Death is enveitable...and taxes as Americans are aware of as they are due this week. I am a bit befuddled, I work at an a place where people tend to be close, we tend to actually like each other and so that is one of the reasons why this year has been rather difficult. My workplace, my community has lost a number of people ths year, a brilliant and humble musician, a cheerful and humble teacher and Dean, and now a lovely energetic and passionate woman who knew how to bring out the best of buildings and people.
Dr. Hsu was an absolutely lovely man. Unfailingly loving, engaging, brilliant, and rather understating ly mischievous, Dr. Hsu wanted to bring his students to the same love of music that he had, as well as the same love of the Savior. I referred to him in a post on the Masland Library blog here.
Dr. Hirt was also a great man, however I never had the opportunity to know him. My brother had that privilege as he was in his IJS class in 2006. He was always friendly and had a smile when he came to check out items from the library. Other people have shared their stories of Dr. Hirt on his Facebook page and it has been lovely reading them over and learning more about him and the way he invested in the lives of the students at PBU.
Today we found out that Lisa Weidman passed away. She worked as the VP of Communications and Marketing, I was always impressed with her, from her stylish hair and dresses to her tasteful, but fun office decor I could see that she was a woman who had traveled and seen many things but instead of allowing any of them to jade her, or using them as a tool to gain anything from anyone, these experiences grew and shaped her into someone that was as passionate about people as she was about her job. Yet she contributed so much of herself into the atmosphere of PBU and yet she contributed just as much time and prayer into her student workers- into the students who wanted to be more than a face in the crowd. She invested her time and presence into their lives in a way that was as intense and sudden as her time was with us at PBU. I can even forgive her for not having attended PCB when in school herself.
One of the things I loved about her was that while she had an entire school of agendas and needs, you never felt that when she was talking to you. She was able to make the most difficult of people feel flattered that she was listening to them an all without pomp or circumstance.
Her illness was sudden and rather brief so brief that I never had a chance to say thank you. I know that she knows, but I still wish that I had that chance. So here it is, thank you Lisa. Thank you for being you, and thank you for investing in the lives of so many students.
Now I have the wedding of a friend on Saturday and it will be interesting. My prayer is that they will come to know the One that all three of these people knew. My prayer is that people see Him as clearly in my life as I could see him in their lives.
09 April 2012
31 January 2012
More than PowerPoint
We live in a world where there is color, life, and infinite possibilities. Why is it then that in most presentations we inevitably bore our audiences by reading and presenting in a way that detracts from our purpose and message? By simply paying attention to style and design methods we can infinitely increase our likelihood of being heard.
There are reasons that we present a certain way. The human brain can only accept so much data at a time. So to avoid overwhelming our audiences and thereby losing our audiences we need to limit the number of points we are attempting to make to 3-4.
For a complete bibliography you can download it here.
If you would like to see an early version of Style and Design it is below.
Style and design
This isn't a complete list, but rather a sampling of ones that works best for presentations given at the undergrad/graduate level.
View more presentations from Laura Saloiye.
For a list of other online presentation tools see below:
For a list of other online presentation tools see below:
- · Prezi
- · Powerpoint
- · Keynote
- · Sliderocket
- · Kizoa
- · Qarbon
- · Camtasia
- · Screencast
- · Screencast-O-Matic
- · Jing
- · Slideboom
- · Slideshare
- · Vyew
- · Sparkol
- · Prezage
There are reasons that we present a certain way. The human brain can only accept so much data at a time. So to avoid overwhelming our audiences and thereby losing our audiences we need to limit the number of points we are attempting to make to 3-4.
Presentations and Learning Theory on Prezi
For more information on these tools you can download a brief Pros and Con list.
To see more on why this is important in the academic setting you can see the following presentation.
If you would like to see an early version of Style and Design it is below.
16 March 2011
04 March 2011
Modern Apologetics
Last night Philadelphia Biblical University hosted a chat with Dinesh D'Souza which was highly entertaining and challenging. Mr. D'Souza is an apologetist who has written a number of books including "What is so great about Christianity", a biography on Reagan and one on Obama. He also is known to be outspoken on his views and therefore is frequently on the debate circuit defending Christianity to "New Atheists". New Atheists differ from the intellectual atheists of the eighteenth century in that they no longer ignore the issue of faith but are forcibly against it. According to CNN, "What the New Atheists share is a belief that religion should not simply be tolerated but should be countered, criticized and exposed by rational argument wherever its influence arises." Due to this harsh and critical stance it is necessary for Apologists to stand up and create meaningful and accurate responses. Therefore Mr. D'Souza's lecture covered 3 main questions.
