RefWorks

RefWorks was absolutely unknown territory to me. It had been mentioned in my introductory course and Jenn had set up an Elluminate session on it that I didn't sign up for, because I was too busy. Silly me! RefWorks was a confusing tool for me to explore on my own, given the limited time I had available. So, I came down to the Coutts library at the University of Alberta and met with a librarian. She was very helpful in giving me an overview of RefWorks. At first, I dismissed it as a simple citation maker, which I felt that I could easily find on the web, such as Son of Citation:     http://citationmachine.net/index2.php?start=&reqstyleid=2# . I also questioned its value when I discovered I would need to proof all citations again, APA manual (6th edition) in hand. However, after thoughtful consideration, I began to see the value beyond simple citation help. Using the University databases, I can search for articles and journals and quickly import them into RefWorks, which then becomes a holding tank for me to peruse them at my leisure. The "Get it" function allows me to (usually) find the full text and review the article for information helpful to my inquiry. Should I no longer desire the article (such as the one from Ross Todd about utilization of heroin information by adolescent girls) I can simply delete it. Creating RefWorks folders for different topics I am researching keeps my articles in order and easily accessible. No longer will my desktop be full of PDF files of articles that I have placed there in case I cannot remember what folder I put it in. The university librarian suggested that I use three steps once I locate an article in the databases: 1. Email the article to myself. 2. Save a copy to a USB. 3. Send the citation to RefWorks. I can then create a folder on my computer as a back up for articles, although I wonder why I need that as well as RefWorks. I also downloaded the Write'N'Cite program to my computer, however, I have not yet taken the time to explore its value. Overall, I believe I will find Refworks helpful, and more so as I explore its other functions. I wonder about the RSS feed reader. I have been using RSS feeds with my Google Reader, and am wondering how the RSS feed works with Refworks. Does it do the same function as my Google Reader and import articles from RSS feeds I am interested in? I will have to try it to find out. As with most of the Web 2.0 tools, time to explore is needed.

To Diigo or not to Diigo…is it even a question?

Previous to my Introduction to teacher librarian course, my bookmarking expertise was limited to ‘My Favorites’ on my Firefox browser bar. I may have put the bookmark in a folder, or not, so trying to find the sites I had bookmarked was often a hassle. As well, I never could remember which computer I was working on when I bookmarked a site. Was it at home? At work? If so, which computer?? All of these frustrations often led me give up and search for the site on Google once again. Then, in a technology inservice, I learned about Delicious (www.delicious.com). No longer did I need to wonder what computer I had been at, or what folder I had put the bookmark in. Creating tags allowed me multiple ways to remember or search for bookmarked sites. When Diigo (www.diigo.com) was introduced to me, I wondered whether it would be better than Delicious. Indeed, it was. Along with the convenience of anytime, anywhere access and tagging, Diigo added a more powerful search function, and the ability to highlight, sticky note and capture a snapshot of website pages. Now I could treat a website the same way I would treat a textbook, highlight, annotate, and add stickies. The combination of these three tools helps me to better comprehend and remember information when I read a text, and it is invaluable to have them as I read an article or webpage online. The snapshot function ensures that I have a copy of the webpage even when it has been taken down, or moved. I am also impressed with the ability to create lists and share them with others. I am looking forward to learning more about using it as a collaborative tool and PLN (I’ve already created a Teacher Librarian group that I hope others in the class will join so we can share sites and conversation). I have applied for an educators account, so that students can use Diigo to help them keep track of their information, share information and collaborate in groups. Overall, I believe Diigo is a wonderful tool to help me manage information, and I believe students will benefit from it's use as well. 

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