Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Thing 1 Setting up a Blog for 23 Things on A Stick

Why 23 Things on a Stick?
After taking Blog, Wikis and Podcasts class last year and reducing my digital immigrant accent, (it is bit less pronounced) I am really jazzed to learn more in 23 Things on a Stick. As the Literacy Coordinator for the Edina Public Schools the move to focus on and learn more and increase my digital and electronic literacy is strong. To encourage passion for reading and writing in students and to teach our students so they become literate citizens who think critically is paramount.

Thing 2 Library L2

L2 (Library 2.0) really struck me. There is a phenomenal amount of resources to learn about Library Systems and services and as consumers of library services how we all use the library has expanded incredibly because of technology. Chris Nilger's reflections regarding WorldCat, where any patron can access and contribute to collective intelligence in a cooperative framework is pretty amazing. Gone are the days of master thesis sitting, collecting dust, unavailable to all but a few. Rick Anderson's Iceberg concept for library collections nudged me to realize how deep Web 2.0 impacts every aspect of how we learn, work and play.

Trying to understand what I am reading and viewing caused me to reflect on the last few weeks as I've planned a trip to Canada, which became a merger of L1 and teetering on the brink of L2. Out of habit Fodor's guides were reserved and picked up, Google brought me to government sites for free maps and guides, Canadian Bed and Breakfast sites offered pictures, testimonials, etc. As I merged using my library (old fashioned collection of travel guides), the Internet, phone calls, emails, Google maps, and blog reads I'm walking the border on L1 and L2 because I'm consuming information via the web but not adding to it. I haven't yet tipped into L2 but planning for the trip surely used resources from folks who are Web 2.0 folks; those who aren't experts as well as those who are.

The intrigue for me is what motivates people to write and share in a public forum. What drives humans to want to connect, share, be heard, and hear others?