[Genealib] Online Genealogy Class

[Pam Cooper]

Hi Gail:

Teaching our patrons sure does make our job easier. I like to break the
classes down to manageable pieces. For example, we have several
databases that access newspapers. I present one class per database. I
also present a two hour general class for all the newspaper databases.

 

Ancestry is so large, that again I would break it down by their tabs:
Historical Records; Stories and Publications, etc. You can spend so much
time generalizing that most people cannot (including myself) absorb all
the details. In addition, classes should be 10-20 people only. Although,
I confess that it is difficult turning people away and we often end up
with 50 or more. (Do as I suggest. <g>)

 

I would also ask members of your local society who may have expertise on
one area of the web site that could demonstrate a small part. Getting
ideas from others who use the databases frequently is often very
rewarding.

 

I almost always do a live demonstration because right after the class
they can go to our department (or any of the other 100+ computers in the
library) and get more on-site training. I had people bring in their
laptops and unfortunately, it was disruptive because they would either
jump ahead and ask questions before we get to that point or get upset
because they can't keep up with me. 

 

Here is a link to my six-week beginner's class, which is not finished
yet.  http://irclibrary.org/genealogy/begclass.htm I still have last
year's stuff on it, but thought you would like to see the geographic
survey that we did. Everyone was thrilled. 

 

Good luck to you!

 

Pam

 

PS - I think I will send my sister to your class. She lives in
Mundelein!

 

Pamela J. Cooper, Supervisor 

Archive Center & Genealogy Department

Indian River County Main Library

1600 21st Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960

 

772-770-5060 x4148 - Fax 772-770-5446

Email: pcooper at irclibrary.org <mailto:pcooper at irclibrary.org>   

Web Site: http://www.irclibrary.org/genealogy
<http://www.irclibrary.org/genealogy> 

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this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.

 

From: genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
[mailto:genealib-bounces at mailman.acomp.usf.edu] On Behalf Of Gail Grunst
Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 6:48 PM
To: genealib at mailman.acomp.usf.edu
Subject: [Genealib] Online Genealogy Class

 

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 <http://www.rlalibrary.org>  

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