KSSreads

Dangerously Irrelevant -10 questions

Scott McLeod at the Dangerously Irrelevant blog posts a list of hard questions about books, libraries and librarians in "10 questions about books, librarians, and schools."

"...I think that the shifts we are now beginning to experience are going to be much more disruptive than we expect. I don’t think that we can take for granted that any current information-oriented profession is going to be around in the new paradigm. I think it’s a safer bet to assume that most of us in information-oriented jobs either are going to be replaced by something new or will see our professions so radically transformed that we may need to give them new labels." ( Scott McLeod)

"...Whether we’re librarians, teachers, administrators, or professors – or newspaper journalists, television producers, radio broadcasters, or magazine publishers – or travel agents, stockbrokers, medical professionals, or postal service workers, I think we need to be more uneasy. We need to be less complacent, less certain. We need to be more proactive and forward-thinking rather than self-congratulatory and self-satisfied...."(Scott McLeod)

Apologies for cross-posting...

Random questions

1. http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/LeaderTalk/2009/11/10_questions_about_books_libra.html When books become electronic and thus become searchable, hyperlinkable, more accessible to readers with disabilities, and able to embed audio, video, and interactive maps and graphics, at what point do they stop becoming “books” and start becoming something else?
2. The Amazon Kindle e-reader currently allows you to annotate an electronic book passage with highlights and your own personal notes. Those annotations are even available to you on the Web, not just on the Kindle device itself. As Seth Godin notes, there hopefully will be a day when you will be able to share those notes with others. You’ll also be able to push a button on your e-reader and see everyone else’s notes and highlights on the same passage. What kind of new learning capabilities will that enable for us?
3. If students and teachers now can be active content creators and producers, not just passive information recipients, doesn’t that redefine our entire notion of what it means to be information literate and media fluent? Are our librarians and classroom teachers doing enough to help students master these new literacies (for example, by focusing on student content creation, not just information consumption and/or interpretation)?
4. The Cushing Academy boarding school in Massachusetts may be the first school in the country to have its library go completely electronic. In addition to using library computers, students now check out Kindles loaded with books. How tough would it be for other schools to move to this model (and what would they gain or lose as a result)?
5. When books, magazines, newspapers, reference materials, music, movies, and other traditional library content all go electronic and online - deliverable on demand - what does that mean for the future of the physical spaces known as “libraries?” Mike Eisenberg said to me that we already should be taking yellow caution tape and blocking off the entire non-fiction and reference sections of our libraries. As content becomes digital and no longer needs to be stored on a shelf, with what do we replace that now-unused floor space: couches, tables, and cozy chairs? computer stations? meeting space? And if we head in these directions, what will distinguish libraries from other institutions such as coffee shops, community centers, and Internet cafes?
6. Our information landscape is more complex than ever before. We still need people who know how to effectively navigate these intricate electronic environments and who can teach others to do so. But does that mean we still need “librarians” who work in “libraries?” Or will their jobs morph into something else?
7. How much of a librarian’s current job could be done by someone in a different location (for example, someone in India who answers questions via telephone or synchronous chat) or by computer software and/or an electronic kiosk? I don’t know the answer to this question - and I suspect that it will vary by librarian - but I do know that many individuals in other industries have been quite dismayed to find that large portions of their supposedly-indispensable jobs can be outsourced or replaced by software (which, of course, means that fewer people are needed locally to do whatever work requires the face-to-face presence of a live human being).
8. Can a librarian recommend books better than online user communities and/or database-driven book recommendation engines? For example, can a librarian’s ability to recommend reading of interest surpass that of a database like Amazon’s that aggregates purchasing behavior or a dedicated user community that is passionate about (and maybe rates/reviews) science fiction books, and then do so for romance, political history, manga, self-help, and every other possible niche of literature too?
9. If school librarians aren’t actively and explicitly modeling powerful uses of digital technologies and social media themselves and also supporting students to do the same, should they get to keep their jobs? And if they are doing so individually (which is what we want), what’s their responsibility to police the profession (and lean on those librarians who aren’t)?
10. There is no conceivable future in which the primacy of printed text is not superceded by electronic text and media. If that future is not too far away (and may already be here), are administrators doing enough to transition their schools, libraries, and librarians / media specialists into a new paradigm?
    ( Leader Talk )

