Reflections

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Although I liked the videos I found some of it to be particularly out of date, especially the statistics. Did You Know and A Vision of Students Today said basically the same thing- that students are requiring, if not begging, their teachers, mentors, instructors to be current. They had some very interesting facts though. The message I got from all of this was that technology is moving fast and if us teachers don’t stay a step ahead, we will be irrelevant. I agree with Warlick’s point that the kids are different now and we need to know how to tap into the “energy generated by their information experiences”, but I think the future has always been unpredictable. He makes a big point about the future but what I think he needs to focus on is not that we don’t know the future but how to stay current and how our teachers can be in the “now” along with their students. As a library teacher, a teacher of information literacy, we need to technologically literate ourselves and communicate with our students on a level they will understand. To me, this doesn’t mean that books need to go away, or that reading to children is a waste of classroom time. We don’t need to ONLY communicate by blogs or podcasts and texts or instant messaging. Warlick states that “information is a product to be consumed, a raw material” but it is how we use it that makes a difference. I am making a wedding invitation for a friend right now who wants something traditional but not “farty”. So I told her I would take the classic elements of an invitation and make them current. The end result was exactly what she wanted. This is what I think we need in the library, take a traditional lesson’s elements and find a way to make them current and relevant to the students technological tastes.======

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I just realized I didn’t reflect on my readings but I really liked the New Literacies Article (I’m still trying to figure out how Manhattan has 576 miles of waterfront!). I am concerned that the majority of what I am being assigned to read is outdated. At lot of what Berger quotes and talks about is from 2001- 2005, which is fine, as long as it’s still relevant. Most of it was but I feel like there is so much more current stuff to learn. I did watch the video hour long Anthropology video on youtube which I really got me into youtube. I haven’t used it much so it was interesting to look around and watch other interesting pieces. Actually, I have been spending most of my time since the semester started investigating the web and all of the sites were are putting up on our PLN. I found diigo interesting. At first I didn’t really see the point. But then I started putting all of my bookmarked pages I use on it and realized how much more convenient it is to have everything categorized. I only use my laptop but when I’m working and on another computer I’m sure this site will be a tremendous asset. I have also been checking out Digg. I’m still trying to figure it out! I know it’s popular but is it just another news source? In the meantime I have also been given (by a very generous friend) and iPhone. So now I can join the millions out there who are keeping their lives together with this device. I downloaded the Evernote app and did the same on my laptop so I am going to try to figure this out now and see if it can help keep my hectic and somewhat, terrifying life in order!======

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Due to what I am learning is the absolute insane life of a single mother, I am SO behind on my reflections but not because I didn't do the work. I actually wrote this in word and saved it thinking I would paste it in and of course got distracted.======

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After looking through just about all of the recommended library websites, i have to say, I had a hard time finding one that I felt was easy to read while being professional as well as appealing to students.======

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I really liked isshkjslibrary.com/ in Japan because it was a clean site and showed the actual library which looked colorful and full without bieng “busy” if that makes any sense. It doesn’t have much information but plenty of links that are clearly useful to the students. I also enjoyed wesmediacenter.com/ because it was easy to read and the prezi was great. The virtual tour holds interest of students and parents and the resources and authors pages are informative and fun. https://sites.google.com/a/vmbulldogs.com/van-meter-secondary-library-voice/ is very different and for some reason I keep going back to it so it definitely holds something interesting.======

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The roelibrary site looked nice but I had no clue what was going on. There was way too much information and I didn’t know where to begin. Also, Bay Farm looks great, the side bar is so nice that each grade level can go to there own pages to see what they are doing. I love the pictures but then you scroll down and it keeps going and going. There is so much stuff on here I didn't know where to begin.======

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My absolute favorite is http://web.me.com/annreynolds/Crestview_Media_Center/Crestview_Media_Center.html where they have a link to 21st century learning websites. I LOVED this link: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/adora_svitak.html.======

