FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions: (back to top)

• How does this online learning program work?
  This is a self-discovery program which encourages staff to take control of their own learning and to utilize their lifelong learning skills through exploration and PLAY. There will be no classes or workshops offered to support this program. Instead, staff are encouraged to work together and share with each other their discoveries, techniques and “how tos” both in person and through their blogs.
• Is this program open to all CML staff or just some?
  This program is open to ALL CML staff regardless of position and status (full and part time). If you are not a member of the CML staff, you are welcome to follow along, however the library cannot award you any staff prizes for completion.
• Why are we doing Learn & Play @ CML?
  There are many reasons why library staff need to learn about Web 2.0. Web 2.0 is not only a new technology, but it is helpful for learning about new technologies that many of our customers are already using. Some people think the Web is changing from an information resource to a place where people engage with online communities. As an organization, the library needs to understand these changes to best serve our customers. Besides, the library has already introduced some of the Web 2.0 elements to the website on the Power Tools Page. Learn & Play @ CML gives staff an opportunity to play with and learn about these tools at their own pace. As a rule, these tools are easy to use and are likely to gain more popularity over time.
• How long do I have to complete the program?
  Staff will have about 12 weeks to complete the program. It officially kicks off August 12, 2008, with two presentations by library speaker Michael Stephens, and officially wraps up on November 11, 2008. December 2, 2008. The deadline was extended!
• How do I track my progress for each of the 23 Things?
  Each staff member that chooses to participate in this program will be required to keep a blog to track their progress. Staff will also need to register each item completed in the Learn & Play @ CML Log found on CMLsi (register your blog during Week 2, which begins on Monday, August 18th).
• If I’m not a CML staff member, can I still participate?
  Yes, by all means! However, CML cannot award you any incentives or prizes or enter you into the completion raffle. We welcome participants from other libraries to join in the fun and follow along.
• Will there be any training classes offered to show staff how to do this?
  No, this is a self-directed learning program. If you feel you need assistance with an item, you are encouraged to be resourceful and to find a co-worker or another staff member who can help. Reading other staff member’s blogs can help, too.
• I’ve seen the list of 23 Things on the website, but how do I know what to do with them?
  Each week, two or three posts will be added to the Learn & Play @ CML blog with details about the discovery exercises for that week. The reason for this staggered approach is to allow participants the ability to focus each week on a different area without feeling overwhelmed.
• Can I work ahead through the list of items on my own?
  Yes, of course. You are encouraged to self-direct your discovery process, especially by working ahead on your own!! However, if you do work ahead on some items, be sure to check back on the exercise details for each item once they are posted so you can be sure to receive full credit for their completion.
• Can I do the activities at home or on my own time?
  You are given an allotted amount of time at work to participate. There is no expectation that you work on these activities off work time.  If you are having a hard time finding time to do the activities on work time, speak to your supervisor so some arrangement can be made to accommodate your training.
• What if I need help–who can I call?
  Since this program is self-directed and is being completed by many staff members throughout the system simultaneously, you are encouraged to work with your colleagues along your discovery journey. To find a list of staff participating see The Participants.
• I would like to earn the flash drive, but don’t feel comfortable with my co-workers reading my blog. Can I participate anonymously?
  Yes and no. Since you control all the information that you share on your blog, you can choose to use a screen name to identify yourself to keep yourself anonymous. However, in order to receive the flash drive and to qualify for the drawing, you will need to identify yourself on the Learn & Play Tracking Log found on CMLsi. Your record of progress will only be viewable to you on CMLsi.
• I already have a blog. Can I just use that for Learn & Play @ CML? Yes. Just tag your Learn & Play entries with “learnandplay” so we know which posts related to Learn & Play @ CML. Feel free to create a new learning blog to participate in the program, if you wish. All of the learning blogs will be linked in the Participants section of the Learn & Play @ CML blog.
• You said that I will have to use my blog to describe my experience with the “things.” How much do I have to write?
  You can write as much as you like. A good, minimal approach to this exercise is to answer four questions:

1. What is the technology?
2. What did you think of it?
3. How might this be useful (or not) to you personally?
4. How might the library use this (or not) to better serve our customers?

• When will the drawing take place for the laptop and other prizes?
  The drawing for the laptop and the other incentives will take place November 12th December 3rd. In order to qualify for the drawing, staff must complete all 23 Things and log their progress by November 11th December 2nd.
• How much time will it take to do all the 23 Things?
  Each item is designed to take a small amount of time, approximately 10 to 20 minutes. That means the whole project will take about 4 to 8 hours total to qualify for the 1GB flash drive and to be entered into the drawing for the other prizes. Some items may catch your interest, meaning that you will want to spend more time learning how it works in more depth. Some people may find certain activities harder to understand and it may take them longer. Other people may already be familiar with the tools and it will take no time at all. The goal is that you get to learn at your own pace and at convenient times.
• I was on vacation during the kick-off… I’ve got vacation planned in the middle of the activities… I was hired after the program started… Can I still participate?
  Yes, you can still participate if you missed the kick-off or went on vacation. New staff are welcome to try the 23 Things with the only caveat that the November 11, 2008 December 2, 2008, deadline stands if staff want to receive the incentives and be entered into the raffle.

Don’t find your question answered here? Then enter it is as comment below.