2004 Annual Review
Annual Review Supplemental Materials - 2004
Miami University - Oxford, Ohio
Part I. Performance of Primary Professional Responsibilities
Liaison and Outreach
A. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) handout for 2004 New Faculty Orientation
Overview: Revised the GIS handout included within the New Faculty Orientation Packet to highlight new datasets and training options available. Below is a copy of the handout.
B. Journal Rankings Report for Anthropology
Overview: Upon Linda Marchant's request (Chair of Anthropology Department) I created a listing of anthropology journals using Journal Citation Reports to show the impact factor, rankings, and cited half-life of each core journal within Anthropology. Below is a copy of the spreadsheet distributed at the Anthropology Department meeting on September 1, 2004.
C. Journal Rankings Report for Sociology and Gerontology
Overview: Upon C. Lee Harrington's request (Chair of Sociology and Gerontology Department) I created a listing of Sociology and Gerontology journals using Journal Citation Reports to show the impact factor, rankings, and cited half-life of each core journal within these disciplines. Below is a copy of the spreadsheet distributed at the Department meeting on September 29, 2004.
Journal Citation Report for Sociology (.xls)
Journal Citation Report for Gerontology (.xls)
Reference and Related Public Service
A. MiamiLINK Indexes/Databases Description Revisions
Overview: Assisted the Consultation Cluster with revising all the index/database descriptions included on the Miami University Libraries website in preparation of the release of the revised Libraries website. Added "snip-its" which include a brief one sentance description of the database to be visible within the alphabetical listing of Indexes/datbases on the Libraries website. Below is a copy of the spreadsheet which includes the revisions made during the course of this project.
B. Research by Subject Anthropology Example
Overview: With the release of the latest revision of the Miami University Libraries website came the addition of "Research by Subject". Within my liaison areas I have created the subject guides to assist students and faculty with locating subject specific information. I have utilized the "Announcements" option to share my chat hours, and highlight resources students and librarians should consult for particular class assignments. Below I have inlcuded a screenshot of the Anthropology Research by Subject page which includes an example of how I have utilized the announcements section to assist students and librarians with locating frequently used resources.
Instruction Services
A. Technology and Information Management Workshop Survey
Overview: Created a flashlight online survey to provide Technology and Information Management (TIM) workshop participants the opportunity to provide valuable feedback regarding my instruction style and the content covered within the workshop. Below is a copy of the survey.
Technology and Information Management Workshop Survey (.pdf)
B. IMS 201 Spring 2004 Website
Overview: To demonstrate a few capabilities of using Cascading Stylesheets (CSS) I created a website for the course that contained such items as the course outline and links to a few assignments. Parts of this website were also linked to from within the Blackboard site for the course. Within the class a photo manipulation and image creation assignment allows students to demonstrate their ability to use image manipulation software (ex. Adobe Photoshop) to create images. Below are links to the course website and the site with all the image manipulation assignments submitted by the IMS 201 Spring 2004 students in my section of this course.
IMS 201 Spring 2004 website (.html)
Overview: After reviewing student evaluations and comments from the Spring 2004 IMS 201it became apparent that an additional class session should be spent on image manipulation topics. To meet this need we explored as a class the various possibilities for using filters within Adobe Photoshop to not only modify images but to also create them. Below is a copy of the Photoshop Filters handout distributed in class and a copy of one of the images created using Adobe Photoshop within the class. Also I have included a website which includes copies of the image manipulation assignments submitted by students in this section of the IMS 201 course.
Photoshop Filters Handout (.doc)
Reflection in a sidewalk Photoshop class exercise image (.jpg)
D. Introduction to GIS for IMS 201Spring 2004
Overview: Within all three sections of the IMS 201 course I provided an overview of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and provided hands-on examples of how to use GIS software to display numeric data visually on a map. Below are copies of the presentation and exercise.
