Comments on: What Is The Value In An LIS Technology Course http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/ Blogging by and for academic and research librarians Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:17:25 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Teaching online with Drupal | Information Wants To Be Free http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/comment-page-1/#comment-97434 Teaching online with Drupal | Information Wants To Be Free Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:54:10 +0000 http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/#comment-97434 [...] know some people have argued that classes that teach about social software are frivolous and trendy, but I strongly believe that this class taught students so much more than just how to use social [...] [...] know some people have argued that classes that teach about social software are frivolous and trendy, but I strongly believe that this class taught students so much more than just how to use social [...]

]]> By: Thoughts on the 2.0 class in the Context of MLIS « Wkeillor’s Weblog http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/comment-page-1/#comment-83069 Thoughts on the 2.0 class in the Context of MLIS « Wkeillor’s Weblog Tue, 10 Jun 2008 04:15:00 +0000 http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/#comment-83069 [...] on the 2.0 class in the Context of MLIS I saw a post on the ACRLog by StevenB, entitled What is the value in an LIS technology course that questions the value of courses which introduce students to the latest trends in technology, [...] [...] on the 2.0 class in the Context of MLIS I saw a post on the ACRLog by StevenB, entitled What is the value in an LIS technology course that questions the value of courses which introduce students to the latest trends in technology, [...]

]]> By: Stephanie Willen Brown http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/comment-page-1/#comment-76868 Stephanie Willen Brown Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:46:43 +0000 http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/#comment-76868 Funny, I'm just preparing a section for my "Digital Information Services & Providers" class at Simmons GSLIS on this topic. I'm going to show them *some* social networking trends (Twitter, podcasts, blogs), and summarize some of LITA's Top Tech Trends ... but that's not the focus of this lecture. Instead, I incorporate Web 2.0 material into my class (they annotate databases on a wiki, for instance, and use del.icio.us / Google docs and other social tools to collaborate on their major class project). I'm going to start this lecture by describing the Learning 2.0 teaching trend that's going around (tm Helene Blowers) -- and using that as the touchstone for the class. I'll talk about some of the Top Tech Trends as they apply to reference, and encourage them to stay aware of the Top Tech Trends themselves in the future. They want to see the hot new stuff, but I'm going to couch the demonstrations in terms of how to learn new stuff, how to keep up, and how to share their knowledge with their future colleagues / librarians. I *don't* think that this trendy stuff should be taught as a full course in LIS, though some basic tech skills (html, networking basics, etc.) are very important. Funny, I’m just preparing a section for my “Digital Information Services & Providers” class at Simmons GSLIS on this topic. I’m going to show them *some* social networking trends (Twitter, podcasts, blogs), and summarize some of LITA’s Top Tech Trends … but that’s not the focus of this lecture.

Instead, I incorporate Web 2.0 material into my class (they annotate databases on a wiki, for instance, and use del.icio.us / Google docs and other social tools to collaborate on their major class project).

I’m going to start this lecture by describing the Learning 2.0 teaching trend that’s going around (tm Helene Blowers) — and using that as the touchstone for the class. I’ll talk about some of the Top Tech Trends as they apply to reference, and encourage them to stay aware of the Top Tech Trends themselves in the future.

They want to see the hot new stuff, but I’m going to couch the demonstrations in terms of how to learn new stuff, how to keep up, and how to share their knowledge with their future colleagues / librarians.

I *don’t* think that this trendy stuff should be taught as a full course in LIS, though some basic tech skills (html, networking basics, etc.) are very important.

]]> By: Brian C. Gray http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/comment-page-1/#comment-76725 Brian C. Gray Sun, 13 Apr 2008 04:02:58 +0000 http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/#comment-76725 I am an Adjunct at Kent State SLIS (http://www.slis.kent.edu/) and teach a workshop on web 2.0 in libraries called Using Web 2.0 Principles to Become Librarian 2.0. It is a 2-day workshop and is hands-on to give everyone a chance to play and learn. Kent State also has a core course called INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR LIBRARY AND INFORMATION PROFESSIONALS. It covers everything as each week covers something new. You might be doing a little html one week, web 2.0 another, or databases the next week. It is to be an overview of anything that librarians might experience. Here is the description: Provides basic information technology concepts and skills necessary for library and information professionals. Topics include computer hardware and software basics; operating systems; file management; software installation and configuration; basic PC applications; information systems concepts, development, and evaluation; search skills; Internet and web concepts, tools, and applications; emerging technologies and tools. I am an Adjunct at Kent State SLIS (http://www.slis.kent.edu/) and teach a workshop on web 2.0 in libraries called Using Web 2.0 Principles to Become Librarian 2.0. It is a 2-day workshop and is hands-on to give everyone a chance to play and learn.

Kent State also has a core course called INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR LIBRARY AND INFORMATION PROFESSIONALS. It covers everything as each week covers something new. You might be doing a little html one week, web 2.0 another, or databases the next week. It is to be an overview of anything that librarians might experience.

Here is the description:
Provides basic information technology concepts and skills necessary for library and information professionals. Topics include computer hardware and software basics; operating systems; file management; software installation and configuration; basic PC applications; information systems concepts, development, and evaluation; search skills; Internet and web concepts, tools, and applications; emerging technologies and tools.

