Week 1: Let’s get started

Welcome to the State Library of NSW Learning 2.0 program. Learning 2.0 is an online program to learn more about emerging technologies on the web that are changing the way people, society and libraries access information and communicate with each other.

Watch: this short video clip Web 2.0 ... The Machine is Us/ing Us illustrates the rapid development of web based communication and information tools and the way they encourage collaboration. [hint: to enlarge the YouTube screen look for a small button at the bottom righthand corner]

Over the course of the next twelve weeks, this website will highlight a selection of these technologies with Discovery, Exploration and Adventure exercises to help you become familiar with blogging, RSS news feeds, tagging, wikis, podcasting, online applications, and video and image hosting sites. A new post will appear each week.

Each lesson will introduce a technology or application. There will be three exercises for you to complete

• Discover ~ what is it and what can it do?
• Explore ~ using the technology and commenting on it
• Adventure [optional] ~ a fun exercise to learn even more

You should be able to complete the program by spending 15 minutes a day working through these activities. If you need help with any activity please contact Ellen or Mylee, or work with your fellow test pilots.

To familiarize yourself with this project, be sure to read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. These FAQs should answer most of your questions about this program. And if you don't see your question answered just add it to the FAQ page as a blog comment.

Before we embark on this new online learning and discovery journey lets take a few minutes to review the Seven and 1/2 Habits of Highly Successful Lifelong Learners as identified by Helene Blowers who created the original Learning 2.0 program.

• Habit 1 – Begin with the end in mind
• Habit 2 – Accept responsibility for your own learning
• Habit 3 – View problems as challenges
• Habit 4 – Have confidence in yourself as a competent, effective learner
• Habit 5 – Create your own learning toolbox
• Habit 6 – Use technology to your advantage
• Habit 7 – Teach and mentor others
• Habit 7 ½ – PLAY!

Discover: Follow this link for a Wikipedia definition of Lifelong Learning

Explore: watch actor Stephen Fry discuss Web 2.0.

So fasten your seat belts, grab your mouse and get ready for a discovery adventure… Be sure to tune in every Monday, for the next "thing" or discovery item ... or better yet, subscribe to the RSS feed. [Don’t panic we’ll cover RSS in week 4.]

Adventure: –We will have our first Adventure activity next week.

Next Week: Creating your blog so you can begin tracking your journey.