Assessment 2 ~ pre-thoughts on the role of a teacher librarian

I thought I better have a closer look at the requirements of Assessment 2 - that way I hopefully won't get myself behind and in a fluster.  Anyway, I figured that if I am to demonstrate how my thoughts about the teacher librarian role have changed as a result of the subject, I really should record what they are now before I continue much further in my reading etc.

Unlike some others in the course, I am currently working as a teacher librarian in a Government school.  This means that to some degree, I have an understanding of the role because that is what I do 4 days a week.  I have also already seen some of the role statements (from Topic 1 reading) as a part of my study at UniSA, have attended T&D facilitated by SLASA and receive emails through SLASANET.  I was also extremely fortunate as I attended a full day conference this year in July with Joyce Valenza.   (Wow!  What an amazing person!)

From all of this, off the top of my head and based on what I currently do,  my belief about the role of the TL is that I:

• support students and provide learning programs that enable them to become lifelong learners who can access, analyse, combine and use, share information from a wide and varied range of sources;
• support and encourage students to read for recreation - ensure they have access to books that they want to read (while making sure they are appropriate), promote and support students and families in the Premier's Reading Challenge etc;
• collaborate with and support my colleagues - team teach inquiry learning units of work and reading programs, support them with resourcing their learning programs, provide leadership and challenge them and myself to try new things (ie Web 2.0 tools and other ICTs) and incorporate these in an authentic way into learning programs;
• ensure the library and curriculum learning areas are resourced within budget and that resources (both print and digital) meet the needs of students, teachers and the departmental initiatives;
• maintain the cataloguing system - ensure the resources are easily accessed and well organised as well as the physical layout of the library itself;
• maintain my own personal development through professional reading, participation in TL networks, online courses and conferences;
• promote the library as an integral part of the school and an inviting and exciting learning hub.

I know there is probably more that I could note but that will do as a start. 

I do want to say though that some of these aspects are becoming harder with the new school funding model.  I am lucky in my school that I am supported by leadership in my TL role, but I do know that there is pressure for change.  For example, TLs are no longer funded separately and I am just in the general teaching pool - as a result, some schools are not having TLs or they are used as NIT providers.  I have heard of a principal being told that TLs teaching a unit collaboratively with teachers is not good use of money! 

It is also is more difficult to get the library budget to cover the needs and interests of students and teachers, particularly in the area of ICT, as well as ensuring we have the resources to meet departmental priorities.  The Deparment also does not fund enough time for IT technicians.

Another thing is that the TL (when there is one) is seen as a leader in the school but are not given time for administrative work and are not paid as leaders.

From TL network discussions, these seem to be common problems for many.  From talking with other TLs, the private schools seem to acknowledge the importance of TLs and fund accordingly, more than Department schools - unfortunately for me!  Enough griping for one day though!

I begin - again!

Wow, what a hectic 2 weeks.  CSU is really well organised with online learning but very different from UniSA.  I admit that I am feeling a little overwhelmed!  After not studying for 12 months I am a bit rusty.  Also, juggling 2 subjects instead of just 1 will take a bit of getting used to.  Anyway, I have adjusted this blog to record my thoughts and have posted the first part of assignment 1 for EER500 onto the Wiki. Now I better go mark some kids work before tomorrow!

Another Tubechop

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/217624

Robert Full - how animals move

PS??

Why does my cut video not show unless you are looking at that individual post???

Week #10 Ebooks and Audiobooks - Part 2

My 6yr old son and I have been playing with Kerpoof and he thinks it is fun.  I did as well but it was a little limited.
You can find our first work at
http://www.kerpoof.com/#view?s=2gs11b3eigo3cgi15M00-d-f6d8a4

And here is mine - or was supposed to be.  I have had to email it to you because it wouldn't give me a link like it did for the other one.  It is made by Robot6 and is called The Fairytale.  It is also very lame!!!

