School Library Website- Why, Because, and What?

              According to Jurwoski (2010) the question of school libraries having website is obsolete, and the new concern lies around what content should be including on the library website. The school library is place where students, teachers, and even parents come to get access to information. Its website should be reflective of this. We as librarians play a critical role in promoting and increasing literacy as well as the goals of the school community. When building and maintaining a website, these things should be taken in consideration.

                Jurwoski also points out that school library websites are being used for different purposes. I believe all school library website should have 2 goals; one is to provide electronic resources to all who utilize their services, and two to promote the importance of the school library. It is imperative that the library website demonstrate to others our power as an integral role of educating students. This means pictures displaying program and initiatives of the library; websites and resources for teachers, students, and parents; and of course access to online books.

                I had the opportunity to review some school library websites. I won’t talk about web editors and html because that is going to rely on whether the librarian has the option to choose or if its designated. Content is part of the key to a good website. Below is a link/picture of the website for Russell Elementary which is located in Smyrna, GA.

Russell Media Center Website

`            What I liked most about this website is that all the links are current and up to date. The brief video on the home page helps parents and students gain access to county media resources by showing them how to log in and reminders about their user id. This is very useful for parents looking for help trying to help their children with homework. Pathfinders are great resources to help teachers find information relevant to the common core standards that they are teaching. Links to free audio books, allows library users to have remote access to books. It is always the goal of the librarian to place a book in the hand of everyone who walks through the door. This is a great way for students who possibly owe fines to have access to books. 

The underlying theme on this website as well as others I viewed was providing patrons with the resources that would normally be available during business hours after hours and promoting media programs. What do you think would be the most useful and helpful on the school library website? Did you find in websites that stood out to you.? 

Reference:

Jurkowski, O. L. (2010). Technology and the school library: A comprehensive guide for media specialists and other educators.  Revised ed. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press.

Developing a Successful Media Center Webpage

Pamela Hurst

Blog # 3

Media Center Webpages

School media center webpages are quite puzzling to me because nearly every school has one yet; I doubt that the large majority of webpages receive a lot of traffic. While there are a steady number of students online during and after school, I wonder how many access the school media center website. I have visited a number of media center websites that were colorful and appealing and include some interesting information for students. However, there are just as many more webpages that have very little appeal to students. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts that I think are important to consider when developing a successful and useful media center webpage.

Things that I consider as Don’ts for media center webpages include the following:

·         Don’t - Let the information on your webpage be decided on by your school system/district alone

·         Don’t - Produce your mothers webpage– produce a 21^st century type webpage and;

·         Don’t - Produce a “one man show” webpage- include others

When I look at the Do’s for media center webpages I would include the following:

Do - Get ideas, feedback and suggestions from students, parents and staff

Do - Include links that connect to important stages of student’s lives and;

 Do - Stretch as far into the 21^st century as possible

The content information on both the school and media center webpages in DeKalb County schools is decided by the county and then passed on to the library media specialist. While some of the information is important and definitely belongs on the webpage; I question the usefulness of a good deal of the information. Moreover, I believe that library patrons should have some input into the content information on the webpage. If the goal is to provide useful information and to attract many visitors then input from the patrons, particularly the students, is vital. David Warlick’s idea of inviting returns is more likely to happen when there is content information that appeals to the patrons (2005).

Media center webpages should also provide information that connects to the changes in student’s lives. Here is an opportunity for the media center to focus on an area that school websites often do not. For instance, links to summer jobs, applications and tips for completing applications could be a useful addition to a media center webpage.

How much longer media center webpages will exist is a valid question. In a world where students are just as tech savvy as teachers, if not more so, we have to wonder how useful media center webpages are and how much longer we will be using them. The library media specialist who begins to incorporate more creative technology into their webpages will have an advantage.

My recommendations for a couple of media centers websites to explore are:

Alpharetta High School – I like the look of the website and the Suggestions for the Media Center form which is a great way to get suggestions and feedback from library patrons. Check it out at

http://ahsmediacenter.weebly.com/suggest-library-materials.html

Elkins Pointe Middle School – This is a very good website offering various reading programs for students, online photo sharing through PictureTrail, 21^st Century Skills Info., and a student resource link that includes Discovery Education, Homework Help, Edmodo, Study Island and a Prezi tutorial. Check it out at https://sites.google.com/site/cmsinfocenter/

Warlick, D. (2005). Building websites that work for your media center. Knowledge Quest, 33:3,              

             13-16.

Win With Wikis - Renarda Faulk

W.W.W.-WIN WITH WIKIS!

