Monday, July 31, 2023

Dr. Albrecht Podcast: "Do You Have Imposter Syndrome?: Tools For Feeling More Empowered."


We've just posted a new podcasts by Dr. Albrecht in our "Library Service, Safety, & Security" section of Library 2.0: "Do You Have Imposter Syndrome?: Tools For Feeling More Empowered." 

You can listen to the podcast here

Dr. Albrecht's twice-monthly Library 2.0 podcast and blog posts are available for free, as are: access to 51,000 other library professionals, our regular mini-conferences, and all the conference recordings. We also offer a series of Dr. Albrecht paid webinars and recordings which are available for individual or group viewing here.
    DR. STEVE ALBRECHT

    Since 2000, Dr. Steve Albrecht has trained thousands of library employees in 28+ states, live and online, in service, safety, and security. His programs are fast, entertaining, and provide tools that can be put to use immediately in the library workspace with all types of patrons.

    In 2015, the ALA published his book, Library Security: Better Communication, Safer Facilities. His new book, The Safe Library: Keeping Users, Staff, and Collections Secure, was just published by Rowman & Littlefield.

    Steve holds a doctoral degree in Business Administration (D.B.A.), an M.A. in Security Management, a B.A. in English, and a B.S. in Psychology. He is board-certified in HR, security management, employee coaching, and threat assessmenHe has written 25 books on business, security, and leadership topics. He lives in Springfield, Missouri, with six dogs and two cats.

    His professional webite is at http://drstevealbrecht.com.

    BUY THE BOOK:




    Friday, July 21, 2023

    Dr. Albrecht Blog Post: "Keeping Libraries Safe From Digital Attacks"


    We've just posted a new blog post by Dr. Albrecht in our "Library Service, Safety, & Security" section of Library 2.0: "'Keeping Libraries Safe From Digital Attacks." 
    By this point in our internet lives, we have all seen stories of supposedly secure federal, state, or local government or corporate sites hacked; the hijacking of social media accounts of celebrities; and intrusions of even “unbreakable” password storage sites and smartphone applications. We have moved beyond the need for constant vigilance, deterrence software, and toothless end-user policies. Why is it that even as recently as 2022, the most common passwords—and therefore the easiest and fastest to learn—are still “password,” “123456,” “guest,” and “qwerty?” Have we learned nothing about how easy it is for software programs to guess any password under 12 letters, numbers, or symbols? If a 16-year-old kid from Estonia using a simple brute-force password-cracking program can get into the network of a Fortune 500 company, something is seriously wrong with our cyber-protection strategies. 
    A [denial-of-service] attack or a successful ransomware attack isn’t just an inconvenience—it has the potential to be life-threatening.
    You can read the full post here

    Dr. Albrecht's twice-monthly Library 2.0 podcast and blog posts are available for free, as are: access to 50,000 other library professionals, our regular mini-conferences, and all the conference recordings. We also offer a series of Dr. Albrecht paid webinars and recordings which are available for individual or group viewing here.
      DR. STEVE ALBRECHT

      Since 2000, Dr. Steve Albrecht has trained thousands of library employees in 28+ states, live and online, in service, safety, and security. His programs are fast, entertaining, and provide tools that can be put to use immediately in the library workspace with all types of patrons.

      In 2015, the ALA published his book, Library Security: Better Communication, Safer Facilities. His new book, The Safe Library: Keeping Users, Staff, and Collections Secure, was just published by Rowman & Littlefield.

      Steve holds a doctoral degree in Business Administration (D.B.A.), an M.A. in Security Management, a B.A. in English, and a B.S. in Psychology. He is board-certified in HR, security management, employee coaching, and threat assessmenHe has written 25 books on business, security, and leadership topics. He lives in Springfield, Missouri, with six dogs and two cats.

      His professional webite is at http://drstevealbrecht.com.

      BUY THE BOOK:




      Wednesday, July 19, 2023

      Starts Friday: AI ART Virtual Bootcamp for Teachers and Librarians: An Online Course on AI Art-Making Tools, Techniques, and Creativity

      Learning Revolutions's AI ART Bootcamp for Teachers and Librarians:
      An Online Course on AI Art-Making Tools, Techniques, and Creativity

      3 x 90-minute live online sessions with Q&A + non-expiring access to the recordings

      OVERVIEW

      This virtual bootcamp provides a deep dive into AI art-making and then empowers teachers and librarians to integrate AI Art into educational programs and to create a vibrant AI Art ecosystem in schools and libraries by fostering creativity, critical thinking, and cross-disciplinary connections.

      "I have been using AI in one form or another since I began making art on computers in the 1990s. I only truly started using image-generating AI tools around 2020. But the levels of sophistication of the AI algorithms have developed so rapidly that it feels like I have moved from using a 3000-year-old ancient lyre to a Stradivarius violin in two short years."

      - Jon Rafman, artist
      "I felt like I was witnessing magic. Now that it’s been a few months, I’m like, ‘Well, yes, of course, AI generates anything.’"
      - Karen X. Cheng, creator of Cosmopolitan's first magazine cover generated by an AI program

      Please join award-winning teacher, photographer, and artist Nino Trentinella as she provides a comprehensive introduction to cutting-edge AI-driven tools and techniques that nurture artistic expression, boost student engagement, and allow the creation of stunning visual art.

