Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Collaborating with the School Librarian without having to leave your classroom

Collaborating with the School Librarian to create a strong lesson without leaving your classroom

A professional development workshop with Emily Gibson


THE SITUATION:
You
need computers and the Internet to teach an upcoming lesson.
You know you need access to the school library to provide your students with these resources.
You think there might be other tools available to transform your lesson.
You want to work with the school librarian to find out what resources are available and to teach those resources to your students.


BUUUUUUT … you have a very busy schedule with packed classes, planning and lunch duty. It’s just so hard to get out of your classroom, let alone make time for a face-to-face planning session with the school librarian.


You still, however, want to be able to work with the school librarian to ensure that your students are able to really understand how to identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively use the information being taught.


SOOOO … How do you collaborate at the highest level with the school librarian without leaving your classroom? EASY AS … 1, 2.0 … Web 2.0 that is! By leveraging the following Web 2.0 tools, you can collaborate 24/7 with your favorite school librarian without leaving your classroom or planning any face-to-face meetings. Who wins? YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS! Oh, and there may or may not be something in it for me too. So, let's leverage some of the applications below and plan that lesson.


  1. Communicating with each other
    Email
    and Gtalk are the best way to reach me. I check email frequently throughout the day and I’m usually on Gtalk from 7 am to 3 pm and then again from 8-11 pm. While the online applications described below are fantastic, I do understand that for ease and comfort we’ll likely email throughout the entire process.

  2. Choosing our Standards and related Performance Indicators
    When you know what PI you’d like to meet, please email me and we can get stared. I’ll email you back with some thoughts on the Information Literacy standards that I think I could teach along with your lesson.

  3. Defining the learning task by brainstorming
    Bubbl.us
    allows us to create a shared mindmap online. You add your standard and I’ll add mine and we can see where we overlap and create an activity from there.

  4. Determining the criteria for assessment / creating an assessment tool
    Because we will both be teaching critical skills during this lesson, we should both assess the students’ learning. Let’s share log-in information and both add our ideas to one of the following assessment tools:
    Rubistar Rubric Generator
    Project-Based Learning Checklist Creator
    Easy Test Maker

    SurveyMonkey (instead of face-to-face conferencing, how about an online survey?)

  5. Developing an instructional procedure connected to the learning task and assessment – Writing a lesson plan
    Lesson Plans 4 Teachers some great templates we can start with
    GoogleDocs upload the template and hop in to edit the plan

  6. Sharing our online resources
    Del.icio.us
    – add, share and store Links to be used in the lesson
    Flickr – share and store photos for the lesson
    PBWiki – share everything all in one place

  7. Scheduling library visits
    Google Interactive Calendar – add your class to the library’s online schedule

  8. Other cool tools to collaborate
    Jing
    – ask me a question orally using online visuals
    Vovarooor without visuals
    AwesomeHighlighter – allows you to highlight and annotate online Web sites

Professional Development Anyone? Google for Teachers - Free Guide

This Free 33-Page Guide, "Google for Teachers" seems to be everywhere today. I've read at least three blog posts about it in my GoogleReader and one of my classmates just posted about it in our online discussion forums. I'm going to check it out now. Share it with your teachers as a great professional development lesson.

I also found this great Google resource for us edumacators too.
http://www.google.com/educators/index.html

Saturday, March 27, 2010

THE Journal: Library 2.0: Enter the Teacher Librarian Enthusiast

Here's a great feature by Natasha Wanchek over at THE Journal about trends in school libraries. It's definitely worth the read.

Technology Trends
Library 2.0: Enter the Teacher Librarian Enthusiast

"What will the new school library look like? In this first installment of our two-part library tech series, we explore the evolution of the school library--and the school librarian--and look to the opportunities that await once some basic challenges are overcome."


More

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Favorite Web Apps for Educators

What are my top 5 favorite online apps for educators? This is a very tough question. I think I'll base this on my daily habits and use of online apps as an educator. This means that there might be some FANTASTIC apps out there that could be used to transform a lesson, but I'm just going to list the apps that transform my teaching abilities.

In no particular order:
1. GoogleReader for RSS: I'm subscribed to some pretty awesome blogs and news sites so my Google Reader keeps me up to date on the latest and greatest Web apps and education news. Well, the news isn't always so great these days.

2. Gmail: Email is the best collaboration tool out there! No question! 24/7 access to your co-teacher.

3. Wikispaces: Because updating a school library Web site is still not as simple as it can/should be, many schools are adapting to the use of Wikis. Why not, right? It's a place to share links, text, photos, news and more - all in a timely manner. Plus Wikis are a great collaboration tool and are easy enough for high school students to edit themselves.

