When thinking about social networking sites and how they would apply to media centers in particular, I referred to our Library 2.0 book which gave many applications to consider:
-Social networking sites provide a new way for patrons to interact with the library.
-Social networking sites are forcing libraries to reexamine their roles and identities, and to rethink strategies toward remaining visible and valuable to users.
-Social networking sites enable libraries to "speak the language" of their patrons and to find out what they are intersted in.
-Social networking sites are a great way to "show the patrons the library".
-Social networking sites are a good way to "assess the patrons" through the use of surveys and focus groups.
-Social networking sites can be used by media specialist to interact with their patrons that are unfamiliar with the traditional research process.
-Social networking sites can be used for event promotion.
-Social networking sites can be used for outreach, educating patrons, and word of mouth.
I've personally used LibraryThing for saving and sharing my favorite book lists. I thought it was great and fun to use. As society continues to embrace web 2.0 technologies, we as media specialists must do the same in order to "speak" our patron's language. My personal focus is in elementary schools, so face-to-face sharing and applying is how we best educate. However, as our students move toward middle and especially high school, we must be savy enough to "speak in their language" or we'll lose their interest and respect.
The challenge with all social networking applications is filtering, especially in school settings. It will be interesting to see how this issue "plays out" in the future.
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Teresa,
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point about how as students progress from elementary to middle and high schools, we must be able to speak their language regarding technology. I think technology has become second nature to kids. They've grown up with it and are far more comfortable sharing information over it than they should be. But with experience and maturity they will understand boundaries. I believe that social networking sites such as Library Thing, Delicious, and Voice Thread will play their part in classroom learning due simply to convenience. They store a wealth of information that can be accessed from any internet ready place. They're also a fun and engaging way to interact with peers. I think as Media Specialists it will be our job to set the parameters for how social networking sites are received and utilized in education. As we become more proficient with them, I believe we will look for ways to engage this type of technology into the classroom
Andrea- you are so right about technology being second nature to children. My daughter created a “Bebo” page like it was nothing; meanwhile, her mother is struggling to create a webpage for her discipline area at school!
ReplyDeleteTeresa-The Web 2.0 book makes some valid points especially that fact that social networking makes media center examine their role and rethink strategies. As students become more tech savvy, the role of the media center and media specialist will certainly change. Another great point is that social networking sites provide a new way for patrons to interact with the media center. This is so important in keeping the media center vital to the school. I enjoy many of the social networking sites that you both mentioned. I know that our students are very knowledgeable and would benefit from many of them.