Website publishing and collaboration has never been so user-friendly.  A wiki is a tool that allows you to build a website that can be accessed and edited by anyone.  Well you might be saying, well why not use a regular Web page to store information?  The key difference between a web page and a wiki is that a wiki allows you to edit freely.  I think that this is an excellent tool for Media Specialists.  Often in our media center, we would have things that were requested frequently.  Teachers might ask, how do I find books on photosynthesis or what is the current password for Galileo? Depending on what time of the day, the media center would be extremely business.  Most teachers that request things want them now and not a second later : ) A wiki is a great tool to place all of this information in one place.   We would eventually like to build a wiki to house frequently accessed information, tools, resources, and references for teachers and students.  Not only will it allow us as Media Specialists to distribute the information needed, but it will benefit teachers, students, and other stakeholders.  I would probably print some business card flyers with the wiki page on it and make it available.

Apalachee High School has an excellent wiki setup for the Media Center.  On the wiki are several links to frequently accessed information.  The links have images with the website’s logo which make it easy for teachers and students to identify what they are looking for.  The wiki also has a menu bar to the left that is categorized by the needs of students and teachers.  It has a section for learning, reading, research, technology, and sharing.  Learning tools such as thinking maps and professional development documents are also on the wiki.  It is very organized and I can tell that they have listened to feedback from students and teachers.  Most of the things that they have on the wiki are the exact same things that our library patrons would frequently ask questions about.

To see Apalachee High School’s Media Center site, visit: http://ahsmedia.barrow.wikispaces.net/After+School

In addition to collaboration with teachers and students, Cobb County Schools has found a very great way to use a wiki.  They have a wiki for all Media Specialist in the county.  On this page, Media Specialist can share their best practices as well as look for things that they may need.  This is an excellent idea considering how busy the year can get for Media Specialists.  In the school district, Media Specialist may run into some of the same obstacles.  The wiki can provide a means to help one another.  The Cobb County Schools Media Specialist Wiki features a “how to” section, access to the Destiny database, items for instruction, and more.

To see the Cobb County Schools Media Specialist site, visit:  https://cobbk12-org.campuspack.net/Groups/CI_Library_Media_Education_-_Spinks/Cobb_Library_Media_Wiki

As you can see, wikis can be used in many different ways.  Vanderbilt University identified several ways that wikis can be used.  They discussed using wikis for mini research projects, collaborative annotated bibliographies, compiling a manual or glossary, maintaining a collection of links, building an online repository of documents, and creating e-portfolios of student work.  Of course there are other uses, but this definitely gives us a great start.  Vanderbilt University made a great point by stating that wikis shift students from being “consumers of knowledge” to being “creators of knowledge.”  I agree with this statement.  Wikis definitely allow students to utilize hands-on, project based-learning.  It also give students a break from the traditional way of doing work:  pen and pencil.  Vanderbilt also believes that the use of a wiki can contribute to a higher order of learning.  This is true when students are creating and evaluating.

To read more, visit:  http://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/wikis/

The only potential problems that I can see are the learning curve for the students and teachers.  It’s a little more of a challenge to learn to build a wiki and apply the lesson.  Due to several factors, students and teachers might get frustrated in creating the wiki.  Time is also a big issue.  Most students and teachers today are very busy.  They want things fast and easy.  However, I feel that the wiki is user friendly and once they learn it, they will be fine.  My other concern is the editing.  However, the best way to monitor this is the have Wikis can definitely provide a wealth of information that can be accessed from anywhere that has web access.

References

Educause learning initiative: wikis. (2005, July). Retrieved from http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7004.pdf

Seven Things You Should Know About Wikis. (2005, July). Retrieved from http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7004.pdf

Wikis- Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching. (2013). Retrieved from http://cft.vanderbilt.edu/teaching-guides/wikis/

Wiki, Wiki, Wiki by: Neiketa Johnson

What is a Wiki?

A wiki is a collaborative tool that allows users to contribute and modify material within the website. In short, a wiki is a website created and edited by the contributors to the site. One of the most popular wikis used by many is Wikipedia. Created in 2001, this free encyclopedia is written and edited by people from all over the world. While the reliability of the information in the Wikipedia is often challenged, it serves as a great example of how wikis can be used by a community of collaborators. Here are two helpful explanations of wikis:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY and http://www.podnetwork.org/publications/teachingexcellence/10-11/V22_N5_Eggleston.pdf

Why Use Wikis?

Wikis allow for the creation of groups based on specific topics/interests. The ease of use makes wikis great website spaces for anyone to become a publisher. In traditional classroom, the teacher provides most of the course content. With wikis, students have an opportunity to cooperatively create some of the course content. No longer is the teacher the sage on the stage, she becomes the guide on the side. Wikis can shift the role of students from recipients of knowledge to creators of knowledge. Students can collaborate with peers which allow them to learn from one another as each use critical thinking skills to engage in the learning process. See the example of how a middle school chemistry teacher utilizes wikis at https://wiki.cites.illinois.edu/wiki/display/etchem/Middle+School+Chemistry. I am a contributor to a Google Site for a course I collaboratively taught to elementary school teachers earning a science endorsement (/site/k5endorsementneiketajohnson/). “These collaborative projects help promote pride of authorship and ownership in the team’s activities”. Not only are wikis good tools for collaboration but are being used in classrooms for information collection and reflection. Here are few sites to help you get started.