4. Del.icio.us: Because I need virtual access to my favorite online links from anywhere I log in. Now if only I could remember my login information from computer to computer.

5. Jing: While I have rarely used it, I have to include Jing simply because of the extreme value I see it having for educating others. Jing allows you to record voice to go along with screen captures of online lessons. For example, the school librarian can record an online tutorial of GoogleDocs, including live screen shots and an audio lesson. Genius!

I'd also like to share my favorite list of online applications for education: Technology and Education Box of Tricks.

eReaders: Way of the Future or Just a Nice Convenience for Some?

It's all the buzz in the library planning world? Do we buy more books or should we budget our money to put eReaders in the hands of our students? I'm conflicted on this one. I think the important question isn't how do we get our students the latest and greatest technology - it's how do we get our students what they want/need to become better learners?

And the answer, my friends, depends on the school itself. Last semester I observed at a very technological advanced high school. The students are ready for some sort of eReader. The school librarian is working to meet their needs by developing a structured roll out of eReaders for her students.

This semester I'm observing at a K-8. From my observations and understanding, these students do not have any want/need for eReaders. Yes, I just saw an 8th grader walk into the library with a pretty hefty backpack. But, I also just checked out two early novels to a fourth grader who couldn't wait to dive in. I don't think he would have been as excited if I was uploading the books to his eReader.

My other thought is, even with eReaders, we still have the challenge of providing our students with current, accurate information. Isn't this best done though the use of up-to-date, well-researched articles found in electronic databases. But, I suppose with textbooks, it is easier to update our content using an electronic version as opposed to a ridiculously expensive textbook.

I just discussed the idea of eReaders with another librarian and she brought up a good point about eReaders for use with students with language-based-learning disabilities. Having electronic versions of text allows students easier access to text to voice options. This can assist students who are better audio learners and struggle with reading comprehension otherwise.

On the plus side, Follet is coming out with new education-based eReaders that will have some text-to-type features built right in. I believe that the company is trying to make it easier for schools to make the transition. For example, with the purchase of one ebook, 6 students can "check out" the book at once. I guess that's like 6 for the price of 1.

Just some food for thought... I won't be jumping to buy myself an eReader anytime soon. But it just doesn't fit in with my lifestyle. But, there are some good points for the adoption of eReaders in education.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Using Facebook - My Personal Journey

This week in class we are studying social networking and online gaming. I've been using Facebook for over five years now, so I'm pretty comfortable there. Online gaming, well, that's another story.

I've played online scrabble, poker and other games just out of boredom, but I'm not sure I'd consider myself an online gamer. I have friends that are obsessed with the Facebook games like Bejeweled. Are they online gamers? What constitutes an online gamer? Do you have to be active in Second Life or World of Warcraft to be considered a gamer? Or are the teenagers playing XBox against teens in Ohio considered gamers? It's an interesting concept. I'd think that anyone who plays games online or over the Internet would be considered an online gamer. I don't think that all of those people fit the standard stereotype of a gamer.

I do, however, know 100% that I am a Facebook addict. I check it with the iTouch as soon as I wake up in the morning and throughout the day. I use the Facebook inbox feature as a replacement for traditional email when I want to contact my friends quickly. I post pictures of Eva and stalk pictures of my friends' wee ones. I rely on my Facebook news feed to alert me to what my favorite people are up to rather than picking up the phone to call and check in.

The best part of Facebook is how easy it makes staying in touch with old friends and family. Facebook has allowed me to keep tabs on my 18-year-old brother and let my 26-year-old brother in LA know I miss him. I'm also enjoying seeing all of the engagement and baby updates from old high school and college friends. I guess you'd say that Facebook is a great source of joy in my life for these reasons.

To be honest, I don't think there is anything wrong with allowing high school students to create and use Facebook accounts. I think that Facebook should automatically increase the security settings for anyone under 18. I know there is no way to enforce this rule, but that's where teachers and parents come in. Allowing students to access Facebook in school gives us the opportunity to use Facebook with them and teach them safe use. Students are no more dangerous hanging out at the mall afterschool by themselves. We can't always hold their hands, but we can give them guidelines. I think my younger brother is safer online because he knows that I'm his friend online. Why not be friends with your children?

From Mashable: Our Social Media Obsession by the Numbers [STATS]

Our Social Media Obsession by the Numbers [STATS]

Posted using ShareThis

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

In Honor of Multimedia Week ... Baby Eva

Eva's One-Year Slideshow. Was she ever really this little? Will our new baby really be this tiny too? I should post some more of her videos up on this blog. They are just sitting on my desktop.

Playing Around with Online Multimedia

This week in class we're studying online multimedia (YouTube, TeacherTube, Podcast Alley, iTunes, VoiceThread, Europa Film Treasures, etc.)

