Adopting Retired Greyhounds in Indiana

Patti Kovach Course Project S603-Dr. Lamb December 8, 2009

Adopting Retired Greyhounds in Indiana Audience This project is designed for adult learners in a public library setting, some of whom may have kids – I included a couple of youth books on the site. These adults want to learn about adopting a retired racing greyhound in Indiana. Currently, this wiki presents some information that is specific to Indianapolis (stores), but other stores and resources in other areas could be added. In a public library, librarians must be ready to answer all sorts of questions and dig up a variety of resources, all in the name of meeting the information needs of patrons. With this topic, I envision it being more of an informal situation, where there is no time constraint, and no regular meetings. It may be beneficial to this group of learners, though, to have at least one library event where a representative from a local greyhound organization comes to speak, and perhaps even brings a dog with them (if the library allows it). This would be a great way to attract an audience to this wiki, not to mention to raise awareness about greyhound/pet adoption in general. This audience could also be attracted through a display at the library, a wiki link/area on the library’s website, and posters/flyers in the library (this would especially be beneficial if there is a greyhound event held).

Need The goal is for these learners to get informed on greyhound adoption, get connected to others, and stay organized. Specifically, this will involve the following:  Learners will know what books to access for information on greyhounds and greyhound adoption.  Learners will have a visual depiction of the supplies involved when adopting a greyhound.  Learners will know of some of the local stores that carry greyhound supplies, and will be able to direct themselves to them with the Google Map feature.  Learners will know what websites carry greyhound specific products, and will know of a tool for organizing their information.  Learners will know how to navigate through social networking tools that will allow them to connect to other greyhound adopters.  Learners will be better able to start a dialogue with others about greyhound adoption. I will know if this need is met by the incorporation of a survey into the wiki. This will ask learners questions regarding the navigation, content, and effectiveness of the wiki and its resources.

1 Patti Kovach Course Project S603-Dr. Lamb December 8, 2009 Technology Effectiveness I used the following technologies: 1. Wiki (Zoho): I used a wiki because this topic is big, and because there are many people out there who may have information and resources to contribute that I do not know of. The wiki will allow various learners to edit and add content, thus making the wiki richer. I like Zoho wikis because there are no ads. 2. Audio (Voki): I used the Voki audio tool on the first page, in which I asked learners a question. I thought this would be effective in engaging learners right away, and getting them to think about their true motivation behind adoption. 3. Digital Photographs: My original digital photos were used so that learners could have a visual of what certain storefronts look like. 4. Video (Snapz Pro X, YouTube, VoiceThread): I used Snapz Pro X to take screenshot videos of three different social networks, then uploaded them to YouTube. I thought these virtual tours would help visitors learn, in a dynamic way, about the various features of the networks. The VoiceThread video slideshow is a compilation of my voice and my digital photos, and will help people learn about greyhound supplies by seeing. The National Geographic YouTube video, though not created myself, was used in an original way because I asked learners to view it with my question in mind. 5. Google Maps: I used this technology for navigation purposes. Instead of describing where a store was, I want learners to see its location on a map, so that they may better understand where it is. 6. Social networks (Dogster, Ning, Delicious): With this project, I want learners to be able to find others in Indiana interested in greyhound adoption. I used both Dogster and Ning so that learners will be able to find, connect, and learn from other greyhound owners/lovers. Because I presented various websites, and because the learners will likely be doing a lot of research on their own, I explained how to sign up for Delicious and how it can be used to save and tag greyhound websites. 7. Online survey (Poll Daddy): The survey I created with Poll Daddy will help me to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the project, and to know whether or not all of the various tools and technologies are meeting the information needs of learners.

My approach was to create an engaging project that used some really exciting and diverse technologies. The photos and videos I included, along with Google Maps, will appeal to visual learners who learn best through images and seeing. The Voki clip will 2 Patti Kovach Course Project S603-Dr. Lamb December 8, 2009 appeal to auditory learners. United Dog, Dogster, Ning, Delicious, and the Zoho Wiki all will appeal to kinesthetic learners since they allow them to really interact with the materials and information they are accessing.

As previously stated, this audience’s need is to learn about basic information and resources, some local, that will help them to adopt a greyhound in Indiana. Digital photos and videos will most certainly meet this need by giving them a specific image that they can reference. The ease of adding commentary to VoiceThread means that this can be done in an engaging way. An Educause entitled “7 things you should know about VoiceThread” mentioned that it “…affords a significantly different critical dimension in that more lengthy and detailed explanations are feasible than would be suitable for text alone.” Additionally though, this audience needs to learn to connect with others with the same interests. Social networks are effective in allowing people to connect and share with others. In his article “Library 2.0 theory: Web 2.0 and its implications for libraries,” Jack M. Maness stated that social networks allow people “… not only to interact, but to share and change resources dynamically in an electronic medium.” Fichter and Wisniewski, in their article “Social media metrics: Making the case for making the effort,” state that “…social media provides innovative ways for librarians to, on a personal and meaningful level, connect with the users we may never see face to face.” So this wiki, by being featured on the library site, may even reach a remote user. Wiki technology is also an especially effective tool for addressing this need because, though perhaps started by 1 person, it can be contributed to by others who also have useful information. This greyhound wiki is essentially a combination of the two.

Technology Issues With wikis, there is always the concern that contributions may be poor or just plain unproductive. In his article “Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and its Implications for Libraries,” Jack M. Maness wrote, “The lack of peer review and editorship is a challenge to librarians, not in that users should avoid wikis, but only in that they should understand and be critical in depending on them.” So wikis are a wonderful technology that should be used with a bit of caution. Another concern I had is with the audio files from Voki, and whether or not they will load for every visitor. I had some trouble getting these inserted into the wiki, even though Zoho Wiki offered a widget specifically for Voki Avatars. For some reason, it always took a few times to work. Lastly, I had a bit of a concern regarding social networks and privacy. Even with a network like Dogster, someone with ill intentions could send a nasty message or use some of a person’s personal profile information against them somehow. But according to a Pew internet study “Adults and Social Network Websites,” adults tend to be more careful online. This 3 Patti Kovach Course Project S603-Dr. Lamb December 8, 2009 study found that “60% of adult social network users restrict access to their profiles so that only their friends can see it.”

Works Cited 7 things you should know about VoiceThread. 2009. EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative June. Online article, accessed November 28, 2009. Available at http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7050.pdf Lenhart, Amanda. 2009. Adults and social network websites. Pew Internet & American Life Project. Online article, accessed December 1, 2009. Available at http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/Adults-and-Social-Network- Websites.aspx Fichter, Darlene and Jeff Wisniewski. 2008. Social media metrics: Making the case for making the effort. Online 32(November/December): 54-57. Accessed November 29, 2009 via Wilson Web. Maness, James M. 2006. Library 2.0 theory: Web 2.0 and its implications for libraries. Webology 3(June). Online article, accessed December 1, 2009. Available at http://www.webology.ir/2006/v3n2/a25.html?q=link:webology.ir/