Friday, August 29, 2008
Muddiest Point
How will I succeed in a class on technology when I encounter a major problem with my first assignment? I had a fair amount of trouble figuring out the hyperlink issue. While I wasn't alone, I found no comfort in having the company. I was very pleased to see the suggestions from classmates....thanks to all of you who aren't clueless!!!! Eventually, the answer finally came after numerous attempts. Man, I hope it is uphill from here?!
Lynch and Information Technology Literacy
The point that stands out the most for me in Lynch's article, Information Literacy and Information Technology Literacy: New Components in the Curriculum for a Digital Culture, is what he called "skill-oriented training" and what it fails to do.
Lynch says that we're sending college graduates out into a world where being information technology literate is an essential element for their success. Yet institutions are failing in their duties to provide these new graduates with the proper skills. It is one thing to be able to use a PC or perhaps a MAC, it is an entirely different animal when one has to articulate problems to a tech support provider. It is more often the case that users are incapable of communicating their problem because they either lack the vocabulary and/or the understanding of the systems with which they work.
While I fear the course, Understanding Technology, because I am one of those users who lack advanced technical knowledge, I welcome the experience. I don't want to be one of those ignorant users nor do I want to leave my graduate program without the ability to understand the basics of the systems I may encounter in my career.
Lynch says that we're sending college graduates out into a world where being information technology literate is an essential element for their success. Yet institutions are failing in their duties to provide these new graduates with the proper skills. It is one thing to be able to use a PC or perhaps a MAC, it is an entirely different animal when one has to articulate problems to a tech support provider. It is more often the case that users are incapable of communicating their problem because they either lack the vocabulary and/or the understanding of the systems with which they work.
While I fear the course, Understanding Technology, because I am one of those users who lack advanced technical knowledge, I welcome the experience. I don't want to be one of those ignorant users nor do I want to leave my graduate program without the ability to understand the basics of the systems I may encounter in my career.
Lied library, can they sustain the momentum?
It's all well and good if a library does not have to worry about funds. I am not sure I am aware of any libraries like that. I imagine there are some that have fewer worries than others. The UNLV library, the subject in Jason Vaughn's article, "Lied Library@ four years: technology never stands still," may be one of the lucky ones.
UNLV's library sounds like a great place to do research. It is great to have state-of-the-art technology. The amount of time and planning involved in their first wave of hardware upgrades was daunting just to read about, I can only imgaine what those meetings were like. Vaughn's concern about maintaining the breadth of service is absolutely understandable. UNLV faces not only the high costs of purchasing hardware/software to continue all the wonderful access its users currently enjoy, but it must employ staff to keep these machines and programs running properly. In the face of economic woes and educational budget cuts most states have had to do, UNLV must certainly look for creative ways to keep their library as vibrant as it was when it first opened.
UNLV's library sounds like a great place to do research. It is great to have state-of-the-art technology. The amount of time and planning involved in their first wave of hardware upgrades was daunting just to read about, I can only imgaine what those meetings were like. Vaughn's concern about maintaining the breadth of service is absolutely understandable. UNLV faces not only the high costs of purchasing hardware/software to continue all the wonderful access its users currently enjoy, but it must employ staff to keep these machines and programs running properly. In the face of economic woes and educational budget cuts most states have had to do, UNLV must certainly look for creative ways to keep their library as vibrant as it was when it first opened.
OCLC report
What intrigued me the most about the OCLC report, "Information Format Trends: Content, Not Containers" was the concept of "content in context." If I understood this approach correctly, library webpages would not only provide links to additional relevant research materials and resouerces beyond the scope of the initial search, but it would also provide information for hard copy/electronic materials found in the library. A sort of one stop shopping for users to employ as they see fit. This makes the research experience more efficient and convenient for busy undergrads and grad students.
I found the idea of changing the image of the library "from the place for books to the place for information" (class discussion) as being absolutely essential and a fundamental theme in the OCLC article. Having come from an institution where the Board of Trustees think of the library as a "mausoleum," this issue is not only applicable but of monumental importance if proper funding is to be obtained. Broadening the scope of what a library can and should is quite necessary in this day and age.
I would only question the cost of providing this kind of access. The kinds of hardware one needs to provide the most timely delivery of information and the cost of software to facilitate it - not to mention, the cost of support. These are the kinds of issues that were addressed in the next article by Jason Vaughn.
I found the idea of changing the image of the library "from the place for books to the place for information" (class discussion) as being absolutely essential and a fundamental theme in the OCLC article. Having come from an institution where the Board of Trustees think of the library as a "mausoleum," this issue is not only applicable but of monumental importance if proper funding is to be obtained. Broadening the scope of what a library can and should is quite necessary in this day and age.
I would only question the cost of providing this kind of access. The kinds of hardware one needs to provide the most timely delivery of information and the cost of software to facilitate it - not to mention, the cost of support. These are the kinds of issues that were addressed in the next article by Jason Vaughn.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
