This wiki has been set-up by the Office of Library Information Services to encourage all of us to experiment and learn about the new and emerging technologies that are reshaping the context of information on the Internet today. The LIS Team modified The Learning 2.0 program designed by Helene Blowers, Technology Director, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County and is loosely based upon Stephen Abram's article, 43 Things I (or You) might want to do this year (Information Outlook - February 2006) and the website 43 Things. We also drew heavily from the jslibrarylearning2 program. The School Library Learning 2.0 program contains direct links and offers suggestions for ways to incorporate these tools into your classroom and teacher collaborations. We offer ideas to "jump start" your thinking and hope you will share your ideas as you learn how to use web 2.0 tools. The design of this online program was completely built on Web 2.0 technologies that are freely available on the Internet. These sites include: VoiceThread, igoogle, SlideShare, Teacher Tube, and PBWiki.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How does this online learning program work? This is a self-discovery program which encourages participants to take control of their own learning and to utilize their lifelong learning skills through exploration and play. Participants are encouraged to work together and share with each other their discoveries, techniques, and "how to's" both in person and through their wikis. This course is web-based and not tied to any particular computer. In fact, you may want to work at home or at a public library.

 

2. Is this program open to all BCPS staff or just some? This program is open to all BCPS staff. Participants who complete the entire course will receive special recognition.

 

3. How long do I have to complete the program? The 9 week program is scheduled to end on March 31st, 2009 if you want to be eligible for the prizes; however, it will remain online throughout the 2008-2009 school year. You are expected to work on an exercise each week. However, you may work ahead or take a week off here and there. It is up to you! This course is web based and not tied to your computer at work. We will keep the course online through the school year so you can invite your colleagues to take the course and you can cheer them along.

 

4. How do I track my progress for the 23 Things? You will be asked to post comments to this wiki to track your progress. Please use your wiki to write your reactions to the lessons and add any ideas you may have on how to use web 2.0 tools for yourself and your school. This is YOUR time to experiment, have fun, and learn at you own pace. Web 2.0 is here....and now, so are we! To the right, see a list of blogs of participants.

Recommended way to track: Include WEEK # and THING # in the heading of each post. It will help you and the LIS team to check your progress. It is also real helpful when you want to refer back or add something new on a specific topic or tool.

 

5. What are "Curriculum connections"? Curriculum connections are the ideas that participants develop throughout the course. We are asking everyone to think of ways to use each of these 2.0 tools in their own library and classroom. We are especially looking for ways to create dynamic collaborations with teacher librarians and classroom teachers.  At the end of the course, you will have a lot of ideas to use and share and you will collaboratively build a wiki resource of your recommendations for Web 2.0 integration with the curriculum.  See California's curriculum wiki.

 

6. Will there be any training classes offered to show BCPS staff how to do this? No, this is a self-directed learning program. We will provide helpful hints, encouraging words, and post comments from time to time. You are also encouraged to be resourceful and to find a co-worker or another staff member who can help. Be sure to share your knowledge and expertise too!

 

7. Are all the Web 2.0 tools presented on this wiki accessible within the BCPS network?  As of January 19th, all are accessible, i.e., not blocked; however, please note that the WebSense filtering system is updated daily.  We have worked earnestly to ensure that all Web 2.0 presented in this learning experience remain unblocked; however, if you find one is blocked, please notify Della Curtis or Sharon Grimes. 

 

8. Why Do This? Web 2.0 is a phrase that was coined in 2004. It refers to the fact that the Internet is now an interactive medium rather than a ‘place’ to go to get information. Since it is the young who are flocking to these Web 2.0 sites, it is important that those of us who work in school libraries should be up-to-date with the latest trends in education and technology and learn how they can be utilized in or with our school libraries.

In April 2007, at the Computers in Libraries Conference the keynote speaker was Lee Rainie, Founding Director of the Pew Internet and American Life Project The title of his keynote was: “Web 2.0 and What it Means to Libraries.” In this presentation, he spoke about six “hallmarks” of the Web 2.0 world that matter to libraries. These hallmarks outline the important fact that more and more Internet users are using the Internet to make connections, contributing their ‘know-how’ and customizing their experiences on the web.

 

• Hallmark #1: The Internet has become the computer;
• Hallmark #2: Tens of millions of Americans, especially the young, are creating and sharing content online;
• Hallmark #3: Even more Internet users are accessing the content created by others;
• Hallmark #4: Many are sharing what they know and what they feel online and that is building conversations and communities;
• Hallmark #5: Tens of thousands are contributing their know-how and/or their processing power to the online commons;
• Hallmark #6: Online Americans are customizing their online experiences thanks to Web 2.0 tools.
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It is because of these “hallmarks” that the Office of Library Information Services offers this fun professional development tutorial for you!