I managed to maintain my undergraduate gpa, which is OK, but not excellent. I felt really frustrated over not being able to spend more time with each assignment but I was taking four classes so I pretty much just went from one assignment to the next with no or a negative gap (there was this terrible week with multiple double-digit percentage assignments due). Have I answered all the questions, have a met all the minimum requirements. Check. OK, on to the next one. It was like that.
Now that I'm done I have some observations. For the most part the classes were great. I got the standard basic cataloging, the standard basic reference class, the 'intro to librarianship' class which was great because we got to go on a lot of tours and see various types of librarians at work. Than there was the technology class.
The goal was to be exposed to various types of technology that we would be using in our graduate program/career. They were:
- Powerpoint
- Webdesign
- Blogs
Most frustratingly was the webdesign. Now, as information professionals we should know what an accessible webpage looks like. We should know how to build them. Or, barring that, how to use Dreamweaver which is the program you would actually be using in the real world if you weren't using a CMS like Joomla or Drupal. Instead, we used a WYSIWYG called Koompozer which is an offshoot of NuVu. It's alright. For those of us who know basic HTML/CSS it was frustrating because we weren't graded on our code. Just on our content. For those who didn't have any previous knowledge, they didn't learn anything other than how to use a WYSIWYG they will never use again.
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2 comments:
Hello-- just wanted to say that I enjoy your blog--it sounds like you're up on the latest tech and I've learned a lot just in the past 5 mins!
I found your blog via LJ, and as a current SLAIS student, I was wondering if you could share your thoughts on the program. I got into SLAIS for Fall 08 but still feel fairly uninformed about the program from a student's perspective. I requested to be connected with a current student but never got a response.
My interest is in digital libraries, and specifically virtual reference services-- I currently work at an academic library in electronic resources-- so I'm looking for a program that is top-notch when it comes to following emerging technologies. It's also important to me to have classmates who I can have intelligent and practical discussions with regarding library work--my biggest fear is being surrounded by kids fresh out of undergrad with no experience.
How much value do you think your education at SLAIS is adding to your professional work?
Thanks Victoria! I have so many 'official' blogging obligations right now that I feel I'm letting my personal one go. I always appreciate a reader!
If you haven't been contacted yet it is probably because they are backed up in the mentoring department. Hopefully that will resolve itself.
I was worried about the classmates as well going in, but I was blown away with the depth and intelligence of the people in my cohort. There was some SUPER smart people and quite a lot of us into technology and emerging resources. A number of children's focus ones too so it was a good mix. In fact, because I've already researched so much of librarianship and technology, I found it wasn't so much the course content that led to a lot of learning, it was the conversations I had with my classmates about their experiences in librarianship that really led to a lot of aha moments. Granted, it is rigorous and there were a lot of very academic readings (more than you will have time to read unless you are only a student).
In the end we are all responsible for our own education - at least that is how I've always looked at it. There are a lot of opportunities at SLAIS to participate in student leadership for our various groups and there is Co-op (I'm in the process of applying for jobs right now). And, if your in the neighborhood and planing on making a career in this neck of the woods there is the networking.
OK, this is longer than a blog post! If you have any more specific questions I'd be happy to answer what I can. Email me!
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