Synchronous learning is finally coming to PLCMC. I’m so excited! What a great start to a new year!

Here’s a snippet of the email I sent out to staff:

An exciting new development in learning has arrived at PLCMC, O2L2 (Open Online Learning Live).

O2L2 was developed by technology scholar Tom Cole. O2L2 is a new, web-based platform that gives us the tools to deliver live, online staff and public programs, training, and more. Share content and exchange ideas with others—all from a computer at your location. Eliminating the need to travel between branches for programs, training, and meetings, O2L2 will save both time and money. This is not meant to replace any existing training or programs. Instead O2L2 will provide us with another avenue for learning and communication.

Staff interested in exploring O2L2 are invited to register for one or both of the following introductory sessions:

• O2L2 Drop in Sessions: Drop in for all or part of the hour to get an informal tour of O2L2 from technology scholar Tom Cole.

• Learn to Learn Online: A structured one-hour class that covers the tools within O2L2, explores the qualities of an effective synchronous learner, and gives participants a chance to experience an online class from start to finish.

We’ll be using WebJunction’s Live Space program to deliver the training.

It’s been interesting to hear my colleagues around the biblioblogosphere say that they want opportunities to attend virtual conferences or to even be a virtual participant. Some of the reasons cited have been things like travel costs, time away from work, etc.

I filled my car up with gas this morning and saw the gauge hit the $50 mark. It’s been a while (for me who was on leave for 9 months) since I have seen gas prices so high. As I was watching the sale price go up and up and up, I couldn’t help but think we really need to move forward with e-learning.

It’s for those reasons (and more) that I have been a huge advocate for e-learning. In my own organization we have over 550 staff spread across 23 locations. I usually teach 2-3 hour classes and it involves me arriving at least an hour early to set up and a 15-60 minute commute depending on where I hold the class. After the class is over another hour to pack up and commute back to the Main Library. So for each class there is an extra 2-3 hours of time spent on setup and traveling. During a normal month that could total to more than 24 hours. This doesn’t even factor in the commute time and mileage for the participants.

Hopefully this situation is about to change. We are in the process of signing a contract to use WebJunction’s synchronous learning platform LiveSpace. Tom Cole has been working on this project for his Technology Scholars program and I am excited that he has the momentum going on this project. He’s demonstrated the product for a few of our staff members and they have all been receptive and equally excited about using this as a platform for staff and public training, programs, and meetings.