My first semester of graduate school is coming to an end. As I look back I am truly amazed at how much I have learned in just a few months. This class (SLIS 5720) on instructional technology has opened my eyes to things I didn’t know existed! I didn’t even know what HTML was, now I am looking for codes and embedding things! When I came into this class I was, admittedly, a bit fearful of technology. Although I am still sometimes a little overwhelmed by it, I am not nearly as intimidated as I was. I believe I have become much more open to trying new tools and I can see areas where I need to learn even more! I am interested in learning more about HTML codes and how to manipulate them. I would also like to have a better understanding of RSS feeds. The great thing about technology is that once the door has been opened it’s pretty easy to keep going. This class has introduced me to things that I can build on and explore in the comfort of my home – thanks to technology! I will continue to learn primarily through self-motivation and a desire for the knowledge. I look forward to a day when I can put all these things into practice as a librarian!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Blog Post #3: Incorporating Technology into a Lesson
Most lesson plans can be easily adapted to incorporate technology. For example, look at this lesson plan from the Utah Education Network. First of all, I really like this type of lesson because it is suitable for a wide range of ability levels. It’s also a very engaging lesson because it allows students to talk about themselves and share stories about their families.
In the original lesson plan, students first read stories about different families and discuss their similarities and differences. Next the students fill out a questionnaire at home with their family. The questionnaire pertains to their cultural/ethical background, family traditions/celebrations, and so forth. The questionnaire is returned to school and, using the information from the questionnaire, the students create a family flag by drawing/coloring on a pre-made template.
I would incorporate technology into this lesson by using a computer to create the family flags. Students could bring a couple photographs from home to be scanned and used in the project. Using a computer would allow students to add elements such as animation and sound to this project, while sharpening their technology skills. Depending on the ability level of the students, Power Point or Google Docs could be used to create a simple family flag, or Glogster could be used to produce more elaborate flags.
In the original lesson plan, students first read stories about different families and discuss their similarities and differences. Next the students fill out a questionnaire at home with their family. The questionnaire pertains to their cultural/ethical background, family traditions/celebrations, and so forth. The questionnaire is returned to school and, using the information from the questionnaire, the students create a family flag by drawing/coloring on a pre-made template.
I would incorporate technology into this lesson by using a computer to create the family flags. Students could bring a couple photographs from home to be scanned and used in the project. Using a computer would allow students to add elements such as animation and sound to this project, while sharpening their technology skills. Depending on the ability level of the students, Power Point or Google Docs could be used to create a simple family flag, or Glogster could be used to produce more elaborate flags.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Blog Post #2: Handheld Devices in School Libraries
One of the many tasks presented to school librarians is that of keeping collections up-to-date. Weeding out the old books and acquiring the new is a continuous process. Some may see the introduction of the eBook as just another thing to keep up with. Others may see it as a useful resource, an engaging tool for our 21st Century learners. As schools begin exploring eBook readers, some are finding that many fiction titles from common reading lists are simply not available. However, non-fiction titles seem much easier to come by and often incorporate extras. According to Harris (2010), “enhanced social studies ebooks from Rosen Publishing include maps, timelines, and primary-source documents”.
Group pricing is another concern for school libraries considering eBooks. Harris (2012) pointed out that “it is difficult- or, in the case of Apple’s iPad and iBookstore, impossible-to purchase multiple copies of a book for use by multiple students in a reading group”. The cost of the device itself, whether it be a Kindle, Nook, or iPad is also a concern.
An interesting aspect of using eBooks in schools is the potential for it to help special needs students as they build confidence in their reading skills. Some publishers are creating eBooks without a visible title. This has been helpful with struggling readers as it allows them to read at their own level without fear of scrutiny from their peers. Students with vision problems may also benefit from the text-to-speech capabilities of handheld devices.
As a future librarian, I would be interested in using eBooks as a research or study tool. We all know that writing in a school textbook is a big no-no! By using these resources, students have the advantage of highlighting key points, inserting notes, and searching a built in dictionary all through one handheld device.
Harris, C. (2012, Jan 13). Ebooks and School Libraries [Features]. Retrieved from http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/features/01132012/ebooks-and-school-libraries
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Blog Post #1: The times they are a changing...
