The Google Generation, blogging around the world and more at OLA

I have been lucky enough to be able to attend OLA 2008.

Ethan Zuckerman, the presenter of a session titled "The Internet is NOT flat" gave us a tour of the glablized Internet, showing us how the world is connected (or not connected) around the world.
He works with a non-profit website that posts and translates blogs from the world, often from countries ignored by mainstream media, including Google News.
Global Voices Online

Ethan was a dynamic speaker and he mentioned many sites - here are two for your consideration!
Afrigator for African blogs.
EastSouthWestNorth news in English and Chinese.

Getting the attention of students in library training sessions!
Sophia Apostol talked about a report on the Google Generation - those born after Google. If you are interested in their findings about how this generation uses the web and searches for information see:
Google Generation report

Some presentation tips for library or database orientation:
Emphasis that staff are happy to help them with their research.
Suggest they search for "full text" articles only - they can't really access the hard copies of periodicals very easily.
Make sure they know that they can e-mail results.

There was an interesting discussion about hoax websites such as
Pop! The first human male pregnancy
To find more, see:
Museum of Hoaxes
Fake sites
One of these could be used to demonstrate the importance of being critical when using the web.

I really liked her metaphors that she uses for teaching how to use databases - comparing journal databases to iTunes. And the difference between two databases is like the difference between Rogers and Bell. They do just about the same things but are different companies.

My last two workshops were on roving reference (some good suggestions here) and on developing academic language and writing skills for ESL and other college and university students. At the end of the presentation, there was a general sharing of tips that could be used in the public library setting - suggest they use subject oriented encyclopedias (the Gale Virtual Library, etc.) for topic overviews and bibliographies; use newspaper articles (Globe and Mail) because the articles are more accessible than journal articles; suggest they read non-fiction for pleasure, teamed with an audiobook (or e-audiobook) version of the book. At the Info Desk, speak slower, repeat with different phrases and ask if they understood.

One of the presenters said that students who are new to Canada often find critical thinking is a new and radical concept - they have been brought up not to question teachers.

Lots of food for thought!