Friday, April 15, 2011
Where to go....
I've learned so much this term. The readings were great. The discussions were good. And the assignments were very useful!! I think I am on the right path to becoming an excellent librarian. There is still lots of work to do. Before my course work started I feel I was a passionate librarian with amazing lessons and the kids loved it. Now I still feel I have that, but I have added so much more. I feel I am much stronger in the philosophy side. I understand the technical aspects to the job. I know the terminology. I feel confident enough to talk to veteran librarians and talk to them on their level and not show a weakness or fear of being embarrassed from lack of knowledge. I am looking forward to my last 2 courses as I see the whole diploma now becoming one big piece that has really pushed me into becoming a better librarian.
Changing a teacher - reflection
This assignment seemed like a daunting task at first, but I am so happy to have completed it. Using the CBAM Model I was able to work with a teacher that I am close with and we have lots of trust and faith in each other. I set up a plan with where he was and how I can help him become a better teacher in using the library to his advantage. Because of this assignment I am now looking at the rest of the teachers in my school (small staff) and thinking about how I can informally try to change them without them knowing it. I am aware of the steps and the process and I feel that with gentle hinting and light directional pushing I can take these teachers to the next couple of steps. They will become better teachers without even knowing it.
Two teachers have already taken on this challenge and it has worked and they were not even aware they were doing this. I approached both grade 6/7 teachers about having their students do reading assignments in library. They had to pick a picture book and read to the class. I said this can be a good starting point for them and we can brainstorm some ideas about where to take this. After the weekend, one teacher came back and had this whole idea about the kids adding props/IT/or any other idea to their book choice and creating a full project/presentation. We had 3 of them on Thursday and they were amazing. Using youtube and power point and reading their books as well as giving background information on their topic. We were very happy. The other teacher asked me about not just reading picture books but wants students to do non-fiction picture books or picture books with a moral or point or hot discussion topic to them. Then that class will work in small groups of 2 or 3 to create a presentation about their book and topic. So I showed that class about some of all the amazing different picture books that would work for their presentations and how they can use them in a presentation.
Both teachers jumped on board and with a little push they started moving up the levels of the CBAM model. I was very impressed as I can see what is happen from a technical standpoint and not just go through the motions of creating amazing library lessons. I am much more aware of my actions then I was a few short months ago.
Two teachers have already taken on this challenge and it has worked and they were not even aware they were doing this. I approached both grade 6/7 teachers about having their students do reading assignments in library. They had to pick a picture book and read to the class. I said this can be a good starting point for them and we can brainstorm some ideas about where to take this. After the weekend, one teacher came back and had this whole idea about the kids adding props/IT/or any other idea to their book choice and creating a full project/presentation. We had 3 of them on Thursday and they were amazing. Using youtube and power point and reading their books as well as giving background information on their topic. We were very happy. The other teacher asked me about not just reading picture books but wants students to do non-fiction picture books or picture books with a moral or point or hot discussion topic to them. Then that class will work in small groups of 2 or 3 to create a presentation about their book and topic. So I showed that class about some of all the amazing different picture books that would work for their presentations and how they can use them in a presentation.
Both teachers jumped on board and with a little push they started moving up the levels of the CBAM model. I was very impressed as I can see what is happen from a technical standpoint and not just go through the motions of creating amazing library lessons. I am much more aware of my actions then I was a few short months ago.
Resource Collection Reflection
I found this assignment to be very useful. This assignment forced me to actually look at the numbers of my collection. This included the age and the usage and then create a plan that would be used in how to fix any issues that I saw arise from the library collection. I also like how this assignment helped me put on paper a plan of attack in the steps that I would use in helping to create a better resource collection. I was a little shocked when I started this assignment. I knew I had some older books but I didn't think my collection was that dated.
Weeding... this was discussed and we learned about it back in the first couple lessons of the course. It has been on my list of things to get done in my library for a couple years now. I was finally able to keep this library for a couple of years without being bumped out of a job, so now is the time to get it done. I managed to bring the library up to date in a couple ways. One being the blog I created. So there is now an IT portion to the library that has been missing. I also managed to create ownership in the library with the students learning about the library operation and helping me with lots of work (shelving and maintaining the shelves and the books), so now the last 2 big tasks I need to do are weeding and an inventory. I learned from this assignment about the old age of my collection (which is good compared to some libraries I've seen) but I know weeding can help this.
