Where Lifelong Learners are Developing

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Book Review for: Technology And The School Library



I found Technology And The School Library written by Odin L. Jurkowski to be very informative and is a great resource to keep on your bookshelf. This book would be beneficial for new school librarians as well as existing school librarians alike. Jurkowski's book is categorized into five sections including: Information Tools, Information Resources, From the Library to the Classroom, Technology Administration in the School Library, and Technology and the Teaching Component. Each section offers overviews, resources available, information concerning various types of equipment, and how to create and effective and efficient school library.

The first section of Technology And The School Library provides details about information tools including hardware, software, and networks that will help school librarians make appropriate choices for their library. Everything from computers, scanners, printers, operating systems, antivirus, spyware, wired and wireless networks, thin clients, etc. are covered in this section on information tools.

The second section of the book discusses information resources including educational software, Internet, and school library websites. Issues with, types of, and evaluations for educational software and websites are covered in this section. Tips and ideas for creating an effective school library website are also discussed in the second section.

The third section that Jurkowski covers in his book is that concerning taking information from the library to the classroom. Equipment and classroom support are the main topics in this section. The whole idea of having understanding of the equipment available in the school and how the librarian can provide support and training for this equipment is becoming a key role for school librarians.

Section four discusses technology administration in the school library which includes automation, student computers, security systems, and technology plans. Jurkowski explains that school librarians need to understand the various types of technology, determine needs, have knowledge of funding, and how important planning is to adequately operate a school library. Also in this section is details about the number of computers needed and guidelines for arrangements of the computers. Security systems and the necessity for them are covered in this section also. Finally, technology plans including an explanation of what they are, the process for creating and writing a plan, and the difference between a good versus a bad technology plan are included.

The final section, section five, covers technology and the teaching component. Professional development, instructional handouts and materials, and Web 2.0 are all mentioned in this final section of Technology And The School Library. Jurkowski encourages school librarians to, "Use professional development as an opportunity to make the library even more visible." When school librarians share their knowledge with other teachers and students this can create a great environment in the school and provide others with the knowledge they need to find information. This section also points out how beneficial it is for school librarians to create, provide, and display instructional handouts and materials in a printed format. Lastly, Web 2.0 along with a description of what it is, the uses for it, and the various types of tools available within this form of technology are covered.

I would certainly recommend Jurowski's book, Technology And The School Library, as a necessary resource for all school librarians. This book is full of explanations, information, and resources that are important to being an effective school librarian. Jurowksi has also provided checklists, diagrams, and additional websites that should be helpful. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and felt as though I gained a lot of insight to becoming a productive school librarian.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Cell Phones in the Classroom?

Allowing the use of cell phones in the classroom is a controversial issue. There are many challenges as well as opportunities that go along with permitting students to utilize cell phones in an educational environment. After researching this topic, I have included some of the positives and negatives for this issue.

In my opinion, there are many opportunities and benefits for students using their cell phones in school. First, a cell phone can provide a different modality for learners to use which could be helpful to maintain interest and improve organization. Also students would be able to have access to this technology perhaps more easily than a computer. Another opportunity is the quantity and usefulness of the applications that are available for cell phones is tremendous. On the other hand, there are also challenges to students using cell phones in the classrooms.

One of the biggest challenges would be that not all students have a cell phone. This would create limitations in the classroom and for those students without a phone. It is not like a teacher keeping extra supplies in the classroom for students to use, having extra cell phones available for student use would very difficult and costly. Another issue comes from the various types of phones, the applications they have access to, and the cost of usage. It would be difficult to make sure all students have the same or similar phones and applications to use in the classroom. This would require teachers to have an overwhelming knowledge of phones and applications. Also, a huge concern would be the misuse and possible violation of privacy that could come with freely allowing students to use their phones in school. As I watched some of the YouTube videos that students posted I was disturbed by the fact that these teachers were violated. I know they should not have conducted themselves in the manner in which they did, but within a couple of minutes of recording and a few touches to a screen they have their privacy violated. I personally know of a student doing something similar and I feel this is not something that should be taken lightly.

I do believe that the use of cell phone have many opportunities and can be beneficial, but probably not in classrooms with students any younger than high school age and preferably used by college aged students. As for the future, cell phones or some other similar type of technology may be used in a school setting, but for now there are too many issues that still need to be sorted out before allowing students to freely use their cell phones in the classroom.



Monday, June 21, 2010

Easybib

Easybib is another productivity tool that is free and easy to use. This site allows you to easily and simply create a bibliography. Students can use this site to create bibliographies for reports and projects.

You can access a screencast about how to use Easybib at the following...
http://www.screencast.com/users/calkier/folders/Easybid%20Screencast/media/32045c30-702b-4f86-9a4f-07a68d721cc8

You can also access Easybib directly at the following...
http://www.easybib.com/

Trackstar

Trackstar is a productivity tool which can be used to create online lessons, called Tracks, to be shared with others. Or Trackstar can be used to search for Tracks that have already been created by other educators. This is an easy tool to search for these Tracks by keyword, grade level, subject, etc.

You can access a screencast about how to use Trackstar at the following...
http://www.screencast.com/users/calkier/folders/Trackstar/media/51f1251c-1d06-485c-9c6d-70115be81f85

You can also access Trackstar directly at the following...
http://trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/

Fact Monster Screencast

Fact Monster is a productivity tool that offers several features that can be useful to both students, teachers, and library media specialist. With this site you can search for information, use the almanac, dictionary, encyclopedia, thesaurus, a reference desk and much more. Students will find many tools to use for assignments, homework help, and online games. Teachers and library media specialists will also find this site helpful to use with classroom lessons, printable resources, games, and quizzes.

