Library visitors can sometimes be intimidated or overwhelmed by the amount of material in the library. They might not know how to find something, or if information on something exists. Some people are too macho or too scared to approach a reference librarian for help.
We need to first be observant. Look around and see if people look a little lost or confused. Don't sit behind the desk. Walk around the aisles and see that all the visitors' needs are met. It is sometimes easier for someone to open a dialog if you start it first. If you, the reference librarian, approach the visitor, and ask if he is finding everything he needs, he will sometimes feel more comfortable asking his question, rather than approaching "the desk."
You can then lead him to a catalog and "think out loud". During this thinking process, you will actually be showing him the search process so he will know what to do for the next time. Then show him the way to the materials he needed. If he didn't pick up the research process, he may at least realize that you are not that intimidating and that he should have no problems approaching you in the future.
Where I work, I like to share with the students "Life Lessons." This is wisdom and knowledge of the world that I have that I believe they should know too. Many students leave their wallets sitting out on the table while they work, sleep, or step away to the computer or washroom. I let them know how important it is to keep it on them at all times. Then I tell them how I saw a guy get his wallet stolen while he was paying a bill, and I tell them how they should hold their wallet while they are paying. Then to make sure they put their wallet away immediately. I have yet to see a repeat offender.
Don't be afraid to let other people know what you know. It may come in handy one day
Showing posts with label knowledge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label knowledge. Show all posts
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Technology and the Young, Both a Blessing and a Curse
Is technology making our younger generation smarter than ever, or are they becoming a bunch of dummies? The answer is "YES!"
Technology has it's benefits, as expressed in chapter 3 of Sex, Brains, and Video Games, but it also has its drawbacks.
Students that are more familiar with the many forms of electronic media are considered to be, in some ways, smarter or more advanced than their grownup counterparts. They get it. Young people accept the technology and roll with it, easily learn it and move on. They are able to multitask. Many of them at a very young age have already accomplished more on the computer or internet than many adults.
Adults sticking to the old ways are being left behind. Reading books no longer makes a person literate. Literacy is being redefined for a new generation. Kids consider themselves more literate than an adult who is not skilled in information communication technology.
Knowing the internet, blogs, web 2.0, etc. is important for both adults and children. And as time and technology advances, the need to keep up will evermore increase.
However, there are a few things I like to say about technology that many people seem to forget.
"You need to learn to walk before you can run."
You need to know how to do math before you can learn to use a calculator; you need to understand the concept behind it. You need to know the alphabet before you can spell; you need to learn to spell before you can rely on an undependable spellchecker. You need concept, before design, before product.
Technology is a great tool as a helper, as a convenience, but...
What happens when the power goes out. Technology is useless.
There are so many kids right now, that don't know how to write or read script, and they barely know how to print either. This is because they are so used to using a keyboard for all their writing needs. They don't know how to read an analog clock. I saw this one preschooler flipping the pages of a magazine like you would using a Kindle.
I'm a lousy speller. At work, kids will ask me how to spell something, so I will tell them that the dictionary is "right over there," and point to the dictionary stand about 15 feet away. They will say, that takes too long. Then they take out their phone, or netbook, and I walk over to the dictionary. By the time I get back to the table, I already have the word looked up, and they just have the spelling program open. Many of them don't even know how a dictionary works.
The youth of today are growing up at a great time. Technology is amazing and to be able to grab hold and run with it the way many young people do today is a great thing. We adults need to be able to be more like that. But, the basics can not be forgotten. Technology may not always be there when you need it, so make sure that knowledge is always there instead.
Technology has it's benefits, as expressed in chapter 3 of Sex, Brains, and Video Games, but it also has its drawbacks.
Students that are more familiar with the many forms of electronic media are considered to be, in some ways, smarter or more advanced than their grownup counterparts. They get it. Young people accept the technology and roll with it, easily learn it and move on. They are able to multitask. Many of them at a very young age have already accomplished more on the computer or internet than many adults.
Adults sticking to the old ways are being left behind. Reading books no longer makes a person literate. Literacy is being redefined for a new generation. Kids consider themselves more literate than an adult who is not skilled in information communication technology.
Knowing the internet, blogs, web 2.0, etc. is important for both adults and children. And as time and technology advances, the need to keep up will evermore increase.
However, there are a few things I like to say about technology that many people seem to forget.
"You need to learn to walk before you can run."
You need to know how to do math before you can learn to use a calculator; you need to understand the concept behind it. You need to know the alphabet before you can spell; you need to learn to spell before you can rely on an undependable spellchecker. You need concept, before design, before product.
Technology is a great tool as a helper, as a convenience, but...
What happens when the power goes out. Technology is useless.
There are so many kids right now, that don't know how to write or read script, and they barely know how to print either. This is because they are so used to using a keyboard for all their writing needs. They don't know how to read an analog clock. I saw this one preschooler flipping the pages of a magazine like you would using a Kindle.
I'm a lousy speller. At work, kids will ask me how to spell something, so I will tell them that the dictionary is "right over there," and point to the dictionary stand about 15 feet away. They will say, that takes too long. Then they take out their phone, or netbook, and I walk over to the dictionary. By the time I get back to the table, I already have the word looked up, and they just have the spelling program open. Many of them don't even know how a dictionary works.
The youth of today are growing up at a great time. Technology is amazing and to be able to grab hold and run with it the way many young people do today is a great thing. We adults need to be able to be more like that. But, the basics can not be forgotten. Technology may not always be there when you need it, so make sure that knowledge is always there instead.
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