Blog Post 4: Technology Leadership Roles of School Librarian

Technology has evolved into the way of living in the 21st Century.  Everything around you has something to do with technology. From washing your hands, reading a book, and driving your car, it all stems from some form of technology to operate.  In the education field, technology has helped to improve how students learn today.  It has sparked a new interest in students to learn to read and read for fun!  With the new gadgets like e-readers, students are wanting to download the latest graphic novel or fairytale to read on their new Nook or Kindle.  It is important that libraries stay abreast of these new advancements in technology to not lose the patrons and to keep them coming to the library.  The library in schools and the community all have a vital part in building education. 

The 21st Century Standards has set guidelines for educators to follow to ensure that they are ready and able to use the latest technology.   According to the NETS, National Educational Technology Standard for Students, students should be able to use technology to solve and analyze problems and use creative thinking to create new ways of learning and discovery (Smaldino et.al., 2015).  There are six total skills that they should accomplish by the time their school career is done that will have them ready for their future endeavors.  Those six skills are: “Creativity and Innovation, Communication and Collaboration, Research and Information Fluency, Critical Thinking, Problem solving, and Decision Making, Digital Citizenship, and Technology Operations and Concepts” (Smaldino et.al., 2015).  These skills are taught and enhanced through teaching and experience.  Students will be able to gain access and have the hands on ability to use the skills in the classroom and library. 

          The library is now the haven for technology and librarians have the responsibility to make sure students are aware and fully equipped with the knowledge to use the technology that is available to them (Koechlin et al., 2008).  Librarians will make sure that their collection should reflect a 21^st century learning environment with computers, tablets, e-readers, along with the access of making podcasts, wiki pages, and blogs.  There are many ways of creating a classroom outside of the classroom and the library has the resources to help in teaching this concept (Koechlin et al., 2008).  

Librarians can make reading and learning fun by promoting the library through infographics and reading nights.  Being an advocate for the library and bringing parents and students in will help in making sure that the knowledge of technology is passed along.  Libraries should be a user friendly environment for anyone to come have access to the resources and tools needed to become successful readers (Koechlin et al., 2008). 

Lastly, with technology being the way of communication for the 21^st century, it is important for users to practice proper behavior on the internet.  Librarians have the knowledge to teach teachers and students proper behavior on the internet.  By making sure everyone is using ethical behavior, will help in making sure the sources are being used productively (Lincoln, 2009).  The internet has a wide range of information that can easily be passed on as someone else’s work and teaching how cheating and plagiarism is wrong is part of molding the generation of information (Lincoln, 2009).

Overall, technology will be around for a while and advance through time.  The world needs to make sure that it is ready and equipped with the tools needed to survive.  There will come a time where all classrooms will have laptops and computers and paper and pencil will be demolished.  Online courses will be a requirement and having a wiki page will be a must for students.  Making sure the next generation is ready is what is key to teaching in the classroom of the 21^st Century Learner.

References

Koechlin, C., Zwaan, S., & Loertscher, D. V. (2008). The time is now: Transform your school library into a learning commons. Teacher Librarian, 36(1), 8-14. Retrieved fromhttp://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2069/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eue&AN=502956741&scope=site.

Lincoln, M. (2009). Ethical behavior in the information age Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2069/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lls&AN=502978033&scope=site.

Smaldino, S., Lowther, D., Russell, J, & Mims, C. (2015). Instructional Technology and Media for Learning (11^th ed.). Boston: Pearson.

Blog Post 3: Technology Implementation Strategy

The article that I read was about how mobile devices are being used to help out the library services in this century.  Mobile phones, like iPhones and Androids, have evolved by helping doctors track a patients blood pressure through apps.  This type of technology can be helpful in the library by having an app that would allow patrons to search for books or ask questions on references for a course.  This type of information would normally be available by going to the library.  However with the evolution of technology answers can be answered faster through mobile technology.  Three key points in this article that stuck out to me were “Instant Messaging for References Services…Formal Education, Distance Learning and E-learning…QR Codes on Mobiles” (Malathay & Kantha, 2013). 

Libraries can send instant message answers to questions or provide information for books via instant messenger through a mobile device.  This will give the patrons instant access to information they need from the library without having to physically go there or log online to search.  This instant in-hand approach will draw more patrons to use the library and its sources because it will be more convenient.

For people who are taking online courses or doing a research project for school can benefit from the library mobile apps as well.  Libraries can make sure that items are modified to accommodate mobile devices for distant learning or formal education learners.  Younger individuals are now going to their phones for instant access in for an example a history class, and by having the library services modified to fit a phones screen they will make better use of the libraries resources.

Finally they have invented an easier way to fit a wide range of information into a code that has its own symbol and shape.  QR codes are a “quick responses” that contain information that can be put into a code and scanned to access the information.  The code could be to a school’s website or it could be a barcode for a book.  The mobile phones have apps that allow the user to scan the code to receive the information instantly. 

I will definitely use the QR code concept to improve how books are scanned and process in the library.  Also, I will use them to send information to parents and keep them informed of the services provided in the library.  By displaying this fresh and new way of communication, I feel it will draw more parents to the library and promote literacy at home.  I would also make use of IPads and download apps that can be used at home as well to help students read and research by using specific apps.   Bringing in technology to the library will keep the students interest because it is what they know today.  Having eBooks readily available and showing them how to access them from home is a key part in keeping the library unique and fresh.

