An e-book is the digital media equivalent of a conventional printed book. Such documents are usually read on personal computers or even cell phones. Such technology is not only easy to access and convenient to the user, but it may be just the thing to promote reading among our students at all age levels. E-books have many positive attributes for both users and media centers alike. For example, clicking is easier than page-turning. You can customize the viewing experience (enlarge font size and style, change orientation on device, modify screen contrast). There is also technology available that allows the user to change to audible and have text read to them. E-books offer the potential to add multimedia (graphics, audio, and video) and hyperlinks to other information. When using e-books, book marking, highlighting and annotating capabilities are available.
There are advantages for media specialists and libraries as well. E-Texts can be modified for various reading ages, degree of violence, amount of offensive language, etc. They require less library space, shelf reading, inventory time, weeding, repair and replacement. E-books are even environmentally friendly because they save trees and paper and avoid pollution (caused by inks, dyes, coloring).
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Technology Training in Schools- Hensley
Our School has an advantage in the use of technology. Each classroom has an ActivBoard to use when teaching. Over the last few years, I've seen the staff's technology awareness and knowledge grow. One reason that I feel that this has occurred is the fact that there are training sessions and people available to assist with technological needs. Our county's technology department offers monthly and often bi-monthly technology instruction. There are always a wide variety of topics and the topics are geared to different levels. These classes are not mandatory, but there is usually a pretty good turn out because the classes address needs that are relevent to our teachers. WE also have trainings on occasion for new programs that are being implemented in the school and/or county. These trainings are usually mandatory, but they are beneficial. These trainings are usually, filled with lots of information and are sometimes overwhelming.
The only problem that I see with the trainings is that they are always at the end of the day, and sometimes people just want to leave as soon as they can. I'm not sure what the alternatives would be to this situation.
If I were in charge of technology training within the school, one thing that I feel I would change would be that I would send out surveys to see what the needs of staff are. I might also make it a requirement that at teachers attend at least one training session throughout the year.
The only problem that I see with the trainings is that they are always at the end of the day, and sometimes people just want to leave as soon as they can. I'm not sure what the alternatives would be to this situation.
If I were in charge of technology training within the school, one thing that I feel I would change would be that I would send out surveys to see what the needs of staff are. I might also make it a requirement that at teachers attend at least one training session throughout the year.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Technology Training
About two years ago our media specialists and area lead teachers had a faculty meeting for this very subject. I still have the handout they gave us during the meeting (in fact I have it in front of me right now). The heading was Promoting Engagment Using Technology. In fact, I actually just typed it into a Word document and put on the school web site at http://stu.westga.edu/~mperkin2/Promoting%20Engagement%20Using%20Technology.doc. This was the one meeting that stands out in my four years at this school that was really worth while. I don't always remember the website (unless I go back to this sheet which I keep handy) but I remember them going through them in our faculty meeting and quickly introducing us to all of them. I also remember that day in the meeting that we (the teachers present) said things like, "We'll never remember this." But it was my first introduction to GPB.org and if you read my last blog, I can't live without it! I have also used the webquest site and now that I am looking at it, I think I will visit the virtual manipulatives site.
The media specialists and the area lead teachers had a productive meeting for many reasons. This was something useful that teachers need for instruction. They also carefully organized them on a sheet of paper so we could quickly grab it when we needed it. And last, they did not stand around with a lot of talk and jabber. They got right to the point in the meeting showing us and getting us to go to the web sites while they showed us. It was very informal and at the time sort of overwhelming, but in hind sight, I hope that one day I will give technology training that is this memorable and useful to my co-workers.
The media specialists and the area lead teachers had a productive meeting for many reasons. This was something useful that teachers need for instruction. They also carefully organized them on a sheet of paper so we could quickly grab it when we needed it. And last, they did not stand around with a lot of talk and jabber. They got right to the point in the meeting showing us and getting us to go to the web sites while they showed us. It was very informal and at the time sort of overwhelming, but in hind sight, I hope that one day I will give technology training that is this memorable and useful to my co-workers.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Technology and Staff Development
Clearly at my school, neither technological abilities among faculty members nor technology related staff development are not where they should be. Typically, our current staff development involves three or four one-shot “sit and get” sessions spread across the year, each on a different topic than the one before, that are attended by most or all educators in the organization. A “one size fits all” model is used, meaning that there is relatively little differentiation between, say, music teachers and math teachers and industrial arts teachers. Rarely is there follow-up. Rarely is there sustained, focused conversation about a specific learning issue over time. The end result, of course, is that most school staff development practices have little to no meaningful impact on instructional practice and/or student learning outcomes.
