Doing the tweet thing

You’ll notice that I have added a twitter feed to my blog, but I do so with ambivalence. On one hand I think that it is utterly adsurd that I would spend the time to update for anyone to read, what I am doing in the moment. I mean, who really cares?

But then again, I have lately been reading about people who seem to have similiar technology interests to mine who use twitter (those who tweet? I don’t even know the language yet). I have read about people who find Twitter to be a useful tool rather than an amusing time-waster, so I figured I should try it to see if I am missing anything valuable.  I don’t figure that I will be adding all that much, but I am curious to read the tweets of others who I am following.

On with the experiment.

 

WizIQ a free virtual classroom

The Grad Center uses Moodle as its CMS, and we are now investigating WizIQ as a free tool that ingetrates with Moodle. According to the WizIQ website, the app provides:

“Live, online sessions
In the virtual classroom with all the digital benefits at your fingertips, you can interact online using

• Images, PowerPoint presentations and documents
• Full way audio and video sharing
• Live chat enhances the interaction amongst the participants
• Control Privileges with you having full control over the session like in real-world classroom

All sessions on WiZiQ are automatically recorded so that you can revisit and even search for a certain topic anytime at your convenience.”

While exploring the existing content that has been uploaded on the site by others, I found this object on the topic of social networking tools:

 

Friends:Social Networking Sites for Engaged Library Services: Downloadable Open Source Social Networking Applications

Friends:Social Networking Sites for Engaged Library Services: <strong>Downloadable Open Source Social Networking Applications</strong>

Gerry Mckiernan is a Science and Technology Librarian at Iowa State University Library whose writings I insightful and thought-provoking. Given the advent of Web2.0 and the changing paradigm of the web of one from a read-only, centralized source of authority, power and control to that of more of a egalitarian, collaborative “power to the people” sort of thing.

The Grad Center recently decided to experiment using Ning for its alumni network. I think that it’s ease of use and complement of functionality make it the perfect solution to the needs of the GC Alumn.  McKiernan’s post references a number of different sites can be used for social networking.