Ramblings, citations and "brainwaves" of a college librarian in Toronto. 475 square feet refers to the size of my home, not the size of my office or library.
MERS - bad data on mortgages
I can't help but look all around me and see the dysfunction IT brings to our world. For every plus, there are many more minuses it seems. Paper records were bad because they sat in one building, could get lost, etc. Online records seem to be even worse...again the technology is not the problem but the corporations using it certainly is. Corners get cut and people have no recourse for being victimized by bad data. People's lives are being ruined by bad data...Ruined.
I don't think Bradbury ever saw this coming...the Matrix looks less frightening than what we see going on in the U.S. foreclosure mess; online health records, etc.
I can't help but look all around me and see the dysfunction IT brings to our world. For every plus, there are many more minuses it seems. Paper records were bad because they sat in one building, could get lost, etc. Online records seem to be even worse...again the technology is not the problem but the corporations using it certainly is. Corners get cut and people have no recourse for being victimized by bad data. People's lives are being ruined by bad data...Ruined.
I don't think Bradbury ever saw this coming...the Matrix looks less frightening than what we see going on in the U.S. foreclosure mess; online health records, etc.
12 Ways to Make Bad Decisions
via The Heart of Innovation by Mitch Ditkoff
1. Selective Search for Evidence
2. Premature Termination of Search for Evidence
3. Inertia
4. Selective Perception
5. Wishful Thinking
6. Recency Effect
7. Repetition Bias
8. Anchoring and Adjustment
9. Group Think
10. Source Credibility
11. Attribution Asymmetry
12. Role Fulfillment
via The Heart of Innovation by Mitch Ditkoff
1. Selective Search for Evidence
2. Premature Termination of Search for Evidence
3. Inertia
4. Selective Perception
5. Wishful Thinking
6. Recency Effect
7. Repetition Bias
8. Anchoring and Adjustment
9. Group Think
10. Source Credibility
11. Attribution Asymmetry
12. Role Fulfillment
Seems there are all kinds of issues right now around who owns/controls course materials. One example is Course Hero.
You could upload a friend's course cheat sheet, that itself is full of insturctor supplied content...
Houston, we have a problem...
Open Education...bring on the lawsuits!
You could upload a friend's course cheat sheet, that itself is full of insturctor supplied content...
Houston, we have a problem...
Open Education...bring on the lawsuits!
There are not many Desktop apps I'd recommend, but this is nice:
Ambiance
Great for that ocean waves, burbling brook, etc.
Ambiance
Great for that ocean waves, burbling brook, etc.
George F. Will
3 million iPods in 2.5 years
3 million Kindles in 2 years
3 million iPads in 80 days
3 million iPhones in 3 weeks
2001 iPod arrived. Les than 10 years later the number of employees of music stores declined from 80 000 to less than 20 000....but now folks shop online so the jobs are up at FedEx, UPS delivering what e-shoppers buy....destruction then creativity in three year blocks?
WWW killed the travel agent industry, is about to destroy Real Estate Agents, who is next??? Teachers?...I can see how technology can be used to teach more students with less teaching staff....at least at lower higher education levels...
3 million iPods in 2.5 years
3 million Kindles in 2 years
3 million iPads in 80 days
3 million iPhones in 3 weeks
2001 iPod arrived. Les than 10 years later the number of employees of music stores declined from 80 000 to less than 20 000....but now folks shop online so the jobs are up at FedEx, UPS delivering what e-shoppers buy....destruction then creativity in three year blocks?
WWW killed the travel agent industry, is about to destroy Real Estate Agents, who is next??? Teachers?...I can see how technology can be used to teach more students with less teaching staff....at least at lower higher education levels...
Ian Cook, Director Research & Learning at the B.C. Human Resources Management Association was recently quoted (my paraphrasing):
...it is easy to recruit people who have a degree, but they have no business sense. They're bright, intelligent people but you can't plug them in and have them effective on day one. They need to be shaped, mentored, they need time to learn and develop skills....but the pace, change, complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity in which business is functioning right now, employers want 110% on day three. The talent pool has not changed, employer expectations have....apprenticeship and mentoring programs have been withdrawn, though they are still needed for long term grooming of productive employees.
Yup, employers want to take, they don't want to invest in their personnel assets. All the while higher ed. keeps pumping out more and more graduates, each cohort, having a lower success rate in finding meaningful employment. We focus on material waste in business, what about all the "human waste" being produced, by defective recruiting tactics?