Introduction to GIS Presentation (.ppt)
Georeferencing Maps Exercise (.doc)
E. Introduction to GIS for IMS 201 Autumn 2004
Overview: To provide IMS 201 students with real world examples of the value of using GIS to solve everyday problems I included two hands-on exercises that included a site-suitability analysis for a grocery store in the Atlanta region where students had to identify a few possible locations based on several variables. The second exercise had students utilize tabular address information to geocode (locate the actual location of a business on the map by address). Both exercises were covered in-class after a brief overview of what GIS is and why researchers uses this powerful tool. Below are copies of the presentation, exercise and address data.
Introducation to GIS presentation (.ppt)
Site-Suitability Analysis Exercise (.pdf)
Restaurant and Banks Data for Oxford Ohio (.xls)
F. Library Research Instruction for PHS 202 Handout
Overview: Provided an overview of library research and information evaluation methods for a PHS 202 class on June 7, 2004. Within this instruction session we covered the basics of library research and an excersise on evaluating websites. Below are copies of the handouts.
PHS 202 Library Resources Overview (.doc)
Evaluating Web Resources (.doc)
G. GIS Concepts and Basic Applications Library Staff Workshop
Overview: On January 22, 2004 I provided a 2 hour workshop on using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to assist students with conducting research. During this workshop pratical uses for GIS software were explored and participants had a chance to use ESRI's ArcGIS 8.3 software to create a map. Below is a copy of the presentation file and handouts provided during this session.
H. Marketing and Satellite Data Instruction in Fei Yuan's Geography 442/542 class
Overview: Utilizing the data and Site-Suitability Analysis exercise created for the IMS 201 course I provided the Advanced GIS course students with an overview of marketing applications for using GIS. This session included an overview of GIS resources currently available to students, a hands-on exercise on using GIS software to solve real-world problems, and John Millard provided an overview of the OhioView project and highlighted satellite imagery data sources. Below are copies of the excerise and the ESRI Vitrual Campus handout provided to each student within the course.
Site-Suitability Analysis Exercise (.doc)
ESRI Virtual Campus Autumn 2004 courses (.pdf)Electronic Information Services (EIS)
A. GIS Technology and Information Management Workshops
Overview: Proposed 2 GIS workshops to be included in the Autumn 2004 Technology and Information Management (TIM) workshop series to provide introductory and intermediate level GIS instruction opportunities. Below I have included a copy of the proposal for these workshops.
B. ESRI Virtual Campus Courses
Overview: Completed the ESRI Virtual Campus courses Learning ArcGIS 8, Part I and Learning ArcGIS 8, Part II courses. These courses included content that helps with effectively utilizing the ArcGIS software to create maps and provided insight into new techniques to improve workflow efficiency. Below are copies of the certificates received upon completion of each module.
ESRI Virtual Campus Learning ArcGIS 8, Part I certificate (.pdf)
ESRI Virtual Campus Learning ArcGIS 8, Part II certificate (.pdf)
C. Web Design Series: Using Style sheets
Overview: This February 6, 2004 Technology and Information Management (TIM) Workshop included the basics of stylesheets, demonstrated the posibilities of using stylesheets to position content on a website without using tables. The following includes links to a handout providing an overview of stylesheets along with the sample website used to demonstrate how positioning actually works.
D. Navigating Numeric Data: Using GIS Software to Create Maps
Overview: This March 8, 2004 Technology and Information Mangement (TIM) Workshop provided an overview of GIS and examples of how tabular census data and other data sources can be modified and utilized to create maps using ESRI's ArcGIS software. An overview of the software was provided along with an excersie to demonstrate how to effectively use numeric data to create GIS maps.
Navigating Numeric Data Overview (.doc)
Navigating Numeric Data Exercise (.doc)
E. Historical Maps & the Digital Age: From Print to Interactive
Overview: This April 2, 2004 Technology and Information Management (TIM) Workshop was a joint venture with Jenny Presnell to provide participants with an overview of the possibility for using GIS for historical research. This workshop included an overview of historical GIS and provided examples of how old maps can be overlayed with newer data through a process known as georectification. Below are copies of the presentation and handouts from this session.
