Web 2.0 Discoveries and 'Learning Gems'

[Julie Squires]

I started exploring Web 2.0 quite recently and quickly realised the depth of it as every day brought a new and wonderful discovery. I signed up for everything imaginable so I could experiment and evaluate educational and/or professional usefulness. In my context the most useful tools so far have turned out to be the Google suite of tools, particularly iGoogle and Google Docs. I love the way Google Docs allow me to work on documents online from any computer. I also signed up for Google Apps education and think this has huge potential in schools. In terms of impact in the classroom my favourite discovery has been ClassTools. I made up some popular games about our library using this tool and the children love them! Would love to hear of the tools discovered by others. (I am going to blog about this soon on my Learning Gems blog)

[Angela Currie]

I am doing the online Web2.0 course at the moment and the possibilities for our teachers and students is incredible, I believe it is very much the way of the future and we have to get onboard very quickly. In fact our library staff are working tomorrow on a Power Point presentation to introduce Web 2.0 to the staff, as the majority of them do not know what Web 2.0 is. It is a v ery exciting time to be in the library and I think we have to be the leaders in this.

[Julie Squires]

I agree, Angela. However, getting staff on side is an issue. I'd be interested in hearing about the reaction to your presentation... there's still a lot of doubt and fear out there!

[Greg Handley]

The main thing I have learnt about Library 2.0 to this point in the course is just how much I did not know or wasn’t aware of !! No doubt some of the aspects / programs could (and will) be introduced immediately to take advantage of the new approaches to information gathering, sharing, assessing and accessing information. However, I am a little annoyed by some of the literature which “boasts” that this will mean ‘radical change’ to current library services. There seems very little recognition of the positive aspects of library structure and service as we now know it and “it’s” ability to cope with change (and be leaders in change) from the time libraries were first established. Weren’t there card catalogues once(?) and weren’t most libraries stand alone buildings independent of all other libraries? There are also many aspects of current library service (eg) promotion of literature and reading which should not be (or feel )threatened by advances in technology. How much of an impact will Library 2.0 have on reading (for pleasure), browsing and literacy levels? Also, something that espouses to be “without parameters” may sound incredibly exciting (and may well be) but for those of us working with chidren and helping them to prepare for adult life, a lack of parameters can often be a risky venture and I would proceed a little slower and little more cautiously than the rampaging advocates would suggest. If you are going to make ’overnight wholesale changes’ , you would want to be sure about where it will (potentially) take you and what it is replacing (leaving behind).
I must however repeat that the “features” of iGoogle, del.icio.us, ning and LibraryThing are most impressive and would advance the profile, function and capabilities of libraries (or, between a library and it’s users / clientele) IF introduced according to the quality of, and need for the new resource, progressively over time and not overnight.

[Julie Squires]

I agree, Greg. T-Ls have always been 'change agents'. We deal with information all the time, amongst other things, and because access to information has changed a lot in recent times we have had to keep up-to-date with current trends and technology. (Probably more than other educators!) It's our job! However, one thing I have learned this year is that we cannot let go of our more 'traditional' role either. I believe the promotion of literature is one of the most important aspects of my job. (It is certainly one that I enjoy) It will NEVER be threatened by technological advances.

[Cathy Hainstock]

I'm with you Julie, I love exploring Web 2.0 possibilities. Quite a while ago I came across a blog called The Internet can Change Your Life done by an American librarian, R.A.Mayer in Guam. Each of his entries are very well written instructions leading you through how to use different widgets, gadgets, applications, programs etc. His attitude is 'get in there and play'. I've learned how to use Audacity to make podcasts, how to convert files from one format to another, set up a wiki (got three now) etc. I know there are other sites like this perhaps better known -- 23 Things for example, but I'm past setting up blogs and the simpler things, I want more! I think in all Mayer's got over 180 things to try on this blog but just be aware that he had to stop blogging last year due to health issues (I think) so some things may have dead links.
Another favourite blog site is Jane's E-learning Pick of the Day -- you'll be very sorry you looked there! =) She reviews some fantastic stuff.
I'm off to have a look at ClassTools. I'm a little hooked on iGoogle as well. Got a page for me and one for me, the librarian. I love the Google calendar. I can add things at home and have them at work. I log what I do each day in the library on it as well.

[Julie Squires]

Thanks for the links, Cathy. Looks like I have a few more sites to explore. Just when I thought I knew it all! ;)

[Cathy Hainstock]

ClassTools are great! Thanks for the site too. Love the fish skeleton organizer.

[Greg Handley]

Are we raidly reaching a point where the printed text will be dead? How many people buy music CD's or DVD's when music and movies can be (illegally) downloaded from the internet. Will authors have to publish their novels on the internet? Will any CHILD read a novel from the internet when there are millions of other attractions to log on to? Am wondering if I'm doing this course for MY own benefit and not my students because at my school we have (close to) the lowest literacy AND numeracy levels in the state (most of our students are ESL and / or refugees and 85%+ are on EMA). Yet, they can produce magnificent("pretty") Power Point presentations with a total of no more than 12 words in the entire "presentation". They are computer savvy but they can't read. If you asked most year 7 or 8 students their address, they say "down in that street , the blue house" !! Those who can state their address can't write it.
Yet we continue to plough our resources (human and $) into technology.
Yeah man, this Web 2.0 is cool but I am deeply concerned for the future of the kids in my area of Melbourne. Sometimes continuity is as important as change and change isn't always great just because it's cool and exciting. Excuse me while I retreat into my dinosaur costume.

[Heather Boundy]

Since hearing Will Richardson at the SLAV conference I have also been experimenting with Web 2.0 technologies. Schools are certainly behind the eight ball in using much of this technology, but some of our teachers are starting to get interested in the use of wikis in the classroom. I am having problems with YouTube being blocked as some of the things I want to show classes (eg the film previews on insideadog) won't run for me. I have started the ball rolling in discussion with the Curriculum Co-Ordinator and we will eventually work our way around the barriers to progress!

[Simon Brown]

Heather, I also like to show Youtube or similar videoclips in class but find the sites are blocked. Recently, I discovered KeepVid which allows downloading of the videoclip to my computer (permissions granted, of course!). I can then burn the file to a CD, ready for class viewing without restrictions. Just follow the KeepVid directions: copy and paste the videoclip URL to the conversion tool, and select file format and download location. Simple!

[Simon Brown]

Hi Julie, congratulations on your great work at this site.
If you want to know about Web2.0 tools in the classroom, then I think Classroom2.0 has the best community for discussion about this.
Personally, the best collaborative tool I've used is Twitter, although this has not worked well with my students. I'd love my colleagues to catch on.
I use del.icio.us every day in class.
I regularly upload photos into Flickr, which are immediately updated in my students' Ning (together with Twitter posts and Youtube videos).

[Julie Squires]

Just realised I follow you on twitter (I'm bookjewel). I agree with you completely about it being a great collaborative tool. Looks like you are doing lots of great stuff with your students. What do they do on their Ning? Thanks for the tip re: Classroom 2.0 I am a member too but your comment made me revisit.