New at KSS! Walrus magazine online and in print

New. Walrus magazine

Both Digital and Print periodicals are available from the Library. Some digital journals need a login to view or are stored on KSS LAN-  I:/drive https://kssremote.sd23.bc.ca/oneNet/NetStorage/DriveI@DATA/KSSreads

Visit Digital Collection: http://www.kss.sd23.bc.ca/rc/digital.html

Access Student Passwords>http://www.kss.sd23.bc.ca/rc/dbHELP.html

 

KSS Drops Everything and Reads today- BC Legislature Hansford

Hundreds of students at Kelowna Secondary School dropped their typical academic riguors to celebrate the value of a strong school library by simply reading.  In the typically hectic school day, students are always reading.  They read from textbooks, teacher handouts, powerpoint presentations, internet web pages, email messages and teacher blogs. We all take the task for granted and forget the core value of the skills these reading episodes provide our youth. Studies over and over again prove that reading is the primary skill youth need to succeed in life- especially our modern information age.  

 Just because our fortunate canadian children ahieve world class results in reading evaluation, the demand for strong reading skills still impact achievement and quality of life. Reading for knowledge and skill and reading for pleasure is a gift.  School libraries play a huge role in this process.  From K-12, school libraries experiences support and enrich reading- and this includes new digital reading.  Ensure our children continue to develop strong reading skills and habits by supporting your school library and your school teacher-librarians who cherish and invest in the development of literacy for canadian children.

BC Legislature-Hansford trnascripts below: OCtober 26, 2009

TEACHER-LIBRARIANS AND
PROMOTION OF READING

R. Cantelon: Yes, today is Drop Everything and Read a book, and that's good advice to everybody in this House and in our communities. We have today with us some teacher-librarians who are facilitators in helping students find the magic of books and learn from it. They will develop, among other things, critical thinking — something that we could all use more of, and I'm sure you're very well aware of that concern here in the House.  [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Yes, the Internet is fine, but teacher-librarians today are facilitators in helping to answer the questions, encourage the questions and encourage students to seek the answers in books. The Internet is very well and fine, but to give a whole context to proper thought is to pick up a book and read it. A lot of that is happening. It's very, very helpful to the students. It's very important, personally, in my family. My son is married to a teacher-librarian and carrying what will be, I hope in January, a grandchild to our family. So I'm informed very directly and personally about the importance of teacher-librarians. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

There's new forms of it, new forms that we're taking reading to the students in the schools. The WOW Bus, Words on Wheels, is working. It will be in Pouce Coupe, in Dawson Creek, and it's a very prominent feature in my own riding as well. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Early learning is extremely important. So we have a simple message today: drop everything and read. Take a book home with you. Read, it will make you think. It will make you a better person, and we think this is a message we would like to take to children, parents, government, communities. So let's celebrate and support our valuable teacher-librarians and all the work in getting that message out today.  [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

DROP EVERYTHING AND READ DAY

D. Thorne: As my colleague just told us, October 26 is National School Library Day and the third anniversary of the B.C. Drop Everything and Read Challenge. The Drop Everything Challenge has grown by leaps and bounds since 2007. It's a simple yet powerful idea that promotes the importance of literacy in our society.  [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

I was lucky today to be able to participate in the challenge. I read aloud to about 100 students at James Bay Community School under the supervision of teacher-librarian Stephen Marta. It was a great experience. It brought back many memories to me of reading aloud to my own children when they were young, definitely one of my favourite memories. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

All over B.C. today, parents, politicians and local celebrities converged on their local schools to point out the pleasures of reading and the importance of school libraries. For many years studies have proven that next to socioeconomic factors, the single greatest influence on student achievement is a healthy school library program. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Student achievement is up to 20 percent higher in schools where the library has a robust collection of resources which have been selected by a fully trained teacher-librarian who has adequate staffing time to teach both students and teachers. Public education aims to provide a level playing field for children, and the school library program is at the very heart of that equity. Sporty or clumsy, brainy or arty, introverted or out there, there is a place for every student, teacher or administrator in the library. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

So let's all take up this challenge from our school librarians: when we get back to our offices today, every single one of us, drop everything and read. Let's do it now.  [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Library News: October 9

New Library Resources, Projects and Events: Oct.9

KSS Library opens new laptop centre.

