The University of Las Vegas Lied Library has added a new workspace powered by TeamSpot in group study room 1231. TeamSpot allows multiple laptops to share the same screen to enhance the collaboration process. The users will need to install a program on each of the laptops. This program allows the each laptop to connect wirelessly to a host computer. Then the laptops can share their files through a host computer; this allows instantaneous sharing of files, folders and links. The library also provides laptops for checkout at the Media Resources Desk with the software already installed. The library also has a tutorial available online with further assistance available at the Media Resources Desk.
The University has also added two new databases to their collection. They are the Black Freedom in the 20th Century: Federal Government Records and War Department and Indian Affairs. The Black Freedom in the 20th Century: Federal Government Records provides access thirty-seven collections from the federal government agencies’ records. These include records from the Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon administrations that contain interactions between civil rights leaders. The War Department and Indian Affairs 1800-1824 database contains digitized microfilm images of handwritten images. It provides access to correspondence between Indians and agents. The subjects include trading posts, territorial and state governments and missionaries. I will say that UNLV has a much smaller list of databases than UNT. It is great that they are expanding their resources.
Both of these changes for the library are a significant improvement in their services. Just because the building itself didn't get a huge facelift, doesn't mean the changes were any less effective or any less important! TeamSpot sounds really amazing. I would love to need to use that room. I have no idea what I would do with it, but I would love to poke around in there and throughout that software.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this! Really fascinating!
That TeamSpot program sounds pretty neat. I can imagine that collaboration is much easier when you're essentially sharing a computer (without having to *actually* share a computer).
ReplyDeleteI like that this library provides laptops for students to use. I also liked the out of focused forrest background, very cool.
ReplyDeletewow~! TeamSpot program really took it up a notch for their users. Sharing files through a computer will make it easier for students to transfer files without really having to go through the hassle of emailing back and forth etc. I'm a huge war history fan and with the sources that this library is providing, it will help any history major get a better understanding of what took place many years ago during the presidency of Nixon, Kennedy, etc. :)
ReplyDeleteAh, my alma mater. Go Rebels!! Its great that the library has added new services and databases. You're right, they do not have as many databases as UNT, so its nice that they continue to expand. TeamSpot sounds really wonderful for students. Especially for those group projects. It kind of sounds like GOTOMEETING.com for businesses. Thanks for sharing the information.
ReplyDeleteI like the Team Spot idea! What an interesting idea. It would have been great for a group research project that I just finished. Our group had problems with exchanging computer files and it would have been wonderful to share the research articles each of us had compiled separately. It sounds like moving items to the cloud - rather than everything on your computer, you can log on to the internet and access software and files online.
ReplyDeleteThe team spot software sounds like it would make group projects and group research much easier. It also sounds like it would be a great presentation tool. While teaching you can drop files in for students to look at or use, or even create exercises.
ReplyDeleteTeamSpot does sound very interesting, I would be interested in seeing how it works. I wonder if the same thing could be achieved with an enhanced subscription to WebEx and a shared network folder? I know in WebEx you can share your desktop, but not sure if you can do file sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love our General Studies/History databases. I wish I could get our students to use them! Those databases don't have the same type of interface as ProQuest or EBSCO, and so our students shy away from them.
One of the most interesting parts to me is the online tutorials that are offered. It's easier for some people to understand if they can have a digital tutor walking them through rather than trying to learn how to use it by asking a person.
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