[MNASIS-L] "Retooling Libraries for the Digital Age" - Dec. 12 workshop

[Janet Arth]

** Please note: RSVP is required!!  Contact Deanna at 
info at metronet.lib.mn.us by December 5 **

Retooling Libraries for the Digital Age: What Gamers Can Teach Us About 
Knowledge Production and Consumption

December 12, 2005
Roseville Public Library
8:30 a.m. ­ 12:00 p.m.

On Monday, December 12, 2005, METRONET will host a presentation on Internet 
Gaming at the Roseville Public Library.  Kurt Squire and Constance 
Steinkuehler are with the University of Wisconsin-Madison and are among the 
leading researchers on this cultural phenomenon.  They have made 
presentations of their findings at meetings of the American Library 
Association and the OCLC Members Council.  Their presentation at the 
Roseville Library will include not only the results of their research but 
also a demonstration of Internet games.

Why should this phenomenon be of interest to educators and 
technologists?  One reason is that Internet Gamers ­ the “net generation” 
and Millennials (those graduating from high school in 2000 or later) ­ 
approach life and learning differently, especially when contrasted with 
Baby Boomers and Generation X.  Researchers have found that some of the 
change in learning styles might be linked to video game playing.  According 
to Marc Prensky, college graduates today have spent more than twice as many 
hours playing video games as they have reading.  The Pew Internet and 
American Life Project found that 85 percent of all undergraduates grew up 
with a computer in their home, which for three out of four, became their 
most important research tool throughout high school.

For these reasons, METRONET believes that educators and librarians of all 
types need to have a better understanding of the ways in which Gamers 
search for information and use the Internet.  Our program on December 12 
begins at 8:30 a.m. and should conclude by noon.

Seating is limited, so it is important to let us know if you plan to 
attend.  Please RSVP to info at metronet.lib.mn.us by December 5.