Online "Filter Bubbles" - TedTalk by Eli Pariser

California Teacher Librarian Susie Goodin alerted California librarians to a TedTalk by Eli Pariser on the dangers of online "filter bubbles".  The description states that as web companies tailor their services and search results to our personal tastes, there is a dangerous yet unintended consequence -- we get trapped in a "Filter bubble" and don't get exposed to information that could challenge or broaden our worldview.  Pariser argues that this will ultimately prove to be bad for us and for democracy.

This is particularly interesting for educators, given the high degree of Internet filtering in schools, thanks in large part to federal funding requirements under the E-Rate (Education Rate) program.

Mobility@Your Library - #5 Administrative

Here is #5 of 10 categories of how libraries use mobile devices.

#5 Administrative. This is the most popular category used by library leadership. Equipment is often provided by the larger institution (city, county, university, school district). Many large institutions or enterprises use MSOffice, so it is common that library administrators stay with that platform and most compatable mobile devices. Monthly service for public and school librarians is often partially covered by Federal E-Rate funds. Here are top administrative uses of cell phones and smartphones:

• Calling. One-2-One. Conference calls.
• Database updating/scheduling on the go!
• eCalendar (ie: Outlook Calendar)
• e-mail
• Text messaging
• Reporting
• Mobile notepad

Many of these categories and examples overlap. See also #4-Assistive Technology and #5- Productivity Tools.