Slavery was also a common practice in ancient antiquity, the only group that protested slavery was Christendom (and slaves). Christendom was the first protesters who talked about human dignity or the rights of men to own other men. Democracy was built on the idea that no man can be master over the other without having his permission.
The next question was regarding whether or not Science disproves Religion. Mr. D'Souza's position is that not only does it not disprove religion, but due to most of the scientific discoveries during the twentieth century, religion and most especially a belief in a creator is proved by the discoveries. How? There are certain rates that must stay constant, sound, light, mass, gravity, otherwise the universe as we know it would literally not exist. Stephen Hawkings admitted as much, and most people agree with him that our universe is built like it is to maintain human life and the universes' dimensions.
The final topic we covered was whether or not Religion is/was responsible for the majority of warfare and genocides in the world. Mr. D'Souza's argument is that no, religion is only a valid main talking point in Islam, not Christianity/Christendom. In the 1100's the Crusades were violent and about Christianity, but in more recent history the Inquisition had about 2000 people killed during 350 years, and the Salem witch trials had less than 20. And while that was still wrong, the numbers or the concept has been blown out of the water. Israel/Palestine, Turkey/Pakistan are all about land, not religion.
Instead the crimes of Atheist rulers/leaders and their numbers is what is truly horrendous. Stalin, Hitler, China's Communist history have been responsible for more deaths than any other all in the name of no god, but man.
What Christians really need to do is to be informed and to stand up for their beliefs, wish-washy relativism is useless in the face of these learned men. They will not back down from their hostility of God, so we cannot back down from our faith in God. Become informed, and learn to critically think through an argument on faith and reason. Work in the media/publishing centers of the world if you want to make a difference in the world, otherwise we will only continue to give up ground. If Christendom were to stand together and stop fighting each other we might have a chance to truly counter the remarks of the enemy and change the "public" opinion and laws.
~LAS
Hooper, Simon. "The rise of the New Atheists". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/11/08/atheism.feature/index.html. Retrieved 2010-03-16.
- What has Christianity/Christendom done for the world?
- Does Science disprove Christianity?
- Is Religion or a Belief in God responsible for the majority of the world's murders/genocides?
Slavery was also a common practice in ancient antiquity, the only group that protested slavery was Christendom (and slaves). Christendom was the first protesters who talked about human dignity or the rights of men to own other men. Democracy was built on the idea that no man can be master over the other without having his permission.
The next question was regarding whether or not Science disproves Religion. Mr. D'Souza's position is that not only does it not disprove religion, but due to most of the scientific discoveries during the twentieth century, religion and most especially a belief in a creator is proved by the discoveries. How? There are certain rates that must stay constant, sound, light, mass, gravity, otherwise the universe as we know it would literally not exist. Stephen Hawkings admitted as much, and most people agree with him that our universe is built like it is to maintain human life and the universes' dimensions.
The final topic we covered was whether or not Religion is/was responsible for the majority of warfare and genocides in the world. Mr. D'Souza's argument is that no, religion is only a valid main talking point in Islam, not Christianity/Christendom. In the 1100's the Crusades were violent and about Christianity, but in more recent history the Inquisition had about 2000 people killed during 350 years, and the Salem witch trials had less than 20. And while that was still wrong, the numbers or the concept has been blown out of the water. Israel/Palestine, Turkey/Pakistan are all about land, not religion.
Instead the crimes of Atheist rulers/leaders and their numbers is what is truly horrendous. Stalin, Hitler, China's Communist history have been responsible for more deaths than any other all in the name of no god, but man.
What Christians really need to do is to be informed and to stand up for their beliefs, wish-washy relativism is useless in the face of these learned men. They will not back down from their hostility of God, so we cannot back down from our faith in God. Become informed, and learn to critically think through an argument on faith and reason. Work in the media/publishing centers of the world if you want to make a difference in the world, otherwise we will only continue to give up ground. If Christendom were to stand together and stop fighting each other we might have a chance to truly counter the remarks of the enemy and change the "public" opinion and laws.
~LAS
Hooper, Simon. "The rise of the New Atheists". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/11/08/atheism.feature/index.html. Retrieved 2010-03-16.
