Each One Teach One: How Library Staff Learn and Teach

If the Internet can be used to post videos, pick up a new hobby or participate in a three-way, international video chat, surely it should be used to learn in the library. Librarians can participate in online, or distance learning, or they can instruct their patrons on how to do so. The first time I experienced asynchronous learning was at Chicago State University via Moodle. My professor used Moodle, a free, web application to send us assignments that were completed and returned to her without real-time interaction. Recently, a trial run of a synchronous, or real-time, connection took place with a classmate on Skype.  Aside from a few technical difficulties—a malfunctioning microphone or lack thereof—the preliminary interaction was a success.

My students love seeing pictures of their favorite authors. A popular website, www.readingrockets.org, offers actual videos of R.L.Stine, Patricia Polacco and others which allow us to welcome our beloved writers into our library on a regular basis. I remember how excited I was two winters ago when my Children’s Literature professor called Tortilla Sun author Jennifer Cervantes via Skype. How fortunate we were to share with her how we felt about her award-winning book. This lucky number 13 chapter in John Burke’s technology guide has reminded of that great experience, one that my laptop, LCD projector, screen and Skype account will help me to relive with my students.