Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Reflection


I believe I may have learned the most new technology in this course as far as it being usable in the classroom or library. I am so excited to have so many tools to use in the school setting. Just yesterday, I was meeting with my fourth grade team and I was sharing all the ideas I have grasped as well as used in my assignments. They are pumped to use them to promote reading as well as engage students more in the classroom. I already printed out the Bloom’s Taxonomy that I posted on my blog for my classroom for technology. I can’t wait to implement Twitter, Vine and Instagram all with reading. My favorite is going to be the Instagram my team and I are going to have the kids post a picture of the book and type a sentence or two on the book. They will also have the option of doing that on Vine. I am so excited and can’t wait to have them blog as well! That will be their “extended activity.” As well as including podcasts in our lessons. I am so pumped for this year, not only did I learn for the library but it will benefit my classroom. The tough part is going to be maintaining everything and making sure everything is appropriate. Now that Instagram has included video it will be easier to monitor. I am so excited. I can’t wait to start planning for my school year! 

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Team Kozma!

I agree with Kozma because of the fact that he believes media should be divided into groups. Remind you of something or someone else????



        Oh yeah! There are ways that media influence education and success. If media did not have a positive effect on the learning abilities or testing scores (let's be honest that's all TEA cares about), then why are districts everywhere so keen on implementing technology and other medias such as these in the classroom. So much as they are actually included in our daily/weekly walk-throughs and yearly evaluations (I'd put PADAS but it's changing this year). 

        Speaking from personal experience, I have seen first hand how certain media such as Mimio Boards and IPADs increase engagement and retention of information from lessons. All that increases students grades, scores, and overall makes them want to come to school.The processes to learn through the groups that Bloom's and Kozma believe in all end the same way with evaluation. In the end, we are here for these students and even if certain media reaches just one child, then I say bring it in and use it baby! I'm team Kozma! 

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Broadcast the Podcast!

Author of the Week


To be quite honest, I had never pictured using podcasts in the classroom. I mean usually people who listen to podcasts are adults and are usually viewed as informational and boring. It's time to spice things up, especially in the classroom! No one likes the sound of their own voice more than kids! I am super excited to be able to begin using podcasts in the classroom and/or library! It'd be neat to have a library podcast posted maybe every week by students on the latest going on, kind of like the latest news. The challenges I do see are the editing, getting it right, that could be rather difficult at times. I like that it is another technological tool that can be heard from anywhere that is beneficial to the community. In my opinion the most difficult thing to do is finding a microphone that records your voice loud enough and finding a silent spot, however I really do see this as beneficial for students. They will absolutely love it. Here are some ways I plan on using podcast!

Weekly Updates: every Monday have recordings of what is coming up this week in the library and/or classroom. This would include reminders, schedules, schedule changes, activities, birthdays, events, or any other important news. 

Author of the Week: connect my Instagram: Famous Author Friday picture of the author with the name of the author, then post the link to the podcast for the Author of the Week (this will be for the next week of course) and the student can listen to information on the author for the next week, on the podcast I can tell them to look at the vine and I can create a vine on the authors books we will be using! Also tie in the book reviews. IT ALL CONNECTS! I LOVE CONNECTIONS! 

Special Shout Outs: special shout outs will be a positive quote or message to students or maybe even a "I want to send a special thank you to Mr. Ruben (who may always be a troublemaker) for helping me reshelf all the books. You were the best of help and I will definitely need you next week!" Mr. Ruben can go back home and show mom what positive shout out he received. Also this can help with teachers "Shout Out to Ms. V's class had the best line and quietest class in the library this week! You all shall receive a special read aloud story this week!" Students and teachers can get pumped! 


Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Now Showing: Cartoons and Comics (please hold the applause)

ToonDoo

This website was kind of difficult to navigate through. I personally thought it had way too many options and I know students would take way more time figuring all that out rather than typing out a story. Maybe if we have students write out the comic first then go on there are mess with the site it will be effective. I had a little trouble working with it because I couldn’t figure out certain things like how to add text without a speaking or thought bubble. It was okay after I figured it out but that took about an hour and as a teacher we all know we just don’t have that time. I would use this for my GT, advanced students, and upper grades.