02 June 2010
Job and character
This article is one of the better ones I have read recently about working in today's society. The working world is not always an easy place, we are often called to move outside of our comfort zones to work on projects or teams for which we have had little practice. Instead of getting stressed and frustrated it is sometimes better to step back and see what God and Life are trying to teach you. Every new experience adds something useful to your outlook on life, and sometimes provides new listings for your resume.
Most of the students who interview at work have had little to no prior experience working in a library. To me that isn't as much of a problem as the student's attitude in the interview. It takes a special person to thrive in a library environment. Some of my best workers are students who had no experience, but were very hard workers. Attitude is at least 60% of the battle when working with new or learning students. (The other highest characteristic is someone who can think in an organized and structured way.)
For more job related tips check out this article from Relevant Magazine. http://ow.ly/1SZLO
Most of the students who interview at work have had little to no prior experience working in a library. To me that isn't as much of a problem as the student's attitude in the interview. It takes a special person to thrive in a library environment. Some of my best workers are students who had no experience, but were very hard workers. Attitude is at least 60% of the battle when working with new or learning students. (The other highest characteristic is someone who can think in an organized and structured way.)
For more job related tips check out this article from Relevant Magazine. http://ow.ly/1SZLO
13 April 2010
Conferences are great, but boy do they make me tired
I am currently attending Computers in Libraries in Arlington, VA (#cil2010). I think that it is one of my favorite conferences. There are some definite perks to this conference...1.) The food, free breakfast and 2 receptions, 2.) The technologies are library related, 3.) The topics discussed are current and most are free and instantly usable.
I could go on, but with just those few considerations I have already exceeded the benefits of most of the other conferences I have attended. The only problem with conferences such as these is that there is so much information to absorb and work through. One of the other problems is trying to determine what options from these workshops are actually something that is doable at your particular university.
More to come later as I clean up my notes.
17 June 2009
Relationships
Life is an interesting thing. I am constantly surprised by life and watching people live it. This is the season of weddings and working at a Biblical university means that there is a large portion of the student body getting married during their time here. I would imagine that all but 10% of the men in my graduating class were either married or engaged by graduation. At times this really bothered me, and when my student workers approach me about their relationships, which is somewhat inevitable, I always try to give them good advise. It isn't always easy, I am an observer of human nature and life, but I have not yet been on a date myself. So my advise doesn't necessarily have personal experience behind it.
I just read an interview from E-harmony with Steve Harvey, and it was something that I wish my school and church would talk about at an earlier stage in most of these students lives. His advise is biblically sound (for the most part, however the Bible does preach total abstinence before marriage not 90 days), and just very practical. I dearly wish I had this advise when I worked with Student Life.
So for now I will continue to observe and to understand, but I just thought this article was something that should be shared. It is hard for women my age in the church to find a spouse within the walls of the church. Most men my age are out "sowing their wild oats" and do not generally come back to the fold until a relationship brings them there. So many of my unmarried friends are disappointed with relationships but constantly longing for one. Maybe some of this advise might be good for them.
I just read an interview from E-harmony with Steve Harvey, and it was something that I wish my school and church would talk about at an earlier stage in most of these students lives. His advise is biblically sound (for the most part, however the Bible does preach total abstinence before marriage not 90 days), and just very practical. I dearly wish I had this advise when I worked with Student Life.
So for now I will continue to observe and to understand, but I just thought this article was something that should be shared. It is hard for women my age in the church to find a spouse within the walls of the church. Most men my age are out "sowing their wild oats" and do not generally come back to the fold until a relationship brings them there. So many of my unmarried friends are disappointed with relationships but constantly longing for one. Maybe some of this advise might be good for them.
01 April 2009
Computers and Libraries 2009 or What I think I may have learned...
~Blogging is Dead...sort of.
~Twitter is dead...sort of.
~Second Life is dead...yes (and thank heavens.)
~Usability is Alive...let the people rejoice.
~Web 2.0 is dying...well sort of.
~Facebook apps are either the best thing ever...or they are the kiss of death.
~We live in a post-desktop world, mobility is key.
~RFID tags will be everywhere (and in everything) so if you think we are currently living in the the land of too much information can be answered in the over used phrase "You ain't seen nothing yet."
~The Library world needs to create custom API's that users will love to use.
~Open source all knowledge.
~Create an environment that encourages learning.
~We need to re-think the Learning commons.
~Librarians need to be "Live-brarians."
~We have 2 ears and 1 mouth. Listen more than you talk.
~Make your library utterly irresistible and desirable.
~Teach your patrons to focus again.
