Assignment+4

Completing the course modules and tasks has enabled the extensive study of a variety of social networking technologies. Schools need to reflect the shifts and trends occurring in society by increasing the usage of digital devices and Web 2.0 tools for social networking and therefore preparing students to be successful members of society. As referred to in OLJ 3 (Kane, 2010) when schools create effective websites and utilise social networking tools such as blogs, Facebook, Edmodo and podcasts, they improve the effectiveness of communication, collaboration, creation and sharing. As the OCLC report mentions (2007, p.2-1), we have utilised social networking for thousands of years, however the introduction of digital devices has facilitated the sharing of interests, skills and knowledge and has removed the geographical hindrance.
 * Part A **
 * 1. Demonstrate an understanding of social networking technologies. **

TL’s need to address the shifts and changes occurring in society and prepare our students to become successful members by addressing and meeting their needs and utilising Web 2.0 tools and digital devices in the library. However, they are also obligated to abide by our duty of care and teach responsible and safe practice. As cited in OLJ 1 (Kane, 2010) Meredith Farkas addresses many ways that the library and information professional can move into the 21st century by incorporating concepts, theory and practice. Farkas (2007) reiterates the need for the TL and library to follow the procedure of creating the learning culture, opening the lines of communication, addressing the needs of all individuals and finally selecting and applying the appropriate Web 2.0 tools.
 * 2. Demonstrate and understanding of concepts, theory and practice of Library 2.0 and participatory library service. **

OLJ 2 on ‘The A to Z of Social Networking for Libraries’ provides a list of concepts and tools for the 21st century that should be addressed by all information professionals. Information professionals choose tools to meet the needs of the user and therefore encourage collaboration, communication, creation, sharing and participation. Harris (2010, p.1) and Cevalenza (2008, p.1) supports the use of organisation endorsed social networking tools. Two tools include;
 * 3. Critically examine the features and functionality of various social networking tools to meet the needs of users. **


 * The Raps and Book Raps site is a literacy blog site used to enhance student learning by providing access and discovery learning resources, tools for authoring and collaborative tools such as forums and online workspaces relating to selected texts. It’s a tool that can be implemented from Kindergarten to year 12 and fits well with any English, Literacy or accelerated literacy programs.


 * BlogEd as cited in OLJ 2 (Kane, 2010) allows communication, publishing, collecting, storing and sharing of information, collaboration and evaluation of self and from others.

OLJ task 1 and 2 (Kane, 2010) both highlight the importance of social networking in education and the appropriate selection of tools relating to individual’s needs. The skills and knowledge obtained through completion OLJ 1 and 2 enables emerging information professionals to apply appropriate tools based on the specific needs of individuals. For example when selecting technologies and software, the needs of the group, the skills, knowledge and time required implement them should all be considered. The completion of the first assessment task aided the achievement of this learning objective, as studies of the Morgan Community of Schools, recommended the introduction of Edmodo as their first social networking tool. It would enable the connection of teachers and staff across four schools, and consequently encourage communication and collaboration in relation to programming, planning, assessing, budgeting, and the sharing of resources etc.
 * 4. Evaluate social networking technologies and software to support informational and collaborative needs of workgroups, communities and organisations. **

An appreciation of these issues linked to a socially networked world and the need for appropriate information policies was gained through the undertaking of OLJ 3. For example OLJ 3 (Kane 2010) demonstrated that if technology becomes cheaper, smaller, more powerful and readily available to the broader general public, then older forms of communication, such as newspaper will declining in popularity as people increasingly use new forms such as twitter. From OLJ 3, Kroski (Kane, 2010) acknowledges that the media tools of today are powerful communication devices. She adequately sums up the importance of policy by stating that “While the wild popularity of these apps has opened up a world of opportunity for developing brands and building communities, the social and extremely public nature of these services also brings potential hazards”. Also in OLJ 3, Wittenberg (Kane, 2010) acknowledges that our students clearly want to explore the content and tools available through the Web, however they need guidance in selecting and evaluating the information that they find. She believes in identifying their existing knowledge and preparing students to be successful contributors to the world of learning and information. It is for these reasons that we need to establish clear guidelines as to how we will implement social media into the school environment.
 * 5. Demonstrate an understanding of the social, cultural, educational, ethical and technical management issues that exist in a socially networked world and how information policy is developed to support such issues. **

Before commencing INF 506, the extent of my social networking experiences encompassed the use of Blogs for individual tasks, along with Wiki’s and Skype for group tasks and YouTube for research. I also had experience with the use of Blog Ed in a primary school setting. If I was to rate myself as a social networker prior to INF506, I would definitely have achieved a ‘Not Yet Competent’. However, upon completion of the subject my skills, knowledge and variety of tool usage have improved tenfold, so that a ‘Competent’ would be granted.
 * Part B **

In Assignment 1, I initially stated that I would like to extend my knowledge and experiences in the use of;


