I just read the article by Will Richardson, "The New Face of Learning: The Internet Breaks School Walls Down". I found his thoughts to be very similar to my own when thinking about Web 2.0 and traditional education. I agree that there are educators out there who are intimidated by the big, bad internet and are not using the resources available to them because of their fear. However, there is a new generation moving into education and we are trying to change the idea that Web 2.0 does not have a place in school. A major role of the LMS is to make sure that technology is being taught and incorporated into lessons in the library. If there are teachers and administrators that are not familiar with these tools then they are most likely not going to use them in the curriculum. If the LMS stays connected to current technology then the students will be able to count on the library for their Web 2.0 needs. This is a great way to promote the library as well. Advertising our skills to teachers and students can only increase library use, especially when teachers do not want to teach technology in their classes.

We must reevaluate what literacy and education is in a time where information is plentiful. If this is the kind of education students are flocking to then we need to support that and make sure they are given the tools to successfully evaluate this information and use it responsibly.

I have this friend who I have known since college. He loved to talk books and stay up all night discussing the latest novel he was reading. Since college he has been working with computers. Now when I talk to him and ask him what he's reading he says "I haven't really read anything lately besides the news online". I continue to tell him that that is just not like him and he really needs to read a book! He tried to convince me that when he tries to read books now his eyes get tired easily and he can't focus after a couple of pages, no matter how interesting the book is. I just don't believe it. In fact, I get frustrated with him when he makes excuses like that. Get glasses, focus more, do something!

Then I read the Carr article and he is making the same excuses. I understand that after spending years on the internet doing research that your skills become more honed in that area. I just can't bring myself to believe that the internet is changing our brains. I spend a lot of time on the internet and I am able to read books without losing focus after a few minutes. I need more research to be convinced of this.

On another note, I am a Google lover. I love having a random question that can be answered in minutes. I love being given choices when I Google a topic and seeing what kind of information is available. My husband, on the other hand, thinks that Google is an evil spy. He does not like that Gmail can "read" what you're emailing about and then put up advertisements for it. "This is just the beginning of Google's evil plan to take over the world". I must say, it makes me laugh. Maybe he's right but it just doesn't bother me yet. I love too much of what the Google genius' have offered me. GoogleDocs, GoogleMaps, GoogleSketch, GoogleEarth; I could go on and on. Ok, so it's a monopoly but is a monopoly so bad if they're producing really cool programs? I'll revisit this question in a few more years and see where Google is at...