Digital Odyssey 2019
Theme: Digital Literacy Location: Toronto Public Library, North York Central Library branch
When: Monday June 3, 2019, 9:30am – 5:00pm
Lunch will be included.
| Time | Format | Topic | Who |
| 9:00-9:30 | Chaos | Welcome, find a spot, drink all of the coffee | All |
| 9:30-10:30 | Opening Keynote: Navigating Equitable Digital Futures | Nasma Ahmed is a technologist and community organizer based in the city we now know as Toronto. Nasma is currently the Director of the Digital Justice Lab, our mission is to build towards a more just and equitable digital future. She has extensive experience working alongside the public service and the non-profit sector, focusing on technology capacity building. She was the 2017/2018 Open Web Fellow with Mozilla and Ford Foundation. | Nasma Ahmed, Digital Justice Lab |
| 10:30-10:45 | Break | ||
| 10:45-11:45 | Digital Literacy and City-Building: Open Data and its role in Civic Health and Urban Planning (Panel discussion) | On this moderated panel, panelists will share their thoughts on the intersections of digital literacy and city building, drawing on their expertise in urban planning, librarianship, inclusion and technology. | Pamela Robinson, Ryerson University Adwoa Afful, Writer Pam Ryan, Toronto Public Library |
| 11:45-1:00 | Lunch | ||
| 1:00-2:00 | Lightning Talks | Git It Done with GitHub: Digital Scholarship with Open Tools Meet the Cricut Maker Machine! Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should: Selecting the Right Data Visualization Tools Recycling 3D Printer Waste Into New Filament Reverse Mentoring Digital Literacy Workshops: An Open Workshop Model The Electric Library You’ve Been Accepted! Creating an Instructional Design Intake Process at the University of Waterloo Library | Tim Ribaric, Brock University Mallory Austin, Middlesex County Library Meg Miller, University of Ontario Institute of Technology / Durham College Jackie Lee, Markham Public Library Greg Astill, Toronto Public Library Alana Otis + Julio Palacios, Seneca Libraries / Seneca College Jeff Beeler, Lambton County Library Kari Weaver + Rachael Lewitzky, University of Waterloo |
| 2:00-2:15 | Break | ||
| 2:15-3:15 | Breakout Session #1 An Introduction to micro:bits | The micro:bit is a handheld, programmable micro-computer that can be used for all sorts of cool creations, from robots to musical instruments – the possibilities are endless. It can be coded from any web browser in Blocks, Javascript, Python, Scratch and more; no software required. Join Maddie Cugno from Kids Code Jeunesse and learn how micro:bits enable highly engaging programs for both customers and staff development. You’ll also have a chance to win micro:bits for your library! | Maddie Cugno, Kids Code Jeunesse |
| Breakout Session #2 Digital Pedagogy or Digital Andragogy? | In our roles, many of us encounter digital literacy in adult learning contexts. We could be working with students in post-secondary institutions, training our patrons or colleagues, creating resources, or engaging in our own professional development. But what characteristics are particular to adult learners and how do they relate to digital literacy? How do the needs of adult learners shape the materials we create, the technologies we support, and the tools, methods, and approaches we use in our teaching? What factors affect our own learning? In this discussion, you and your peers will get to share and explore ideas and experiences around digital pedagogy and adult learning. | Ewan Gibson, Humber College | |
| 3:15-4:15 | Breakout Session #3 Digital Literacy for Library Staff | Supporting the digital literacy of library users is important – but what about keeping library staff abreast of new technologies? In this interactive learning session, participants will have the opportunity to learn from Markham Public Library’s journey in launching their Creative Spaces and digital literacy strategy with both customers and staff. Participants can apply these lessons, including elements of staff learning, customer service and other best practices (and failures!), within the context of their own workplaces. | Megan Garza, Markham Public Library |
| Breakout Session #4 Get to know GitHub | Git is software; specifically, a version control system. This means that it tracks changes in text — usually code, but not always — in an extremely exact way and facilitates some of the largest software projects in human history, including the Linux operating system. It has become the de facto distribution method for not only software, but datasets and other projects of interest for library workers. In this session, we will learn a bit of git history and how to use it. | John Fink, McMaster University | |
| 4:15-5:00 | Closing Keynote: 21st Century Libraries and Digital Literacy | Vickery Bowles is City Librarian at the Toronto Public Library, and believes passionately in the difference all libraries make in the lives of individuals and communities. A large part of modern day library service is providing access to new and emerging technologies, teaching digital literacy, bridging the digital divide, and providing the connectivity vital to today’s social and economic success. In the 21st century, access to technology is just as critical as access to information. | Vickery Bowles, Toronto |
