[Genealib] Re: Online Genealogy Class

[Clyda Murray Bhatt]

Ms. Feil, You have developed some excellent programs.  Even more praise 
worthy, you shared them with us. Many thanks.

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Libby Feil" <l.feil at sjcpl.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 2:09 PM
To: <genealib at mailman.acomp.usf.edu>
Subject: [Genealib] Re:  Online Genealogy Class

> Hi, all!
>
> In addition to teaching "Genealogy 101"-type sessions that mention online 
> genealogy, I have taught both 1-shot "courses" and short series of classes 
> on internet genealogy.  They have been a big hit with patrons.
>
> I find that more people are interested in Ancestry than in any other 
> website or database, so I have offered entire classes just on Ancestry.  I 
> focused on search strategies.  You can see my program slides for one such 
> class on my department's website 
> (http://www.libraryforlife.org/aboutsjcpl/departments/localhistory/programs.html). 
> (The slides are in the "Past programs and classes" section under "All 
> About Ancestry.com."  BTW, these slides are typically downloaded 100-200 
> times per month.)
>
> I have also given a less detailed "Finding Your Ancestors Online" class, 
> which introduced RootsWeb, USGenWeb, FamilySearch.org, Archives.gov, and 
> my department's website--including both our homegrown and subscription 
> genealogical databases.  (Our commercial genealogy databases are Ancestry 
> Library Edition, HeritageQuest Online, New England Ancestors, and several 
> historical newspaper collections.)
>
> A few previous responders said that when they teach these classes each 
> attendee sits at a computer.  If you go that route, I would recommend 
> adding a "prerequisite" to the class:  require folks to have completed 
> your library's "basic internet skills" class. Otherwise you may find 
> yourself spending more time explaining the mouse than actually covering 
> online genealogy.  I found this to be such a problem, in fact, that I do 
> not teach this way anymore.  The more computer-literate people get 
> frustrated by the repeated basic questions from the less advanced folks, 
> and the less advanced people start to panic if you ask them to hold their 
> questions.  Now, I use a regular meeting room without computers, and give 
> them a handout that contains the highlights of my presentation.  This has 
> worked much better for me.
>
> Dee Whiting mentioned using PowerPoint rather than live websites.  I 
> always do this as well.  That gives me the option of using the web if I 
> can, but means that it is not a disaster if I can't get to the internet. 
> Becky Hill said that "It is rare that the whole internet has not worked 
> (never)," but I think she misunderstood Dee's point that sometimes one's 
> CONNECTION to the internet can be on the fritz. I have had this happen 
> while I was giving a presentation, and only the fact that I had screen 
> shots in my PowerPoint presentation allowed me to continue.
>
> However you end up structuring your class(es), Gail, I think you'll find 
> that your patrons will be really excited.  Good luck!
>
>
>>From: genealib-request at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
>>Date: Tue,  4 Nov 2008 12:01:06 -0500 (EST)
>>From: "Gail Grunst" <ggrunst at rlalibrary.org>
>>Subject: [Genealib] Online Genealogy Class
>>To: <genealib at mailman.acomp.usf.edu>
>>
>>Our patron's are asking for a class about searching online for their
>>ancestors.  My question is has anybody done a class about searching
>>online?  I use online sources all the time, I'm just not sure how to go
>>about teaching it.  Any suggestions?  Does each person have a computer
>>or do you do more of a demonstration on a big screen?
>>By the way I just did a basic genealogy class for the first time on
>>October 25th.  It was a big hit!  Thanks to all of you for your
>>suggestions and encouragement.
>>
>>Gail Grunst
>>Head of Circulation
>>Round Lake Area Public Library District
>>906 Hart Rd, Round Lake, IL 60073
>>Phone: (847) 546-7060, ext. 111
>>e-mail:  ggrunst at rlalibrary.org
>>Fax:     (847) 546-7104
>>URL:     http://www.rlalibrary.org
>
> -- 
>
> Elizabeth "Libby" Feil, Librarian
> MA, MLS
> Manager, Local & Family History Services
> St. Joseph County Public Library
> 304 So. Main Street
> South Bend, IN  46601
>
> 574-282-4621
> l.feil at sjcpl.org
> AIM:  sjcpllibby
> http://www.libraryforlife.org/localhistory/
> To subscribe to our monthly Local & Family History
> e-newsletter, email me at l.feil at sjcpl.org
>
>
> Learn, discover, and enjoy at your destination library for St. Joseph 
> County research!
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