A podcast is like a broadcast. There are episodes and series, but they are released either as audio or video files online. For my third competency, I searched the pod-o-sphere for a podcast that relates to my subject, video games in the public library. My best results came from Youtube, using the keywords "Wii," "public library," "video games," and "podcast."
The Cape May County Public Library in New Jersey podcasted this great promo for their teen game nights. Using real library patrons (I assume), the library showed how game nights can be beneficial for teens and libraries. In the podcast "Trevor" starts going to all the gaming events, and soon the mother observes him making social connections with library staff and other teen gamers. He even starts using other library services, such as internet computers and books. I included this podcast because it shows how public libraries can use game nights to revamp their image in the mind of teen and younger patrons.
BONUS PODCASTS: I have two other podcasts to share. For people who feel relatively "gaming illiterate," I recommend you check out ArjShoghit's podcast on the history of gaming. It includes an overview of the newest gaming systems. Finally, nothing shows how video games get teens excited about libraries better than WestRoadSal's podcast. He can barely contain himself when he tells viewers that the New York Public Library allows patrons to check out Wii games. He even shows his audience how to search the library's online card catalog (!).
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Blogosphere
For my second competency assignment, I searched the blogosphere for topics that are related to my subject. I thought this would be easy, as gaming in the public library is a hot topic. However, when I used the Technorati Blog Search, I did not get load of results I had expected. When I used the the keywords "gaming in libraries," and finally found The Gaming Zone. This blog is run by the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, in Charlotte, NC, and it collects all the video game, board game, and technology programs for their library system.
This public library video game blog stood out to me because it has such a comprehensive gaming program. It has links to a calendar of events, which offers at least two programs a week. One aspect was new to me: Offering programs to teach interested teens how to create their own video games. I want to include this excerpt (in italics) of the program description:
TEEN GAME DESIGN
The Game Design Workshop is a series of class tutorials that use Multimedia Fusion Software to teach basic game design. These tutorials are self paced and provide access to online forums with other students all over the country. Students will have the opportunity to create original games and work with a game design facilitator (library staff) to develop their game’s content.
The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County
One aspect of of Information Literacy, which is defined by the National Forum on Information Literacy as the skills one needs to find and utilize information, is the ability to use technology to create, communicate, and manage ideas. The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County teaches information literacy with this Game Design Workshop. Naysayers may argue that using video games in the library is simply a way to lure kids into the library, but PLCMC's program clearly promotes information literacy. Video games are not only entertaining and fun social activities: A successful gaming program promotes literacy and prepares youth for their technology-rich future.
This public library video game blog stood out to me because it has such a comprehensive gaming program. It has links to a calendar of events, which offers at least two programs a week. One aspect was new to me: Offering programs to teach interested teens how to create their own video games. I want to include this excerpt (in italics) of the program description:
TEEN GAME DESIGN
The Game Design Workshop is a series of class tutorials that use Multimedia Fusion Software to teach basic game design. These tutorials are self paced and provide access to online forums with other students all over the country. Students will have the opportunity to create original games and work with a game design facilitator (library staff) to develop their game’s content.
The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County
One aspect of of Information Literacy, which is defined by the National Forum on Information Literacy as the skills one needs to find and utilize information, is the ability to use technology to create, communicate, and manage ideas. The Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County teaches information literacy with this Game Design Workshop. Naysayers may argue that using video games in the library is simply a way to lure kids into the library, but PLCMC's program clearly promotes information literacy. Video games are not only entertaining and fun social activities: A successful gaming program promotes literacy and prepares youth for their technology-rich future.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Hip Hip Hooray
I created this blog as an assignment through TWU's Information Storage and Retrival 5013. The blog logs my practice with various competencies in the course. I am an advocate of videogames in the public library, and I will use this focus for all the assignments.
Although academic and other libraries do use video games, I will research information only relating to the public library. I have worked in a public library where I started a gaming program for teens. According to my analysis, this program increased teen participation in library programming. I wish to further my studies of videogame programs.
Although academic and other libraries do use video games, I will research information only relating to the public library. I have worked in a public library where I started a gaming program for teens. According to my analysis, this program increased teen participation in library programming. I wish to further my studies of videogame programs.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)