      SESSION 1 (July 21st)
      "Introduction to AI Art-making (AI & Creativity)"

      • Introduction
      • What is AI Art-making? A Beginner's Guide to the Intersection of Art and Artificial Intelligence
      • Why make AI Art? Addressing pain points: limited resources, time constraints, and student behavior or lack of engagement
      • History of AI Art-making and Its Impact on the World
      • Demystifying AI Algorithms: An Introduction to How AI Creates Art. Authorship, ethics, creativity, and societal implications (including fears of job losses)
      • Foundational Art Principles (Elements of Art, Principles of Design, Composition, and Art History)
      • Prompt-building

      SESSION 2 (July 28th)
      "AI Art Basics / Techniques"

      • Essential Tools for Beginners in AI Art-making (Stable diffusion, Night Cafe, Dall-e, Midjourney, Photoshop, and Gigapixel)
      • Making 3D stereoscopic images (Depth Maps in Photoshop, LeiPix, 3D Stereo Maker Pro)
      • Finding your creative voice/style

      SESSION 3 (August 4th)
      "AI Art in Education"

      • Harnessing the Potential: How AI Art-making Enhances Education and Library Programs
      • Nurturing Artistic Expression: Integrating AI into Classroom and Library Settings
      • Long-term Sustainability: Incorporating AI Art-making into the Curriculum and Library Programming (posters, visual aids, and interactive lessons)
      • Cultivating Cross-Disciplinary Connections - Interdisciplinary Integration: Exploring AI Art across Various Subjects
      • Working with SEND - Special Educational Needs & Disabilities: neurodiversity, mental health, and physical disabilities

      Interactive Art Projects for Students

      • Inspiring Creativity: Unleashing Students' Imagination through AI Art
      • Engaging Activities: Designing Interactive AI Art Projects for Students
      • Collaborative Art-making: Fostering Teamwork and Peer Learning through AI
      • From Pixels to Exhibition: Showcasing Student Artworks (Art Steps, Virtual Books, Organizing AI Art Exhibitions: Creating Showcase Events for Students and the Community)
      • Encouraging Critical Analysis: Exploring the Intersection of AI and Society, Facilitating Discussions on AI Art's Impact and Implications
      • Building Partnerships: Collaborating with Local Artists and Organizations
      • Community Engagement: Hosting Workshops and Talks on AI Art-making in the Library

      Conclusion and Next Steps

      • Recap of the course and key takeaways
      • Resources for continuing your AI Art-making journey
      • Potential future developments in AI Art-making

      DATES & TIME: 

      • Fridays - July 21st, July 28th, and August 4th, 2:00 - 3:30 pm US-Eastern Time 
      • Each session will include Q&A time which may extend beyond the scheduled finish
      • Each session will be recorded and non-expiring access to the recordings is included in the cost of registration

      COST:

      • $199/person - includes live attendance, any-time access to the recordings and the presentation slides, and receipt of a participation certificate.
      • To arrange group discounts (see below), to submit a purchase order, or for any registration difficulties or questions, email admin@learningrevolution.com.

      TO REGISTER: 

      Click HERE to register and pay. If you are paying for someone else to attend, you'll be prompted to send an email to admin@learningrevolution.com with the name and email address of the actual attendee.

      If you have any trouble registering for the event, if you need to be invoiced or pay by check, or if you have any questions, please email admin@learningrevolution.comNOTE: please check your spam folder if you don't receive your confirmation email right away. Emails come from learningrevolutionemail@gmail.com or steve@learningrevolution.com.

      SPECIAL GROUP RATES (email admin@learningrevolution.com to arrange):

      • Multiple individual registrations from the same organization paid together: $149 each for 3+ registrations. For five or more use the institutional pricing below. Includes unlimited and non-expiring access for those log-ins.
      • Institutional access including up to 10 individuals from your local organization: $699; up to 25 individuals: $999; up to 50 individuals: $1599. For more than 50 participants from a single group, or for organizations that span more than one location, please email admin@learningrevolution.com for a custom quotation.
      NINO TRENTINELLA

      Nino Trentinella is a multi-award-winning contemporary photographer, artist, and teacher based in London, UK. Born in the Soviet Republic of Georgia, she later studied in the United States, receiving her MFA in Imaging and Digital Arts. Nino began her career as a fine art photographer and has since worked as a professor/teacher and director/chair of art and photography in different countries.

      Nino is known for her conceptual and thought-provoking images. Her work makes a commentary on current social and cultural issues and her photographs take on a more ethereal and otherworldly quality. She has a special interest in stereoscopy and cutting-edge technologies such as AI, which she incorporates into her work to create a sense of depth and alternate realities.

      Nino's work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and she has won numerous awards and accolades for continuing to push the boundaries of art, including an Award by the President of the USA for excellence in teaching Digital Arts. This year, Nino’s AI-generated images won first and second place at the annual Stereoscopic Society Exhibition and the Martin Wilsher Award “for all the outstanding work done with AI in stereoscopy and in raising the profile of stereoscopy in teaching work.” She also won a 2023 Pearson National Teaching Award for digital innovator of the year.

      You can see some of Nino's work on Brian May's London Stereoscopic Company's website, in the permanent collections of the Library of Congress, Washington, DC, and Kiyosato Museum of Photographic Arts, Kiyosato, Japan.

