OPAC (Destiny) + Follett Titlewave = Very Useful Reports
Another bustling day of activity at the high school media center. There are always a slew of classes coming in and out - one definitely gets the vibe that they are welcome here! Working toward a goal of weeding the media center's collection in the upcoming weeks, the MS set out to run a collection age report. Interestingly, the entire collection can be exported to Follett's Titlewave which in turn can generate some extremely useful reports in a matter of minutes! The average age of this school's particular collection (of almost 16,000 titles) was 1986! I don't mean to sound like I am trying to be trite, but I was 14 in 1986! Anyways, the report went so far as to break down each Dewey category and let us know what the age of the collection should be for the various topics. As you can imagine, some of the non-fiction section is severely out of date - such as technology, social sciences, genetics, and planetary resources. Now the process of looking at each individual 'out-of-date' book begins to determine what might still be relevant and what can be weeded out in order to make room for more current titles.
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010 (7.5 hrs) - Running Total: 155.5 Hours
More Book Repair - the 'Never Ending Story'
Today, just as I got caught up on repairing books, a few more came in! It is amazing to me that books are so fragile. I am not sure of the exact number, but apparently a school library book can expect to circulate an average of 10 times before needing to be replaced?!? In other news, I am continuing to prepare and plan for my school-wide reading enrichment unit which involves student videotaped book talks, the morning announcements, an online survey, and an electronic display. A lot of planning goes into these things!
Today, just as I got caught up on repairing books, a few more came in! It is amazing to me that books are so fragile. I am not sure of the exact number, but apparently a school library book can expect to circulate an average of 10 times before needing to be replaced?!? In other news, I am continuing to prepare and plan for my school-wide reading enrichment unit which involves student videotaped book talks, the morning announcements, an online survey, and an electronic display. A lot of planning goes into these things!
Monday, Sept. 20, 2010 (7.5 hrs) - Running Total: 148 Hours
Copyright Discussions and Evaluating Websites Lesson
Today the MS and I discussed Copyright issues- most of which are as clear as 'mud' to me. I find Copyright a difficult issue to master and feel that in order to be well-versed in the laws of Copyright, one would require a degree in law. I also taught two classes of 6th graders how to evaluate websites using a modified version of the C.A.R.S method by Robert Harris and Andrew Spinks. I created a Prezi for the lesson, as well as a checklist. Upon reflection, I feel the lesson was a few levels too difficult for 6th graders. If I were to teach this lesson to 6th graders again, I would show the Prezi -perhaps shortening it somewhat. I would leave out the evaluation checklist for 6th graders, but keep it for 7th or possibly 8th graders; therefore, scaffolding the lessons. I perceive this lesson as a learning experience and now understand better the meaning of flexibility and self-evaluation in terms of planning.r
Today the MS and I discussed Copyright issues- most of which are as clear as 'mud' to me. I find Copyright a difficult issue to master and feel that in order to be well-versed in the laws of Copyright, one would require a degree in law. I also taught two classes of 6th graders how to evaluate websites using a modified version of the C.A.R.S method by Robert Harris and Andrew Spinks. I created a Prezi for the lesson, as well as a checklist. Upon reflection, I feel the lesson was a few levels too difficult for 6th graders. If I were to teach this lesson to 6th graders again, I would show the Prezi -perhaps shortening it somewhat. I would leave out the evaluation checklist for 6th graders, but keep it for 7th or possibly 8th graders; therefore, scaffolding the lessons. I perceive this lesson as a learning experience and now understand better the meaning of flexibility and self-evaluation in terms of planning.r
Friday, Sept. 17, 2010 (4.5 hrs)- Running Total: 140.5 Hours
Reading Enrichment Unit Finalization Planning and Effective Use of Technology Unit Pre-Planning
Continued to finalize plans for a whole school reading enrichment week which includes student booktalks, an electronic display, and a school's top ten teen book list created by having students vote via an online survey. MS and I decided that my 'Leader' lesson will be to teach the district's media specialists how to set up their Google Documents- including spreadsheet uses and possibly Google Sites. Google, an 'In the Cloud' application, was adopted by the county as a resource to help build collaborative efforts among students and teachers as well as reduce paper costs.
Continued to finalize plans for a whole school reading enrichment week which includes student booktalks, an electronic display, and a school's top ten teen book list created by having students vote via an online survey. MS and I decided that my 'Leader' lesson will be to teach the district's media specialists how to set up their Google Documents- including spreadsheet uses and possibly Google Sites. Google, an 'In the Cloud' application, was adopted by the county as a resource to help build collaborative efforts among students and teachers as well as reduce paper costs.