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Facebook,


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Twitter,


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Flickr,


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Wikis,


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Del.icio.us.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">The two latter tools had been previously used in other subjects in the course. Little did I know that this would barely scratch the surface of what I have been able to investigate and use during this course. I have become competent in the use of the above mentioned tools along with others such as;


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Ta Da Lists,


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">RSS Feeds,


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Second Life,


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Twitter vision. Com,


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Creative Commons


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Edmodo


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Google Docs.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Whilst I have only scratched the surface of social networking and recognise the plethora of what is available via Web 2.0, I do believe that with experience comes confidence. Once you begin to experiment with tools, the fear and anxiety is removed, intrigue begins and your confidence increases. Once my confidence increased and I began to use the tools more, I realised that many them were similar in terms of usage and that my skills increased with practise. If at any time I was unsure about a tool or wanted to find alternate solutions, I used my personal learning network (PLN) and Web 2.0. For example, I needed a NSW Department of Education and Training endorsed tool similar to Facebook to support a Community of Practice. Facebook and Twitter became the ideal tools to communicate my Moodle proposal and resulted in my PLN introducing Edmodo as a solution.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">The implications of my development as an information professional will become more apparent this year. Upon re-entering the work force in 2011 after having been at home, I will be in an ideal position to commence the practical application of the knowledge, skills and understanding of Web 2.0 and some specific social networking tools in the classroom. In my TAS position, I am looking forward to putting my knowledge into practice by introducing tools such as:


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Google Docs for group tasks;


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Edmodo for general class use, for collaboration and communication with students, other schools and colleagues and for the library and RSS feed functions;


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Using Creative Commons to complete tasks;


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Podcasts to create ‘how to videos’ based on practical tasks which could be made by myself or students to facilitate knowledge and sharing;


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Blogs and wikis to create paperless design portfolios;


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Tada lists for prac requirements, assessment tasks, revision lists;


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">You tube or similar tools such as kickyoutube or school tube as a research tool.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Finding the balance between the online and offline worlds, a platform for collaboration and communication that students can relate to and searching for tools that meet needs, have been important values learnt during the course and will shape my professional development as a social networker. I am looking forward to starting to apply appropriate tools which will enable me to reach students at a level that they are interested in whilst teaching the skills needed to ‘learn how to learn’.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">I intend to commit to seeking out new and interesting social networking tools and exploring ways in which they could be applied to school life both for my own usage as a teacher and with students. Web 2.0 tools are ideal for information professionals such as myself, who reside in rural areas as they enhance the opportunity to network with others whilst encouraging the professional development of oneself and colleagues. I intend to liaise with the qualified TL at my school for professional development purposes and practical experience, also for a more collaborative relationship for my own class groups. INF506 has also aided in the extension of my theoretical knowledge in website development and it is a professional goal of mine to be able to be actively and collaboratively involved in the development or upgrade of a school or library website. I hope to be able to achieve this by working closely with another staff member in my faculty who is responsible for this role at the school.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">== References ==

== <span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;">Cevalenza, J. (2008). When YouTube is blocked (way more than eight ways around) In //School Library Journal//. Retrieved on 15th December 2010 from <span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">( <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[] <span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">) == = <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">De Rosa, C., Cantrell., J., Havens, A., Hawk, J. & Jenkins, L. (2007). //Sharing privacy and trust in our networked world: A report to the OCLC membership.// Dublin, Ohio: OCLC [ebook] Available [] = <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Farkas, M. (2007, January 23rd). Youtube, UC Berkley Events (Executive Producer) //Building Academic Library 2.0//. Academic Library 2.0 Distance Learning Librarian Norwich University, Northfield Retrieved from [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Harris, C. (2010). Friend me?: School policy may address friending students online, //School Library Journal//, 1 April. Available @http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6724235.html

= <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">Kane, K. (2010). //Kathryns – social network//. Retrieved on 15th November 2010 from http://kathryns-socialnetwork.wikispaces.com/Kathryn+readings+and+thoughts = = <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">Kroski, E. (2009). Should Your Library Have a Social Media Policy? In //School Library Journal.// Retrieved 15th December 2010 from <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11pt;">[] = The Library Channel ASU (Executive Producer). (2010, December 6th). //The Library in a Minute.// Youtube retrieved from []

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Wittenberg, K. (2007). //Credibility of content and the future of research, learning, and publishing in the digital environment.// The Journal of Electronic Publishing, 10(1). Available @http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=jep;cc=jep;rgn=main;view=text;idno=3336451.0010.101

= <span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">xplanevisualthinking (Executive Producer). (2009, December 20th) //Did You Know 4.0//. Youtube retrieved from []  = = <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">(2010, 22nd January, <span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">). <span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;"> A to Z of Social Networking for Libraries <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal;">in //Social Networking Librarian Exploring Social Networking and Technologies In Libraries// on the // Social Networking for Libraries // blog. Retrieved on 20th November 2010 from [] =