Nebraska Learns 2.0: Endings and Beginnings

I decided that I had to complete the final "thing" since I had been been in since the beginning of the "23 Things."  I looked back through my blog and my first post was on October 13, 2008.  In fact, that wasn't really the beginning; I had worked on the "23 things" from another organization after that program was referenced online or at a conference;  I can't remember which it was now.

On to the questions:

• What were your favorite discoveries or exercises? Which didn’t you find useful at all?
• Which Things have you continued using?
• How has this program assisted or affected your lifelong learning goals?
• Were there any take-aways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?

Favorites:  I liked the challenge to utilize online tools and social media.    Learning to embed videos and links to Flickr accounts on my blog was really useful as was working with QR codes.  I think overall just learning to not be afraid of trying new things was the most help.  I haven't used RSS feeds very much as I run out of time even using those.  Sigh...

Still Using:  Facebook has been my go to social media instead of Twitter for the most part.  I do slip onto Twitter once in a while.  I loved reading Michael Sauer's tech related tweets for quite awhile.

Lifelong learning: I really like to share what I've learned with my library patrons.  What I have learned in pursuing the library things has helped me troubleshoot for people using our computers or coming in with their mobile devices.  I love to explore new things when I have time.  And yes, I get some satisfaction when I can solve a tech issue for a 20-something patron.  

Take-aways: Gaining the confidence to tackle new tech projects has got me involved more with our library social media and our WordPress blog.  I've also carried these skills into other organizations that I work with.  

Thanks for offering this program.  When I looked back at my last blog post from the 23 things, I had stated that it would be great to have monthly topics and thought it was cool that you decided to do that.  I haven't always posted since I wasn't in the need of C.E. credits but have often done some of the topics on my own.  

QR Codes: Trying before Understanding Thing #89

First of all, I want to thank the organizers of Nebraska Learns 2.0 for picking QR codes as a topic.  I could have used this a year ago!  Let me share my story:

I was elected vice-president of a churchwomen's organization.  Of course, since I work in our library's computer center, all of the organization's web duties ended up on my plate.  A year ago, I get this call; a meeting organizer wanted to eliminate printing handouts for the meeting so would I upload all of the handouts and provide her with a QR code so attendees could link to the documents on our synod website.    A pastor told her it would be easy and after all, most women have their tablets or phones at events.  I was skeptical that this was ideal for our meetings-did I mention that the average age of attendee borders on 55+?

The organization uses WordPress so I created a post with links to the documents needed and other items already on the website.  Next I googled creating a free QR code and found a free generator, saved the result and she printed it out to share at the meeting.   I didn't know about making the URL shorter so this code looks much cleaner than the one last year.    I downloaded QR droid on my phone to check it.  I saved it this time as a PNG picture and inserted it here.

For current practice, I tried QR code generator on our library foundation's blogpost on our upcoming book sale.  This time I copied the link to embed it.  As you can see, the image size is big but it connected.  YAY!!


Then I watched the video again and followed the instructions for using Google.  The result is pasted below:

 I think I like that method best.  I haven't participated formally for awhile so I am out of practice using Blogger after using WordPress more recently.

Terri Johnson