Jo-Anne Naslund & Dean Giustini
Abstract
This article is an overview of popular web 2.0 learning tools for teacher-librarians. The authors supplement their review of social software by discussing representative examples and projects that illustrate their application in teaching and learning. The authors (both academic librarians) suggest that multimedia web tools can be transformative for student learning. In fact, key emerging technologies most likely to have an impact on teaching, learning and creative expression within learning focused organizations include those that encourage video sharing, collective intelligence and collaboration-building web spaces. In promoting these web 2.0 tools, teacher-librarians can continue to play a prominent role in their schools and raise awareness of relevant pedagogies for the iGeneration.
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School Libraries Worldwide - Volume 14 Number 2, July 2008
Welcome to a special edition of School Libraries WorldWide (SLW). The theme for this edition (Volume 14, Number 2) is New Learners, New Literacies, New Libraries.
The goal of this issue is to explore some of the current research and emerging notions of School Libraries 2.0. By this we mean implications for libraries of Web 2.0, or “the trend in the use of World Wide Web technology, social software and web design that aims to enhance creativity, information sharing, and, most notably, collaboration among users”(Wikipedia, ¶ 1). Library 2.0 entails “both physical and mindset changes that are occurring within libraries to make our spaces and services more user-centric and inviting” (Wikipedia, ¶ 1). We are publishing this issue in blog and wiki formats to reflect new ways to publish and share information and to allow viewers/readers to add their responses and comments to the content presented. Thus the journal itself is a living example of socially constructing knowledge with Web 2.0 tools.
We have gathered an eclectic set of articles all of which are linked to a variety of web-based resources which support and extend the content in the articles. The authors have varied perspectives and experiences and present a wide variety of issues related to the challenges facing the worldwide school library community. The idea is to present the core set of articles for all to share and then have viewers explore beyond that core in order to build their own understanding of Web 2.0 and the influence it continues to have on emerging notions of new school libraries (what some are calling school libraries 2.0).
While the influences of Web 2.0 may vary in regions around the world, there can be little doubt that the challenges raised by new technologies must be addressed by the entire school library community. Without facing the new realities of how people use information and communication or digital learning technologies, we risk a real danger of becoming isolated as print-only learning environments. We need to draw on our traditional leadership in building collaborative teaching and learning activities in order to engage students in new learning environments which harness their innate interests in new technologies and connect their in-school and out-of-school literacy practices.
While these challenges seem daunting on many levels including providing adequate and equitable access, improving teacher and teacher-librarian education, and developing curriculum aligned with current notions of literacy and learning, we hope this issue will foster an international conversation about how school libraries can show leadership and create compelling models for school libraries in the 21st century.
Guest Editors: Marlene Asselin & Ray Doiron
Table of Contents
School Libraries Worldwide
Volume 13, Number 2, July 2008
New Learners, New Literacies, New Libraries
Editor: Dianne Oberg, University of Alberta, Canada
Guest Co-Editors:
Marlene Asselin, University of British Columbia, Canada
Ray Doiron, University of Prince Edward Island Canada
Critical Concepts
Towards a Transformative Pedagogy for School Libraries
Marlene Asselin & Ray Doiron
Youth and their Virtual Networked Worlds: Research Findings and Implications for School Libraries
Ross Todd
Volume 13, Number 2, July 2008
New Learners, New Literacies, New Libraries
Editor: Dianne Oberg, University of Alberta, Canada
Guest Co-Editors:
Marlene Asselin, University of British Columbia, Canada
Ray Doiron, University of Prince Edward Island Canada
Critical Concepts
Towards a Transformative Pedagogy for School Libraries
Marlene Asselin & Ray Doiron
Youth and their Virtual Networked Worlds: Research Findings and Implications for School Libraries
Ross Todd
Open Access and the Open Journal Systems: Making Sense All Over
Rick Kopak
Shaping Global Criticality with School Libraries
Keith McPherson
Diverse Contexts
Popular Culture in the School Library: Enhancing Literacies Traditional and New
Elizabeth E. G. Friese
Videogames in the Library? What is the World Coming To?
Kathy Sanford
Immersive Learning Environments in Parallel Universes: Learning through Second Life
Jeremy W. Kemp & Ken Haycock
Towards School Library 2.0: An Overview of Social Software Tools for Teacher-Librarians
Jo-Anne Naslund & Dean Giustini
Creative Expressions
New Learners, New Literacies, New Libraries - a wiki
Marlene Asselin & Ray Doiron
School Library Mash-Up
Lillian Trousdell & Sharon Doyle
Technology in our Lives- Voices of Two Learners
Kaitlyn & Allen
Young People Talk about Libraries - A Video
Maryam Moayeri
Abstracts and Links to the Articles
Included below are the abstracts and links to all the articles in this special issue of School Libraries Worldwide.
You are invited to read any and all of the articles and add your comments at the link below each abstract.
You are invited to read any and all of the articles and add your comments at the link below each abstract.
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7 comments:
I decided to take a look at Wordpress as a sample blog site. Having only used this site once, I was eager to take a closer look at it, so I volunteered to do some revisions to our webinar, which uses Wordpress. It took me a while to figure out how to manage the blog, but once I figured it out it was relatively easy to use.
