QR codes

The digital strategy conversation at the library is gaining momentum, and some surprising suggestions are coming from the most unexpected quarters.  One related to QR codes and, while it took my interest at the time, I really didn't know enough about them to sit up and take notice properly.

A few blog readings and a quick surf later, and I'm totally converted.  They are amazingly simple to generate, and have the most incredible applications to marketing services and collections in a public library. 

Creating a QR code for display is as simple as 1, 2, 3.  QR code generator searches on the web reveal plenty of places to do the work, and this one is really simple, and the first I tried.



Finding advice and suggestions for their use wasn't difficult either - just search for QR codes in libraries, to access blog posts, prezis and slide shares on the topic.  Thedaringlibrarian got me started and now there's just no looking back. 

If you don't have a smart phone to do the decoding for you, the QR code shown will take you to Eric Whitacre's TED Talks video clip of the making of his virtual choir.  The full version of the song is now out, too, and can be listened to here.

Thinking about transliteracy

I am increasingly coming across the expression transliteracy, to imply the range of literacies needed to function in the 21st century.  I have subscribed to the Libraries and Transliteracies blog today, as this seems an excellent place to explore further.  Buffy Hamilton is a star attraction on this blog for me, and I am sure I will soon feel the same about the other contributors.  Of equal interest is the blog post at School Library Monthly, with its excellent slide presentation on Rigorous Learning with 21st Century Technology .  Question to self is: How do I, in my role in the library and information centre, facilitate and promote discussions with teaching staff on these topics.  Information literacy is still problematic for many - is transliteracy going to seem a step too far?

Infographics - how might we use them?

Twitter, again, has led me to wonder about using infographics for information literacy - in the classroom and in the library. Lots of people are putting lots of effort into creating these wonderful little graphic interpretations of the world and its issues - so how might we best use them? This complex little video clip http://dvanw.com/video/videodisplay.html?32 entitled "How to feed the world" is a perfect example. Interpreting information in graphic format, discussing signs and symbols, making predictions about statistical information, encouraging empathy (values, connection to our world). An excellent tool which bears further investigation. Oh, and did I mention, they're free? Thanks to Larry Ferlazzo for tweeting this particular example.

I am an avid follower of twitter, and have just read about the new draft blogger - and just couldn't resist. I am looking to create a blog or website for my school library, and want to play with a variety of tools. This one is awesomely easy, infinitely varied, and in a matter of half an hour I have been able to create a personalized blog. The pages load quickly, the layout is simple and clear.

If this is as hard as it gets, I see no reason why I couldn't start a school blog within a matter of days...