~Test your labels. Change the environments.
These are just a few of the big ideas represented by the workshop and keynote leaders during the 2009 conference. Having never attended this event before I can state that I would love to go back and see what predictions for applications from this year will be on the chopping block at the next conference.
I took a lot of notes, I have complied a massive book list. Now I must take the information from this conference and try to assess what will work for my university and library. Watch for more to come, I am still digesting.
P.S. Apparently trips to Karaoke night are dangerous...
~Twitter is dead...sort of.
~Second Life is dead...yes (and thank heavens.)
~Usability is Alive...let the people rejoice.
~Web 2.0 is dying...well sort of.
~Facebook apps are either the best thing ever...or they are the kiss of death.
~We live in a post-desktop world, mobility is key.
~RFID tags will be everywhere (and in everything) so if you think we are currently living in the the land of too much information can be answered in the over used phrase "You ain't seen nothing yet."
~The Library world needs to create custom API's that users will love to use.
~Open source all knowledge.
~Create an environment that encourages learning.
~We need to re-think the Learning commons.
~Librarians need to be "Live-brarians."
~We have 2 ears and 1 mouth. Listen more than you talk.
~Make your library utterly irresistible and desirable.
~Teach your patrons to focus again.
~Test your labels. Change the environments.
These are just a few of the big ideas represented by the workshop and keynote leaders during the 2009 conference. Having never attended this event before I can state that I would love to go back and see what predictions for applications from this year will be on the chopping block at the next conference.
I took a lot of notes, I have complied a massive book list. Now I must take the information from this conference and try to assess what will work for my university and library. Watch for more to come, I am still digesting.
P.S. Apparently trips to Karaoke night are dangerous...
17 July 2008
TCLC Summer Camp
I am currently attending a TCLC summer camp on blogs and wikis in preparation for the launch of our Masland Library Blog. We are trying to create a better and more active library. Therefore we are working on the nitty gritty with blogs and wikis. If you have any questions or ideas, feel free to let us know.
15 December 2007
Done!!!!
I really do hate long papers. I have such trouble with communicating the thoughts that are going through my head. It would take a book series to completely express all of the information that I went through for this paper. I have something like 60 articles, and 9 books on my dining room table. The problem is I couldn't add them in, without sounding like a brainless moron. There is so much stuff out there. Much to my chagrin I didn't feel like it worked to add in hardly any of the philosophers but Berners-Lee. (Odd, I wanted to add this one Lessig comment dealing with the Kindle so badly, so I will leave it here.
Dr. Shulman, I do believe in Service learning, I am a convert, but doing it for one class I think is the problem. I think I am more of a advocate for it as a whole year or program long activity. I am only starting to receive back answers from a couple of the organizations I sent inquiries to now. Slow response time.
Okay I am off to work on some Christmas presents. Have a lovely Christmas, and a Happy New Year.
1. http://dig.csail.mit.edu/breadcrumbs/node/214
I just couldn't seem to add this without going off on some completely random tangent.)Lawrence Lessig: I have been doing this for about two years--more than 100 of these gigs. This is about the last one. One more and it's over for me. So I figured I wanted to write a song to end it. But then I realized I don't sing and I can't write music. But I came up with the refrain, at least, right? This captures the point. If you understand this refrain, you're gonna' understand everything I want to say to you today. It has four parts:
Creativity and innovation always builds on the past.
The past always tries to control the creativity that builds upon it.
Free societies enable the future by limiting this power of the past.
Ours is less and less a free society. 1
Dr. Shulman, I do believe in Service learning, I am a convert, but doing it for one class I think is the problem. I think I am more of a advocate for it as a whole year or program long activity. I am only starting to receive back answers from a couple of the organizations I sent inquiries to now. Slow response time.
Okay I am off to work on some Christmas presents. Have a lovely Christmas, and a Happy New Year.
1. http://dig.csail.mit.edu/breadcrumbs/node/214
09 December 2007
Mad as Hatters
Where things stand now.
++ what is the central question you paper speaks to?
The central question or observation is that there is indeed a divide, but the divide is different depending on your audience. Some of the questions being asked are "What can Service learning or Web 2.0 do to lessen these divides. Do student's or senior citizens acknowledge the divides? Is access the problem or is it more psychological?
++ what are the most relevant theories?
This is what I am currently working through. Rawls and Mills are two that I am currently working on. I also want to include Berners-Lee and Lessig.
++ who are your straw people?
Ignorance, Mis-communication, still working on it.
