When I hear the term “Web 2.0 Tools” the first thing I think is “FREE”! I just love Free, in particular as it applies to my library setting. I hearken back to the days when all software programs had to be purchased, and computer hardware was so expensive as to be out of sight! My first computer in my library, a Macintosh LCII (also known as the Pizza Box) cost us $3,000.00!
So I guess that makes me a “Dinocybrarian”?
The most important thing is to use the free technology available to us, including Web 2.0 tools and First Class, and model using it in your library to your students. It is important that you label your projects with the tools that were used, so it will eventually sink in to the students that these are real, practical resouces they can use in their own projects. Or, if you are giving a presentation slideshow you uploaded to your website, be sure to tell the students what cool tool you used. For example, “I uploaded this slideshow to my webpage using Slideshare, which is free and you can register and use it for your own projects.” The kids really get excited when they know they can create, too.
Encourage your teachers to buy into alternate technologies. For example, if Mrs. Z. brings her class to the library to complete her annual “Snakes of the World” powerpoint, suggest a Glogster, or an Animoto project instead. You may have to do a little hands-on to get it started, but the students will take it and run once they get going!
And think of ways to make your own life easier as a librarian. Every year I do my Library/Lab orientations for 7th graders. Why not upload it to my webpage? This is exactly what I did a few years ago and it is now so easy.
I had a bunch of my students' projects on my blog, but when updating early this school year I lost their projects, so you will not see Mrs. Adam's ESL classes' nonfiction book Animotos on my blog. But on a good day when things go right, showing off class projects is a great way to get kids to check into your blog!
