[1063] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
RE: Casual Instructions
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Marcia.Deddens@UC.Edu)
Wed Aug 26 15:42:01 1992
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 14:32:02 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@ricevm1.rice.edu>
From: Marcia.Deddens@UC.Edu
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@ricevm1.rice.edu>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I want to place a strong second behind Rick Gates comments about the
importance of "learning how to learn." As an early 1960's English
major, I'm often asked how I know so much about computers and
networks. The answer is a never ending stream of questions and
constant admission of what I don't know, or more importantly, don't
understand. No matter what the system is, I learn the most from
"casual instruction" and healthy exploration. Yes, my exploration has
more than once resulted in a self-imposed disaster and the need for
some friendly computer folks to bail me out. While my face is usually
red, those who help are very rarely hard on me unless I then repeat
the same ignorant mistake.
As libraries tackle technology, I believe, we need to encourage
"casual instruction" and building the self confidence to explore,
experiment, make errors, correct them, and "learn how to learn."
Library departments in which I have worked were often lined with
explicit and detailed manuals which received very little use.
Productive staff within those departments had a sense of the
departmental function and the systems in use and could figure out most
anything without the manuals.
"Casual instruction" must contain accurate information but I do
believe that it is an appropriate approach to "learning how to learn."
Thanks for the comments, Rick.
