tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90117588272075754142024-03-14T00:38:44.018-07:00Loquacious Liz's WorldThis blog will explore some of my experiences as an LIS grad student at the University of Buffalo.LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-43581780857287844902011-11-08T06:37:00.000-08:002011-11-08T07:07:35.417-08:00The sweet smell of a summary completed!!As I mentioned in my previous post, I love a good treasure hunt. The Web 2.0 activities have been like a fun treasure hunt using technology and tools. <br /><br />Overall, I loved the content, pace, and quality of this project's resources and activities. I feel like this class should be a class that new library students, versus taking it later in their course study. There were many tools that would have helped me better plan, prepare, research, and organize, a number of tasks and assignments I did in library school 2 years ago. I detest writing citations, but had I had citation helpers (like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Zotero</span>) my life would have been much more enjoyable for other classes. If I had known more about plug ins, I could have shaved time off many projects by downloading free software that would take some of the workload off my desk. I feel that all librarians should consciously and continuously look for ways to help make their patrons information goals easier to achieve. These activities have made me fully realize this<br />concept as I have found ways to share, communicate, and work more efficiently and easily with other classmates and professionals by using skills learned in this class such as Google Tools and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Lync</span>. <br /><br />I enjoy and find it meaningful to use tools that are helpful to me professionally and for possible patrons. As an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">MLS</span> who is hoping to earn her school library media certification, I would like to have explored more options and strategies that will specifically help children use and appreciate web 2.0. I think that adding activities to the Learning 2.0 site that targets educators would be very useful.<br /><br /><br />Another way I would improve these activities would be to encourage more discussion among classmates as to how they use these technologies, their practical purposes, and discuss actual good and bad applications of these tools. I felt like many of these tools were explored in a sort of bubble. Some of them I may have even been using incorrectly or not to their most useful extent. However, I would not know this because I too worked in my own bubble, despite visiting several classmates blogs a week. The readings and activities were useful, but I am not sure if I have mastered all the skills I had to learn.<br /><br />Although I was familiar with some of tools we learned about for this class, it was overall a useful and valuable experience to take part in the web 2.0 process. I was able to revisit and sharpen skills using familiar gadgets and see how they may have been improved and upgraded. I was also able to learn and explore new tools <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">that I</span> may choose to incorporate into future <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">library</span> instruction or lessons. I would <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">recommend</span> this activity for future students!LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-60110916998531453062011-11-02T12:55:00.000-07:002011-11-02T13:31:00.216-07:00Discovering Tools to Keep in my Library Tool BeltI am on a treasure hunt....searching for some of the best Web 2.0 tools out there. For this class I have uncovered some real treasures. I think in order to find tools that really fit your needs, you have to look far and wide just as if you were on a real treasure hunt. You have to talk to friends and colleagues, read reviews, sign up for free trial offers, check out blogs - you know, dig deep. Based on the Best Web 2.0 Tools found at <a href="http://www.seomoz.org/web2.0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">SEOmoz</span> </a>, I found some great tools that will help me manage my personal and professional life.<br /><br />As I am learning about code (for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">web design</span>) and building databases, I am very curious about forms and tools that can make creating forms easier. This one I found at <a href="wufoo.com"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Wufoo</span>.</a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Tadah</span> - It's an Online form builder! It allows you to gather information for surveys, for example, and then you can organize the data. You can create simple or complex forms to meet your needs. It does have a cost, but it just maybe worth it.This could be used in a library to evaluate resources, programs, and services. All the data would be kept in one place and no one would have to return forms or remember to use a #2 pencil. And....the librarian would not have to create the database. This is a time and aggravation saver for sure.<br /><br />I visit several sites to find out what is going on in the area I live. One great event planning site mentioned on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">SEOmoz</span> is <a href="http://upcoming.yahoo.com/search/?type=events&rt=1&rollup=&q=&loc=Buffalo">Upcoming.org</a> . The site is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">powered</span> by Yahoo and is pretty comprehensive. On my first try, I found several events going on within a 30 min. drive from my house. I was able to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">log in</span> with my Yahoo account and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">shazam</span>..........I was off and event planning. Schools, churches, community centers, & sports arenas can all use this site to solicit visitors to their events. It is a keen social networking tool for adults who want to find out more about the area where they live and play. I found out about a music showcase that is coming up and it's only 5 minutes from my house. I can make my own calendar and add events for others to see. I am curious to see how I can use this site and if I can recommend it to friends and maybe help them learn to use it? It has a lot of options and you can even browse by events or distance. The Sabres and the Buffalo Bills are both connected to this site. Very cool indeed!<br /><br />So many tools, so little time. I am really turned on by all this great new Web 2.0 technology! I would love to offer workshops in my school (future school ) to introduce teachers to tools that might interest them. The more helpful and relevant my library remains, the more important my library will continue to be. Sometimes people just need a little direction as to where to go to look for new tools. This is a great list I will be sure to refer to in the future.LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-78860940207893586722011-10-27T07:47:00.000-07:002011-10-27T09:22:22.658-07:00To Infinity....and Beyond...I Chose to NOT Reinvent the Wheel and Will Embrace Web 2.0When I reflect and consider Web 2.0 technologies this is the phrase that comes to mind. Buzz Lightyear's powerful phrase, "to infinity and beyond!", which he used to encourage and cheer on his fellow toys in Walt Disney's Toy Story Movies, is how I feel when I consider how useful, meaningful, and important certain web 2.0 technologies can be for libraries and educators. If we can seek out, practice, and effecitively use web 2.0 tools that enhance our teaching skills and lessons, I think everyone in the classroom will benefit. <div><br /></div><div>After reading about Web 2.0 tools at the OCLCs online newsletter forum, three big ideas jumped out at me: libraries are like idea labs, everyone online can literally be connected, and that the web can use these connections for greater communication, researching, and networking. As a professional, you would be exhausted seeking out and using these tools all at once. There are just too many. However, it would be helpful to attend workshops about these tools, seek them out yourself, and say abreast with discussions and literature about tools that can really work in your schools. Instead of feeling overwhelmed and scared regarding Web 2.0 technology I chose to be curious, selective, helpful and positive.