Frequently Asked Questions:

How does this online learning program work?  This is a self-discovery program which encourages participants to take control of their own learning and to utilize their lifelong learning skills through exploration and PLAY. Participants are encouraged to work together and share with each other their discoveries, techniques and "how to's" both in person and through their blogs. MSL staffers Lauren McMullen (lmcmullen@mtlib.org), Suzanne Reymer (sreymer@mtlib.org), Maggie Meredith (mmeredith@mt.gov)and Tracy Cook (tcook@mtlib.org) are also available to answer questions from registered participants.  

Is this program open to all Montana library staff?  This program is open to ALL library staff regardless of position and status (full and part time). If you are not a staff member of a Montana library, you are welcome to follow along on your own.

How long do I have to complete the program and how much time will it take?  The summer round of the Challenge will kick off on June 16, 2008 and will run through September 15, 2008.  This includes 10 weekly lessons, with an additional month's time to complete assignments or do some extra playing around with "things" of special interest.   The program will continue to be available after September 15, 2008, but MSL staff members will not actively track assignments after the closing date.  Since this is a self-directed learning program, you decide how much time you need to complete the lessons.  Some participants may choose to devote one hour per week; it can be broken up into 15 minutes a day.  Library Directors are encouraged to give staff work time to complete the program.  Participants who do the program at home or on their own time may elect to spend more time with the lessons.

How do I track my progress for each of the "23 Things"? All participants in the Challenge will keep a blog to track their progress. A minimum of one posting per lesson is required, but we hope you'll have more than that to blog about!

I don't feel comfortable with my colleagues reading my blog, can I participate anonymously? Yes, you can choose a "screen name" for your blogging identity if you want to remain anonymous.  However, you need to share your blog information with MSL staff so they can track your progress.

Will there be any training classes offered to show staff how to do this?  MSL staffers will offer face-to-face and online sessions discussing the uses of these tools during the Challenge.  Check the MSL Training Calendar for scheduled trainings.  You may also want to work with other staff members or contact other libraries to learn more about these topics.

What if I need help - who can I call?  Since this program is self-directed, you are encouraged to work with colleagues along your journey of discovery. Often you will find your questions answered by checking out other Participant Blogs.  You can also contact Suzanne, Lauren, Tracy, Maggie or other Challenge participants for help.

Will I receive Continuing Education (CE) Credit for this?  Yes this class is eligible for three units of CE credit in technology for the Montana Certification Program.  To date, the Office of Public Instruction has not approved this program for credit, but we are hoping that rules changes may allow OPI credit for programs like this in the future.  Once you have completed your assignments, please contact Sue Jackson (sujackson@mt.gov) or 1-800-338-5087 (in Montana) to pick up your form.

Ready to get started? Here's the link to Lesson 1.

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