Week One. About Learning 2.0

Week 1
# 1. Read about Web2.0 and Learning 2.0

What is Web2.0 and why will it affect libraries?
Web 2.0 is the next phase of the internet and will have a huge influence on libraries. Whereas the first phase was largely static in that users tapped into the Internet for information Web 2.0 will be characterised by collaboration and interaction. Users will no longer be just consumers but will contributors to web content and interact directly with other users. Many library staff are already getting into Web 2.0 with the creation of podcasts, blogs, wikis, arranging RSS feeds and in other ways. However, it is very important that all staff be brought up to date with Web 2.0 because of the significant impact it will have on libraries and how we work and provide services.

What is Learning 2.0?
The term Library 2.0 has been coined to define how Web 2.0 will affect libraries. Libraries have been developing professional development programs to help them gain the new skills and awareness of Web 2.0. Learning 2.0 is one such program.Christine MacKenzie, Director of Yarra Plenty Regional Library, gave a paper at ALIA’s Information Online Conference on Learning 2.0, a library staff development program based around Web 2.0 technologies. MacKenzie also had an article in the December 2006 issue of Incite.

The Yarra Plenty's Learning 2.0 program is based on a program developed in the US at Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library. The program has been licensed under the Creative Commons and is freely available for other libraries to use.

What is ECU Library doing about Learning 2.0?
ECU Library will evaluate the Learning 2.0 program during semester one 2007 with a pilot group of six library staff. The library then plans to implement the program later in semester 2 2007.

This project being set up by Julia Gross and Lyn Leslie will provide the means to efficiently pass on the knowledge and skills that we will require in the near future.

Learning 2.0 consists of 23 Things that library staff can do on the web, to explore and expand their knowledge of Web 2.0 technologies. The 23 Things are discovery exercises in technologies such as blogging, RSS feeds, tagging, wikis, podcasting, online applications, video and image hosting sites. Staff work through the discovery exercises each week. The whole program will take about 9 weeks to complete.

Here is ECU's list of 23Things

In Week Two you will get into blogging. The program will run through the Blog, with new exercises posted each week.

Exercises

Have a good look around what is on the ECU Learning 2.0 blog at http://eculibrarylearning.blogspot.com/ This might look like just another website and, in a way it is, but it is set up as a blog using Blogger. Each week a new blog will be posted to this site.

Check out the ECU Learning 2.0 Learning 2.0 program blog and their blog of the 23 Things ECU’s Learning 2.0 program was adapted from PLCMC.

Explore some of the Yarra Plenty Regional Library Learning 2.0 blog

Reading

The main reading for this week is the Maness article Library 2.0 theory: Web 2.0 and its implications for libraries

Read also The C’s of Our Sea Change: Plans for Training Staff, from Core Competencies to LEARNING 2.0

This is a good recent article and gives more background on Learning 2.0 as an online self-discovery program that encourages library professionals to dive right in to new Web 2.0 technologies.

Check out the blog posts on the in the coming weeks, as there will be instructions and links for you to follow. The blog has been set up to chart our progress in ECU Library Learning 2.0. The program will run through the blog which has been set up on Blogger. Each Monday the next lot of tasks will be released to the blog.

In Week Two you will learn more about blogs and set up your own blog.

Tip: Multiple Passwords

During the coming weeks, as there will be exercises requiring you to set up logins to various websites. It would make sense to have a handy spot to record all your passwords for these!