Thing #15

Wikipedia describes Library 2.0 as library services that are frequently evaluated and updated to meet the changing needs of library users. It goes on to state that the library user is a significant component of Library 2.0. The user is a participant, co-creator, builder and consultant – whether the product is virtual or physical. I think this idea is extremely important in the 2.0 world. Students must be in charge of their learning. As librarians, we must teach students how to effectively search through information and thinking critically about the information that they find.

I have never heard the term Library 2.0, but it makes sense when you think about the changes that are occuring within the library system. Rick Anderson, author of the article "Away from the Icebergs" states that it can be disastrous when a profession fails to acknowledge and adapt to radical, fundamental change in the marketplace it serves. I completely agree with his viewpoint. If libraries are to continue to be central to student learning, then they must adapt to these changes. Students are engrossed with technology and spend a majority of their day using technology (in some way or another). If we are to reach them, then we must make the information relevant to their life.

Thing #14

I'm vaguely familiar with Technorati because we used it in another "Thing" activity. When I searched "School Library Learning 2.0" using tags/posts and blogs, there were no results. I'm assuming this is not what is expected for this assignment.

Hmmm...I've tried many times to search for the popular blogs on Technorati, but unfortunately I keep getting this message "Technorati's Popular section is currently unavailable." I guess Technorati is in a mood today. The end of Spring Break does that to me, too. :-)

Being able to search for content withing tags and blogs cuts down the amount of search time for users. I think Technorati is valuable in that it connects regular people who are interested in the same information easily. I can see this tool being used by teachers and librarians as a way of getting other educators' perspectives on various teaching techniques and lessons.

Thing #13

Hear ye! Hear ye! I am currently looking for delicious network members! :-)

Tagging is fairly new to me. Although I have heard the term, I have never really used tagging and have certainly never visited a social tagging network. In fact, I didn't even know they existed!

I am now hooked! I looked up the keyword "Big 6" because I am just about to start this process with my 4th grade students. I found some great sites that contained different information. I did not find it hard to come up with different tags, either. I wanted to make sure I understood just exactly what the bookmark was about by trying to be clear with my tags.

The video on social tagging was extremely helpful! I know that this is a tool that my fellow teachers and I can use in the classroom to share valuable websites. Also, this tool would be a great resource for librarians to use and share websites/tools they are using in the library.

The main point I learned from this assignment is that tags make it so easy to find and organize information.