These were very thought-provoking articles. What I also really appreciated was seeing in print the very questionable aspects I already held (to whatever degree). In other words, I'm not crazy.
I did keep in mind the dates of the articles. I tended to temper things from the 1997 article with thoughts of "Oh, yah, but I gotta remember this was (almost) three presidents ago?
But then the quiet little voice gently interrupted with, "Isn't it interesting how the subject remains, regardless of it being eleven years later?"
The question of education's quality is larger than the tools it uses. It matters not if we are talking about a blue-backed speller or a computer.
Reflective paper ideas:
fostering of critical thinking
responsibility--both educators' and students'
role of computers compared to art, music, gym, etc.
elementary vs. high school: what type of computer use
common sense and real-world problem solving
quality teachers
flash-in-the-pan tech tools
computers and test scores: are they really friends?
physical vs. virtual projects
visual vs. kinetic learning
broad-base education: what is the computer's place?
real-world vs. virtual world intelligence
to what degree is the virtual world also the real world?
A point to consider in the midst of all of this is that the world is changing, no matter what our thoughts on technology are. Schools are reflected(ing) in this changing world, no matter how we feel about it. Let's remember to keep teaching with quality, no matter the current argument or outcome: that is how to best help our students.
It's about the people, people.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Getting Papered
Paper newsletters are being replaced by e-newsletters. This makes sense to me.
Random thoughts on possible library newsletter topics:
book fair
upcoming author visit
new book promotion
student recommendations through the blog
looking for help/volunteers with updated AR labeling of books
current Destiny conversion process
links to other libraries (elementary/high school, public, college)
contact information
teasers about various library website components
booktalks
requests and suggestions from teachers
completed library lessons
upcoming library lessons
library doings by grade level
These were a few ideas to get me going. I am excited to look at the Constant Contact process--I think the ideas will flesh out nicely.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Oh, Sure--a Brochure!
...or should I say I'll tri and do that!
Brochure ideas that are unfolding for me seem to still be along the ideas of promoting new technology features at our school. We have some new aspects to use, and we need to get the word out.
New website!! (and all that it entails...)
Upcoming high school book fair
Library website (including the blog...)
After-school tutoring
Upcoming after-school clubs
Next year's Halloween pumpkin carving contest
Physical library--breakdown of the sections and how they are organized
Hmmm. Some of these hit me strongly, others feel like I am just trying to make my list longer.
I will likely wind up with promoting the school website as my first brochure. We have a need for it!
(Hey, I can work in a section about the library website as long as I'm at it!)
Currently I am enveloped in this project. I will see how this unfolds!
Brochure ideas that are unfolding for me seem to still be along the ideas of promoting new technology features at our school. We have some new aspects to use, and we need to get the word out.
New website!! (and all that it entails...)
Upcoming high school book fair
Library website (including the blog...)
After-school tutoring
Upcoming after-school clubs
Next year's Halloween pumpkin carving contest
Physical library--breakdown of the sections and how they are organized
Hmmm. Some of these hit me strongly, others feel like I am just trying to make my list longer.
I will likely wind up with promoting the school website as my first brochure. We have a need for it!
(Hey, I can work in a section about the library website as long as I'm at it!)
Currently I am enveloped in this project. I will see how this unfolds!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Sit, Stay, Heal!
I am soo laughing at myself!
I spent way too much time mulling over what topic I would create my poster on, and then I finally sat down and methodically explained myself to myself through the previous post, about how I would go about this.
From there, I began to brainstorm the actual poster, and then I stopped and went to my job in the library at school.
Today, as I began the brand-new-to-me process of a book fair, the light bulb went off after I created the Scholastic-template book fair home page on the web:
Create a poster advertising our school's bookfair webpage!
OK, that totally trumps my previous idea of a poster to create interest in the library blog!
...but, in Real Life can't I do both?!?
:)
I spent way too much time mulling over what topic I would create my poster on, and then I finally sat down and methodically explained myself to myself through the previous post, about how I would go about this.
From there, I began to brainstorm the actual poster, and then I stopped and went to my job in the library at school.
Today, as I began the brand-new-to-me process of a book fair, the light bulb went off after I created the Scholastic-template book fair home page on the web:
Create a poster advertising our school's bookfair webpage!
OK, that totally trumps my previous idea of a poster to create interest in the library blog!
...but, in Real Life can't I do both?!?
:)
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Posted Poster Postings
While constructing supper last night, I had a Blog-Block-Breakthrough!
I hadn't been able to post here my poster ideas, because I was suffering from post-partum-idea depression:
Yep--I couldn't think of poster ideas, and it bummed me out to the point of inaction. I felt dumb as a....
Once I focused my brain onto "What posters would be used right now in my position", the ideas just flowed. I had to wash the raw hamburger remnants off my hands, stuff a slice of extra-sharp cheddar cheese into my face, and grab the nearest piece of paper. Right after I post these ideas, I am taking my electric bill out of its envelope that I used.
Talk about the light bulb going on!
