Tag Archives: SCSU

CMLE, Conference, Guest Blogger

CMLE Scholarship: Annual Minitex Interlibrary Loan Conference

Reflection on 26th Annual Minitex Interlibrary Loan Conference
Mary Ramacher
Access Department – ILL
SCSU Library

As a result of attending this event, can you identify and explain a few things you can use/apply to your work or practice?

Several of the things I took away from the Keynote speaker were:

  • That the library needs to not just be welcoming to employees but that it should look welcoming when you first enter the building
  • To say “yes, and” to show that you understand what someone is saying instead of “no, but” when we can’t do exactly what the patron is asking.
  • An analysis of personality styles.

Our library had a very ‘sterile’ atmosphere when you first enter the building and a few years ago we put in an electric fireplace and some comfortable seating in the front. It is one of the busiest areas of the library now, which proves the idea of being welcoming. I am looking forward to trying the more positive approach of using ‘yes and’ as opposed to ‘no but’ when helping my patrons. The personality types analysis will be very helpful too when dealing with difficult personalities.

The session on statistics by the Minitex Director was very interesting too. Our library web page will need some work so that its format adjusts to any type of device for ease of use.  She also talked about 18-24 year olds reporting ‘digital fatigue’ so our idea that students want everything electronically will need to be reevaluated.

We were also informed of some improvements to WorldShare that I will be using immediately upon returning to work in Interlibrary Loan.

Mary Ramacher

320-308-2085

Access Department – ILL

SCSU Library

General, School Media Specialist

South Jr. High students learn teamwork, respect from video game creation

teamwork 5How often do you hear about video games having a positive affect on young people?

Well, it definitely had a favorable impact on a group of sixth – eighth graders at South Jr. High School, when they became creators of their own video game. The project was a collaboration involving students and teachers from South Jr. High working with an SCSU professor.

The game is titled “Save My Dragon,” and the students drew all the characters, backgrounds, and items in the game. They took inspiration from trees, clothing, nature in their backyards and the buildings in the Twin Cities. The students even created the soundtrack for the game, using recording sticks and instruments.

The article explores how the students faced challenges when it came to agreeing on artwork, and how the experience taught them to respect the ideas of others and take constructive criticism. The end result was a feeling of school pride, and the feeling that they had accomplished this game creation as a team.

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/mg6qkck, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

 

General, School Media Specialist

St. Cloud Coder Dojo

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logoCreate the coders of tomorrow with help from the Coder Dojo of St. Cloud! They are hosting an event where mentors will promote and help kids code. Ages 8-17 are welcome and may work on all types of coding ranging from Scratch to Python. Currently, it’s open house style so no registration is necessary! The Dojo has recently moved to the James W. Miller Learning Resources Center on the St. Cloud State University (SCSU) campus. The first chance to get kids coding will be on October 24th at 1:00 pm.

Check out the Coder Dojo – St. Cloud website for more details.

Facts:

  • Miller Center, Room 218
  • Saturdays, October 24, November 7 and 21, and December 5.
  • Time: 1- 4 pm., come whenever for as long as you like
  • Ages 8-17
  • Kids under 13 need to be with an adult

Questions about location: Cindy Gruwell

Questions about Coder Dojo: Wayne Pfeffer

Sign-up for Coder Dojo email updates!

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General, School Media Specialist

Final call for EdCampMidMN!

7407206_origJoin the learning fun at EdCampMidMN on June 10, 2015. The EdCampMidMN event will be at the ISELF building on the St. Cloud State University Campus (St. Cloud, Minnesota). EdCamp follows the unconference process and is:

  • Completely free. Yes, you read that right. There is NO cost to attend.
  • You design the schedule. We give you the framework, you pick the topics.
  • Have conversations that matter to you. This event is about having rich conversations, not being lectured by experts.

June 10th is fast approaching so Register Now!

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

EdCampMidMN: be a part of the conversation

7407206_origJoin the learning fun at the central Minnesota EdCamp on June 10, 2015. The EdCampMidMN event will be at the ISELF building on the St. Cloud State University Campus (St. Cloud, Minnesota). EdCamp follows the unconference process and is:

  • Completely free. Yes, you read that right. There is NO cost to attend.
  • You design the schedule. We give you the framework, you pick the topics.
  • Have conversations that matter to you. This event is about having rich conversations, not being lectured by experts.

Registration is open so sign up now!