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.

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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.

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Blog Post 2: Handheld Devices

It seems that year after year, our administration tries to figure out a way to work with the cell phone issue.  One year teachers were required to collect cell phones from students if the cell phone was visible or if it rang, buzzed, or chimed in class.  The students would then have to pay a fine to get their cell phone back from the principal.  Another year, our admin told us to make our own classroom policy for cell phone use.  Hmmmm...that was kind of confusing for the students.  Students have also been told they are allowed to use cell phones only between classes and at lunch.  This year, we have gone back to the "fine" policy.  Every year, I think to myself, cell phones aren't leaving our students anytime soon.   In fact, they keep getting fancier, smarter and parents continue to buy them for their kids.  As educators, we are going to have to keep up with this way of life and begin using them as tools in our classroom.

The article I read, Cell Phones: 21st Century Learning Tools, gave me some great ideas on how students can use their cell phones for education.  Sorrentino(2013) gives her suggestions on how educators can encourage students to "learn about, document and organize their world" through the use of cell phones (Sorrentino, 2013, para 23).

Keypoint 1:  Learn about their world

Sorrentino stated that Liz Kolb, an educator who has now implemented cell phones into her teaching says, "...when student's can connect their own culture with what's happening in school they're education becomes immediately more meaningful to them."(para. 4).  Students have that "ah-ha" moment that every teacher hopes for when they are allowed to complete school work on their cell phone.  The article gives examples of many different apps students can download to become learners outside of the classroom and can get them excited about learning about their world.  Some of the examples are textnovel.com in which students can write a novel using text messaging and textmarks.com which students can create or subscribe to campaigns they are very knowledgeable about.  These two websites teach the student about real life by using their cell phones.   

Keypoint 2:  Document their world

In this article, Sorrentino says that educator Kolb has discovered many apps on how students can document their world.  The one I found most interesting was to become a "mobile journalist"(para. 12). The idea is to document what is going on their world by taking pictures, videos, and notes on their phone as they witness things unfold, for example, their baseball team winning a district game. This can be documented and then sent to a local news station. There is an app from CNN that students can send their stories to as well.  As educators, we can creatively make use of this in almost any class.  

I have sent students around campus with cameras before, but never with their phones as cameras.  I can only imagine their level of excitement while working on a project like this. 

Keypoint 3:  Organize their world

Our cell phones are extremely "smart" these days and what better way to help a student stay organized than teaching them all the tools on their phone to help them accomplish this.  Sorrentino mentions a service call dial2do.com (para. 18).  "It allows you to create speak-to-text messages and e-mails, make calendar appointments, and listen to your calendar through your cell phone."(para. 18).  I remember when I was in school, our teachers required us to use a small notepad to stay organized.  I think students would become more aware of their responsibilities if one day the teacher said, "Ok class, take out your cell phone and type this homework assignment into your calendar."  I believe students would become more successful in class and learn how to organize for their future real world responsibilities. 

Using cell phones in the library:

This past summer, one of our teachers found an app to organize her personal library in her classroom.  She scanned every barcode into her cell phone and when students wanted to check out a book, she was able to keep track of them with her cell phone.  I was amazed at what she could do with her cell phone. I know that libraries keep track of books on the computer, but what a great way to also document and organize books.  

Being introduced to these websites and ideas mentioned in the article, I feel they would also work well in a library setting.  The article mentions a lesson that most students do every year when returning from summer break.  I think it would be great to have a center set up for this topic in the library.  Inform the students before they leave for the summer that they will have the opportunity to share their summer get-aways by using their cell phone when they return.  They must take pictures on their cell phone of the places they went and then share during the first week of school or so.  I can envision students getting genuinely excited about this type of activity.  

Resources

OnOttButton. (2009, December 12). Cell Phones in the Classroom:  Learning Tools for the 21st Century. Retrieved August 18, 2013 from, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXt_de2-HBE

Sorrentino, J. (2013, August 6).  Cell Phones: 21st Century Learning Tools?. www.education.com. Retrieved September 19, 2013, from www.education.com. 

Blog Post 1: Technology Strengths and Weakness

My husband runs his own business, but when it comes to the computer, he hands things over to me.  He frequently tells me that I am so good at working the computer and using technology.  I have to disagree!  There are some things I am pretty good at, but only because of what I have learned as a teacher.

According to the ISTE.Nets, I feel I am strong in some areas, but very weak in others. Most of my strengths in technology are in the area of creativity, communicating with parents, students, and teachers, and bringing real-world issues into the classroom via the internet.  Some of my weakness are being able to use technology in the classroom and using the wide variety of tools available to enrich the learning that takes place.

As an educator, I plan to use my strengths with the school and community.  I consider myself pretty creative and enjoy creating music, videos and working with photography on the computer.  I currently help out with the cheerleaders at our school and put music together for them using Garage Band.  I have taught myself how to work this program and now work with students to help them learn the program as well.  Along with the music, I have put together slide shows and videos for various assemblies for our school.

Another strength I bring to my classroom by use of technology is discussions of real-world issues.  The use of articles on the internet is a daily activity for my students.  Current events are posted on the SmartBoard and research is required through use of laptops.  My goal is for my students to be exposed daily to technology and what is going on in the world outside of the classroom.

Communication has been a challenge for me, but through collaborating with other teachers, we have set up a Facebook page to communicate with students and parents.  Along with the Facebook page, I am currently working on a teacher web-page which will be very helpful as well.

To overcome my weaknesses using technology, I definitely need to not be afraid of it.  To accomplish this, I know that attending workshops and using the tools and skills available to me will have to be used.  The first time my students and I used the new laptops in class, frustration set in!  One by one, I began to have my students work on alternate assignments because of MY lack of experience and confidence.  I tried to make the classroom a technology enriched place of learning, but I found myself spinning my wheels.

In order to improve my instructional strategies by use of technology I would like to learn more about how to troubleshoot problems that occur.  I would also like to learn the most effective tools to use to engage students and how to better communicate with my students and parents.  I do plan on using the blogger.com that I am currently learning with my students.

Sometimes I feel as if I am in a state of limbo; I know that there are tools available, I just have to get to them and use them!


Resources

ISTE-Nets-t. (2012).  Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/nets-t-standards.pdf
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