Gina's Grand Brainstorm Ideas at Suppertime:
Generate interest in the new Student Book Recommendation program
Remind about our new World Book Online availability
Remind to cite sources
Promote an upcoming after-school club that takes place in the library
Promote after-school tutoring, also taking place in the library
Generate interest in the upcoming Celebration of Cultures Day
Generate interest in library blog participation
I would recommend to anyone with Poster Block that when it's taken from an enigmatic idea and made into a practical (as in applicable now!) task, then the ideas will come! At least that's what I accidentally found to be helpful. You probably already knew this....
Yep, I'm likely to go with the blog idea!
I hadn't been able to post here my poster ideas, because I was suffering from post-partum-idea depression:
Yep--I couldn't think of poster ideas, and it bummed me out to the point of inaction. I felt dumb as a....
Once I focused my brain onto "What posters would be used right now in my position", the ideas just flowed. I had to wash the raw hamburger remnants off my hands, stuff a slice of extra-sharp cheddar cheese into my face, and grab the nearest piece of paper. Right after I post these ideas, I am taking my electric bill out of its envelope that I used.
Talk about the light bulb going on!
Gina's Grand Brainstorm Ideas at Suppertime:
Generate interest in the new Student Book Recommendation program
Remind about our new World Book Online availability
Remind to cite sources
Promote an upcoming after-school club that takes place in the library
Promote after-school tutoring, also taking place in the library
Generate interest in the upcoming Celebration of Cultures Day
Generate interest in library blog participation
I would recommend to anyone with Poster Block that when it's taken from an enigmatic idea and made into a practical (as in applicable now!) task, then the ideas will come! At least that's what I accidentally found to be helpful. You probably already knew this....
Yep, I'm likely to go with the blog idea!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Change Will Do You Good
Sheryl Crow has it right, here!
Today I changed the old, tired, downtrodden "Easy" book copy type to...
...drum roll please...
"Everybody"! (Yaaaaaay!)
I understand that many have done this, and it is a giant "duh!" to you. I am new at my media mama position, and today I realized that although I have been saying Everybody Books, it wasn't backed up in the system and on the shelf labels.
Boy, do I feel good right now!
Today I changed the old, tired, downtrodden "Easy" book copy type to...
...drum roll please...
"Everybody"! (Yaaaaaay!)
I understand that many have done this, and it is a giant "duh!" to you. I am new at my media mama position, and today I realized that although I have been saying Everybody Books, it wasn't backed up in the system and on the shelf labels.
Boy, do I feel good right now!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Website Wonderland
Well, the website for my school media center is up and running! Here is the link:
http://www.bagley.k12.mn.us/education/club/club.php?sectiondetailid=393
I have discovered through this process that it will never be finished. Not because I am unable to complete tasks; on the contrary! This website, by its nature, is a constantly evolving document.
I mean really, what is the point of all this Web 2.o, and Library 2.0, and social networking use/direction if we make a static document?!? That is sooo...pardon the pun...old school.
The interaction of blogs, contact forms, and simply keeping patrons updated should inherently demand a constant evolution.
Fear not--it is possible to make it so one does not have to check in and update daily. I am a digital immigrant, remember? I'm working this stuff into my life, it's not a natural extension for me! As a base guideline, I'd say even once a quarter things should be updated...at the very least.
Jumping in the deep end is not so bad! After all, we've got water wings.
http://www.bagley.k12.mn.us/education/club/club.php?sectiondetailid=393
I have discovered through this process that it will never be finished. Not because I am unable to complete tasks; on the contrary! This website, by its nature, is a constantly evolving document.
I mean really, what is the point of all this Web 2.o, and Library 2.0, and social networking use/direction if we make a static document?!? That is sooo...pardon the pun...old school.
The interaction of blogs, contact forms, and simply keeping patrons updated should inherently demand a constant evolution.
Fear not--it is possible to make it so one does not have to check in and update daily. I am a digital immigrant, remember? I'm working this stuff into my life, it's not a natural extension for me! As a base guideline, I'd say even once a quarter things should be updated...at the very least.
Jumping in the deep end is not so bad! After all, we've got water wings.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sit..Stay...Power Point!
As of right now, there are two topics I am considering creating a power point presentation on. One is an inservice I already gave, one is an inservice I am about to give; both are needed and will be useful.
World Book Online is a new subscription for our district. Although I gave an inservice at one site, the other site is in line for training as well.
Our web site is created, and staff members need to know how to build their pages. Both sites are looking at scheduling professional development time for this (rather lengthy) inservice.
I suspect Iwill first create a power point for the web page building, as more people will need greater assistance.
I suspect I will then create one for World Book Online training/resource. Although more people are able to navigate this one on their own, it still warrants training to utilize its full potential.
Ahhh, yes: I see that I point out a lot of things to myself...
...but I haven't limited out yet!
World Book Online is a new subscription for our district. Although I gave an inservice at one site, the other site is in line for training as well.
Our web site is created, and staff members need to know how to build their pages. Both sites are looking at scheduling professional development time for this (rather lengthy) inservice.
I suspect Iwill first create a power point for the web page building, as more people will need greater assistance.
