Comments on: MySpace in Public Libraries http://www.web2learning.net/archives/559 Web 2.0 and programming tips from a library technology enthusiast, What I Learned Today... covers blogs, rss, wikis and more as they relate to libraries. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:18:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Jill Hurst-Wahl http://www.web2learning.net/archives/559/comment-page-1#comment-12237 Jill Hurst-Wahl Mon, 02 Oct 2006 20:23:29 +0000 http://www.web2learning.net/archives/559#comment-12237 There are good and bad aspects to all technologies. The key is to learn how to use the technology safely. According to an article in <a>Fortune</a>, more than 50% of MySpace users are over the age of 35. We would have to assume that most of these people (like me) are legitimate users -- people connecting with their market (e.g., musicians) as well as people connecting with family and friends. This is a site where teens will be interacting with a broad range of people -- just as they do in real life -- so they need to apply the same rules here as they would if they were riding a NYC subway. It should also be noted that young people are engaging in <a href="http://theobvious.typepad.com/blog/2006/07/polychronic_lea.html" rel="nofollow">polychronic learning</a> when they use these tools. They have adapted to this learning style, which is something we'll need to keep in mind. Jill (Born & raised in Dauphin County) There are good and bad aspects to all technologies. The key is to learn how to use the technology safely.

According to an article in Fortune, more than 50% of MySpace users are over the age of 35. We would have to assume that most of these people (like me) are legitimate users — people connecting with their market (e.g., musicians) as well as people connecting with family and friends. This is a site where teens will be interacting with a broad range of people — just as they do in real life — so they need to apply the same rules here as they would if they were riding a NYC subway.

It should also be noted that young people are engaging in polychronic learning when they use these tools. They have adapted to this learning style, which is something we’ll need to keep in mind.

Jill
(Born & raised in Dauphin County)

]]> By: Catch Up Lady http://www.web2learning.net/archives/559/comment-page-1#comment-11656 Catch Up Lady Thu, 28 Sep 2006 19:59:55 +0000 http://www.web2learning.net/archives/559#comment-11656 Wow, this is really tough issue to deal with! There was a good article on the pros and cons of MySpace on the cover of US World & New Report recently that some other librarian bloggers were linking to as they felt it gave a fair run down of the site. I think there are huge benefits to sites like this and let's face it, they're not going anywhere(!) and there are benefits to networking, meeting new people, etc. However, the dangers are undeniable given the nefarious people that are out there these days. I think the biggest thing is teaching kids safety. They need to know what's appropriate online and what's not and who to go to if they come across something improper. There are some great sites out there right now (cybertipline.com for reporting, NetSmartz for education, etc. etc. ) The MySpace parent page also has some great links. In addition to teaching kids parents need to keep their finger on the pulse! So many parents barely know how to turn on a computer it's scary! Wow, this is really tough issue to deal with! There was a good article on the pros and cons of MySpace on the cover of US World & New Report recently that some other librarian bloggers were linking to as they felt it gave a fair run down of the site.

I think there are huge benefits to sites like this and let’s face it, they’re not going anywhere(!) and there are benefits to networking, meeting new people, etc. However, the dangers are undeniable given the nefarious people that are out there these days.

I think the biggest thing is teaching kids safety. They need to know what’s appropriate online and what’s not and who to go to if they come across something improper. There are some great sites out there right now (cybertipline.com for reporting, NetSmartz for education, etc. etc. ) The MySpace parent page also has some great links. In addition to teaching kids parents need to keep their finger on the pulse! So many parents barely know how to turn on a computer it’s scary!

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