I also like how this assignment helped me include the staff in the options for the plan. The assignment reassured me that I have been doing a good job. Done lots so far. Changed attitudes with the staff. And they are ready to take the next step in helping me with creating a better library collection.
Weeding... this was discussed and we learned about it back in the first couple lessons of the course. It has been on my list of things to get done in my library for a couple years now. I was finally able to keep this library for a couple of years without being bumped out of a job, so now is the time to get it done. I managed to bring the library up to date in a couple ways. One being the blog I created. So there is now an IT portion to the library that has been missing. I also managed to create ownership in the library with the students learning about the library operation and helping me with lots of work (shelving and maintaining the shelves and the books), so now the last 2 big tasks I need to do are weeding and an inventory. I learned from this assignment about the old age of my collection (which is good compared to some libraries I've seen) but I know weeding can help this.
I also like how this assignment helped me include the staff in the options for the plan. The assignment reassured me that I have been doing a good job. Done lots so far. Changed attitudes with the staff. And they are ready to take the next step in helping me with creating a better library collection.
Atlases
Much like the debate in the encyclopedia section, there are pros and cons for both of these.
I feel having recent maps with political breakdowns and geographical breakdowns are excellent sources to have in the library. I recently got a whole 3" binder of one off maps for areas all around the world. Each country/city/world area is in this 3 ring binder and it cost me under $75. The company name slips my mind now, but it is very good. What is great about a source like this is for when students are doing country projects. The computer lab is not always free so sometimes doing their country research in the library or their classroom they not only need books and/or encyclopedias, but having a source like this where the teacher can put on the one page map from the binder and pass it to the students to work at their desks makes a huge difference in the teacher's lesson plans. Much more flexible.
Another positive is the world map is not changing as much as it was in the 1990s. Countries are more stable now. The former USSR countries have settled, so the changers that do happen tend to be a much smaller scale.
Online atlases are great. I have some on my weblog for my library for the students to use for their homework. I would not shy away from using them. However I will always push for a real map in their hands as this is a very valuable skill for a student to learn at the elementary age.
Where am I going?
I really like the link that you have posted about Texas and I plan to add that to my library blog. Much like my opinion on online encyclopedias/dictionaries/resources I am starting to become much more confident in this area and feel like am I really making a difference with my knowledge in helping the students' learning and making the teachers' lives less complicated. I feel like I have learned so much this past few months with both of my online UBC courses. Both classes were giving me so many great ideas and suggestions on things I can add to my skills. Working with online atlases is just another one of those great pieces of knowledge to know about and it really makes me stand out as a great and knowledgable librarian.
I feel having recent maps with political breakdowns and geographical breakdowns are excellent sources to have in the library. I recently got a whole 3" binder of one off maps for areas all around the world. Each country/city/world area is in this 3 ring binder and it cost me under $75. The company name slips my mind now, but it is very good. What is great about a source like this is for when students are doing country projects. The computer lab is not always free so sometimes doing their country research in the library or their classroom they not only need books and/or encyclopedias, but having a source like this where the teacher can put on the one page map from the binder and pass it to the students to work at their desks makes a huge difference in the teacher's lesson plans. Much more flexible.
Another positive is the world map is not changing as much as it was in the 1990s. Countries are more stable now. The former USSR countries have settled, so the changers that do happen tend to be a much smaller scale.
Online atlases are great. I have some on my weblog for my library for the students to use for their homework. I would not shy away from using them. However I will always push for a real map in their hands as this is a very valuable skill for a student to learn at the elementary age.
Where am I going?
I really like the link that you have posted about Texas and I plan to add that to my library blog. Much like my opinion on online encyclopedias/dictionaries/resources I am starting to become much more confident in this area and feel like am I really making a difference with my knowledge in helping the students' learning and making the teachers' lives less complicated. I feel like I have learned so much this past few months with both of my online UBC courses. Both classes were giving me so many great ideas and suggestions on things I can add to my skills. Working with online atlases is just another one of those great pieces of knowledge to know about and it really makes me stand out as a great and knowledgable librarian.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Databases
My school district has the EREC package, but I as I posted on the discussions, I feel it is not being used to its potential. This would be my fault as I have not promoted it the way it should be. I feel I have spent this past 6 months just catching up with IT at my job. I now have a very successful blog for my library that is getting lots of use. Over 1600 hits since January. I now have the students on board with using the blog as a good homework tool and resource. Before this term I was not too familiar with blogs and wikis and other online databases. We are a small school that tended to shy away from IT, but a few of us have taken on the lead in trying to change this.
