Explanations in Plain English

I was browsing www.slideshare.net (BLOCKED IN MY DISTRICT!!!!!) early one morning (at home, of course) and discovered a wealth of Web 2.0 powerpoints. One of them incorporated a youtube video. I clicked on the link and found myself in the midst of one of the best uses of youtube for explanation.

Lee and Sachi LeFever have developed, written, and produced some incredible videos teaching a variety of subject matters, many of which are concerned with Web 2.0 tools. I highly recommend The CommonCraft Show.

http://www.commoncraft.com/show

Enjoy.

Debbie

Advisory Rotations

I think I might be getting an advisory rotation next year! I am so excited. I was visiting with our assistant principal as to how I wanted to work with a group of students on a Bulldog Wiki for announcements, club news, campus calendar, kudos, etc. and she said, "We're looking to add a rotation so we can have our students giving the announcements."

Of course, I jumped right on it!

That means that each six weeks I will have the joy of working with a group of students for public speaking, podcasts, journalism through the wiki and flyers. This is going to be GREAT!

Debbie

What's Being Taught about Libraries in Teacher-Preparation Programs?

I have decided not much.....

I have spent the past two days interviewing potential teachers during our annual district job fair. I enjoy this assignment. I think it shows the value my administration on my campus places on the library media program.

At some point during the interview I asked each candidate how he or she either uses the library (if currently employed) or would use the library. Here are the responses:

• to remove troublesome students from the classroom
• for silent reading
• to use Study Island
• to take AR tests
  
• to be taught how to use word processing, database, spreadsheet, or presentation software
• to check out books

Not one time was there mention of a collaborative lesson with the librarian. Not one time was there mention of citing sources. Rarely was there mention of research.

I also ask about their use of technology. Here are the responses:

• Powerpoint presentations
• Use of computers -- mostly for word processing, database, spreadsheet, or presentation software
• Use of United Streaming -- good
• CPS system (or the clickers as one applicant called them)
  
• Webquests -- again, good

Not one time did an applicant mention blogging or the use of a wiki or podcasts. I question the teacher preparation programs for not including these Web 2.0 tools. I question the school districts from which the currently employed applicants come.

Now that I have spent two days at the job fair I believe I am ready to work this summer on some much needed teacher training. What "lessons" do I want to develop?

• Orientation to the services in a 21st century library
  
• Using powerpoint effectively -- or beyond the electronic outline
• Using blogs in the classroom
• A class/department/schoolwide wiki
• Collaboration with the librarian
• How to find, validate, and incorporate the use of online materials
  

I see my summer is going to be busy!

Debbie

Let me Clarify!!!

I hope I am not giving the impression that I consider graduate school a waste of time. I absolutely, emphatically, with-a-doubt do NOT! I have earned a graduate degree in counseling and a graduate degree in library and information sciences. I love going to school. At this point in my life, my time is better served taking those courses which are of interest to me and not necessarily courses which would lead to another degree.

I cannot imagine not going to school, whether self-directed or formal instruction.

Keep LEARNING!!!!!

Debbie

What I Have Planned for the Summer

I am so excited that I have decided not to continue taking courses (unless something is of VITAL interest to me, such as the online courses Alan November, http://novemberlearning.com , creates).

Instead this summer I plan to:

• Map out next year's library programming (something about teachers and administrators and other librarians and students makes the planning difficult once school starts)
• READ, READ, READ (I just love YA lit!)
• Clean the library clutter (okay, I admit it -- I am a clutterer)
• Finish the two books I'm writing, continue the 3rd, and begin the 4th

Not too shabby of goals for someone who "has summers off"!

Debbie

Time's 100

I found out this week that Stephenie Meyer (and if I have to tell you who she is, you are not 1 - an adolescent girl; 2 - her parents; 3 - a young adult librarian; 4 - a boy interested in that adolescent girl; 5 - an employee of a bookstore) was named to Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of the Year.

I can understand why. After all, to quote Emily (one of my students), "Mere mortals just don't work for us any more, Mrs. A."

Congratulations, Ms. Meyer!

(From a fellow Twilighter),

Debbie

Justa Question

Have you ever wondered why some people have problems with other people but they never come to that person before they complain up the ladder?

Debbie

How Can I EVER Keep Up?

I am sitting here, on my sofa, with Miss Holly, having enjoyed my coffee before 4 am, wondering how I can ever keep up (or at least begin to understand) all the wonderful tools through Web 2.0.

