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