3/9/11

 Describe 2 highlights that caught your attention in our readings or discussions for this week.  Why were these significant for you?

• pg 104: "Good collaboration with teachers involves at least four important elements."
• 1. A good professional relationship with all teachers.
• 2. A basic knowledge of the teaching/learning goals and activities in each classroom.
• 3. A good collection of the best and most pertinent teaching and learning resources.
• 4. An ability to promote and teach the learning resources in valuable ways.

These four elements are crucial in getting the support of the teachers, students, and administrators for the program you are trying to create and maintain.

• pg 106: "You probably need to think about setting up time and resources that encourage students to learn on topics of their own choice that may in fact have nothing to do with the curriculum at all."           I see this as valuable, but I know this would be a hard sell to some teachers who think that their curriculum is essential.  By using a research model (Big 6) to complete these projects, I think you would have an easier time convincing people of the value.
  

 What are your thoughts about the tools provided by DPI for library media programs?  Were you aware of these?  Which things do you see as most valuable to you?

• These are great tools that you can use with administrators to help them understand the role of the library.  They are necessary in creating a program that will be valued by all stakeholders.

What are your thoughts, concerns and questions about library program evaluations?

• I think it is a very good idea to evaluate library programs.  The evaluations will help ensure that you are meeting the needs of the students and staff.  This will in turn create a valuable program in your school.
  

Questions about your Online Database Presentation or your Library Lesson?  What is your topic?

• Kids Search is my database.  Alexandria is my library lesson.
  

(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.

• I really liked creating the paragraph about my role as a library media specialist.  The librarians in my district are currently working on a proposal about this.  This paragraph will be very helpful.
• I also found that trying to sum that paragraph up in two sentences was not an easy task.  But, I realize how important it is to be able to get my point across quickly, because I may not be granted a lot of time to communicate the importance of my job.  I AM PART OF THE SOLUTION!

3-2-11

 Describe 2 highlights that caught your attention in our readings or discussions for this week.  Why was it significant for you?

• pg 113: "You do not need to adopt a new technology the minute it becomes available. It is best to wait and let the technology prove itself.  This also gives you time to think about implementing the new technology." Seems pretty obvious, but in today's tight budget times this is very valuable advice.  You don't want to jump into a quick purchase of something just because it is the hottest thing out there.  You may end up regretting it and wasting a whole lot of money on something that really isn't for you.  Don't buy it just to say you have it.  Buy it to use it.

• pg 117: "Your statement of purpose, your reference philosophy, will help you stay focused on the important things you are trying to do in your media center.  Your guidelines will help you carry out those important things in more meaningful ways for your students and teachers."   This is something I need in place for all aspects of the library, not just the reference area.  I will need to sit down and look at district policy and what I think the needs of the library are (three year needs assessment plan) to develop a statement of purpose for the entire library.  Starting small might be a good idea though.  Start with reference and then branch out.

 What are your thoughts about the search engines we discussed?

• I liked the search engines.  Boolify looks great; a neat visual for a search string. My daughter is using it in her school.  I also like KidsClick.  Of course, before you suggest anyone use it, you need to check it out.

  How do you feel about Google Advanced Search techniques?

• I use the Advanced Search Techniques to filter my searches.  I will go over this with the students and staff. It is important to reiterate the techniques to students and staff, so they utilize them

Do you think you’d use Scavenger Hunts with your students?  Why or why not?

• I think I will be able to use these with the kids.  It would be neat to do a search before I teach the material and after I teach it.  It would show the kids how they've grown.

Questions about your Online Database Presentation or your Library Lesson?  What is database and what is your lesson topic? 

• My lesson is done.  I completed a screencast-o-matic on how to look up a book on Alexandria, how identify if it is available, and how to put it on hold if it is checked out.
• Kids Search is the focus for my database presentation.  I printed off all of the "how to" info to help me plan my presentation and am currently studying it.  I am trying to figure out if I want to do a screencast of Kids Search to put on my website.

(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.

• It was great to see the internet logs that everyone put together.  Thanks!  I will be able to share them with my staff.  Our PLN definitely makes this job easier.
• In the current economic and political climate, it is more important than ever that we make sure people understand our role in the learning process.  Again, it comes down to advertising what you have to offer the students and staff.

2-23-11

Describe 2 highlights that caught your attention in our readings or discussions for this week. Why was it significant for you?

• pg 95 - " A good school librarian notices and even anticipates where students and teachers might need help using the library, and then prepares resources to help them." The advantages of having these resources are that they save time in the long run and help the library become more accessible to its patrons. Caution: the resources are not a substitute for a librarian.
• pg 97 - How do you pick a topic for a user guide? It seems like such a simple question. But, it can also be overwhelming to determine where to start. The simple answer is...pay attention to the questions that your patrons ask the most. It seems like a very logical place to begin. The most asked question I have been getting is, "How do you place a book on hold?" Even though I went through this with the kids, they forget the information unless they have a use for it. So, I created a step by step guide that is located next to the patron catalog computers.

