Maryland Library Association 2008 Conference Creating a Technology Petting Zoo

Creating A Technology Petting “Zoo” Facilitating a “learning-by- play” environment for effective technology training Maryland Library Association Virtual and Live Conference May 2008

Presented by: Annette Gaskins, Technical Resources Librarian Harford Co. Public Library 1221 A Brass Mill Road, Belcamp, MD 21017 [email_address]

Presented by: Maurice Coleman Technical Trainer Harford Co. Public Library 1221 A Brass Mill Road, Belcamp, MD 21017 http://baldgeek.wordpress.com im/twitter: baldgeekinmd

Links
http://hcpltechfair.blogspot.com
Links to HCPL 23 things blogs here.
On Flickr: baldgeekinmd
Maurice’s blog : http://baldgeek.wordpress.com
Best Buy http://www.bestbuy.com
Circuit City http://www.circuitcity.com

About our system Over 1 mil. Volumes 11 Branches/Two Service Vehicles Almost 4 mil circ Amish, Rural, Farm, Suburban and Urban patrons. For FY 07

What region are you from?

Why Petting Zoo? YA Comm . Staff Survey Learning 2.0 High Buy-In Tech Fair/ Petting Zoo

First Steps..
Get organized & Get help
Get buy-in & Get excited
Use the Tools

Content –These Six? Wikis/Open Source – Work Tool Gaming – Part of Collection Streaming Media – Info Source IM/Myspace – Reference Blogging – Expert Knowledge MP3’s/IPods – Patron Use (Audiobooks)

Which technologies would you use in your region?

First Step – Support
Visible Support from Top
Realistic Scheduling around Fair
Financial Support

Taking Shape – Timing
Hey, we open late on Wednesdays
One hour lecture- two hour lab
Class of 36
6/6/20 and overlap
Be aware of time

Taking Shape – People
Two For The Show/Two Trainers (at least)
Station Masters & Host/Hostesses
Station Staff
Geek and Facility Support
Partnership with Big Box Store

Taking Shape – Finding People
Early Adopters
“ Techie Types” at all levels
Pages/Teen/Younger Adult Staff
Staff with kids and teens
Trainers in the system
The Curious Learner

Can you think of the folks in your system that fit these categories?

Taking Shape - Space Adequate size and parking Space to move and hear Electronic Infrastructure Good flow

Preparation - Equipment
Computers/Keyboards/Mice
Projectors/ Projection Surfaces
Cords /Cables /Connections
Do a DRY RUN!
Label, Label, Label

Preparation – People
Overlap/Breaks / Lunch
Minimum/maximum numbers
Team skills and personalities
Communicate again and again
The luxury of the floater

Running the Fair – One Practice and practice some more Do a Full Scale Dry Run Plenty of equipment is good Sign, Sign, everywhere a sign Patience is a virtue HAVE FUN!!!

Running the Fair – Two The other shoe will drop & Learn to let go Troubleshooters Identified Tell the people where to go. Tell the people how to get there. Tell them what to do when they get there.

Potholes Change in Technology Equipment and Connections Presenters comfort

Really Big Observation
The gaming station drew a lot of interest because it was more fun and exciting, and it served as a break from all the “serious stuff.”
People occasionally needed to be herded along to the next stop.

Observations
Keep people moving
Blog as you go
You can’t please all the people all the time
Handouts

Document the Zoo
Blog
Photograph
Survey
Anecdotal

Expected Outcomes Introduction and comfort with new stuff. Chance to try hands on. Meet 23 Things and Learning 2.0. Relate to staff at all levels. Emphasize key concepts.

Results and Outcomes
New project? New Wiki!
del.icio.us at the Reference Desk!
Photo sharing done regularly.
Blogging for work and personal use.

Staff got a break from usual routines.
Staff got to bond through play.
Added new technologies to orientation.
Library has a number of active blogs.
Higher number of signups for 23 Things.

Staff can truly engage patrons about new technology.
System commitment to using “learning though play”models in other training.
Commitment to “near future” continued learning about new technologies.

Now, do you think you are ready to do a technology “petting zoo”?

A Taste of the Fair: You too went to the Zoo..

This video is on my youtube channel -- baldgeekinmd

Thank you for coming Do you have any questions?

Links
Links to HCPL 23 things blogs here.
On Flickr: baldgeekinmd
Maurice’s blog : http://baldgeek.wordpress.com
Best Buy http://www.bestbuy.com
Circuit City http://www.circuitcity.com

Maryland Library Association 2008 Conference Creating a Technology Petting Zoo

by Bald Geek In Md on May 23, 2008

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