Historical Maps and the Digital Age Presentation (.ppt)
Introduction to ArcGIS handout (.doc)
Georectifying Maps Exercise (.doc)
F. GIS: An Introduction TIM Workshop
Overview: This September 13, 2004 Technology and Information Management (TIM) workshop provided participants with an overview of the how GIS software can be used to assist with various research projects. Below are links to the presentation and handouts from this workshop.
GIS: An Introduction Presentation (.ppt)
GIS Introduction Handout (.doc)
ESRI Virtual Campus Autumn 2004 courses handout (.doc)
G. GIS: Business and Marketing Applications TIM Workshop
Overview: This September 20, 2004 Technology and Information Management (TIM) workshop provided participants with an overview of the how GIS software can be used to solve various marketing and business related problems. Participants were introduced to the ArcGIS software and then given two hands-on excersises that included geocoding restaurants within Oxford and identifying potential sites for a grocery store in Atlanta. These exercises were then incorporated within the GIS sessions for the IMS 201 course during Autumn 2004. Below are copies of the handouts distributed during this workshop.
GIS Introduction Handout (.doc)
Site-Suitability Analysis Exercise (.doc)
ESRI Virtual Campus Autumn 2004 courses handout (.doc)
H. Credit Course Approval Form
Overview: Created the form listed below to allow quick web-accessible entry of data on this form and to quickly print and submit the form for approval.
Credit Course Approval Form (.pdf)
Overview: Updated all the EBSCO database to include the Miami University Libraries logo and included a link to the RAKIM chat help system.
EBSCO Database Screenshot (.jpg)
Overview: Made changes to the Libraries travel form to reflect changes in travel policies, incorporated new logo, and made additional changes to improve usability of the form. Below is a copy of the revised travel form.
Travel Form 2004 version (.pdf)
Part II. Service to the Library, University Community, Profession
A. Miami University Alumni Mapping Project
Overview: Assisted the Miami University Alumni office with creating a dot density map of alumni within the state of Ohio. Below I have included a copy of the maps created for this project.
Miami University Alumni Ohio Congressional District Map(.pdf)
Miami University Alumni Ohio House District Map (.pdf)
Miami University Alumni Ohio Senate District Map (.pdf)
B. Citizens of the World Migration Project
Abstract: Americans ages 18 to 24 came in next to last among nine countries surveyed by the National Geographic-Roper 2002 Global Geographic Literacy Survey. To improve undergraduate geographic literacy, Miami University Libraries and faculty will collaborate to create a migration course module to enrich with maps United Nations numeric data. This module will provide an opportunity for students to visualize migration patterns worldwide since 1990 through maps, videos, web resources, and other materials.
In collaboration with Arpana Sircar (American Studies faculty) this module is being created to demonstrate graphically how migration patterns change over time. Below is a copy of the original proposal and a listing of videos purchased with grant funding. This project is still being developed and will include a web interface.
Citizens of the World Migration Proposal (.doc)
Citizens of the World Migration GIS Project Screenshot (.jpg)
C. Faculty Learning Community for Information Literacy Within and Across Disciplines
Overview: In order to promote information literacy skills at Miami University I applied as was accepted to become a member of the Faculty Learning Community for Information literacy Within and Across Disciplines. By collaborating with faculty to infuse information literacy concepts within their assignments and courses this learning community provides a great opportunity to promote critical thinking and research skills within assignments while ensure these assignments include information literacy criteria. In June of 2004 I was given the opportunity to co-facilitate this learning community with Cindy Mader and have severed as co-facilitator since that point. Working as a community this learning community has been analyzing exactly what information linteracy is and how to improve assignments to corespond with the ACRL standards for Information Literacy. Quickly it became apparent that the community was interested in how to effectively assess information literacy skills and 6 of the 9 members of this community attended the 2004 Assessment Institute to learn of new methods to effectively assess information literacy skills of students within their own courses. As we have a firm understanding of what needs to be done as a community we are progressing to ensure information literacy concepts and compentencies are incorporated within assignments to promote student research and critical thinking.
As co-facilitator with Cindy Mader of this learning community we have created various handouts to share information among community members. I created a Blackboard site to manage the Faculty Learning Community and post copies of the handouts to the site. Listed below is a copy of my original proposal to participate in this learning community and a few of the handouts distributed to the learning community members.
