Most of my posts this semester have been about things I've experienced at my non-library job. Each semester I have been surprised to learn just how much of the stuff we cover in SLIS classes actually applies to the "real world" and not just libraries.

I've also realized that I love reading blogs but hate writing for them. I don't feel like I could keep it up or stick to a topic. My energy for posting and all-things-technology is certainly waning.

I am now more aware of my posting habits and those of others as well. In one of my other classes, we have to post our responses to the assigned reading each week, and then reply to classmates’ posts. In the gradebook, the instructor notes how well our “voice” came through that week. I think that’s an interesting way to think of a person’s internet presence.

I read message boards from time to time, like on Runnersworld.com, but rarely post. I’ve noticed that some people post daily, sometimes multiple times a day; their “voice” is coming through loud and clear. It makes me a little more conscious of how others might interpret my online "voice;" then I start to overthink things, and sometimes that prevents me from posting. It's something that I've become more comfortable with this semester, but I still waver a little bit.

I've taken a few technology-heavy classes in the past, so I really didn't think I would learn a lot of new material this semester. However, I did try something totally new for me: I finally broke down and bought a microphone/recorder for my computer (actually, for my iPod b/c it was cheapy and because I thought I might actually use it outside of class too). In other classes, I avoided audio projects and only worked with video because that's the kind of equipment I had. I narrated the screencasts my group put together for our training materials, and it was actually kind of fun--other than the fact that I hate hearing my own voice, but I got over it.

2 weeks left, everyone! hang in there!