There need to be means by which teachers can tap into their technological needs whenever necessary based on individual needs. I think that a media specialist can find great benefit in using such tools like blogs, podcasts and wikis. These web-based tools can allow time flexibility which may finally to provide the type of professional development that can allow ongoing participation with a group with similar concerns and interests and can also allow the users to go back as often as possibly to refresh their memories on how to use the technology in question.
There need to be means by which teachers can tap into their technological needs whenever necessary based on individual needs. I think that a media specialist can find great benefit in using such tools like blogs, podcasts and wikis. These web-based tools can allow time flexibility which may finally to provide the type of professional development that can allow ongoing participation with a group with similar concerns and interests and can also allow the users to go back as often as possibly to refresh their memories on how to use the technology in question.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Video Distribution, School News via TV and GPB Resources
Well first of all I can't tell you how much I have used GPB.org in the last four years of my new teacher experience. Short video clips aid in the teaching of very difficult physics concepts. Biology through the eyes of Georgia Public Broadcasting looks like the most exciting world to live in. It offers accompanying sheets for students to use while viewing or after viewing that help to analyze and summarize the topic. I do not use it all the time as students would grow tired of it. I have on occasion used it when I am going to be absent. It is an easy way for a substitute to give a lesson without necessarily knowing the content.
As for school TV news, we used to have it at my high school. It was the highlight of Friday at school for the students. They would scream, "Turn the TV on." Because the "student" news team might feature the basketball team, the step team or lots of shots around campus. It was always done in good humor and really impressive to me that teens could put together such a fun, informative five-minute show about their campus. It really seemed to bond this very big school.
Also at my high school, the media specialist can make videos for teacher of programs in the public TV domain. This is not used very often in high schools but it is an option. She runs what is viewed on all the TVs in the school through her output system. She can send something via the TV to a particular room if it is requested. This part of the media specialist's job sounds very exciting to me.
As for school TV news, we used to have it at my high school. It was the highlight of Friday at school for the students. They would scream, "Turn the TV on." Because the "student" news team might feature the basketball team, the step team or lots of shots around campus. It was always done in good humor and really impressive to me that teens could put together such a fun, informative five-minute show about their campus. It really seemed to bond this very big school.
Also at my high school, the media specialist can make videos for teacher of programs in the public TV domain. This is not used very often in high schools but it is an option. She runs what is viewed on all the TVs in the school through her output system. She can send something via the TV to a particular room if it is requested. This part of the media specialist's job sounds very exciting to me.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Good News!
The Video Productions program at my school is instrumental in providing valuable time management and leadership skills while honing the creativity of its students in a variety of group and individual projects. In the Video Production II. class, students apply advanced TV and film production techniques to produce a wide variety of programming genres including: a daily 7-minute broadcast newscast, a long-form documentary, short films, animations, and various multi-camera live and live-to-tape programs that are broadcast to the district’s educational television channel. This program appears to be the ultimate “hands-on” experience for students with a genuine interest in technology and broadcast journalism.
The news broadcast usually features announcements submitted by teachers, club leaders, and organization sponsors. There’s also a weather report and a couple of student interest segments. On occasion, a segment is presented on a topic relevant to the time of year like, most recently, the election. Although, I don’t always agree with or understand the logic behind some of the humor incorporated in their performances, it appears that it appeals to the students and provides valuable and rewarding opportunities for those who create it.
The news broadcast usually features announcements submitted by teachers, club leaders, and organization sponsors. There’s also a weather report and a couple of student interest segments. On occasion, a segment is presented on a topic relevant to the time of year like, most recently, the election. Although, I don’t always agree with or understand the logic behind some of the humor incorporated in their performances, it appears that it appeals to the students and provides valuable and rewarding opportunities for those who create it.
Video Distribution Systems- Hensley
I had a difficult time scheduling a meeting with our VERY BUSY media specialist, but I was able to squeeze in an interview with her somewhere between when she was making lesson plans, collaborating with teachers, teaching students, shelving books, doing book orders, making a technology training aid, and various other tasks. When I finally got a chance to sit down and talk to ME this is what I discovered...
We don't do TV News, we did about five years ago and the equipment was torn up and deemed unrepairable. The media specialist that launched the TV News left shortly after the equipment became unusable (but that was not the reason she left). The media specialist that followed did not repair or replace the equipment due to the expense, small budget, and her discomfort with the technology. When we did do the tv broadcast, students presented the news and operated the cameras. They were chosen based on their application, teacher recommendation, and personality. The broadcast started out well, and then , because of lack of supervision, declined.