We sat with our desks in rows. The teacher stood at the front of the room with the chalkboard behind her. We went to a table in the back of the room for our leveled reading groups. We did almost everything with pencil and paper. Most of us had mixed feelings about Library time. We were glad to get out of the classroom for a few minutes and it was fun to pick out a book; but the card catalog was a little confusing and we were all a little scared of the librarian who glared at us from behind her glasses and constantly put a finger to her lips and shushed us. Sound familiar? It’s how I remember elementary school in the eighties! But the times they are a changing! If you’ve been in an elementary school lately you’ve probably noticed some changes. Desks are no longer in rows but grouped into clusters or arranged in a big horseshoe shape. The teacher moves around, there are computers in every classroom, and blackboards have been replaced by “smart boards”. The library has changed too! They’ve got computers in there, the card catalog is gone, and although it’s still quiet it’s not scary quiet! Technology has come into our lives! Just as we do not remember a time without T.V., our children do not remember a time without computers.
Kids are learning and gathering information in new ways. As educators, it’s important that we teach them the skills they will need to use technology in their education and all areas of their lives. This can be a daunting task when you realize that many of your students may be more comfortable with 21st Cetury Technology than you are! Technology has always seemed a little foreign to me, a little too intimidating. My weakness is that sometimes I get comfortable with the way I've been doing things and when something new comes along it just seems like more work to have to "start over". Why should I do it this new way when what I've been doing all along still works? Why re-invent the wheel? Well, what I've found is that technology usually makes things easier. Once you give it a chance, once you get past the learning curve, you wonder why you didn't just embrace it sooner! As an educator, I owe it to my students to stay current on not only the curriculum and newest teaching strategies, but also on the technology and tools used for teaching and learning. In order to do this, I need to get out of my comfort zone a little. I truely believe that technology, like everything else, becomes more comfortable the more that you use it. I just need to devote more time to exploring it.
Two of my greatest strengths are organization and creativity, which really go hand-in-hand with technology! I got my first smart phone about two years ago and shortly after my husband found me writing out a grocery list at the kitchen counter. "Why don't you just put the grocery list on your fancy new phone" he said. I can do that? Wow! An organizational tool at my fingertips all the time?! You should see all the lists I have on that thing now! It's the same at school, kids who are orgainzed generally do better. If we can use technology to help those struggling with organizational skills do better in school it's a win-win situation. And the possibilities for creativity are endless! Most, if not all, lesson plans can be re-worked to provide opportunites for children to use technology. Instead of just reading about a famous speech it's now possible to listen to the actual speech via podcast. Instead of writing reports with paper and pencil, students can now create presentations using their own creativity with fonts, clip art, photography, you name it! It really makes learning more engaging for the students!
Kids are learning and gathering information in new ways. As educators, it’s important that we teach them the skills they will need to use technology in their education and all areas of their lives. This can be a daunting task when you realize that many of your students may be more comfortable with 21st Cetury Technology than you are! Technology has always seemed a little foreign to me, a little too intimidating. My weakness is that sometimes I get comfortable with the way I've been doing things and when something new comes along it just seems like more work to have to "start over". Why should I do it this new way when what I've been doing all along still works? Why re-invent the wheel? Well, what I've found is that technology usually makes things easier. Once you give it a chance, once you get past the learning curve, you wonder why you didn't just embrace it sooner! As an educator, I owe it to my students to stay current on not only the curriculum and newest teaching strategies, but also on the technology and tools used for teaching and learning. In order to do this, I need to get out of my comfort zone a little. I truely believe that technology, like everything else, becomes more comfortable the more that you use it. I just need to devote more time to exploring it.
Two of my greatest strengths are organization and creativity, which really go hand-in-hand with technology! I got my first smart phone about two years ago and shortly after my husband found me writing out a grocery list at the kitchen counter. "Why don't you just put the grocery list on your fancy new phone" he said. I can do that? Wow! An organizational tool at my fingertips all the time?! You should see all the lists I have on that thing now! It's the same at school, kids who are orgainzed generally do better. If we can use technology to help those struggling with organizational skills do better in school it's a win-win situation. And the possibilities for creativity are endless! Most, if not all, lesson plans can be re-worked to provide opportunites for children to use technology. Instead of just reading about a famous speech it's now possible to listen to the actual speech via podcast. Instead of writing reports with paper and pencil, students can now create presentations using their own creativity with fonts, clip art, photography, you name it! It really makes learning more engaging for the students!
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