ATo serve students and classes better, the KSS Library now has 2 mobile computing centres for classes needing computers for their research projects. The teacher-librarians, Smith and Bede, provide collaboration and direct instruction on a range of lessons and skills.  Students with Resource Periods now also have greater access and computer support in the Library.

Grade 10 Orientations concluding

All Grade 10 students participate in an orientation of Library facility and services through English and Social Studies classes.Students learn about new reading materials, online research quest and many other skills and activities to assist in their academic inquiry.

15th Annual Student Leadership Conference

Find Your Inner Hero - Be A Super Leader
Oct 22nd to 25th, 2009

Kelowna Secondary School, Kelowna, BC

"Heroes are just ordinary people doing extraordinary things."

The focus of this conference is about brining more of ourselves out for the world to enjoy and experience. Deep within each of us, lies our inner hero just waiting to be unleashed.....

WHO ... Students and Advisors from ACROSS BC (BCASAA member schools only)

WHAT ... B.C.S.L.C. 2009, hosted by School District #23 (Central Okanagan) in partnership with BC Association of Student Activity Advisors (BCASAA)

WHERE ... KSS

WHEN ... October 22-25, 2009

Your Teacher-librarians  attending a BC Library Conference in Richmond

Mr. Smith, one of the KSS Library faculty is attending sessions with teacher-librarians from all over BC. He will be on a panel to discuss the role of school libraries in the 21stC.  Mrs. Bede is atttending workshops on teen literacy at UVIC.  Mrs.Bede and Mr. Smith are chairing the 2010 BC Teacher-librarians Conference at Kelowna Secondary October 2010.  www.cotla.sd23.bc.ca/2010

Book Clubs,  Lit Circles and finding that perfect new book to read.

Create a new book club or join in a reading group. Book club members receive special library privileges and get priority on all new releases. Some English classes are also engaged in 'Lit Circles' units that are similar to recreational book clubs. Join in the discussion and power-up your brain by reading.

authors insight- CBC thehour-Gaiman, Hill, Hanson..

George Strombo interviews 2 bestseller authors and canadian icon, Rick Hanson. June 10,2009.

Lawrence Hill, The Book of Negroes, discusses his motivations for the bestseller story of a young girls journey from the slave trade.
Strombo chats with Rick Hanson about his recent insights in the world of disabilities and Wheels in Motion. 
Neil Gaiman, author and media artist, talks about graphic novels and the internet.

PBS American Masters- Neil Young- 'Don't Be Denied '

PBS American Masters- Neil Young- Don't Be Denied

How amusing that PBS claims NY as american...nevertheless this is an intelligent and poignant production about a musical icon.  I was blown away! A doc that only public broadcasting could enable.
Any humanities course could use this quality biographical production to springboard mindful discourse and further study. - Al Smith

Watch a portion at: [Link]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gKwjxF7ilI

A resolutely private artist who seldom looks back, Neil Young has never before unfolded his career on camera. With unprecedented access to one of the world’s renowned music legends, American Masters presents Neil Young: Don’t Be Denied premiering nationally Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 9 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings). The film explores how Young’s unbending dedication to the muse has created an awe-inspiring body of work and bruised a few egos along the way....

"..Neil Young is one of very few artists who’s contribution to music is as vital and important today as it was when he started in the 60’s. He is an artist true to the muse, thought provoking, heartbreaking and inspiring all at the same time. I am a huge fan and look foward to Neil’s next endeavor..." (PBS)

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/neil-young/dont-be-denied/1152/#comment-4000

More...iTunes Gallery> and  Facebook> and YouTube-Live at Massey Hall

____________Neil Young performs "Helpless" live, solo, acoustic at Massey Hall in Toronto on January 19, 1971. American Masters presents Neil Young: Don't Be Denied premiering... ______________

Adopt a Book- Loonies for Literacy-Uganda

Adopt a Book- Loonies for Literacy...

