Module 3 Librarian 2.0 My PLN

Utech (2008) proposes the 5 stages of adopting personal learning networks as immersion, evaluation, know it all, perspective and balance.  I believe that I have passed through the immersion stage mainly because as part of the INF206 subject the goal has been to immerse ourselves in social networking technology.  In fact, the reason I elected this subject was to actually force myself to do that.  Some I have willingly adopted, LinkedIn I believe will help me in my professional world and Yammer as part of my work network.  I find Pinterest really cool and great for sharing interests and hobbies and my favourite books.  I have been also using it for my other subject INF205 to find genre books for my assignment. I have recently connected with instagram, I love the photo editing options and have it on my smartphone, I like sharing photo's with my friends and family who are not on Facebook also I was sick of hearing people's life stories on Facebook was starting to turn away from it. Of note, I have been a Facebook user for years, it has been a great tool to share photos and news, as we live away from most of our family.  Recently, my son went to Brazil and Facebook turned out to be the cheapest and easiest way to communicate and share photos. As we speak my 12 yr old is in Japan and has loaded Kick messenger(and IOS app) onto my phone, when he has internet access we can chat for free , that is really cool.

I believe I have reached evaluation and skipped straight through to perspective but I don't necessarily agree with Utech stating that perspective is reached because you had a reality check and started hanging out with family and friends to gain perspective.  Although Utech makes some interesting points about the adoption of social media's, they do not reflect my own personal journey in social media technologies.  Probably the only analogy I can make about "balance' it would be for me reading a book and forcing myself to go outside or engage with other people, certainly not having to tear myself away from technology.

 For my studies INF206 utilising Facebook has been a great sharing tool, really is easy to share information, video's much more interactive, however I have found that people aren't asking as many assignment questions as what they do on the forum, maybe everyone is just superbly capable this year. What has been my highlight is joining INF205 and Survivors of CSU Facebook it is so cool. Really, has been my lifeline and wish I had of met the administrator in another subject years ago(I graduate this year). It is dynamic, a chance to have a whinge, share information, ask questions and we really have turned it into a knowledge sharing hub.  Conversely, the subject forum seems clunky, questions are not answered timely manner.

From an Information professional perspective, I am an active subscriber of blogs such as Stephens Lighthouse, Hey Jude and now recently David King.  I follow Facebook for ALIA new grads and of course my local Library.  I am a lurker on Yammer and Twitter, with the latter I have started to follow a few professional people I have met in our industry.  I enjoy being a member of an online community, however, I realise I am going have to start participating by writing responses something in which I lack confidence right now.

My Web 2.0 Journey