Representatives of Penn Libraries, Critical Writing Program, Weingarten Learning Resources Center (VPUL) and Communication within the Curriculum (CWiC) will lead workshops to assist undergraduates with their research, writing, presentation and organizational needs.

Learning where and how to get help with your studies is an important part of succeeding at Penn. We will introduce the academic support services available at the Weigle Information Commons and show planning and technology tools to make your semester smoother and more successful. Maximize your time through short- and long-term planning. This workshop introduces approaches to managing weekly course assignments, as well as papers and projects. Participants will leave with their own semester plan. Presented by Myrna Cohen, Director of the Weingarten Learning Resources Center. We will show you how to use Excel to extract meaning from data. We will bring in data from webpages, convert and format data in automated ways, look at ways to make data cleaner and more reliable, graph trends and find meaning in masses of numbers. Maximize your time through short- and long-term planning. This workshop introduces approaches to managing weekly course assignments, as well as papers and projects. Participants will leave with their own semester plan. Presented by Myrna Cohen, Director of the Weingarten Learning Resources Center. We will explore the video recording rooms for practicing and videotaping your presentation. We will explore PowerPoint basics hands-on in the WIC Seminar Room. During this workshop, CWiC student speaking advisors discuss speech anxiety and provide strategies for managing nervousness. This workshop will help students consider how to appropriately devise and structure an argument in relation to the size and scope of their assignments. We will examine writing conventions in the worlds of academia and publishing and provide participants with various tools for creating and organizing coherent and thoughtful essays. Presented by Fayyaz Vellani from the Critical Writing Program. The Refworks system allows you to store and organize records of articles and books, access them quickly, and insert properly formatted citations into a Word document. Learn to use it at this session--it can change your academic life. Presented by Bob Walther, Reference Librarian. Looking for that perfect resource for your paper or project? Just getting started with your research? Swamped with information but can't find exactly what you need? Meet with a librarian who specializes in the social sciences (sociology, political science, psycholoy, economics, etc.) for assistance. Presented by Laura Allen, Social Sciences Data Services Librarian. The Refworks system allows you to store and organize records of articles and books, access them quickly, and insert properly formatted citations into a Word document. Learn to use it at this session--it can change your academic life. Presented by Bob Walther, Reference Librarian. Strategic academic reading will take you beyond 'keeping up' with your reading assignments. This workshop will extend your reading versatility and encourage efficiency while increasing comprehension. Bring a textbook or journal article that you are currently reading with you. Presented by Myrna Cohen, Director of the Weingarten Learning Resources Center During this workshop, CWiC student speaking advisors discuss common PowerPoint mistakes and provide strategies for successfully using visual aids. Presented by Josh Pollack. This workshop will help students consider how to appropriately edit and revise writing assignments. Please bring your writing assignment, either in final or draft form, to the workshop. We will work through different methods of improving the paper for readability and coherence. Trying to create a poster to explain your research project to others? Wondering how to make a powerful visual statement? We will explore designing your poster in PowerPoint. We will look at page size options, font and color choices, Word Art, Autoshapes and drawing tools. Bring your poster information with you as well as your personal laptop if appropriate. We will share tips and tricks for poster formatting, show examples and discuss preparing a PDF for printing in the Vitale Digital Media Lab or similar facility. During this workshop, CWiC student speaking advisors discuss speech anxiety and provide strategies for managing nervousness. Presented by CWiC undergraduate advisor Enoch Arthur-Asmah. During this workshop, CWiC student speaking advisors discuss common PowerPoint mistakes and provide strategies for successfully using visual aids. Trying to create a poster to explain your research project to others? Wondering how to make a powerful visual statement? We will explore designing your poster in PowerPoint. We will look at page size options, font and color choices, Word Art, Autoshapes and drawing tools. Bring your poster information with you as well as your personal laptop if appropriate. We will share tips and tricks for poster formatting, show examples and discuss preparing a PDF for printing in the Vitale Digital Media Lab or similar facility.

Audacaity is a free software program that allows you to edit audio, combine music and voice, improve sound quality and create polished podcasts. Learn the basics of Audacity use

Participants will learn how to record audio from the web using Audacity, insert audio files in Blackboard courses, and create Podcasts in Blackboard. Presented by Ed Dixon.Restricted to instructors, faculty and librarians.

