TLC 2.0

Rich Ackerman August 14th, 2007

BCL Home | BCL Prizes | BCL FAQ | BCL 23 things

1. How does this online learning program work?
2. Is this program open to all Broward County Library staff or just some?
3. How long do I have to complete the program?
4. How do I track my progress for each of the 23 Things?
5. If I’m not a library staff member, can I still participate?
6. Why 23 things instead of having participants do 43 things like the website?
7. Will there be any training classes offered to show staff how to do this?
8. I’ve seen the list of 23 Things on the website, but how do I know what to do with them?
9. Can I work ahead through the list of items on my own?
10. What if I need help – who can I call?
11. I would like to earn the prizes but don’t feel comfortable with my co-workers reading my blog, can I participate anonymously?
12. Once I complete all 23 things, how do I get my prize?
13. When will the drawing take place for the grand prizes?
14. Are there any guidelines or rules for blog posts?
15. What if I don’t receive my password? 

• 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 formal 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 to’s” — both in person and through their blogs. We will offer an ‘open lab’ format throughout the course of the program, where, if you are really stuck and unable to understand or complete one of the Things (lessons) you may contact the Computer Center Manager at the any Regional Library or AF, TA and WE for an appointment.  At Main Library, you may contact Debby Bradford, Dave Jess or Marty Onieal.  Additionally, each week, there will be a Virtual Coach for you to contact by e-mail or phone. The designated Virtual Coach will be most familiar with the content for that week. ^ Top 
• Is this program open to all Broward County Library (BCL) staff or just some?
  YES! This program is open to ALL library staff regardless of position and status (full and part time), as long as you receive permission from your supervisor to participate from beginning to end of the learning program.

  We are planning to have another TLC session later in FY 08, so if you can’t come PLAY and learn with us this time, you’ll have another chance in 2008. If you are not a member of the BCL staff, you are welcome to follow along; however the library cannot award you any prizes for completion.
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• How long do I have to complete the program? The program kicks off on Thursday, October 11th, 1:30pm, with BCL’s official The Learning Challenge 2.0 party at the African American Research Library & Cultural Center. and wraps up on Thursday, January 10, 2008 at a BCL location TBA. .  Staff that complete all 23 Things by January 5, 2008 will qualify for the special Grand Prize drawing at the wrap up party.^ Top
• 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. You will need to register with The TLC 2.0 blog as well as register your own blog with the TLC 2.0 blog. Each time you complete one of the 23 Things, log in to the TLC 2.0 blog and click on the Record Your Next Thing link.
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• If I’m not a library staff member, can I still participate?
  Yes, by all means. However, BCL cannot award you any incentives or prizes for completion. You can track your progress through the 23 Things list found on the 43Things site (we’re doing 23, not 43 things, though). Anyway, we welcome participants from other libraries to join in the fun and follow along.
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• Why 23 things instead of having participants do 43 things like the website?
  Given the time frame of the program, the number of “things” was reduced so that staff already burdened with busy work schedules wouldn’t feel overwhelmed by having too many discovery exercises to complete in a week. Also, it takes a lot of effort to create and develop 23 separate exercises and podcasts.
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• 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.  Additionally, each week, there will be a Virtual Coach for you to contact by e-mail or phone. The designated Virtual Coach will be most familiar with the content for that week.Reading other staff member’s blogs can help, too. But, first give yourself the chance to PLAY. We bet you can figure a lot of this out on your own. Reading other staff member’s blogs can help, too.
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• I’ve seen the list of BCL 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 Learning Challenge 2.0 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.
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• 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 its completion. We also encourage you not too work ahead too fast, part of the program is the social aspect of the learning things together. If you want more of a challenge, try the extra exercises too!
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• 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 colleagues along your discovery journey. To find a list of staff participating see The Participants. If you simply imply cannot complete the lessons for the week by yourself, you may contact the BCL Virtual Coach for that Week.
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• I would like to earn the prizes but don’t feel comfortable with my co-workers reading my blog, can I participate anonymously?
  Yes & 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 qualify for the weekly incentives and for the Wrap Up Party final drawing, you will need to identify yourself when you register your blog with Learning Challenge 2.0. Only the project coordinators will know your true identity. Your record of progress will only be viewable to you on the Learning Challenge 2.0 blog, click on the Check Your Progress link (remember you must be logged in to the TLC 2.0 blog to record and view your progress).
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• Once I complete all 23 things, how do I get my prizes? If you complete your exercises each week you will automatically be entered into a drawing for one of the weekly prizes. In addition if you complete and record all 23 Things by January 5, 2008,  you will earn a special certificate and will qualify for the drawing to win one Grand Prize to be awarded at the wrap up party on January 10th. If you complete the 23 Things list after January 5th, you will not be entered into the final grand prize drawing.
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• When will the drawing take place for the grand prizes?
  The drawing for the GRAND PRIZE will take place on January 10th. In order to qualify for the drawing, staff must complete all 23 Things and log their progress by January 5th.
• Are there any guidelines or rules for blog posts? While there are no rules per se, these are a few things to keep in mind as you blog your progress:
  • Privacy? There is none! Everyone can read your blog, this is the nature of blogs in general. You can remain anonymous by choosing a generic name for the blog and hide your user profile if you wish. When you register your blog you will be asked to use your real name, but this information will only be seen by the BCL Virtual Coaches. This is to ensure that you can qualify for the staff prizes!
  • Keep in mind the type of posts you make and use discretion in mentioning names/places.
  • Copyright issues and intellectual content also apply to blogs.
  • Photo posting — When posting identifiable photos of other people (especially minors) it is advisable to get the person’s permission before posting their photo in a publicly available place like Flickr. Never upload pictures that weren’t taken by you (unless you have the photographer’s consent) and always give credit when you include photos taken by someone else in your blog.
  • Respect your colleagues’ thoughts and comments, but feel free to disagree, that’s how discussions ensue and change happens!
  • Read these points above again. Be aware and be appropriate on your blog.
  • HAVE FUN!

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What if I don’t receive my password? BCL staff with Outlook web access should change their Outlook settings before registering for The Learning Challenge.

1. Log into outlook web access email.

2. go to options

3.scroll down to Privacy and Junk E-mail Prevention

4. check the “filter junk email” box

5. unckeck the “block external content in html email messages.

6. scroll back to the top of the page click on “save and close”

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Did this completely answer your question? If not leave a comment or contact a virtual coach.

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