Project Toolbar
The day had arrived for the class discussion about group projects. I think most people associate group projects with a slight degree of apprehension for how the process of collaborating will unfold. Glad to report on this being one of the most successful of group projects I’ve ever participated in. Truthfully, when I think of how the group projects developed, it was like everyone just paired their interests alongside with those who had similar interests, groups developed, and everyone was ready to set forth on their topics for the presentations. There is something to be said for the trust, on the part of our professor, that allowed these groups to decide and create and present so smoothly.
My group, with confidence and enthusiasm, decided on developing a toolbar, specifically for GSLIS students. My dear friend and colleague, Ruth, had previous experience with developing The Skokie Public Library Toolbar. Ruth, our friend and colleague Bob, and myself paired up and thought this would be fun, interesting, and useful for all! The three of us met, for the most part, on a weekly basis. Bob and myself began playing with the unfamiliar tools that we used in our development process. Jing was used for web captures, in order to show the actual process of how to download the Toolbar. We used PBwiki as an outlet to keep our individual and group notes, as well as any contributions or changes with our ideas. Survey Monkey became a guiding force to reveal what the general GSLIS population thinks and knows when it comes to the Dominican Site along with Social Sites and Wares. Using each of these forces aided our final product of the GSLIS Toolbar. Based on the feedback when we presented the Toolbar, we each felt that this was a successful contribution for both faculty and students in the GSLIS program. Access is key! Each of us in the Toolbar group, I think I’m safe to say, felt as though we had gained knowledge and confidence for what possibilities there are with access to free software. Each of us was extremely pleased with our outcome.
