Introduction

Welcome to the course! We are thrilled to be working with you to develop your knowledge of social tools and how they can be applied in libraries.

Since there is a lot to cover, we plan to hit the ground running. Therefore, we would like you to have completed certain instructional tutorials and tasks before the first week. We would like you to be comfortable with Drupal and to have created at least one post on your blog. We would like you to be able to edit the wiki and to have created your profile on the wiki. Finally, we would like you to have an AIM account and client set up (whether it is desktop software or a Web application). We will also be scheduling two brief live orientations to OPAL, the Webcast software we will be using, before the class. It is not required that you attend one of these sessions, though it may help you to avoid access problems when you attend your first Webcast.

Introduction to the Course

Introduction to Five Weeks to a Social Library - this screencast by Meredith takes you through the basics of your "classroom" and what you will be expected to do each week. (note: on some computers/connections, the timing on some slides may be a little off, but hopefully you'll still get something out of it.)

Community, Connecting and the Great Blogging Universe - a screencast presentation by Helene Blowers (Public Services Technology Director at the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County) designed just for this course. This will give you a good idea about how blogging will benefit you in your learning.

Optional: 7 1/2 Habits of Highly Effective Learners - This screencast from Lori Reed Training Specialist at the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County will help get you into the mindset of a lifelong learner. You do not need to create a learning contract for this class and you can skip over this portion of the screencast if you'd like (this was created for the Learning 2.0 project).

Introduction to Technologies

Introduction to Drupal - An introduction to the interface you will be using for blogging.

Introduction to Wikis - Introduction to wikis and how to edit them. Includes an activity to get you comfortable with wiki editing and to introduce you to your colleagues.

Introduction to Instant Messaging - A basic introduction to instant messaging for those who have not used IM before or do not have an account with AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) or a client yet.

Introduction to Bloglines - Bloglines is an RSS aggregator which allows you to read content from numerous sites on a single page. It might help you to keep up with libraries and technology, both during the course and in the future.

Additional Readings

These are optional. Only read them as time permits and interest warrants.

Wade Roush. "Social Machines." Technology Review.

Ellyssa Kroski. "Community 2.0" InfoTangle.

Jack Maness. "Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and Its Implications for Libraries" Webology.