Internet Skills for Library Personnel
Library & Information Technology 112
http://www.exo.net/L112
Course Outline, Spring 2006

March 11
Introductions/getting acquainted.
Announcements.
Course syllabus and outline.
Knowledge is Power
How We Learn
•  Learning Theory
•  Adult, Young Adult and Children Learners
•  Teaching Methodology
Teaching and Facilitating
•  What Impedes Learning
•  Assess the Learning Opportunity

Exercise #1: Assessing the Learning Opportunity
•  Skills Assessment
Exercise #2: Online Catalog Exercise

Searching the Online Library Catalog
Exercise #3: Online Catalog Role-play
Exercise #4: Creating An Online Catalog Guide for Your Library

Homework Assignments:
Read the following:

1. “Are You Practicing What We Preach about Searching?”  by Cindy Carlson. http://www.llrx.com/columns/notes64.htm .
2. "Librarians vs. technology: Expertise in an age of amateur researchers." By Sue Bowness. http://tinyurl.com/noqjc
3. Read the following: “Evaluating Web-based Resources: A Practical Perspective.” http://www.thelearningsite.net/cyberlibrarian/elibraries/eval.html
4. Write a 1-2 page paper addressing: library patrons need to know more about finding information than just keyword searching using Google. True or false? Why or why not?
5. Begin work on Final Project.

March 18
Questions/discussion of readings.
Database Searching Skills
Exercise #5: Magazine/Newspaper Exercise
Exercise #6: Magazine/Newspaper Role-Play
Exercise #7: Teaching Patrons How to Use Your Resources
Exercise #8: Creating An Online Database Guide for Your Library

Homework Assignments:

1. Read the following:
   The Right Solution: Federated Search Tools by Roy Tennant:
   http://www.libraryjournal.com/index.asp?layout=articlePrint&articleID=CA302427
   and
   Do we Want or Need Metasearching? By William J. Frost:
   http://www.libraryjournal.com/index.asp?layout=articlePrint&articleID=CA405394
2. Write a 1-2 page paper on why we need or don't need federated searching. (e.g. What are the pros and cons? Does it really help in the search process? Does it affect how we interact with patrons?)
3. Finish up Final Project.

March 25
Questions/discussion of readings.

Final Project presentations: 5-minute instructional/role-play session

Please be prepared for each class by completing all assignments. You will benefit most from this class if you are prepared and you participate in class discussions. Open your mind to the career opportunities available to you and enjoy this learning experience.