INFO 289 ePortfolio – Dr. Patricia Franks
SJSU School of Information / Fall 2015
Patricia Ayame Thomson
Competency H
Demonstrate proficiency in identifying, using, and evaluating current and emerging information and communication technologies
Introduction
Libraries have always been in the profession of collecting, organizing, and disseminating information. Whether the format of the information resource is paper-based or electronic, libraries and information professionals have the responsibility to provide the best quality information to patrons. Due to the recent technological revolution, libraries are in a constant state of flux and transition. As a result, it is critical for information professionals to keep up with the latest technology to continue serving the information needs of the community.
Web 2.0 technology has opened up a myriad of ways that information professionals can communicate with patrons. For example, the applications of Web 2.0 technology facilitates collaboration with users and includes many avenues of online communication such as RSS (Rich Site Summary; originally RDF Site Summary; often called Really Simple Syndication), wikis, podcasts, vodcasts, instant messaging, online chat tools, blogs, metadata tags, folksonomies, and social networks. As expected in librarianship today, information professionals should provide the basic services of online chat tools (like Meebo), email messaging, text messaging, and phone options for reference assistance. Additionally, in order to reach a broader audience, using social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram can be extremely beneficial in marketing and promoting libraries and library services.
In today’s information era, provision of quality electronic resources is just as important as paper-based collections. For example, it is important for information professionals to develop and maintain the eBook collection for downloadable audio books on platforms such as OverDrive and eBooks such as Nook and Kindle. Also, the library helps to bridge the digital divide by providing Internet access to those who cannot afford to buy or update their equipment. Along with the use of computers in the library for adults and children, many libraries have electronic items for patrons to borrow such as iPads, laptops, and eBooks.
Also, evaluation of technological devices is extremely important. In Rubin’s (2004) textbook, he states that “technological developments need to be evaluated objectively and critically” (p. 80). Rubin suggests that decisions made about technological advancement in the library should not be made frivolously, and he suggests examining and evaluating the new technology as you would with any other product. Contrary to uncritical acceptance, Rubin recommends that “the technologies adopted have an overall beneficial effect on library service” (p. 80).
Personal Experience
During my educational career at the San José State University, School of Library and Information Science program, I have used the following technological software programs and content management systems. I am proficient with Google Presentation to create slide presentations, HTML and CSS to design and create websites, Jing to produce voice-over for slide presentations, Blackboard Collaboration to participate in live online conferences, Microsoft Excel to create databases, and WordPress to create blogs for a couple of courses. As a result, I believe I am proficient with various forms of the latest information and communication technologies used in information organizations.
Three Artifacts Presented as Evidence for Competency H
I present three artifacts as evidence for Competency H, which is to demonstrate my proficiency in identifying, using, and evaluating current and emerging information and communication technologies.
First Artifact
LIBR 240 – Information Tools and Technology
I present the first artifact from the course, LIBR 240—Information Tools and Technology at San José State University, School of Library and Information Science program taught by Professor Raymond Dean. During the course, I learned how to design and create a website using HTML and CSS. This multifaceted website opens with a slideshow on the home page and is divided into nine categories or layers. I decided to include this artifact as evidence for Competency H, since it demonstrates my ability to write basic code and create a website using HTML and CSS.
Second Artifact
LIBR 202 – Information Retrieval – Part 1
LIBR 202 – Information Retrieval – Part 2
I present the second artifact from the course, LIBR 202—Information Retrieval at the San José State University, School of Library and Information Science program taught by Dr. Mary Bolin. Dr. Bolin instructed us to divide up in pairs, select a topic, and create a database on Microsoft Excel with at least fifty entries. My partner and I decided to create a database listing fifty Anime films in random order. For Part 1 of the assignment, the database was divided into ten categories or fields including the title, author (of graphic novel), characters’ names, film rating, director, writer, genre, format (movie/volume/set), language, and subtitles. My partner and I shared the task of data entry and we each entered twenty-five Anime films on the spreadsheet.
For Part 2 of the assignment, my partner and I entered the terms for the pre-coordinated controlled vocabularies and the post-coordinated thesaurus on a separate spreadsheet. My partner and I selected the pre-coordinated and post-coordinated terms derived from the Anime films listed in the Part 1 database. The purpose of entering the pre-coordinated and post-coordinated words on a second spreadsheet was to facilitate search results and improve relevant retrieval results from the database. After completing the assignment, I realize the data is broken down in separate fields and the search engine looks for the query’s equivalent, relative, and/or associative relationships. I believe I now understand the inner-workings of an online database.
Third Artifact
LIBR 285 – Research Methods in Library and Information Science
The third artifact presented is from the course, LIBR 285—Research Methods in Library and Information Science for the San José State University, School of Library and Information Science program. I elected to include this evidence, since it demonstrates my ability to use technology in order to create an online slide presentation with the Google Presentation program. The slide presentation consists of twenty slides with images and graphics on each. In addition, the slide presentation is a self-contained package and developed so that any information professional will be able to read the narration while displaying the slide presentation.
The content of this slide presentation is a proposal for the Urbana-Champaign Library to collaborate with the University of Illinois, International Student Affairs office to create an “Information Literacy Tutorial” for first-year international students. The tutorial deals with information literacy issues faced by first-year international students such as plagiarism, academic writing, citation guides, time management, and social inclusion. Most people use PowerPoint to create slide presentations, however, the Google Presentation program is newer and contains the latest technology. I included this artifact as evidence to prove my proficiency in using the latest technology to create slide presentations with and without accompanied narration.
Conclusion: I Am Now Technologically Proficient
The librarianship profession as well as most other occupations have been affected by the technological revolution and experienced a shift in paradigm. In order to stay relevant in the technological world today, it is imperative for information professionals to understand and keep up with the latest and emerging technological advancements on a professional and personal level.
In hindsight, I have received an abundance of information about identifying, using, and evaluating technologies through the San José State University School, Library and Information Science program. Before I enrolled in the program, I did not know how to use any of the technology that I do now. After taking many courses incorporating various electronic devices and software programs, I am confident that I am proficient at identifying, using, and evaluating the latest technology. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to get up-to-date with the latest and emerging information and communication technologies through the San José State University, School of Library and Information Science program. I believe the technological knowledge I gained will be extremely beneficial towards my career as an information professional.