Online learning and accessing technology can be daunting for even the most seasoned learner. Navigating and digesting information is even more critical today than ever before but at the same time more overwhelming. Madison College Librarians to the rescue! Librarians are experts in finding and identifying reliable sources as well as building skills to identify unreliable content. Along with building solid information literacy skills, online learners require technology support in a rapidly changing landscape.

One tool Madison College Libraries developed to support these two concepts; Digital Literacy, is the Digital Backpack Workshop Series: https://libguides.madisoncollege.edu/library-workshops. The series incorporates live and always available streaming options to accommodate student learning. Workshops are 30 minutes in length and include time for questions. Logging in is easy and open to anyone, including current and prospective students, faculty, staff, the community and others. Evening workshops are also offered. Sessions include a wide range of topics including:

Academic Technology (Blackboard, Office 365, Virtual Desktops, etc)

Logging into online classes (Blackboard Collaborate, MS Teams, Webex)

Digital Citizenship

Formatting citations

Evaluating information critically

LinkedIn Learning

Academic Research

And much more!

Check out the Masters Series for guest speakers on a variety of academic topics. The first speaker will be a former reporter and editor for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel who will present “Write to Be Read: Tips for better writing” on Thursday Feb. 25 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Drop into Real Time. Real Tech. Mondays 12 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. and Wednesdays 6 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. for live peer to peer research and technology support offered in a respectful and supportive environment. Bring your questions and work through them together in a community space.

The full Spring 2021 schedule is available on the Digital Backpack website. Instructors are encouraged to offer extra credit opportunities and connect with Librarians for other engagement opportunities. Follow Madison College Libraries on social media for updated news on events and services.