Pre-internet it was difficult to connect job offerings with qualified candidates, so companies invested in providing students with experience to get a career under way. Today it is easy to fill most jobs that are fairly spec'd, so companies stopped giving back because it has no consequences to them. I love those job ads that list so many skill sets that nobody internal has, and it is for an entry level position.
"We want someone who can hit the ground running" is HR speak for we want to exploit someone who is vulnerable right now.
...it is easy to recruit people who have a degree, but they have no business sense. They're bright, intelligent people but you can't plug them in and have them effective on day one. They need to be shaped, mentored, they need time to learn and develop skills....but the pace, change, complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity in which business is functioning right now, employers want 110% on day three. The talent pool has not changed, employer expectations have....apprenticeship and mentoring programs have been withdrawn, though they are still needed for long term grooming of productive employees.
Yup, employers want to take, they don't want to invest in their personnel assets. All the while higher ed. keeps pumping out more and more graduates, each cohort, having a lower success rate in finding meaningful employment. We focus on material waste in business, what about all the "human waste" being produced, by defective recruiting tactics?
Pre-internet it was difficult to connect job offerings with qualified candidates, so companies invested in providing students with experience to get a career under way. Today it is easy to fill most jobs that are fairly spec'd, so companies stopped giving back because it has no consequences to them. I love those job ads that list so many skill sets that nobody internal has, and it is for an entry level position.
"We want someone who can hit the ground running" is HR speak for we want to exploit someone who is vulnerable right now.
eBrary Announcement
155,600 e-books for PDA
155,600 e-books for PDA
". . . . the same forces that created Amazon’s Long Tail in the first place may continue to make it longer over time . . . . First, exposure to niche products could drive consumers to develop a taste for more niche products. Second, by gaining access to “long tail” markets to stock their products, producers could have an increased incentive to create more new niche products over time. Finally, technologies that can drive consumers to niche products — such as search tools, product reviews, product popularity information, and recommendation engines — could improve over time, and consumers could become more familiar with these tools."
Brynjolfsson, Hu & Smith Download
Brynjolfsson, Hu & Smith Download
New Profiteering/Publishing From Amazon.com
"Kindle Singles, which are Kindle books that are in the company’s words, “twice the length of a New Yorker feature or as much as a few chapters of a typical book.” Generally, Amazon characterized Kindle Singles as 10,000 to 30,000 words (roughly 30 to 90 pages)."
Tech Crunch
"Kindle Singles, which are Kindle books that are in the company’s words, “twice the length of a New Yorker feature or as much as a few chapters of a typical book.” Generally, Amazon characterized Kindle Singles as 10,000 to 30,000 words (roughly 30 to 90 pages)."
Tech Crunch
Lauren Indvik About 23 days ago Lauren Indvik 19 URL Shortener Bit.ly Now Generates QR Codes, Too
Published by James.
Jan Nolin writes....
"Boxism fits well with the needs of corporate actors and policy–makers. By adding a module landscape as a layer, the Internet becomes more predictable and regulated. With more transparent patterns of Internet behaviour, commercial exploitation becomes much easier. With this ideology, the chaotic and creative character of the distributed Internet is something that needs to be tame"
First Monday
Yes, this is happening.
"Boxism fits well with the needs of corporate actors and policy–makers. By adding a module landscape as a layer, the Internet becomes more predictable and regulated. With more transparent patterns of Internet behaviour, commercial exploitation becomes much easier. With this ideology, the chaotic and creative character of the distributed Internet is something that needs to be tame"
First Monday
Yes, this is happening.
Commercial Values are Homogenizing Collections and Clouding Librarians' Professional Objectives
Published by James.
Chronicle of Higher Education
Approval plans + overworked reference staff + consortial purchasing = homogenized collections.
It's a problem....
The more homogenized we become, the bigger takeover target we become for L.S.S.I.
Approval plans + overworked reference staff + consortial purchasing = homogenized collections.
It's a problem....
The more homogenized we become, the bigger takeover target we become for L.S.S.I.
Karen G. Schneider Argues Tenure Is Not Compatible With Our Start-up Environment in Higher Education
Published by James.
I am always, and I mean always, impressed what comes out of this woman's mouth. Here is the best attack on tenure for librarians...
I like the 'start-up' imagery she used. Much food for thought. I'm all for reasonable job security, tenure not so much....
I like the 'start-up' imagery she used. Much food for thought. I'm all for reasonable job security, tenure not so much....
From the mindset, front line staff cost too much, comes libraries without people..
