Thing 6. Online Image Generators

From a graphical design perspective, the use of online image generators to easily create multimedia images is a tool that enables librarians to effectively capture and bring to the attention of students the availability of library services and resources and to do so in a variety of electronic venues.

Thing 5. More Flickr Fun

The tutorial indicated instructions for uploading mash-ups to a blog would be provided somewhere on the site. No indication was given as to which site--the mash-up site or the blogger editing site. After loading the Flash plug-in I explored Clockr, but as previously indicated I could not locate any instructions for uploading the mash-up. Furthermore, I too share the sentiments of the participant expressing frustration and concern regarding the necessity of opening yet another account requiring a username and password.

From the examples provided in the tutorial, there appears to be few pedagogical benefits to be accrued in the implementation of these mash-ups. Mash-up designed to assist students in achieving a specific instructional outcomes could be potentially useful.

Thing 4. Photosharing with Flickr

This photograph of the New York Public Library grand staircase is a visual reminder of days gone by. The notion of a library as an august physical place designed to provide access to information has evolved in the last fifty years to embrace and exploit the innovative applications of technology. Its conceptualization has expanded to include a virtual space where information can be created, collected, distributed and/or shared. Having acknowledged this evolutionary transformation, it is nevertheless still satisfying to admire and appreciate the tangible and intangible aesthetics of architectural edifices built in preceding eras that delineated and defined the notion of libraries as physical spaces.

Sometimes a photograph is an effective means of subtly reinforcing talking points as is in the case of this photograph. The use of photographs to convey not only thoughts but also feelings, such as nostalgia, is also an efficient method of communication. Flickr provides the general public with the ability to easily capitalize on the use of this medium to convey thoughts, ideas, feelings, and facts. It also is a tool librarians/educators can put to good use when addressing the many learning styles of students.