Tag: Stephanie Gerding

Library staff development, Resources for Trainers

Tech Static

bckhough

I want to help spread the word about the all new resource, Tech Static. Stephanie did such a nice job writing about it over on the MaintainIT blog that I’m just going to copy and share that here.

techstatic

Re-posted from: http://maintainitproject.org/blog/the-tech-static

The Tech Static, a new collection development resource for technology titles, published its inaugural issue today. Included in this first issue was an announcement regarding the new MaintainIT Cookbook, Joy of Computing – Planning for Success. Hooray!

The amazing Rachel Singer Gordon, The Tech Static’s creator, was the columnist forLibrary Journal’s “Computer Media” review column since 2002, until the column was recently discontinued. This left a large gap in library literature: no other librarian-targeted publication currently reviews computer books on a regular basis. To fill that gap, Singer Gordon created The Tech Static, a new resource for librarians focusing on reviewing technology-related books.

The Tech Static assists librarians with technology-related collection development. To this end, it contains:

  • Reviews of current computer books
  • Reviews of technology-related titles targeted at librarians
  • Collection development articles (weeding, “must-haves,” balancing a computer book collection)
  • Prepublication alerts
  • Publisher press releases
  • DVD and ebook reviews
  • Announcements
  • … and more!

“I’m pleased to continue providing — and expanding on! — coverage of technology titles,” said Singer Gordon. “Anyone involved with collection development in this area is invited to subscribe to this new free resource.” The Tech Static is available online at www.thetechstatic.com; readers can also subscribe via RSS or email.

The Tech Static is also currently seeking writers for technology-related collection development articles.

Contact Rachel Singer Gordon with any questions or comments at rachel@thetechstatic.com.

Active Learning, Resources for Trainers, Train the trainer opportunities

Pre-conference at Internet Librarian

bckhough

One week from today, Stephanie Gerding and I will be presenting a preconference at Internet Librarian in Monterey. The session is called “The Accidental Trainer”.

Description:

If you are like most “accidental” library technology trainers, you are expected to take on computer training in your library, often with little or no previous experience or instruction. This workshop addresses the most common concerns of newly minted technology trainers, recommends great tools and techniques, and shares helpful advice from many years of coordinating and providing training for libraries of all types around the country. If you are responsible for technology training — whether in computer labs, classrooms, or one-on-one with library users or staff — join us for this workshop. You will learn why learning styles are important, how to create a learning community, strategies for communicating about technology, techniques for using activities, storytelling, and case studies to increase learning and retention.

Can’t wait to be in Monterey, to work with Stephanie, and to see other friends, too. Plus OCEAN!

Active Learning

Tell me a story

bckhough

I posted on MaintainIT’s blog today about the power of stories for capturing and sharing technology troubleshooting tips. I was inspired by a chapter in Daniel Pink’s book A Whole New Mind. I wanted to cross-post/link here, too, because I think this is important to think about from a training perspective. I have worked with a lot of technology trainers and the best use this strategy regularly — frame the information you want to convey as a story. As Stephanie Gerding says in her book The Accidental Technology Trainer, “Illustrative stories can communicate pertinent messages with humor, insight, and the experience of the trainer” (p 149). In addition to using story-telling as a strategy for delivering information, training can also provide an opportunity for participants to tell stories to one another. As Pink says in the book, “We are our stories.”

Flickr Creative Commons

Uncategorized

Technology Training Survey for Forthcoming Book

bckhough

Would you like to see your own training tips and insights printed in a book? If you do technology training in your library, please spend a few minutes completing a quick survey. Your responses may be used in an upcoming book, The Accidental Library Technology Trainer, to be published by Information Today.You don’t need to answer every question, but I’d love to share your experiences with other trainers. Just go to: http://home.earthlink.net/~stephaniegerding/accidentaltechnologytrainer Thanks so much!Stephanie Gerding