GoogleSites: http://www.google.com/sites/help/intl/en/overview.html

Wikispaces: http://www.wikispaces.com/

PBwiki: http://www.pbwiki.com/

 How are wikis used in the school library media center?

The use of wikis for collaboration was first used by computer programmers. SLMS’s can use wikis for internal and external communication. Internal communication, wikis can be used as a means to collaborate with teachers and students at the school. SLM’s may share research notes that teachers may contribute to based upon specific content research. Sharing of events happening within the school may be placed into a wiki space. For example, school events picture sharing can be placed on a SLMC wiki page. Sharing how to use new technologies amongst teachers can be a wiki idea. Professional development notes and information can be input on wiki spaces. Lesson plan sharing wiki spaces for teachers I know would be a great resource for classroom teachers. Externally, SLMS’s can use a wiki space as a means of information sharing with other media specialist around the world.

Monitor, Monitor, Monitor

Remember wiki spaces are easily modified by a group of users. Monitoring for validity and appropriate entries is germane. The creator of the wiki must find time or resources to ensure that all users are inputting unbiased accurate information in the wiki space. Teachers and SLMS’s must closely monitor school wiki spaces that allow student access to ensure the content offers age-appropriate information free of the explicit, illegal and illicit. Although wikis are great spaces for sharing current thoughts, these sites must be actively monitored for valid and appropriate information presentation.

References:

 

Bowllan, A. (2008). A wiki gives a worthy book new life. School Library Journal, 54(9), 20.

Courtney, N. (2007). Library 2.0 and beyond. Westport, Connecticut: Libraries Unlimited.

Seven things you should know about wikis. (2005, July). Retrieved from                http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7004.pdf

Wiki:vanderbilit university center for teaching. (2014). Retrieved from                http://cft.vanderbilt.edu/teaching-guides/wikis/

Blog 1 - Podcasting with Pamela Hurst

According to William Washington, of Walden University “In order to help our students develop these skills {21^st Century skills}to a high level, we must incorporate modalities that are relevant to present times (e.g. social networking, mobile technologies, digital computing, gaming,) and also engage the student with instruction techniques that facilitate learning (e.g. pinwheel discussion, group collaboration, projects).  In other words, we need to put the student at the center of the learning and allow them to create their own meaning from experiences.” (Washington).

By providing an engaging learning experience for students that is relevant to their lives today, I think Podcasting does just that. Podcasting is an inexpensive way to “touch” and engage students. Moreover, it can be used in a number of creative ways and can be used to reach different audiences. In this blog, I will discuss three meaningful ways to utilize podcasting in the Media Center; they are: Podcasting to Reinforce Classroom Learning, Podcasting to Engaging Special Needs Students and Podcasting to Promote Collaborations with Teachers.

Podcasting in ALL classes

Some of the most unique ways of using Podcasts in the classroom are found in elective class such as Art and Band. The same skills development that apply when using a Podcast cast in a Writing or Literature class apply in an elective class. For instance, a Podcast class could be used in an Art class by helping students record a Podcast discussing how they came up with an art project and walking the audience through their process from conception to completion. Other podcast ideas might be to have students record their reactions to other students Art work, or have teachers record their critique of students work. Each of these Podcasting ideas provides opportunities for students to engage in nontraditional yet meaningful learning. Students are called upon to develop and use critical thinking skills, be expressive, thoughtful, process ideas and problem solve.

Maya Payne Smarts’ article, “Listening to themselves: Podcasting Takes Lessons Beyond the Classroom” shows a teacher utilizing Podcasts is a creative way. http://www.edutopia.org/podcasting-student-broadcasts

Postcast and the Special Needs Students

I have personally seen the benefit of Podcast with my niece, Autumn who is a junior at Georgia State University. Though a good student, Autumn has always struggled with keeping up in class. She carries a Smartpen which helps students with disabilities record lectures. However, Autumn does her best work and is most confident in classes where the teacher has a podcast available after the class. By downloading and listening to the podcast, she can stop, restart, and listen as many times as she likes. The use of podcast with learning disabilities students is great for students who struggle with comprehension or have difficulty taking notes. While the use of this technique is great with students who have minor learning disabilities; it is just as useful to those students who have severe learning disabilities. Check out this Podcasting with Autistic Students video at http://marynabadenhorst.global2.vic.edu.au/zelebration-vid-private/

Podcasting to Promote Teacher Collaborations

Media Specialists (LMS) often struggle to finds ways to collaborate with teachers. Many teachers say that they are just too busy, and many don’t seem to see the value in collaborating. Podcasting that features successful LMS/Teachers collaborating are a great way to promote the idea. Asking a teacher who is currently partnering with the LMS or even a school administrator (particularly the school principal) to take part in a podcast is a great way to draw in more teachers. A short yet insightful podcast where both LMS and teachers discuss their experience during collaborations or a podcast with the LMS and principal discussing the benefits of collaboration could be very the way to “hook” other teachers.