There has been a lot of hub bub about L.S.S.I. taking over the operations of more and more libraries. We have "outsourced" many municipal services, are libraries in the same group as police, fire, urban planning? or roads, garbage, parking? time will tell..but like anything I'm guessing L.S.S.I.'s purchasing power will help some libraries...
eTextbooks Are Not Getting Penetration in Higher Education
Published Friday, October 29, 2010 by James.
"The vast majority of students say they prefer print textbooks over electronic ones, and attitudes have not shifted markedly in the past year, according to the results of a survey by the National Association of College Stores."
Chronicle of Higher Education
Maybe they just see it for the scam that it is...pricing is still way too high for a license that expires and has no resale value.
Online education is nowhere near the marketing hype imagery used by Schools.
or you can force eTextbooks down student's throats via "materials fees" on their transcripts.
Chronicle of Higher Education
Maybe they just see it for the scam that it is...pricing is still way too high for a license that expires and has no resale value.
Online education is nowhere near the marketing hype imagery used by Schools.
or you can force eTextbooks down student's throats via "materials fees" on their transcripts.
Prezi, if this is the Future, I'm Punching Out And Going Home
Published Friday, October 15, 2010 by James.
Library Future Keynote using PREZI
Entertaining - Yes. Would I want to sit through this - hell no. I guess I'd like to push it on colleagues who read slides, it may help them....
Entertaining - Yes. Would I want to sit through this - hell no. I guess I'd like to push it on colleagues who read slides, it may help them....
Type Books
For a negotiated fee, they will build you a library collection that meets decor needs, existing shelving, current colours, current themes, integrates your current collection, etc.
They offer "libraries on demand", from small childrens' bedrooms to room sized master pieces full or rare copies and editions.
What a great business to be in!!!
For a negotiated fee, they will build you a library collection that meets decor needs, existing shelving, current colours, current themes, integrates your current collection, etc.
They offer "libraries on demand", from small childrens' bedrooms to room sized master pieces full or rare copies and editions.
What a great business to be in!!!
I remember working with these LSSI folks back in 2002. Seems they continue to take over libraries and operate them like franchises.
In my setting, I can't see it happening.
If these guys got Walmart like consumer demand data, they could in theory do a better job than most libraries today. Realistically, if our faculty really did their jobs to the highest standard, they would select all the library's materials, teach IL in the classroom and work with LSSI to make online course readings infrastructure.
But it will never happen...because faculty want to do less and less, not more work. The library is a service for them and their students to consume not be part of...
I'm still watching LSSI though...
In my setting, I can't see it happening.
If these guys got Walmart like consumer demand data, they could in theory do a better job than most libraries today. Realistically, if our faculty really did their jobs to the highest standard, they would select all the library's materials, teach IL in the classroom and work with LSSI to make online course readings infrastructure.
But it will never happen...because faculty want to do less and less, not more work. The library is a service for them and their students to consume not be part of...
I'm still watching LSSI though...
Three sets of walls are being built on the internet:
1. National Firewalls (Ex. China, Australia). Block sites at ISPs.
2. Walled gardens, ex. Facebook; iPhone Apps.
3. Traffic tolling at ISPs & end users. Express lanes and clogged lanes. Pay to play. There will be nose bleed seats and front row. Which are you going to pay for?
Enjoy the amazing freedom and creativity before it is totally gone. It will be gone that much is certain.
1. National Firewalls (Ex. China, Australia). Block sites at ISPs.
2. Walled gardens, ex. Facebook; iPhone Apps.
3. Traffic tolling at ISPs & end users. Express lanes and clogged lanes. Pay to play. There will be nose bleed seats and front row. Which are you going to pay for?
Enjoy the amazing freedom and creativity before it is totally gone. It will be gone that much is certain.
Khan Academy
1600 - 15 minute educational videos for free~!
1600 - 15 minute educational videos for free~!
PCMAG
Okay, why don't we have these live spellcheck, guess what you want technologies in library search engines, databases, etc?
Why are library content vendors always so far behind?
Okay, why don't we have these live spellcheck, guess what you want technologies in library search engines, databases, etc?
Why are library content vendors always so far behind?
Pew Internet Project
"Some 35% of U.S. adults have software applications or “apps” on their phones"
I wish library databases worked more like apps...the current interfaces are too old school, too cumbersome to use for most. They need simplification, to look and feel like apps.
"Some 35% of U.S. adults have software applications or “apps” on their phones"
I wish library databases worked more like apps...the current interfaces are too old school, too cumbersome to use for most. They need simplification, to look and feel like apps.