I've come to a few conclusions:

• Turn off the TV (less is definitely more!)
• Stop taking graduate coursework towards a specific degree (all that time on those assignments is keeping me from what I am passionate about -- empowering young adults)
• Learn from others in your Web 2.0 community
  
• DON'T panic. You'll never catch up.
• Share what you learn.

Debbie

Symphony Blogging

Here I am sitting at Region XI blogging the presentation for Symphony. This is an exciting time to be part of a consortium, blazing new paths in OPAC to make services better available to our patrons and to provide more time for us, as school librarians, to do what our focus needs to be to work with the students, teachers, and parents.

I'm watching the roll call and am just a little amused at how interesting trying a video conference is. The difficulties of working with different systems trying to call in at the same time can be challenging.

The power of having the costs shared among many districts is going to enable us to have some extra features. SchoolRooms is a portal to help us as librarians provide good resources for our patrons and to help teachers to find quality materials for their use. Moreover, the tool includes features for parents as well.



Federated search allows the user to search the catalog, databases, and web all at one time. A parent, teacher, and librarian have chosen sites which they consider to be the "best of the web." This feature is maintained by Sirsi on their server, with them checking the links, etc.

Each district or school can do what it needs to do or what it needs to have for its particular needs. Seeing what all schools in the consortium have, interlibrary loan, library page.... for example, all of these can be incorporated and individualized.

Keep you posted!

I'm Growing Up

I learned something about myself this week (and about GOOD librarians). I can appreciate why someone else was honored with "the prize" without becoming morose about not winning myself. I had the best time at the awards reception for the TCEA honorees. I visited with the two other librarian finalists and was amazed at what they do and was thrilled with their friendliness and warmth. I almost found myself rooting for one of them to win. While I can say that I "really did want to win" I was thrilled for the person who did, the librarian from Celeste ISD. I feared that I would be all down about not winning. I wasn't. I am finally growing up.

I returned from TCEA with a couple of grant ideas and a couple of new plans for programming for the middle school library. I also returned with an appreciation of what other librarians do and an appreciation for all I have (though at times I think I am woefully lacking). I also returned with much more humility than I had when I left. For that I am thankful.

My patrons, the students, teachers, parents, administrators, and other librarians, will be the beneficiaries. There is so much more to do in my little corner of the district and I am anxious to get started. Tomorrow will be a good day.

Debbie

What Really Matters

I've been pondering lately. After all, this is an election season and we've been inundated with McCain, Hillary, Obama, and CHANGE. Do we need more money? No. Do we need another program? No. What do we need in education? Frankly, I believe with all my heart we need a fundamental shift in the way we teach. Why are we continuing to teach in ways that get the same poor results? Why aren't we sharing with students and having students explore and learn and create using the new technologies?

I heard a colleague say the other day, "Every year I have to teach the teachers how to use the same technology all over again." Hmmmmmm, could it be that the way we've been teaching isn't working? I hear of teachers who fail to turn in equipment or books or required forms or lesson plans, etc. etc. Would those teachers ever accept such mediocrity from their students? What lessons are we teaching when we fail to adapt ourselves?

I am very interested in creating a collaborative environment for students from multiple campuses. As I've begun to have the students respond to blogs and utilize the wiki I realize that their writing skills need work. However, the students seem more willing to participate in an electronic environment. Because they will need to utilize such an environment in their work efforts it behooves us, as educators, to teach them how to use one in the classroom.

Of course, the bazillion dollar question is, "How do we best do that?"

Continuing to ponder,

Debbie

Musings from TCEA

I'm at the conference, enjoying myself. I want to congratulate the librarian from Celeste ISD for her selection as librarian of the year. While I am honored to have been nominated and selected as a finalist when I heard all she does as the sole librarian of her small district I was overwhelmed. I just think I do a lot.

I am very excited that my friend Ann got to come with me. She attended a Web 2.0 workshop and now wants to rework our technology rotation. All it takes is a little knowledge and a willingness to step out into the unknown.

I have been hunting things for the different departments on campus. I found something which might be of value for science, dabbled at a writing exhibit or two, and looked for technology to enhance the teaching in the library.

And then I spotted the shirt. My geek son would love it, "If you can't handle "strike any key," turn off the computer."

Now to study the program to determine what to attend tomorrow. So much to learn, so little time....

Debbie

Black History Month

Today my principal approached me with a request. I just love it when that happens. He wants to include snippets of writings by black authors for the announcements in February.

I've been making a list. I want to include a variety of writings, biography, poetry, short story, fiction. Now to choose the authors and write the announcements. I have students pulling titles from the shelves. I am wondering.... Which genre will be most heavily represented by the black authors.

This could be interesting.

Debbie