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familyBlogs, podcasts, wikis, webcomics, and social networks are just a few of the ingredients of today's technology-rich programs. This session explores a dozen key technologies along with important issues and practical strategies for their use. How will you "spice up" your program with emerging technology?

Programmatic Reasons for Technology

It's easy to get caught up in the "coolness" of technology, so it's essential that we step back and look at programmatic reasons for infusing technology. Let's explore two questions you might be facing:

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Recipes for Success: Specific Technologies for Specific Needs

Have you noticed how many things have changed with the introduction of technology? Let's say you need to create a dessert for a luncheon. Instead of heading to your recipe book, you might use AllRecipes.com and take photos of your results to share on Flickr. Consider how these same technologies are impacting your program.

Begin by determining the needs...

Ask Yourself: What are old services that can be eliminated? Consider:

Ask Yourself: How can we better promote our underused assets?

Ask Yourself: What are new services that can be added with little cost? Consider:

In this section of the presentation, we'll explore six specific technologies that will address specific needs.

1 - Need for Outreach

Needs

Solutions

Technologies

Recipe for Outreach:

  1. Identify a purpose for the blog
  2. Select meaningful content
  3. Develop a plan for ongoing entries
  4. Provide opportunities to comment
  5. Provide incentives to interact

2 - Need for Virtual Discussions and Social Interaction

Needs

Solutions

Technologies

Recipe for Virtual Discussions and Social Interaction

  1. Establish goal-oriented groups
  2. Select existing service or create new group/network
  3. Coordinate meaningful activities
  4. Stimulate or prompt discussions
  5. Monitor or moderate group activities

3 - Need for Virtual Assistance and Messages

Needs

Solutions

Technologies

Synchronous Tools (live, real-time communication) - Live Conferencing and Sharing
Use a video camera and microphone to communicate live.
Features: text, audio, video options; 2+ people; recording the event

Recipe for Virtual Assistance and Messages

  1. Identify the specific needs and likely users
  2. Test the service on a small group
  3. Determine whether widgets and links work on all systems or slow down the system

4 - Need for Online Learning Opportunities

Needs

Solutions

Technologies

Recipe for Online Learning Opportunities

  1. Identify learning needs
  2. Select or create learning resources
  3. Establish an online learning environment
  4. Nurture online learners

5 - Need for High Quality Information Access

Needs

Solutions

Technologies

Recipe for High Quality Information Access

  1. Identify popular topics
  2. Select interactive websites and quality starting points with Web 2.0 features and deep content.
  3. Develop pathfinders
  4. Use social bookmarks to encourage collaboration
  5. Incorporate RSS feeds

6 - Need for Local and Global Events, Programs, and Promotions

Needs

Solutions

Technologies

Recipe for Local and Global Events, Programs, and Promotions

  1. Connect with a local, regional, or global project
  2. Identify a local twist for a global project (one book, one community)
  3. Develop specific activities
  4. Create a shared experience (discussion or event) or environment (bulletin board)

Explore Web 2.0 resources and create your own recipes.

Look for libraries that are using Web 2.0 technology and see what works for you!

The Spice: New Technology, New Opportunities

Over the past few years, a new wave of technology known as Web 2.0 is moving people from being traditional information consumers to information contributors and creators. Let's explore some Web 2.0 tools that help consumers become creators.

1 - The Spice: Collaborative Content Creators

Old Way - Ask people to send in ideas and someone must put it all together.
New Way - Create synergy through ongoing collaboration.

Try Collaborative Creators! A Pinch of Spice

  1. Identify the need for original content and collaboration
  2. Establish the framework for the wiki
  3. Add sample content or a demo page
  4. Develop guidelines for wiki access and use
  5. Use the power of collaborative tools: multiple creators, editors, discussion

2 - The Spice: Audio Creators

Old Way - Attend live activities or you miss the action.
New Way - Record and share audio experiences.

Technologies

Try Audio Creators! A Pinch of Spice

  1. Identify timely topics.
  2. Create 30 second to 3 minute clips. For longer segments, establish "chapters"
  3. Use Audacity to mix and add music.
  4. When possible, use multiple voices and sound effects.

3 - The Spice: Comic Creators

Old Way - Build text-based communications.
New Way - Read graphic novels and create comic newsletters, posters, step-by-step instructions, scrapbooks, travel logs.

Comic Creators

Technologies

Try Comic Creators! A Pinch of Spice

  1. Pick a small project
  2. Try online tools
  3. Download Comic Life to try
  4. Share

4 - The Spice: Multimedia Creators

Old Way - Send in film and get back pictures for bulletin board.
New Way - Create multimedia shows for promotion and programs.

Multimedia Creators

Technologies

Try Multimedia Creators! A Pinch of Spice

  1. Take photos of events
  2. Create simple slide shows
  3. Share on library website.

5 - The Spice: Poll and Survey Creators

Old Way - Complete paper-based polls and surveys.
New Way - Embed surveys within online programs; engage visitors in interactive programs.

Poll and Survey Creators

Technologies

Try Poll Creators! A Pinch of Spice

  1. Identify a simple survey need.
  2. Select an online builder.
  3. Embed survey in library website or use kiosk

6 - The Spice: Online Tools

Old Way - Use paper and pencil and share with myself.
New Way - Use Web 2.0 tools and share with everyone.

Library Fun

Collaborative Whiteboard and Art Creation

Art Tools

Book Builder

Organizing, Notetaking and Highlighting

Creation Tools

Website Builders

Word Tools

Learn more at High Tech Learning: Interactives.

Try Online Tools! A Pinch of Spice

  1. Identify a Web 2.0 tool
  2. Identify an audience that might find this tool valuable
  3. Create an example to share

Mashups - combining 2 or more Web 2.0 applications together

Open Source Solutions

Mashups - combining 2 or more 2 Web 2.0 applications together

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Face the Issues

Although technology has lots of potential, it's also important to be aware of the drawbacks and obstacles:

Learn more at Intellectual Freedom for Youth.

Many of the Terms of Service agreements such as Twitter and Google state that users can only use the service if he/she can "form a binding contact" and are not "barred from receiving services" under the law. This is a sticky place for users under age 21. It's best to inform parents when these tools are being used in the classroom.

Putting It All Together

The options can be overwhelming. Ideas to get started:

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Developed by Annette Lamb, 6/2008. Updated 6/2010.