Well can you say procrastinate? Ha.. I have been thinking about the elements of the technology plan and what I think the tech plan should include. I have been discussing my schools plan that I want to evaluate with others and have discussed how I am not impressed as of yet. BUT I haven't started writing it all down. So over the nice 5 day break I get to work on it!
I'm thankful that I have a short break from work but brought home papers to grade and need to work on lesson plans for the rest of the year! So I guess the break from the students will be nice but working I must still do!
I find it oddly funny that the union has proposed creating a tech team which should have been present before and oddly enough was not! I have extended my wishes to join the team and will be notified if I am allowed to participate. I had to even send a note as to why I think I should be a member. I was able to share what I have learned in class and hope to share in the future when the team meets as to what is lacking in our tech plan! Everything happens for a reason it seems again oddly enough that it all lines up the way it does!
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
LS 589 and did I mention I went to the UnConference?
So last week I went to the AASL conference which was a fantastic conference to attend. I mean over 2000 school librarians, supervisors and admin were at the conference! There was so many people to meet and chat and collaborate with! I met a supervisor who was from Harrisburg area and then one who was from Alaska! To talk about the same problems I am running into at my district is amazing to me that the world really is so small!
I also attended the UnConference which is a free event that is run by virtually the attendee's. There is a grid that people can put up what they would like to.. No keynotes! No panels! An opportunity to share even if you did not submit a proposal! The focus is on informal peer-to-peer learning, PLN building, and sharing! Basically if you want to go to the first session but decide you don't like what you are hearing, which rarely occurs, then you can use one of the rules!
I am looking to attend more UnConference or otherwise known as Edcamps as they are free and I can select topics of my choosing or create a topic to place on the grid. Here is the link for the information on the UnConference I attended. http://aaslunconference.wikispaces.com/ As you can see I led one of the grid spots in the first session.
The second session I chose to pick a topic on book blogs! How students are reviewing books and then blogging about them online! I have to get my students up to speed using the technology and google drive but this is going to be an exciting thing to implement soon!
Also at the UnConference there is a "Smackdown" which is a forum where you stand up and tell about the newest and best thing you have found most often being a technology. There were some things that I had heard of from before but a lot of new ideas were given. Here is the link to the smackdown list! https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1SCnb5ikelkB-GuzgGAjz1WUwdxODlGn_b6AvtURFzI4/edit#slide=id.p
All in all I have a lot of things to review and go over and then prioritize and save as I can't possible use everything that I learned this school year but want to save it as future ideas! Lots to do yet to make my library program the best it can be and evolve over time!
I also attended the UnConference which is a free event that is run by virtually the attendee's. There is a grid that people can put up what they would like to.. No keynotes! No panels! An opportunity to share even if you did not submit a proposal! The focus is on informal peer-to-peer learning, PLN building, and sharing! Basically if you want to go to the first session but decide you don't like what you are hearing, which rarely occurs, then you can use one of the rules!
I am looking to attend more UnConference or otherwise known as Edcamps as they are free and I can select topics of my choosing or create a topic to place on the grid. Here is the link for the information on the UnConference I attended. http://aaslunconference.wikispaces.com/ As you can see I led one of the grid spots in the first session.
The second session I chose to pick a topic on book blogs! How students are reviewing books and then blogging about them online! I have to get my students up to speed using the technology and google drive but this is going to be an exciting thing to implement soon!
Also at the UnConference there is a "Smackdown" which is a forum where you stand up and tell about the newest and best thing you have found most often being a technology. There were some things that I had heard of from before but a lot of new ideas were given. Here is the link to the smackdown list! https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1SCnb5ikelkB-GuzgGAjz1WUwdxODlGn_b6AvtURFzI4/edit#slide=id.p
All in all I have a lot of things to review and go over and then prioritize and save as I can't possible use everything that I learned this school year but want to save it as future ideas! Lots to do yet to make my library program the best it can be and evolve over time!
Sunday, November 17, 2013
LS 589 and the AASL conference!