If I have time, I'll have a play with a few other sites over the weekend.  Otherwise, you can rest assured that I will investigate further because, as I said in my last blog, I have to do this with a Reception class this term - nothing like staying one step ahead!!

If I don't get back to this - hence preparing for school Monday or being a Mum and wife - thank you Felicity for this great program.  I knew that if I didn't have to do and investigate some of these things, I'd never get around to it.  Very helpful tips, activities and encouragement.  Much appreciated.

Good luck with future courses.
Cheers.
S

Week #10 Ebooks and Audiobooks

At last, something that I am already familiar with - ebooks and audiobooks.  I have spent many hours looking into this - particularly free ones - to use at school.  I also have Kindle for PC on my computer and this has allowed me to buy, download and trial many books - particularly beading pattern books and books for professional reading.  I admit, I haven't fully gotten into personal reading of ebooks - mainly because I am trying to save money and not buy them and borrow them from the public library.  I love the fact that you get ebooks/magazines so quickly.  I also enjoy not having to find places to store them, the fact they're not going to get tatty etc.  Also, of course, they are generally cheaper - a definite bonus!! I am about to get a tablet and so I think I'm going to enjoy them even more.  I thought I would find reading off a screen annoying, but didn't find it a problem at all.

I have also puchased digital versions of many non-fiction books this year for school.  How could you not in terms of access - we have interactive whiteboards around the school as well as laptop and desktop computers - I have copied them (yes I legally can) onto the server and so now everyone has access all the time, rather than the one person who has the physical book.  I also love the extra ways you can use the pdfs to model and demonstrate etc in terms with adding sticky notes, underlining, etc.  An excellent teaching tool and much easier than how I have tried to do this before. 

I also create pdf books to use in my teaching - eg. scanned parts of a book and found information from lots of sources on the topic and other links to sites and information resources so that they are all in the same place.  I do this to increase access.  I usually create these in a Word, Publisher, PowerPoint - depending what it is - before saving as a PDF.  These sit as resources for other teachers/students as well.  I now need to work on creating the link from the library cataloguing system but that is my job next week.

I have looked at subscribing to a range of sites but have found that some of them work too slowly on our current computer network - the cabling or something - this is something that I think the school will be looking at next year.

As for Audiobooks, I personally subscribe to Audible and so am able to get books from there.  One difficulty I have had is getting these to work on some of the school MP3 players.  I think I need to convert to a different format.  I haven't got around to doing this yet as I have worked around the problem.  I originally started to get them to assist some students in the higher grades with lower reading abilities in accessing some of the books they wanted to read.  I also like listening to the stories myself.  I've also got some through ITunes.

I really like this side of the new technologies.  I'm going to have a play with the digital storytelling now - good practice as I am planning to use this with a class this term.

Week #9 Videos Online - part 2

For some reason when I embedded my tubechop video, my other video from youtube disappeared.  I thought I'd just start another post. 

Below is a video that I will be using with a Reception class this coming term.  We will be looking at the shapes, skeletons of animals and how they related to how they move.



I have also found another YouTube video that I think I'll use.

It's funny, when I was looking for videos to use with this class, I came across the TED site with Robert Full talking about animal movement and the foot.  I just want to use the video that he showed - not his talk.
The video is here.   http://www.ted.com/talks/robert_full_on_engineering_and_evolution.html
If you can advise me as to how I can cut this video in the same way as I did with TubeChop,  it would be much appreciated.

Week #9 Videos Online

I like to find video to use when I'm teaching but as we are blocked from Youtube at school (we could until recently override but DECS has changed something and we can't at the moment), I'll often grab and save it as a WMV through Media Converter.  I use the free version and can only do 5 in one day.  Also, sometimes it doesn't work.  However, this is one way I can guarantee access when I need it.  Also, you don't have to wait for the buffering and so it is quicker.  The other thing is that you can also ensure that there is nothing inappropriate - as you said, you can't filter the comments and sometimes people make the foulest comments.