</div><div><br /></div><div>I definitely see libraries as mind gyms, a mind spas, and dynamic, interactive social and academic realms. Libraries serve many unique functions in addition to storing and organizing data, helping with data retrieval, and providing reference for research inquiries. Libraries are Masters of Information and I think we should embrace this title with confidence and eagerness. Having the right attitude about what services a library can offer helps open people's minds and eyes about the potential usefulness of all libraries. We no longer are helping people manage the resources in our libraries, but we're helping people understand and use data that lies in The Cloud, on their Kindles, and pretty much everywhere!</div><div><br /></div><div>Understanding this daunting task should make librarians eager to stay connected with other professionals and enthusiasts. Web 2.0 technology allows us to be connected easier, faster, and in formats that change and develop everyday. Being a part of online web conferences, downloading podcasts, bookmarking sites on a shared bookmarking service, blogging, and even Skyping open up our classrooms to be part of new learning opportunities. I think we need to be cautious and knoweledgable about the technology we use, but practice may make perfect. I hate writing citations, so when I get library of my own, i'll be sure to offer citation help help with Zotero, for example. </div><div><br /></div><div>Because the web truly does connect most of the world, it provides a great base for networking, researching, and communicating. When I was completing my undergrad studies for social studies education, I was always reinventing the wheel. I 'd do everything from scratch. It was exhausting. I didn't always see the usefulness of borrowing and adapting others ideas. Five years later, I see how much extra work I made for myself. One great tool I use to avoid reinventing the wheel is subscribing to new librarian blogs, RSS feeds from schools and library organizations, and reading a concise digest from the listerv LM_Net. I feel like I can stay in the loop and still get the scoop about what is going on in the library world. I can pick and choose what I feel is important and read it at my leisure. I can also ask questions, post comments, and seek out answers that will return fast and accurate answers, unlike my undergrad days. </div><div><br /></div><div>My pledge after graduation will be, "I promise to never reinvent the wheel. I may improve the invention, but I will embrace Web 2.0 technology so that even learning more about making new wheels will be effective and done with ease."</div><div><br /></div><div>The OCLc articles and brief and to the point, some being more helpful than others.</div>LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-56027607890950162992011-10-20T11:24:00.000-07:002011-10-20T11:46:34.945-07:00From Zotero to Fifty in ....a couple minutes?One of the most tedious tasks that all good writers must master is citation. I dislike it immensely. I can days writing an outstanding paper on creating the most perfect library program only to have a professor cut down my grade because of citation issues. It stinks. My work is high quality, but my citations may have a comma or spacing issue and I lose points. "Stop the Insanity!" In my undergrad days, I lugged around <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">accordion</span> type folders filled with papers, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bibliographies</span>, articles, writing style guides - UGH! Now, these can all be bookmarked with web 2.0 technology located <span style="font-style: italic;">In The Cloud</span> and I work on whatever project I would like from where ever I like. Any tool that makes storage and editing easier I am all for. The citation tool <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Zotero</span> helps with this task. My <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Zotero</span> library is growing at <a href="https://www.zotero.org/lizzywizzy02">here</a>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Zotero</span> is going to help me create a bibliography for a paper I am doing on the author <a href="http://www.terabithia.com/index.html">Katherine Paterson</a>. I will find articles and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">web pages</span> about the author and then create a citation immediately using <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Zotero</span>. I am going to need to watch a tutorial about generating the citation which I hope is quick and painless. So far, I've found lots of guides on the sites, and few simple answers.<br /><br />I love using <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Diigo</span> to bookmark pages on the Net, but it just does not have the citation tools of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Zotero</span>. In order to appreciate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Zotero</span>, one needs to appreciate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Firefox</span> and its many plug - in capabilities. It works with lots of free software to transfer data and make it more <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">useable</span>. In this case, it will take the work out of making a citation. This is a video to show how to make this happen.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Z_OUM-bZrMw" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Web 2.0 tools can so helpful if they have plug - in and they work all the time. <br />I hope this new tool can help me quickly make a citation list for my last paper of library schoolLizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-1585104159260209542011-10-14T12:48:00.000-07:002011-10-14T13:11:03.554-07:00Thank Goodness for GoogleGoogle has saved my life more than once. It's a unique wiki and I LOVE IT! While I was student teaching, I forgot my jump drive. I was pretty emberessed about it, but because of my misfortune, I explored Google Docs. I has used it before to work on a group project, but not much after that one class...until this day. I dusted off my account and immediately put it to good use. What I really liked was that I could do work on documents anywhere, anytime, and it saved my work for me. My work drifted away into the cloud until my next visit, upon which I could easily retrieve it. This concept really worked for this sometimes scatter-brained, but well intentioned librarian. I never lost my work and I could share it easily with my professors and colleagues. Each semester, I travelled to UB for 1 class, so meeting up with groups meant an added 3 hour trip. With Google docs, I could work on group projects, communicate easily, add notes to the work, and have ONE document to work with...Ka-Ching!! <br /><br /><br />I had only a few issues with Google Docs. For starters, I was concerned that if I could access these documents so easily so could students at a school. For better or worse, communication of this nature is monitored at schools and I was not sure what kind of outcomes this could bring, such as: sharing test questions and answers, sharing homework, gossiping, inappropriate messenging that would disrupt the school day, etc. Despite its usefulness was so much more rewarding, as a I teacher I had to consider these scenarios. As an adult and professional, my mind was filled with 'what if' scenarios. I love that wikis allow for the immediate exchanges of ideas and information, but I guess I also strongly feel that it somehow needs to be regulated when children and students are concerned. Once I can get past this, I can dream up so great lessons involving digital, international pen-pals and writing cross-country book trailers by my library students. <br /><br />I've gotta learn to scrutinize new web tools without being afraid. Not afraid to say this is cool but not useful (at least for my library) and not afraid to try something new (after I've done my research). I'm gonna continue to give wikis a try and seek out meanringful ways they can used in my library and in the other classroom in middle/high school grade levels.