The main theme I learned from this course is that technology will keep expanding, and if you don’t keep up with it, you’ll be left in the dust. Technology will never stop advancing, and as a library professional (and frankly for most professionals), it is important to stay up to date with technology. That being said, learning how these technologies work is not as intimidating as it may seem. In just one semester, we learned basic HTML through our Thimble creations, how to create a Wiki page and WordPress blogs, and use the Google suite and Scratch systems. It is amazing that anyone with access to the internet can learn the same programs and systems that we worked with in the class through the various online tutorials and websites.

Before taking this course, I had a humbling experience while substitute teaching in an elementary school. While accompanying the eight-year-old students to their computer class, I saw my first glimpse at the tech savvy future. These kids were using program code to create games and solve glitches, and I had no clue how to help them when they asked for assistance! I had never learned even the basics of computer code, but these children were learning how to code from the start of their education, and it’s happening all over the world. This is why I was so excited to learn how to code with HTML and CSS in our course. I am finally able to understand the magic that’s going on in the computer code, and I might just be able to help out those eight-year-olds now.

Even though I naturally hesitate to learn about the latest technology, especially in regards to computers, I realize after this course that in order to have a competitive edge in this career, and in many others, it is necessary to learn these skills. Job-hopefuls may be expected to know HTML or JavaScript along with the typical proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. Before taking this course, I did not see myself as tech savvy, but now I realize that learning about technology and how it works is not as scary as I imagined it to be, and it’s actually pretty fun too. In this way, my relationship with technology has changed. Although I have only skimmed the surface of coding, I am proud of myself for learning the basics of HTML and being able to understand the code behind a website. A lot of learning about how to use new technology comes down to trial and error. When technology fails me, it is easy to get upset and want to give up, but this course has taught me that you can usually work through the problems and solve them.

Similar to the exposure to new programs in this course, the iQ4 experience threw me into a world that I did not know about before. You always hear about cyber attacks and threats, as they are a common part of today’s world, but it is often hard to grasp what actually happens, and the ways that future attacks can be contained or prevented. The iQ4 case study helped to shed light on these areas of knowledge. My one complaint is in regards to the timing of the program. I understand that the program is typically taught to undergraduate students in a semester-long class, but it felt a little too condensed in our three-session program. It was strange to have to come up with a plan of action for our case, when we barely new anything about cybersecurity protocols. However, in the spirit of the course, our group quickly self-taught ourselves about the topic. Once again, knowledge about technology is readily available online.

I step away from this course with a better understanding of technology, as well as the confidence in my ability to learn new programs. As the old phrase says, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. And if you keep trying and still can’t figure it out, there’s usually a tutorial somewhere to help.

Step right up to play my scratch game, “Space Chomp!”

Here’s the Wiki Page I created for the LBSCI 700 class.

Here is a Google Site I created that includes some of my projects from the LBSCI 700 course.

Here’s a short quiz I created on Google Forms.