      Follow her on social media at:

      Tuesday, July 18, 2023

      "Mental Health and Wellness" Topic Survey for Loida Garcia-Febo Library 2.0 Webinar Series + Free Webinar

      We're working with Loida Garcia-Febo on a regular webinar series on "Mental Health and Wellness" for Library 2.0. The topics we are considering are below, and you can vote on them by using the form HERE. As a thank you for your feedback, you'll receive a link to watch her recent paid webinar, "Mental Health and Wellness: Supporting Ourselves and Each Other" for free during the next week.

      Here are the topics we're considering:
      • Preventing Burnout and Fatigue
      • Saying No
      • Relationships with Colleagues
      • Dimensions of Wellness and Strategies to Achieve
      • Stressors for Library Workers and Strategies to Manage
      • Achieving Quality of Work-Life Balance
      • Establishing Healthy Boundaries
      • Your Regular Personal Wellness Assessment
      • Personal Self-Care and Mindfulness Strategies
      • Creating a Wellness Toolbox for Your Library
      • How to Obtain Institutional Wellness Buy-In
      • The Effect of Noise on Mental Health and Wellness
      • Feeling Emotionally Safe at Work
      Again, you can vote on them or give us other feedback HERE. A link to the free webinar will appear on the confirmation page, and we'll also send you the link by email shortly. 

      You are also welcome to share this email/post with colleagues, as anyone filling out the form will receive the webinar link.

      Thank you!



      LOIDA GARCIA-FEBO

      Loida Garcia-Febo is a Puerto Rican American librarian and International Library Consultant with 24 years of experience as an expert in library services to diverse populations and human rights. President of the American Library Association 2018-2019. Garcia-Febo is worldwide known for her passion about diversity, communities, sustainability, innovation and digital transformation, library workers, library advocacy, wellness for library workers, and new librarians about which she has taught in 44 countries. In her job, she helps libraries, companies and organizations strategize programs, services and strategies in areas related to these topics and many others. Garcia-Febo has a Bachelors in Business Education, Masters in Library and Information Sciences.

      Garcia-Febo has a long history of service with library associations. Highlights include- At IFLA: Governing Board 2013-2017, Co-Founder of IFLA New Professionals, two-term Member/Expert resource person of the Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression Committee of IFLA (FAIFE), two-term member of the Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning Section of IFLA (CPDWL). Currently: CPDWL Advisor, Information Coordinator of the Management of Library Associations Section. Currently at ALA: Chair, IRC United Nations Subcommittee, Chair Public Awareness Committee. Recently at ALA: Chair, Status of Women in Librarianship and Chair, ALA United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals Task Force developing a multi-year strategic plan for ALA. Born, raised, and educated in Puerto Rico, Garcia-Febo has advocated for libraries at the United Nations, the European Union Parliament, U.S. Congress, NY State Senate, NY City Hall, and on sidewalks and streets in various states in the U.S.




      Monday, July 17, 2023

      New Webinar: "Tools for Tense Situations: Reducing Conflicts With Patrons (2023 Update)"

      Tools for Tense Situations: Reducing Conflicts With Patrons
      [2023 UPDATED VERSION]
      Part of the Library 2.0 Service, Safety, and Security Series with Dr. Steve Albrecht

      OVERVIEW

      The Age of Incivility seems to be fully upon us. Even a brief review of social media shows countless posted videos of arguments and even fights on airplanes, at fast-food restaurants, at malls, and in classrooms. Libraries and library staff report much of the same: patrons who hate being told what to do and who feel entitled to disagree, often at the top of their voices. If respect between people is a two-part process, why is it so difficult for some members of the public to comply with library rules, policies, and the useful but often ignored Code of Conduct?

      This session provides tools for hard conversations; techniques to help patrons save face and go along with our behavioral policies; and ways to boost the confidence of library staff when “the usual (communication) stuff isn’t working.

      LEARNING AGENDA: 

      • Better understand how allowing patrons to save face in embarrassing public situations can help, now and in the future.
      • Learn to use the Power of the Pause to master your own anger and to slow things down when talking with angry patrons.
      • Review and memorize David Fowler’s AVADE® De-Escalation Tips.
      • Use the concept of extinction to extinguish negative patron behaviors.
      • Learn how “thought stopping” can get patrons from angry to more reasonable.

      This 60-minute training webinar is presented by Library 2.0 and hosted by ALA author and library service, safety, and security expert, Dr. Steve Albrecht. A handout copy of the presentation slides will be available to all who participate. This is an updated version of this webinar for 2023.

      DATE: Thursday, July 27th, 2023, at 2:00 pm US - Eastern Time

      COST:

      • $99/person - includes any-time access to the recording and the presentation slides and receiving a participation certificate. To arrange group discounts (see below), to submit a purchase order, or for any registration difficulties or questions, email admin@library20.com.
      • FREE for those on individual or group all-access passes (see below).

      TO REGISTER: 

      Click HERE to register and pay. You can pay by credit card, and will receive an email within a day with information on how to attend the webinar live and how you access the permanent webinar recording. If you are paying for someone else to attend, you'll be prompted to send an email to admin@library20.com with the name and email address of the actual attendee.

      If you have any trouble registering for a webinar, if you need to be invoiced or pay by check, or if you have any questions, please email admin@library20.com.

      NOTE: please check your spam folder if you don't receive your confirmation email within a day.