Indeed, podcasting is 21^st Century way to engage students, invigorant classrooms, assist special needs students, and promote LMS/teacher collaborations. Try Podcasting Today!

References

Washington, W. (2013). 21^st Learning is Not a Program. TeachThought. Retrieved from http://www.teachthought.com/learning/21st-century-learning-is-not-a-program/

Smart, M. (2008). Listening to Themselves: Podcasting Takes Lessons Beyond the Classroom. eduTopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/podcasting-student-broadcasts

Teacher Tube (2008). Podcasting with Autistic Students. Retrieved from (video file).  http://marynabadenhorst.global2.vic.edu.au/zelebration-vid-private/

Blog 1: Podcasting-Miller

One of the objectives of this course (Technology for Media Services) is to demonstrate and increased knowledge base of the key concepts of technology and how it could support diverse learners. Our first exploration of this objective was through podcasts/vodcasts. When I first thought about podcasts, my brain immediately thought of some informational speech being giving in a monotone voice through my iPod.  I have a tendency to think of this as"BORING”. Having this framework in mind, I found it hard to perceive how beneficial “podcasts” could be in an educational setting. I needed to determine if it was something worthy to incorporate in the vast database of reserve resources. To determine if podcasts could be useful, I began to ask questions to support this objective. Key questions I asked myself was “How are podcasts being used in schools and is it useful?”, “Is there any way that podcasts can be less boring?”, and Can podcasts be used as an effective tool to facilitate 21^st century skills?”

What are Podcast/Vodcasts?

So I didn't know the word Podcast was formed from the words iPod and broadcast (Borja, 2005). Although an iPod is not required, it is one of the tools used to listen to podcasts. Podcasts are simply an audio file uploaded to the internet that allows users to subscribe via a feed and download to listen to at their leisure. Vodcasts is a podcast that incorporates pictures to create video presentation. I had the opportunity to create one. Please see my link below. Keep in mind this was my first creation. It was not easy, but it did inspire me to think beyond what I thought I knew and focus on its potential as an educational tool.

Podcasting in Schools

Educators are using podcasts for a variety of different reasons in many different subjects. According to Lamb (2007), there is a growing number of students who favor a multimedia approach to gaining information as opposed to reading text, and “podcasts are a way to convey ideas and emotions that are difficult to express in text format”. Students at Willowdale Elementary use podcasts to demonstrate what they learn in the classroom. Students at Grandview Elementary conducted booktalks of books they read.. Both are great ways to actively engage students in learning and could serve as an incentives for students who need differentiation from the routine teaching methods utilized in classrooms. Check out the following links of student podcasts from each school for ideas on how they can be used in the classroom.

http://mps.mpsomaha.org/willow/radio/shows/Willowcast38.mp3

http://www.grandviewlibrary.org/Fold/GV_BookTalk.aspx

Future Implications

One of the standards for the 21st century learner is for students to learn technology and use it as a tool for present and future learning. Learning to create a podcast is just the stepping stone for students to create bigger and better things such as vodcasts and other video and blogging projects. Students are able to use their creativity in producing a unique product that demonstrates their knowledge of key concepts and expertise with technology.  In an article by Hew (2009), it was noted that “listening was instinctual” which was not the case with reading and writing. Since podcasts/vodcasts tap into students audio and visual senses that are instinctual it would seem that it could be used as a great tool to enrich the learning environment.

About Using Podcasts In the School

To figure out how you want to use podcasts, determine who your target audience is. Identify the needs of the audience and your purpose for integrating podcasts. This should include grade levels working with, subject area, and standards being taught. Once you establish your audience and purpose, brainstorm possible projects using podcast and include classroom teachers in your collaboration. Determine what software you want use and hardware needs. Create a few examples to help students and provide them with sample student work. Ready.Set.Go Podcast!

References:

Borja, R. R. (2005). Podcasting Craze Comes to K-12 Schools. Education Week, 25(14), 8.

Hew, K. (2009). Use of audio podcast in K-12 and higher education: a review of research topics and methodologies. Educational Technology Research & Development, 57(3), 333-357.

Hill J.(2012). Integrating Podcast Technology Effectively into Student Learning: A Reflexive Examination. Journal Of Geography In Higher Education [serial online]36(3):437-454.

Lamb, A.(2007). Podcasting in the school library, part 1: integrating Podcasts and vodcasts into teaching and learning. Teacher Librarian [serial online]34(3):54-57.