What a fantastic last few days! I was able to attend the AASL national conference in Hartford, Ct. and able to meet those people I blog with, have as friends on twitter and Facebook. I attended the UnConference which was fantastic as it was just School librarians, supervisors and administrators who were present. Talk about awesome!
While at the conference I took as many sessions as I could. One of the sessions was about creating learning commons in elementary schools. I think that we are well on our way to creating these learning commons but need the help of our admin in order to really make them a reality however with the increasing use of technology spaces need to be able to move as needed for both the tech and collaboration of students and staff.
Other sessions I attended were on being an advocate for your school library program, nonfiction and the common core and several others on common core.
At the UnConference I led a discussion on common core and technology and the common core. We were able to discuss our feelings that the common core is actually helping librarians. It is full of mini research lessons that we already do. It showcases a lot of the work that we do as librarians and how we can help teachers and become more involved in collaboration! We also discussed how the common core is not a curriculum but is a standard that meshes with the AASL standards and to use the AASL crosswalk as the work has already been done for us!
What a great week! I have to revisit by notes but I did create a list of things that I could go back and change Monday and what I would like to change by the end of the year and I think that will be a very helpful tool.
Oh and I was able to meet Mr. Buchanan from Clarion in the exhibit hall. It is nice to put a face to the professor and class that he teaches. I was also at the booth when someone was asking about the program and told them that I was also taking classes which I think gave them reassurance on the program!
While at the conference I took as many sessions as I could. One of the sessions was about creating learning commons in elementary schools. I think that we are well on our way to creating these learning commons but need the help of our admin in order to really make them a reality however with the increasing use of technology spaces need to be able to move as needed for both the tech and collaboration of students and staff.
Other sessions I attended were on being an advocate for your school library program, nonfiction and the common core and several others on common core.
At the UnConference I led a discussion on common core and technology and the common core. We were able to discuss our feelings that the common core is actually helping librarians. It is full of mini research lessons that we already do. It showcases a lot of the work that we do as librarians and how we can help teachers and become more involved in collaboration! We also discussed how the common core is not a curriculum but is a standard that meshes with the AASL standards and to use the AASL crosswalk as the work has already been done for us!
What a great week! I have to revisit by notes but I did create a list of things that I could go back and change Monday and what I would like to change by the end of the year and I think that will be a very helpful tool.
Oh and I was able to meet Mr. Buchanan from Clarion in the exhibit hall. It is nice to put a face to the professor and class that he teaches. I was also at the booth when someone was asking about the program and told them that I was also taking classes which I think gave them reassurance on the program!
Sunday, November 10, 2013
LS 589 and the upcoming week @ AASL
This semester has been a fantastic learning experience. I have so many things running through my head and technology has been in the lead the whole time. How do I integrate all my lessons yet teach everything I need to for library lessons. How can I create a curriculum yet still hold my students attention and create a love for library with books but still use technology. I have so many things to sort through and add what I have learned to the PD session I had last Friday and the new sessions I am going to attend on this Thurs/ Fri/ Sat and I will need to create something that will keep me organized! I think the easiest thing right now is to create a google doc and just make columns and links in order to prioritize and organize.
Also to note on creating a rubric for the technology plan ~ I need to start creating rubrics for all the lessons I do so I can justify and create one for the students to use as well. I have been recommended to use http://rubistar.4teachers.org/ and am thrilled to learn about creating assessments and rubrics as DDM's and SMART goals will be requiring portfolios and work shown.
I hope to see those who are following along at AASL! If you are there please email me at tlreynolds592@gmail.com and we can meet somewhere during the conference! Have a great week! I certainly intend to!
Also to note on creating a rubric for the technology plan ~ I need to start creating rubrics for all the lessons I do so I can justify and create one for the students to use as well. I have been recommended to use http://rubistar.4teachers.org/ and am thrilled to learn about creating assessments and rubrics as DDM's and SMART goals will be requiring portfolios and work shown.