      SPECIAL GROUP RATES (email admin@library20.com to arrange):

      • Multiple individual log-ins and access from the same organization paid together: $75 each for 3+ registrations, $65 each for 5+ registrations. Unlimited and non-expiring access for those log-ins.
      • The ability to show the webinar (live or recorded) to a group located in the same physical location or in the same virtual meeting from one log-in: $299.
      • Large-scale institutional access for viewing with individual login capability: $499 (hosted either at Library 2.0 or in Niche Academy). Unlimited and non-expiring access for those log-ins.

      ALL-ACCESS PASSES:

      • All-access annual passes include unlimited access to the recordings of all of Dr. Albrecht's previous Library 2.0 webinars, plus live and recorded access to his new webinars for one year. These are hosted either at Library 2.0 or Niche Academy (if preferred).
      • For a $499 individual all-access annual pass to all of Dr. Albrecht's live webinars and recordings for one year, please click here
      • Inquiries for all-access organizational contracts should be directed to admin@library20.com.
      RECORDINGS AVAILABLE:



      DR. STEVE ALBRECHT

      Since 2000, Dr. Steve Albrecht has trained thousands of library employees in 28+ states, live and online, in service, safety, and security. His programs are fast, entertaining, and provide tools that can be put to use immediately in the library workspace with all types of patrons.

      In 2015, the ALA published his book, Library Security: Better Communication, Safer Facilities. His new book, The Safe Library: Keeping Users, Staff, and Collections Secure, was just published by Rowman & Littlefield.

      Steve holds a doctoral degree in Business Administration (D.B.A.), an M.A. in Security Management, a B.A. in English, and a B.S. in Psychology. He is board-certified in HR, security management, employee coaching, and threat assessment.

      He has written 25 books on business, security, and leadership topics. He lives in Springfield, Missouri, with six dogs and two cats.

      His professional website is http://www.drstevealbrecht.com.

      Friday, July 14, 2023

      Dr. Albrecht Blog Post: "Stay Interview” Questions - Talking with Library Employees Who Are Thinking of Quitting


      We've just posted a new blog post by Dr. Albrecht in our "Library Service, Safety, & Security" section of Library 2.0: "'Stay Interview' Questions: Talking with Library Employees Who Are Thinking of Quitting." 
      The "Stay Interview" is a useful tool for library leaders, managers, and supervisors. It can serve as an early-warning coaching conversation, that touches base with an employee who might be thinking of leaving your library. This person could be a new-hire, who is trying to decide if the job is actually right for her or him, or it could be a longtime employee who feels burned out, “top-stepped out” (no other promotional levels to reach or strive for), or on the fence about a career change, a move to a new city, or retiring early. 
      You can read the full post here

      Dr. Albrecht's twice-monthly Library 2.0 podcast and blog posts are available for free, as are: access to 50,000 other library professionals, our regular mini-conferences, and all the conference recordings. We also offer a series of Dr. Albrecht paid webinars and recordings which are available for individual or group viewing here.
        DR. STEVE ALBRECHT

        Since 2000, Dr. Steve Albrecht has trained thousands of library employees in 28+ states, live and online, in service, safety, and security. His programs are fast, entertaining, and provide tools that can be put to use immediately in the library workspace with all types of patrons.

        In 2015, the ALA published his book, Library Security: Better Communication, Safer Facilities. His new book, The Safe Library: Keeping Users, Staff, and Collections Secure, was just published by Rowman & Littlefield.

        Steve holds a doctoral degree in Business Administration (D.B.A.), an M.A. in Security Management, a B.A. in English, and a B.S. in Psychology. He is board-certified in HR, security management, employee coaching, and threat assessmenHe has written 25 books on business, security, and leadership topics. He lives in Springfield, Missouri, with six dogs and two cats.

        His professional webite is at http://drstevealbrecht.com.

        BUY THE BOOK:




        Tuesday, July 11, 2023

        "Meta Modeling" for Parents + Last Chance for Summer Virtual Parenting Bootcamp

        Our "Parenting for Academic Success (and Parental Sanity)" virtual summer BootCamp kicks off Wednesday night, and more on that and how to sign up are below the following embedded video on "Meta Modeling." This is an interview with Chris Loper, one of our bootcamp instructors, by Yulia Rafailova of mindfuleducation.com. "Meta Modeling is about modeling the mindsets and thinking strategies that help you to get through your struggles - i.e. your inner monologue. This strategy plays a significant role in how parents lead by setting a good example, rather than relying solely on giving instructions or orders." Enjoy! (YouTube link here.)

        PARENTING FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS (AND PARENTAL SANITY)
        A Six-Week Summer "Bootcamp"

        • Are you anxious that your child isn't living up to their potential, but you're not sure how to support them?
        • Do you worry that your child fell behind during COVID, but you don't know how to help them catch up?
        • Would you like to stop having arguments with your child about schoolwork, chores, and screen time?
        • Are you tired of nagging and hovering, but worried that if you stop, your child will fail?

        You are not alone, and there is a better way! You can support your child's growth, without micromanaging, and while simultaneously helping them become independent and resilient. When you adopt this approach, you will not only help your child to succeed, you will also reduce your own stress and anxiety around parenting.

        Which is why we are excited to announce that Learning Revolution will be hosting the third annual ONLINE version of this much-sought-after course: 

        In this 6-week virtual bootcamp, you'll get:

        • 2 expert teachers
        • 5 video lectures (about 90 minutes each)
        • 6 live Q&A sessions (about 50 minutes each)
        • And tons of bonus resources!