You can access a screencast about how to use Fact Monster at the following...
http://www.screencast.com/users/calkier/folders/Fact%20Monster%20Screencast/media/dd33b3c0-bf12-4f56-976c-a890b13be85c

You can also access Fact Monster directly at the following...
http://www.factmonster.com/

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Wiki - Productivity Tools

I have created a page on my wiki that provides information about activities, users, and benefits of productivity tools.

To see this information please visit my wiki @
http://mybookcorner.wikispaces.com/Productivity+Tools

Media Editing Tools

Media editing tools include items such as online presentation creating, online whiteboards, creating movies, etc. These types of media tools create a whole new level for students and teachers to create and share ideas and information. Media editing tools can be beneficial in the classroom as well as the library for assignments, projects, and presentations. These tools could just be what some students need to become interested in learning.

Sites for Media Editing Tools include:

ZohoShow
www.show.zoho.com
ZohoShow is an online tool that can be used by teachers, students, or anyone to create a presentation. Themes, clip art, and shapes are included for easy use. With this tool one can have access from anywhere at anytime, share, and give remote presentations.

ScribLink
www.scriblink.com
ScribLink is an online whiteboard that can be shared in real-time.

Xtranormal
www.xtranormal.com
Xtranormal is an online tool for creating and sharing movies.

Tools for Professionals

Tools for professionals can be used to help teachers and library media specialists create online courses, as scheduling tools, or in the library environment. The scheduling tools could be beneficial for teachers when coordinating dates for meetings and other school events. Various areas are covered within the library environment including acquisitions, searches, cataloging, etc.

Sites for Tools for Professionals include:

Doodle
http://www.doodle.com/
Doodle is a scheduling tool that allows professionals to schedule meetings, conferences, and other group events. This would be useful to teachers in helping coordinate staff meetings, team projects, and school events.

Moodle
http://moodle.com/
Moodle software is used by schools, universities, companies, and teachers to help create online courses.

LibLime
http://liblime.com/
LibLime offers solutions for public, academic, consortia, school corporate, special collections, law and religious libraries. These solutions include acquisitions, cataloging, web-based catalog search, circulation, and much more. This site offers a variety of information for various libraries.

Tools for Students

Tools for students help with organizing, managing assignments, planning, and other aspects necessary to being a productive student. Planners, to-do lists, organizers, and calendars are types of tools for students to use. By using these tools students can become more effective at managing their time and assignments.


Sites for Tools for Students include:

Free Technology for Teachers
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2009/12/15-tools-to-help-students-with.html
This site includes various tools students can access to get organized, plan, make to-do lists, track assignments, etc.

4Teachers
http://www.4teachers.org/
4Teachers includes multiple tools for students to use including online games, tutorial videos, calendars, research tools, etc.

Collaborative Notes

Collaborative notes are tools that allow documents and presentations to be shared and reviewed by others in real time online. These documents and presentations can be reviewed, marked up, have notes and comments added, and revisions made by other viewers online. The creator can then make the necessary changes and save files online. Collaborative Notes make for a much simpler form of peer editing.

Sites for Collaborative Notes include:

Crocodoc
http://www.crocodoc.com/
Crocodoc allows users to have documents or presentations viewed and marked up online.

Postica
http://www.posti.ca/
Postica enables files, notes, and reminders to be created and shared with others.

Graphic Organizers

Graphic organizers are a way to graphically and visually display ideas, knowledge, or concepts. These can help organize information and thoughts, clarify information, create interest, and enhance learning. Story maps, knowledge maps, story webs, and concept maps are a few forms of graphic organizers.



Sites for graphic organizers include:

TeacherVision
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/graphic
TeacherVision contains free, printable graphic organizers for various subject areas. These organizers are separated by grade levels as well as by types of organizers. By using graphic organizers found on this website, students will be able to gain a better understanding of subject material and communicate more effectively.

Graphic.Org
http://www.graphic.org
Graphic.Org includes links to various graphic organizers.

Bubbl.us
http://www.bubbl.us
Bubbl.us is a free web application that allows one to create, share, email, print, and save mind maps online.

4Teachers.org Review

http://www.4teachers.org/ is a website that offers a variety of online tools and resources to help integrate technology into the classroom. This site offers tools and resources for teachers and students which can be used in the classroom as well as the library. These resources provide technology to create customized rubrics, educational games, video production, essay writing for students, online class calendars, and much more.

Links to tools:
Equity
http://equity.4teachers.org/index.php
Equity Index is a database that will allow teachers to search for tools and resources that can be used for a diverse classroom. A teacher or librarian can use this resource to meet the needs of students who may require modification to assignments due to learning needs, language, race, religion, and culture.

PBL Checklists
http://pblchecklist.4teachers.org/
PBL allows for the creation of age-appropriate, customizable project checklists. These checklists can be used to help students stay on track with projects and assignments.

NoteStar
http://notestar.4teachers.org/
NoteStar can assist students and teachers in preparing research papers and projects. This site contains many features for students including note taking, organizing notes, tracking of sources, etc. Some features for teachers include creating and managing projects, checking authenticity of sources, tracking progress, and sending messages to students.

Rubistar
http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php
Rubistar is a tool which can be used by teachers to create rubrics for assignment, projects, and lessons.

Benefits in the library:
The above links can be useful in both the classroom and library. Each link contains features that could be beneficial in the library. Equity can serve a librarian who may need to make modifications to lessons or projects that have been assigned by either the classroom teacher or the librarian. Rubistar could also be valuable in the library. This tool can allow the librarian to create rubrics for assignments taught in the library. These rubrics will help both students and librarians know what in required for assignments.