We never know what comes next, but time off can help bring peace and renewed enthusiasm for the future. Here's to hoping the second half of summer is as exciting and invigorating as the first.
That said, I'm off blogging again this week until July. Wishing you all a restful, relaxing week and Independence Day.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Friday, June 22, 2012
Instruction: Back to the beginning
It's been a while since I wrote about instruction, which was one of my first major blog topics (you can see some of my older posts on my first instruction experience, the value of observation, some overall reflections and and my most recent instructional post).
And the one thing I've really learned about instruction is that there is always more to learn. Just yesterday I had yet another new experience... developing a workshop outline from the ground-up by myself and teaching it. (Well, I didn't develop the outline just yesterday, but the instructional session was yesterday.)
The University of Michigan has recently begun officially using Google Apps, which includes Google Docs. I've not written much about Google, but if you know me personally, you know that I am kind of obsessed with Google for work and personal productivity. I make spreadsheets and docs for *everything* (even my book club) and have started a Google Calendar with my girlfriends for easier scheduling purposes. That said, when I was asked to develop and teach this workshop, it was exciting.
Then I sat down to do it. I know Google Docs pretty well, simply because I use them. So I decided to "go with what I know" and not make the workshop too structured, because the best way to learn to use Google Docs is to do it. I wanted to teach the various features and options within Docs while allowing the workshop participants to play. I had feedback from my supervisors, and a friend who had taken a Docs workshop a couple of weeks back. So I felt fairly confident that the workshop I planned was on track.
But now here's the thing. I think it went well. It was so difficult to tell. When teaching Word for Dissertation - a workshop with a specific purpose where you can tell if people are following along - it's a bit easier. I never expect workshop participants to walk away remembering everything but it's good to know they learned something. In the Google Docs workshop yesterday, people were asking questions, playing around with Docs while I was talking (which was great!), and some stayed after to ask questions. So I think it went well.
But how to tell? Just another challenge in instruction. :)
And the one thing I've really learned about instruction is that there is always more to learn. Just yesterday I had yet another new experience... developing a workshop outline from the ground-up by myself and teaching it. (Well, I didn't develop the outline just yesterday, but the instructional session was yesterday.)
The University of Michigan has recently begun officially using Google Apps, which includes Google Docs. I've not written much about Google, but if you know me personally, you know that I am kind of obsessed with Google for work and personal productivity. I make spreadsheets and docs for *everything* (even my book club) and have started a Google Calendar with my girlfriends for easier scheduling purposes. That said, when I was asked to develop and teach this workshop, it was exciting.
Then I sat down to do it. I know Google Docs pretty well, simply because I use them. So I decided to "go with what I know" and not make the workshop too structured, because the best way to learn to use Google Docs is to do it. I wanted to teach the various features and options within Docs while allowing the workshop participants to play. I had feedback from my supervisors, and a friend who had taken a Docs workshop a couple of weeks back. So I felt fairly confident that the workshop I planned was on track.
But now here's the thing. I think it went well. It was so difficult to tell. When teaching Word for Dissertation - a workshop with a specific purpose where you can tell if people are following along - it's a bit easier. I never expect workshop participants to walk away remembering everything but it's good to know they learned something. In the Google Docs workshop yesterday, people were asking questions, playing around with Docs while I was talking (which was great!), and some stayed after to ask questions. So I think it went well.
But how to tell? Just another challenge in instruction. :)
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Time off...
One of the things about working hard is that it's hard to find time for a break. Momentum builds, projects beat on, and the world still turns. But that's why summer (particularly in Michigan, when our warm months are so few) is a good time to simply s-t-o-p.
June is my vacation month this year so I'll be gone a few different times and will not allow myself to check email (as often), worry about what's ahead, or even write this blog. I'm going to unplug as much as possible, and relish in the beauty of the Midwest and U.P.
I'll enjoy my break, ready to come back and commit to the rest of my work this summer and prepare for the fall. Wishing all of my readers some relaxation during this beautiful as well.
June is my vacation month this year so I'll be gone a few different times and will not allow myself to check email (as often), worry about what's ahead, or even write this blog. I'm going to unplug as much as possible, and relish in the beauty of the Midwest and U.P.