I hope to see those who are following along at AASL! If you are there please email me at tlreynolds592@gmail.com and we can meet somewhere during the conference! Have a great week! I certainly intend to!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
LS 589 - Online conference and class info
I've been loving the online conference that we have been viewing over the past 2 weeks. The speakers have been fantastic and I love the topic of technology as I am really week in that area of my profession. I had been out of the loop and have quickly learned what I need to know to start making a difference in my lessons.
At a recent PD session that I attended we talked about primary sources and research process and I need to take what I have learned from my LS 589 class and incorporate the research process into it. We discussed taking the curriculum and making sure that we have a plan mapped out in order to add tech.
This coming week I get to meet again with my District librarians this time and we are starting to plan our DDM's which hopefully will help make a more cohesive/ streamlined curriculum as well. I also hope to touch on the district technology plan as I'm finding we were not part of the process to develop and wondering how we can get into the tech department more than we are currently which is not at all!
The following week I can not wait as I will be heading to the AASL conference in Hartford!!! This in itself will be a fantastic opportunity and I can't wait to meet with those I talk to those who I have met online!
At a recent PD session that I attended we talked about primary sources and research process and I need to take what I have learned from my LS 589 class and incorporate the research process into it. We discussed taking the curriculum and making sure that we have a plan mapped out in order to add tech.
This coming week I get to meet again with my District librarians this time and we are starting to plan our DDM's which hopefully will help make a more cohesive/ streamlined curriculum as well. I also hope to touch on the district technology plan as I'm finding we were not part of the process to develop and wondering how we can get into the tech department more than we are currently which is not at all!
The following week I can not wait as I will be heading to the AASL conference in Hartford!!! This in itself will be a fantastic opportunity and I can't wait to meet with those I talk to those who I have met online!
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Crazy- Busy- Love it!
Crazy for sure but busy and love it! This week I went to a session to learn about co- teaching 5 sessions on "Every child ready to Read" and then yesterday I was asked by MTA to help plan an UnConference in Western MA! Mind you I teach 4 days a week in the school library at one of the hardest schools in the district, take a grad class via online thru Clarion, have 3 children to take to swim lessons, swim team practice and then whatever else is going on, PTO Secretary at the middle school. I luckily get the 1st and the 15th off from work to attend a PD for Library on the first with all the Berkshire Librarians and then on the 15th I get to take off, actually leave on the 14th, for the AASL Conference in Hartford Ct for 3 days!!! Whew most of this will take place before Christmas! But as I said I love it as long as I can keep the kids fed and in clean clothes we'll make it! OH and add a birthday party trip in November for the twins who turn 12 to NYC with 4 friends and their mom's for a total of 12 people in our party!
Have a great weekend!
Have a great weekend!
Sunday, October 20, 2013
LS 589- I so love my class! It has really been a fantastic class with a lot of new ideas and tons of new resources. Today is a short post about my homework is to watch the online ~
K-12 online conference! The keynote speaker already has been from VanMeter School Shannon Miller about transforming learning! I love to hear her speak and am amazed at all she is able to accomplish!
Here is a blurb from the conference website!
K-12 online conference! The keynote speaker already has been from VanMeter School Shannon Miller about transforming learning! I love to hear her speak and am amazed at all she is able to accomplish!
Here is a blurb from the conference website!
This is a FREE, online conference open to ANYONE organized by educators for educators around the world interested in integrating emerging technologies into classroom practice. A goal of the conference (among several) is to help educators make sense of and meet the needs of a continually changing learning landscape. Please see our frequently asked questions (FAQ) to get started with the K-12 Online Conference. If you are a vendor or affiliated with a vendor, please see our Goals and Values page for clarification about vendor participation.
And here is the link=
While attending the conference over the next few weeks post you favorite and a brief summary here if anyone is following along!
