Blog Post 5 - Conclusion

I was asked how I specifically plan to implement technology in an educational setting. Here is what I have decided.

I had such a good time making the video podcast that I think that I will continue making them.  I plan on making vodcasts for the scientific method, public speaking, and reading fluency.  These are three areas my students need help in and I feel this format will help reach them.  It will be new to them so it will hold their interest and give them a way to access the information repeatedly. 

I also plan and teaching my students how to evaluate websites.  The need to be able to determine is a site has accurate information and meets their needs.  Then, they can do research with confidence.

Next, I want to have them create wikis.  This is a great way for them to share information with each other and show what they have learned.  They can use their research skills to find the information, and display their expository writing skills while creating the wiki. 

Last, I plan to have my students blog their reading responses.  This will make it easy for me to grade because I will not have to collect their journals.  Also, other students can comment and see what others are reading.

Technology Project 5- Video Podcast- Library Buzz

This is my video podcast for SLIS 5720.  I took into account the feedback I got.  Thank you for all the suggestions.

Bolg Post 4- "The Job of Organizing"

I was asked to consider the following and respond:

"Organizing books and materials used to be in the domain of professionally trained catalogers and indexers. Now, through Web 2.0, it is in the hands of everyday "folk." What are the implications of this trend for librarians? Also, for additional food for thought, go to your Delicious site and examine your list of tags. In your opinion, are these tags more or less helpful than traditional subject headings?"

I feel like the trend of everyone being able to organize materials for them selves is helpful to librarians.  I remember growing up and feeling like it was a secret code the way items were organized in a library.  I always felt lost in libraries when I first went to them.  I like being able to organize books and materials in my own way.  As a teacher, I had to organize my classroom library.  I started off by organizing by genre, just like a library, and soon found my students could never find anything.  After talking with them, I discovered they expected to find the books in the classroom arranged by reading level.  Once I did that, they not only found what they wanted but also were more active in reading books.  They had different expectations in the library.  They wanted it arranged by genre because they had call numbers to use to help them find what they wanted.

I feel it is the same with the Web 2.0 trend.  We find items easier when natural language is used to catalog and organize material.  This implies that library patrons would feel more comfortable in libraries is they could use natural language to search.  I found my tags on Delicious very helpful because they are the words I would search with.  Delicious offered suggested tags for some websites and I found those to be exactly what I would use.  When searching in Ebsco for journal articles, I have found that they tag an article with words that never once appear in the article.  This is frustrating because words may be related but not synonymous.  If natural language had been used I feel I would not face that problem.  Everyday “folk” are the patrons of the library, so it makes sense to arrange books and materials in a way that uses natural language.       

Blog Post-3 "The Machine Is Us/ing Us"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=NLlGopyXT_g

My class was asked, after a reading assignment, to view a video on Web 2.0, and then answer the questions below.  I have included the question because I hope others will think about this too, because this really got me thinking.

“The title of the video that you were asked to view this week is "Web 2.0 ... The Machine is Us/Using Us." Referencing what you have learned about Web 2.0 through the readings in the Courtney text and through watching the video, why do you think that Professor Wesch gave this title to the video?”

It is interesting to me that we had to watch this video.  I was recently at a teachers’ conference and attended a technology breakout session where we started with this video.  I mention this because I think this video and its use show how relevant this topic is.  In education the push is for more collaboration, and the defining characteristic of Web 2.0 is collaboration.  This is not a new idea, but an old idea seeing resurgence. I think Professor Wesch gave the video this title to show that we are driving Web 2.0.  People are the force behind the machine.  Collaboration is working because we have new, and better ways to work together.  I do not have to stand-alone in my classroom lost on how to reach a student.  I can reach out to other teachers on my campus and world wide, and get ideas.  My students can reach out to other students and work on a project together.  In another class I am taking we do peer review of assignments through email and features in Word that allow us to leave notes.  I do not have to physically hold another’s paper to edit it.  In yet another class, we used Google Doc to create an assignment together.  Once person was not responsible for all of the typing.  Everyone could contribute.  We could truly collaborate and drive the machine.  I see libraries sharing more resources.  How about when a librarian has a really great lesson on research?  Imagine turning that into a podcast that can be shared.  Everyone can share the strengths.  We can work together in ways that we find exciting and so will our students.    

 

Blog Post 2- Handheld Devices

With a $10,000 budget for handheld devices, I would like to split the money between two types of devices: MP3 players and E-readers.

First, I would buy 50 mp3 players at $50.00 each.  Checking on Amazon.com, you can get mp3 players that range in price from $23.00 - $60.00, the differences are features like FM radios built in.  The $50.00 range did not have built in radios and had more memory.  Many dyslexic and learning disabled students can comprehend reading on a higher level than they can process. Students with reading and learning disabilities would be able to check these out of the library with their textbooks already loaded, since most textbooks come with audio cds.  This will allow them to listen to the textbooks.  As they have reading assignments, they can have audio books loaded as well. This will allow them to do grade level work without the frustrations caused by their disabilities.  Audio books will also help the ELL students increase their language acquisition by allowing them to hear natural language more often.

Second, I would buy 75 E-readers at $100.00 each. Again I checked Amazon.com and they have used and refurbished Kindles for $85.00 - $100.00.  By getting them used and refurbished they are cheaper and less likely to get stolen.  I have found that reluctant readers will try new books and read more when technology is involved. Also, avid readers would loose less classroom time checking out new books every few days.  When the latest favorite book is released, it is difficult for every student, who wants to read it, to gain access.  E-readers would give students access to books that have limited availability on the shelves, and access to more books at one time. If students need to do research, they have access to many books, and can even highlight text and make notes. Librarians can gauge student interest before purchasing books as well. E-readers have free samples of books. Librarians can have students read the sample and critique what they read, then use this information to determine if there would be enough interest to purchase one or more copies of a book.

Policies would have to be created to protect the handheld devices, and the students ability to use them.

Blog Post 1 Individual Technology Assessment

As an educator, what are your present strengths and weaknesses in technology? How do you plan to use your strengths? How do you plan to address the weaknesses?

Where to begin? This is the first time time I have ever blogged. As an educator I use technology everyday. I am pretty efficient with document cameras and projectors.  I have used Power Points, spreadsheets, and word processing documents for years. These are things that are old hat for me. I would consider them as strengths. I could see using all of these in a library to help teacher students to use the library, do research, and access websites. I have been playing with making movies in class and see this as a fun way to get students to read. This would not be a strength, yet it is not a weakness, more a work in progress. 

I think a weakness I have is social networking. I don't like twitter and I have never blogged before. I can see the possible uses for these in a library, but I work with kids who don't have access to computers. I am not a very organized person so creating databases are a weakness, but I am taking classes and practicing to help with that. Creating a website would be another weakness. I have never done that before, but I do know where to go for help.

Well, that's about it for now. If I think of more, I will add it as I go.