References

Malathy, S., & Kantha, P. (2013). Desidoc Journal of Library and Information          

            Technology. Application of mobile technologies to libraries, 33(5), 361-366.

Blog Post 2: Handheld Devices

The article that I found was a about a field test that was taken in Canada with different schools in the area. It was a time where iPads and iPod touches were introduced in the states for classroom use and finally reached Canada. After reading the article I took three main ideas from the article that are true and helpful for the library.

 The first point was that the students responded positively to the iPod touches and iPads being brought into the school. On the elementary level the students were excited to work with the devices because it was as if they were working with video games. The high school students enjoyed it because they were able to research current information and receive instant feedback. The devices sparked an instant interest in the students and motivated them to learn.

 Second point was because they were introducing the devices to the classroom the teachers had to become students first and learn how to use them. They could not just give the teachers the devices without training them on how to use them. The teachers realized how convenient the devices were as well. Again, they could give instant feedback and create new and innovative lessons for their students.

 Lastly, the school and district would have to accommodate the devices by adding a "digital common" that would allow the teachers to add more apps and share more (Crichton et al., 2012). With iPads and iPod touch being linked with ITunes, there has to be a computer that they could use that would allow the task of syncing and sharing. ITunes is usually set-up with one main account for purchases and syncing and using this in district would require more than one account or a "digital common" (Crichton et al., 2012). Therefore, schools would have to make sure they are prepared to adapt the use of these devices by making sure their school is equipped with the proper wireless internet and support staff.

 IPads and iPod touch have already been introduced in my district and I have not been able to use them because there were not enough for everyone. However, once I am in the library I am eager to begin to introduce to the students new techniques in research, presentations, reading books and more. There are apps that will help with literacy for the younger grades that I can use. Phonics apps are beneficial with my bilingual and monolingual students because it is hands-on and they can get a variety of practice without the use of pen and paper. This generation is all about quick, easy and fast and with the devices they will receive just that. Applications like iMovie will be great with my older students to present projects without using the traditional PowerPoint. With the use of these devices I can sync data to share with administrators and staff on what needs to be improved or what is working. This will indeed improve literacy on my campus which is the main focus this year.

 References

 Crichton, S., Pegler, K., & White, D. (2012). Personal devices in public settings: Lessons learned                        from an iPod touch / iPad project. Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 10(1), 23-31.

Class Projects

Blog Post 1: Technology Strengths and Weakness

According to the ISTE Standards for Teachers (2008), I would have to say that my strengths are standards 2 and 3 because I effectively use them in my classroom daily. I plan on using each of my strengths to introduce new programs to my school to promote literacy.

·         Standard 2: “Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments” (ISTE Standards for Teachers, 2008).

o   When I plan my lessons I make sure I have some source of technology in the lesson to capture my student’s attention. 

o   My students work on the computer using MIDI or CD-ROM programs that reinforce the information taught in class that day.

o   Various internet sites are also helpful in class, because they allow the student to see the information in a variety of ways.  If we are working on the Renaissance Period, I can show videos from that time period to give a visual for the students.

o   I use clickers to help assess the student’s knowledge.  The students find it fun and engaging because it is not pen and paper but more like a video controller.  This also limits cheating and incomplete work by using the clickers.  Each student is held accountable for their answers.

·         Standard 3: “Model digital age work and learning” (ISTE Standards for Teachers, 2008).

o   As team leader of my team, I began a team newsletter that I can email or my team can access by using the school’s webpage.  The newsletter provides information for the month that they will need to know.

o   On the school’s website, I post events and links to help my students and parents.  For my fourth graders, we have various activities and the links are there to help the students at home practice what they need.  Program dates are listed to inform parents of the different events that their child will be performing. 

o   I have shown my students websites and programs that they can use to create their own music and save it to a CD to share. 

My weaknesses according to the ISTE Standards for Teachers (2008) would have to be standards 1, 4, and 5 due to the fact that I have not had much experience as a facilitator or leader for the school.  As a librarian, I believe I would be able to display the qualities of these standards because they all have a common goal of promoting technology to students, teachers, and parents.  Standard 1 focuses on the teacher being the voice to inform the appropriate audience of how to use technology in different and inventive ways.  Standard 4 is about being an advocate for your school and community to be civil and respectful while using social media and other internet based communication sites. Lastly, standard 5 promotes going out and learning about the new technology and programs that will help your school in succeeding.  Collaborating with teachers and the community on new ideas to help the schools environment is a way described to help in this task.

As an educator I can improve my weaknesses by becoming more involved in the committees at my school.  I am music teacher at the present time and so I focus more on my art area more than anything else.  Anything that is not of relevance to me I tend to ignore and pass up as not important.  However, with my pursuit of becoming a librarian I know that I will need to be in more of the academic planning meetings, attend more professional development workshops of each content area, and get to know my school’s community better.  Once I accomplish the task of becoming more involved then I know my weaknesses will evolve into strengths because I will have a better understanding on how to use them effectively.  I would love to learn more about how to use handheld devices in my classroom because I know it will grasp the attention of my students.  Knowing the programs for Ipads, nooks, and kindles can help me in planning lessons for my class and the teachers that will help improve literacy.  Bringing in new tools always gives a boost of energy to learning and with the 21^st century learners, technology is a key component in doing just that.

References

ISTE Standards for Teachers. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/20-        

          14_ISTE_Standards-T_PDF.pdf