Frequently Asked Questions

How does this online learning program work?
This is a self-discovery program which encourages staff to take control of their own learning and to utilize their lifelong learning skills through exploration and PLAY. There will be no classes or workshops offered to support this program. Instead, staff are encouraged to work together and share with each other their discoveries, techniques and how-to both in person and through their blogs.

Is this program open to all VBPL staff or just some?
This program is open to ALL VBPL staff regardless of position and status (full and part time). If you are not a member of the VBPL staff, you are welcome to follow along. However, the VBPL cannot award you any prizes for completion.

How long do I have to complete the program?
The program kicks off on Monday, October, 29, 2007 and wraps up Monday, January 13, 2008. Staff members who complete all 30 things by February 29, 2008 will receive an MP3 player in March 2008. Yes, you have additional weeks to complete the program after all 30 Things have been posted. This will give staff who got off to a late start more time to finish and all of us more time to play with the tools we learn about each week.

How do I track my progress for each of the 30 things?
Each staff member who chooses to participate in this program will be asked to keep a blog to track their progress and will also record details about their progress.

If I'm not an VBPL staff member, can I still participate?
Yes, by all means. However, the VBPL cannot award you an MP3 player for completion. You can track your progress through the "30 things" list found on this blog. We welcome outside participants to join in the fun and follow along.

Will there be any training classes offered to show staff how to do this?
No. This is a self-directed learning program. If you feel you need assistance with an item, you are encouraged to be resourceful and find a co-worker or another staff member who can help. Reading other staff member's blogs can help, too. However, there will be open lab days to ask questions in person and share exciting discoveries. Look for a posting about open lab days.

I've seen the list of 30 things, but how do I know what to do with them?
Each week, two or three posts will be added to the Learning 2.0 blog with details about the discovery exercises for that week. The reason for this staggered approach is to allow participants the ability to focus each week on a different area without feeling overwhelmed.

Can I work ahead through the list of items on my own?
Yes, of course. You are encouraged to self-direct your discovery process, especially by working ahead on your own! However, if you do work ahead on some items, be sure to check back on the exercise details for each item once they are posted so you can be sure to receive full credit for its completion.

What if I need help?
Who can I call? Since this program is self-directed and is being completed by many staff members throughout the system simultaneously, you are encouraged to work with colleagues along your discovery journey. To find a list of staff participating, see The Participants. In addition, you may choose to come to open lab days to ask questions and seek help from others who attend. For open lab dates, please look for the open lab days post.

Once I complete all 30 things, how do I get my prize?
If you complete 30 things by February 29, 2008, your prize will be given to you shortly thereafter. If you complete and record the 30 things after February 29, 2008, there is NO guarantee that you will receive an MP3 player.

I am not comfortable publishing information about myself on the Internet. Can I participate anonymously?
Yes! After registering, you will receive an email confirmation that you are registered to participate in Learning 2.0 @ the Beach. Your email confirmation will have a number in it. This is your own unique identifier. You will use this number to record your weekly progress in the Learning 2.0 tracking log. In addition, when you create your blog in Thing 7, you may choose to reveal or conceal your identity. In other words, feel free to blog anonymously.

If you do not see your question here, please post it as a comment.