Libraries and Knowledge

I  joined the Library 2.0 network and watched a recorded webinar from the  Library 2.0 conference. I learned that instructional systems design is about creating a learning experience and that the new librarian's mission is to facilitate knowledge creation - like Michael Wesch says, to move from knowledgeable to knowledge-able.  I also learned about interactive OER's - and that libraries are in a great position to give more awareness to these resources, and create resources in MOOC's (they mentioned Coursera and Udacity).  I also learned about the Open Educator Resources Commons and Merlot II. I noticed though that when I searched for resources in both of these places I didn't always get quality results.  Merlot also had resources that were only available from "partners."  I remember seeing Merlot before when I worked for an educational video company for years.  We created videos and then clipped the videos and animations and sold short instructional "digital media assets." I remember finding Merlot as a possible partner for us to sell our media assets to.

I have thought more about what types of knowledge libraries offer access to and  the shift to offer more open resources. The Massive Open Online Course movement is amazing.  I am still wondering about the future of textbooks and authority of content and how open education resources will continue to change how we access and create knowledge.

Redefining the research process

Today, I took out an "old" document from 2009 that I created as my own model for the research process. It combined the research models of the Big 6, with Guided Inquiry, and Jamie McKenzie's Questioning process called The Research Cycle (during research one questions leads to new questions like a cycle, not a step-by-step process).  Looking at this old document helped me think about which of the Big 4 learning theories I use in instruction.  I noticed behaviorism, cognitivism and constructionism theories in my original model, however I didn't notice any connectivism. I would like to update this model considering the 4 theories and incorporating more of the connectivism theory.  There are also many more organizing tools such as evernote available.  At first I thought I should make the mini course for students, however I wonder if it makes more sense for teachers to be my audience?  I also need to consider I am in an Elementary school and remember my grade level appropriateness.