Final Thoughts

Web 2.0 is a constantly evolving thing. I almost imagine as a living blob constantly evolving and changing. As soon as we master one tool, another comes out that has more bells and whistles. This constant evolving does become overwhelming for the librarian and the classroom teacher. I always thought that web 2.0 tools were cool tools that we could use in our classrooms that would enhance projects or create a way to connect with our web savvy students. However, after yesterday, I think I "see the light." I attended the SLAWNY Fall Sharing yesterday, and David Warlick was the keynote speaker. He mentioned in his opening address how we've become a question seeking society. We’re always looking for the answers to things, and this is especially true with students, we want to know “why.” The web 2.0 tools we’ve looked at in this class, and the ones I’ve explored on my own, are all open ended. Students have the freedom to do whatever they want to with these tools. Older teachers fear these open ended options for students, but as librarians and tech embracing teachers, we have a job to show them the unknown is not something to fear. They can give us the option of connecting with our students and involving them in a safe web atmosphere. We can help them to navigate and understand this digital world that we live in.

Google

I'm a really big fan of Google and all of the applications that it has to offer users, educators, and students. When I worked as a public librarian, we used Google Docs for schedules and statistics. It worked great because no matter what library we were out at, we always had access to that information. We even used Google Forms to schedule programs in all 37 libraries. It worked great because so many times librarians would claim they sent in the form weeks ago, but the time stamp feature works wonderful! However, there were many librarians that fought the idea of even using this easy free tool. It is instances like this one that demonstrate that teaching students is only a small portion of the battle we face when using Web 2.0 tools. We must work to change the minds of educators who have been in the field for many years who are resistant to change so that they realize that many benefits of using these tools.