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As far as my "madeup" school website, I’m trying to incorporate a little bit from the sites I liked without overloading it. My goal is to make it clear and easy to read for young students but still professional looking. I have chosen to name my school Daniel Hunter Elementary School (after my boys) and am trying to include the school mascot to teach children about school spirit and being a part of something bigger than yourself or your classroom. I think it’s important to show that the library is not just a part of the school, but the heart of the school. I’m definitely enjoying this project but as with everything I just wish I had more time to work on it.======

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Animoto- For module 3 I started with Animoto. I looked around a little for a video tutorial but didn't see one so I just decided to try it without knowing anything about it. I uploaded pictures from my son's birthday this past week, picked music from the choices on Animoto and seriously, within 10 minutes it was done. I can see how the uploading could be a pain if you made a particularly long video but it was so easy I'm embarrassed I even looked for help with it!======

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Okay, so now I'm in panic mode because I am realizing how behind I am in both of my classes and just life in general but between the snow and sickness keeping my kids at home and student teaching I am taking deep breaths and coming to terms with the fact that I will get everything done, even if I DON'T get all A's. The important thing is for me to learn everything, not the grade I get (I repeat over and over), SO, I finally did Animoto last night, very cool and easy for slideshows. Today, (in between a carpet picnic lunch and Toy Story Memory Game) I got to explore Prezi more. Now, I took the easy way out and just used my son's birthday party for all of these so I wouldn't waste time on content and really learn how to use it. Prezi is hard. There, I said it. It has so many options that for a creative person like me I could work on the tiniest thing all night. It is a very cool program though and I think if I had a good subject first, it could be awesome. It's one of those things I want to look at something and say, "Wow, I could do a really neat Prezi on that." and start picturing it in my head now that I know the basics on how to do it.======

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I also checked out Glogster. Nothing makes me feel like an old lady more than when I stare at some new technology and don't have a clue what it is used for. I still haven't quite figured that out. I am assuming it's like a digital, animated poster? I can't quite figure out its use but I do think it's very cool. The themes to choose from are very juvenile so it would be useful for attaching to an elementary school site for an upcoming event. I was glad I looked around and played with it though, even though I still don't get the point.======

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So, now it's off to do more of my blog, yet I feel like I cover everything in the reflections and then figure out what in the world I have due for Jody's class and then complete my DHES (pretend) website. By then I'm sure I'll be late with something else...======

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I loved the first Ohler article that told about Kim’s story. I searched for her digital story of her famiy’s relationship getting stronger after a house fire but could not find it. I came across Ohler’s website though which I found interesting. I also spent some time looking around for good examples of digital stories. On digitalstorytelling.coe.uh.edu there is a great introduction to what digital storytelling is in a digital story. Storycenter.org has videos listed by genre and tell some fantastic tales. Investigating this I also found cool tools like ZooBurst, a virtual pop-up book. I haven’t fully checked it out yet but looks neat AND makes a little more sense to use in a library. Here is my issue: as much as I agree with Ohler that digital storytelling is an essential learning tool for students as far as teaching writing, story structure, art, etc, I have a problem with it in the library, at least in elementary school. There are such amazing resources on the web, but I hate the thought of children coming to the library just to sit in front of another screen. I feel that as a librarian it is important to teach about the physical, literal page, not the virtual one. There is so much information on the web that even kids tend to just skim things read on the screen, unlike when a book is in hand where they can get into what they are reading and use there imagination for pictures. As usual, I’m probably looking too much into it. I would rather show them a 30 second Prezi to get them excited about something and let them hear my voice in person, than show them a digital story. I’m sure I will be enlightened after our online class tonight though. Off to investigate Kerpoof and Dipity...======

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Kerpoof is hilarious. I can't wait to have an idea that will fit with it. The art that can be done on it is amazing but you need some serious talent and skills. It is really geared towards teachers and working with the classroom. The lesson plans and set up options make the site a great curriculum tool.======

