About Learning 2.0

Staff Prizes       FAQs for Staff       Program Notes


This blog has been set-up as part of Sachem Public Library's Learning 2.0 project to encourage staff to experiment and learn about the new and emerging technologies that are reshaping the context of information on the Internet today. The objectives of this program are to:

• encourage exploration of Web 2.0 and new technologies by Sachem Public Library staff.
  


• provide staff with new tools (that are freely available on the Internet) to better support the Library's mission.
  


• reward staff for taking the initiative to complete 23 self-discovery exercises.

The original Learning 2.0 program was designed by Helene Blowers, PLCMC Technology Director, with the support and assitance of several staff and is loosely based upon Stephen Abram's article, 43 Things I (or You) might want to do this year (Source: Information Outlook - Feb 2006) and the website 43Things.


The design of this online program was completely built on Web 2.0 technologies that are freely available on the Internet. These sites include: Blogger, Flickr, Odeo, YouTube, PBWiki & Bloglines.



Staff Prizes & Incentives
(back to top)

23 Things - Every staff member who completes all 23 things will receive a USB flash drive.


Staff members have until June 30th to complete all 23 items in order to receive the USB flash drive.



Special Prize Drawing - Those who complete the program by June 30th will receive their USB flash drives and will be entered into the special prize drawing. The drawing will take place on July 2nd at the end of our Learning 2.0 experience.





Frequently Asked Questions
(back to top)

• How does this online learning program work?
  
  This is a self-discovery program which encourages staff to take control of their own learning and to utilize their lifelong learning skills through exploration and PLAY. There will be no classes or workshops offered to support this program. Instead, staff are encouraged to work together and share with each other their discoveries, techniques and "how to's" both in person and through their blogs.
  
  


• Is this program open to all Sachem Public Library staff or just some?
  This program is open to ALL Sachem Public Library staff regardless of position and status (full and part time). If you are not a member of the Sachem Public Library staff, you are welcome to follow along, however the library cannot award you any staff prizes for completion.
  
  


• How long do I have to complete the program?
  The program kicks off May 1st and officially wraps up on June 30th. Staff that complete all 23 Things by then will receive their USB flash drive and qualify for a special prize drawing.
  
  


• How do I track my progress for each of the 23 Things?
  Each staff member that chooses to participate in this program will be required to keep a blog to track their progress and will also need to register each item completed in the tracking log (Refer to your "cheat sheet" about this.
  
  


• If I'm not a Sachem Public Library staff member, can I still participate?
  Yes, by all means. However, Sachem Public Library cannot award you any incentives or prizes for completion. You can track your progress through the 23 Things list found on the 43Things site -- I know it sounds confusing 23..43 ..23 doesn't it. ;) Anyway, we welcome participants from other libraries to join in the fun and follow along.
  
  


• Why 23 things instead of having participants do 43 things like the website?
  Given the timeframe of the program (9 weeks), the number of "things" was reduced so that staff already burdened with busy work schedules wouldn't feel overwhelmed by having too many discovery exercises to complete in a week. Also, it takes a lot of effort to create and develop 23 separate exercises and podcasts.
  
  


• Will there be any training classes offered to show staff how to do this?
  No, this is a self-directed learning program. If you feel you need assistance with an item, you are encouraged to be resourceful and to find a co-worker or another staff member who can help.
  
  


• I've seen the list of 23 Things on the website, but how do I know what to do with them?
  Each week, two or three links to new postings will be added to the Learning 2.0 with details about the discovery exercises for that week. The reason for this staggered approach is to allow participants the ability to focus each week on a different area without feeling overwhelmed. Additionally, the exercises can sometimes lead to spending a surprising amount of time on a single task. We don't want anyone to feel rushed to complete their 23 things.
  
  


• Can I work ahead through the list of items on my own?
  Yes, of course. You are encouraged to self-direct your discovery process, especially by working ahead on your own!! However, if you do work ahead on some items, be sure to check back on the exercise details for each item once they are posted so you can be sure to receive full credit for its completion.
  
  


• What if I need help - who can I call?
  Our staff should feel free to ask anyone who is participating in the program for help. If your co-workers can't help, you can call Alan at extension 227. (But do try your co-workers first, they'll have more answers than you might imagine.)
  
  


• I would like to earn the USB flash drive but don't feel comfortable with my co-workers reading my blog, can I participate anonymously?
  Yes & No. Since you control all the information that you share on your blog, you can choose to use a screen name to identify yourself to keep yourself anonymous. However, in order to recieve the USB flash drive and qualify for the special prize drawing, you will need to identify yourself on the tracking log.
  
  


• Once I complete all 23 things, how do I get my prize?
  If you complete 23 things by June 30th, your USB flash drive will be given to you as soon as we see your 23 tracking log entries. You will also be entered into the drawing for the special prize.
  
  


• When will the drawing take place for the special prize?
  The drawing for the special prize will take place July 2nd. In order to qualify for the drawing, staff must complete all 23 Things and log their progress by June 30th.

Don't find your question answered here? Then enter it is as comment below.





Info & Program Notes
(back to top)


We would like to send our sincerest thanks to:

Helene Blowers (hblowers(at)plcmc.org), Public Services Technology Director at the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County

Blog LibraryBytes




Learning 2.0 in the News:

• ALA TechSource -Steal This Idea: Learning 2.0 at PLCMC (interview)
  


• Come Blog with Me, School Library Journal Sept 2006 ( & podcast)
  


• The C's of Our Sea Change: Plans for Training Staff, from Core Competencies to LEARNING 2.0 Computers in Libraries, Feb 2007
  


• 15 Minutes a Day: A Personal Learning Management Strategy, Information Outlook, Feb 2007 (also in pdf)
  


• Public Library Geeks take to Web 2.0 to the Stacks, Wired News 03.29.07


• New York Times Tech Talk podcast, 04.04.07 (.mp3)

Program Notes

• Nine Seven Best Practices on Learning 2.0 & Two Additions
  


• Customizing Learning 2.0 ( or how to de-PLCMC-ize the exercises)
  


• Learning 2.0 Evaluations (links to participant evaluations in Del.icio.us)
  


• 23rd thing posted (links to early participants evaluations)
  


• Learning 2.0: Steal this idea update
  


• Learning 2.0 Wow!!!
  


• Other program notes on LibraryBytes.com - Learning 2.0
  
  


• Learning 2.0 presentation recap (slides)
  
  

As a closing note, if you would like to borrow, or use, any information, exercises or content found on this site, remember to provide proper credit to the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County and Helene Blowers using the guidance of the Creative Commons.

---