Week 9

1. What did you like? What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
Love Google Maps and Google Earth. I am trying to extend the library program into other curriculum areas and this is such an easy way for me to combine those technology skills into the social studies TEKS.

2. What was your least favorite thing that you discovered?
Well it is me and technology..so there isn’t anything I didn’t like. I love “playing with technology”. My only regret is there is not enough time in the day to do everything I saw.

3. How has this journey affected your views on technology?
Just reaffirmed the need to continue to connect with the students in their digital world!!!4. Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
Goggle Lit Trips…well of course a librarian would love this one!!! Thanks Michelle!

5. What do you think you will be most likely to incorporate into your classroom/library?

Again Google Lit Trips and Word Sift

6. Can you describe your learning experiences in ONE WORD or ONE SENTENCE?
Digitally Delicious!!

Week 8

I am the Atomic Learning point of contact for my campus so this is not new to me. I have been working on incorporating podcasting on my campus so I have view the tutorial on it a couple of times. It has been very helpful.

The projects in Atomic Learning do seem somewhat limited for the elementary age students but I found a couple I might use. Storyboard is great for writing lessons, author studies, and a quasi-graphic organizer. I don’t see a lot of hurdles to implement this piece as it is success oriented. Where I do see some “challenges” is getting my teachers to buy into investing the time to learning the program so that they will see the benefits. Our teachers are asked to do so much anymore that sometimes it seems like “just one more thing to do” to them. I think I will hit up my principal to get her to let me use 10-15 minutes of a staff meeting one day to share Storyboard with our fantastic staff.

Now to be truthful on the 21st Century Skills—I got assigned a tutorial the first time I took this assessment about 4-5 months ago. I do feel much more knowledgeable now but also realize that the learning curve on technology will always but an upward curve for me.

Week 7

My wonderful staff last year saw the need to be able to utilize our computer lab in a better way…so we used Title funds to employ an aide for 2 years. This has been wonderful. She provides the support such as helping manage students and programs while our teachers provide instruction. It has allowed our lab to be used for initial instruction, practice, reteaching, extensions, before school programs, and made use of the lab accessible all day long.

Our mobile lab is finally catching on. I have used the lab since it was placed on our campus but the classroom teachers are just now utilizing it. While it is all a matter of time teachers are creatively finding ways to incorporate it into their lessons.

Nancy did ask for volunteers to write curriculum for technology which I was unable to help with. I do see where we need a structured curriculum so that teachers feel secure in what they are teaching students. Since we know that this is one of our weaknesses in our district and what is coming down the pike for our students we need to make this a priority. Maybe a solution would be a few release days during the year to write this curriculum. Then I could and would love to help with it.

Love Wordles…kids just love making these. What a great way to include a list of adjectives to use in a writing lesson or a story starter. How about an extension after a field trip for students to share with parents what they experienced.

Think has such great resources. Way more than there are time to use. I love the link to the graphic organizers and the calendar activities…gives me a jumping off point each time I look at the site.

Week 6

2.Blog about which of the tools could you see yourself incorporating into a lesson and how?
NLVM is a great opportunity to cross curriculum lessons from the library to the classroom. The bar charts could be used to graph favorite authors, books, etc while either supporting or reteaching graph skills.
NCES-Kids Zone is great!! I use this site. It caught me the first time I looked at it and in the first paragraph it said it can help find a public library!!! Whew Who!!! Of course put my high school senior on the word of the day and “Dare to Compare”!!!

Scribble Maps—the lesson options are pretty evident just by the site name…what I also like is the option to use the site in Spanish!!! Bilingual teachers will like this one.

Word Sift:
Okay…love it!!! Sending this link to my 4th grade teachers right NOW!!

Share another favorite sites that maybe similar or one you currently use in your classroom/library that wasn’t shown?

http://www.shelfari.com/
I found this last year and put it on my blog:
http://riverlibrarygal.blogspot.com/
I am thinking of using it with my 4th graders next year to set up a digital book talk. I will let 4th graders add books to the shelf and then randomly pick a student to present each time their class has a library class.

Week 5

Activities:1. Watch the Common Craft video and the the Atomic Learning session on Wiki’s. How could you use this in your classroom/library? What are some of the positives about using a Wiki verses just paper and pencil? How do Wiki’s compare to blogs?