Friday, Sept. 16, 2010 (5 hrs) - Running Total: 136 Hours
Further evaluation of Reference Materials
After several failed attempts at completing an evaluation of the reference materials due to a well-stocked reference section, I decided to re-evaluate my area of focus. Upon telling the MS she had an excellent reference section, she pointed me toward a few items which she wished she had more funds to add to the reference collection. One of which is reference books on Ancient Civilizations and the other is the ever changing section on Technology. Those two subjects will be my focus for my Reference Collection Evaluation assignment.
After several failed attempts at completing an evaluation of the reference materials due to a well-stocked reference section, I decided to re-evaluate my area of focus. Upon telling the MS she had an excellent reference section, she pointed me toward a few items which she wished she had more funds to add to the reference collection. One of which is reference books on Ancient Civilizations and the other is the ever changing section on Technology. Those two subjects will be my focus for my Reference Collection Evaluation assignment.
Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010 (7.5 hours) - Running Total: 131 Hours
PTO Meeting and continued work on Web 2.0 App - Google Sites
This morning I attended the first PTO meeting of the year. The MS was the featured speaker and was asked to highlight some of the databases available to the children inside and outside of school. In addition, the MS was asked to provide a brief overview of the Google system that is now being mandated at the district level. I assisted the MS by manning the computer controls for the Presentation portion and also attended as a Parent since my own child attends this school. After the meeting, I continued to work on the Google Sites presentation that I am putting together as part of my upcoming collaborative unit for the high school that is my secondary site. The teacher would like the students to be able to upload or embed video into their presentations, but it appears that this will not occur due to filters and other restrictions placed on Internet and server access at the district level. Originally the teacher wanted to use PPT, but I had him convinced to try out one of the new Web 2.0 or 'In The Cloud' applications; however, the standard PPT may be a better option for this situation.
This morning I attended the first PTO meeting of the year. The MS was the featured speaker and was asked to highlight some of the databases available to the children inside and outside of school. In addition, the MS was asked to provide a brief overview of the Google system that is now being mandated at the district level. I assisted the MS by manning the computer controls for the Presentation portion and also attended as a Parent since my own child attends this school. After the meeting, I continued to work on the Google Sites presentation that I am putting together as part of my upcoming collaborative unit for the high school that is my secondary site. The teacher would like the students to be able to upload or embed video into their presentations, but it appears that this will not occur due to filters and other restrictions placed on Internet and server access at the district level. Originally the teacher wanted to use PPT, but I had him convinced to try out one of the new Web 2.0 or 'In The Cloud' applications; however, the standard PPT may be a better option for this situation.
Monday, Sept. 13, 2010 (7.5 hrs) - Running Total: 123.5 hours
Prezi and other Web 2.0 Applications
The MS and I made a call to the district Tech person to try and figure out a way to embed or upload video content into any of the available Web 2.0 applications that are available to us (as in, those that are not blocked). While we were able to add video from a few resources with video, this would be a very difficult task for a student to accomplish without many steps - including downloading (which students cannot do on their own drives), converting files to files that are accepted by the various applications, and being locked from major video hosting services like YouTube. The Tech guys suggestion was to provide links in lieu of embedding video (sigh). We also discussed and attempted to create a movie/slideshow using Microsoft Movie Maker, but when it came time to convert the file formats using an online program, the students would not be able to download the newly converted file to their computers, therefore creating a no win situation.
Other tasks today included reconfiguring a Prezi presentation for a PTO meeting that will be held on Tuesday.
The MS and I made a call to the district Tech person to try and figure out a way to embed or upload video content into any of the available Web 2.0 applications that are available to us (as in, those that are not blocked). While we were able to add video from a few resources with video, this would be a very difficult task for a student to accomplish without many steps - including downloading (which students cannot do on their own drives), converting files to files that are accepted by the various applications, and being locked from major video hosting services like YouTube. The Tech guys suggestion was to provide links in lieu of embedding video (sigh). We also discussed and attempted to create a movie/slideshow using Microsoft Movie Maker, but when it came time to convert the file formats using an online program, the students would not be able to download the newly converted file to their computers, therefore creating a no win situation.
Other tasks today included reconfiguring a Prezi presentation for a PTO meeting that will be held on Tuesday.
Thursday, Sept. 9 (3 HS hrs) - Running Total: 113 hours
Collaboration Meeting with 11th Grade History Teacher
Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010 (3 HS hrs) - Running Total: 102.5
Visit to High School Media Center -
I spent three hours at a local high school media center today. The MS was friendly and welcoming and eager to share what she knew about being a high school MS. Due to recent budget cuts, the high schools in our area went from two MS to one MS plus a parapro. During my visit, there were a total of four classes scheduled to visit the media center at one time! Luckily, the size of this MC was able to accommodate a significant number of students granted they weren't all going to need access to a computer. One class was viewing a video on the projection screen, another was working at the computers on an English assignment, the third and fourth classes were combined of two English classes and needed the area to work on collaborative group projects. The MS asked a 9th grade English teacher what they felt students were lacking in terms of information literacy when arriving at secondary school. The English teacher responded that students seemed to lack the ability to conduct effective Internet searches in regard to locating and evaluating information pertained through search tools such as Google. The MS and I also discussed varying Web 2.0 tools and discovered that many tools were blocked at the district level.
