Free Gaming in Libraries Course

I just received an e-mail with this awesome opportunity.
Want to do gaming in the libraries but not sure what your first step should be? Here is some helpful FREE information to use as a guide.
Enjoy!

Free Gaming in Libraries Course via YouTube

Scott Nicholson, associate professor at Syracuse University's School of Information Studies, will be teaching a video-based course on the basics of gaming in libraries. Every day during the month of June, participants will be able to view a new video exploring some concept of games or how libraries can integrate games into their programs. The class will cover games appropriate for all age groups in many types of library settings. Throughout the month of June, Scott Nicholson will teach IST 600 Gaming in Libraries in three online spaces, two of which are freely available to anyone:

· The Syracuse University YouTube channel, where video lectures and guest speakers will be posted, and where students enrolled in the class will be required to post weekly video responses. (http://www.youtube.com/syracuse)

· American Library Association (ALA) Connect , a social networking site for the ALA that will host the discussion of students, speakers, librarians, and other participants from the general public. (http://connect.ala.org/forum/10310)

· The iSchool¹s online learning management system, a private space for enrolled students to ask questions and submit their assignments.

Students and other participants in the class can expect to gain a solid understanding of the spectrum of types of games, know how libraries typically use games, and be able to select games for their own libraries based upon the goals of the program and the mission of the library. They will learn how to start a gaming program, how to facilitate the activity, how to assess the program, and how to tie the assessment back to the library¹s mission. Nicholson¹s biggest goal for the course is to bring together students, librarians, gamers, and representatives of the gaming industry for a month-long discussion about the roles that games can play in libraries. The course is being offered by the Syracuse iSchool to its students and students enrolled at partner schools through the Web-based Information Science Education (WISE) Consortium.
The course is being funded by the Kauffman Enitiative Project at Syracuse University.
The primary blog for the course is at http://gamesinlibraries.org/course

GLLS 2008 - Now it's Grandma's Turn to Wii

This session was presented by Allan M. Kleiman from Old Bridge Public Library in Old Bridge, NJ!

Allan talked about how his library successfully implemented a Wii gaming series in his library for senior citizens.

Using the library's Teen Advisory Board as mentors, the library created a series of sessions for senior citizens to come and learn how to use controllers, play basic games, such as Wii Sports, and created a non-threatening, fun-filled environment for seniors to come and learn some new technology!

The library created 3 learning sessions prior to the actual gaming series, to train Teen Volunteers on how to teach senior citizens to use the Wii. They did things like, role play how they would teach their grandparent's to use the Wii. stressed the importance of going slow and being patient, and prepared the teens for a number of different learning scenarios!

When the gaming series started, teens taught the seniors for 1 hour, and than were "rewarded" with 2 hours of open-play after the event!
This way, kids felt like they weren't just working and leaving, and seniors had a chance to see some of the crazy games that they could eventually play!

By the end of the gaming series, seniors were able to play many Wii sport games, and actually gave Guitar Hero a try!
As this program has continued, Allan said that the seniors are now teaching each other, and the library is looking forward to starting a Wii League that will compete against local assisted living facilities in the area!

Keys to success for this event were:
-Pre-training for teens, as well as hand picking teens that were enthusiastic!
-Having multiple gaming nights instead of just one night. Seniors need more than one session to learn everything and get to a point of playing. They like to know they have a chance at retaining what they learn by playing more than once!
-Plenty of Beverages! Staying hydrated is really important while playing such active games!
-Not making a competition. Allan found that the majority of seniors just wanted to play and support one another. The idea of gaming and competition isn't a strong pull for seniors. Stick to Open-Gaming forums in the beginning!

I LOVE this idea! How great would it be to create an inter-generational event at your library, using the teens you already have!

2008 Gaming, Learning, and Libraries Symposium

This past week, I attended the 2008 GLLS in Chicago, IL.

It was a wonderful 3-day Symposium on how libraries can successfully implement gaming events as well as circulating gaming materials in their libraries.

I left with a ton of new ideas and lots of wonderful resources, including a few books that I've purchased or received for everyone to use!

Gaming in Academic Libraries: Collections, Marketing, and Information Literacy - Amy Harris and Scott E. Rice
Teen Girls and Technology: What's the Problem, What's the solution? - Lesley Farmer
Gamers... in the LIBRARY?! - Eli Neiburger
Library Technology Reports: Gaming and Libraries Updates: Broadening the Intersections - Jenny Levine

I also scored the Starter Edition of Dungeons & Dragons, 4th edition and a Starter Edition of Magic, the Gathering. If anyone would like to start a Role Playing Gaming Group in their library, this is a great way to see what it's all about.

Because of all the information that I want to relay to everyone, I will be posting a series of Symposium Themed blogs. This way, i can hopefully break down the info into bite sized pieces that you will actually want to read, instead of the novel that I would inevitably write!

Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have!