There is a digital divide, it has levels, and it will only get worse if something isn't done now. the best way to work on the digital divide is to be proactive, access is important, but so is early training. If you want your citizens to be digital you need to have additional benefits for those people who can't afford it. As you can see they aren't clearly defined yet.
27 November 2007
It didn't post for some reason.
Sorry my outline and bib didn't post, not really sure why.
I am not sure of all that I will write. I haven’t finished yet. I am a former psychology major, so a reflection paper is something of a personal thing to me. I have never before achieved a 15 page reflection paper, let alone one that involves theories and other students opinions. So this will be my first time, and hopefully my last. Long papers are not my favorite thing, it is one of the reasons pursuing a doctoral degree holds so little interest for me. The other reason is that I do not ever want to be called "Dr. Laura".
1. Introduction/Thesis
a. What is Service Learning
b. What is Digital Citizenship
i. Theories
ii. Digital Divide
2. My interactions
a. Work
b. Margaret Grundy Library
3. Web 2.0
a. Effects on Libraries
b. Effects on Citizenship
4. Conclusion/ Lesson’s Learned
Bibliography (Not complete, still working on)
Halahoan, C. (2007, November 14). Hip-Hopping the Digital Divide. Buisness Week Online, Retrieved November 20, 2007, from Academic Search Elite database.
Dervarics, C. (2007, October 18). High-tech Help on the Way. Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, 24(18), 14-15. Retrieved November 20, 2007, from Academic Search Elite database.
Nicholson, P. (2007, March 9). The Intellectual in the Infosphere. Chronicle of Higher Education, 53(7), B6-B7.
Galuszka, P. (2007, March 8). Digging Out of the Digital Divide. Diverse: Issues In Higher Education, 24(2), 20-22.
Metcalf, D. (2007, February). Reducing the Digital Divide. American Libraries, 38(2), 29-29.
Lewis, A. (2007, January). Digital Divides the Poor. Education Digest, 72(5), 71-72. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
Swaminathan, N. (2005, November). The Making of a Good Samaritan. Psychology Today, 38(6), 33-33.
Brescia, W., & Daily, T. (2007, Winter). Economic Development and Technology-Skill Needs on American Indian Reservations. American Indian Quarterly, 31(1), 23-43. Retrieved on November 20, 2007, from Academic Search Elite database.
I am not sure of all that I will write. I haven’t finished yet. I am a former psychology major, so a reflection paper is something of a personal thing to me. I have never before achieved a 15 page reflection paper, let alone one that involves theories and other students opinions. So this will be my first time, and hopefully my last. Long papers are not my favorite thing, it is one of the reasons pursuing a doctoral degree holds so little interest for me. The other reason is that I do not ever want to be called "Dr. Laura".
1. Introduction/Thesis
a. What is Service Learning
b. What is Digital Citizenship
i. Theories
ii. Digital Divide
2. My interactions
a. Work
b. Margaret Grundy Library
3. Web 2.0
a. Effects on Libraries
b. Effects on Citizenship
4. Conclusion/ Lesson’s Learned
Bibliography (Not complete, still working on)
Halahoan, C. (2007, November 14). Hip-Hopping the Digital Divide. Buisness Week Online, Retrieved November 20, 2007, from Academic Search Elite database.
Dervarics, C. (2007, October 18). High-tech Help on the Way. Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, 24(18), 14-15. Retrieved November 20, 2007, from Academic Search Elite database.
Nicholson, P. (2007, March 9). The Intellectual in the Infosphere. Chronicle of Higher Education, 53(7), B6-B7.
Galuszka, P. (2007, March 8). Digging Out of the Digital Divide. Diverse: Issues In Higher Education, 24(2), 20-22.
Metcalf, D. (2007, February). Reducing the Digital Divide. American Libraries, 38(2), 29-29.
Lewis, A. (2007, January). Digital Divides the Poor. Education Digest, 72(5), 71-72. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
Swaminathan, N. (2005, November). The Making of a Good Samaritan. Psychology Today, 38(6), 33-33.
Brescia, W., & Daily, T. (2007, Winter). Economic Development and Technology-Skill Needs on American Indian Reservations. American Indian Quarterly, 31(1), 23-43. Retrieved on November 20, 2007, from Academic Search Elite database.
Paper outline and bib (so far)
I am really rather sad at the moment (we have been nursing some orphaned guinea pigs) and after having force feed it for the last 4 hours, it just died. One of the other sicker guinea pigs basically killed it. Survival of the fittest my foot. It has been a very bad week for pets.