Personally, I love YouTube. I think what I love most about it is that the community always has what I'm looking for. Whether it is a sewing tutorial, a cooking technique, a laughing baby, or a guy tripping on a treadmill, I can always find a video to entertain my interests.

I also love YouTube because it's a surefire way to entertain the little one with videos of Elmo on both the iTouch and iMac. If I'm getting dressed or folding laundry, I put Elmo on the iMac and Eva will dance and sing in a room where there isn't much for her to do (except get into trouble in Daddy's fishing box). If we're on the go or in the car, I put a video on the iTouch. Now that's raising information literate children for you right there!

I'm not really into listening to Podcasts. Maybe I haven't found the right voice yet. But, I don't think my attention span is that of a podcast listener. I love them for searchable content though. For example, if I'm looking for an expert on library education, I like that I can search for a podcast to provide me with that expert opinion and easily share that podcast with others.

Kids love online multimedia. Therefore, I think we should be using YouTube and podcasts in the classroom whenever possible. Just make sure they are staying focused on the research topic. Otherwise, it's two hours later and they are still watching guys falling off the treadmill.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

School Librarians and Online Apps

Every day I read about a new online app in my GoogleReader. New reviews are posted daily by intelligent bloggers at Mashable and Go2Web20, just to name my favorite outlets. I truly believe that it is our responsibility as school librarians and media specialists to read these reviews. It is our responsibility to further evaluate these applications, finding ways to incorporate them into the education setting. Whether the tools can be used for curriculum planning, collaboration between teachers, or for creative expression by our students, there is a place for online apps in our schools. As school librarians, we must be advocates for online applications (most of which are FREE) and lead the way for our teachers and students.

This week, my Emerging Technologies for Librarians class at Salem State College is examining the following apps:

  • Flickr http://flickr.com

  • BigHugeLabs http://bighugelabs.com/flickr

  • Dumpr http://www.dumpr.net

  • Zoho http://writer.zoho.com

  • GoogleDocs http://docs.google.com

  • Zamzar http://www.zamzar.com

  • SurveyMonkey http://www.surveymonkey.com

  • Doodle http://www.doodle.com/main.html

  • StumbleUpon http://www.stumbleupon.com

  • Rollyo http://rollyo.com

  • BubblUs http://www.bubbl.us

  • Voki http://www.voki.com

  • Jing http://www.jingproject.com

  • Animoto http://animoto.com

I'm still examining them myself.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Read to Your Children

According to the March 2010 Parenting The Early Years,

"More than 1,000,000 - The number of written words children are exposed to per year with just 15 minutes of out-of-school reading a day."

Monday, March 1, 2010

GoodReads; Good Fun

This week I explored online book organization sites for the first time. After briefly exploring Shelfari, GoodReads and LibraryThing, I decided to join GoodReads simply because it has a free app for the iTouch. I use my iTouch frequently around the house and around town if the baby falls asleep in the car.

My username is egibson and my “bookshelf” can be found at http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3340762.

It was fun to find the books that are in my to read pile and even some cute children's books that Eva and I read together nightly. I'm not sure how often I'll log on (especially since I don't get to read as much as I'd like). But, I do like feeling that I'm finally part of this online world of book lovers. Yay!

I think I can add my books to my Facebook page too, right?

Social bookmarking and me

Social bookmarking is a very critical tool for students and information users of all ages. It allows us to keep and save important information and useful Web sites / tools that we find on the Internet. Social bookmarking sites also allow us to share and find other the Internet Web sites that other users find important.

I use social bookmarking for professional use more than personal. Most personal sites are saved to my desktop bookmarks, whereas the sites I find professionally critical are saved to my del.icio.us site at http://delicious.com/GibsonEDU.

I would ensourage my students to also use del.icio.us to save the Web sites and online applications that they would like to share with others or recall for future use.

Getting into the blogging groove; Using RSS

As you'll notice, it's been almost two weeks since my last blog post. That isn't right. I should be posting more often in order to keep my readers engaged and entertained. It's very hard to become a “blogger.” A blogger is open to sharing their experiences and feelins with their readers. I owe you my few kind readers more. I promise to be a better blogger.

Now for the school work:

What blogs in my RSS reader? A LOT! I have blogs for mommies, blogs for foodies, blogs for crafters, blogs for librarians, blogs for Bostonians, blogs for cupcake lovers (yes there are more than one!). I keep them sorted and categorized by work and play. I check my Google RSS reader daily. If it's been a few days, I quickly scan the titles and then mark all as read when I'm done. I am a better blog reader when I read daily. If I let the feeds build up then I get more overwhelmed and retain less of the information I read.

I think RSS is a strong tool for education and we should be teaching all students how to use RSS to help sort and manage information overload.

Some of my favorite blogs are: