I was involved with something very close to instant messaging a couple of years ago when I did the Internet-based Family History course offered by CAVAL. There was a time set each week for typed chat between the tutor and students enrolled in the course (usually two or three went on line).
Instant messaging as a means of delivering reference information as demonstrated by the University of North Carolina Library would be a useful addition to the suite of services offered by a large institution, and in tune with today's 'instant' society. It has advantages over the phoned or emailed enquiry in that the interaction allows immediate clarification of the client's requirements if required.
I know that Skype is a service used by several people in the local community who have family overseas. A very effective and economical alternative to phoning.
And today's political debate is an interesting example of a tweitter discussion!
Thank you for the course, Ellen and Mylee and associates.
I hate giving up on the course but because I don't use the Web 2.0 and 2.1 tools I am finding it increasingly hard to bluff my way through. And it isn't really being very honest anyway. For people who have embraced Web 2.0 this would have been an excellent follow-up and extension exercise.
Maybe I'll try and get back to mash-ups one day as that it the only week I really haven't done anything about but for the moment .. back to the circulation desk and sorting out the housebound books ....
1 comment:
I am going to miss your blog posts as I really like reading them. I enjoy your writing style.
You don't seem like you are bluffing your way through the course, it sounds like you are having a great adventure.
You are actually an early adopter - as you have completed the first course and are a long way through the second one.
Ellen (PLS)
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