<br />http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif<br />I'm off to explore these sites:<br /><a href="http://blog.wikispaces.com/2011/01/best-educational-wikis-of-2010.html">Best Educational Wikis</a><br /><a href="http://itcboisestate.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/10-best-practices-for-using-wikis-in-education/">Best uses for Wikis in Education</a><br /><a href="http://www.visualthesaurus.com/cm/teachersatwork/">Teachers at Work - Blog</a>LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-57723290087761055052011-10-05T13:43:00.000-07:002011-10-09T17:54:33.295-07:00A Wide World of Wikis I've been working with Wikis for about three years now. I'm trying to see how they can be useful to me as an educator and how I'd like them to be different to fit my personal and professional needs. My first impression of them was pretty negative, but the more I learn about them the more I believe that wikis, like podcasts, RSS feeds, and other web 2.0 technology, has many niches to fill. I still prefer using a webpage, but I"m open to exploring new wikis. <br /><br />I tutored a student in 2009 in Social Studies. He was very reluctant to do much work, but he loved computers and web 2.0 technology. This was my first wiki, but really it wasn't too bad, except that my student didn't want to work on the wiki or any work for that matter. It bummed me out doing all this work, but, it was great practice in learning about wikis and learning how to create one. Another wiki in the making I created was for my professional teaching portfolio. This wiki can be viewed by the public, if they are invited. People cannot edit my wiki, they can only view it. It contains my teaching portfolio including: lesson plans, field placements, examples of my writing and research, book reviews, program ideas, newsletters, and other pieces that showcase my work and talents as an LIS student. It can be found at <a href="http://liztheloquaciouslibraianportfolio.wikispaces.com/">http://liztheloquaciouslibraianportfolio.wikispaces.com/</a><br /><br /><br /><br />The wiki for our class that I visited for the St. Joseph's County Library at <a href="http://www.libraryforlife.org/subjectguides/index.php/Main_Page">http://www.libraryforlife.org/subjectguides/index.php/Main_Page</a> I think it is great that the library has this. It's actually quite organized and worthwhile. If I were from St. Joseph's area, I know just where to go to find out about my family history and genealogy. However, some other links are not as great quality as the genealogy link, such as resources on gardens. <br /><br />So here I blog about my love & hate relationships with wikis. The bottom line is that I have high expectations for a wiki. I want it to have: organization, good quality information, all links working, easy navigation from page to page, consistent content coverage for all subjects and sub topics, and a useful scope. Maybe by a wikis nature, it can't have all these qualities, but I think it should. When wikis came onto the scene a few years back, people questioned their quality and reliability. I know, as a teacher, I did. But, I like that as wikis have evolved, new features have been added. I like that not everyone can instantly change the information, and that only certain people can access and edit a page. I LOVE that templates for wiki sites are efficient, user friendly, and organized. I also love that wikis are made in different formats that can be useful to a small business, note taker for a class, or a personal collection on materials, just to name a few. Since I created my professional portfolio wiki, even more wiki engines and free wiki spaces on the web have developed.<br /><br /><br />I think libraries can use wikis in many useful ways to generate excitement about their resources and programs. I think another very useful use of a wiki would be for publishing book, periodical, website, and web 2.0 technology reviews for teens, adults, parents and seniors. A local 'what's happening' page in the wiki would allow people to post events that are upcoming and it would be free advertisement. I think many people go to the library for 'how-to' help and a page on 'how-to' advice might be helpful and interesting. Aesthetically, a wiki can help give people of a community a sense of ownership and pride. If they are monitored and maintained, a public library wiki can be darn right interesting. The one mentioned above may not have the look of a library website, but its eclectic contents and contributions from the local community was pretty neat. <br /><br />I know I should not simply say website or wiki, but I can do what I want. I still love the sleek look, organization, and design of websites. But, wikis can be useful too. I am sure to visit this topic at a later date.LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-50617157134525020602011-09-29T15:11:00.000-07:002011-09-29T15:33:06.914-07:00Why I Need my High School Library<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HMb9d2rGydE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />I remember the first time I'd heard of YouTube. I was working on my second Bachelor's Degree for Social Studies Education at Fredonia State and I was involved in a great discussion on the Global Economy. Our teacher routinely showed us videos made by his professor friends at UCLA. One day as he's ready to show us a video, he talks about pirating videos and how his friend doesn't want his video to be stolen and put on YouTube. I had no idea what YouTube was. I was a meager college student, without cable or Internet, and most of my time was dedicated to working, studying, and trying to have a social and professional life. I raised my hand to ask about YouTube and people actually laughed at me. Well, I've come a long way baby. As an self-described information junkie or 'infomaniac' , I love to search the web for topics as they pop into my head. This includes: 'I wonder how George Washington died?', 'Does anyone else remember the cartoon Jem?', 'Did the Buffalo Bills make the playoffs in the last ten years?'....it goes on and on. Well, I actually needed a clip for a class I was teaching. I wanted <span style="font-style:italic;">School House Rock</span>. Low and behold, it was just a couple clicks away and I could show the class 'how a bill becomes a law'. <br /><br />Whether it is for research, school, or fun, video sharing is pretty cool. Yes, yes, yes I am aware of copyright issues. I took a class all about it. I never, ever, watch pirated videos, movies, etc. I am strongly against that. Seriously, I am. However, I can still use lots of great free videos on the Internet from video sharing sites that will benefit students in my library and school. There's alot of original book talks, lessons, and other educational videos I can use to make my library a better learning center. There's also of junk, which I can teach my students and fellow staff members to avoid. (That's a whole other blog post.) The bottom line is that video sharing has great uses and it's users and producers need to be responsible. <br /><br />I love this video because its a student created video about how great high school libraries are now and forever. It's quirky, original, and fun. Yayy for students who did this and yayy to ALA for recognizing their talents.LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-68171404293514128872011-09-29T14:49:00.001-07:002011-09-29T14:52:18.172-07:00Hunger Games Book Talk<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/4491260?