Week Two of Learn@APNK had us concentrating on photos & images:  how to extract images from external devices; image types; how to store images onto local devices; cropping and straightening images using Paint.Net; what Flickr and Picaso offer; and some fun things you can do with images e.g. Wordle.

Things I have taken away from this module are:

• It was good to be reminded that you can transfer images from a memory card, using the APNK computers.  You don't need to have the camera and a cable.
• A good habit to get into is safely removing hardware, like a USB stick, by using the icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar.
• A handy hint given was to make a copy of your image, and do any editing work on it, rather than the original.
• I learnt that you need to be prepared to have a good look around a new programme and become familiar with the terminology used as it might not be immediately obvious, e.g. in Paint.net if you want to straighten an image you go to Layers > Rotate/Zoom.

 Of the websites given for a bit of fun with images, I had a play around with Wordle.  Here's the link to my wordle on The Owl and the Pussycat

http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/5469880/Owl_and_Pussycat

In my Skype meeting with Moata she showed me how to share screenshots, but the very next day Skype had changed the rules on us, and now sharing screenshots is a premium service!

Next challenge - Learn@APNK

Well I'm back at Dunedin Public Libraries, after my sojourn on the Coast, and am well immersed in life in a large City library again.  It's time for a new challenge, so am delighted to have been chosen to be a participant in the latest round of  learn@APNK sessions.
APNK has made such a difference to our working lives here in Information Services, at Dunedin Public (DP), since its arrival in February 2010.  We are seeing a wider range of people coming in, including the elusive young male (18+ years), to use the computers.  And as they become more familiar with the library setting and us, they start to use more of the resources.  It's been a positive experience on the whole (there will always be challenges with difficult customers in libraries, but that's another blog post)
APNK offers a range of programmes, and learn@APNK will be an opportunity for me to explore in-depth some of them (just like cpd23 Things did).  This will not only benefit me, but also the APNK customer as I will be able to share my learning, as appropriate.
I am using this blog post as a journal to record my experiences and thoughts, as well as getting some more practise at using a blog. 
Moata Tamaira from APNK is the guide for the 6 of us participating in the programme.  I haven't been introduced to the others yet, but will hopefully have some interaction through the COP forums over the next 5 weeks. 
The LAMS system, on which our modules are loaded, has been easy to navigate.  The introductory module was informative, and I look forward to experiencing this form of on-line learning.
The Effective Browser Use module was likewise informative, and while I was familiar with all the procedures covered in Internet Explorer, I used this opportunity to have a look at Firefox.  It was a little disconcerting that the screen shot on the back of the workbook showed an older version of Firefox, as this was no help with what I was actually looking at.  It also didn't help that the way my screen was displaying it had hidden the vital orange Firefox button which allowed you access  to the Options menu.  However, with the help of a colleague, some Google searches and a bit of playing around, everything became clear.  So I ended up learning more than was in the actual lesson (always a bonus).
The Scopia meeting with Moata worked well too, and it was nice to meet her "in person".  I look forward to experiencing a Skype session in the future, as Moata will show me how it can be used to share screen shots.
Week One has been an introductory week and I have certainly gained more knowledge about new programmes e.g. LAMS, the use of Scopia Client for video conferencing, and how to move around the Firefox interface.  One of my goals for each week is to try and incorporate something I've learnt into my working life, so it will be interesting to see what evolves from this new knowledge.