1) Local Area Network: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Area_Network
I am sure we have all worked on LANs. I know I have in schools and work. This article was very brief, so I was glad to get a broader overview with the next article ...
2) Computer network http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_network
This article showed the differences in many kinds of networks. Now I will be able to differentiate what kind of network I'm using at school, work and home. I am glad it went into intranets, because I've used those at jobs I've had but never quite knew how they worked. I also liked seeing the Internet described as a network: global!
3) Common types of computer networks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dpgqDdfUjQ
I didn't know that many LAN connections can now do what wide area networks used to do; things have become that advanced. I also liked how he mentioned "MANs," or metropolitan area networks. This is an interesting but useful configuration. Some small cities have tried this, and a lot of residents are probably happy. When I was getting my undergraduate at Penn State, the State College borough council discussed doing this in the downtown area. I'm not sure how far they've gotten with that plan, but I know a lot of students would appreciate it.
The video links provided so far for this class have been great: short and straightforward. I look forward to more like them!
4) Coyle, K. (2005). Management of RFID in libraries. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 31(5), 486-489.
The intro to this article was helpful for explaining exactly what RFID is. I knew what it did, but I didn't know how. (I also watched the video under the RFID discussion board, which helped, too.) The author brings up a good point about even if libraries don't embrace RFID right away, we can't ignore it. We have to educate ourselves, especially because RFID may promise a way to speed up operations. (They don't have to be scanned individually, like barcodes -- you can do stacks at a time! And I really liked the idea that the book drop can check in books automatically.) Libraries converted to barcodes eventually, and RFID adds a security measure that barcodes don't have.
I mentioned what I thought some uses might be in my discussion board post, and she hit on some of them, such as advantages in the stacks and shelving. Incorrectly shelved books may no longer we the same as losing a book.
Her problems are valid as well. Obviously privacy is an issue, but so is cost. And if not all items are deemed worthy of that cost -- like flimsy magazines -- it will be a hassle to keep the other barcode method in place.
I agree with you that You Tube presents to the viewer a simple explanation of a topic in the way, which draws an attention to the subject. You Tube video encompass the visual and auditory learning and can be seen as supplemental teaching tool in class. I think the interaction even a “virtual” simplifies a difficult material and facilitate learning of complex topics.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting that they mentioned metropolitan area networks. I know this is something they have discussed implementing where I live and it would be incredibly convenient. I wonder however, if they use local taxes to pay for it. That would probably present a lot of controversy as there are still many people who do not use the internet and would probably feel it would be a waste of tax money.
ReplyDeleteRuth, I like the fact that you brought up how to pay for the MAN. In Indiana, we are currently having a great amount of difficulty paying for our community services, such as schools, fire and police protection, parks, etc. Everything is getting cut. I'm sure we could never find adequate funding for something like that, but I do envision a world where everywhere is a wifi hotspot. I think eventually everyone will use the internet and will see the value of being able to access the web from wherever you are. Plus think of all the money we'll save if we don't have to have data packages on our cell phones.
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