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/4491260">The Hunger Games Book Talks</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1451549">Jack Norgren</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br />This is an amateur video for the fantasy/science fiction book <span style="font-style:italic;">The Hunger Games</span> by Susanne Collins. I found this video on www.vimeo.com. I searched for "book talk + hunger games" . I then copied the videos html and pasted it onto my (not sure what this is called in technical terms) blog tableau.LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-39624325454918575752011-09-16T07:34:00.000-07:002011-09-16T07:43:23.731-07:00Pods to be CastMy first experience with Podcasting in a school setting for my social studies education undergrad. While looking for great teaching tools on the Internet, I came across a teacher who taped all his lessons and put them ONline for students and parents to have access to them. What a novel idea! Four years later, (now), I think web 2.0 technologies, especially PodCasting, is making communication, faster, easier and more convenient than ever. Faster - because a person can instantly download a file once it's made available on the Internet: Easier, because you can play it on your comptuer, MP3 player or phone: and easeir, because you can take it with you wherever you go and listen to it whenever it is convenient. The podcasts I listen to are usually from National Public Radio and deal with news, current events, popular culture, and an array of other quirky topics the Buffalo and national stations offer. But, I am still a big fan of listening/watching the news each day, but I LOVE the flexibility a Podcast offers for many of us "on the go, information junkies/". On my drives to night class in Buffalo, I will sometimes download lectures and other important news bits onto my MP3 player, but not all time. As a teacher, I see this as a useful teaching tool for my students and a way to preserve my lessons for further instruction, reflection, and improvement. I also love that it's pretty much cheap or free. I'm a bargain hunter, and Podcasting gives everyone great bang for the buck!LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-237064331649982572011-09-12T20:09:00.000-07:002011-09-12T20:30:25.053-07:00Flickr and Photos on the WebIt's faster than ever now to upload images to share to share with the Online world of friends....and <span style="font-style:italic;">strangers</span>. I recently got married and was eager to share my images with far away friends, but, I really don't want students and unwanted guests seeing my images. I know, as should everyone else, that all images and posts that hit the web are permanent. So to be honest, many of my friends have yet to see my pictures because they are private and not available to the Whole World on the web. Why? - I value my privacy. I want to be able to control who sees my personal 'stuff'. But, if I want to share things so easily, I know I have to give a little of my privacy to use some great, free services.<br /> The Photo I chose to post is a photo of me completing a story hour at a rural, local library where I live. The photo does not have me looking at the camera, nor does it have an image of the child I'm reading to. It does show me hard at work in the library, but it does not have a tag on my image or the child's . I know my blog speaks to those who also value their privacy, but I think people get so excited with technology they get sort of 'techno-drunk' and don't realize for example - 'wait a minute, did I just post a naked picture of my son in the bathtub for EVERYONE to see?" <br /> I do recognized that there is a tremendous value in regards to photo sharing, but I also think that librarians especially need to become better versed in issues concerning privacy, copyright, and good netiquette before they dive face first into teaching lessons about photo sharing. Maybe I'm a bit old fashioned, but even posting this image on the Web made me a bit weary.LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-10613578567386503392011-09-12T19:46:00.000-07:002011-09-12T20:09:16.456-07:00Libraries as Digital Learning SpacesCreating Digital Learning Spaces<br />These are a couple key objectives I jotted down while watching Building Academic Library 2.0 on YouTube:<br />-how can computer labs act as learning spaces <br />- can a librarian help create more meaningful interaction for web/library users and if so how? <br />-how do we turn consumers of the web into knowledgable users<br />- how can we as librarians create services that users REALLY want, breaking out of Net Genereation stereotypes<br /><br />I think these are all meaningful questions that librarians should ask themselves when they are creating programming for their patrons/users, whether they are children, adult, or octegenarian students. Great teachers, and librarians, must teach with purpose and be knowledgeable about past, present, and upcoming digital and web 2.0 technologies that impact their students' lives. If you do not know who the "Internet generation" or "net. gen ", find out and learn more. Maybe even book mark a digital dictionary about web and technology lingo. How do we create programming.....How about communicating with others and seeking good examples.<br />Librarians love information and we need to set a good example for our users to love it, digest, and become active and meaningful Internet citizens.LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-23888939062399275272011-09-08T12:11:00.000-07:002011-09-08T12:22:11.714-07:00Life Long Learning ...That 's Totally MeBy the age of 22 I had a BA in history, a minor in African American studies, and I really wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I worked hard to achieve a BA in social studies education and became a licensed teacher in 2007. I graduated with honors and high hopes, but I am still not working as a full time teacher. I love learning, it runs hot and fast in my veins, but I would first and foremost like to be gainfully employed as a .......school librarian. I will have my MLS this December from the University of Buffalo and will shortly thereafter have my permanent teaching license for school libraries, grades K - 12. For 9 years all I've done is learn....how to do well in school, land the man of my dreams, manage a full time serving job and still have time for community service work...yet, I'll always be this way. I am driven to be a public servant (aka school librarian) because I crave knowledge and information; teaching it, sharing it, manipulating it, and learning how new technologies can further its progress. I didn't get my first e-mail until I was a freshmen in college. I taught my mother how to send e-mail after I graduated from college (she was stubborn, but eventually saw its usefulness). <br /> I bring my passion and knowledge into the library and classroom, even if it can be exhausting. Why? Because it's worth. If you're not hungry to learn, you shouldn't be a teacher, and you definitely shouldn't be a librarian. In the future, it see libraries as a active force in our lives, racing towards the information and technology horizon as a leader, coach, and exhibitionists of new technology and information processes. As a dedicated life long learner, I hope to be on that ship, sailing at the forefront of the horizon.LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-8851969859374372862011-09-07T06:07:00.000-07:002011-09-07T06:15:34.196-07:007 1/2 Habits - Strength & WeaknessInformation professionals need so many valuable tools to be able to do their effectively. After watching the video on '7 1/2 Healthy Habits' I can see distinct weaknesses and strengths in my approach to learning. One big weakness for me lies in the notion that sometimes (Not Always!) I do get caught in the trap of seeing a challenge as a problem. I forget that I"m not an expert, I need to learn new things, and that the learning process is valuable AND fun! Instead I just see that road sign in my mind "Danger, Hazardous Materials Ahead...Watch OUT!" As an older grad student, I've embraced my ability to adapt and learn new things, but having to pay bills, work full-time and go to school can be troubling. YET, as a student in this program, I've learned to find balance and am more at peace with my progress than ever before. My strengths far outweigh my worries and weaknesses. I am great at teaching and mentoring others and I am an eager learner, especially through socializing, reading, and using various social media. My life skills have made learning here at UB very positive and fun for me, despite the demand and time constraints of this Graduate program. I've been teaching for several years, and have mentored teens for over 10!! - which I am very proud of. I hope my web 2.0 skills will soon catch up to my teaching/mentoring skills.LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-53880905322387380312010-04-18T19:46:00.000-07:002010-04-18T20:16:18.494-07:00A Little of This and A Little of ThatI have been experiencing an information overload over the last three weeks. I liteally feel like I have been doing eight to twelve hours of reading for my classes and literally I have. That doesn't even include class work or assignments. So for my blog post this week, I am going to comment on a little of this and a little of that.