$300 for 30 books sent to Uganda. Library and Learning Assistance programs are sponsoring.

Used by elementary school students.
Come to the Library, sit at a table and eat your lunch. We'll serve you dessert.

www.Niteoafrica.org

Boys' lack of interest in reading

While doing research, on this nagging issue for many librarians, I found this old (2 years)article. For some time now, I have been disturbed by the drop of frequency and reading skills in boys. Achievement data bears out my worry.  We are gradually graduating fewer boys and rewarding fewer boys with scholarships.  Fewer males are graduating from college. Reading skills are the number 1 varibale for ex-cons chance to rehabilitate. This is serious. 35 years ago, when I graduated from high school, the cry was just the reverse.  Why are women not enrolling in college? Why are women second class citizens? Well, now it is reverse- can't we get it right. Make it equitable?

- Al Smith

This article is still well worth the read.  If you have insights or opinions about improving the reading practice of males, please post a comment or contact Mr. Smith at: literateowl@gmail.com

Boys' lack of interest in reading tackled by groups

Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Last updated 12:00 p.m. PT
By PAUL NYHAN 

Reading may be fundamental, but too many boys in middle school lack that critical educational building block.For the last decade, educators fretted over the academic gender gap -- girls outperforming boys on standardized tests -- yet the divide remains obvious in reading.

There is plenty of blame to go around -- disengaged parents, uninterested publishing houses, distracting video games and teaching styles -- but not as many clear answers.

"I would say there is a crisis," said Walter Dean Myers, a children's book author.

"Too many parents have walked away from this idea ... that education is a family concept, is a community concept, is not simply something that schools do."

There is also hope. Myers will speak Wednesday at the University of Washington's Information School on "Books & Boys -- Making It Work!"

The debate over whether boys are falling behind and in crisis has raged for years among academics, educators and writers. Reading remains one of their top concerns. In Seattle's public schools, sixth-grade boys trailed their female classmates by more than 10 percentage points in the standardized reading test in 2006. Reading often loses its hold on these children as they near and hit middle school, a time when reading and their social worlds become more complex.

"A lot of times, when boys get to middle school they are feeling sort of disenfranchised from the educational" experience, said Pamela LaBorde, children's librarian at the Seattle Public Library's Ballard branch.

The problem isn't necessarily that boys don't read, it's that they are often practical readers, LaBorde said, reading magazines and even manuals.

"I think we feel like boys just aren't good readers because they aren't curling up with 'Little Women,' " LaBorde added.

The reasons behind the reading gender gap are complex -- everything from cultural changes to behavioral differences -- but researchers know the brains of boys and girls develop at different rates.

Myers offered other reasons, such as boys being typically more comfortable telling teachers to buzz off. They also may feel ignored. That's because the publishing industry tends to focus on girls, Myers said.

"The publishing industry doesn't think there is a market, so they just don't market them," said Hayden Bass, teen services librarian at Seattle Public's Library's downtown branch.

To engage male readers, books need to tackle their issues: what it means to be a man, walk away from a fight, play sports and even go to war, Myers said.

"I've never had a male editor," the New Jersey-based author said. "When you see the books that win the awards, you see books that are much more suitable for girls."

When Myers wrote "Fallen Angels," a teen novel about Vietnam, it was a big hit with male readers.

"The basketball books I write make beaucoup bucks," added Myers, who has a new book on the Iraq war, "Sunrise over Fallujah," scheduled for release this summer.

Experts say there are titles for reluctant male readers -- "The Outsiders" comes to mind -- just not enough.

"The real requirement is that there is a male protagonist. Boys will not read books that have a girl protagonist," said John Martin, a Ballard novelist who writes for young adults, and started BoysRead.org this year to address the reading gap.  The problem is not lost on local educators. Seattle Public Schools spent nearly $3 million over the past three years to create 600-book libraries for classrooms and outreach, and plans to spend more.