I also posted in the discussions about a couple of interesting online databases:
Factmonster and Infotopia. Factmonster is great for homework and info and Infotopia is a place for safe database searching for kids. The students are now using these and the others on my blog. To view that blog for the other sites go to:
http://erringtonlibrary.blogspot.com or google Errington Library
The next step in the game for me is to get the teacher on board with using the resources the district has paid for and given to us. My job over the next little bit (now that the term is over for both classes) will be to spend some time learning a little more about the online services from EREC and all the possibilities and then spend some time talking to the staff about them.
This is actually starting on Friday morning as I will be speaking to my staff about a webpage called "Enchanted Learning" that I learned about this term from either you (or my other class) and I will be giving the staff a chance to have a look about the webpage and see if this is something that us as a staff would like to purchase.
I feel like I am on the right track. I have really caught up with the trends in library and I am moving in the right direction. Instead of being a follower in the industry in my district I now am starting to feel like I am in the position to become more of a leader which is something I am really looking forward to doing and enjoy doing.
I also posted in the discussions about a couple of interesting online databases:
Factmonster and Infotopia. Factmonster is great for homework and info and Infotopia is a place for safe database searching for kids. The students are now using these and the others on my blog. To view that blog for the other sites go to:
http://erringtonlibrary.blogspot.com or google Errington Library
The next step in the game for me is to get the teacher on board with using the resources the district has paid for and given to us. My job over the next little bit (now that the term is over for both classes) will be to spend some time learning a little more about the online services from EREC and all the possibilities and then spend some time talking to the staff about them.
This is actually starting on Friday morning as I will be speaking to my staff about a webpage called "Enchanted Learning" that I learned about this term from either you (or my other class) and I will be giving the staff a chance to have a look about the webpage and see if this is something that us as a staff would like to purchase.
I feel like I am on the right track. I have really caught up with the trends in library and I am moving in the right direction. Instead of being a follower in the industry in my district I now am starting to feel like I am in the position to become more of a leader which is something I am really looking forward to doing and enjoy doing.
Encyclopedias
There are lots of good and bad things about encyclopedias and I still think that they can serve a purpose in the right situation in a school. I believe elementary schools are much better suited for them as the teens are far better at navigating the databases for information. I feel that the students in elementary school still should learn this skill and learn about these sources as part of their growing.
This year one of my classes was doing a country study and I have 2 older sets in my library that do not get used that often. I had actually thought about getting rid of them. However, after this project I think I have changed my mind. The students had to find some background information on a country they have not been to before. Even though the books were older the tourist sites and city names don't change. This was a good place for them to start to find information that was direct and what they needed. These students were in grade 5.
However, the down side is the cost that goes with a buying a set and how quickly they really can become dated. I am not sure if I am wiling to buy a new set as I can put that money towards online encyclopedias and spend more time teaching the students how to navigate those databases. They are always up to date which is a nice feature.
I feel this term at my school and with UBC I have learned that there still is a place in the library for a good encyclopedia. The cost is a big issue, but if you happen to be in a school with a big budget, then you are very lucky and this can be a possible purchase. My school happens to be one of those schools and this could be something that I will look at doing in the future.
This year one of my classes was doing a country study and I have 2 older sets in my library that do not get used that often. I had actually thought about getting rid of them. However, after this project I think I have changed my mind. The students had to find some background information on a country they have not been to before. Even though the books were older the tourist sites and city names don't change. This was a good place for them to start to find information that was direct and what they needed. These students were in grade 5.
However, the down side is the cost that goes with a buying a set and how quickly they really can become dated. I am not sure if I am wiling to buy a new set as I can put that money towards online encyclopedias and spend more time teaching the students how to navigate those databases. They are always up to date which is a nice feature.
I feel this term at my school and with UBC I have learned that there still is a place in the library for a good encyclopedia. The cost is a big issue, but if you happen to be in a school with a big budget, then you are very lucky and this can be a possible purchase. My school happens to be one of those schools and this could be something that I will look at doing in the future.
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