I spent three hours at a local high school media center today. The MS was friendly and welcoming and eager to share what she knew about being a high school MS. Due to recent budget cuts, the high schools in our area went from two MS to one MS plus a parapro. During my visit, there were a total of four classes scheduled to visit the media center at one time! Luckily, the size of this MC was able to accommodate a significant number of students granted they weren't all going to need access to a computer. One class was viewing a video on the projection screen, another was working at the computers on an English assignment, the third and fourth classes were combined of two English classes and needed the area to work on collaborative group projects. The MS asked a 9th grade English teacher what they felt students were lacking in terms of information literacy when arriving at secondary school. The English teacher responded that students seemed to lack the ability to conduct effective Internet searches in regard to locating and evaluating information pertained through search tools such as Google. The MS and I also discussed varying Web 2.0 tools and discovered that many tools were blocked at the district level.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010 (7.5 hrs) - Running Total: 99.5 Hours
Planning for Instructional Partner Teaching Unit
The Media Specialist was being utilized most of the day to teach staff how to navigate Google Docs. Therefore, I spent a majority of the day helping with a variety of tasks with running the media center - mostly helping our parent volunteers and students with their varying needs. In addition, I was able to begin the pre-planning portion of my teaching unit by narrowing the area of focus. Much of what I have completed to date consists of informal observation regarding the way students are conducting research within our media center (Google vs. other search engines and the Gale database). The research habits of the students to date lead me to believe that they are not yet able to efficiently and effectively evaluate online resources outside of the school's database and teacher approved sites. Because state testing has very few questions pertinent to this area of 21st century learning, I intend to gather information by polling the teachers and students using a Google Poll to confirm that this is an area of concern or need. In anticipation that the poll will result in the students not having the skills necessary to efficiently and correctly evaluate such websites, I compiled a list of the standards (using the AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner in Action) that need to be addressed within my lesson.
The Media Specialist was being utilized most of the day to teach staff how to navigate Google Docs. Therefore, I spent a majority of the day helping with a variety of tasks with running the media center - mostly helping our parent volunteers and students with their varying needs. In addition, I was able to begin the pre-planning portion of my teaching unit by narrowing the area of focus. Much of what I have completed to date consists of informal observation regarding the way students are conducting research within our media center (Google vs. other search engines and the Gale database). The research habits of the students to date lead me to believe that they are not yet able to efficiently and effectively evaluate online resources outside of the school's database and teacher approved sites. Because state testing has very few questions pertinent to this area of 21st century learning, I intend to gather information by polling the teachers and students using a Google Poll to confirm that this is an area of concern or need. In anticipation that the poll will result in the students not having the skills necessary to efficiently and correctly evaluate such websites, I compiled a list of the standards (using the AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner in Action) that need to be addressed within my lesson.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 (7.5 hours) - Running Total: 92.5
Book Fair and Curriculum Night
Book Fair continues...
So far the popular books at the book fair are the Hunger Games Trilogy (a favorite of mine), The Lightning Thief series, and a book that contains words 'Yoda' and 'Origami'? Working the book fair has provided me with insight that I hope to one day be able to apply to my own media center. I also continued to look up reference books applicable to the Science curriculum (using the GPS as a point of reference) for sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. I believe I will be able to put my order together next week with regard to a few areas in the reference collection that may need some more reference resources. In addition to the above, I continue to work at the circulation desk and am enjoying getting to know the students and faculty! I also found a few minutes to cover a few of the books I processed last week so that they could be placed into circulation - hard to believe how busy we are and how many 'hats' the media specialist must wear!
Book Fair continues...
So far the popular books at the book fair are the Hunger Games Trilogy (a favorite of mine), The Lightning Thief series, and a book that contains words 'Yoda' and 'Origami'? Working the book fair has provided me with insight that I hope to one day be able to apply to my own media center. I also continued to look up reference books applicable to the Science curriculum (using the GPS as a point of reference) for sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. I believe I will be able to put my order together next week with regard to a few areas in the reference collection that may need some more reference resources. In addition to the above, I continue to work at the circulation desk and am enjoying getting to know the students and faculty! I also found a few minutes to cover a few of the books I processed last week so that they could be placed into circulation - hard to believe how busy we are and how many 'hats' the media specialist must wear!
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