I am familiar vimeo but haven't found this to be as useful in getting video to show kids so far.  Also, as I have been using Media Converter, it easier to use download Youtube videos.

I wish I had known about TubeChop earlier for The Perth Mint Youtube video I used with a Year 2/3 and Year 1/2 class about how coins are made.  I had to show from the beginning to get to the bit I wanted.  Luckily I didn't have to show it all though because it goes for 9 minutes I think.  I have embedded the chopped version below.

Here is my attempt at cutting a video.



Week #8 Syndicated Search

I must admit it was a surprise for me to hear in the Joyce Valenza conference that Google keeps a profile of my regular searches and so the order of what is listed is based on that.  Naive of me!  I did however assume that the companies etc that pay more, get listed more easily.

Anyway, I've started having a look at the different search engines.  I began with DeweyDigger.com because it was such a unique way of searching.  I thought it could be useful as another way of finding resources to use with classes.  Interesting idea but it really wasn't that helpful for me and I don't think it is one that I'll use.  Something interesting to note is that I looked up Australia - what with the history in the Australian Curriculum - and was very surprised to see South Australia not there as an option - when I looked more closely, neither were a few of the other states/territories - Vic, NSW, QLD were.  I don't think I'd bother with this site, interesting as it is, I would do a direct search in one of the other search engines.

I have then had play with the other search engines.  I used the term "Australian animals" - a typical primary school search - to see what each found.  Interestingly, Quiki found nothing as it didn't have a quiki of that name.  I then tried "Adelaide" as the search term, with greater success. I thought it was ok and unique with the multimedia but a little bit limited.  One to watch I think.

With blekko, Twurdy and Kngine, they all listed similar results.  I found blekko a bit confusing and when I tried the slashtags suggested, didn't get anything remotely like what I wanted - my own did though.  I really quite like Twurdy and can certainly see me using this as it often takes time to find text appropriate for primary aged kids through Google.  I often do a search like "Australian animals information for kids" to get similar information in Google.

I also tried using "Searchypants" - a search engine that Joyce Valenza mentioned. This is very simple to use and would be useful for kids I think, particularly JP.  Similar results were found.  You can also pretty it up a bit in the same way as you can with igoogle.  It is also good in that you are more guaranteed to hit only safe sites for kids.

It has been good to spend the time looking at different search engines as it is very easy to only use Google.

Week #7 Literally Social Twitter

I'm afraid that my reluctance to set up a Twitter account is part of what has slowed me down with achieving the tasks for Week 7.  I have finally got around to it and had a go - found people and things to follow and even tweeted, but not sure if I can really be bothered doing more.   I can see it could be useful, particularly with sharing sites etc with colleagues - but currently do that through slasanet. 
It took me a while but I finally found some colleagues - a bit like Facebook in that it was through others.  I also had a go shortening a website through Bit.ly and shared it.

In doing this though I was once again hit with the feeling that I don't really have anything particular to share or whether things I find would be useful to others.  I'll keep giving it more of a go over the next few weeks and see how I go. 

I am already familiar with librarything and shelfari and use them often to find resource lists and get book reviews/suggestions, but I don't have an account.  I must admit that Shelfari is one site I would like to investigate further.

Well, better get onto the next week's activity as time is ticking by!!

Week #6 Interactive Imagery



My pretty girl on her birthday



I have had a bit of a play with Picnik and found it pretty easy to use.  Shame it can't take my photos for me though - most of mine were ones I took quickly with my Phone and so weren't the clearest.  I must admit photos on my phone are pretty random - but as I said, probably more about my skills.

 

I have also played with a couple of photos I took for a class who are looking at styles of houses for different eras.  Some of them, while fine on my laptop, are too dark and almost impossible to see on the interactive whiteboard - room's too light.  Therefore, I have deliberately washed them out a bit and I'll check them out later in the week. I have put the original as well as the manipulated one for comparison.

