Tag Archives: Education & Training

LIS Workshop Offerings – January

Did you resolve to make time for learning in the new year?  Let us lend a hand.  Our recently updated workshop schedule includes a little something for everyone, including:

  • Drupal workshops for those who maintain departmental web sites (or need to start!)
  • Curricular tech offerings for faculty to help with course web sites (whether oldish, newish, or in transition)
  • WordPress sessions for would-be bloggers (or for those who aren’t sure but want to learn more)
  • Introductions to  — a fabulous video-based online instruction resource that can be used to learn all levels of computer skills (not just the scary high-tech stuff!)

The schedule and course descriptions can be viewed by typing go/lisworkshops in your Web browser’s address field.  Signing up is simple: just click a workshop title then fill in the form.

lynda Learning Spotlight: Using Windows 7 Jump Lists

more about lyndaIf you have a computer running Windows 7 you can use “jump lists” to access frequently-used documents, folders and web sites…  but do you know how?  In less than four minutes lynda can show you:

  1. Login at go/lynda first.  (New to lynda?  Click here for details.)
  2. Now, click here to learn about this quick and easy way to access your favorite files and web sites.

This is just a taste from one of over 1,100 courses lynda offers.  If you haven’t yet explored this new resource, try it today.

Drupal, Moodle & lynda… Oh, my! (Oct/Nov LIS Workshops)

The updated list of LIS workshop offerings is now available.  Signing up is simple — just click a workshop title then fill in the form.  Did you know you can easily call up the current schedule and course descriptions by typing go/lisworkshops in your web browser’s address field?  Check back often.

Lynda in the Limelight

If you are asking yourself, “Who is Lynda?” then you are missing out on a wealth of fabulous learning opportunities.  Lynda is not a “who” but rather a “what” – it is a video-based online instruction resource now available 24/7 to all faculty, staff and students, both here and at Monterey.  Lynda currently offers over 1100 courses composed of engaging, easy-to-view short videos that, like eating potato chips, make it hard to watch just one.

Don’t take our word for it; try it yourself.  In just 1.55 minutes learn how to navigate the Lynda site and find video segments and courses that interest you.  Here’s how:

      • Type go/lynda (or go.middlebury.edu/lynda from off-campus) in your browser’s address field, then press Enter or Return.
      • From Middlebury’s authentication page, log in with your regular Middlebury username and password.
      • The first time you log in you will be asked to provide basic information for your Lynda profile.  At minimum fill in your first and last name; the rest is optional.  (The profile stores your personal video viewing history, bookmarks, certificates of completion, etc.)
      • After logging in, click “Navigating the site” to watch the video.

Bet you can’t watch just one.

Learning is FUN with lynda

We are delighted to announce a new way to learn about technology!  LIS recently finalized arrangements for access to video-based online instruction through Lynda.com.  You can learn new software skills to help at work or home by watching short, 2-3 minute movies or by working through an entire course. 

This fabulous learning resource is now available to all faculty, staff and students, both here and at Monterey, using your Middlebury username and password.  Don’t take our word for it when we claim it’s addictive  — take five minutes, log in for the first time and find out for yourself.  Here’s how:

  • Type go/lynda (or go.middlebury.edu/lynda from off-campus) in your browser’s address field, then press Enter or Return.
  • From Middlebury’s authentication page, log in with your regular Middlebury username and password. 
  • The first time you log in you will be asked to provide basic information for your Lynda profile.  At minimum fill in your first and last name; the rest is optional.  The profile is used to store your personal video viewing history, bookmarks, certificates of completion, etc.)
  • Click “Update” to save your profile information; you will be re-directed to the Lynda site where you can begin your learning adventure.
  • Use the drop-down menus located in the black bar at the top of the site or use the “search” feature to find movies or courses of interest.  Look for links to “Take a guided tour” and “How to use lynda.com” at the top right of all course sites.  You may also select “How to use lynda.com” from the “New” menu for help getting started.

The next time you bump into someone from LIS, thank them for this great new resource.  Many of our staff helped get this project off the Wish List and on to the Try-It-Today List!

Are you reading this post via a feed reader? If so, read on…

On Tuesday May 31st we’re going to change the categories on this blog, so if by any chance you’re using a feed of a specific category, that’s going to break. We suggest subscribing to the whole blog for maximum enjoyment! If you’re not a LIS staff member & would like to filter out the more staff related posts, you can subscribe to the new “Middlebury Community Interest” category after May 31st. The other categories will be “LIS Staff Interest”, and “Post for MiddPoints” which will cause the post to be added to the MiddPoints blog too. All the old categories except “The Essentials” will be converted to tags for easy searching.
The LIS Web team developed this new scheme, following recommendations that came out of the open meeting about the future of the LIS Blog (including a call for simplified categories). The AD Team reviewed and approved these changes. We welcome your comments.

Who Needs What — Education and Training Team Shares Findings

As part of the LIS Education & Training Team’s charge, we have developed an inventory of information and technology skills and knowledge needed by LIS staff, as well as College faculty, students and staff.  On our inventory we also indicate why and to what extent the skills are needed and include some of the resources currently provided by LIS to support faculty, students, and staff.  The team hopes to determine where educational and training resources are either inadequate or missing and to propose more effective ways of delivering essential education and training. Continue reading

Take Two (minutes, that is) for Life-long Learning

The LIS education and training team has arranged for a College-wide trial of web-based instruction offered by Lynda.com.  You can learn new software skills to help at work or home by watching 2-3 minute videos or by taking an entire course.  Our Lynda trial is only available through March 30 so don’t miss the chance to try this exciting product, described by some as “addictive.” Continue reading