Monday, March 05, 2007

At last Thing 23!: In praise of Learning 2.0

What I've learned with Learning 2.0.

The journey's over? Definitely not! This has been just one rewarding segment of my lifelong learning experience. I only hope that future encounters with other new technologies will be just as rewarding. I can learn new things and maybe I can even create new learning tools!
All the same, I'm not one for being the first to adopt new technology. I still don't know (much) XML, don't have a digital camera, iPod or MP3 player (or television for that matter) I know that it's good to try things out, see if they work, and how they might be used in the future, consider the social consequences and if necessary, back off. I call this the Amish approach.

Going back in time (a long time?), I should have been more flexible about the learning issues around trouble shooting of computer printers. I protested I was a librarian not a technician (that was when contractors had the responsibility (and keys) for the xerox machines-- which I saw as a comparable technology) . My supervisor told me I had to be both.

Problem: Will I be given time in the future to make new discoveries? I hope so, and would definitely participate in similar programs. Were that all new technology as interesting and exciting.

Problem: Will we be able to incorporate wikis and blogs in our library website? I have a number of ideas, ranging from using a wiki to make a San Jose History Timeline for the California Room web pages to future blogs for book discussion groups to making subject specific pathfinders (squibo?) .

Kudos to Helene Blower for starting Learning 2.0 at PLCMC.
There's still plenty to learn! In my bloglines yesterday (via Shifted Librarian) I was excited to see Sam Wallin's Library 2.0 in 15 minutes a day wiki-in-progress, which includes some excellent introductory material on blogs and sections on social networking.
A wheel may not need reinventing, but there's always refinement needed to make it better.
Library technology like wheels, needs to be adaptable and squeeky wheels sometimes provide the best inspiration!

3 comments:

  1. Congratulations! You've finished the 23 things. Thanks for the feedback and keep up the good work.

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  2. Hi, I'm glad you like the "Library 2.0 in 15 minutes a day" wiki. I keep working on it, and people seem to like it, so that's good. How are your 2.0 adventures coming, now that you're done with the program?

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  3. Hmmm. I seem to be posting as my alter ego, Crash Solo, today.

    My regular "library" blog is at http://supercrazylibrarianguy.wordpress.com/

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