Online+Communication

As I was working on this particular module for the course, I spent some time reflecting on the various forms of online communication. I feel that I am fairly knowledgeable about different forms of online communication, and I try to utilize them as much as possible; however, I also know that there is more knowledge to attain and new tools and resources to try! Here is a summary of different types of online communication that I currently use, as well as a few that I plan to start using:

__Email__ - I have used email for about twelve years. I have used it for professional reasons, both as a student and as a teacher, as well as for personal reasons. I find that email is a great tool for keeping in touch with people and getting necessary information in a timely fashion. Most of my coursework is done through Online Classroom; using email is crucial in maintaining communication with my professors and fellow students. When I was teaching, I found email to be a quick, effective way to make contact with busy parents. I also used email as a way to communicate with my colleagues throughout the school day. Email also helps me keep in touch with family members and friends that live around the country.

__ListServ__ - I am currently a member of the LM-OSU (Library Media at OSU) listserv. Recently, members have been contributing information about legislation that is making its way through our state legislature. Other topics that have been discussed in the past include OSU databases available for listserv subscriber use, resources for different holidays and reading-centered events, and ways to promote Sequoyah books. I think the LM-OSU listserv has been helfpul to me in that is has provided information and resources of which I was not previously aware, and I look forward to utilizing the information more fully once I have my own library. In order to access another network of information, I subscribed to the Teachers.Net Mailring at []. I liked that there were options for Library/Media Specialists and Read Across America.

__Discussion Board__ - Like email, I have used discussion boards for professional and personal reasons. Active participation in the Online Classroom discussion boards has been required for nearly every course I have taken in pursuit of my Master's degree. I find the discussion boards to be a great resource for information and ideas from my fellow students and colleagues. In addition, since many of my courses are conducted through online study, the discussion boards help me maintain personal contact with other people. Other discussion boards in which I have participated include those that interest me on personal level, covering topics such as books of interest, parenting, crafts, and music.

__Chat/Instant Messaging__ - I used AOL Instant Messenger frequently as an undergradutate student. More recently I have used the chat feature in Gmail and Skype. One feature that I liked about Skype was the ability to include people in a chat whether they were typing or speaking via a microphone. I have also used actual chat software through a friend's personal website.

__Blog__ - I became aware of blogs about three years ago. The blogs that I read most frequently are on topics of personal interest, particularly books and crafts. I also follow the blogs of a few friends who live on opposite sides of the country. I have not created a blog of my own, but I have contributed a "blog entry" to a friend that maintains a blog. In searching for library-related blogs, I have come across several that are quite humorous. This one, Love the Liberry, [] focuses on the daily happenings at a public library.

__Wiki__ - Before enrolling in this class, I was familiar with the concept of wikis due to a reasearch project I completed for a previous class. This wiki is the first I have ever created solely on my own. I also contribute to another wiki for a different class. I have found the experience to be very satisfying, and I hope to continue utilizing wikis once I have my own library. A library-related wiki that I have used as a resource is Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki, found here []. Two other wikis that I am interested in exploring are the Library and Information science Wiki (LISWiki) [] and the Blogging Libraries Wiki [].

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