I'm finally back tracking to complete Thing 5 - Web 2.0 and more specifically Library 2.0. The move from Web 1.0 to 2.0 has been emerging just as print textbooks moved away from the chalkboard of the pioneer days. We are now moving away from print and to a paperless classroom. Web 2.0 is designed to enhance creativity, allow information sharing and collaboration. Librarians have been promoting the collaboration concept for at least 15 years. We want to interact with the students and what they are learning rather than just attempt to teach library skills in isolation. So for this reason, we have been ahead of the game. However, it was often the classroom teacher who did not see the value of coordinating the library with the classroom. The article, "Away from Icebergs" is becoming the norm. Materials are no longer purchased "just in case" they will be needed. I rarely purchase reference materials because there is so much available through online services and reference is very expensive. The last encyclopedia set purchased was 2000 or 2002. More time is spent teaching and training the student how to access information using online services and we're available 24/7. We have so many wonderful resources that provide accurate information for our students we just need more time to teach them. Wikipedia's article indicates constant updating; we're doing this now. Each year we evaluate our online databases - which ones to keep or "discard." Nettrekker is a wonderful search engine with websites evaluated by educators. No longer do we have to worry about the research posted on the internet by "Tanner Toogood" - my border collie. These services obviously cost a lot of money and we need our students to use them in order to justify the expense.
I realize that I am slow to come on board with all of this technology. However, we need to be cautious about so much incorrect information and train the students how to recognize right from wrong. We must guide them through the process which we can accomplish through our many wonderful sources. Library 2.0 is definitely creeping into my world. I am not ready to give up print books for complete online research and discovery. Often when students are working on research and the internet connection fails, they realize that books are helpful and necessary. The district's filter also prevents us from totally embracing these applications. It takes time for all of this to occur and it will take me time to become knowledgeable enough so I can teach our students.
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