The Web 2.0 Connection: An Exploratory Study of School Library Services for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Web 2.0 tools are often considered to be viable facilitators of learning (Gooding 2008). However, there is very little research documenting how Web 2.0 tools can be incorporated into school library programming (Libraries Worldwide, 17(2), 25-41, 2011; Library Hi Tech, 28(4), 617-631, 2010). This chapter will review findings from a study conducted to explore the relationship between Web 2.0 tools and school librarians' provision of services to students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), their teachers, and their parents and guardians. The participants of this study consisted of 508 school librarians in the USA who answered an online survey. The results indicate that school librarians who frequently use Web 2.0 tools are more likely to be comfortable providing services to students with ASD and their teachers. Moreover, school librarians who frequently use Web 2.0 tools are more likely to provide assistance to the parents of students with ASD. Finally, librarians who were familiar with Web 2.0 tools were also more likely to believe their libraries were equipped with technology to assist students with ASD. [For the complete volume, "Educational Media and Technology Yearbook, Volume 37," see ED595734.]