Student Joanne Peace Explores Emerging Technology in a Variety of Courses and Professional Development Venues

Community Profile
Joanne Peace

San José State University School of Information student Joanne Peace, of Calgary, Alberta credits several experiences in our MLIS program for giving her opportunities to explore emerging technologies used by information professionals.

“I first explored emerging technology while serving as  a student assistant for instructor Debbie Faires,” Peace said. Through that Special Studies course, Peace helped students and faculty use our School’s web conferencing platform.

“While I was a student assistant, I volunteered to help moderate sessions of the Library 2.011 Worldwide Virtual Conference, co-sponsored by SJSU SLIS. I attended one session presented by SLIS Assistant Professor Dr. Michael Stephens,” Peace recalled. “His lecture excited me. It explored the countless possibilities for libraries in this digital age.  I signed up for his class the following semester.”

That class was INFO 287: The Hyperlinked Library: Emerging Trends, Emerging Technology, which explores cutting edge online participatory tools and platforms for 21st century libraries. “I found this class so relevant,” said Peace. “We looked at how libraries link to new users and how users are changing the way we use libraries.”

According to Peace, the course platform itself was an opportunity to explore participatory technology. “We completed our coursework on individual blogs, so I learned new skills, like blogging, which I’m really comfortable with now.”

Inspired by INFO 287, Peace enrolled in Stephens’ INFO 281: Transformative Learning and Technology Literacies course, which examines a variety of innovative approaches to instruction in a 2.0 world. In this course, Peace co-created an online professional development program called Project Connect for the staff at a public library in Binghampton, New York. 

Peace entered our school’s MLIS program in September 2010, eager to shift from her background in communications to a career as an information professional.  She currently works at a branch of the Calgary Public Library in Alberta, providing reference services, children’s programming, and technology instruction for seniors.

With a target graduation date of spring 2014, Peace is focusing on our school’s Public Librarianship Career Pathway, while also taking courses relevant to Academic Librarianship.

Influential Classes

INFO 287 The Hyperlinked Library: Emerging Trends, Emerging Technology: “This course has been the highlight of my program. I got to know my classmates really well.”

INFO 281 Transformative Learning and Technology Literacies: “Michael Stephens is a gifted professor. He brings out the best in his students and really makes it fun.”

INFO 298 Special Studies: Elluminate Assistant (now Collaborate Assistant): “Mentoring others who are starting the program and teaching them how to use Elluminate was a very positive experience. I felt really connected to a lot of people.”

INFO 204 Information Organizations and Management: “Lecturer Wayne Disher has a flare for LIBR 204.”

INFO 266 Collection Development: “Great practical experience that I will use in any future library position. Wayne Disher shares his expertise as Library Director.”

Professional Affiliations

ALASC and SLISConnect

Best Conference

Library 2.011/2 Worldwide Virtual Conference: “I’ve volunteered at this conference as a virtual moderator for two years now. It’s fun and amazing to be a part of such a global community.”

Favorite Blogs

Stephen Abram’s Stephen’s Lighthouse; Bobbi Newman’s Librarian by Day;  Michael Stephens’ Tame the Web

Follow Joanne on Twitter: @joannepeace5