Thanks!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
TPACK models and LS 589
For class this week we had to look at TPACK models. I love that this class has provided me with some very though provoking ideas and things to look at! I had never heard of this model and love that I had to find out more to get to the nitty gritty of what it entailed! It doesn't surprise me however that after searching for TPACK and school librarians that my old teaching state of North Carolina had a wonderful wiki they created which has many familiar names listed. They have created this wiki that states
"Technology integration has been an instructional goal since the placement of personal computers in schools. Collaborative planning is an essential component of the IMPACT Model that facilitates integration of information and technology in to instruction. Collaborative planning includes teachers, school library media professionals and instructional technology facilitators. "
http://ites.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/Collaborative+Planning+with+TPack
They also created a collaboration toolkit that is very helpful which includes
Associating Lesson Design Steps With TPACK Components and goes thru the steps of identifying goals and so on. I will have to file this for future reference and glad that I have this blog to remind myself of what I need to revisit when I have more time.
"Technology integration has been an instructional goal since the placement of personal computers in schools. Collaborative planning is an essential component of the IMPACT Model that facilitates integration of information and technology in to instruction. Collaborative planning includes teachers, school library media professionals and instructional technology facilitators. "
http://ites.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/Collaborative+Planning+with+TPack
They also created a collaboration toolkit that is very helpful which includes
Associating Lesson Design Steps With TPACK Components and goes thru the steps of identifying goals and so on. I will have to file this for future reference and glad that I have this blog to remind myself of what I need to revisit when I have more time.
Monday, October 14, 2013
AASL unconference! Hartford Friday Nov 15th
I am super excited that in a month from now that the AASL conference will be in Hartford, CT! The Ning site http://ning.aasl.org/ provides great information - and now the unconference is going to be held Friday night... the link to it is.. https://www.smore.com/a0yv-aasl-late-night-unconference?ref=my
Any one plan on attending any of the days? I would love to meet up for lunch or dinner! I can't wait to attend the largest PLN!
Any one plan on attending any of the days? I would love to meet up for lunch or dinner! I can't wait to attend the largest PLN!
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
LS589 - Technology and the Library
LS 589 - My class this semester has us thinking about technology in the school library and coming up with technology plans. I am frustrated with our tech department however they were the ones who said ok let's get the ball rolling and find an automation system that meets the needs for us (not the best) and one that they will not have to manage.
Anyways, I don't feel that any technology ideas would be seen as good ideas coming from the school librarians. I could be wrong however in my perception but they run what they think is needed as far as tech classes instead of what I was used to. In the school I worked in previously we worked hand in hand with the tech department. I would fix minor things that needed fixed and if anything was wrong that I could not fix I would then fill out the tech dept. form and notify them. We had meetings together and discussed new technology. I held my own technology workshops and shared with teachers new software. This mind you was several years ago and I am now anxious to see how things are working but I extremely liked how we worked together for the common goal of integrating technology into the schools!
On a side note I have a couple blogs that I follow that I collect ideas and save bookmarks in case I ever get that rare occasion and am able to offer tech help to my fellow teachers! :)
Anyways, I don't feel that any technology ideas would be seen as good ideas coming from the school librarians. I could be wrong however in my perception but they run what they think is needed as far as tech classes instead of what I was used to. In the school I worked in previously we worked hand in hand with the tech department. I would fix minor things that needed fixed and if anything was wrong that I could not fix I would then fill out the tech dept. form and notify them. We had meetings together and discussed new technology. I held my own technology workshops and shared with teachers new software. This mind you was several years ago and I am now anxious to see how things are working but I extremely liked how we worked together for the common goal of integrating technology into the schools!
On a side note I have a couple blogs that I follow that I collect ideas and save bookmarks in case I ever get that rare occasion and am able to offer tech help to my fellow teachers! :)
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
LS589 - week 6
Wow the weeks seem to be flying by. This week is extremely crammed with way to much going on. As a librarian I get to go to school and represent twice this week at our Family activity nights which are our "open house" nights. I have had one meeting night and tonight was a great reception for my husband's work.
The week itself as far as teaching has been pretty good. I have begun showing my students the library website that I have been working on and recently updated with a newer look and gave it a shorter web address so that I can have students actually remember it instead of the huge long address it used to have. It is now an easy one to remember it is bit.ly/mcslib ~ which I know I can remember easier!
I have added grade level pages and our new OPAC system is linked there too! I am excited to send my students to the website now and this is going to be our starting point for all research using the 8 new Google Chrome books we have to use this year!!!