As I have already said, I found it easy to use but one problem that I did have was that on occasions, the file wouldn't upload even when I tried the older way of manually browsing.  Not sure why this was happening.  If I went out of the program and then back in, it would then work.  Who knows!!!

I have also played with zoom.it.  Wow, that was amazingly simple to do, however I am not convinced that I have embedded into this blog correctly.  Please let me know and if need be, I'll have another go. 

http://zoom.it/P42y

As I am into craft, I am familiar with flickr as this is how many people show their work.  I personally do not use any of these sites and really can't see me doing so as I am not big on taking  photos.  I do think that sites where photos can be stored are important though because hard copies aren't always made, copies and original files can become damaged, accidentally deleted or lost.  Therefore it is a good way of securing them.

I looked briefly at the other image sites.  I must say anything with creative commons is a good thing for educators.   I'll be honest, I do often use Google images.  I have also subscribed to a graphics website Graphics Factory (unfortunately American) and that can be useful for quick clipart type images and animations, particularly when I was making shelving signs last year.  Out of the ones you mentioned, I think I'll look more closely at MorgueFile.  There are some really beautiful photos there.

Prezi - How it went!

I used the Prezi today at school .  I wasn't blocked from the Prezi site but was the YouTube videos.  However, by temporarily overriding the block, I was able to then access the videos in the Prezi without difficulty.  I think it worked well and the teachers liked it.  I can see this being very useful as I was able to put pdfs and video, info and images all in the one place really easily.  One thing I have found is that I am still fairly linear in my organisation as I find that the whizzing around too much can make me queasy!!  (I dislike computer games for the same reason.)

Prezi - Another go!

I needed to prepare something for a class tomorrow about how money is made.  I decided to try using Prezi again - more fool me!  Here it is. 
http://prezi.com/huxxwm7arya7/edit/#5_1284389
I can only hope it works and isn't blocked or I might be crying. 
(Not really, I'll do an alternative presentation just in case!)

Week #5 Social Bookmarking and Tagging

I have created an account with Diigo and have mainly used the bookmarking facility at the moment.  However, I think this could be really useful because I have to use a range of different computers at school, as well as my laptop and desktop at home - and obviously don't have bookmarks on them all - I do often do a Google search to get to particular sites- not a big hassle but it does then take longer.  I haven't found bookmarking on the intranet particularly reliable as they can disappear without warning - usually at the most inopportune moment.  One way I have worked around this when working with students is that I put links into a Word or PDF document and then saved it into my own or a student accessible folder so that we can all get ready access.  I think Diigo will therefore be useful when I'm working with students on a particular topic and I have already identified relevant sites.  As I work with a minimum of 6-7 classes and so have 6-7 different inquiry learning topics going at the same time, I'll have to have a bit of a play with the groupings of sites etc.  I may find that I'll have to subscribe as an educator rather than on the free subscription.  I'll be interested to see tomorrow if this - like many of the other web 2.0 tools - is blocked at DECS sites though!! 

Week #4 Interactive Presentations and Slides

Book Week is finally over and so I can hopefully get back to my weekly tasks. 
I admit I do use PowerPoint as a tool in my work but very often not in it's true form as a presentation. 
It is funny, I actually found and showed the Don McMillan "Life after death by PowerPoint" to 2 of my older classes just last week - and there it was on the Prezi site.  Hopefully made the point to the kids!!!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpvgfmEU2Ck

Anyway, I have had a go creating a prezi - it was easy to use - really quite intuitive - but I would need to play with it a lot more before I am able to create something that I am more happy with. 
http://prezi.com/_au6nmpfpr1z/wilfrid-gordon-mcdonald-partridge/

I do like it though and will consider signing up at a higher level.  I still feel a bit odd about having my work published so publically - for a range of reasons I suppose - I'm fairly private but also because I don't think my work would be much use to anyone else but me - nothing new, different or special. 

Anyway, as an aside - I decided to write some work in Google docs, last week only to find that it is blocked at DECS sites.  It took me a while (admittedly while panicking) to realise that was the problem because it wasn't the usual blocked page - rather the not available one.  Luckily I was able to override.  However, this is something that really needs to be looked at if we are going to start using these tools in our work and with kids at school!!

