Teaching Others About Technology (LT130)

What is cloud computing, and what does it mean for libraries? Let’s start by defining cloud computing. Cloud computing is the method of setting up a computer system that, rather than running locally, runs over the Internet. For an example, we will look at the difference between Microsoft Word and Google Docs. Both are word processors, allowing their users to write, edit, and save documents. However, Microsoft Word operates on your personal computer, and the documents are saved only to your personal computer. If you need to access a document on your home computer while you are at work, you are out of luck. However, Google Docs operates “in the cloud”, or over the Internet. When you create and save a Google Doc, it does not save to your computer, but rather to a server somewhere in a Google building. When you access it, you are using the Internet to connect to that server. This means you can access it from any computer where you are logged into your Google account, so long as you ha...

     For my contribution,  I added a Link List gadget to our sidebar. The link I included was a link to the Palomar Library and Information Technology Program page. I added it because it gives more context to who is writing our blog and why.

What is a Makerspace? A makerspace is a place that is designed to encourage users to create, craft, and build in a number of ways. They can include technology such as 3D printers, video and photography equipment, editing software and more. While these sorts of devices can be prohibitively expensive for individual community members, the makerspace allows them to be accessed and used by everyone.  The Urban Libraries council highlights a number of Makerspaces on their website . One of these Makerspaces is the Brooklyn Public Library’s Information Commons. Info Commons has a number of rooms, all aimed at encouraging Makers. They host many events to encourage kids and teens in STEM fields, and provide opportunities for historically underserved communities in Brooklyn. Their resources include design software like Photoshop and Final Cut Pro on their computer workstations and a recording studio that has an editing workstation, a DSLR camera, microphone, and more. In 2013, American ...

               Bring Your Own Device, or BYOD, refers to having people supply their own phones, tablets, computers, etc, rather than an institution providing them. In his article “Top Ten School Library Game Changers of the Past Twenty-Five Years”, Doug Johnson lists BYOD as his #10 game changer. He wrote about the shift away from library patrons using library-provided computers and towards using their own personal devices, and how it would require adaptability on the part of the library workers. They will have to ensure services and platforms function on a much wider variety of systems, provide better wireless networks, and establish guidelines for using personal devices.                BYOD is an appealing option for a lot of school libraries, as it lessens the cost of providing devices for students. It also lessens the rate at which devices need to be repaired and allows for greater availabil...

                This is a segment from WCCO News and CBS Minnesota, covering the decline of school libraries since the COVID-19 Pandemic began in 2020. It references the SLIDE Project, which stands for The School Librarian Investigation-Decline or Evolution? Project. According to their website, libslide.org , this project was conducted from September 2020 through August 2023 to “determine patterns in the continuing, national decline in school librarian positions and how school districts decide to staff library, learning resources, and instructional technology programs”. According to SLIDE, in the 2020-21 school year, 30% of public school districts did not have any librarian at any of their schools(Ellis & Lance, 30).                However, this lack of librarians is not new. In fact, the number of school librarians has been on a decline for a while. In a presentation, Keith Curry Lance, the ...

 Hi! For my contribution to our blog, I changed the blog Theme to Notable Coral and customized its primary color to light blue. In doing this, I realized that if I am not careful in making that sort of change can inadvertently cause my groupmates' contributions to disappear. When I looked at previews of the new theme, the Wikipedia gadget that Susan had added disappeared. To make sure I didn't undo anyone's work, I created a test blog of my own so I could have a low-stakes place to test the change to the theme without ruining anyone else's contributions.  -Carly L.