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Very behind and very overwhelmed. I have been throwing all I have into my student teaching lately. I loved working in elementary school. I just started at the middle school- not really my thing but it may just be the librarian there. I do like it a lot more than high school. I finished my school website, don't even remember what assignment it was since it was so long ago. Not awesome but good enough at this point. Planned on finishing at least one more assignment tonight but I can't seem to focus. Just exhausted and my personal life is getting in the way. Been working on resumé and researching that. Still always researching on the web- so much new stuff out there, I can't keep up! I just wish I could get these assignments done so I don't have them hanging over me. Just can't seem to do them...======

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Module 4- Voicethread is really cool tool. It support pictures and videos and can really bring a classroom together. This is not complete because until I am working in a library I can't fine tune it, but here's my idea...======

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Project: A scavenger hunt/choose your own adventure game of sorts. The class is broken into teams. Each team goes to a different computer terminal and sees a vocabulary word. They will record the correct definition on voicethread and receive a clue. They will do a hunt in the library for their net vocabulary wor and come back to a different computer. There they will listen to another group’s definition. If they think it is correct they will get one clue, incorrect will lead them to something else. The team who has gotten all vocabulary words/clues correct will be led to a prize.======

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Module 5- Although I am a diigo fan, I am getting more used to delicious and see the benefits of being able to see other people's bookmarks and tags. I went through a few or the "guru's" bookmarks and chose some to go back to (in the summer when I actually have a chance to read!). I feel like a lot of Joyce Valenza's I had already seen. Between, RSS, Twitter, netvibes, etc, I'm sure I've seen most of Joyce and Buffy's stuff. I'm still not a big TeacherNing user.I just don't have the time to explore it more right now and how many do you need, really? I'm AM trying to explore more GoogleDocs though. Would you believe that every time I am on there there is some sort of error? That is why I am posting my answer to the question in Module 5 below- just in case...======

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How could students possible benefit from social bookmarking? ======

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 Social bookmarking is a useful tool for anyone. Although against it at first, I now see the benefits and think it’s great for students too, especially since they are usually not on the same computer all of the time. Another really great aspect is internet safety. If I direct my students to my delicious account for example, and they choose which articles and sites to explore based on my bookmarks and tags, I can make sure they are only be led to appropriate content. ======

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Module 6- readings on 21st C & UbD ====== As an aside: To be honest, I never got quite "into" the UbD unit because I was told by another student that they are never used anymore and a waste of time. So I did the assignments pertaining to them and kind of left it at tht. Then as I was working on assignment 4 I was really having a tough time with my UbD because I felt like it stated the obvious and I felt like the questions etc were almost patronzing to write. Then, on one of my many visits to Nyack High School, the head librarian was discussing with me the curriculum and how she was trying to make sure that district -wide everyone was on the same page. She pulled up this UbD that was so easy to follow, had all of the information right there. was not patronizing at all but spelled out so there would be no misunderstandings. I was kicking myself! Of curse, it was easier to read one than to make one but now I am frntically trying to read as much as I can about UbD's so I can be a pro at them!

====Module 7- Watched "Online Safety 3.0: Rethinking Net Safety Together". Twice. I still haven't comprehended anything she said. I found the video so drawn out and boring and quite frankly the avatars, computer people, simulated classroom- whatever you call it was so distracting to me. As far as what we should be doing to protect children, I think the answer is simply educate. I don't really know what else to say. Kids need to learn that with great freedoms come great responsibilities. You're not going to let a child run crazy through the streets of a big city. You would teach them how to cross a street, not to talk to strangers, how to ask for help, etc. so the same should be done before letting a kid to explore the internet. We can't censor the internet, it's against our freedoms, but we can train those on here how to use it properly.==== I did the free trial for Kidspiration but it expired before I had a chance to figure it out more. I went on it and used the tools but I didn't have a good purpose so it was hard to see what the point was. I was all excited for Hunter to play with it but I didn't really know what to tell him to do on it and why it was different from other drawing or games he can do on free sites like starfall..com. If I had a particular project in mind it would be easier to check it out and find out if what it is used for is worth it.

