My Learning 2.0 Experience

I really enjoyed this whole program, but probably my favorite tools to play with and experience would have to be the blog itself, Facebook, and Flickr. Though I had used blogs and Flickr before enrolling in this program, I learned quite a bit more than I had known coming into it. Most of this was due not only to the well structured lessons (what do you mean my nose is turning brown?), but also the great atmosphere of collaboration and sharing that we experienced at our library.

My goals for lifelong-learning have not really changed, I'll still be an autodidact until my dying day, but I have learned the value of looking outside of my own experience to enrich my learning experience by sharing it more with others. I have always been eager to share my knowledge with others, and receive theirs in turn, but this program really pointed out the wonderful benefits that can come from participating in a collective learning experience.

Checking out the blogs of my coworkers only highlighted the extent to which they have really embraced these "things" and used them as springboards to their own lifelong learning goals. I had a great time commenting on some of those that I explored, and it was very interesting to see how others approached the same challenges that I faced in my own journey. I also was surprised to learn a few things that I had missed in my initial evaluation of each of the "things", so the review and comment process was a valuable one in and of itself.

In conclusion:

Blogging, Good!

Learning 2.0, Good!

Blue hair, Good!

Thing 30

What a great series of trainings! I can't clap my hands loud enough in recognition of all the hard work that went into pulling all of this together for the enrichment of all participating VBPL staff... Kudos.

While I was previously aware of many of the sites and tools that we explored in this training, I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were many "things" that I was either completely unaware of or did not know the full potential of. Marrying these discovery exercises to library related services and concepts really brings them home for me in ways that looking at them for their own sake could not. I especially liked the pointed questions and discussion starters that helped me to focus my thoughts around how these new tools and gadgets could really make a difference in the way we do business here in library land. It is easy to become mired in the "this is how we have always done it" philosophical swamp, and these exercises were a great way of breaking out of that mold.

Finally, I especially enjoyed the collaborative aspect of the program, allowing and even encouraging staff to work through problems together for the benefit of all. It is my sincere hope that this strengthened spirit of teamwork and cooperation will continue to grow from this experience and will help an already wonderfully productive staff to work together even more smoothly in the future.

Podcasting

Podcasts are a great way to stay up to date with my favorite radio content. I am an ardent supporter and fan of public radio, and their podcasts allow me to easily keep up with the news and programs I may have missed while at work. I also use the podcasts provided by the University of Tennessee for my online info science classes. This tool is a convenient way to review past lectures and stay on top of my coursework.

I have not tried creating my own podcast yet, mostly because I don't have a mic on this computer, but I plan to give it a go on my home computer! I have really enjoyed the podcasts Cindy has used in this series of exercises and I think that they can really add to the richness and depth of an online educational experience.