e-learning librarian’s toolbox

Here is a mashable.com article which provides a list of what Universities are using Web 2.0 tools for.

I guess University students in the US are different to TAFE students in Australia. We’ve tried to get students to communicate with us using Facebook, MySpace, IM and SMS. So far they have only responded to SMS communication – although admittedly we weren’t able to promote the other services much.

I wonder if other academic libraries in Australia have had much success.

Been a bit lax lately, but here are a couple of titbits worth looking at:

Don’t Worry, Be Scrappy: Good, Cheap Tech for Schools, Cloud Computing and More

It’s the perfect time to try cheap new technologies

Professional associations stand up for librarians: Tracey Caldwell looks at how the professional associations are embracing upskilling, specialisation, networking and Web 2.0 to help the beleaguered librarian

What a great idea and innovative use of a library in the evenings. Can’t see too many of our teachers giving up their evenings though.

“Starting in December 2008, the district began hosting monthly Learning At Night (LAN) parties for its teachers in the Sutherland secondary library… The district is trying to incorporate Web 2.0 tools, such as Skype and blogging, into the classroom in a way that benefits both its teachers and students.”

Full article.

Web 2.0 in education making mainstream media headlines again, this time CNN:

“Teachers are often portrayed as being clueless about technology, but ever more of them are putting that stereotype to the test… Many use blogs to share ideas on teaching and technology, some of which might surprise students.”

Why then do TAFEs (at least in Queensland) appear to be struggling to uptake technology, especially Web 2.0?

Read the story here.

Happy new year!!!

Here is an interesting viewpoint that counters the argument that the younger generation are the main group affected by the prolific use of computers and the internet.

“Earlier this year, researchers at University College London dispelled the myth that young people are qualitatively different – in aptitudes, attitudes and expectations – from the rest of us when it comes to mining the Internet for information. The study found that the ease and familiarity with computers, often associated with younger users, is culturally pervasive. So is intolerance for anything less than an immediate answer to research questions. “

Read more at
http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-opwal275979132dec28,0,2466157.story

This site is worth subscribing to. They have free monthly online presentations, usually on Web 2.0/e-learning in libraries and education. And they store previous recordings so you can view them later, with your choice of audio, video or text (e.g. powerpoints).

http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/archive.php

Here’s some interesting articles I have found earlier in the year on e-learning and Web 2.0 in libraries:

Web 2.0 will bring Gin Lane oblivion to the telly nation
What PC? – UK
And that someone has to be the librarian who understands the users, the information and the potential benefits. …

What Are We Protecting Them From?
T.H.E. Journal – Tustin,CA,USA
“When a patron encounters a blocked site, he need only ask a librarian to unblock it.” The ease with which patrons may have the filtering software disabled. …

Useful Web 2.0 Tools for Teachers and Students
RedOrbit – Dallas,TX,USA
Esther Rosenfeld: Coeditor of Teacher Librarian, President of the Ontario Library Association, 2007; educational and school library consultant; …

Youth Speaks: If u dk what this is, gl
Mediapost.com – New York,NY,USA
A recent Forrester Research report on global enterprise Web 2.0 identifies the major tech pathways, such as blogs and social networks, on which companies …

The Read and Write Library
MediaShift Idea Lab – San Francisco,CA,USA
No one will ever be completely knowledgeable about every single web 2.0 tool. Most librarians will find themselves several steps behind their youngest …