Presently, we have announcements each morning. The announcements are presented by one of the physical education teachers. He or She welcomes students, we recite the Pledge of Allegience, and have a moment of quiet reflection. The lunch menu is given, birthdays are announced, and updates or other things are briefly covered. The announcements last about 5 minutes. Basically, it is the same person all year who does the announcements, unless the usual speaker is absent. I would eventually like to hanle morning announcements. I would like to involve students in the delivery. We do not have "channel 1." We do have two closed circuit channels available so that videos/dvds cna be shown in all rooms at once. This is generally used when a grade level is showing a video/dvd that correlates with a standard or theme that is being taught. It is used to show book fair videos around book fair time.
Lastly, a great number of our teachers use United Streaming in their classrooms. The teachers use the videos during and after lessons to help teach the standards or to aid in instruction. All of our classrooms have ActivBoards (similar to SmartBoards) in the classroom which is great when showing the videos to the entire class at once.
We don't do TV News, we did about five years ago and the equipment was torn up and deemed unrepairable. The media specialist that launched the TV News left shortly after the equipment became unusable (but that was not the reason she left). The media specialist that followed did not repair or replace the equipment due to the expense, small budget, and her discomfort with the technology. When we did do the tv broadcast, students presented the news and operated the cameras. They were chosen based on their application, teacher recommendation, and personality. The broadcast started out well, and then , because of lack of supervision, declined.
Presently, we have announcements each morning. The announcements are presented by one of the physical education teachers. He or She welcomes students, we recite the Pledge of Allegience, and have a moment of quiet reflection. The lunch menu is given, birthdays are announced, and updates or other things are briefly covered. The announcements last about 5 minutes. Basically, it is the same person all year who does the announcements, unless the usual speaker is absent. I would eventually like to hanle morning announcements. I would like to involve students in the delivery. We do not have "channel 1." We do have two closed circuit channels available so that videos/dvds cna be shown in all rooms at once. This is generally used when a grade level is showing a video/dvd that correlates with a standard or theme that is being taught. It is used to show book fair videos around book fair time.
Lastly, a great number of our teachers use United Streaming in their classrooms. The teachers use the videos during and after lessons to help teach the standards or to aid in instruction. All of our classrooms have ActivBoards (similar to SmartBoards) in the classroom which is great when showing the videos to the entire class at once.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Social Networking
I have reflected on this three times before posting! It seems to be the most simple but the most complex of all Library 2.0 issues. It is "old" in that we all have networked all our lives. It is "new" in that if you do not network; you might be out of touch with the world. Networks can include many aspects of your life. Some use social networking in the old sense where you are nice to people you do not know in case you might need them in the future. Others use social networking when they need to keep peace in the family. Current day social networkers use it as a tool to gain information, to make friends (even to go to eharmony and date) and to learn. I was born in the early 60s. If I allow myself to drift back to that time, there would be no technology component but yet there was networking going on then. We have entered the 21st century. We are forward thinkers. We have achieved such things as going to the moon, attempting to conquer world hunger, the list goes on and on...Here is the chasm. Can we leap into a world of My Space, Facebook, blogs, and message boards, etc? Can I allow my son to go to My Space? There is a part of me that says 'no'. But there is a part of me that is intrigued by this new world just like the early astronauts. We can not bury our heads in the sand! We must move on.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Social Netwrking in Schools?
Is social networking good for education? Traditional academic institutions have generally resisted the influence and increasingly pervasive presence of social networking activities in the life of their students, but recently, the same institutions have had to look with new eyes at all of the aspects and consequences of this new modes of technological socialization sweeping the younger generations. There has been explosive growth in creative and authoring activities by students on social networking sites in recent years. With words, music, photos and videos, students are expressing themselves by creating, manipulating and sharing content online.
Social networking could play a positive role in students’ lives and they recognize opportunities for using it in education — at a time when teachers now routinely assign homework that requires Internet use to complete. While social networking seems omnipresent in the lives of most teens and “tweens” outside of school, most school districts are cautious about its use in school.
Most schools have rules against social networking activities. There are ways that educators could strike the appropriate balance between protecting their students and providing a 21st century education. They can explore social networking sites. It’s important for teachers and media specialists to see and try out the kinds of creative communications and collaboration tools that students are using — so that their perceptions and decisions about these tools are based on real experiences.
They can also find ways to harness the educational value of social networking. Some schools and educators are experimenting successfully with chat rooms, instant messaging, blogs, wikis and more for after-school homework help, review sessions and collaborative projects, for example. These activities appeal to students — even students who are reluctant to participate in the classroom. One particular site I came across online is The Schools United: http://www.theschoolsunited.com/community/. This website provides a safe school networking site fro schools and students throughout the world. It allows the sharing of blogs, videos, photos, etc.
Social networking could play a positive role in students’ lives and they recognize opportunities for using it in education — at a time when teachers now routinely assign homework that requires Internet use to complete. While social networking seems omnipresent in the lives of most teens and “tweens” outside of school, most school districts are cautious about its use in school.