Learn how to manage your course site, upload documents and syllabi, send email efficiently to students, create announcements and manage your student rosters. Explore the gradebook, creation of tests and surveys, best practices on course site design and ways to control the course's look and structure. Blackboard experts from Penn Libraries are available to help faculty and instructional staff with walk-in one-on-one assistance in Booth 2 for courseware-related questions. Participants will learn how to create and use Blackboard and Wimba communication tools such as Chats, Threaded Discussions, Journals, Teamsites, Voiceboards and Voice Direct. Presented by Ed Dixon.Restricted to instructors, faculty and librarians. Get ideas for using Journals, TeamSites, Threaded Discussions,Chats, Wimba VoiceBoards, VoiceEmail, and Voice Conferencing with your students. Presented by Ed Dixon. These workshops are for instructors, department administrators, and student assistants working with faculty. Looking for personalized feedback and assistance with your Blackboard site? Join John Kiser and Amanda Chudnow for an informal open house. Bring your materials and questions with you. Computers will be available for hands-on exploration.

By gaining an understanding of the basic structure and content of the United States census, students will be able to decide which data needs can be met by the census and how to start locating useful data.

Penn has chosen Turning Point clicker technology that integrates with PowerPoint. We will explore creating clicker questions, testing, using clickers in class and connecting the data to your Blackboard course. Assumes working knowledge of PowerPoint and restricted to faculty, instructors and librarians. Presented in collaboration with SAS Computing. More info at http://wic.library.upenn.edu/multimedia/clickers/

We will explore strategies appropriate for a conference presentation including engaging the audience, using visual support such as PowerPoint, communicating research results, and fielding questions. We will conduct hands- on activities, evaluating and revising examples. Please email wic1@pobox.upenn.edu with any presentation materials that you would like the presenters to comment upon. Presented by Anu Vedantham and Sue Weber.

Learn the basics of how to create your own personal bibliographic citation database using this popular personal information management commercial program. The workshop will focus on how to manually enter references into your database, load citations from a bibliographic database into EndNote and insert them into a document in an appropriate manuscript style. NOTE: The Library recently purchased a site license for the networked bibliographic management program, RefWorks. If you have not yet purchased Endnote, consider attending a Refworks workshop as an alternative.

Learn how to create spreadsheets, enter and format data, use mathematical calculations, and more. This is a basic course, addressed to users with no previous experience with the software.

Some laptops will be provided, but please bring your own laptop if you have one: As the web is becoming a more flexible and robust research environment, the library is finding ways to use new technologies to more efficiently find and use research level resources. Attendees will be introduced to the library's groundbreaking tool for storing, sharing and organizing research links, and will learn how to customize Firefox to make it an efficient tool for research.

GarageBand is a Mac software program that makes it easy to create music, edit audio interviews, produce podcasts and add chapters and markers to recordings. Learn the basics of GarageBand use.

Students will be introduced to ArcGIS software and will learn how to make a map using data from Census2000. Students with some GIS knowledge who would like to learn more about adding census data, and those new to GIS are welcome to attend. To decide whether this workshop is right for you, contact Laurie Allen (laallen@pobox.upenn.edu).

Google is changing the way people find and use information. We will look at the full range of Google services including some that may be new to you: Google Scholar, Google Book Search, Google Maps, Google Uncle Sam, etc. We will look at strategies to find quality resources quickly and efficiently using Google.

This class will provide an hands-on introduction to using Apple's iMovie software, which is available for Penn students, faculty, and staff in the Vitale Digital Media Lab. You will learn how to capture video from a DVD, VHS tape, or from your own video camera. You will learn to organize or delete video clips, add a new soundtrack, add subtitles, and create special effects.

Designed for beginners, this workshop explores the basic capabilities of two popular Mac programs. iPhoto lets you take photos easily and make photo directories. iMovie lets you edit video from the web or from your camcorder. Both are designed for novice users. Participants will learn how to create slideshow and movies for the web or Blackboard, DVDs, and PowerPoint presentations that will play on PCs. Presented by Ed Dixon.Restricted to instructors, faculty and librarians.

Please feel free to bring your lunch to this seminar series. Each seminar is a 30 minute presentation followed by a half hour for discussion.