<br /><br />Podcasts<br /><br />In past teaching experiences, I get very frustrated trying to make concise lectures and discussions with my students. I have so many great ideas flooding through my brain, that I have a difficult time staying organized. One tool that will help me better organize my thoughts and provide instruction to my students will most definitely be Podcasts. I plan on maintaining a wiki or blog for my library or classroom and I will have a direct link to my podcasts. For our class, the Podbean has worked quite well. I opened an iTunes account and subscribed to the podcast. I then download the podcast and listen to it as I travel to UB on Tueday nights. I also began downloading the NPR education weekly podcast and other talks given by Wil Richardson. I taught myself how to open an iTunes accoutn, download music, organize my music and podcasts, and how to put them on my iPod and take them off. I could do none of that before taking this class. It was a frustrating task at first and the directions to do this were not great. But, I sought out tutrials on the Web and looked up info in Richardson, and now I can do it all by myself. Yayy!!<br /><br />Video Publishing<br /><br />I watched a couple extra webinars a few weeks ago after finding the first one I watched to be so informative. I found a website that has pre-made avatars that allows you to make your own short videos, with limited editing and work. The program does most of the work for you, but it does not allow you full movement of the avatars and it takes an awful long time to download. It was made especially for history classes and as a history teacher I was immediately hooked. This would be a great way for students of middle and high school age to teach information to the rest of their classes. Teaching another person a concept or skill is the best way to learn the skill your self. Several techniques in the class have used this model and made me personally more knowledgeable about computer applications.<br /><br />Screencasting<br /><br />I am very excited to learn more about this new technology. I observed it being used at the webinars a couple weeks back and I loved how it blended voice narration with actually showing instruction on the computer. I have found and bookmarked lots of great sites for tips on the most effective way to screencast and where to locate a freee download. The webiste <a href="http://www.jingproject.com/"></a> is user friendly and helps you learn to screen cast with simple and straight forward directions. I have read the directions and hunted all over the site for useful information. I hope to make my first screen cast, as practice, before Fall 2010 classes begin. <br /><br />Like many students in our class, I feel bombarded with computer applications, web technology, and emerging digital resources. At the same time, I feel eager and excited to experience them all. I wish I could really sink my teeth into more of these tools and strategies, but I have a great start thanks to this class. The day I can respectfully resign from my waitressing job because I have been hired to work as a school librarian will be amazing! I'll be getting paid for being an information junkie, but I'll have the time, talent, resources, and need for using all these great tools instead fo just learning about them.LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-3610941935939169122010-04-10T15:14:00.000-07:002010-04-10T15:35:27.949-07:00Copy-right police or just copy it 'right' and no policeOur class discussion this week revisits the issue of who should be advocating for copyright compliance in your school. It really is an important topic and I am glad our prof brought this discussion back to the forefront. In Simpson this week, she focuses her attention specifically on copyright permissions. I know I may feel this issue has been really drawn out, but, professionals do not seem to get the hint despite their co-workers and co-teachers best efforts to make them aware and informed about copyright issue. My first suggestion to understanding copyright is 'use common sense" and "don't be lazy about asking questions and seeking answers". Fair use guidelines can be a tricky topic, but if you follow the rules of fair use in Chapter three you will be a-okay. As a librarian, I hope to extensively collaborate with other teachers to get out the word on copyright laws and fair use practices. Teachers have a daunting task of making sure all their students are academically and personally successful. To achieve this goal, one must be organized and plan ahead. If you do your teaching homework, get organized, and plan ahead you will be in good shape. If you have never been to creative, or lack creativity, this is really important. Seek help to solve your creativity issues and do not forget to solicit suggestions from students. How would you do that? Well, if you have your heart set on using or showing copyrighted materials, send out your requests six to twelve months ahead of time and then be persistent. If you hear no response, it is time for a change of plans. If you want to avoid copyright hassles, make up your own graphics, artwork, music, etc. to enrich your class. There are hundreds of sites that will assist you in making any kind of video, poster, music, movie etc. that you could desire. If this isn't your cup of tea, head to Google and start searching for programs to help you ignite a creative spark. You may find a hidden talent you never knew you had. I really believe we should be models of honesty and integrity to our students inside and outside the classroom.<br /><br />Here's my opinion on how educators and copyright permission (from our class discussion)<br /><br />"I think teachers should take charge of this themselves. Maybe a group of teachers could create a sample 'copyright permission' form, sort of like a graphic organizer, that prompts the teacher to fill in certain important items: company & address, name and date of work, reason for request, financial gain or no financial gain, reason use would be most useful, and the teacher could bring this to an office staffer who sends out these requests and helps keep them organized. Possible outcomes; the teacher will feel strongly about using this and will take the necessary steps to get permission, they will create an original song/art for their own use, or they will do nothing, but will know they are being deceptive. This reminds of a web seminar from a couple weeks, when the male presenter pretty much said, look if you're not an organized person who will plan way ahead of schedule, get creative and take ownership or your work and create something yourself. "<br /><br />I do not want to be a clone for the copyright police. If educators and administrators could just copy and use the things the right way, there would be no need for police. I could handle being copyright consultant,it just sounds more helpful and friendly.LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-27842395840670005692010-04-02T14:30:00.000-07:002010-04-02T14:50:50.717-07:00You can't judge an E Reader by its cover.with all the buzz about E Readers, I cannot resist putting in my two sense. I think E Readers are a wave of the future. Don't get me wrong, when I see a book by Nicholas Sparks or Jodi Piccoult at a yard sale, I scoop it right up, if it's under a dollar. Books are for sure the best bargains I find at yard sales and church rummage sales. However, when I travel, packing all those extra bulky books takes up alot of room. But, I love being able to swap my books with friends when I am done. So, do I support E readers? It depends. For me as an avid reader, I love the idea. I was given a Kindle by my loving fiancaille for Christmas. It is amazing. I can download hundreds of free books at http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page . The new Kindle now supports PDF and TXT files and I can send personal documuents to my Kindle by either downloading them to my PC and using a USB cord to transfer or my using the Kindle's own wireless Whispernet and send it to my own personal Kindle's web address. The features are endless. My Kindle rocks! Do I suport them in schools or any E readers for that matter?........