In Seattle schools and elsewhere, a broader scope of reading materials is welcomed. Comic books are embraced, graphic novels are praised and audio books are seen as helpful.

But like many student challenges, the first steps begin at home.

"Getting kids reading ready by talking to them, by having conversations with these boys and telling these young readers that they have to join our society, we don't have to join theirs," Myers said. "You have to interact with your children."

RECOMMENDED BOOKS

Here are five books that Hayden Bass, teen services librarian at the Seattle Public Library's downtown branch, recently recommended for middle school boys who think they don't like to read.

·  "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian"; Sherman Alexie, illustrations by Ellen Forney. FICTION

Budding cartoonist Junior leaves his troubled school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white farm town school where the only other Indian is the school mascot.

·  "Grooves: A Kind of Mystery"; Kevin Brockmeier. FICTION

After seventh-grader Dwayne Ruggles discovers that the grooves in his blue jeans are encoded with a cry for help, he must find out who is sending the distress signal and why.

·  "Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life"; Wendy Mass. FICTION

What if you had the meaning of life inside a locked box, but you didn't have the key?

·  "Runaways, Volume 1: Pride and Joy"; Brian K. Vaughn. GRAPHIC NOVEL

What if you found out that your parents had superpowers ... but they weren't heroes? First in a series.

·  "The Action Hero's Handbook: How to Catch a Great White Shark, Perform the Vulcan Nerve Pinch, Track a Fugitive, and Dozens of Other TV and Movie Skills"; David Borgenicht and Joe Borgenicht. NON-FICTION

The next time a friend of yours is dangling from a cliff by his fingernails, he'll thank you for reading this book and knowing how to save him.

---

Check out the Seattle P-I's parenting blog, Working Dad at blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/family. P-I reporter Paul Nyhan can be reached at 206-448-8145 or paulnyhan@seattlepi.com.

© 1998-2007 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

author speaks to KSS teens

David Bouchard engages teens

Teacher-librarians concluded another Education Week Author Visit by hosting an appreciative and attentive group of  teens from Kelowna Secondary and Mount Boucherie Secondary by author/speaker David Bouchard, C.M.   You guys were great! Check out his book display in the Library, online Novelist collection or visit his web site. A cool highlight was Mr. Bouchard distributing his bookmarks to teens who answered questions from Stephanie Meyer's books and ancient mythologies.

The COTLA committee correspondence for the Bouchard  event started  March 3, 2008 but the basic plans go back for several years now.  Authors for COTLA's March Education Week initiative are chosen by a subcommittee of COTLA- including Al Smith, Sharon Bede, Sarah Parmar, Angie MacRitchie, Pat Kirkey and Jim Gillett.   Authors in this initiative are among Canada's best (Roch Carrier, Paul Yee, Karen Levine, David Bouchard, Kenneth Oppel, Deborah Ellis). 

 

David Bouchard is an engaging speaker with a passion for reading.   As a writer, educator and presenter, Mr. Bouchard has touched the lives of children, teens and adults but mostly he exemplifies the literacy and cultural richness of our country! He often starts sessions with an honour song dedicated to his aboriginal grandmother.   Mr. Bouchard, whose passions are children, reading, and writing, art and music and dance, aboriginal people and culture..., has published more than 35 titles...including: I am Raven, An Aboriginal Carol, If You Are Not From the Prairie, C’est du Hockey, Notes to My Daughter and The Gift of Reading. Mr. Bouchard has received the Governor General Literacy Award and recently been awarded the Order of Canada, C.M.

The entire committee thanks fellow teacher-librarians, sponsors and supporters but mostly send our appreciation to David Bouchard himself, for his participation, enthusiasm for reading and  all his wonderful books. To check out his upcoming projects visit: http://www.davidbouchard.com/releases2.html

David commented on not just the venues, but also the variety in the audience composition.  Not all authors could handle this, but David was certainly up for the challenge!

