Learning 2.0 is an online learning and discovery program that encourages Virginia Beach Public Library staff to experience emerging technologies on the web. These technologies are changing the way people, society and libraries access information and communicate with each other.
Over the course of twelve weeks beginning October 29, 2007 and ending January 13, 2008, this blog will highlight “30 Things” and discovery exercises to help participants become familiar with new technologies. During the program, staff will learn about and play with instant messaging, blogs, RSS news feeds, tags, wikis, podcasting, video and image hosting sites.
Each week, participants will use these technologies as learning tools. Whenever possible, staff will read an online article in Wikipedia, listen to a podcast or watch a YouTube video on that week's subject. These activities support the discovery exercises. By using the same technologies as learning tools, participants will see how these tools may be used in the library business and in their personal lives.
The objectives of this online learning program are to:
- Encourage exploration of Web 2.0 and new technologies by VBPL staff
- Provide staff with knowledge, skills and opportunities that support Library 2.0
- Provide staff with new tools (freely available on the Internet) to better support the Virginia Beach Public Library's mission
In addition, we want to reward staff for taking the initiative to learn about new technologies and apply them in their professional and personal lives. Staff members who complete all 30 things by February 29, 2008 will receive an MP 3 Player. Funding for staff rewards is being provided by the Virginia Beach Public Library Foundation.
NOTE: If you are a library staff person who registered for this program before February 29, 2008, keep working to complete all the exercises. If you can do all 30 Things before April 30, 2008, we will enter your name into a drawing for an MP3 player. To be eligible for the drawing and to receive credit for completing the training, you must send your name, employee number assigned to you at registration, blog title and blog URL to Cindy Hart, Virtual Librarian, at chart@vbgov.com before April 30th.
