1/26/11

Describe 2 ideas that were brought up in the Article #1 discussions. How can you relate this information to your professional life?

• Dan shared a really good idea about partnering up with your public library and using them as a resource for your students and teachers. This is something I will be looking into.
• Kari shared an article that discussed cuts in PASCAL (like BadgerLink). The funding was reduced by 90%. The resource was not promoted enough. This just reinforces the idea that we need to promote BadgerLink so that it doesn't go away.

Reflect on “Digital Footprints”. How is this being addressed in your school and who is presenting this?

• If you use technology, you leave digital footprints. The "footprints" are evidence of where you have been and what you have done. (internet, credit cards, cell phone, etc.)
• We give out pamphlets to parents about proper internet use. I have mentioned "digital footprints" to the students. I know our information media teachers address it in their class through discussion. I have heard our principal talk about it at grade level meetings, but she didn't call it digital footprinting.
• This is something that needs to be addressed over and over again with the students. Unfortunately, they never think anything bad will happen to them. I am not sure how to make them understand the issue.

How are you doing on your Internet Log? Questions?

• Internet Log is going well. I am working with the 7th grade science teachers on their planetary unit. Just about done finding the sites.

Have you selected a library to visit yet? Have you visited?

• I am going to visit the West Allis Public Library. I have not visited yet. I want to call ahead and let them know.

(Louis Question) How has our class and this week’s activities effected you in your professional life? Discuss two things that you have learned about this week.

• The discussion with Dennis and Chris about the Wauwatosa librarians losing their jobs really does reinforce the idea that librarians have to promote what they do. We need to work with the staff and the students and be seen as "useful".
• I need to work at making my library more user friendly. Signage and "how to..." sheets for the patrons need to be made. If I am not available, or students are afraid to ask, then there is a way for them to find out the information.

What is your understanding of reference materials in the library media center?

• My understanding of reference material is that they are authoritative sources to find credible information.  They can be print or online sources.

Any questions or other comments you have?

• I don't have any now.  But, I am sure that will change as we continue to study bibliographic and reference methods.

(Louis Question)  How has our class and this week’s activities effected you in your professional life?  Discuss two things that you have learned about this week.      

• After our discussion about helping teachers archive resources for their units, I realize I really need to add this section to my website.
• I will send out an email and have discussions at meetings about archiving teacher resources to my website.

1/12/11

-   List and describe 2 expectations you had of our class before we started.

• One expectation for this class was to learn as much as I could.
• A second expectation was to become more effective at my job.

-  Describe 3 topics, discussions or projects that we did in this class that you especially liked or thought were useful to you.  Why did you like these best?

• Three year needs assessment - I feel I have direction for myself and the library!
• Website - I started one in the summer, but I lack direction for it.  I now have one that I am pretty proud of.
• Selection tools analysis - I now know what many of the books are on the shelf behind my desk.  I am aware of how useful those books are.

     -  Did our class fulfill your expectations?  If not, why?

• Absolutely - I learned way more than I could have hoped for.  I feel that the class has helped me be more effective in my job.

     -  Was the instructor accessible enough?  Did you feel comfortable asking questions? 

• Again, absolutely!  I was able to email her and she responded quickly.  She was open to any question I had and never made me feel stupid for asking the question.

     -  Please list things you would like to see changed or improved in this course.

• For me, the class was perfect and enabled me to learn to be more effective in my job!

     -  Any other comments about the instructor or our class?

• Thank you!

1/05/11

1. List and describe 5 webpage features that you saw in tonight's presentations that you thouight were interesting, engaging and should be included on a library media center webpage.

• The citation resources. - I forgot to put that on mine.
• "____" in Plain English tutorials - they would be great for inservicing staff
• I liked how Dan had technology blog links on his
• Placing the mission statement on the website was a good idea
• Placing book trailers on the website is a great way to create interest.

2.  What questions or comments do you have about the 3-year plan?  Remember it is due (with a short class presentation) in class next week.....our last meeting for this course.

• I am doing pretty well right now - no questions.

3.  List and describe 2 ways of evaluating your collection.  What is collection mapping and why is it useful?  Have we seen this before?  Where?  Are you using it or will you use it when you get your own library?

• Running an age analysis is one way to evaluate a collection.  This can be done through the use of  a product like Titilewave.  I completed an age analysis for the FLW collection and the average age was 2000.
• Directly examining the collection is another way to evaluate the materials.  This can either be done as a cursory examination or a more in-depth systematic review of the collection.
• Collection mapping is a visual display of the strengths and weaknesses of a library collection.  We have seen this before when the Follett reps. came to class and showed us Titlewave.  I have used this feature of Titlewave.

4.  How have you built and developed your Personal/Professional Learning Network since we began our class?  Describe specifically.

• I have talked to several media specialists in my district about how they run their libraries. 
• I continue to access inforamtion on Classroom2.0.
• I have emailed one teacher/librarian for more information about the helpful hints that she put in LMC.  She responded, but unfortunately my library didn't have the necessary materials to do the contest she talked about.

(Louis Questions:)
How has our class and this week's activities effected you in your professional life?  Discuss 2 things you have learned this week.

• This week I learned that no matter how complete I think my website is, it is never going to be truly finished.
• I also learned that I will have to set aside a specific amount of time to devote to the website to keep it current and useful.
• It is great to have this cohort, because they are a continuous source of new and iteresting ideas for me to use in my library!  Thanks everyone!