Learning a new tool or program

Topic: Emerging technologies

Program or tool: learning 2.0 online training program
Web address: http://nswpubliclibrarieslearning2.blogspot.com.au/.

I worked my way through the “learning 2.0” online program run by the NSW state library. The aim of the program is to learn about emerging web technologies.  The program consists of twelve modules that cover a different web 2.0 tool and gives examples of how it can be used by libraries.  

The twelve modules are:

1. Introduction to NSW Public Libraries Learning 2.0;
2. blogging
3. exploring flickr, tagging and creative commons
4. RSS feeds
5. Wikis
6. Online video like youtube
7. Tagging, folksonomies, delicious and LibraryThing
8. Answer boards and social searching
9. Podcasts and audio
10. Mashups
11. Online applications and tools
12. Wrap up; social networks and catch up

(State library of NSW, 2008)

As you work through the program you create a blog and add posts about what you have learnt in each module. In some modules you also add different web 2.0 tools to your blog such as an RSS feed or imbed a YouTube video. This program is very well made and is good for people who have some or zero knowledge of web 2.0.  The program can be found at http://nswpubliclibrarieslearning2.blogspot.com.au/.

During the course of this online program I learnt about a wide range of Web 2.0 tools and programs, such as creating a blog, using RSS feeds, how wikis work and how to post to a wiki, all about social tagging, about YouTube, Flickr, podcasts and social networks. The program also explained how some of these could in a workplace setting. Here is an example form module 5.

“Some libraries have adopted intranet based wikis for their procedure manuals. Here is an example from Antioch University, New England. Please note many wikis like this one would be hosted on an intranet for staff only access.” (State library of NSW, 2008)

This online program is very relevant to children and young adult librarians. The reason is that children and young adults are using these web 2.0 tools almost every day, for entertainment, socialisation or communication. So the library could use Facebook to reach these users by adding photos from events, adding lists of new books for this age group or promote events (Fasick, 2011). This program is also helpful for children and teen librarians because it can give librarians a good idea of how these tools work so they can be more relatable to teens and tweens.  You could also use what you have learned about social bookmarking in module 7 to create a del.icio.us page, with interesting websites for teens and kids (Redden, 2010). Lastly this program could be useful for programming, for example you could run a program where the participants upload videos to YouTube or make a podcast, which could be very popular with teens and tweens (Helmrich & Schneider, 2004).

As I worked through this program I found that I knew less about Web 2.0 than I thought. But working through the modules I found that the information and exercises helped fill the gaps in my knowledge of web 2.0 technologies and how they can be used in a library setting. Some tools I am still not proficient with, but if I use the tools more I will get better at them and learn how they can be used in a library setting.

Finally if anybody wants to know more about Web 2.0 tools I think this is an excellent program to complete and the best part is it is free.

References

Fasick, A. M. (2011). From Boardbook to Facebook: Children's Services in an Interactive Age. Retrieved from CSU Ebook Library.

Helmrich, E., & Schneider, R. (2004). Create, relate & pop @ the library: services & programs for teens and tweens. New York: Neal-Schuman.

Redden, C. S. (2010). Social Bookmarking in Academic Libraries: Trends and Applications. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 36(3), 219-227. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2010.03.004

State library of NSW. (2008). NSW Public Libraries Learning 2.0. retrieved from http://nswpubliclibrarieslearning2.blogspot.com.au/.