Illinois libraries have the well-deserved reputation for leading the pack when it comes to innovation, service and creativity. In order to fuel the fire for continued leadership WJIL is launching a Focus on Learning. In this Special Edition of What’s New @ WJIL you’ll find free opportunities to learn more from content and colleagues with the added benefit of no travel. Prepare for the future by taking the time to learn today!

Contents: Resources | Courses and Learning | Community | What could I do with…? | What’s New RSS Feed

“What’s New” RSS Feed

Want the latest “What’s New @ WJIL” to come to you? Add the RSS feed to your blog reader.
[http://webjunctionworks.org/il/blog/index.php/category/new-wj-il/feed/]

Resources

WJIL Course Catalog Help

• Did you know that we’ve created a page in the WJIL Illinois Center specifically to help you with the WJIL Course Catalog? You’ll find troubleshooting guides for launching your courses, A WJIL Course Catalog Guide, and Course Registration Guidelines.    We want to make it as easy as possible for you to use this free resource.
• Path: [Illinois Center » Illinois Learning Center » WJIL Course Catalog Help]

WJIL Course Catalog Competencies

• Visit the course catalog and you will see a new tab that reads Competencies. WebJunction has been compiling an index of the full spectrum of library practice and service competencies, starting with library management. This index will lead you to courses and content that address the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to manage a library—such as budgeting and funding, strategic planning, and project management. Watch for additional sections of the index—including Technology, Library Services, and more—to roll out soon, and read up on how to use the Competencies effectively in your learning experience.
• Path: [WJIL Course Catalog]

Resources for Learners

• Having trouble finding the time to complete your online course? Need something to notify others in your office that you’re “In Training” even though you’re sitting at your computer? Visit the Resources for Learners, click on the Documents tab and find practical and relevant help for your professional development.
• Path: [Library Management » Training & Development » Resources for Learners]

Wimba Classroom Guides and Tutorials

• Most of the “live” online learning that WJIL and WJ deliver is via the Wimba Web conferencing software. All you have to do is make sure your computer is compatible with the software before attending the session. You can find a short video tutorial and other guides that will help you prepare yourself and your computer for a Wimba session by clicking on the link above.
• Path: [Illinois Center » Illinois Learning Center » Online Learning » Wimba Classroom]

CPDU Credits for WebJunction Courses

• If you are a school librarian or working on your certificate renewal, you can earn Continuing Professional Development Units (CPDUs) credit by taking WebJunction Illinois courses. Click on the link above to find out how.
• Path: [Illinois Course Catalog]

Courses and Learning

WJIL Course Catalog

• Where else could you find over 600 online learning opportunities in one place - for FREE? The Illinois State Library pays for this wonderful opportunity through the subscription cost for the WJIL site. Any employee or trustee of an Illinois library can be a registered user of WJIL and take advantage of the course catalog. We simply ask that you follow the course enrollment guidelines.
• Take advantage of a statewide learning cohort by joining the Course of the Month Group (see additional instructions below in the Community section). The selected courses for February are Dreamweaver CS3: Setting up a Site and Adding Content in Dreamweaver CS3 and Implementing and Evaluating Self-Directed Learning.
• Path: [Illinois Course Catalog]

LibraryU Courses in the WJIL Course Catalog

• A select number of the highly popular LibraryU courses have now been converted and added to the WJIL Course Catalog. These courses are free to all registered WJIL users, and do not count against the available course credits that we have on the site. So feel free to reaquaint yourself with an old friend (LibraryU) wearing a new outfit (different software).
• Path: [Illinois Course Catalog - Click on LibraryU under the Featured Course Providers]

WebJunction and WebJunction Illinois live online learning

• WebJunction Global offers an ongoing stream of free live online webinars and workshops. Upcoming sessions include topics such as “Spanish Language Outreach in Tough Economic Times” and “Technology Services for Children” as well as a “23 Things Summit” in March. Attend any session live online and get the chance to interact with the presenter and participants. Can’t make the scheduled time? Look for the archive of the session along with all accompanying materials in the Webinar Archives.
• WebJunction Illinois staff also offer select live sessions online. You can find all of these sessions listed on L2 by selecting the “Event Format” of Web Conference and scoping to the Illinois State Library as the sponsor. Upcoming sessions include WJIL: Welcome to 2.0 and WJIL: Intro to TechAtlas in Illinois.
• Path: [Member Center » Events » Webinars]

Community

Course of the Month Group: A statewide learning cohort

• Ever noticed how hard it is to motivate yourself to enroll and complete a self-paced course? We’ve all experienced it. In fact the average completion for online learning is only about 25-30 percent. That means that around 3/4 of us that enroll in any self-paced course don’t ever actually finish it. That’s why we’ve created the Course of the Month Group on WJIL. Follow the instructions on the Group page to join the group, enroll in the selected courses for this month, then use the Discussion tab on the Group page to share your experience and encourage others to complete their learning. For more tips on  how to use the Course of the Month effectively, see the “What can I do with…” section below or read the Course of the Month Instructions and Tips.
• TIP: When you go to the Course of the Month Group page, check out the selected courses and then decide if you want to join the group. You can then join by clicking on “Join Group” in the Group Members box if you choose to. When you want to go back to the Group page, log into WJIL and then click on “My WebJunction” from your “My Account” portlet. You’ll be able to access all of your Groups, Courses and other WJIL activities on your own customized page.

Jennie Alexander’s LibraryU module featured on WebJunction

• Some of you may have known Jennie Alexander the former Director of the Mt. Zion District Library. We are pleased that the WebJunction staff have chosen the LibraryU module that Jennie authored  – Directors ASK (Administrator Secret Knowledge) as their featured course of the month. We truly feel that this is a living tribute to Jennie’s willingness to share her expertise and mentor others in librarianship.

WJIL Course Catalog Survey

• Please share your experiences in browsing, enrolling and launching courses in the WJIL Course Catalog. Help us make your Course Catalog experience better by providing your feedback.

What Could I do with the Course of the Month Group?

Some of you are probably asking yourself how in the world you’re going to add one more thing to your already busy schedule. Where will you find time to take a course (even if it is online), much less talk about it with others? Creativity may be the answer. Find ways to incorporate this vital learning activity into your personal and organizational schedule. Here are some tips that might help:

1. Have all library staff take the course of the month and plan internal discussions around how it can be applied in your library.

2. Browse the member list on the Course of the Month group page and invite a group member from another part of the state to become a learning partner with you.

3. Plan a regional follow up face-to-face discussion session for those who take the Course of the Month to share mutual experiences and action plans. Meet at a central library location or your System headquarters.

4. Set aside focused and deliberate time to take the course you have chosen and remove distractions from your learning environment. Use the E-Learning Approval form to formalize your learning experience and the Door hanger for E-Learners to let others know when you are in a learning session.

5. Use the Discussion threads on the Course of the Month Group page to share how you plan to make the most of this learning cohort in your organization.

6. If you are not able to take one of the selected courses for February, go ahead and join the group and come back next month to see what the selected courses are.

7. Submit a suggestion through the Group discussion board for a future Course of the Month.