Take Your Technology Training Sessions to the Next Level: Embed Interactive Resources

Leverne McBeth, MLISReference Services Spartanburg County Public Libraries

Looking for a better way to jump-start learning opportunities at your library?

• Type of technology training offered at public libraries:– Internet (introductory and intermediate)– Computer basics (mouse, keyboarding, organizing

files)– Email– Web Design– Database and catalog searching– Microsoft Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and

Publisher)

Setting Goals

• Create lifelong learning in the community• Increase statistical data for our databases• Relieve the pressure to create computer

workshops from scratch

Transforming the Traditional Classroom

•Why?– In the beginning……• Low attendance• Patrons requesting advance computer workshops• Library staff did not have time to develop new

workshops • Lack of flexibility

Interactive Resources: Databases and Websites

• LearningExpress Library • GCF LearnFree• YouTube• Office.com

LearningExpress Library (LEL)

• This database offers:– Computer Skills tutorials

• Popular software programs– Microsoft Access– Microsoft Excel– Microsoft Outlook– Microsoft PowerPoint– Microsoft Project – Microsoft SharePoint

Designer– Microsoft Visio– Microsoft Word

• Computer Workshops @ SCPL:

– Microsoft Word• Basic• Intermediate• Advanced

– Microsoft Excel• Basic • Intermediate• Advanced

– Microsoft PowerPoint• Basic• Advanced

LearningExpress Library Series: Basic Word 2010

Embed a LEL Tutorial into a PowerPoint Slide

1.1 User Interface

1. Create a screenshot of the LEL screen (Snipping Tool or Screenshot option)

2. Create a hyperlink

Embed a YouTube tutorial into a PowerPoint Slide1. Pull up the YouTube video

you want to use in your slide.

2. Copy the embed code of the YouTube video

3. Click on the Insert tab and go to the Media group

4. Click on the triangle under Video and select Video from Web Site

5. Insert the website’s embed code

Patron Activity from July 2014 to April 2015

1-Jul 1-Aug 1-Sep 1-Oct 1-Nov 1-Dec 1-Jan 1-Feb 1-Mar 1-Apr

50

40

18

3944 44

130

65

98

61

LearningExpress LibraryPatron Activity

GCFLearnFree.org

Office.com

Office Online• Office.com• Click on

“Support”• Enter my topic in

the Search box• Example:

Captions and Word 2010

What I Learned:

– Being flexible and adaptive to difficult situations– Designing and delivering training that addresses

all learning styles– Knowing the content and keeping up-to-date on

technology and training issues– Being enthusiastic, engaging, and responsive to

participants’ ongoing needs– Ensuring that learning occurs and effectively

creating a learning community– Modeling what is trained by example

• Leverne McBeth, Reference Librarian IIEmail – levernem@infodepot.orghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mcbethl

• Spartanburg County Public Libraries 151 S. Church StreetSpartanburg, SC 29306 -- www.infodepot.org

• Recommended Reading:The Accidental Technology Trainer By, Stephanie GerdingISBN: 978-1-57387-269-1