Why 2.0?Professional Development through

expanding your knowledge of Web 2.0

Definitions – Web 2.0

• Phrase coined by Tim O’Reilly in 2004“..refers to a perceived or proposed second generation of

Web-based services—such as social networking sites, wikis, communication tools, and folksonomies—that emphasize online collaboration and sharing among users..”

-Participatory web

-Sites where online interaction can take place

The Learning 2.023 things Program

What the Learning 2.0 program is all about

• An online learning program designed to help staff explore Web 2.0 technologies and applications

• Technologies include: blogs, wikis, flickr, RSS, mashups, tagging, audio files…

Why do it?

• Know the information environment

• Keep abreast of technological advances

• Learn how to utilize these tools in your workplace

• Offer your user the best possible available services

Remember…

• You may not be an advocate of all new technologies…

• You may feel skeptical and unequal to the task of keeping up with these advances…

• You will not become an expert and no one expects you to be…

• You may find you never use certain tools again, but being aware of the opportunities and advances affecting your profession is important.

The Program

• The 23 discovery exercises are set out on a blog.

• Staff are guided through each exercise via the blog. Some exercises include a podcast

• Staff make their own blog and use this to comment on each exercise as they explore

• Staff can comment or ask for additional help at any time

Advantages of online learning

• Self paced• Do as much or as little as you want• Added links allow the participant to explore

further if they wish• Distance is overcome and separate groups can

work together online

Outcomes?

• Staff skills are honed and their confidence boosted

• A heightened understanding of our users’ needs

• Wider variety of online classes are offered to the public by staff who are sharing their learning

• Staff use these technologies daily via blogs, wikis, RSS feeds…

Staff Training Wiki

News from the CEO

Reader’s Advisory Wiki

Applications

• Some applications that can be used in a school library are:

• Wikis and blogs for student group projects, communication and staff development programs;

• RSS feeds to databases, e-journals and relevant websites;

• Online word processing for collaborative projects boith for staff and students;

• Podcasts of relevant broadcasts as well as seminars and conferences; author talks, school presentations

• Bookmark organisers and personalised search tools• And more…

Australian Government Consultation Bloghttp://www.agimo.gov.au/services/consultation_blog

NZ Government Wiki http://wiki.participation.e.govt.nz/wiki/Main_Page

NZ Police wiki- a collaborative Police Act?

The ups and downs…

• Filters- school filters caused a huge problem- if you are exploring new technologies, discuss it first with your IT department.

• Availability- depending on the time of day, speed of internet access and technological infratructure some technologies may not work. Don’t give up, revisit at a later time.

Ups and downs continued…

• Flickr- great idea, some fiddly problems. Other photo sharing sites are Bubbleshare, Photobucket, and Picasa.

• Google Tools- yes, they are taking over the world but Google just keeps getting better. During the Learning 2.0 program, this was most people’s favourite week.

“Library 2.0

…it’s not primarily about machines and software: it’s about using the best tools and ideas to provide the best possible service to our users”

A presentation by Marylaine Block for the British Colombia Library AssociationApril 19, 2007

Relevance

• Don’t adopt a new technology just because others have- determine its relevance

Center for Learning and Performance Technologies http://www.c4lpt.co.uk/Directory/

Innovation blog http://www.innovation-unit.co.uk/about-us/publications/whats-next.html

Horizon project http://horizon.nmc.org/australia/Main_Page

Questions?