[LIBRARYDIR] [EXTERNAL] Re: technology assessment?

Wed Dec 20 09:37:01 PST 2023

We have tried to incorporate Northstar Digital Literacy in multiple ways over the years – orientation, individual courses.  Our eLearning Council also developed a framework (pre-Covid) to identify courses based on how much technology was used but it wasn’t implemented.   Recognizing the need for basic computer skill support, I worked with Tutoring to pilot a Tech Hub in the library near the open computer lab last year but it didn’t work as hoped.  We didn’t have a lot of in person visits yet.  Library faculty and our eLearning team regularly help students.

Our Center for Learning Innovation that includes eLearning has a free 0 credit Canvas course and are following that model to create a basic computer skills course.  One of my adjunct librarians, Mary Ann Confar, has been working on the course.  She wanted to share her thoughts and her hopes for the new course.

Yes there is a desperate need for very basic computer training at the community college level.

I came to Olympic College in 2004 following 4½ years as a computer trainer for the Gates Library program.  I saw the digital divide up close in over 500 libraries across the country.  It’s mostly our older students and community members who (like me) went all the way through school the first time without computers… worked in the world… and now are coming back.  BUT it’s also younger students who try to do everything on their phones.

An online class won’t work for these people who often don’t know how to

·       Turn it on

·       use a mouse

·       launch a program

·       open a window

·       navigate a window… etc.

…and too many people around them have consciously or unconsciously made them feel stupid because they don’t *just know* this stuff – like breathing… so they give up.  I work with students like this every day in the OC Library.  Students who lament “L&I signed me up for an introduction to computers class, but it’s online and I don’t know how to get to it”.

There is an assessment tool – the Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment https://www.digitalliteracyassessment.org/ - but it’s not really tailored to our needs AND some of the material is out of date.  AND… a person who does not have basic mouse and windows navigation skills can’t get into it or navigate through it.

This very basic training needs to be delivered in person in very small groups and a very slooooow pace so as not to leave students behind.  In my experience, large groups (or what we competent users would consider a slow pace) causes them to tune out, sit back, disengage and not learn anything.

I’ve been working on ELRN-96 (through the Center) for a while.  The center hopes to offer this as a 4-hour “boot camp” between quarters.  It should enable students to follow along in GenS-97 (to be rebranded ELRN-97) the Introduction to Canvas. It’s my hope to develop it further into a quarter-long course to offer through Continuing Education.

Thanks,
Erica

From: LIBRARYDIR <librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu> On Behalf Of Morgan, Heather via LIBRARYDIR
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Cc: Morgan, Heather <Heather.Morgan at sfcc.spokane.edu>
Subject: Re: [LIBRARYDIR] [EXTERNAL] Re: technology assessment?

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Spokane Falls doesn’t have a technology assessment for students, but our library tech staff member created a faculty survey looking to see what tech skills faculty see a need to support students with.

Similar to Dawn’s situation, there are some intro to tech skill classes, library tech staff and academic coaches who provide tech assistance to varying degrees. The librarians also help with tech questions not as much as we used to (that has to do with physically moving the reference desk farther from the computer area).

heather

From: LIBRARYDIR <librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu>> On Behalf Of Dawn Hawley via LIBRARYDIR
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Subject: Re: [LIBRARYDIR] [EXTERNAL] Re: technology assessment?

We do not have a formal assessment at BTC either. The library holds a couple of technology workshops at the beginning of each quarter, and then provides basic tech support on a drop-in basis after that. We route Canvas problems to eLearning (not the same as Canvas training). The Tutoring Center also provides some support on a drop-in basis.

Dawn

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Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [LIBRARYDIR] technology assessment?

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We don't have an assessment.  There used to be a program here called START that was started by students who realized that a lot of students needed help with technology. They had an office in the library and helped with all sorts of tech. It doesn't exist in the same form anymore. I think an assessment might be helpful for students to realize they might need and get tech help.

Claire Murata, MLIS
Associate Dean, Library and Learning Resources
Edmonds College
20000 68th Ave. W., Lynnwood WA 98036 | edmonds.edu<http://edmonds.edu/>
claire.murata at edmonds.edu<mailto:claire.murata at edmonds.edu> | (425) 640-1522

[Image removed by sender. college logo]

On Tue, Dec 5, 2023 at 4:55 PM Margret Mills via LIBRARYDIR <librarydir at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:librarydir at lists.ctc.edu>> wrote:
There is nothing on our campus.  We have tried for YEARS.  In fact, over 10 years ago, we offered a couple workshops and they were not well-attended.  We do have somebody fabulous now in our E-Learning department who will spend some time with students, but that happens if they wander in here and we can send them to her.   It isn’t the main focus of her position, but she is willing to help.

Muggs

From: LIBRARYDIR <librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:librarydir-bounces at lists.ctc.edu>> On Behalf Of Ventura, Gerie via LIBRARYDIR
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Cc: Ventura, Gerie <gventura at highline.edu<mailto:gventura at highline.edu>>
Subject: [LIBRARYDIR] technology assessment?

Hi there:

We’re trying to figure out how to help students who need more help with technology than a few minutes here or there in the library or the campus computer lab.

Does any campus give any sort of technology assessment to their students? Or is it all addressed at the classroom level?

Thank you!

Gerie
https://calendly.com/gerieventura
[Louie Gong Native American artist-inspired Highline College Library. A blue eagle head on a green and white background with blue text.]

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