Last month I decided to take a MOOC through UNC-Chapel Hill and Courser about Metadata. Initially, I was really excited. I wanted something that blended review of what I knew with some helpful information that I hadn't yet learned, especially in the realm of HTML and XML.
In my final semester at U. Pittsburgh, I took a really helpful course on Metadata and learned so much about the subject. My learning there coincided with what I learned in the MOOC so much so that everything felt like review--4 weeks of it. I didn't want to do any of the homework questions, because they seemed too simple (multiple choice does when you're talking about XML). I realize these questions are necessary when 32,000 people are in a class, but I wanted some intense work in XML. To be fair, I was warned: Jeff mentioned that he'd expected course-goers to have no history in metadata and library science. So, the fault was nearly all mine. So why didn't I just keep trying and finish the course? It's only 8 weeks, right? Well, when you're a job hunter who graduated two months ago, time is of the essence. It's a blend of keeping updated, applying for jobs, regaining that sense of identity you lost during the program, and relaxing. I recently got a new job (YES) as a Circulation Clerk at our local public library, and I love it for the most part (next blog, much?). This means I am back to two jobs, and spending the time each week on a course I can't even get in has been more than difficult. It's made me really consider what things are more important to me right now. I want to take a MOOC to keep my brain fresh and keep updated in libraryland and, of course, be more appealing to employers, but I don't want to push through something I'm not gaining things from. It's only made me more focused on what things should matter to me and my professional development. So, if you have any insights, recommendations for where to follow through, or thoughts, send them my way!
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I started my first MOOC this semester, and I think I'm making the same progress as many others in the course--minimal. The MOOC--New Librarianship--covers a new way of looking at the profession as the needs of society are changing, and the videos I have viewed are at the very least, thought-provoking. While the course separates the content into four weeks, each week is divided into modules focusing on different topics, such as Knowledge Creation.
Unfortunately, my experience with the text, David Lankes' Atlas of New Librarianship (the professor wrote the text) has been sporadic. I'm wondering now if I should have signed up for the class that lasts the final three weeks of my semester in the MLIS program and a week after I graduate. It's rough. But, I think my own struggles with time and effort in the class highlights a common issue with MOOCS on a fundamental level. When you have little invested in the class, do you make the time and put forth the effort required? It isn't the fault of the course, because the work is hardly difficult, but a psychological process in my head. At the very least, the videos and short views I have seen in the Discussion Board (last count: over 1200 posts) have ignited discussion with fellow classmaters and made me jot down notes of aspects I'd like to further explore. Since I have two (TWO!) assignments left in my program, I'm hoping I can devote more time and effort into the course and at least lend more participation and voice to the conversation. I'm grateful for the experience (Thanks Syracuse!) , and I think it will inspire me to b e more active when I have--if I have--more time and energy in the future. |
Stephanie FreasRecent MLIS graduate & lover of writing. This is a narrative of my first look into the librarian profession. Archives
November 2013
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