]]> By: Marcy B http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/comment-page-1/#comment-76012 Marcy B Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:14:24 +0000 http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/#comment-76012 Interestingly, I'm currently taking a Web 2.0 class but I'm a practicing librarian and this is an 8 contact hour CE course offered at a distance. I think doing it as a CE workshop, or even a 1-credit special offering, is an utterly appropriate way to teach Web 2.0. But a 3-credit graduate offering? Hmmm... Interestingly, I’m currently taking a Web 2.0 class but I’m a practicing librarian and this is an 8 contact hour CE course offered at a distance. I think doing it as a CE workshop, or even a 1-credit special offering, is an utterly appropriate way to teach Web 2.0. But a 3-credit graduate offering? Hmmm…

]]> By: Janet W http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/comment-page-1/#comment-75853 Janet W Tue, 08 Apr 2008 01:39:13 +0000 http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/#comment-75853 I never felt that high schools should be teaching _The Lord of the Rings_. Isn't that something students do on their own time? I'm an MLS student now and feel the same way about web 2.0 courses. The program I chose had the basics of library science. As I've become more interested in the field, I've gotten more involved; reading blogs and trying out what they suggest, attending virtual conferences and springboard events, reading library science material that interests me, taking continuing education classes while I'm still in school. Shouldn't we _know_ the basics before we get involved with the trends? Won't I be better able to handle the trends because I've learned the basics? Sorry, I just don't think web 2.0 and gaming are classroom material. That doesn't mean don't take courses about them, just not in those precious 12 classes of an MLS program. I never felt that high schools should be teaching _The Lord of the Rings_. Isn’t that something students do on their own time? I’m an MLS student now and feel the same way about web 2.0 courses. The program I chose had the basics of library science. As I’ve become more interested in the field, I’ve gotten more involved; reading blogs and trying out what they suggest, attending virtual conferences and springboard events, reading library science material that interests me, taking continuing education classes while I’m still in school. Shouldn’t we _know_ the basics before we get involved with the trends? Won’t I be better able to handle the trends because I’ve learned the basics? Sorry, I just don’t think web 2.0 and gaming are classroom material. That doesn’t mean don’t take courses about them, just not in those precious 12 classes of an MLS program.

]]> By: Rebecca Hedreen http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/comment-page-1/#comment-74956 Rebecca Hedreen Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:56:13 +0000 http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/#comment-74956 Shouldn't a technology course, whether on "fad" technology or "core" technology, however you define those, also incorporate instructional design components? What would be the pedagogical or service purpose of Twitter in a library? Who is the audience? What are the advantages and disadvantages of Twitter for this purpose, especially compared to whatever is serving the purpose now, if anything? What's the learning curve? Etc. A "fad" technology course could serve the excellent goal of learning how to evaluate technologies for your own library's purposes. Is Twitter right for us, now? Shouldn’t a technology course, whether on “fad” technology or “core” technology, however you define those, also incorporate instructional design components? What would be the pedagogical or service purpose of Twitter in a library? Who is the audience? What are the advantages and disadvantages of Twitter for this purpose, especially compared to whatever is serving the purpose now, if anything? What’s the learning curve? Etc.

A “fad” technology course could serve the excellent goal of learning how to evaluate technologies for your own library’s purposes. Is Twitter right for us, now?

]]> By: Herman A. Peterson http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/comment-page-1/#comment-74702 Herman A. Peterson Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:23:09 +0000 http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/#comment-74702 When I was in library school I would have liked a course that taught me how to distinguish between technology trends and technology fads. In fact, I'd still like to take a course that would teach me that. When I was in library school I would have liked a course that taught me how to distinguish between technology trends and technology fads.

In fact, I’d still like to take a course that would teach me that.

]]> By: laura k http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/comment-page-1/#comment-74693 laura k Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:20:29 +0000 http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/#comment-74693 A semester long technology-oriented course should be considered an absolute necessity for LIS students. That is not to say that course should focus on the hot new 2.0 trends. What students should be learning is web design basics, information about how networks and servers work, how ILSes work, how databases work generally, and perhaps even some simple programming knowledge (what are variables and functions and how does it all fit together). i think it's appalling how few LIS students graduate with advanced technology skills, which are so key! I could care less if a student knows how to blog or twitter specifically, because once they have an excellent foundation, they'll be able to figure out whatever new trends come along on their own. A semester long technology-oriented course should be considered an absolute necessity for LIS students. That is not to say that course should focus on the hot new 2.0 trends. What students should be learning is web design basics, information about how networks and servers work, how ILSes work, how databases work generally, and perhaps even some simple programming knowledge (what are variables and functions and how does it all fit together). i think it’s appalling how few LIS students graduate with advanced technology skills, which are so key! I could care less if a student knows how to blog or twitter specifically, because once they have an excellent foundation, they’ll be able to figure out whatever new trends come along on their own.

]]> By: sharon http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/comment-page-1/#comment-74686 sharon Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:10:10 +0000 http://acrlog.org/2008/04/01/what-is-the-value-in-an-lis-technology-course/#comment-74686 I think the best mode of instruction depends on the student. I'm an MLS student nearing the end of my 12 courses, but I was a software engineer in my previous life, so I have a fearless attitude about learning new software applications. I would be bored senseless if I had to take an entire semester of "Web 2.0," but other students coming from a different background might not be. I had an on-line reference class (that is, the class was on-line) in which a class wiki was put to good use. I would love to take an instructional design class that incorporated the use of blogs and wikis, Moodle, etc. My school uses WebCT. I've seen some improvements to WebCT over the last 2 years, but it still doesn't do anything that couldn't be done for free using Web 2.0 tools and free/open source software. I think the best mode of instruction depends on the student. I’m an MLS student nearing the end of my 12 courses, but I was a software engineer in my previous life, so I have a fearless attitude about learning new software applications. I would be bored senseless if I had to take an entire semester of “Web 2.0,” but other students coming from a different background might not be. I had an on-line reference class (that is, the class was on-line) in which a class wiki was put to good use. I would love to take an instructional design class that incorporated the use of blogs and wikis, Moodle, etc. My school uses WebCT. I’ve seen some improvements to WebCT over the last 2 years, but it still doesn’t do anything that couldn’t be done for free using Web 2.0 tools and free/open source software.

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