#23mobilethings {Living Outside the Stacks}

I’ve always considered myself a bit of a tech junkie. I think that’s part of the charm nature of librarians. We like jumping in and trying new stuff. We’re explorers. We’re questioners. Is that even a word? But we also tend to get stuck in our comfort zones. Or, at least, I do.

Years ago, I participated in 23 Things, a free, self~paced course that introduced librarians {and others} to various social media and web 2.0 tools. I was at that point where I was finally comfortable turning on the computer without the hubs looking over my shoulder but not comfortable enough to do much more than read email and play Solitaire. I knew there was more to the computer than that, I just wasn’t sure how to get there.

I feel the same way about my iPad and, to an extent, my Droid. I know they’re capable of more than what I use them for, which is currently an outlet for a raging Pinterest obsession and Instagram fetish.

Oddly enough, it was through Pinterest that I discovered 23 Mobile Things. 23 Mobile Things is just like 23 Things but geared towards mobile devices. Color me excited. As more students come to college with mobile devices, I think it’s important for librarians and information professionals to look at how students are access information and what they’re doing with it once they get it.

As with the original 23 Things, I don’t expect to use all of the tools/skills that I develop from going through 23 Mobile Things but I do want to broaden my horizons. I want to explore and have a working knowledge of how to use the tools that my students could very well be using. But, more than that, I want need to continue the learning process.

Thing 1: Twitter

If you decide to join in, use the hashtag #23mobilethings on Twitter.

How do you sharpen your skills? What do you use your tablet or smart phone for?

Daenel T