#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