Most schools have rules against social networking activities. There are ways that educators could strike the appropriate balance between protecting their students and providing a 21st century education. They can explore social networking sites. It’s important for teachers and media specialists to see and try out the kinds of creative communications and collaboration tools that students are using — so that their perceptions and decisions about these tools are based on real experiences.
They can also find ways to harness the educational value of social networking. Some schools and educators are experimenting successfully with chat rooms, instant messaging, blogs, wikis and more for after-school homework help, review sessions and collaborative projects, for example. These activities appeal to students — even students who are reluctant to participate in the classroom. One particular site I came across online is The Schools United: http://www.theschoolsunited.com/community/. This website provides a safe school networking site fro schools and students throughout the world. It allows the sharing of blogs, videos, photos, etc.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Social Networking
I think that social networking can be beneficial in the school setting, if they are used properly. During one of my courses this summer, I was introduced to FLickr and Library thing. I though that both of those sites were good social networking sites. I could see the benefits of Librarything more than flickr. Librarything could be used to have students, teachers, and media specialist review books. I can also see this being used more by students in middle and highschool. Again, some of the social networking tools can be an asset to schools if use appropriately and not as a "chat" area.
The filters on our schools computers will sometimes block some of the social networking sites. For example, Last Friday, I was able to go to the Wiki page and upload my powerpoint, when I attempted to get into the Wiki on Monday, I was blocked. The reason given "dating/ social..." I had to have administration unblock site for me. No one, that I am aware of, uses social networking within our school. Our lead media specialist recently set up a wiki for all media specialist in the county to post lesson plans and other information onto.
As stated above, I think that social networking could be used in the media center to review books. The reviews could be completed by students, teachers, and media specialists. Social networking could also be a way to offer tutorials and helpful hints for homework. Library thing could be used in conjunction with or in place of book reports.
I believe that social networking could have positive benefits in schools. But, I feel that students and adults should be trained on how to use social networking tools... and how to use them safely.
The filters on our schools computers will sometimes block some of the social networking sites. For example, Last Friday, I was able to go to the Wiki page and upload my powerpoint, when I attempted to get into the Wiki on Monday, I was blocked. The reason given "dating/ social..." I had to have administration unblock site for me. No one, that I am aware of, uses social networking within our school. Our lead media specialist recently set up a wiki for all media specialist in the county to post lesson plans and other information onto.
As stated above, I think that social networking could be used in the media center to review books. The reviews could be completed by students, teachers, and media specialists. Social networking could also be a way to offer tutorials and helpful hints for homework. Library thing could be used in conjunction with or in place of book reports.
I believe that social networking could have positive benefits in schools. But, I feel that students and adults should be trained on how to use social networking tools... and how to use them safely.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Web Pages- Do's and Don'ts
I must say that I really enjoy looking at different websites and finding all sorts of information. It has been so helpful to me to google a topic and find information that I can include in media lessons. With college and a beginning a new career in the media center, I don't always have time to come up with my own ideas and plans...so I've borrowed a great deal this year. I really like looking at the websites and finding information that is helpful. What I don't like is going to websites and thinking that I've found the perfect link only to find out that the link is no longer available. I also find it hard to use websites that have too muh on the home page, especially a lot of advertisements.
I am including a list of what I feel should be the Do's and Don'ts for websites, of course everybody's views are different.
Do...
1. Make website attractive, open, and usable.
2. Keep links updated.
3. Include a search tool.
4. Make it user friendly.
5. Consider you audience and make age appropriate.
Don't
1. Make page cluttered.
2. Include too many advertisements.
3. Use terms that younger audiences will not understand.
4. Leave links on site that are no longer available.
5. Make site just a list of links.
When my plate is not so full, I intend to create a website for the media center. At this time, I just link onto the schools website and someone else puts the information on that I give her. My goal is to learn how to create a website and how to do it well. Hopefully, I can meet that goal after summer semester!
I am including a list of what I feel should be the Do's and Don'ts for websites, of course everybody's views are different.
Do...
1. Make website attractive, open, and usable.
2. Keep links updated.
3. Include a search tool.
4. Make it user friendly.
5. Consider you audience and make age appropriate.
Don't
1. Make page cluttered.
2. Include too many advertisements.
3. Use terms that younger audiences will not understand.
4. Leave links on site that are no longer available.
5. Make site just a list of links.
When my plate is not so full, I intend to create a website for the media center. At this time, I just link onto the schools website and someone else puts the information on that I give her. My goal is to learn how to create a website and how to do it well. Hopefully, I can meet that goal after summer semester!
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