they submit book reviews to the Teen Blog: http://mclsteenbookreviews.wordpress.com/ This allows students to see what their peers are reading and what they liked and did not like.

15 Things by IPL