I suspect I will then create one for World Book Online training/resource. Although more people are able to navigate this one on their own, it still warrants training to utilize its full potential.
Ahhh, yes: I see that I point out a lot of things to myself...
...but I haven't limited out yet!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Old Dog, New Tricks
Blogging: An overview
A.--Professional Use
Holy cow, is this opening up a new world for me as a school media specialist! I am really drawn to the use of blogging in the media center as a student-led tool for book reviews (as mentioned in the American Libraries article). The use of blogging as a communication tool for upcoming library activities and connections is also something I am highly interested in implementing.
The classroom setting is an area that I can be teacher support for the use of blogging. I liked the idea of blogging as a format for state reports in the elementary school (Reading Teacher article), as well as the format for literature circle discussion (Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy article). Additionally, the Reading Teacher article made me think of blogging as the upgraded use of class pen-pals: the communication and inherent learning opportunities occur in a more focused and immediate manner.
2.--Personal Opinion
Ya know, this is interesting. I can surely see the merit of blogging after having read these articles. I also see the value in the professional discussion this opens up within my own blog (and its constructed audience). In the library, it is a fabulous way to review books and use another publishing medium that actually reaches more students. (Um, not everyone will be chosen as the one student per state that gets their poem printed in a book that year, but everyone can publish their poem on their class blog!)
I was struck immensely by the American Libraries article that described book reviews as moving from"about the book" to "about the conversation." Profound. Applicable. Overdue (no pun intended).
I was also resonating with the Gifted Child Today's comment about how the email mailbox remains uncluttered when blogging. Now that has value, to all of us.
I am also enough of a digital immigrant to be hesitant of blogging. For example, I have seen a person withdrawing from personal interaction with actual people in the room in order to blog on their personal site, for hours at a time. What was thought of as communication was actually withdrawing! I realize this is the realm of using the tool wisely and not a fault of the tool, but it is a factor (much like untaught cell-phone etiquette!).
A professional thought is that yes, we clearly need the technology integrated into every subject: technological use is in and of itself not the subject so much as it is the medium. A great way to do this is 1:1 computers and students. Which leads to...
...resource issues! An elementary student at a private school in St. Paul is the recipient of 1:1 laptop use--the computer is assigned to the student for the school year, and it "lives" with the student. An elementary student at the public school in rural MN is lucky to get the computer lab reserved for their class once every two or three weeks. There is a vast difference of what an educator can do with the tools, given the parameters to work with.
Overall:
Love the reachable publishing venue
Communication = a very good deal
High use of reflection = learning is personal and relevant
Finally, doesn't anything that reaches our students count as something worth pursuing?!? This is truly their, and our, world. Why would we ignore that?
A.--Professional Use
Holy cow, is this opening up a new world for me as a school media specialist! I am really drawn to the use of blogging in the media center as a student-led tool for book reviews (as mentioned in the American Libraries article). The use of blogging as a communication tool for upcoming library activities and connections is also something I am highly interested in implementing.
The classroom setting is an area that I can be teacher support for the use of blogging. I liked the idea of blogging as a format for state reports in the elementary school (Reading Teacher article), as well as the format for literature circle discussion (Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy article). Additionally, the Reading Teacher article made me think of blogging as the upgraded use of class pen-pals: the communication and inherent learning opportunities occur in a more focused and immediate manner.
2.--Personal Opinion
Ya know, this is interesting. I can surely see the merit of blogging after having read these articles. I also see the value in the professional discussion this opens up within my own blog (and its constructed audience). In the library, it is a fabulous way to review books and use another publishing medium that actually reaches more students. (Um, not everyone will be chosen as the one student per state that gets their poem printed in a book that year, but everyone can publish their poem on their class blog!)
I was struck immensely by the American Libraries article that described book reviews as moving from"about the book" to "about the conversation." Profound. Applicable. Overdue (no pun intended).
I was also resonating with the Gifted Child Today's comment about how the email mailbox remains uncluttered when blogging. Now that has value, to all of us.
I am also enough of a digital immigrant to be hesitant of blogging. For example, I have seen a person withdrawing from personal interaction with actual people in the room in order to blog on their personal site, for hours at a time. What was thought of as communication was actually withdrawing! I realize this is the realm of using the tool wisely and not a fault of the tool, but it is a factor (much like untaught cell-phone etiquette!).
A professional thought is that yes, we clearly need the technology integrated into every subject: technological use is in and of itself not the subject so much as it is the medium. A great way to do this is 1:1 computers and students. Which leads to...
...resource issues! An elementary student at a private school in St. Paul is the recipient of 1:1 laptop use--the computer is assigned to the student for the school year, and it "lives" with the student. An elementary student at the public school in rural MN is lucky to get the computer lab reserved for their class once every two or three weeks. There is a vast difference of what an educator can do with the tools, given the parameters to work with.
Overall:
Love the reachable publishing venue
Communication = a very good deal
High use of reflection = learning is personal and relevant
Finally, doesn't anything that reaches our students count as something worth pursuing?!? This is truly their, and our, world. Why would we ignore that?
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