Blogs in Blackboard provide an easy way to structure informal feedback and encourage student participation. Blackboard's authentication structure helps maintain confidentiality and improves integration of student discussions with class material. Learn the basics of how to create your own personal bibliographic citation database using this web-based bibliographic management tool. The workshop will focus on how to create a personal database online, import references automatically from databases and library catalogs, organize and annotate references, format references and bibliographies in Microsoft Word documents and more. NOTE: RefWorks is freely available to all current Penn students, faculty, and staff. We will demonstrate the complex timing and structural effects possible through PowerPoint animations. We will provide a show-and-tell of how such animations are created. We will show how to use Blackboard's Gradebook features to save time for instructors and students. Integration of gradebook with other features in Blackboard will be discussed. Learn the basics of how to create your own personal bibliographic citation database using this popular personal information management commercial program. The workshop will focus on how to manually enter references into your database, load citations from a bibliographic database into EndNote and insert them into a document in an appropriate manuscript style. NOTE: The Library recently purchased a site license for the networked bibliographic management program, RefWorks. If you have not yet purchased Endnote, consider attending a Refworks workshop as an alternative. Google is changing the way people find and use information. We will look at the full range of Google services including some that may be new to you: Google Scholar, Google Book Search, Google Maps, Google Uncle Sam, etc. We will look at strategies to find quality resources quickly and efficiently using Google. Some laptops will be provided, but please bring your own laptop if you have one: As the web is becoming a more flexible and robust research environment, the library is finding ways to use new technologies to more efficiently find and use research level resources. Attendees will be introduced to the library's groundbreaking tool for storing, sharing and organizing research links, and will learn how to customize Firefox to make it an efficient tool for research. Blackboard's Wiki tool provides students with a mechanism for writing out course glossaries, compiling literature reviews and editing each other's writing. The Wiki maintains a user-based history of changes so instructors can look at the contributions of individual students to a group's accomplishments. A CWiC speaking advisor will discuss important considerations for preparing and delivering your research presentation. Students will be introduced to ArcGIS software and will learn how to make a map using data from Census2000. Students with some GIS knowledge who would like to learn more about adding census data, and those new to GIS are welcome to attend. We will review how these databases work and how to find and keep resources efficiently. Unwind and relax as you prepare for the end of the semester.

Have you collected video and audio interviews or photographs as part of your research? Do you have a stack of dusty tapes and folders with valuable multimedia hidden in them? Ever wonder about using multimedia to showcase your work? Staff from Van Pelt Library's David B. Weigle Information Commons will discuss and demonstrate a range of multimedia tools that are out there for you. Convert audio and video from older formats. Edit videos and learn how to pull gems out from the sand. See demonstrations of what iMovie, Audacity, Windows Movie Maker, Photo Booth, Pachyderm and Blackboard's Wimba Voiceboards can do. Learn how small electronic items (e.g., voice recorders, snowball mics, videocameras) can help you collect new research data in multimedia format. Take a tour of the Vitale Digital Media Lab. Learn about editing, digitizing, and professionally presenting your research materials, and make the most out of your data. For Graduate Students only.

This workshop will provide a general overview of the information resources available about the city of Philadelphia and how to use the library to find these resources.

A basic introduction to this powerful image editing software. Learn how to open image files, use the toolbox and palettes, convert formats and manage multiple layers.

Special topics with PhotoShop - assumes knowledge of topics covered in PhotoShop I.

In this fast-paced class, we will introduce and explore one of the most fundamental yet powerful features in Photoshop -- Layers, which allow you to edit your images in a nondestructive way, isolate areas of your images for specific adjustments, repair damage, correct & enhance colors, fix problems in composition, and more, all while retaining as much flexibility and editability as possible. We will examine the Photoshop Layers palette, color adjustment layers, layer masks, type layers, shape layers, blending modes, and tricks for organizing complex files. This class assumes a working knowledge of Photoshop basics.

Trying to create a poster to explain your research project to others? Wondering how to make a powerful visual statement? We will explore designing your poster in PowerPoint. We will look at page size options, font and color choices, Word Art, Autoshapes and drawing tools. Bring your poster information with you as well as your personal laptop if appropriate. We will share tips and tricks for poster formatting, show examples and discuss preparing a PDF for printing in the Vitale Digital Media Lab or similar facility. Note: This is a hands-on workshop with an online tutorial.

PowerPoint can be used beautifully or misused horribly. We will explore the basics hands-on of making a new presentation, bringing in graphics and photographs, adding effects and sharing your show with others via the Internet. Designed for beginners, and restricted to faculty and instructors.

Learn the basics of PowerPoint hands-on. Participants will learn to create new presentations, apply design templates, manipulate text, insert graphics, prepare notes and handouts from PowerPoint slides, save presentations, and more.

Second Life is an interactive virtual environment that shows promise for educational and creative activities in several disciplines.

Tim Allen, Builder for the WIC Second Life space, will show participants hands- on how to build items in Second Life. This workshop assumes that you are comfortable with moving around in Second Life and have an avatar. Please email questions to wic1@pobox.upenn.edu We will explore Second Life hands-on. Designed for beginners. We will learn how to move around the environment and we will explore nationally renowned sites. An online tutorial is available at http://wic.library.upenn.edu/multimedia/tutorials/secondlife.html Restricted to faculty, staff and librarians.

Learn advanced searching techniques that will allow you to determine if specific authors and works have been cited in the writings of other writers. These search techniques enable researchers to trace how various studies have influenced or have been influenced by others, as well as find relevant resources for their own work.

This lunchtime series showcases new technologies. Vendor presentations may include sales-related content. Please feel free to bring your lunch with you.

