#23 The end

I can't believe it's the end. This program has been a huge learning curve for me and I have really enjoyed the online format. The only problem the whole way through is finding the time to complete the exercises. Because our library is so busy, I had to do all of the course at home- luckily we had just swapped over to Broadband.
I think the 15 minutes a day recommended was too short-it definitely took longer than that to do properly. 15 minutes might have been alright for those people in IT or already using online tools and features but when you are starting from scratch, I think you could double it!
Doing Learning 2.0, I gained an understanding of what is available on the web and found some useful tools which I can use at work (eg Web-based applications in particular)
I also came to realise by the end of the program that social networking is changing rapidly in the world, whether we like it or not and that more and more younger people in particular are going to be using their computers for social interaction.
I think some of the tools we learnt about can be used to enhance our library users use of our catalogue and website so they can interact more effectively with the library- eg. book review wikis, community wikis and blogs, catalogue annotation, subject guides for a start.
I really hope (and will suggest) that our library starts using wikis for knowledge base/training or can run online training for staff (or the public for that matter). We are a big regional library and I think these formats would work well, especially when it's hard and costly to get everyone together.
There was a lot of "fun stuff" we learnt about- Flickr and Youtube are great. Where on earth do people get the time though?!
I liked the way that everything you do online is easy and user friendly. I didn't have to be a techno geek to be able to interact easily!
My favourite discovery was Library Thing. A great, easy-to-use site and very useful for work and personal use.
Has this affected my lifelong learning goals? Yes, my teenage son was surprised I could "handle" some of the stuff we did, which is a great confidence booster! Great for starting conversations with him, too.
I found out that learning is really my thing- I can't get enough of it- whatever it is!
I learnt (had it hammered home) that attitude really is everything and that opportunities really do exist everywhere! I just have to think right and reach out and take them!!
Thanks for a great learning experience, Learnerplater

#22 Audiobooks

Audiobooks are one of those things I would guess a lot of libraries would say are stealing their "business". ie that people would download their books and stop coming to the library to borrow books. Maybe it's just one of those new ideas that will take a bit of getting used to and that eventually libraries will see the benefits of audiobooks. I can see that they might appeal to the young adults, that they would be great if you were travelling (eg backpacking)and couldn't fit in your books and also for commuters on public transport. Literature on tap for the masses! Anything that gets people reading and stretching their minds and attitudes has to be an advantage! I think Audiobooks are complementary to libraries- especially if the library is offering the access to the fee-paying audiobook servers as a service to their clients. Learnerplater

#21 Podcasts

Podcasts are fun. There is an amazing variety of topics available, useful for both hobbies and work purposes. Today I subscribed to a "Sticks and String" podcast, from an Aussie knitting bloke, which will be a bit of fun. Way back when we first learnt about RSS feeds, I had subscribed to a NLA feed called Recent Australian Publications, which although lengthy, is interesting to read. It has monthly updates.
A useful tool for the library. Learnerplater

#20 Youtube

#19 Web 2.0 tools

The awards list of Web 2.0 tools had some great sites. It was good to see a lot of the ones we have discovered through Learning 2.0 listed there.
www.biblio.com is a very useful tool for the Library. It is a secondhand book site which is very easy to use. The filters for searching are good. I especially like being able to limit it to Australia and New Zealand, instead of a global search. Another feature is the filter for the condition of the book. I will be able to recommend it to Library customers, who want to purchase a book that we don't stock, it's not available on ILL and is not in the shops any more and they just HAVE to have it! Learnerplater

PS. www.etsy.com is another winner. Like an Ebay for handmade products only. Beautiful stuff!

#18 Web-based apps- Zoho writer

This was interesting! I can see a lot of use for Zoho writer in particular, for my new team at work, once we get started. We are all on different shifts and even don't all work on the same days, so this would be wonderful for coordinating our thoughts, to do lists, and library planning.
Learnerplater.

Mary, Mary

My first Zoho Writer experiment

 

Mary, Mary, quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells and cockle shells

and pretty maids all in a row.