23 November 2007
Intro computer class
Last Saturday I went to a public library in my area that hosts Computer and basic internet/programs classes. There were 4 students for this class which was the first in the series. It was rather basic and to me, rather more than basic. However as we went through the syllabus which started literally at the very beginning, it showed me just how much of a gap there truly is in computer technology.
The students ranged in ages from mid-forties to late 70's. They all came for various reasons, wanting to apply for jobs, basic knowledge sake, and some just to be there. One of the older gentlemen had taken a similar class, back in 1980. However he was aware that things had changed significantly since then, but as he needed a job he wanted to be able to fill out the online applications by himself so he wouldn't have to bother the librarians.
As amazing as it seems, and while we have talked in class about just how large the digital divide actually is, I was still amazed by it. These students didn't know the most basic items; where the power button is located, how to handle a mouse, where the close button is located in a program. I had to evaluate once again how very much I take for granted when I use a computer. To me it is just another necessary tool, one that I use frequently and when the electricity is out, something that is deemed critical for most of my work. But to these individuals it was a new territory, they had used typewriters and knew about typing, but computers and all that goes through that filter was a complete new territory of learning.
This new territory of learning was a struggle, there was this underlying filter of not exactly fear but of apprehension, the one woman who came had a sort of dementia and everything had to be explained to her in a certain way or she would feel completely overwhelmed. We talked about other electronics, cell phones, TV's, DVD players, and even Tivo. This computer/internet apprehension didn't extend to those technologies, in fact they were embraced. But there was some sort of mental block where the computers came into play.
I think the thing that got to me the most was that using a normal optical mouse was such a hard thing. It definitely reminds me of that cartoon one of you sent out. There was this essential need to press on the buttons while moving the mouse. This always meant that we had to try the exercise again, and sometimes several times in a row. One of the outside class exercises that the syllabus used was having the patron play solitaire so they could develop a more natural response to using the mouse.
I think this was an interesting experiment. I have problems understanding the online behavior of the students at my school, and many times I am shocked at the lack in there online skills. But this was an excellent example of just how needed programs like this are to a community, especially the older community.
However I am also very much surprised by the younger community at my school. Admittedly my school does not have a technology track, but with all the discussion of Web 2.0. Out of the 20 students I asked about it, not one has ever heard of "Web 2.0". Indeed the look of blank comprehension will stay with me for a long time. After I asked if they have ever heard of the term, I then asked them if they had heard of Flickr, Technorati, YouTube, and several others, they had heard of them, as well as being registered users.
Most our students also do not like the idea of Electronic books. This is fairly wide-spread. We had a discussion about Kindle they seemed a bit intrigued but mostly put off by it. For them information is still most viable option. Mostly because there is a sense of ownership, if the electricity goes out you still have access to that copy.
So I don't think that librarians or their charge of books will go away any time soon. Just check the reviews of the Kindle on Amazon. :-)
The students ranged in ages from mid-forties to late 70's. They all came for various reasons, wanting to apply for jobs, basic knowledge sake, and some just to be there. One of the older gentlemen had taken a similar class, back in 1980. However he was aware that things had changed significantly since then, but as he needed a job he wanted to be able to fill out the online applications by himself so he wouldn't have to bother the librarians.
As amazing as it seems, and while we have talked in class about just how large the digital divide actually is, I was still amazed by it. These students didn't know the most basic items; where the power button is located, how to handle a mouse, where the close button is located in a program. I had to evaluate once again how very much I take for granted when I use a computer. To me it is just another necessary tool, one that I use frequently and when the electricity is out, something that is deemed critical for most of my work. But to these individuals it was a new territory, they had used typewriters and knew about typing, but computers and all that goes through that filter was a complete new territory of learning.
This new territory of learning was a struggle, there was this underlying filter of not exactly fear but of apprehension, the one woman who came had a sort of dementia and everything had to be explained to her in a certain way or she would feel completely overwhelmed. We talked about other electronics, cell phones, TV's, DVD players, and even Tivo. This computer/internet apprehension didn't extend to those technologies, in fact they were embraced. But there was some sort of mental block where the computers came into play.
I think the thing that got to me the most was that using a normal optical mouse was such a hard thing. It definitely reminds me of that cartoon one of you sent out. There was this essential need to press on the buttons while moving the mouse. This always meant that we had to try the exercise again, and sometimes several times in a row. One of the outside class exercises that the syllabus used was having the patron play solitaire so they could develop a more natural response to using the mouse.