        We tackle tough, important topics like:

        • How to create a less combative parent-child relationship
        • Why brain health is so important and how to improve it
        • Managing technology in the household
        • Cultivating a growth mindset
        • The neuroscience of effective studying and how to model it
        • The psychology of behavioral change and productivity
        • How to support and grow executive function
        • Why rescuing your children from failure does more harm than good
        • Crafting a home environment that is conducive to health and productivity
        • Finding the middle ground between hands-off parenting and micromanaging

        This course is a weekly six-part series: five recorded sessions with live Q&A plus one bonus live Q&A session the final week. The course is co-taught by Greg Smith and Chris Loper. Chris will share the key ideas from psychology and neuroscience that are most relevant for parents, while Greg will discuss how to apply this knowledge at home. Meanwhile, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions, and you’ll be given pre-session journaling questions, supplemental readings, and additional resources to support the course material.

        “This parent seminar is like no other. Understanding the learning process and the development of executive functions is a component of parenting that is often overlooked. Greg and Chris are exceptionally skilled at what they do and amazing communicators. In this seminar, they provide a baseline of information that will help any parent become more empathetic and knowledgeable as they help guide these wonderful young persons in developing their own independence and confidence. This seminar applies to so much more than just academics – it applies to life skills.” 

        –Jenifer Dobson

        Your Instructors

        Greg Smith: Greg has been an educator for 35 years, and he is the owner of Northwest Educational Services. He has over 40,000 hours of one-on-one experience supporting students and parents in their respective learning processes. Greg is married with two teenage daughters and understands the challenges of parenting from both a professional and personal perspective.
         
        Chris Loper: Chris has been an academic coach since 2014. He writes an education blog for parents and students at NWTutoring.com, and he is the owner of South Cove Tutoring in Issaquah, WA. Chris is also the creator of BecomingBetter.org, where he writes about self-improvement and works one-on-one with adults on habit formation. He is also the author of Wood Floats and Other Brilliant Observations, a humorous memoir. 

        The Sessions

        #1 Psychology and Neuroscience Essentials 

        • The history of the human brain as it relates to academic success
        • Brain health: the effects of sleep, nutrition, exercise, and technology
        • Positive psychology: encouraging mental health and success
        • Leading by example: the importance of modeling healthy habits

        #2 Growth Mindset Parenting

        • The dynamic human brain: how the brain changes and grows
        • Growth mindset vs. fixed mindset
        • Growth-minded language
        • Leading by example: the growth-minded lifestyle
        • Cultivating healthy self-esteem and self-efficacy

        #3 Studying and Learning

        • Test anxiety: where does it come from and what can we do about it
        • What is “studying?”: learning techniques and memory formation
        • Problem-solving: technique, strategy, and the value of real breaks
        • Technology: distractions, multitasking, and tech-addiction
        • The pursuit of mastery and love of learning: curiosity and depth vs. grade management

        #4 Behavioral Change and Productivity

        • Realism: how change actually happens
        • Using willpower wisely: habits, strategies, and reminders
        • Self-perception: how outer change drives inner change
        • Procrastination: why we do it and how to do it less
        • Perfectionism: moving away from debilitating all-or-nothing thinking

        #5 Cultivating Executive Function

        • Park the helicopter: how micromanaging hinders development
        • Skinned knees: what kids learn when they’re allowed to fail
        • Coaching vs. teaching: encouraging resourcefulness and independence
        • Talking with your child about school: navigating the emotional difficulties of academic conversations
        • Active agent vs. passive victim: blame, parental language, and cultivating responsibility

        # 6 Q&A Bonus Week

        • 50-minute bonus session for any follow-up questions on the final lesson or the course as a whole.

        Dates and Times

        July 12 - August 16. Each weekly recording is approximately 90 minutes long, which you can watch at your own pace. The sessions are supplemented by live, 50-minute Q&A time over Zoom at 7:00pm US-Pacific Time on Wednesday evenings. The recorded sessions will be sent to you one week prior to the live Q&A sessions. 

        Cost & Registration

        $199 per family (a set of parents and/or guardians). Space is limited, so please let us know right away if you would like to reserve a spot. To reserve your spot, please register here (all major credit cards accepted):

        If you need to pay by check, please email admin@learningrevolution.com and we'll hold the reservation and send an invoice. Please send questions to admin@learningrevolution.com.

        Other Testimonials

        “I took the parenting course in summer 2019 and learned so much about how the developing brain, growth mindset, and the importance of modeling (as opposed to managing), and much more. I still have my notes and refer back to them periodically. I highly recommend the course for anyone interested in supporting their children as they grow into lifelong learners.” 

        –Caitlin Moulding

        “Chris and Greg’s parent seminars are not to be missed! In a short time, I became more savvy about myself and my kids as learners. Their coaching tips aim to reduce parent-child conflict by leveraging current research on the brain and descriptive stories of their students. I highly recommend their seminars for parents of all kids!” 

        –Vicki Pettiross

        "We attended Northwest Educational Services’ parent seminar series in 2019 - the content was highly relevant and well presented, and the welcoming setting provided us the opportunity to engage directly with expert educators and other parents.  As parents of middle and elementary school students, we were able to relate to the information shared, and apply the seminar’s concepts directly into our own family interactions and dynamics.  We look forward to attending again this year.” 