How fitting that this weeks discussion is on websites as I have started this introduction to use at my school. I will make some minor adjustments but everything seems to be going pretty good so far! My students seem to like it and are able to maneuver around! I'll be putting it to the test with a scavenger hunt in the next few weeks and call tell more then! We can't forget to use assessment pieces in whatever we are working on anymore!
Wow the weeks seem to be flying by. This week is extremely crammed with way to much going on. As a librarian I get to go to school and represent twice this week at our Family activity nights which are our "open house" nights. I have had one meeting night and tonight was a great reception for my husband's work.
The week itself as far as teaching has been pretty good. I have begun showing my students the library website that I have been working on and recently updated with a newer look and gave it a shorter web address so that I can have students actually remember it instead of the huge long address it used to have. It is now an easy one to remember it is bit.ly/mcslib ~ which I know I can remember easier!
I have added grade level pages and our new OPAC system is linked there too! I am excited to send my students to the website now and this is going to be our starting point for all research using the 8 new Google Chrome books we have to use this year!!!
How fitting that this weeks discussion is on websites as I have started this introduction to use at my school. I will make some minor adjustments but everything seems to be going pretty good so far! My students seem to like it and are able to maneuver around! I'll be putting it to the test with a scavenger hunt in the next few weeks and call tell more then! We can't forget to use assessment pieces in whatever we are working on anymore!
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
LS 589 Keeping up with the blog
LS 589 - Sadly the blog has become not as fun. It is easier for me to share things I find interesting on Facebook to my page that I have created there. I feel like I have 300 things going on now and am in need of a way to track all that I am undertaking besides working on lesson plans for my full time job, working on SMART goals for our new evaluation system this year and keep 3 children in clean clothes and fed :P
Now my rant aside ~ I really like the way that Jing ( http://www.techsmith.com/jing.html ) looks. I have talked it up to my coworkers who are the specialists at my school during our common planning time. They were excited that we could create 5 minute videos and present them to students. Being that we are an elementary school we have stations/centers within in the library during a 45 minute block and the science teacher is working hard to implement stations/centers this year. I have already figured that if I create videos that are 5 minutes in length then I can have my students use a laptop and my creation during their station time to view what needs to be viewed safely and hopefully effectively. On that note I have yet to start my creation but have been brainstorming what I could do for my mini lesson within a lesson. I believe that I will share an OPAC introductory lesson that would be within a scavenger hunt lesson. This year I am also working on automating my library finally! So far I have 2022 books automated ~ whew! Can you believe in 2013 we are just getting this! Crazy!!!
Ok so note to self~ don't forget to blog here, add a bookmark to diigo (Diigo.com) , create a discussion response and reply to 2 people's post each week. Ok~ got it ~ or so I hope! Oh and don't forget the projects. Adding them to my calendar now!
Now my rant aside ~ I really like the way that Jing ( http://www.techsmith.com/jing.html ) looks. I have talked it up to my coworkers who are the specialists at my school during our common planning time. They were excited that we could create 5 minute videos and present them to students. Being that we are an elementary school we have stations/centers within in the library during a 45 minute block and the science teacher is working hard to implement stations/centers this year. I have already figured that if I create videos that are 5 minutes in length then I can have my students use a laptop and my creation during their station time to view what needs to be viewed safely and hopefully effectively. On that note I have yet to start my creation but have been brainstorming what I could do for my mini lesson within a lesson. I believe that I will share an OPAC introductory lesson that would be within a scavenger hunt lesson. This year I am also working on automating my library finally! So far I have 2022 books automated ~ whew! Can you believe in 2013 we are just getting this! Crazy!!!
Ok so note to self~ don't forget to blog here, add a bookmark to diigo (Diigo.com) , create a discussion response and reply to 2 people's post each week. Ok~ got it ~ or so I hope! Oh and don't forget the projects. Adding them to my calendar now!
Friday, September 13, 2013
LS 589 - Class has proved to be very eye opening. I have to read about wiki's yet but love using a blog and now even blogger is sharing to my google+ account and I think that is fantastic as I have more than one place I usually post to!