4010 people attended David's presentations

3,674 students 

31 schools (24 elementary, 4 middle and 3 secondary)

336+ adults including SD23 staff members, parents and members of the community

It is so cool that David could visit 500 kids at KSS in a gym and then visit 100 kids intimately in a a school library, all in one day!  These venue options are part of what makes this program so special.

Visit our photo gallery at Picasa

-  “We should all take note of David’s presentation- he held the attention of 400 teenagers for over an hour-something I’ve never seen before.” – Arnar Bernhardson,  Kelowna Secondary

- “ Bouchard was the best presenter my kids have ever met.  For the first time, they stayed behind in order to talk with David. ” – Richard Gauthier, Aboriginal Advocate, Kelowna Secondary

-  "Absolutely, totally 100%, fantastic presentation!" -- Jennifer Boal, Ellison Elementary School

-“

This will mean so much to David Bouchard and it touches my heart.  It almost sounds like this parent has had a life altering experience just by hearing about his message.  Unbelievable.  Richard Gauthier came up personally to thank our planning committee today..tears were in his eyes.  He too thought it was a moving experience, but he said something that confirmed what David said earlier on in the planning stages...he wanted to make sure that he was not just talking  to First Nations' children in a separate group , but he wanted them to feel the their pride in an audience of their non indigenous peers.  Richard remarked that his students (FN and Metis) were so proud after the event becuase it is being billed as the all time best speaker in the school (by students)  and that speaker was aboriginal!! His presentation has given our Aboriginal students a gift of being proud of their culture and boasting rights among the student population”.  –Sharon Bede, Kelowna Secondary

The COTLA Author Committee  would like to acknowledge our three main sponsors:  Capri Insurance, Harmony Honda, and CanWest Media’s Raise a Reader program which works in conjunction with the Kelowna Daily Courier and Project Literacy Kelowna. Thank you to our partners, School District #23 for their continued support of this annual Education Week event.

Also read summary at:
http://okanagan852a.blogspot.com/2009/03/author-visit-2009-david-bouchard.html

What the CBC Should Know About Twitter? Spark. Feb 17

What the CBC Should Know About Twitter? Spark. Feb 17

Spark is a blog, radio show, podcast and an ongoing conversation about technology and culture. Spark is an online collaboration. Leave your thoughts, stories, and ideas here, and together we'll make a radio show.

Subscribe to Spark: http://www.cbc.ca/spark/feed/
Visit Original: http://www.cbc.ca/spark/2009/02/what-the-cbc-should-know-about-twitter/

I am a CBCers and Sparker but not a big Twitterer. I frankly have too much online communication already. Like Young, I have a love hate relationship with technology. Just because I have an affinity for using technology in my job as a teacher-librarian, doesn't mean I am a blind zealot that chases every innovation as it hits. So now I am 'marketing' the virtues of a hybrid approach and I am much happier.

I am trying very hard to nurture the analog side of my soul that sings with marker pens, sticky notes and watercolour brush. I have been reading authors like Daniel Pink and Garr Reynolds. These creative people have struck a chord in my quest to use technology effectively.

I have recently converted my passion of photography into the digital realm. It is powerful, flexible but not without fault. I used to love the senses of my darkroom. It was more than a father's private cave away from the world, but creative place that occasionally generate some amazing prints. The dim aura of red light, the smell of different chemical baths as you poured, the brilliant sharp focused light of the enlarger as you anxiously wait to see your negative secrets come to life; these are the sensory( even sensual) aspects of my paradise lost. I marvel at the speed I can share my images with family and friends around the world but I now see the lost humanity of an analog experience. I think it has something to do with opposable thumbs! Don't relinquish the joys of the analog world for the rush for digitization. Cherish it all. Now you will excuse me, I need to download the latest mp3 from the Spark podcast….is this more than 150 words? - Al SMith

___________________

The Twitterverse has spoken. Last week, Nora, Elizabeth and I did a presentation for our CBC colleagues called "What the heck is Twitter and why would I want to use it on my show?"