I think this was an interesting experiment. I have problems understanding the online behavior of the students at my school, and many times I am shocked at the lack in there online skills. But this was an excellent example of just how needed programs like this are to a community, especially the older community.
However I am also very much surprised by the younger community at my school. Admittedly my school does not have a technology track, but with all the discussion of Web 2.0. Out of the 20 students I asked about it, not one has ever heard of "Web 2.0". Indeed the look of blank comprehension will stay with me for a long time. After I asked if they have ever heard of the term, I then asked them if they had heard of Flickr, Technorati, YouTube, and several others, they had heard of them, as well as being registered users.
Most our students also do not like the idea of Electronic books. This is fairly wide-spread. We had a discussion about Kindle they seemed a bit intrigued but mostly put off by it. For them information is still most viable option. Mostly because there is a sense of ownership, if the electricity goes out you still have access to that copy.
So I don't think that librarians or their charge of books will go away any time soon. Just check the reviews of the Kindle on Amazon. :-)
13 November 2007
The Millennials are Here?
I am supposedly a member of the Millennial generation. However I am confused by this to a certain degree. I believe myself to be more of a "border-line" millennial. Why would I believe this? The foremost reason is that I am helping to train "true" millennial as part of my job. Recently I have been given the opportunity to start doing more Library Instruction as part of my job. This has provided many new challenges. One of these challenges is how to give a presentation that challenges and yet meets the students needs. At times this is a paradox. These students have all the gadgets, and automatically seem to "get" technology. However they also don't seem to have the ability to problem solve or to take disappointment well.
This provides many opportunities for new technologies, however it also means that most library OPAC's annoy the heck out of them. Within the realm of the Internet they can always find an answer, it may not be verifiable, but it answers their question. Most library OPAC's don't answer these questions. There isn't that wonderful basic search that covers everything. It isn't Googlized. This is a problem for this new narcissistic generation. Everything is about them, and when they don't succeed as well as they feel they should, it isn't their problem. Their parents haven't allowed them to feel the effects of falling on their butts. Instead they/we have butted in and given explanations to teachers and other adults with the understanding that we can't harm the Millennial's psyche.
This change in perspective has changed how education, and other jobs are preformed. We cannot confront, we must coax. We have to be as the CBS article puts it "a manager must be half shrink and half diplomat". This poses a problem even within Library instruction. You have to cleverly work with your audience to shut down their automatic defenses when someone implies that they may not know everything. This is a necessity. Most of my students cannot use basic searches within the library databases or catalog. While these students have grown up being connected to each other over the Internet, they have no idea how to actually search for valuable materials within it.
There are some student obviously who can find their materials, but it is one of those things that needs to be taught and learned. But Millennials don't necessarily take well to being told that they don't know everything or have to work to have the best results. This is one of the reasons why Google has taken so well. Working hard to have to earn a grade is not really one of the things we have taught our children. We give them awards for everything, we don't allow winners or losers, we are all praised just for participating. This is frankly a load of B.S. But it is what we are encouraging. So when conducting L.I. sessions, we have to be remarkable, we have to prove that we can find something that they wouldn't have been able to find. We have to overwhelm them, while having to back off from all the information we could give them.
Let the conundrum continue.
(P.S. the reason I believe that I am on the edge is that I am only 1-3 years within the Millennial age group, but also it was that I have not grown up with this extra parental involvement, my Mom raised me like she was raised. I was allowed to fall on my butt, and learn from the experience. However I also grew up with a computer, and remember teaching my 3rd grade teacher how to use basic application on it before allowing my fellow students to work on it."
This provides many opportunities for new technologies, however it also means that most library OPAC's annoy the heck out of them. Within the realm of the Internet they can always find an answer, it may not be verifiable, but it answers their question. Most library OPAC's don't answer these questions. There isn't that wonderful basic search that covers everything. It isn't Googlized. This is a problem for this new narcissistic generation. Everything is about them, and when they don't succeed as well as they feel they should, it isn't their problem. Their parents haven't allowed them to feel the effects of falling on their butts. Instead they/we have butted in and given explanations to teachers and other adults with the understanding that we can't harm the Millennial's psyche.