I have found a couple of things to share this week.
The first thing is about edcamp! I attended an unconference while at the MTA conference and found it to be an awesome thing. I really want to attend another one and there are actually 2 that I could attend on the same day. The first one is in Rhode Island or I could do the uncamp online which is the first time that they have attempted to have the conference online before!
The edcamp online link is : http://edcamponline.weebly.com/about-this-event.html
The link to future edcamps near you is http://edcamponline.weebly.com/about-this-event.html
The second thing I have to share is about Library teacher tools website = http://libraryteachertools.com/ The website also have provided an excellent article on
Strategies for Collaboration in the School Library . Although the website asks you to join for the full site I have found a couple of things that have helped like the link above about strategies.
I have found a couple of things to share this week.
The first thing is about edcamp! I attended an unconference while at the MTA conference and found it to be an awesome thing. I really want to attend another one and there are actually 2 that I could attend on the same day. The first one is in Rhode Island or I could do the uncamp online which is the first time that they have attempted to have the conference online before!
The edcamp online link is : http://edcamponline.weebly.com/about-this-event.html
The link to future edcamps near you is http://edcamponline.weebly.com/about-this-event.html
The second thing I have to share is about Library teacher tools website = http://libraryteachertools.com/ The website also have provided an excellent article on
Strategies for Collaboration in the School Library . Although the website asks you to join for the full site I have found a couple of things that have helped like the link above about strategies.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
LS 589 - Technology oh technology
Trying to bypass Youtube.com at school and have found that Schooltube.com works but you have to upload a video in order to start pinning videos! So I had to go a round about way to get a video to download from another site I joined just now called Teachertube.com ( which I'm not sure if it works yet at my school) in order to start the whole process but hopefully it will all work! Seems like there could be an easier way but alas I have two different accounts for video that I can work with and see which works the best and then show teachers how to use!
Does anyone have any experience with either of these sites and willing to share their opinion it would be greatly appreciated!
Part two:
The next issue I had was that the videos I've been wanting are on Youtube.com but not on Teachertube.com or Schooltube.com so I had to download them from Youtube.com by using http://keepvid.com. and then upload them to Schooltube.com This was another round about way but it finally worked and I was able to add them to my Schooltube.com channel.
Trying to bypass Youtube.com at school and have found that Schooltube.com works but you have to upload a video in order to start pinning videos! So I had to go a round about way to get a video to download from another site I joined just now called Teachertube.com ( which I'm not sure if it works yet at my school) in order to start the whole process but hopefully it will all work! Seems like there could be an easier way but alas I have two different accounts for video that I can work with and see which works the best and then show teachers how to use!
Does anyone have any experience with either of these sites and willing to share their opinion it would be greatly appreciated!
Part two:
The next issue I had was that the videos I've been wanting are on Youtube.com but not on Teachertube.com or Schooltube.com so I had to download them from Youtube.com by using http://keepvid.com. and then upload them to Schooltube.com This was another round about way but it finally worked and I was able to add them to my Schooltube.com channel.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
I found this blog and have to share for all to read! Great for Common Core and primary sources...
http://twogeekyteachers.blogspot.com/2013/08/primary-source-tuesday-part-two-inquiry.html?m=1
http://twogeekyteachers.blogspot.com/2013/08/primary-source-tuesday-part-two-inquiry.html?m=1
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Tips and Tales - From a School Librarian.
I've seen so many great ideas and have many, many thoughts
running through my head that I decided to create a place to share/store
them in one spot!
As a school librarian/ media specialist we wear many hats throughout the day. I've designed this page to share ideas and thoughts.(and now to show "what I know" from my class LS589 Fall 2013 - New technology for Educators)
I've seen so many great ideas and have many, many thoughts
running through my head that I decided to create a place to share/store
them in one spot!
As a school librarian/ media specialist we wear many hats throughout the day. I've designed this page to share ideas and thoughts.(and now to show "what I know" from my class LS589 Fall 2013 - New technology for Educators)
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