Higher Education Industry Worth $2.2 Trillion and Employs 18 Million Academics Worldwide
Published by James.
Everyone is chatting up digital textbooks, sounds like ebook chatter from 1998 to me. I don't see it. I see big bulky books at the coffee shop, on the bus, in the cafeteria...
Stephen, do you believe everything you read?
Stephen, do you believe everything you read?
Maybe I should open my copyright sessions to faculty with this video?
UK - National Plagiarism Guidelines
"Academics in the United Kingdom have drawn up a national tariff covering penalties for student plagiarism, which could be adopted as a worldwide system for dealing with offenders.
Studies in this area have found high levels of inconsistency in the penalties universities employ to punish students who are found guilty of copying, with wide variations between, and even within, institutions.
Now researchers from the advisory service plagiarismadvice.org have created a points-based system designed to act as a sector-wide “benchmark.” Setting out a range of penalties from informal warnings to expulsion, it allows staff to calculate a score for the seriousness of the offense and use this to select an appropriate penalty."
"Academics in the United Kingdom have drawn up a national tariff covering penalties for student plagiarism, which could be adopted as a worldwide system for dealing with offenders.
Studies in this area have found high levels of inconsistency in the penalties universities employ to punish students who are found guilty of copying, with wide variations between, and even within, institutions.
Now researchers from the advisory service plagiarismadvice.org have created a points-based system designed to act as a sector-wide “benchmark.” Setting out a range of penalties from informal warnings to expulsion, it allows staff to calculate a score for the seriousness of the offense and use this to select an appropriate penalty."
Marjorie Kehe
"For many of today's readers – young ones in particular – reading has come to mean a rapid skim across a sea of websites, text messages, and e-mails.
Thomas Newkirk, a professor of English at the University of New Hampshire, is one of a growing number of educators concerned that – in the rush to race through more material – something essential is being lost. "
"For many of today's readers – young ones in particular – reading has come to mean a rapid skim across a sea of websites, text messages, and e-mails.
Thomas Newkirk, a professor of English at the University of New Hampshire, is one of a growing number of educators concerned that – in the rush to race through more material – something essential is being lost. "
Blackboard partners with McGraw-Hill, Follett and B&N, and acquires Elluminate and Wimba.
I can only hope iin time textbooks fess get automatically added to a student's account, and populated to their course.
This whole option book purchase thing does nothing for student success...we need another way!
I can only hope iin time textbooks fess get automatically added to a student's account, and populated to their course.
This whole option book purchase thing does nothing for student success...we need another way!
Only 15,000 of the library’s 96,000 books will be on display in the new library and the rest will be moved to off-site storage. Librarians will no longer staff the desk but will be available to students through e-mail, Facebook, online chatting, or phone.
Also:
Cornell University’s engineering library is also moving most of its print books to storage and then dividing the remainder among other libraries on campus. In addition, Johns Hopkins University has decided it will no longer have a physical location for its medical library. The library staff will now work within the academic departments.
from THE CITE
Also:
Cornell University’s engineering library is also moving most of its print books to storage and then dividing the remainder among other libraries on campus. In addition, Johns Hopkins University has decided it will no longer have a physical location for its medical library. The library staff will now work within the academic departments.
from THE CITE
Last posts
- IT Seems to Not Be Living Up to Its Promises
- 12 Ways To Make Bad Decisions
- Antifeatures! I Love This Guy!
- Book Vending Machines are Not New!
- Freebie Takes on Exclusive ISI Impact Factors Service
- Course Hero.....IP Issues
- Something Entertaining About Mapping Mistakes
- Ambiance App
- Turn Your Blog to a PDF Book
- College Libraries Save Money By Ignoring Netflix T...
Archives
- February 2006
- March 2006
- April 2006
- May 2006
- July 2006
- August 2006
- September 2006
- October 2006
- November 2006
- December 2006
- January 2007
- February 2007
- March 2007
- April 2007
- May 2007
- June 2007
- July 2007
- August 2007
- September 2007
- October 2007
- November 2007
- December 2007
- January 2008
- February 2008
- March 2008
- April 2008
- May 2008
- June 2008
- July 2008
- August 2008
- September 2008
- October 2008
- November 2008
- December 2008
- January 2009
- February 2009
- March 2009
- April 2009
- June 2009
- July 2009
- August 2009
- September 2009
- October 2009
- November 2009
- December 2009
- January 2010
- February 2010
- March 2010
- April 2010
- May 2010
- July 2010
- August 2010
- September 2010
- October 2010
- November 2010
- December 2010
- February 2011
- March 2011
