Lesson 11 challenge

Lesson 11 challenge
What does your PLN look like? You may already have a PLN, just didn’t realize your handful of favorite websites had a name. Share on your blog some of your online resources and what you have gained from them.


I really like working with anything from RUSA(Reference and User Services Association).  
http://www.ala.org/rusa/

I also really like following the free webinars from the  Texas State Library And Archives Comission.
. From the TSLAC I have gained a knowledge of what other libraries, such as the Talking Books Program and the Texas State Library and Archives, have to offer our patrons. 

I have gotten some really great ideas by going on to  Pinterest  and searching Library Book Displays. I will use the ideas I learned here for book displays in the future. 

Lesson 10 challenge

A patron visits your branch library and they only have $1.50 in their pocket.  They are trying to figure out if they can take the bus from your branch to the nearest McDonalds later today because they have an interview.  Practice using Google Maps directions and write in your blog about how easy/hard it would be to get to their interview by bus and about how much time it would take.

The nearest McDonald's is on San Pedro at 721 San Pedro. According to Google Maps, the patron could take the # 3 or the #4 to this location and it would take about 11 minutes. It is a little closer than the locations on Alamo Plaza and another one downtown, It is about 7/10 of a mile away. 

It was pretty easy to do this. I found it a little harder to use Google Street View to find the Subway Sandwich shop nearest the Encino Branch Library. I kept having to go back to step 1 to find the street view again. I finally found it. I also took a detour inside the Planet Fitness nearby. I have NO sense of direction, so this is helpful. 

Lesson 9 challenge

Complete a lesson or a challenge using one of the resources described above. Take a screenshot of your finished product to include in your blog post about the experience. Explain how you might use this resource personally or professionally. I completed a lesson from Google's Made with Code in which I had to arrange blocks so that a character named Riley from the Pixar movie  Inside Out could slide down a stair rail. I found it a little frustrating at first but finally got it to work.  I might use this resource personally to entertain my cousin's children when they come to visit during the Summer. I might use this resource professionally to get a young girl interested in computer science or maybe to keep children occupied while their mothers finished an application in the computer area. 

Lesson 8 challenge

I tried to get someone to  get together with me  on Google hangouts from the branches, but I think everyone is too busy. So, I imagine things working like this.

I am on a committee for program planning. The meeting is at Encino and I work at Central.

1. The benefits of having the meeting online rather than in person. Less stress,no driving, no wasting gas or cursing in heavy traffic. People don't have to drive to meet online. It is easier than talking on the telephone and emailing back and forth, though. 
2. Any challenges, inconveniences, or issues you encountered. What if we have problems with the sound? What if there is a delay? 
3.  If you would meet online with this person again. Yes
4.  If you would meet with anyone else online, and who might that be. I might meet with colleagues who live in another city instead of attending a professional conference. 
5. Would a traditional in person meeting have been better? Why

Traditional face to face meetings are always better. It is just easier to iron things out when you can sit across from someone and really see their facial expression. It seems more engaging. 

Lesson 7 post

Here is a link to a chronically depressed web server's 404 page.
Sad, neurotic 404 page

Lesson 6 challenge

I read the book Station Eleven by Emily St.John Mandel.
Some title read-alikes

One year after 

 

Forstchen, William R.

2.   The dog stars    Heller, Peter, 1959-

Lesson 5 challenge Learning Express Library

I have an account and use Learning Express Library all the time.
It is great for teaching SAT prep materials as it allows you to create a study plan using e-books, tutorials, and practice tests to get the highest score. It has less detailed material for GED prep but still gives you a lot to work with.
You can see all the e-book resources by clicking on View Featured Resources. From there you can get a list of all e-books. You can use some of these e-books to study for the GED.

So, all in all Learning Express Library is a very useful resource.