<br /><br />YES! I think we need to strongly consider design before deciding if E Readers will work for all students. For example let's look at what <em></em>Kiplinger's Magazine<em></em> calls 'The Big Three'<br /><br />Kindle<br /><br />259<br />Books available – 400,000<br />Newspapers – 69, Magazines – 40, Blogs 7,000<br />Memory – 1,500 Books<br />Wireless Download – Yes<br />Battery Life – 7 days with wireless on: 14 without<br />Screen size 6’: Full size 8.0 X 5.3 X 0.4 inches<br /><br /><br />Nook<br />259<br />Books available – 1 million<br />Newspapers – 20, Magazines – 20, Blogs ???<br />Memory – 1,500 Books<br />Wireless Download – Yes<br />Battery Life – 2 days with wireless on: 10 without<br />Screen size 6’: Full size 7.7 X 4.9 X 0.5 inches<br /><br />Reader<br />$299<br />Books available – 200,000<br />Newspapers & Magazines - ? , Blogs - dozens<br />Memory – 350 books<br />Wireless Download – No<br />Battery Life – 2 weeks without wireless<br />Screen size 6’: Full size 6.9 X 4.8 X 0.4 inches<br /><br /><br />If you visit each E Reader site, you can see all thier features. Although I understand the other E Readers have been developed as assistive technology for exceptional students, I think these E Readers may be a good supplement or replacement to textbooks, school books, and popular books for specific age groups. The process to acqurie and implement E Readers would be long, but I feel , worthwhile. I would chose the Kindle. <br /><br />Other important features of the Kindle:<br /> -Send personal PDF files to Kindle from home PC or MAC<br /> -Read in sunlight with no glare<br />-Download magazines before they hit store shelve<br />-Manual flip screen to view in landscape or horizontal mode<br />-Travel the globe and download books anywhere<br /> -Automatic library back-up<br />-Charge with USB or plug in to electrical outlet<br /> -Full Image zoom<br />-Wireless access to Wikipedia<br />-Limited web browsing<br />-Free Kindle App or IPhone or PC<br /> -Text to Speech with voice control options<br />-More options in the near future<br /><br />Check out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wireless-Reading-Display-Generation/dp/B0015T963C/ref=dp_ob_title_def">this link</a> to see for yourself.<br />I think the initial steep price tag of the Kindle would be replaced with a high quality and effective E Reader.LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-44614299634606380212010-03-27T13:24:00.000-07:002010-03-27T13:38:24.409-07:00To Copy or Not to CopyI must admit that copyright laws trul intrigue me. Last week for another one of my LIS classes I had to do a book trailer. It took forever, but i was very happy with the product. After I took part in the web conferences, I had a bit more guidance regarding certain copyright issues. Our prof. wanted us to post our videos on YouTube, but I declined to posts mine. During the book trailer, I inserted copyrighted music by the 10,000 Maniacs. It looked and sounded great, but the sounds were not original. Since I was only showing to my LIS class and a couple students at a local school, I chose to use the music, but not to publish it. My intent was to get people excited about the book and the focus of the book trailer was the book, NOT the music. I think I effectivley avoided a copyright violoation. Based on the readings in Simpson and the information in some of the other readings, I feel much more informed about copyright law. I see copyright law similar to intent, in legal terms. Educators do not have free reing to violate copyright law and I feel like this is an area of concern I could really help address in my future school.<br /><br />I also had another instance in a school last week dealing with copyrigh laws. I am homeschooling a studetn in social studies and I wanted to make a couple copies from the pages of a graphic novel. I wanted to share them with my homeschool student becasue eh does not go to the physical school he does not have access to the library. Before I made my copies, I noticed (for the first time) that the copy machine had simple guidelines for students and teachers in regards to copying materails affixed to the top of the machine. The school library staff actually said they would prohibit copies being made if teachers or students used the machine for repeated violations. When I asked the staff about it they said they police it the best they can. I was impressed. <br /><br />Again, I do not want to be the copyright police in my school, but it was nice to see a small staff working together to enforce the rules.LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-26995427008187925932010-03-19T21:37:00.000-07:002010-03-19T22:00:35.535-07:00Movie Makers for ANYONEI am surely one of the most avid movie watchers among my my personal or professional acquaintances. I remember being mesmerized by the animations and sound of Disney's The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. I was awestruck when I went to see James Cameron's Titanic on my 18th Birthday. Who wasn't, right? This year the animation techniques on the big screen kicked it up yet another notch. A big notch with Transformers II: Revenge of the Fallen and again with James Cameron's Avatar. I thought the Harry Potter series was pretty impressive, but I have been continually astounded. I am new to learning about computer apps ( or apps we LIS folk call them) and I have no interest in downloading them to my non-touch phone. Not until however, I found out a friend of mine from high school developed an app. He actually developed several apps for the Apple IPhone. Pretty impressive I think. What I then began to think about was how can I use apps to make a movie or movies for my students? I am a social studies teacher (licensed, but not working full-time) and an aspiring librarian, and I have a good feeling that certain computer animation applications can really be life changing for me and my students. For my LIS 565 class, I attended an Online Conference at the <a href="http://wiki.k12onlineconference.org/home/for-participants/2009-schedule">K12 Online 2009 Educators' site.</a> . Part of this online conference included dynamic ways to introduce your students to movie making. These movies can part of class projects, portfolios, teacher instruction, book trailers, anything that may help the students connect with a certain topic or concept. In Joyce Valenza's presentation "The Wizard of Apps", I learned about two great sites: <a href="www.xtranormal.com">www.xtranormal.com</a> and <a href="voicethread.com">Voice Thread</a> . Both sites are free and offer unique ways to produce movies and pod casts using different production techniques. For someone like me who is not yet able to create an animated movie, these sites provide tutorials, templates, troubleshooting, and examples as to how to create a movie or podcast. As an educator, I know the best way to engage a student, help them learn, and assess their skills is to have them teach another person what they have learn. AHA! Why not have them put their skills and knowledge to use and have them teach the whole class what they have learned by creating a short movie? At the xtranormal site, they offer you a wide variety of formats and character options that would allow you to story tell or teach about anything! I actually used this site to make a book trailer about the book, "The Shack" by William Paul Young. If these sites can take the technical work out of the project for me, think of how we can use these tools in our classrooms and libraries. Sometimes teaching skills about library, technology, and information can really eat into instructional time. A format like this would allow students a greater degree of flexibility for managing their time and talent. I will continue to explore these incredible applications to make my future classroom and dynamic learning environment.LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-16712333373376880972010-03-04T09:43:00.000-08:002010-03-04T09:59:43.315-08:00New KNOWlegde about Computer Apps + Love of Couponing = Free PizzaThis class has proved to me to be very self-serving outside the realm of library and information