Module 9

Module 9 Reflection

// In Module Nine You will focus on three topics: // // • Reading 2.0 // // • Library automation & social networking // // • Locating and using widgets // // As you complete this module, consider this question: How are these three topics related? //


 * Reflections: **

I think Library automation and social networking is a fabulous idea. In this digital world it is so easy to search for information online, but we all know that, especially for untrained users, Google is not always the best way to find what we are looking for, though it is the most commonly used search method. Librarians are always arguing that our OPACs are such a valuable, relevant, reliable and helpful search tool. But if we want to convince people that our tools are relevant to their lives, we have to make them relevant! Today’s young people are online both in and out of school, and they are using the Internet as a Social Networking landscape. They //demand// interactivity and easy access to information. Adding Web 2.0 capabilities to library automation systems makes them relevant. Sure – here is the book that will help to answer your question, AND here is what three of your teachers have to say about it, ten of your classmates “liked” it, and here are 12 tags to help categorize it with other things you might like to look at. That’s much more relevant to today’s students than just a call number and bibliographic information.

Widgets are along the same lines. Students are demanding embedded multimedia and easy access to tools that they can interactive with. Widgets also usually help visualize things, and I think Web 2.0 really caters to visual learners. I really liked this list of widgets for education: []. I added it to my PLN Gems because I want to remember to go back and use some of the widgets for myself and my website.

Unfortunately, my LIU barcode as expired (I don’t know why!) so I was not able to log into LIU’s library to view the articles on Reading 2.0 in //Educational Leadership.// I did an online search though and found this blog: Reading 2.0. Librarian Anita Beaman and Library Media Specialist Amy Oberts have the slogan “Using Computers to Promote Books – Not Replace Them.” The mission of their blog is to harness the power of technology to excite and empower students’ literary development.

Their “blog” actually appears to be more of a pathfinder. It includes links and pages on creating screensavers, wordle book ads, using apps and social bookmarking, creating pathfinders, online bookshelves, virtual libraries, 2.0 booktalks, playaways, podcasts, video making and more.

With Reading 2.0 set in this context, there really is no difference between it and library automation + social networking. Again, with the creation and availability of these online tech and web tools, students are demanding them in all areas of their life and learning. Kids still want to read, and if we can use these features to promote that reading, why not?!