Early in the presentation, we asked our Twitter followers what the CBC should know about Twitter. Within a few minutes, we had pages and pages of responses. So then, in David Pogue Twitter Experiment style, here are the responses we received:

1. SpiderVideo: @sparkcbc To CBC'ers, interact and tweet as RL conversation
2. anteaya: @sparkcbc hello cbcers. Honesty translates. Cheers!
3. ruthseeley: @sparkcbc Hi CBC-ers (waves to Cathy if she's there). Tweets with links are more effective when not all clumped up 6 at a time - my tip.
4. krisjoseph: @sparkcbc Hi CBCers! Twitter is about networking with people. It's a 24/7 townhall meeting full of helpful friends you haven't met yet!
5. SpiderVideo: @sparkcbc to CBCer's: Twiiter is like a living thing that you need to feed and take care of, not a push tool
6. jessmcmullin: @sparkcbc Twitter at its best=conversation. John Byrne/BizWeek changed tweets from just article links to convo & became a real person for me
7. steveprattca: @sparkcbc It's an amazing way to learn from experts in any given field - what they're reading, thinking, doing, etc.
8. BrockSky: @sparkcbc Twitter is only as useful as the people you follow.
9. tournevis: @sparkcbc Remind them that Twitter happens in both official languages.
10. grinningskull: @sparkcbc First and foremost: use it more!
11. SpiderVideo: @sparkcbc to CBCers: you probably won't get it from the outside, get in a play, you will see your results (or lack of) quickly
12. photojunkie: @sparkcbc hello spark and CBCers twitter is a great way to engage with your audience. Make the conversation two way.
13. steveprattca: @sparkcbc It's also a very effective way to keep tabs on what the Spark team is up to, all the way from Vancouver.
14. alexaclark: @sparkcbc Hi CBCers. What you should know about Twitter is that it distills tweeters immediate reactions to impactful things - big + small.
15. solocorps: @sparkcbc Twitter is a tool. It is neither good nor bad, but can be either depending on what it's being used for, and by whom.
16. davefleet: @sparkcbc Hi Nora/CBC. People are talking about you; you may/may not respond to each one but you have nothing to lose from listening
17. zoonini: @sparkcbc Hi CBC folks! Your audience is *right here* and we *want* to interact!
18. delchoness: @sparkcbc Twitter can be useful both for outside and inside company. Outside for awareness and community.
19. Lionnesss: @sparkcbc Hi Spark! I'd follow a CBC twittererer if they link to interesting content, ask interesting questions and don't spam.
20. delchoness: @sparkcbc Inside, Twitter can be used to replicate an in-person feel with far off colleagues and reduce 'silo'd' thinking across functions
21. FaramarzHashemi: @sparkcbc Seth Godin said it best : 'If you want to be in multiple social media and also have a day job, you're going to need a staff'
22. delchoness: @sparkcbc I use Twitter to draw interest to my start-up and connect with likeminded people, to pick up trends, and seek/offer advice
23. stuartma: @sparkcbc Hi Nora & CBC folk. twitter seems annoying & silly at 1st but moves rapidly from noise to signal. But you have to engage
24. ianirving: @thornley Twitter isn't about content, it's about connecting with possibility
25. monicarooney: @sparkcbc Twitter is not for one way communications. It is for engaging people in conversations. Need to follow people and respond.
26. tachyondecay: @reply with comments and questions!
27. Guin: @sparkcbc what CBC should know: how quickly news spreads on twitter. ie. election coverage on twitter before TV
28. besthealthmag: @sparkcbc Hi! It's the best way to get up-to-date info (like last night's Union station flood) be the first news outlet to report
29. mkunruh: @sparkcbc twitter reminds me that I should listen to my favorite shows and makes me feel that I'm part of the CBC community
30. delchoness: @sparkcbc I think twitter can hugely reduce disconnect in an enterprise e.g. IT gets it wrong because it has no idea what mktg is up to.
31. ginamulic: @sparkcbc Hi. Twitter makes people feel involved. Audience is savvy/well connected. Can build momentum. It's a rich media - provide links.
32. karimkanji: @sparkcbc Hi! would love it if conversations would take place rather than just "ME" posts about "ME and what I'Me doing" let's talk!