EDU 776/LIS 724 Week 8.1 In Review

 Editors | Springer Nature Japan

          Image Source: Springer Nature


This course has gone by very fast, like a whirlwind.  One of the topics mentioned was to review our GIF for our first post.  Well, I don't seem to have one so I decided to pick a new one.

scared science fiction GIF

Image Source: GIPHY

For this post, I'm coming from the librarian perspective.  I will admit that I really miss using a card catalog and looking things up in a World Book or an encyclopedia.  They were so wonderful to use.  I think it is for the same reason I prefer reading an actual book to an eReader.  There is something about the physical interaction and the thrill of finding information that I enjoy.

I am certainly not against libraries using technology.  Technology in any library is a must whether is offering computers and printing at the library or being able to order a book online.  Libraries with online services offer the world to their patrons.  I think that the pandemic challenged libraries to provide services in a new way, and many libraries stepped up to that challenge.  Even with my small town library, the library's website offers many services without having to actually go to the library.

However, I believe that I have a bit of a fear that people will get away from skills like handwriting, being able to read an analog clock, and even interacting with people in-person because they get too dependent on technology.  For example, I asked one of my friend's high school kids where they would go to look up information if they couldn't use their phone or a computer.  He was completely stumped.  When I mentioned going to the library and asking a librarian for reference materials, he just looked at me and then asked what were reference materials.  Sigh.  I am curious if he went to the school library later on.

I did find this course to be challenging because it took me out of my comfort zone.  I had never done a blog before and had a bad start to it so I changed providers.  Google Blogger turned out to be the best option for a newbie like me.  I don't like to put out that much personal information so I doubt that I will keep on blogging after this course, but it has been a great learning experience.  It has also been awhile since I've designed a website.  I use SharePoint at work to design pages in already set space, but I haven't designed a website since I used DreamWeaver many years ago.  I still working on finishing up my last assigned with the website, but so far it seems to be easier than DreamWeaver was.  I don't know if DreamWeaver even still exists.  Hmmm.  I date myself with that one.

I think that libraries will continue to evolve to meet the needs of their patrons.  Here is to seeing what the future brings to technology in libraries.


If you would like to check my town's library:

https://oregonpubliclibrary.com/



Comments

  1. NMZumpanoOctober 17, 2023 at 7:18 AM

    Yes, DreamWeaver!! It was maddening at the time but really gave me a great baseline for HTML so I'm glad I learned from it (dating myself with that as well lol).

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

EDU 776/LIS 724 Week 2 Frameworks

Image
 Where do I fit? Image Source: LucidChart For this week, I decided to use the Triple E framework. (The e's are for engagement, enhancement, and extension with all for learning goals.) Triple E spoke to me because it is straightforward and the ideas appear easy to incorporate. The Triple E website provides a great deal of information including tools, a blog, and information on professional development. Even though it was easy for me to pick a framework, the challenge I have this week is that I am not in education. Where do I fit? I thought about this question for a bit. While I do not work in a formal education setting, I did recently because an adjunct instructor at my office, and I will be working on revamping some training for my unit. I looked at Triple E with this lens and found that I can apply the same framework to my upcoming instructor assignments. One point that Triple E stresses is reflective thinking. I think this concept is so important regardless ...
Read more

EDU 776/LIS 724 Week 6 Designing for Accessibility

Image
  Image Source: Audioeye When I think about how assistive technology can help people, Stephen Hawking comes to mind.  Even though he had physical limitations due to ALS, he was able to communicate, to do research, to write, and to continue his life through assistive technology.  Through muscle and eye movements, Hawking was able to operate the computer that was attached to his wheelchair.   While Hawking's computer and wheelchair were very advanced and, most likely, very costly, as a general rule assistive technology does not have to be expensive to in order to be of service to someone. It is very impressive how computers now have built-in accessibility features.  I have a MacBook Air that I purchased in 2015.  Even though my laptop is nearly nine years old, updates that allowed current accessibility tools to be added.  Apple has made it easy to access these tools.  Below is a chart outlining the accessibility features that are found on the M...
Read more

EDU 776/LIS724 Week 4 Active Learning

Image
  Image Source: View Sonic  For this week, I read the blog post "The American Revolution…It’s Like We Were There!"   I think this project is an excellent example of active learning.  The teacher for this project used many types of activities to involve her students.  First, the classroom was decorated with photos and posters about events and individuals from the American Revolution.  Students were able to see and read these items every day in their classrooms.  Second, students learned to use PicCollage and were able to add themselves into some very famous portraits.  Third, through the use of AudioBoom (a podcast service), students were able to listen to various readings including the reading of the Declaration of Independence.  Students not only learned about the American Revolution, but they also learned some new technology skills. If it is at all possible, teachers should use active learning in their lessons.  Active learning he...
Read more