I see where there are definite applications of wikis to collaborate with fellow educators. Especially between classroom teachers and librarians. However, among students at the elementary level I think the applications will be limited. Now don’t jump on my comment yet..I simply mean our students really need to know how to read before they can wiki..the time it will take to have students key/type in their comment, idea, or suggestion is not typically feasible in the classroom setting. Of course there will be students who can benefit from a wiki…upper elementary on through high school.

2. Compare Blogs and Wikis. Which do think is easier? Good and Bad for both?

Blogs are managed and updated by one person while the viewers are limited for the most part as just that … viewers. While wikis are allow for input from the proprietor and the viewers. An anology might be: blog=one way street; wiki=2 way street.
I don’t think it is a question of which is easier but which fits the needs of the users. I know that the wiki that Michelle set up for the librarians of BISD tends to be used very little..my contribution have been nil. I know from me it is simply a time management issue. The librarians seem to have our need to communicate down to a system so logging into yet another application is not that helpful when immediate help is needed. However, I realize that many times we could use the wiki for those needs that are not immediate. i.e. inventory procedures, listing of TLC issues and their resolutions.

#3-My plan to use a wiki…to profit from Michelle’s work by...using the BISD Librarian Wiki space to keep informed …this is #8 on my list of 2010-2011 goals.

Week 4

I created this photostory to promote the library program…as many of you remember the “tidal wave” of a reaction it got!
So it is not really appropriate for using in a library lesson but instead for spreading the word regarding the value of the library program in a child’s education.

I don't think we can seperate 21st Century skills and the library program. The 2 must work hand in hand to insure students are prepared to thrive in the digital world that is their future. (Sorry...answered #3 before #2.)

Yet another option to use to promote the library program from Teacher Tube:

http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=103199&title=21st_Century_Skills__A__Library

Atomic Learning

I think Atomic Learning is such a valuable tool for us "experienced educators" who could use some help/tutorials but don't feel comfortable asking for it.
This was presented to my faculty at the end of the year when minds and patience were at a low.

Luckily we had 2 very positive presenters who have always been able to paint a pretty picture on any subject they present. One of my goals in the coming year is to get the staff to use this tool instead of coming to me. While at times I might know the answer they need many times I simply do not have the time to teach it to them.

Feel free to comment on your thoughts on Atomic Learning...just to make you giggle...I was assigned a tutorial on 21st Century Skills!!! Looks like I really NEED Atomic Learning!!

Week 3

Love the igoogle options…added A to Z Kids Stuff and TechLEARNING.COM!!

I can’t wait to share with my 4th grade social studies teachers the GoogleMaps and Google Earth. I am considering doing a series of lessons with my 4th graders using the series 39 Clues…wouldn’t the GoogleMaps and Earth really grab those kids!!

I love these kinds of courses. I feel so proud everytime I learn a new “tech skill”. Not to mention here I am at 8:30 pm on my deck overlooking our river, San Bernard, and doing my inservice!!! Life is good! Only thing that would make it better is if my diet allowed for a "beverage"!! Oh, well can't have everything!

Week 2-Setting up a blog

Well..if you take a look I haven't updated this blog for a year. However, in my defense I have kept my school blog up to date all year. Check it out:
http://teachers.brazosportisd.net/webpages/cstanford/

Setting up both of these blogs was so easy and FUN!!! The hard part is finding time to keep them updated. I started the year with plans on updating every Friday afternoon...well I was about 85% successful and when I wasn't one of the kids was sure to let me know!!

I pretty much HATE chatting on the phone so blogging is only a step away from this. I do like blogging much more (I would classify it as almost liking it) but see the need to blog and keep it current because that is what my students and some of my parents expect.

So essentially blogging to me is not as bad as going to the dentist but not as fun as eating a ice cream sundae with caramel and nuts! (Can you tell I am dieting?!!!)

Week 1-21st Century Learner

Point of Need-This is a mandate for any educator or in my case librarian. It is similar to a physician's hypocratic oath...we are required to meet our students at their point of need or point of service. 21st Century Learners require us "experienced educators" to transport ourselves not only to the technology level of our students but to surpass that so that we can lead them into the 21st century.
I love learning the the "techy" stuff...but at times life intrudes. So..I just keep trudging ahead as time allows only to usually be corrected by a student who has already passed me up.

So who is the educator and who is the student?

Bon voyage to Week 2!