One of my favorite sites when I am doing Internet training with
attorneys is actually a non-legal site, the Librarians Index to the
Internet. http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/InternetIndex/ This is a great,
annotated "links" site for all kinds of things, and it helps get people
excited about the range and depth of information that is available on
the Net. In addition, because it is put together by librarians, you
have some assurance of the reliability and credibility of the included
sites. I like to use it as a warm-up site to get people interested and
excited, and then move on to the more nuts and bolts legal stuff when I
can be reasonably sure I've got some attention and interest generated in
the crowd.
I don't know the culture of the firm, but I've found that the more fun
we can have, the better the lessons sink in and the more likely people
are to try searching on their own later on. Sometimes I have someone
other than me doing the typing, pointing and clicking; this can
degenerate into a lot of good-natured abuse for that person, but
everyone gets involved in the process and they generally learn quite a
bit to boot.
As far as using food as a lure is concerned, that is harder to do during
a lunch meeting, but for most of the audiences I have, having a few
quality truffles available to reward attention span and involvement
works wonders!
My $.02,
Judy
Judith A. Flader
Washington County Law Library
Stillwater, MN
Victoria Lynch wrote:
>
> I'm certain that this question has been posed before on the list, but
> I'm hoping that there are some new ideas out there.
>
> Does anyone have any
> unique/interesting/thought-provoking/whimsical/keep-the-masses-interested
> tips on internet presentations?
>
> I've been conducting "hands-on" training sessions in the library for a
> limited number of attorneys and paralegals (no more than 3 at a time),
> but our litigation department has instituted a new program whereby
> each associate must give a half-hour presentation on a given subject.
> The first (of which I'm sure there'll be many) internet presentation
> is being given by a sixth year associate, and I'm trying to help her
> come up with some interesting ways to "spice up" her program. She's
> trying to make it interesting for senior partners as well as first
> year associates. She is basically going to attempt to whet everyone's
> appetite with snippets of helpful sites without getting overly
> technical.
>
> Any pearls of wisdom from anyone who has had success in keeping
> everyone interested and/or amused or even awake will be greatly
> appreciated. I'm looking for specific examples of jokes, fun sites,
> presentation methods, costumes, quizzes, etc. etc. etc.
>
> By the way, the presentation is during a lunch meeting, so tempting
> everyone with food is not an option.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Victoria Lynch
> Library Director
> Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP
> Philadelphia, PA
> victoria.lynch@obermayer.com
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