I'll enjoy my break, ready to come back and commit to the rest of my work this summer and prepare for the fall. Wishing all of my readers some relaxation during this beautiful as well.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
What kind of blog is this?
Blogs are everywhere. Blogs with images, blogs with news commentary, blogs about research...
Today, I received an inadvertent email (not directly questioning my blog) that did make me question my blog. What is the goal? Why did I create it? What kind of blog is it?
When I started blogging, I blogged for a class which required me to reflect on readings from the course and the activities in which we participated during the sessions. When I started blogging on my own, I didn't really think about what type of blog this would be except that I knew I wanted to document my journey of completing my master's degrees and my experiences at my job. I never considered anything else.
Today's email made me realize that frequent consideration about what I do - and do publicly - is important. I'm still fine with blogging my experiences - because I am still making my way through school and figuring out my professional life - but the email made me think about how this blog can change and evolve. When I do become a professional, I don't just have to blog about what I am doing, and hope that others find it interesting - I can blog about what I see on the outside, and tie my experiences in with that. I can review articles and research and discuss how I'm doing, or not doing, what the research suggests. So maybe I will.
But today's email really just gave me a chance to reflect on the purpose of this blog. I know what it is now, but the email reminded me that growth is important and that it doesn't have to be this way forever.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Feels like a real job
So my current position is a two-year term appointment spanning from the time I began my MSI (August 2010) through the completion of the degree, plus the summer (so, though August 2012). During this time, I've documented many of my experiences in classes and at work, mostly all jumbled together due to time and coinciding activities. Even last summer, when I was "only working" - and was present at work nearly full-time some weeks, my personal life (knee surgery and wedding) prevented me from truly digging into the actual work I was doing.
This summer, I'm "only working" and even though I know I have less than three months left in my professional position, I'm finding it impossible not to get as much out the experience as possible. This is contradictory to two things: 1) I'm pretty close to completing the number of hours required for my position, and I was going to try to work a bit less and enjoy the summer?, but more importantly 2) I need to start winding down some of the work that won't continue when I leave. So this is my challenge right now: work less and do more?
Currently, I'm preparing for the June 8 conference, doing research for the Education librarian about the School of Ed, participating in Collection Development trainings and meetings, teaching four instructional sessions (dissertation and Google Docs), working on a PowerPoint software guide, and working desk shifts of 10 hours/week. All very valuable and exciting stuff, but a lot of stuff. So I'm trying to phase out some of that work while not essentially giving it up?
I'm finding it very easy to say yes to work, forgetting that this work will be complete at the end of August, with no option to continue. It's very easy to say yes because I enjoy what I'm doing and it's finally feeling like a real job - real engagement in real library work. And it's easy to say yes because after August, the opportunity to participate in such professional experiences will be gone. As June begins today, this issue, plus my job search and application processes, will continue to transpire.
The word "challenge" does not always conjure up a positive feeling, but in my case, I'm very grateful for this "problem" and thankful that I can have these experiences and take these opportunities while they are available. Even only for the next three months :)
This summer, I'm "only working" and even though I know I have less than three months left in my professional position, I'm finding it impossible not to get as much out the experience as possible. This is contradictory to two things: 1) I'm pretty close to completing the number of hours required for my position, and I was going to try to work a bit less and enjoy the summer?, but more importantly 2) I need to start winding down some of the work that won't continue when I leave. So this is my challenge right now: work less and do more?
Currently, I'm preparing for the June 8 conference, doing research for the Education librarian about the School of Ed, participating in Collection Development trainings and meetings, teaching four instructional sessions (dissertation and Google Docs), working on a PowerPoint software guide, and working desk shifts of 10 hours/week. All very valuable and exciting stuff, but a lot of stuff. So I'm trying to phase out some of that work while not essentially giving it up?
I'm finding it very easy to say yes to work, forgetting that this work will be complete at the end of August, with no option to continue. It's very easy to say yes because I enjoy what I'm doing and it's finally feeling like a real job - real engagement in real library work. And it's easy to say yes because after August, the opportunity to participate in such professional experiences will be gone. As June begins today, this issue, plus my job search and application processes, will continue to transpire.
The word "challenge" does not always conjure up a positive feeling, but in my case, I'm very grateful for this "problem" and thankful that I can have these experiences and take these opportunities while they are available. Even only for the next three months :)
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