FileMaker Pro is a flexible and powerful database solution that includes web capability. You can create a database of text and multimedia with exciting publishing possibilities. Louise Krasniewicz will show custom databases from archaeological, anthropological and film research and share her expertise. Don't be daunted by all those digital photos you've been taking. Have fun with them. Share them by email or create amazing web pages, cards and calendars. iPhoto automatically organizes your photo library and makes editing as easy as clicking your mouse, so you can get the most out of even the biggest collection. Join a journey through iPhoto's features, along with it's silly sibling Photo Booth and big brother Aperture. Presented by Apple Systems Engineer, Michael Wolk. Are you nervous about Excel 2007? We will show you how the "ribbon" works, discuss common shortcuts and show how to do old tasks in new ways. Presented by Barbara Kountouzi. Bring your questions! Come and learn about photo editing/organizing software that is available for free on the Internet. We will compare the basic features of Fast Stone, Picasa, GIMP, and Paint.net. GarageBand allows you to record multiple voices, add music tracks, add still images, and create podcasts with chapters. Presented by Apple Systems Engineer, Michael Wolk. Wish you could get more out of your Windows-based notebook? Explore shortcuts, organizational skills, and hardware and software settings for your Windows notebook that will help you save lots of time and aggravation this semester. Bring your notebook and / or your lunch with you. Presented by John Mulhern III, a Senior Project Leader at ISC. Connect anywhere using the built-in video camera and Internet-based videoconferencing. The new version of iChat includes video backdrops, Photo Booth effects, photo slideshows and sharing of Keynote presentations and movies. iChat builds on the capabilities of Apple’s new Leopard operating system. Presented by Mike Wolk, Apple Systems Engineer. Education evolves… iTunes U has arrived, giving higher education institutions an ingenious way to get audio and video content out to their students. Presentations, performances, lectures, demonstrations, debates, tours, archival footage — school is about to become even more inspiring. Join Apple Systems Engineer, Michael Wolk, as he demonstrates how to leverage the iPod and iTunes U as tools for education! iWeb makes it easy to create a website that's stunningly beautiful, and totally you. Start with an Apple-designed theme, then customize it with your own text, photos, movies, and podcasts until it's exactly what you want. And switch themes with a click anytime. Presented by Apple Systems Engineer, Michael Wolk. Keynote is Apple's response to PowerPoint - it provides a slide based structure and integrates video and transitions. Louise Krasniewicz will demonstrate interesting uses of Keynote and share examples from anthropology, archaeology and film. New to using a Mac? Switched recently from a Windows PC? We'll offer tips to use your Mac productively, perform basic trouble-shooting and housekeeping tasks, and easily move files between Macs and Windows computers. Bring your Mac laptop with you. Presented by Al Matthews and Jason Watkins from SAS Computing. Learn how to make quick podcasts on an educational topic such as Podcast of This Day in History. Learn how to distribute your podcasts using iTunes and iTunes U. Presented by Apple Systems Engineer, Michael Wolk. Are you nervous about PowerPoint 2007? We will show you how the "ribbon" works, how to integrate presentations with the web, and how to do old tasks in new ways. Presented by Barbara Kountouzi. Bring your questions! Are you nervous about Word 2007? We will show you how the "ribbon" works, discuss common shortcuts and show how to do old tasks in new ways. Presented by Barbara Kountouzi. Bring your questions!

These workshops, offered at various levels, provide guidance on good web design principles, overview tools available and enable exploration of the technical aspects of web design. For more information, please email wic1@pobox.upenn.edu

We will explore the basics of using Dreamweaver to create a website. We will discuss html code concepts, demonstrate tools and accessories, and practice hands-on with Dreamweaver. Designed for first-time Dreamweaver users.

An open session where students meet with staff from the Weigle Information Commons to provide suggestions and feedback.

This conference-style event is designed for faculty and library staff. Speakers include Julia Blixrud, Association for Research Libraries Assistant Executive Director for External Relations and Dr. Alexius Macklin, Associate Professor of Library Science and User Instruction Librarian, Purdue University. The Extravaganza page has details.

We focus on end-of-term tasks: finalizing the paper, citing sources properly, planning to speak about the research paper, using PowerPoint and Word, and practicing your speech. Class of 1968 Seminar Room - 124

We focus on mid-term tasks: organizing thoughts, framing a research question, planning the timeline, beginning the search for information, setting goals and thinking through the stages of your research paper. Class of 1968 Seminar Room - 124

Presenters:
Myrna Cohen, Director of the Weingarten Learning Resources Center
Patrick Wehner, Associate Director, Critical Writing Program
Sue Weber, Associate Director, Communication Within the Curriculum
Nick Okrent, Undergraduate Services Librarian
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We welcome student input and ideas for the Weigle Information Commons. We will introduce the new WIC Student Advisory Council. This group will meet twice a term and share ideas via Blackboard. The Council will provide feedback and ideas to the administrators of the Weigle Information Commons. No registration necessary.Class of 1968 Seminar Room - 124