I like the idea of using a blog as a library tool for many things. In particular, I think it would be of great use for our book club. It is very active and popular at our school. Many students would like to be part of the club, but are already in many other extracurricular activities at noon hours, so they aren't able to participate. If 'SAGL' had a blog, everyone could participate in book discussions and sharing of titles.
A blog could also be used to notify students of notices, resources, and information relate to the school library program. it could be connected to the school library web page and students would have the opportunity to provide ideas and feedback to better the school library program.
What I really liked about wordpress is the format/layout of the site. It's visually appealing and relatively easy to use. What I didn't like was the fact that the publisher must confirm and allow blog postings. Maybe there's a way around this, but I can't seem to figure it out. This may be another problem...for me...
I encourage everyone to take a look at this tool and consider the many uses for it.
Lori said....
I decided to check out the Tumblr link to have a look at 'microblogging'. I find this concept quite appealing, less of a hassle than blogging- not major set up, as well, I was guided with what all I can do once I set up an account.
I think that this could be a lot of fun. One of the suggestions in the paper was to use this tool as a way to encourage dialogue with students after class- either recording an 'ah ha' moment or asking a question about something covered in class. I am often surprised how some students leave with only a small bit of what I attempted to teach them. 'Microblogging' could be a great way to find out the gaps my students have in what is happening in class, as well as to make the class more social/interactive. I know myself that I would much rather post a question on a blog than ask it in a class.
In the library, this could be used as a quick update on new resources, sites, videos, books- you name it! Students could easily comment on books they just finished reading, sort of create an online book club/thought share. This could be easy for teachers to share information as well- all it requires is a sentence or two. For instance, if I came across a great WWI resource, I could just post- hey I found a great site on WWI...making the information easily accessible - just a click away.
The only drawbacks that I could see in using this is if it is blocked at school. I'll check it out tomorrow to see- hopefully it isn't. Unfortunately, my school still has a strong population without internet at home or with only dial-up- this is changing though. The point truly is thought that students be able to 'connect' or 'engage' with such a tool from school- bridging that gap of home 'powered-up' feeling with the 'powered down' atmosphere at school.
Fingers crossed...
I decided to explore the website “Teachers Teaching Teachers”. I chose this website as I am interested in how the Internet can be used as a communication tool for teacher librarians. This website is hosted by EdTechTalk.com. EdTechTalk is a community of educators interested in discussing and learning about the uses of educational technology. It webcasts several live shows each week. During shows, listeners listen to the discussion and use the chat room to make comments and ask questions. After each show, a recording of the discussion can be downloaded directly from the site or subscribed to using our RSS feed. A chat room transcript and a comment forum are posted where people can continue the discussion after the show.
Initially I was not impressed with the website mainly because I did not understand what it was. After exploring and doing a little additional reading I was able to listen to part of a podcast on the topic of “Writing in the Digital Age”. It was very cool. I was able to look back on the topic of past shows and listen to those that were of interest. I did have some difficulty finding the forums for discussion but once I did I found it very similar to what we use on Moodle.
While I think the use of podcasts and forums is a great idea I did not find this website to be very “use friendly”. I am thinking of this as a resource for the teachers in my school but doubt that it would be very popular because it would be cumbersome to those who are not very savvy when it comes to technology.
Lynn
This article comes at a time when I need to support my practice in using Web 2.0 tools in the school. I am constantly trying to argue the use of social networking, wikis and blogs in my classroom. Having no access to youtube or Facebook, really displays the way of thinking of today’s learners, by the Department of Education and the school boards. Our province and country need to be moving forward and welcoming a web 2.0 classroom in order to be giving our students the opportunities of the future.
I am giving examples and an overview of using a blog to our staff for the school website. This article is so helpful in differentiating the uses, pros and cons of the web 2.0 tools. I will refer to this information time and time again.
Jill - Thank you for the information on Wordpress. We tried to use edublog.com for one of our projects but it was too confusing to use and did not do what we envisioned. It was not very user friendly. I will have to check out this one as an alternative. I have been trying to use a blog or wiki idea with my grade 8 science classes for science fair. I think that by using the technology students are interested in they will be more engaged in it. Good luck with the use of this in your classes.
Lori - I have not heard of microblogging and I am interested in checking this out to see what the difference is between this and blogging. I think you and Jill are correct that there are numerous possibilities for such tools in teaching and linking with the students' world.
Lynn - I think you "hit the nail on the head" with your comments regarding the ease of navigation and such. So often when people are comfortable with an area they forget that not everyone knows and can follow the lingo in the subject. I think we need to step back and see things through the eyes of others to be sure we are clear and can be understood. I liken this to teaching - as a teacher I have covered the topic many times previously and up to three times this year alone. Sometimes I have to remind myself of this and slow down because even though it is familiar to me it is not to all students.
Kim - Best of luck as you and your staff navigate through Web 2.0 tools. You probably feel as I do that it can be exciting but also overwhelming to explore the possibilities in this area.
Great!
Thanks for the FANTASTIC post! This information is really good and thanks a ton for sharing it :-) I m looking forward desperately for the next post of yours..
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