Web 2.0 Revisited/The Power of Twitter

In addition to implementing a new library software system at our elementary libraries this year,  another professional goal for me was to learn how to use some Web 2.0 tools.  I knew the library software conversion would be time consuming, so my plan was to use a few Web 2.0 tools; think about ways they could be used to enhance student learning; and really put them into practice next year.  I've dabbled with blogging, podcasting, and with social networking.  I have learned so much, and somewhere along this journey, the way I learn has changed.

One of the biggest surprises for me, and the one that has impacted my professional learning the most has been Twitter.   Twitter has allowed me to make connections with other professionals across the country, and the world.  Some are fellow library media specialists (or teacher librarians as they are referred to in other areas), public librarians, technology professionals, teachers, college professors, administrators, authors, publishers, etc.  This has allowed me to form a PLN (Personal Learning Network) larger and more diverse than would otherwise be available to me.  If two heads are better than one, how incredible is having all these heads to help me?  In 140 characters or less (which is all Twitter allows people to post at one time), my PLN keeps me informed of great web resources, new technology, best practices in education and in the world of libraries, current events/breaking news, and links to blog posts that challenge my thinking on a daily basis.  In a nutshell, Twitter (along with other web 2.0 tools), has changed my world.