This change in perspective has changed how education, and other jobs are preformed. We cannot confront, we must coax. We have to be as the CBS article puts it "a manager must be half shrink and half diplomat". This poses a problem even within Library instruction. You have to cleverly work with your audience to shut down their automatic defenses when someone implies that they may not know everything. This is a necessity. Most of my students cannot use basic searches within the library databases or catalog. While these students have grown up being connected to each other over the Internet, they have no idea how to actually search for valuable materials within it.
There are some student obviously who can find their materials, but it is one of those things that needs to be taught and learned. But Millennials don't necessarily take well to being told that they don't know everything or have to work to have the best results. This is one of the reasons why Google has taken so well. Working hard to have to earn a grade is not really one of the things we have taught our children. We give them awards for everything, we don't allow winners or losers, we are all praised just for participating. This is frankly a load of B.S. But it is what we are encouraging. So when conducting L.I. sessions, we have to be remarkable, we have to prove that we can find something that they wouldn't have been able to find. We have to overwhelm them, while having to back off from all the information we could give them.
Let the conundrum continue.
(P.S. the reason I believe that I am on the edge is that I am only 1-3 years within the Millennial age group, but also it was that I have not grown up with this extra parental involvement, my Mom raised me like she was raised. I was allowed to fall on my butt, and learn from the experience. However I also grew up with a computer, and remember teaching my 3rd grade teacher how to use basic application on it before allowing my fellow students to work on it."
25 October 2007
Grand plans
I keep having these grand plans for writing these blogs, I have decided to give up that and instead have shorter blogs more often. This will hopefully allow me to actually upload my posts.
I can actually start my Service learning outside of my job until November. There were entirely too many schedule conflicts. I have gone to the Library and just need to let them know what dates I can show up.
Even though I haven't started there, it doesn't mean that I haven't started on my service learning. Every question I receive on the reference desk becomes an opportunity to help people discover the resources available to them either at home, school or work.
I am always somewhat surprised by the questions that come to me at the reference desk. The Undergrad students are often surprised by the information available to them, also I've come to see that they aren't nearly as competent on the internet as they believed themselves to be. Sure they can use HTML to change their MySpace pages, however they have no clue on how to use the educational resources that are available to them through the library.
We also have Graduate and Advance (adult degree completion) programs. These are mostly returning students, many of which haven't written a college paper since they finished college. They seem to know only the most simple computer applications. The OPAC completely freaks them out. And forget about online databases, they are completely demoralized by them. Each day I have to answer questions that for me are every day matters. They don't know about short-cut keys, they don't know how to problem-solve at all in fact.
Every day I have a chance to walk someone through the in's and outs of basic computer science. I am having to learn that certain things are not obvious to most people. Patience is once again rearing its head for me to relearn and practice. It also reminds me of all the readings we are working through. How can the government be so clueless about it's people and their so called "knowledge or proficiency" on the internet. I talked to my grandparents about the possibilities of voting online, their response was that when that happened they would stop voting. I believe that is a sentiment that is wider spread than the government realizes.
But for now I am working with people who are getting excited about the possibilities open to them concerning the internet and its resources.
I can actually start my Service learning outside of my job until November. There were entirely too many schedule conflicts. I have gone to the Library and just need to let them know what dates I can show up.
Even though I haven't started there, it doesn't mean that I haven't started on my service learning. Every question I receive on the reference desk becomes an opportunity to help people discover the resources available to them either at home, school or work.
I am always somewhat surprised by the questions that come to me at the reference desk. The Undergrad students are often surprised by the information available to them, also I've come to see that they aren't nearly as competent on the internet as they believed themselves to be. Sure they can use HTML to change their MySpace pages, however they have no clue on how to use the educational resources that are available to them through the library.
We also have Graduate and Advance (adult degree completion) programs. These are mostly returning students, many of which haven't written a college paper since they finished college. They seem to know only the most simple computer applications. The OPAC completely freaks them out. And forget about online databases, they are completely demoralized by them. Each day I have to answer questions that for me are every day matters. They don't know about short-cut keys, they don't know how to problem-solve at all in fact.
Every day I have a chance to walk someone through the in's and outs of basic computer science. I am having to learn that certain things are not obvious to most people. Patience is once again rearing its head for me to relearn and practice. It also reminds me of all the readings we are working through. How can the government be so clueless about it's people and their so called "knowledge or proficiency" on the internet. I talked to my grandparents about the possibilities of voting online, their response was that when that happened they would stop voting. I believe that is a sentiment that is wider spread than the government realizes.
But for now I am working with people who are getting excited about the possibilities open to them concerning the internet and its resources.
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