Summer Reading

Mrs. Cranford's Summer Reading List
You may read a book from the 2018 or 2017 TAYSHAS or LONE STAR list. Books can be checked out at the Gary Media Center beginning in June.  You may also check out a book from the Sammy Brown Library; they are aware of your summer reading list.  If you purchase the book and donate it back to the Gary Media Center, you will receive a 100 daily grade (extra credit).

• A Tayshas book will start your grade at a 100.

http://www.txla.org/groups/tayshas

• A Lone Star book will start your grade at an 80.

http://www.txla.org/groups/lone-star 

• This must be a new book for you.  I will not accept a book on which you have already completed a 1 pager. A typed 1 pager is due the first day of class.  The 1 pager template is attached, and the format must be in MLA style.

One Pager Link:
https://cranfordela.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/b1700-trackingyourthinking.pdf
Sample 1 pager

Blog Post 4: Technology Leadership Role of School Librarians

Brady, a 3rd grade student, was struggling with math, which in turn, led to behavior problems in the classroom.  During another of many visits, the principal and his parents in a conference, Brady was questioned about his math work and his behavior.  His parents continued to say that no matter what punishment was given, it just didn't seem to work on this little guy.  He again pleaded that he was extremely remorseful about his failing math grades, incomplete work, and promises were made that a change in behavior would indeed happen.

This type of behavior is seen quite frequently in schools today.  Even though this story seems all too common and very frustrating for everyone, Brady's story had a positive outcome thanks to collaboration between the librarian, teachers and the use of technology.

In the article, "Technology in the Classroom:  The Benefits of Blended Learning" Huneycutt (2013) stated that "[technology] makes students more excited to learn." (p. 1).  Students are now engaged with technology in every aspect of their life.  The youth of today are constantly engaged in some type of technology whether it is a cell phone, ipod, or some type of tablet.  Kids are also reading online books instead of buying an actual book.

Huneycutt (2013)stated that when technology is integrated into school lessons, learners are more likely to be interested in, focused on, and excited about the subjects  they are studying.  Subjects that might be monotonous for some -like math and science- can be much more engaging with virtual lessons, tutoring, and the streaming of educational videos. (p.1).

According to Huneycutt, the benefits of technology in education can definitely help this generation of students succeed in the classroom.

The AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner (2007) state that "school librarians collaborate with others to provide instruction, learning strategies, and practice in using the essential learning skills needed in the 21st century."(p.2).  School librarians are now becoming the "go-to" person in this information age.  With all the tools currently available on the internet, librarians can now help teachers rework curriculum to target those students who are bored from the old methods of teaching.  When students become bored, this seemed to be the problem with Brady as well.  With the librarian as a guide, the teacher was able to rework more technology into the class which was a benefit to all the students as well.

In the article, 21st Century Librarians and Computer Teachers, Angel and Morrison (2013) discussed that sessions, along with coaching support, enabled teachers to continue instruction back in their  classrooms.  Migrating our technology resource staff in to the role of instructional coaches was vital in helping the classroom teacher meet the divers needs of their students while embedding technology throughout the Common Core Curriculum. (p.1).

As teachers and librarians begin to collaborate to integrate technology in today's classrooms, the success of students will continue to rise.  In Brady's case, because of the knowledge and support of the school librarian and teachers, math programs, apps, and videos were discovered which prove to be successful for this student.

In conclusion, classes such as media and technology courses can prove very beneficial and vital for librarians to stay ahead in this ever evolving technological world. The subject matter demonstrated in these types of courses instructs a librarian in the concept of creating a blog, using a variety of web 2.0 tools, and creating a website which can also be implemented with students who are the future of the world of technology.

Resources:

Angel, N. and Morrison, V.(2013). 21st Century Librarians & Computer Teachers:  Transitioning into information literacy and technology coaches. creativeeducator.tech. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from creativeeducator.com.

Huneycutt, T.(2013, October 8). Technology in the Classroom: The Benefits of Blended Learning.  http://nms.org. Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http:/nms.org.

American Association of School Libraries. (2007). Standards for the 21st Century Learner (ed., Vol., pp. 2-2). Chicago, Illinois: American Library Association.

Final Website Project

http://trishell1.wix.com/garylibrary

Class Projects

Diigo List

https://www.diigo.com/list/trishell411/SLIS+5720/2su6mbjpd

VoiceThread Discussion

Blog Post 3: Technology Implementation Strategies

During the last few months as a graduate student and step mother, I have learned many new things regarding technology in our world today.  The technology class I am enrolled in has taken me out of my technology comfort zone and pushed me to learn new tools for my future not only in education, but life in general.  Not only will these tools be applied to my classroom and library(one day), my husband has already been asking me create a website for his business.  Also, while helping my 8 year old step son with 3rd grade math, I decided to dig into some Web2.0 tools to spark his interest.  He loves the math games I found and is beginning to improve in class.  With this said, the article, Technology Integration: Ideas That Work, shared many ways to use technology in our classrooms, which can also be beneficial in our lives and our children's lives.  

The article states that technology is no longer being taught as a subject but is being used as a tool to teach our subjects (Star, 2011, para 2).   I have to agree with Star.  By watching my stepson get excited about math when using a math game website, I realized how these tools must be used to reach our students.

Keypoint 1:  Websites

The article discusses how websites are an essential tool to use in the classroom and library.  Websites such as refdesk.com can be used to gather a wealth of information for teachers to use daily in their classroom (para 5-6).  Students, teachers and librarians can search weather, foreign languages, and current events.  Another example of using websites was for students to communicate to each other through the chosen site of the teacher.  The teacher can monitor students' conversations and facilitate with the assignments.  Other examples that were mentioned for teachers and librarians to use were blogging sites, puzzlemakers, epals and brainboosters.

Keypoint 2:  Excel/Powerpoint/Word Processing

I didn't realize how valuable a tool Excel, Powerpoint and word processing could be until I read the article.

Word processing can be used in a variety ways on a daily basis in the classroom.  One teacher states that each day she has the students type something on their word processors stating what they have learned that day.  The students would then have to take the page home at the end of the week for parents to see (para 23).

PowerPoint can be used as final presentations during research projects.  One example mentioned was that students were assigned a research project over World War II.  Students were able to pull facts and pictures from the internet to create their powerpoint presentation (para 14).

Excel is also a great tool to create charts and graphs with students.  This can be used in all subject areas.

Keypoint 3: Teacher and Administrators

Most students come to school already having more knowledge and experience using technology than teachers.  The article gives examples of teachers learning the technology and starting off slow with their students.  The teachers begin to learn the technology from the students.  This has made their confidence level rise and made them able to become even more creative with technology as a tool in the classroom.

Administrators are also an important factor in the success of technology in our education system.  The article states that administrators should make sure their teachers are provided with the technology and also the instruction on how to use the technology.  Without the support of the administrators, the technology program would most likely be very weak.

One new strategy that I plan to use in my classroom or library is for my students to "write their brains out".  Dr.  Squires suggests that the most powerful skill to teach students is writing.  He suggests that students use the word processor, email, text messages, and chat rooms to "write their brains out" (para 25-30).  Brilliant!

Another strategy that I plan on using in my classroom or library are websites like refdesk.com that have a thought of the day, word of the day and current events.  Many insightful discussions and learning can take place daily with these types of topics.

Resources:

Starr, L. (2011, June 14).  Technology Integration: Ideas That Work.  www.educationworld.com. Retrieved November 2, 2013, from www.educationworld.com.