studies. I consider myself a novice on copyright issues, I can effectively create and write a blog, I can write a paper without everseeing and physicially meeting my co-writers, I can download lessons to my IPOD, I can use a Wiki, I will soon be certified to instruct other teachers on Internet safety, and I created a Wiki for a student I am homeschooling. This has surely been my most productive class of the season in terms of learning tools to manage, use, and manipulate information. Before this class, my first encounter with blogging was a coupon site I visit daily (actually several times daily, I"m addicted and I admit it!). I used the same blogging software as my favorite coupon blogger and got ideas as to how to set up my own blog. From this blog site, I've also been lead to many great freebies - shampoos, make-up, children's books, candles, air fresheners, indoor paint, lightbulbs, oreas...you name it. I'm a queen of great bargains. So mix up my computer app class skills and my passion for couponing and I get free pizza. I signed up at <a href="http://www.houseparty.com">www.houseparty.com</a>. I applied to host three parties and I won one! Here's the link to <a href="http://www.houseparty.com/party/277237">Liz's Rock N Roll Pizza Party</a> . At the house party site I upload photos, blog, send e-invites, answer surveys, and use a pre-made web page to get my family and friends excited about coming over for free pizza and prizes. The kicker is that they tend to select active Web 2.0 users who will be good advertisement for their product according to a survey all potential party hosts must fill out. All the Web 2.0 apps they asked about I use for this class!! Not only am I finding practical application for this class and its many resource tools, but it is helping me win free stuff. Yayy for computers, LIS programs and free pizza!! And I'll be sure not to steal any illegal copyrighted music or pics and put them on my party site thanks to Carol Simpson and <em>Copyright for Schools</em>.LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-66688128766307981092010-02-22T13:50:00.000-08:002010-02-22T13:51:39.566-08:00Wacka Wacka Wacka!! Is a Wacka like a Wiki?Figuratively speaking no, the two are completely unrelated. Though I wouldn’t be surprised if someone knew what wacka wacka wacka meant and was totally clueless about the wiki, or vice versa. I remember being a little girl and watching all the children’s programming that was done on the local Buffalo new station. I also remember the shows on PBS including Sesame Street. From Jim Henson’s Muppets, to Tom Jolls on WKBW in Buffalo, to Romper Room I loved learning cool new things and being entertained by these shows. I was especially fascinated by Sesame Street and the outrageous and colorful characters made by Jim Henson on his popular The Muppet Show. These ‘old-fashioned’ shows still give me a charge. What saddens me though is that most of the children I meet while I substitute at all school levels do not know what wacka wacka wacka means. Jokes that I made it high school were often followed with this punchline. Now, if I make a joke and follow it with this phrase I get blank stares and the occasionally grumble that sounds something like: “is she making a joke?” , or “is that a real word?”, or most recently, “is a wacka like a wiki?” Surely with all the important subjects that must be taught in school today, educating students about 1970s and 1980s sitcoms is surely of negligible important. None the less, I know what a wacka and a wiki are, so why doesn’t everyone else?<br />As an adult, and a teacher, I have forgiven all those who do not know what Muppets are those who are unfamiliar with Wikis. My focus has shifted too Muppets to wikis. I remember them in their early developmental stages when I was an undergraduate at teaching college. wikis had a bad rap for being inaccurate, poorly organized, and unreliable. Several years after they have had time to grow and flourish, with much needed help, many people’s initial apprehension to using wikis has developed into an eager curiosity. In Will Richardson’s book Blogs, wikis, Podcasts, and other Powerful Tools for the Classroom, he explains this phenomenon with detail and clarity.<br />I willingly admit that I am one who was once skeptical, but is now curious and eager to learn more. This book made connections for me and explained how useful Wikis can be adapted for classroom use. Although there are potential downfalls with any kind of Online instruction, especially in schools where content is filtered, I think wikis can do much more good than bad. Our Wiki for this class is private and requires an invitation for membership into the class. I think if a teacher could develop a secure site such as this, students would really benefit, Without the confines of paper printing, notebook organizing, or limited instruction or discussion time, a wiki can truly transform a good classroom into a fantastic, interconnected, and challenging one.<br />In chapter 4 of Wil Richardson’s book, he uses dynamic examples and straight forward explanations to convince the reader of how use class wikis are. Although a strong leader and information manager is necessary to ensure the success of a wiki, his logic is that this will positively impact your teaching and your students. He feels a wiki can encourage better communication, more sharing of ideas and resources, more timely delivery of information and instruction, and provide a place for students and instructors to express and exchange ideas that were not discussed in class. With students so actively exploring an enjoying multimedia outlets, he views a class wiki as a way of making a class more complete. I wholeheartedly agree with ideas. Although I do not have the skills yet to produce a Wiki, I do have the skills to locate reliable information and to create a physical outline of how I would like my wiki to look. I no longer think wikis are all bad. I am excited and intrigued by them.LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-18898382420564138152010-02-12T13:43:00.000-08:002010-02-13T20:40:34.805-08:00Well if I copy it for educational purposes it's ok, RIGHT?I can honestly say I was eager to know the answers to this question when I became an LIS student. From reading Carol Simpsons' text Copyright for Schools: A Practical Guide (Fourth Edition) I think I am gaining a better grasp on copyright issues for schools. I would say that I'm a pragmatic person and this text explores the issues in a practical and pragmatic way. I think part of the reason that schools, students, and educators do not want to ask copyright questions is because they are afraid of the answer they might get. If you really feel that you are stealing a unique idea or concept in a way that was not intended by the original creator, you probably are. Now, if a work is part of public domain, well most bets off. None the less, print materials in schools are an area that deserve more attention and respect. How can schools be models of ethics and integrity if they are improperly using artwork and resources without permission?LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-53627354826942132032010-02-09T21:55:00.000-08:002010-02-10T17:31:01.859-08:00If only web portals involved Toby McGuire as Spider ManI think that organization, precision, and clear directions are the keys for using search tools in libraries. School librarians must really be able to identify the search habits of their students, identify strengths and weaknesses, and provide useful suggestions and search strategies to combat wasted time and energy studetns and teachers use to search aimlessly for information on the Internet. I have seen many successful teachers create and publish web portals, through their school websites, that capture the essence of effective research using search engines and other web based tools. For a better understanding of web portals, visit this page at Microsoft for a brief look at the benefits of web portals. http://www.microsoft.com/education/solutions/k12portals.aspx<br />The positive components that a well constructed page could offer might increase teacher and student search strategies and their abilities to effectivley and swiftly locate information within the school's databases, library catalogue, Online reference sources, and teacher created web pages. <br />I looked for a couple great web portals using the search terms 'web portals + schools' and here's a couple good ones I found...