Wednesday, May 14, 2008
#22 audiobooks
Online audiobooks definitely sounds like a wonderful concept, and people with limited mobility, serious illness, visual impairment could benefit greatly from this concept. An online audiobook library would also allow multiple users, put an end to scratched and damaged material and offer borrowers the highest quality sound. An online audiobook library may also permit Pearl to help herself to locate the newest family sagas. Sounds delightful, but since many elderly people enjoy human interaction and are frightened of computers, struggle to find an on/off button, think a mouse is vermin and have difficulty placing a cassette into a tape player, than I think an online audiobook library may be more likely in the distant future than the present. An online audiobook library would be limited to a receiving computer and would not permit the borrower to listen to the material in his/her car unless they were to duplicate it onto a CD or tape.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
#23 final summary
Ahhhh, what a @#$%&*? relief!! Completing this Learning 2.0 program has at times been a struggle for me to fulfill and I can’t believe that I am actually looking forward to checking and filing memberships once again. The course was lengthy and I think 12 tasks to complete would have been sufficient and more enjoyable. I did enjoy completing parts of it and it has helped to make me more aware of some great online services. The online services available to individuals are great. My favourite parts of Learning 2.0 were flickr, the online image generator, learning about the benefits of Wikis, online word processing, spreadsheets etc. and the wonderful service of YouTube. The Learning 2.0 podcast brainwashing sessions for each weekly task have also been very helpful in developing my American accent.
Online learning is a tremendous service, but my greatest concern is it is simply that; which is online, and can only be fully appreciated by privileged members of our society, like myself, who is fortunate enough to be able to use GRLC computers, ample internet and printing services. Many people and families simply can not afford the required equipment such as a PC, software including anti-virus programs and a broadband internet service. This is why public libraries are so valuable in providing individuals of all socio-economic classes with the same services and opportunities. The GRLC does provide a great internet service and the latest computing equipment to the general public at no economic expense. However, GRLC internet users have a very limited amount of time to use these online services and therefore very limited learning opportunities. This is compared to wealthier individuals and families who can afford their own computing equipment, software and 24/7 online internet services.
Online learning is a tremendous service, but my greatest concern is it is simply that; which is online, and can only be fully appreciated by privileged members of our society, like myself, who is fortunate enough to be able to use GRLC computers, ample internet and printing services. Many people and families simply can not afford the required equipment such as a PC, software including anti-virus programs and a broadband internet service. This is why public libraries are so valuable in providing individuals of all socio-economic classes with the same services and opportunities. The GRLC does provide a great internet service and the latest computing equipment to the general public at no economic expense. However, GRLC internet users have a very limited amount of time to use these online services and therefore very limited learning opportunities. This is compared to wealthier individuals and families who can afford their own computing equipment, software and 24/7 online internet services.
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