iStudent Blog: Online Learning
From Rope Tricks to Reading Lists
Karen's Quest to Lasso Lifelong Learning
Published: February 25, 2025 by Gabe Farmer
iSchool Alum Karen Quest has been roping in audiences for most of her life and still incorporates her cowgirl act into her work with library outreach. Her show, Cowgirl Tricks, features trick roping, whip cracking and what she laughingly calls “kooky cowgirl shenanigans perfect for the whole family.” Karen has performed for corporate events, private parties, fairs and festivals nationwide. Yet, in 2011, she stepped into a new performance arena: libraries. At a children’s librarian showcase, she found an intriguing new audience. “As I continued to get booked at libraries, I noticed that librarians were funny and they were smart and they get it,” she explains. “And very different from the other clients that I did business with. And I started getting library curious.”
New Year, New Habits: Streamlining Your iSchool Life in 2025
Published: January 7, 2025 by Gabe Farmer
Balancing Life, Work and School – Spotlighting Corrine’s Journey
Published: November 19, 2024 by Gabe Farmer
Online education can feel isolating, but the iSchool community spans the globe. We’re not alone in our studies, stresses or struggles. Across time zones and life stages, there are hundreds of students we can celebrate, commiserate or collaborate with. For this reason, I present a “Day in the Life” series that will highlight some relatable iSchool students. The feature will offer insights into how students from all walks of life balance the program with their day-to-day lives and shine a light on our shared experiences.
Student Engagement at the 2024 CPGE Online Student Conference
Published: February 11, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor
Presenting at a conference is a great professional development opportunity but can be intimidating for those with minimal experience, like students. Student conferences are often limited to either the university or, on a smaller scale, a department within a university.
Interview with Bridging Knowledge Scholar: Molly Ouellette
Published: December 3, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
I was first introduced to the iSchool while researching scholarship opportunities for Native American students. As part of an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) funded grant, the iSchool partnered with the Alaska Library Network, the American Indian Library Association, and the Alaska State Library to form the scholarship program, Bridging Knowledge: Supporting Indigenous Scholars into the Field of Librarianship.
Working on Research Projects at the iSchool
Published: October 24, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
There are many benefits to attending the iSchool, and I have been fortunate to take advantage of a few, including being awarded a travel grant and being the iSchool’s student blogger. One of my most recent opportunities has been taking part in a Special Studies course with iSchool Director Dr. Chow, INFO 298 – Native American Early Literacy.
Maximizing Group Work While at the iSchool
Published: April 6, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
One facet of the iSchool and our future career as librarians is working with others. Though group work can be very enjoyable and rewarding, it is also very easy to fall into traps that can be detrimental to a group’s success. I’d like to share some tips and strategies for effective online group work that I’ve gained from my past experience as a volunteer and as a project leader for various jobs.
Building Relationships and Community at the iSchool
Published: February 13, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
Hello, fellow iSchool students! I hope the start of the spring semester is going well for all. For both new and returning students, building an online community is often a concern. Having community while in school not only enriches your social experience but can help you perform better academically and foster connections with future professional peers. I’d like to share some tips and advice for doing so while at the iSchool.
Self-Care Tips to Succeed During Finals Week
Published: November 27, 2022 by Kesheena Doctor
One of the most hectic times of a student’s life is finals week. As an iSchool student in a graduate program, I have many responsibilities outside of school that I am responsible for, as I’m sure you do as well.
Successful Strategies for Class Registration
Published: November 16, 2022 by Kesheena Doctor
One of the most fraughtful times of a student’s academic life is registering for the next semester. You might not be sure of what classes to take, what the course load will be like, or if you’ll like the professor.
The Power of Libraries and Social Media
Published: November 4, 2022 by Kesheena Doctor
As a budding librarian, library news is consistently present on my social media feeds. While these types of posts rarely make their way into the general population’s feed, library news involving one of the biggest pop stars in the world will spread far and wide!
New iSchool Blogger Shares Her Favorite iSchool Resources
Published: October 5, 2022 by Kesheena Doctor
Hello, iSchool! My name is Kesheena (she/her/they/them), and I am your new iStudent blogger. This is my first semester at San José State University School of Information in the MLIS program. I am a full-time student focusing on academic librarianship and am an Association of Research Libraries Kaleidoscope Program Scholar for 2022-2024.
