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!
Many more pictures of these projects can be found on the UK Libraries Facebook page and the Hub's Facebook page. Feel free to contact me if you have questions.
I do post learning space-related content to Twitter as well as content related to research libraries, instructional design, information literacy instruction, and educational technology, so that will be where you will find me more often.
It is great to be back, and thanks for reading!
