Know enough technology to be dangerous and helpful

Know Enough Technology to be Dangerous and Helpful

Neil Krasnoff

How much knowledge is needed? 

E every browser

L ove computers (no matter what)

P retend you know

F ile conversion online

U pdate regularly

L ook it up!

Why be Helpful?

Technology problems can be stressful

If library staff can't or won't help, what message does that send?

When these students and staff come to you, first smile and pretend you know how to solve their problem

Solutions to common problems

Problem #1: Student worked at home and file won't work at school Solution: File Conversion Online Easy to use utilities:Comet Docs- http://www.cometdocs.com/

ZamZar- http://www.zamzar.com

Solutions (continued)

Problem #2-Internet program or Web page is not working or completely blank

Solution-Try every Internet Browser

Latest versions these 3 browsers should be on all library computers

Solutions (continued)

Problem #3-Library Computers run slowly or don't work

Solutions: This much be unacceptable to you!!!

                Preventative maintenance (next slide)

Preventative Maintenance for Computers

Update Regularly    These Updates should be done monthly at least

Windows     Update

If icons show up, click on them and install

If you run Deep Freeze, unfreeze before update

Other Preventative Maintenance Essentials Keep Virus protection up to date Restart computers regularly Uninstall unused programs 

Let's Review 'How to be Helpful"

How much knowledge needed? Not much!

E every Internet browser

L ove computers (keep up to date)

P retend you know

F ile conversion online

U pdate regularly

L ook it up!

Now lets get Dangerous!

D iigoA lways learn-Twitter!N ot just about books!G o beyond the walls of the libraryE vernoteR isk takingO penness and sharingU se Media and Web 2.0S mart Phones

Diigo-The Triple Threat

 www.diigo.com

1. Online Library for sharing links2. Professional Learning Network3. Notetaking Toolbar for student projects

Evernote: http://www.evernote.com/

More specialized for notetaking

Diigo as Online Library and research tool Store and tag all your useful links as you

find them

Share all or part of your library with teachers and students

Use Firefox toolbar to annotate, highlight and organize info

Diigo as Professional Learning Network

Follow top librarians such as Joyce Valenza, Shannon Miller and Cathy Oxley

Subscribe to groups such as Classroom 2.0, Teacher-Librarians, and QR Codes in Education

Twitter-Gateway to the World

Follow the best educators and techies in the world

Interact with top librarians, get a boost and affirmation: @buffyhamilton and @gwynethjones are must follows!

Gain perspective  world events 

Network and collaborate globally

Win SWAG!

Risk Taking

E-book readers Serving mobile users: Ipads, Smart Phones, etc Innovative Programs and Promotion Online chat for research assistance

Ideas from our studio audience on www.wiffiti.com/screens/33830

Text to 87884 Body of message: @wif33830 + your message

Smart Phones-Essential Tools

A Librarian without a smart phone is like a mechanic without a car

Must be able to assist users with Library catalog, Database 

Great for instant feedback, productivity and organization

Monitor essential email Help others 'get smart'

So how can librarians be Dangerous?

D iigoA lways learn-Twitter!N ot just about books!G o beyond the walls of the libraryE vernoteR isk takingO penness and sharingU se Media and Web 2.0S mart Phones

Let's Continue the Discussion

On Twitter @txlibraryguy

On Diigo: txlibraryguy

On Slideshare: txlibraryguy

Or if you absolutely must be old-fashioned:

[email protected]