Thing 8 - November 18, 2009

Thing 8

November 18, 2009

This 8 is about communication tools that are available on the Web. I will be learning about how email, IM, and text messaging, Web Conferencing tools and how these tools will make communication easier.

I watched the You Tube video on Instant Messaging from the University of Buffalo. It’s amazing how you can use these new methods to market services. It would have been a great tool for me to use when I was in school and when my kids needed help with assignments. I like the “Ask a Librarian” service. This was a great advertisement on IM, Google Talk- Yahoo! Messenger and AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)

Instant messaging (SMS- Short Message Service) can be sued to send a message up to 160 characters. You can use letters, numbers and symbols in the Latin alphabet. Text messaging provides a way to chat with someone when you are in an environment where you need to be quiet.

Web Conferencing is a way to conduct meetings, training, tours, etc. over the internet. I have participated in several Lyrasis online classes and online training is a great way to learn and participate without leaving your home or office. We are beginning to offer more online desktop training to our members through OPAL, LEAD, and Lyrasis. Many members are taking advantage of this opportunity in the midst of tight budgets with no travel money or staff to fill in when they attend face-to- face training. These programs are also archived so you can go back and do a refresher, or finish completion of the class if you were interrupted before the class ended.

I use email as my primary method of communicating with our members. I handle a large volume of registrations. I like email because you have a paper trail to follow. I have my email set up with folders so I can file specific emails. I find it easy for me to find information and it saves time over telephone calls.

I haven’t used the Instant Messaging. I know that the younger generation use this method to communicate more that making a telephone call.