        –Jill Nolton

        "I found this series when my youngest student was in his final prep for college applications. How I wish that I had taken it years earlier so I could have supported both my students through their schooling! The information Greg and Chris share is helpful to all parents but especially those of students who struggle academically or battle with the stress of perfectionism. Incorporating these lessons into my own life has been very worthwhile but the value is exponentially higher to learn and adopt the tools and strategies while your students are still at home, preparing for college and life. Thankfully my son was able to find his motivation and potential with Greg's guidance. He became a hardworking high school student, attends a highly selective college, and is earning academic accolades. The potential is in every child, you just need the right guide and guided parents to help them find it and draw it out." 

        –Kirsten Morrison

        "We are the fortunate parents of twin daughters, both with unique-to-them strengths and challenges in the learning environment. No one-size-fits-all approach for us. We were looking for some coaching to sort out the best ways to give each daughter the specific support they needed to be successful in their school environments. The Parenting for Academic Success classes we took through NWES provided us with that and more.

        "Coaches Greg and Chris spoke to all learning types, teaching parents how to encourage their kids to identify and articulate what they needed, and how to ask for it, so that they could become independent drivers of their own academic success. Once we began to implement some of the tools we learned, both of our students began to, more and more readily, reach out for help from resources beyond us (other students, academic coaches, school tutors and teachers) and do so in a timely manner, before test anxiety or project panic set in.

        "We also learned new tools to support both daughters in becoming more consistent in their study habits. Instead of ‘cramming’ the night before an exam, the girls began to develop habits which vastly reduced last-minute, stress-driven studying.

        "Our daughters have now transitioned to great-fit universities where they are happy, engaged, independent, and consistently experiencing academic success.

        "Greg and Chris brought their combined years of expertise coaching students at all grade levels, and advising parents who desire to support student success, and shared concrete, well informed, research based, ground tested, information and strategies that aided us in our efforts to support our unique learners. We cannot recommend them highly enough."

        -Kelly and Steve Nolan Shafer

         

        Friday, July 07, 2023

        Dr. Albrecht Blog Post: "Evacuation Training and Patron Safety"


        We've just posted a new "Ask Dr. Steve" blog post by Dr. Albrecht in our "Library Service, Safety, & Security" section of Library 2.0: "Evacuation Training and Patron Safety." Here is the question that was submitted:
        Dear Dr. Steve,
        Please forgive me if this question has already been addressed in a previous article or blog post. I recently got hired as a library security manager for our library system's 18 locations, and one of the things our executive team has asked me to focus on is training our staff in response to active attack/active shooter events.  
        While I've been blessed to have attended a fair amount of training for active shooter response and am currently certified through ALERRT to teach civilian response to active shooter events, I've noticed that the majority of response models don't seem to account for the difficulties libraries face. In businesses, employees are able to be trained in appropriate lockdown procedures and have access to securable rooms; in schools, teachers and staff are directly accountable for non-employees (i.e. students) and are able to (hopefully) secure them with some ease in classrooms.  
        Libraries, obviously, don't perfectly fit these neat models in that we might have hundreds of patrons in our largest locations at any given time, none of whom are trained in our lockdown procedures or have access to staff only areas that are more easily secured, and none of whom (besides perhaps young children during story hour and teens in the young adult rooms) are being directly supervised by staff and are thus able to be easily corralled into a safe room or exit.  
        In our library system, we do have unarmed contracted security at our largest locations, and my inclination is to train/utilize them primarily to facilitate the escape or sheltering of patrons as much as is practical (your input on whether that seems potentially feasible or not would be greatly appreciated). What measures are you aware of that other library systems are using to increase specifically patron survivability in the unlikely event of an active attack event? 
        Robert
        You can read Dr. Albrecht's response here

        Dr. Albrecht's twice-monthly Library 2.0 podcast and blog posts are available for free, as are: access to 50,000 other library professionals, our regular mini-conferences, and all the conference recordings. We also offer a series of Dr. Albrecht paid webinars and recordings which are available for individual or group viewing here.

        COMING UP:

          DR. STEVE ALBRECHT

          Since 2000, Dr. Steve Albrecht has trained thousands of library employees in 28+ states, live and online, in service, safety, and security. His programs are fast, entertaining, and provide tools that can be put to use immediately in the library workspace with all types of patrons.

          In 2015, the ALA published his book, Library Security: Better Communication, Safer Facilities. His new book, The Safe Library: Keeping Users, Staff, and Collections Secure, was just published by Rowman & Littlefield.

          Steve holds a doctoral degree in Business Administration (D.B.A.), an M.A. in Security Management, a B.A. in English, and a B.S. in Psychology. He is board-certified in HR, security management, employee coaching, and threat assessmenHe has written 25 books on business, security, and leadership topics. He lives in Springfield, Missouri, with six dogs and two cats.

          His professional webite is at http://drstevealbrecht.com.

          BUY THE BOOK:




          Thursday, July 06, 2023

          AI ART Bootcamp for Teachers and Librarians: An Online Course on AI Art-Making Tools, Techniques, and Creativity

          Learning Revolutions's AI ART Bootcamp for Teachers and Librarians:
          An Online Course on AI Art-Making Tools, Techniques, and Creativity

          3 x 90-minute live online sessions with Q&A + non-expiring access to the recordings

          OVERVIEW

          This virtual bootcamp provides a deep dive into AI art-making and then empowers teachers and librarians to integrate AI Art into educational programs and to create a vibrant AI Art ecosystem in schools and libraries by fostering creativity, critical thinking, and cross-disciplinary connections.