In response to your comment, I have heard of Edmodo and have looked briefly at it already.  One of my more adventurous colleagues and I are planning on playing with it more next term.  She has already had a bit of a go and so hopefully she'll be able to help me out - otherwise, we'll muddle through together!  Thanks for the suggestion.

Week #3 Google Documents

I've had a bit of a play with the Google documents.  I can see this being really useful when working on a document with a colleague or my sister when I'm helping her with an assignment.  I would only use it for a draft or when only working on the text though because I find the formatting options quite limited - particularly when creating gear to use with children.  I admit I can get a bit confused when I have worked on a document emailed to me, then the other person works on it, and then I do etc etc - and if I'm not careful, I can end up with many copies of the same thing - each slightly different.  I think I could also use Google documents for when I am working on something at school and at home.  Instead of having to save it to a USB, I could just access it here. 


I particularly like the collaborative side of things and the idea of being able to work on something together, despite not being together.  I can really see this being useful.  Now I just have to convert a few of my colleagues.

Week #2 RSS Feeds and Aggregators

I set up an igoogle page and have made it look pretty - better than just opening up to a google search which is what I had before.  I have added just the basic tools like calendar, time, weather, unit converter, maps etc as well as setting up the reader on that page.  I think in theory this is a good way of keeping up with information but also see time once again being an issue.  I think it is great that it goes into one place, rather than having to search for info, but I still need time to read and check out the feeds.  Another way that I am kept up to date with some sites that don't offer RSS feeds is through emails - generally e-newsletters or tips of the week.  I also find this a useful way of keeping up with changes.  In my workplace, I think on a professional level that this could be really useful in staying up to date, getting the latest information, but don't think I'll use it with the kids as yet.  One thing that I think they really should set up for feeds is the Australian Curriculum website - at the moment you can only receive email updates.

At a conference recently, I heard Joyce Valenza talk about how she has used them with the students for their individual projects -  following news feeds, current affairs - I think anyway. Anyone who has seen Joyce will understand - amazing woman with an amazing amount of energy and knowledge - so much information in such a short amount of time!!! 

I was going to start looking at Week 3's tasks but am all "tooled" out!  S

Week #1 Wikis and Blogging

I have had a bit of a play with making my blog and will work on it over the next few weeks. For me, I don't think I would do a blog unless it was for something like this, when travelling or something where I feel the need to record my thoughts, experiences etc. I have never been much of a diary keeper - don't have anything interesting to say. I do find blogs from authors etc interesting though. The difference between a blog and a wiki is that a blog is written by one - I think of it as an online diary - where a wiki is a collaboration of thoughts and ideas.

I would like to play around with blogs and wikis next year with the Year 7s in particular as a way of recording their learning. Traditionally they have created a CD and while that is ok, I think that blogs and wikis could really make this more interesting for the kids as well as a way of enabling more collaboration with families. I really like the idea of kids doing a personal project of their choice as a wiki and receiving feedback and suggestions, ideas from their teacher, family and friends. I'd also like to investigate a wiki as a way of organising my library resources etc. I know this has already been done by some of the other teacher librarians and they look great. Unfortunately it has come down to time for me - it is on my list of things to do, but gets shuffled down as something more urgent comes up. My aim is to get something going by the end of the year. S

I've finally started!

Hi to Felicity and other course members. I am finally feeling more human and think I am nearing the end of my bout of pneumonia - Yippee!  I am also a little bit more under control with my work - particularly with Book Week just around the corner!  I have finally set up a blog and have begun to play with the settings.  It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  I started to add some of the extra bits like the calendar, but took it off again when I noticed the ads.  (Call me old fashioned!)  Well this is my first post and all going well, I'll get back tomorrow and check out the rest of week 1's tasks and hopefully get onto a few other weeks as well.