Faculty Learning Community Proposal (.doc)
Faculty Learning Community Autumn Retreat Agenda (.doc)
Learning Community Objectives (.doc)
Community Member's Biographies (.doc)
Abstract: How has Oxford changed over the years? Take a tour of the town square and imagine how commerce and the activities of the townspeople of the city have changed since the post Civil War era. Through Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, aerial photographic maps, Snyder and Hoxie Photographs, Park Place changes from a fenced square (to keep the cattle out) surrounded by such businesses as Foley's Meat Market, Haydens Grocery to a tree lined square complete with a water tower, a Bowling Alley, Barnhart's Marathon Service Station, the Huddle, Ball Flowers of Oxford.
This project was created to demonstrate how GIS and maps can be utilized to demonstrate change over time. This project utilizes a website with georectified images of Oxford to provide links to pictures and additional content by location. This project was in collaboration with Jenny Presnell for Parents and Alumni Weekends (June 12, 2004, October 9, 2004 ).
Oxford Then and Now (.html)
E. OhioLINK Digital Video Task Force
Overview: The OhioLINK Digital Video Task Force was asked to identify potential digital video vendors for addition to the OhioLINK Digital Media Center. This group included Marti Alt (OSU), Mary Beth Aust-Keefer ( Clark State ), Eric Carpenter (Oberlin) Chairman, Robin Krivesti (OU), Anne Gilliland (OhioLINK) and Michael Howser (MU).As a member of this group we looked at various vendors and decided that our proposal should include materials from PBS and Annenberg Video Producers . Collectively we decided on suggesting titles to be included in this proposed purchase. Through a cobmination of meetings and OhioLINK this group was able to quickly draft a proposal to be forwarded to CIRM at OhioLINK which was later approved.
Listed below is a copy of the title list of PBS videos that I compiled for the committee.
F. New Graduate Student Orientation 2004
Overview: Created posters and nametags for the 2004 New Graduate Student Orientation which was held on August 26-27, 2004. Building upon materials I created for the 2003 New Graduate Student Orientation I created posters for librarians that have recently joined our staff and prepared the name tags for students atteding these sessions.
Listed below are copies of the posters I created for this event based on the template I created in 2003.
Eric Resnis Poster (.png)
Marilia Antunez Poster .(png)
Jen Barth Poster (.png)Matt Magnuson Poster (.png)
Ning Zou Poster (.png)
G. GIS Day 2004 - November 17, 2004
Overview: To promote Geographic Information Systems (GIS) usage and awareness at Miami University the Libraries provided a series of events for GIS Day 2004. With several guest speakers and hands-on lab excersises available participants were able to see how researchers across campus and beyond are using this powerful tool. Hands-on excercise sessions were also included.
To promote GIS day events a website was created a linked from the Miami University Libraries website. Below is a links to that website.
Part III. Scholarship/Creative Activity
Conference Proposals and Presentations
A. Quest for the Perfect Assignment: Blending Content, Information Literacy, and Technology (OHECC 2004 Conference)
Abstract: Miami University faculty are encouraged to develop assignments that seamlessly blend course content, technology, and effective research techniques. Unfortunately, this can be overwhelming. This presentation will include strategies on how to design an on-going project that not only interests students, but also merges active collaborative learning with technological know-how.
This conference proposal was rejected. Below is a copy of the original proposal co-authored with Rachel Vacek.
Quest for the Perfect Assignment: Belnding Content, Information Literacy, and Technology Proposal (.pdf)
B. Remapping the campus scene: Working collaboratively to provide GIS access and training (OCDE 2004 Conference)
Abstract: Faculty and students are discovering that maps are extremely powerful tools for portraying data. Demand for map creation utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software is ever increasing. To meet this demand, academic departments and libraries can work collaboratively to provide GIS services and training to support research and the curriculum. Promotion of GIS training can be accomplished via technology workshops, one-to-one instruction sessions, on-demand presentations, and by providing access to web-based training. This presentation will provide an overview how academic departments and libraries can work collaboratively to successfully promote and provide access to GIS software and training.
