Hello, readers!
It has been far too long since I have posted anything, though it is heartening to see that old posts on this blog still receive a good bit of traffic. Who knew people would still want to read about the Hubbub? I thought I would give you a few personal updates and then share some links to several learning space projects I had the pleasure of working on in 2013.
The big news is that my dissertation is now published online, and I graduated in December 2013. While my program took nearly five years, it was an amazing experience that I would do again in a second. The course content was excellent, my independent projects were valuable, and I had a wonderfully supportive committee, especially my chair. If you have interests similar to mine, I encourage you to look at instructional design/instructional technology programs.
For some time now, I have wanted to get back into teaching. I taught a library science course back when I was a public librarian and loved it; likewise my experiences in the classroom teaching information literacy sessions were invigorating, but I have gotten away from it in the last few years. I am absolutely thrilled to be teaching a course online this spring, New Directions in Academic Libraries. Last night I wrapped up the first video lecture and made the course available to the class. I couldn't be more excited!
I am participating in several conferences this year, including SLA Leadership Summit and a short trip to ALA Midwinter this month, plus SLA Annual. I am in the process of working on some presentation proposals related to my dissertation work and some new research projects, so I hope to be participating in some events new to me later this year.
Speaking of research, I am working on some possibilities to extend my dissertation research as well as co-author some new instructional design-related projects. At work we have several ideas percolating relating to user experience and design thinking, and we are in the early stages of designing a value study. I would be happy to talk at length about any of them, so feel free to get in touch.
That was far too much about me, though it has been a busy twelve months.
Learning space projects...
In 2013 I had the great fortune of being involved in some way with three different projects:
- William T. Young Library second floor renovation. With private gifts, we transformed two wings of the second floor to create dynamic student learning spaces, including opening up a traditional reference desk.
- Kentucky American Water Room group study room. With a generous gift, we transformed a simple meeting room into a vibrant group study space.
- Media Depot @ the Hub. The Media Depot is primarily a project from the campus IT group, though we are are partner on the project, and it is wonderful having the service in the Young Library. I greatly enjoy talking about it!