What do you think about the Big 6?

• The Big 6 is a very useful way to approach research. My district requires the 8th grade teachers to complete a Big 6 project. Now many of the elementary schools are also learning about it and incorporating it into their curriculum.

Are you pretty comfortable doing a Reference Interview?

• Getting better with practice. So far (I feel) I have been pretty successful.

How is the Internet Log coming? Questions/concerns?

• Almost done. I just have four more sites to write descriptions for.

Questions about your Online Database Presentation or your Library Lesson? What is your topic?

• I am going to do Kids Search on BadgerLink. I already have begun working on it.

(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.

• Know the standards. They will help you defend what you are teaching the students.
• It is extremely important that I find out what the elementary teachers are teaching for their technology curriculum and what the high school teachers expect the kids to know by the time they get there. I think the scope and sequence tends to get lost in the middle school because there isn't just one person responsible for technology education. Also, I need to push for teachers to use technology with their students so that they all have experiences with technology.

Internet Log link - 7th grade science - planets

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nkAKpVrOEmFr8I-Ok_oZ3B18vSW88-LcQKe_mOWs9K8/edit?hl=en#

2-16-11

Describe 2 ideas that were brought up in the Article #3 discussions. How can you relate this information to your professional life?

•  Katelyn's article brought up many obstacles to library reference.  But, the one thing she mentioned that really stuck with me is that success in the library will be directly related to the ability to change with the times.  This is something that has already been communicated in my district.  They value librarians, but we must be willing to keep up with the technology and be willing to change how we view our jobs.  
• Mary Ann's article about having kids create a personal library of research apps was very interesting.  I think I will put a page on my website that suggests some useful apps for kids.  Not all students will have access to these apps, so I am not sure how to make up for that.
  

Describe 2 highlights that caught your attention in our readings or discussions for this week. Why was it significant for you?

• pg 61: "A good program will not only promote your services but also help your teachers with their instruction, provide the students with useful information literacy skills." This is my new motto. I need to remember all of the patrons (teachers and students), not only half of them.

• pg 52: "Remember, you are performing the reference interview to make sure you help the customer find exactly what they want, and not what you think they want."   It all comes down to listening.  You want them to keep coming back, so you need to help them find what they are actually looking for.  This will give you credibility.   Also, keep an open mind.  Just because I may not like the subject they are looking into, doesn't mean I shouldn't give 100% effort when helping the student.

How is the Internet Log coming? Questions/concerns?

• Still working on writing the descriptions for the sites. No questions.

Questions about your Online Database Presentation or your Library Lesson?

• I am pretty sure I am going to do Kid Search for my database presentation. I am going to try screencast-o-matic for the lesson (searching for a book and putting it on hold).

(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 readings really made me realize how important the reference interview is.  You can't give up, even if the research doesn't pan out the first time around.  The kids and teachers need to know you will work hard to help them find what they need.  You want them to keep coming back!
• Change - while it may sometimes be scary, we need to adjust with the times or become obsolete. Our jobs depend on it.
  

2/9/2011

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

• Be ready with collaboration ideas for your teachers and students.  Try http://typewith.me/ .  Guide your teachers in the use of technology.
• I liked Megan's comments about the administration being model users of technology.  It is important for the leaders to lead the movement...walk the walk.
• The two sites for information literacy from my article: The Media Literacy Clearinghouse (http://www.frankwbaker.com/) and Common Sense Media (http://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators) .

Describe 2 highlights that caught your attention in our readings for this week.  Why was it significant for you?

• "We need to know how to teach our students to select and evaluate the best information to answer their needs".(18) We keep talking about this issue at our District Technology Meeting.  The kids need to know how to develop a topic from start to finish.  The Big 6 is designed to help with this process.  Keeping in mind the second article I did for my review, we still need to be able to connect the process with appropriate digital citizenship.  They go hand in hand.
• "Your job is to teach your students how to find the answers for themselves, and teach them so well that they will choose to go on finding their own answers."(16) This is all about creating lifelong learners.  This is every educators job!  It needs to be part of the school community.

How is the Internet Log coming?  Questions/concerns?

• The Internet Log is going well.  I have all the sites picked.  I am currently writing a description for each site.

Library Visit Questions?

• This is completed.  But, I would like to go visit the high school libraries to see what they have and how it is arranged and used.

Questions about your Online Database Presentation or your Library Lesson?

• I have begun planning these.  Right now I don't have any questions.

(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.

• I need to be ready to offer suggestions when teachers approach me about technology.  I don't want to turn anyone away.
• Creating a digital newsletter is a fantastic idea.  It is not forceful, just a reminder of what is out there.  It is another way to offer help to teachers.

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.