This conference proposal was accepted and presented at the 2004 Ohio Commons for Digital Education (OCDE) conference in Columbus, Ohio on March 9, 2004. Below is a copy of the proposal and the Powerpoint file presented at the conference.
C. Beyond Locating Data: Academic Libraries Role in Providing GIS Services (ESRI EdUC Conference)
Abstract: Within the information age, librarians and library patrons are looking for new and exciting methods for effectively presenting research data. Utilizing ESRI's ArcGIS software, patrons can manipulate various types of numeric and geospatial data to create a powerful visual representation known as a map. Successful GIS service requires that libraries provide patrons access to: GIS software, large format scanning and printing, instruction, data services, and technical support. Participants will discover how Miami University ( Ohio ) Libraries are providing GIS access, service, and support to a multidisciplinary user environment and how these elements can be applied within an academic library.
This paper was presented at the ESRI EdUC conference in San Diego, California on August 10, 2004. This paper was also published as part of the ESRI International User Conference Proceedings to the web and to CDs distributed to each conference attendee.
Beyond Locating Data: Academic Libraries Role in Providing GIS Services (ESRI EdUC Conference proposal) (.doc)
Beyond Locating Data: Academic Libraries Role in Providing GIS Services paper co-authored by Michael Howser and James Callahan (.pdf)
D. Improving Data Literacy: Panel Discussion on Data Access, Storage, Retrieval and Instruction Issues within the Academic Library (ALAO Annual Conference 2004)
Abstract: Academic libraries in the digital age are besieged with faculty and student requests for numeric and geospatial data. To fulfill these data requests, libraries must expand data access beyond a drawer of CDs and consider alternative data access methods. To improve data comprehension, libraries must include data literacy within information literacy programs. This panel discussion highlights issues and solutions related to sharing, accessing, and providing instruction with numeric and geospatial data.
Presenters included Aaron Shrimplin, Jen-chien Yu, Michael Howser and Joe Salem (Kent State University). The following files includes the proposal and all the materials presented at the ALAO annual conference on November 12, 2004.
Improving Data Literacy: Panel Discussion on Data Access, Storage, Retrieval and Instruction Issues within the Academic Library (ALAO Annual Conference 2004 proposal) (.doc)
Michael Howser, Jen-chien Yu and Joe Salem's Presentation (.ppt)
Aaron Shrimplin's Presentation (.html)
E. Librarian-Faculty Learning Community for Information Literacy Poster Session
Abstract: Information Literacy is a hot topic in many libraries today, and although librarians know the value, vitalness and veracity of information literacy, we must take a proactive role in marketing these concepts to administrators and faculty. Librarians are doing just that at Miami University by parterning with faculty in a new and key collaborative effort of a Faculty Learning Community dedicated to "Information Literacy Within and Across Disciplines."
Assisted Cindy Mader with creating the poster that was presented at the ALAO 2004 conference on November 12, 2004. Below is a copy of the poster.
Information Literacy Partnerships: A Faculty Learning Community Experience (.jpg)
F. Bridging the Information Literacy Divide 2005 ACRL conference poster session proposal
Abstract: Enhancing student's information literacy comprehension requires a different approach. At Miami University , librarians and faculty are partnering together in a faculty learning community discuss and weave information literacy in the curriculum.
Assisted Cindy Mader with drafting this poster session proposal. Below is a copy of the ACRL proposal.
G. First Year Seminar Proposal
Abstract: Recentlyhistorians and geographers have been collaborating to look at historical research from a new perspective, a geospatial perspective. To meet this new research need this proposal includes a blending of information literacy skills to effectively find, evaluate and incorporate historical resources with geographic literacy by using GIS to visually display historical information. This will require students to locate information, using GIS to map the data, and create a webpage that incorporates maps, images, and historical text to provide insight to the history of a building on Miami's campus.
This proposal was co-authored by Jenny Presenell and has the support of the Geography Department. The full proposal is included below..
Visualizing Miami University's Past: Historical Geography, GIS, and Cartography Proposal (.doc)
Questions? Send me an email: michael.howser@uconn.edu
