Convening an Emerging Technologies Working Group in an Academic Library
Debra Riley-Huff, Erin Ellis and Tami AlbinUniversity of Kansas
Emerging Technologies
Introduced at a phenomenal rate Relevancy in higher education Relevancy in Instructional Services Expectations and new modes
Instructional Services At KU
Information Services
Networking andTelecommunication
ServicesLibraries
Information Technologies
Instructional Services Unit
(housed in Libraries)
Administrative Go Ahead
Must have administrative endorsement Communicate and connect with
stakeholders Prepare for resistance
Variety of definitions Various ways of creating, implementing
and holding accountable an ET working group
Administrative Go Ahead
Have rationale ready for justification Be clear (be very clear, be crystal
clear) about focusing on user needs and enhancements
Discuss possible collaborations or impacts on other campus services
Full administrative support for ET working group
Convening the Working Group
Contemplating Group Composition
Consider Library Size Are you from a small library? Are you from a large library? Interested and Qualified
The Core Group Select experts
Potential testers
Splinter groups
Appointments and volunteers
Rotating members Experts and
novices Give opportunity!
Avoid Clique-type Behavior! Transparent Open Supportive
Research Methods
Let’s take a look at some tools that can help us keep abreast of what is going on!
Two pronged approach Core members of
your group. Instructional
Services person Web development
person Instructional
Technology person Geek
Identify others Know who your
experts are in certain areas
Blackboard, games, blogs, etc.
Programming, scripting
Web services
Specific needs vs. Horizon awareness
Specific needs will generate a charge Horizon awareness will most likely be more
casual.
Tools of the trades… There is much
overlap between LIS tools and Instructional Technology tools.
Libraries are a place of learning
Journals, websites, blogs and conferences
Journals Library Science
ACRL News ITAL Computers in Libraries Reference and User
Services Quarterly
Instructional Technology
AACE Journal IJIM Learning, Media
and Technology Journal of
Asynchronous Learning Networks
Emerging Technologies Knowledge Base
Library Technology Now
ACRL Emerging Technologies in Instruction
PRIMO
Tame the Web
Slashdot
InfoToday Newsbreak
LITA
Conferences LITA Educause Internet Librarian Computers in
Libraries
Testing and Discussion
Looking at the technologies Need based
choices Research based
choices They both need to
be well informed. Be sure you are not
missing anything viable.
Develop a testing plan
Make sure you have covered your bases
Security/Administration Who else needs to know? Prevent shut downs by writing that
into your group charge!
Four possibilities… Lightweight
Instant Messaging Clients (LIMs)…
Massive online role playing games (MMORPGs) …
Podcasting… Voice over internet Protocol (VoIP)…
Lightweight IM client Helping students
on their terms outside the reference structure.
Collaborative use.
MMORPG… 3-D learning and
lecture environment
Interactivity Using existing
environments Waiting for off the
shelf solutions.
Podcasting… Literacy instruction Self guided tours Assignment
support
VoIP environments Method of synchronous
instruction Collaborative tool Presentation tool
Other benefits of testing groups! Team building opportunities The chance to collaborate across
departments. Working with colleagues you many not
normally get to work with. New perspectives and understandings. Different learning styles and ways of
knowing
Implementation
How to get these new technologies implemented to benefit your users!
So you think you have a winner…
Before you approach your administration…
Have you done all your homework?
Costs Training Support
Capitalize on your foundation work and your charge!
Administration•Convene/ renew group•Issue a charge
Administration•Approve •Fund
Working Group•Implement•Assess•Report
Working Group•Listen•Choose•Test•Present
Presenting your findings… May depend upon
the size of your organization.
May depend upon the project.
Present to win approval! Live presentation Demonstration Vendor visit Q and A Discussion Website
or Blog. Be Honest!!
Things to present Costs and Benefits Security Issues Learning Curves
and Training Timelines Marketing
strategies Stakeholders Again…be honest!
Assessing failure… Remember… your
charge and the work you have done gives you permission to assess failure.
What is holding up the project and why? Power struggle by an
individual or group? Confront it because it
is a barrier to service. Competence issues?
Find ways to get the necessary help or shift duties.
Pooh-Poohed and later resurrected? Commit to
confronting ethical dilemmas as a group!
Getting it implemented! Get those team
and testing participants on the bandwagon.
Support of past participants.
Support of the users with need.
Thank You!
Created Spring 2006 by Tami Albin, Erin Ellis and Debra Riley-Huff for LOEX (Library Orientation Exchange)
University of Kansas Libraries