          "I have been using AI in one form or another since I began making art on computers in the 1990s. I only truly started using image-generating AI tools around 2020. But the levels of sophistication of the AI algorithms have developed so rapidly that it feels like I have moved from using a 3000-year-old ancient lyre to a Stradivarius violin in two short years."

          - Jon Rafman, artist
          "I felt like I was witnessing magic. Now that it’s been a few months, I’m like, ‘Well, yes, of course, AI generates anything.’"
          - Karen X. Cheng, creator of Cosmopolitan's first magazine cover generated by an AI program

          Please join award-winning teacher, photographer, and artist Nino Trentinella as she provides a comprehensive introduction to cutting-edge AI-driven tools and techniques that nurture artistic expression, boost student engagement, and allow the creation of stunning visual art.

          SESSION 1 (July 21st)
          "Introduction to AI Art-making (AI & Creativity)"

          • Introduction
          • What is AI Art-making? A Beginner's Guide to the Intersection of Art and Artificial Intelligence
          • Why make AI Art? Addressing pain points: limited resources, time constraints, and student behavior or lack of engagement
          • History of AI Art-making and Its Impact on the World
          • Demystifying AI Algorithms: An Introduction to How AI Creates Art. Authorship, ethics, creativity, and societal implications (including fears of job losses)
          • Foundational Art Principles (Elements of Art, Principles of Design, Composition, and Art History)
          • Prompt-building

          SESSION 2 (July 28th)
          "AI Art Basics / Techniques"

          • Essential Tools for Beginners in AI Art-making (Stable diffusion, Night Cafe, Dall-e, Midjourney, Photoshop, and Gigapixel)
          • Making 3D stereoscopic images (Depth Maps in Photoshop, LeiPix, 3D Stereo Maker Pro)
          • Finding your creative voice/style

          SESSION 3 (August 4th)
          "AI Art in Education"

          • Harnessing the Potential: How AI Art-making Enhances Education and Library Programs
          • Nurturing Artistic Expression: Integrating AI into Classroom and Library Settings
          • Long-term Sustainability: Incorporating AI Art-making into the Curriculum and Library Programming (posters, visual aids, and interactive lessons)
          • Cultivating Cross-Disciplinary Connections - Interdisciplinary Integration: Exploring AI Art across Various Subjects
          • Working with SEND - Special Educational Needs & Disabilities: neurodiversity, mental health, and physical disabilities

          Interactive Art Projects for Students

          • Inspiring Creativity: Unleashing Students' Imagination through AI Art
          • Engaging Activities: Designing Interactive AI Art Projects for Students
          • Collaborative Art-making: Fostering Teamwork and Peer Learning through AI
          • From Pixels to Exhibition: Showcasing Student Artworks (Art Steps, Virtual Books, Organizing AI Art Exhibitions: Creating Showcase Events for Students and the Community)
          • Encouraging Critical Analysis: Exploring the Intersection of AI and Society, Facilitating Discussions on AI Art's Impact and Implications
          • Building Partnerships: Collaborating with Local Artists and Organizations
          • Community Engagement: Hosting Workshops and Talks on AI Art-making in the Library

          Conclusion and Next Steps

          • Recap of the course and key takeaways
          • Resources for continuing your AI Art-making journey
          • Potential future developments in AI Art-making

          DATES & TIME: 

          • Fridays - July 21st, July 28th, and August 4th, 2:00 - 3:30 pm US-Eastern Time 
          • Each session will include Q&A time which may extend beyond the scheduled finish
          • Each session will be recorded and non-expiring access to the recordings is included in the cost of registration

          COST:

          • $199/person - includes live attendance, any-time access to the recordings and the presentation slides, and receipt of a participation certificate.
          • To arrange group discounts (see below), to submit a purchase order, or for any registration difficulties or questions, email admin@learningrevolution.com.

          TO REGISTER: 

          Click HERE to register and pay. If you are paying for someone else to attend, you'll be prompted to send an email to admin@learningrevolution.com with the name and email address of the actual attendee.

          If you have any trouble registering for the event, if you need to be invoiced or pay by check, or if you have any questions, please email admin@learningrevolution.comNOTE: please check your spam folder if you don't receive your confirmation email right away. Emails come from learningrevolutionemail@gmail.com or steve@learningrevolution.com.

          SPECIAL GROUP RATES (email admin@learningrevolution.com to arrange):

          • Multiple individual registrations from the same organization paid together: $149 each for 3+ registrations. For five or more use the institutional pricing below. Includes unlimited and non-expiring access for those log-ins.
          • Institutional access including up to 10 individuals from your local organization: $699; up to 25 individuals: $999; up to 50 individuals: $1599. For more than 50 participants from a single group, or for organizations that span more than one location, please email admin@learningrevolution.com for a custom quotation.
          NINO TRENTINELLA

          Nino Trentinella is a multi-award-winning contemporary photographer, artist, and teacher based in London, UK. Born in the Soviet Republic of Georgia, she later studied in the United States, receiving her MFA in Imaging and Digital Arts. Nino began her career as a fine art photographer and has since worked as a professor/teacher and director/chair of art and photography in different countries.

          Nino is known for her conceptual and thought-provoking images. Her work makes a commentary on current social and cultural issues and her photographs take on a more ethereal and otherworldly quality. She has a special interest in stereoscopy and cutting-edge technologies such as AI, which she incorporates into her work to create a sense of depth and alternate realities.