Consider a Dynamic Career in Informatics
Published: May 10, 2022 by Hilary Meehan
The SJSU iSchool offers three fully online, master’s-level degree options: the MLIS program, the MARA program and the MS in Informatics. Today, we will explore the cutting edge field of informatics and the exciting career opportunities it offers for iSchool students.
Eyes on the Prize: Charting Your Course Through School
Published: January 11, 2022 by Leslie Parry
The flexibility and efficiency of online education is what drew many of us to the San José State University School of Information in the first place. We have the ability to learn at our own pace, integrate our coursework into busy schedules, and choose from a multitude of superb classes. This autonomy, of course, also requires a certain amount of proactiveness and strategic thinking. That’s why planning ahead for a successful academic experience is so critical. Whether it’s choosing the right classes or preparing for graduation, the iSchool has dozens of resources to help you get organized and stay informed. I talked to Sheila Gurtu, student outreach specialist, as well as to recent graduates about everything from time management to e-Port prep. Here are some ideas to help you flourish.
The SJSU Writing Center: An iSchool Student’s Secret Weapon
Published: September 2, 2021 by Leslie Parry
Fall semester is finally here! Whether you’re just beginning INFO 200, preparing your e-Portfolio, or simply trying to recover your student brain after summer vacation, you’ll likely be tackling some major assignments in the coming months (or – gulp – weeks). Need help with a research paper? Want a refresher on citations or abstracts? Can’t be sure whether to use “who” or “whom”? The San José State University Writing Center offers a host of excellent free services – and a number are designed specifically for graduate students. From tutoring to live-chat sessions, how-to videos and handouts, the Writing Center can help you navigate the complexities of academic writing (or just master the nuts and bolts). Writing skills will be an asset in school and beyond, so there’s never a wrong time to reach out. I spoke with Michelle Hager, Director of the SJSU Writing Center, about the most useful resources for School of Information students.
Get a Jump-Start With Summer Opportunities
Published: May 26, 2021 by Leslie Parry
The end of the semester is here! For months we’ve been rearranging our lives and work around the pandemic, keeping up with our studies, and waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel. Now it’s time to take a break and celebrate! For those who are looking to keep up momentum during the summer, there are plenty of ways to stay engaged. From summer classes to networking opportunities to simply getting organized, here are ideas for enhancing your iSchool experience over summer break.
Tips for Staying Focused and Managing Your Time
Published: February 28, 2021 by Leslie Parry
While many of us may be finding it difficult to concentrate during this unprecedented time, graduate school remains a positive outlet for our intellectual and creative energies. The School of Information offers so many opportunities to apply our talents, strengthen our resolve and plan for a better future. So how do we put one foot in front of the other and keep distraction and procrastination at bay? Below are some resources, from academic assistance to online learning tools, that can help students stay disciplined and continue to flourish in a remote environment.
Making the Most of the King Library Resources
Published: January 29, 2021 by Leslie Parry
Whether you’re just beginning INFO 203 or conducting intensive research for a seminar, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library at San José State University has the resources to help you succeed. It’s true that in an online program you may never get a chance to walk through the library doors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of everything it offers. From one-on-one research support to specialized subject guides, students at the School of Information have access to a breadth of tools and services that are designed to support virtual learning. I spoke with Gareth Scott, library liaison, about the King Library resources he recommends most for iSchool students.
Peer Mentorship: An Opportunity to Strengthen Information and Communication Skills
Published: April 16, 2019 by Havilah Steinman
Students at the iSchool in the Master’s in Library and Information Science and Post-Master’s Certificate programs have excellent classes to choose from. Every new student begins with INFO 203 Online Learning at the beginning of their program to become acclimated to the rigorous academic expectations of their work, as well as the technology used in the program. Peer mentors are a pivotal part of the INFO 203 process, and Debbie Faires, director of online learning, has just opened up the application for peer mentors in the Fall 2019 semester! This past semester, I had the opportunity to work alongside several other INFO 203 peer mentors. In this post, I share some of their insight about how the mentorship experience benefited them.
At Home Ergonomics for Online Students
Published: November 5, 2018 by Priscilla Ameneyro
All of the programs offered by the iSchool are virtual, which means students are often studying at home. Whether you have a fully equipped home office or you tend to just use your laptop on the couch, taking a moment to educate yourself about ergonomics and making a few adjustments could make you more comfortable and prevent injury.