<br />http://schools.woboe.org/Pages/Default.aspx<br />http://www.sburg.org/parentinfo/parentportal.shtml<br />and another one I was aware of but did not find on the search engine<br />http://www.pancent.org/education/school/school.php?sectionid=2<br /> This one does not look too flashy, but it is organized and laid out well.<br />I think we all should a big professional development day and make our own web portals. If only web portals involved Toby McGuire as Spider Man, so many more schoosl librarians <em>and</em> other staffers would be <em>really</em> interested.LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-6552009860446051422010-02-09T21:29:00.000-08:002010-02-09T21:42:12.419-08:00I Raise My Hand for Chocolate MilkSince this new semester of graduate school for LIS began, I have been listening to education podcasts from National Public Radio. I think NPR tries harder than most news sources to provide well researched and balanced interviews and stories. The pieces on education it has done within the last year range from topics such as restructuring teaching programs for teachers, repayment of student loans, using weblogs as an instructional tools and web 2.0 technology. The segments are often relevant and timely. I was quite surprised, however, to hear a story from a January news cast that highlighted the efforts school staffers to ban chocolate milk from schools. The interviewer visited a school and spoke staff members and students about how they felt about having chocolate milk removed for its high sugar content and replacing it with organic milk. I think this is ridiculous. All the schools in the city where I live, nine total for grades K - 12, have eliminated soda and candy bars from vending machines. Many snacks are still sold in school stores and in the cafeteria, including high suger juice drinks, ice cream desserts, and french fries. I do not think that taking chocolate mild out of schools will solve health issues for school age children. Maybe looking at district wide recipes and food policies would be a better start. When I substitute teach and buy a lunch, I always grab a lowfat chocolate milk with my lunch. It's still milk, despite having a little more sugar in it. Check out this website to keep chocolate milk in school cafeterias. Maybe this will raise awareness for the growing demand for all around healthier food options in all schools. <br /><br />http://www.raiseyourhand4milk.com/LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-4001963150121667452010-02-05T13:52:00.000-08:002010-02-05T14:48:44.910-08:00TTFN used to be cute when Tigger said it, so how are we supposed to remember all the new tech. acronyms that aren't quite so cuteFirst of all, is anyone else as confused as me by all the technology terms new LIS students must grasp. If a shortcut is helpful, especially in schools, I'm all for it. But, too many tech. terms to me is a bit of a turn off. So here's a review of all the tech terms I've learned in my first 6 months in the LIS program:<br /><br /><strong>HTML</strong> - hpyer text markup language = language used on the Web that incorporates texts, graphics, sound, video and other other multi-media tools<br /><strong>URL</strong> - uniform resource locator = address of resource on the Web<br /><strong>RSS</strong> - really simple syndication = web feed format used to publish updated works such as blogs or news feeds<br /><strong>IL</strong> - information literacy = being able to understand information, how it's needed, how its used, etc.<br /><strong>ICT</strong> - information and communication technology = it is a way for you to participate in communicating with the world using new forms or communication and technology<br /><strong>AT</strong> - assistive technology = tools used by educators to help students academically and physically<br />I even found a cool acronym guide for technology, electronics, & video games http://www.acronym-guide.com/technology-acronyms.php<br />and another one for information technology http://library.morgan.edu/itpage/itglos.htm<br /><br />My hope is not only to survive library school, but to remember all these acronyms. Why are they all so important? They all represent important concepts in our field. Just like we expect other educators to remember that SLMS is a school library media specialist, we should be able to identify an RSS. As information aficionados, we need to find ways for people to connect with these dynamic concepts. I think the role of the school librarian has really gone through a metamorphosis in the last ten years. Libraries are no longer store houses of information. We need to find ways to not only make our students book literate, but also information literate. Fifty years ago if you couldn't read road signs, you probably couldn't get a driver's license becasue you would fail your driver's test. Today, if you can't fill out a digital application for college on the computer, along with the necessary student aid and loan information, or visit the college's Online website, you probably will not be accepted or attend this school, especially if it's a competitive university. The idea is the same. Young people need to be able to navigate in the world whether its passing a driver's test and getting their license or graduating from college with the qualities desired by a good employer. What worked in schools fifty nifty years ago, needs an upgrade. <br /><br />Students need ICT skills to navigate in the world. Teachers in all subject areas should help them to develop these skills beginning in kindergarten. Low tech and high tech talents can be taught gradually and easily. Collaberation, communication, and flexibility will definitely help this process and that includes teachers, students, AND the community. I think state's need to encourage schools to implement IT and ICT practice into the curriculum. Teacher's have professional development days, maybe we could do the same for the students. If I had my way, I would offer a distant learning class that is similar to our Computer Applications in the School Library class, but at an appropriate level for students from grades K - 12. Each year students could take the class Online, and it would be part of a grade for class such as tech., business, ELA, whatever works for the school. They would be encouraged to use technology to learn about technology within and among their global neighbors. <br />I would support this initiative at my school and in my state. <br /><br />Technology acronyms aren't so cute if you don't understand what they mean. If you learn to use them and can make sense of them, then you're making progress. If you can make a joke about them, then kudos to you, because your ICT nerd-om has arrived. If you're eager to find what they mean and seek out answers to all these questions, you might just belong with me in library school.LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011758827207575414.post-41956907702748777372010-01-31T19:33:00.001-08:002010-01-31T19:41:08.094-08:00Filter or no filterThis week I visited a library media center at a rural school. Now I know how some people believe that rural schools are more reluctant change, especially in the area of technology, but this one truly impressed me. Their computere were literally filter free. Teachers and students actively took part in blogs and wikis for discussions, collaberation, instruction, you name it. It was the first school I had ever been in that allowed the filters to be almost completely turned off. Another great thing about this school was that they had policies that kept all of this organized and understandable. All questions I asked about technology rules, web use, copyright, etc., was all answered with handouts about thier polished school policies. Even their school board was on base with these policies. I was pretty impressed. Not only did they have a dynamic set of rules and regulations for school and library issues, but they had it done tactfully and they were easy to access and understand. Yes oh yes, it can be done. I was very thankful for this educators time and knowledge.LizAWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13212729901476505602noreply@blogger.com0