          Nino's work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and she has won numerous awards and accolades for continuing to push the boundaries of art, including an Award by the President of the USA for excellence in teaching Digital Arts. This year, Nino’s AI-generated images won first and second place at the annual Stereoscopic Society Exhibition and the Martin Wilsher Award “for all the outstanding work done with AI in stereoscopy and in raising the profile of stereoscopy in teaching work.” She also won a 2023 Pearson National Teaching Award for digital innovator of the year.

          You can see some of Nino's work on Brian May's London Stereoscopic Company's website, in the permanent collections of the Library of Congress, Washington, DC, and Kiyosato Museum of Photographic Arts, Kiyosato, Japan.

          Follow her on social media at:

          Monday, July 03, 2023

          New Webinar: "The Top Ten Most Challenging Patrons: Practical and Realistic Tools to Make Your Facility a Better and Safer Place to Work"

          "The Top Ten Most Challenging Patrons: Practical and Realistic Tools to Make Your Facility a Better and Safer Place to Work"
          A "Safe Library" webinar, part of the Library 2.0 Service, Safety, and Security Series with Dr. Steve Albrecht

          OVERVIEW

          It’s time to look at the most common types of behaviorally-challenged patrons in our libraries, how they act the way they do, and even why they act the way they do. (Motive for behavior is a funny thing. Are some people born with a collection of irritating, odd, or entitled social habits or do they develop them over time, or is it a combination of both?)

          Why do certain male patrons engage in sexually or racially harassing behaviors, even after the passage of the Civil Rights Act about 60 years ago? What causes some patrons to be rude and demanding, during and after we’ve given them our best and most helpful service? Have you ever had to have the “hygiene conversation” with a patron with bad breath and body odor? Do you have concerns – as a mandated reporter – about potential child abuse or elder abuse, involving younger or older patrons being victimized? What do we do about the “the Starer,” who continues to watch staff and patrons with that weird look, despite having been told to look elsewhere?

          This session looks at problematic patron behaviors and gives library staff a behavioral toolkit to use to confidently make your facility a better and safer place to work.

          This 60-minute training webinar is presented by Library 2.0 and hosted by trainer, author, and library service, safety, and security expert, Dr. Steve Albrecht. A handout copy of the presentation slides will be available to all participants.

          LEARNING AGENDA: 

          • How do we create “Negotiated Behavioral Agreements” with patrons?
          • What language needs to be added (or subtracted) from your current Code of Conduct?
          • Can we “coach up” certain patrons, using repetitions, praise, and boundaries?
          • Who can help with specific behavioral issues, from inside or outside your library?
          • How can library staff practice effective self-care (and burnout protection and prevention) while serving their communities?

          DATE: Thursday, July 13th, 2023, at 2:00 pm US - Eastern Time

          COST:

          • $99/person - includes any-time access to the recording and the presentation slides and receiving a participation certificate. To arrange group discounts (see below), to submit a purchase order, or for any registration difficulties or questions, email admin@library20.com.
          • FREE for those on individual or group all-access passes (see below).

          TO REGISTER: 

          Click HERE to register and pay. You can pay by credit card, and will receive an email within a day with information on how to attend the webinar live and how you access the permanent webinar recording. If you are paying for someone else to attend, you'll be prompted to send an email to admin@library20.com with the name and email address of the actual attendee.

          If you have any trouble registering for a webinar, if you need to be invoiced or pay by check, or if you have any questions, please email admin@library20.com.

          NOTE: please check your spam folder if you don't receive your confirmation email within a day.

          SPECIAL GROUP RATES (email admin@library20.com to arrange):

          • Multiple individual log-ins and access from the same organization paid together: $75 each for 3+ registrations, $65 each for 5+ registrations. Unlimited and non-expiring access for those log-ins.
          • The ability to show the webinar (live or recorded) to a group located in the same physical location or in the same virtual meeting from one log-in: $299.
          • Large-scale institutional access for viewing with individual login capability: $499 (hosted either at Library 2.0 or in Niche Academy). Unlimited and non-expiring access for those log-ins.

          ALL-ACCESS PASSES:

          • All-access annual passes include unlimited access to the recordings of all of Dr. Albrecht's previous Library 2.0 webinars, plus live and recorded access to his new webinars for one year. These are hosted either at Library 2.0 or Niche Academy (if preferred).
          • For a $499 individual all-access annual pass to all of Dr. Albrecht's live webinars and recordings for one year, please click here
          • Inquiries for all-access organizational contracts should be directed to admin@library20.com.
          RECORDINGS AVAILABLE:



          DR. STEVE ALBRECHT

          Since 2000, Dr. Steve Albrecht has trained thousands of library employees in 28+ states, live and online, in service, safety, and security. His programs are fast, entertaining, and provide tools that can be put to use immediately in the library workspace with all types of patrons.

          In 2015, the ALA published his book, Library Security: Better Communication, Safer Facilities. His new book, The Safe Library: Keeping Users, Staff, and Collections Secure, was just published by Rowman & Littlefield.

          Steve holds a doctoral degree in Business Administration (D.B.A.), an M.A. in Security Management, a B.A. in English, and a B.S. in Psychology. He is board-certified in HR, security management, employee coaching, and threat assessment.

          He has written 25 books on business, security, and leadership topics. He lives in Springfield, Missouri, with six dogs and two cats.

          His professional website is http://www.drstevealbrecht.com.