Module 8- Although ai squared and Kurweil seem to be major breakthrough technologies for those with special needs, I don't think they are necessary in mainstream schools. They would be excellence resources for a special needs school but I think anyone severe enough to benefit from them won't be in regular classes. Maybe that's naive to think, maybe I haven't had enough experience in the field. Maybe I haven't had enough experience with special needs children. Whatever it is I think there are too many "needs" to be outlined and lessons need to be tailored to the students. Are they dyslexic, autistic (high or low functioning?), ADD, ADHD, have downs, CP, severe retardation, been injured, or just "bad" kids that don't care? Each "need" must have completely different lessons and learning standards. I don't really know enough about Special Education at this point but will hopefully learn to differentiate the instruction I teach to the students that need it. I found Kids Tigether a great resource for parents, friends and teachers of more disabled students and creating inclusion activities. The issue I have with this site is their "If you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem" viewpoint. Don't get me wrong, I think it is very important for disabled children to feel a part of the community and classroom BUT (and here is where it gets controversial) I personally feel thatas all people benefit from being around others of differing learnng abilities, is it fair for teachers to spend more time with some students than others, is it right for say, a handicapped child to be integrated ito a classroon of non-handicapped children where their disruptions and special attention is taking away from their learning. I understand the need for inclusion for both disabled and non-disabled studnts, I understand there are special education teachers in the classroom as well as aides and teaching assistants (well, if they aren't all cut in the current budget), BUT I have also witnessed while observing in an elementary school why some students need to be separated.

Module 9- wow, okay, this is getting so overwhelming! i have spent countless hours looking through websites and trying to figure out why one would need what to do the same thing as something else, etc. There's so much out there! Too much, actually. So here's what I think: for a public or middle school or high school library, getting on Twitter and Facebook is essential. I am "friends" with my local library and even though I get newsletters, it's nice to receive updates over Facebook telling me of events and seeing it keeps the library on my mind. My experience in the high school I've been observing is that, even though the school supplies them and email address through eChalk, the students don't use it. But if the librarian was Facebook "friends" with students, they'd have a an easier time sending messages out for events etc at the library. I don't think any of this really applies to elementary (MAYBE 5th grade) and let's just say I hope it stays that way because little kids don't need to be social networking. At any rate, I am not a blogger. I don't like to read blogs and don't quite understand blogs and how many people can give authority to so many random people who can potentially have no credentials. They are all opinion based and quite frankly, I think a little dangerous. This reflections page is the closest thing I have to a blog because even the blog assignment kind of scared me. I don't want to duplicate what I am writing here but I don't want to write personal stuff, and I'm not educated on any one aspect of the library to write an informed article, so I felt a little like, "what's the point?". (Of course, for my grade's sake I can cut and paste all of this to my blog- hahaha) That being said, a librarian's "blog" that the patrons are sent to should be ONLY about the library, activities, book reviews, the same things that you would find on a website or newsletter. And yes, certain links are good to make searching easier for patrons and articles (from respected sources) easier to locate. But reading about Bibliocommons, bX, Library Thing, ChiliFresh, Good Reads, AH!!! it's just so much stuff. Just so I don't sound completely old fashioned- I do think Follett's Destiny is a great idea. Having the opportunity to read reviews from peers is probably great in high school, although monitoring it adds even more to the library staff work load. Widgets- Okay, here's my little rant about widgets. Yes, I saved them all to my diigo and some I found interesting like the Vokis that are fun, but there are so many distractions already, do we really need to add more? Don't get me wrong, I love reading the little snippets of things, what happened today in history, word of the day, etc. but we are already raising a generation of readers that can't focus, do we need more STUFF all over the place? I'm sure at some point I will become a hypocrite and end up using and maybe even liking all of these tools but right now it's so overwhelming, I'm thinking less is more really might be the way to go.