Pixton


Pixton was a little bit easier. The only thing I didn’t like was that you could only chose up to 3 characters. However, I did like that you could add as many comic squares as you wanted to continue the strip. I didn’t like that pending on the background that had talking bubbles, but did like that there was room to narrate at the bottom and write titles at the top. This will help students who seem to run out of space to talk. I would use this for general level students and my low.

Make Belief Comix


This was the easiest to learn how to use, you can email it, save it, didn’t need a log in. I liked this one the most because I felt it was user friendly for young children. I will definitely be using this in my classroom this year. I believe this will help all my special pops students, the ELLS, sped and other students who may be struggling with writing.

Operation Incorporation

Communication: I would use this to communicate with students. Have them create a comic on the lesson for the week. If they didn’t understand you can go over it again. Maybe others’ comics will help them.

Vocabulary: Instead of having students write a sentence or draw a picture with the word, I will have them create a comic strip to show me they understood what the word meant.

Characteristics: Have students create a comic to display a characteristic similar to the main character of a story

Theme: Have students create a comic to display a specific theme or moral of a story

Writing: have students create narratives like a story board to help when creating narratives


Cartoons and Comics: I would display all the comic strips so students can refer back to them and make copies of the best ones for students who are struggling. 

Friday, July 8, 2016

Videos and QR Codes in the Library

Norman High School Library

Tiger Visits The Norman High Library:   

Getting started with the NHS Library Website:   

I believe the Tiger Visits the Norman High Library is more important because it shows all the possible uses of the library and some of the procedures that are required for example signing in. I feel the students would like the visit better because it’s a tiger and more animated with actual students in the video as well. The Getting started with the NHS Library Website is also important because it teaches students how to use the website anywhere. The screencast however is more informational rather than a little of both information and engagement.

The Unquiet Library

The Importance of Choice for Igniting Student Passion and Learning through Research Projects: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZUTsyfY8m4&spfreload=5 

The Unquiet Library on Wheels @ the Cafeteria:

The Unquiet Library on Wheels @ the Cafeteria seems would show how much of an impact the librarian is trying to make. She is literally going to lunch tables checking out and in books. In the video you see her interaction with students and how they benefit from her going mobile to reach out to her students. The Importance of Choice video is the more important video. It shows those students’ opinions and voices matter. The project assigned by the library gives students the chance to be creative and important. Placing it on video and the library’s you tube channel gives it value and will increase engagement.

Pikesville HS Library

The Panthers Library in Action – Fall 2013: 

Snapshot of The Panthers Library: 

The most important for students would be the Snapshot of the Panthers Library because it is a snapshot of how 21st century tools and teaching in order to help students understand a specific literary piece. It motivates students to want to attend mini workshops they offer to students and allows them to use technology in an educational way. The Panthers Library in Action shows what type of activities go one in their library such as the parties, studying, reading, and the interactions.

BBMS Media

Overdue Library Book Parodies: 

Dr. Katherine and the Book Hoarder: 

I believe both are important, they deal with an apparent issue at this school for they have multiple videos on returning books. Making them fun and with the times will allow students to get creative and hopefully listen to an issue they are having. This is my favorite because of all the parodies they have.

Videos in the Library

I will use videos in my library as the following:
·         Book trailers
·         Advertisement
·         New books or authors
·         Announcements
·         Spotlight students and their work
·         Encouragement on certain activities EX: Millionaire’s Club & AR
·         Reader of the Month information
·         Activities or Events that have happened
·         Parodies EX: Overdue Books & I like Big Books


Book Trailer with Animoto

Though this was easy to make and rather simple. I would prefer IMOVIE on the IPAD. I will post a video my fourth grade team made with IMOVIE, where I have also used before to make book trailers, however the school has that IPAD. My students had a blast creating book trailers and reviews using IMOVIE. It was really easy to edit and play with. We even had a blast! 

Book Trailer:              https://animoto.com/play/wUcMX4xME0g1XfQfsbMOcA



QR Codes

The following is how I would use QR codes in my library:

·         Book Trailers: for each chapter book
·         Online: Encyclopedias or other reference books that have online access
·         Mystery Book: have a book of the month and this reveals it
·         Audio Book: to check if there is an audio book or a youtube video that reads it aloud
·         Announcements: any announcements and information that is needed
·         E-Book: download an e-book
·         Literary Guides: literary activities or guides for books to help with comprehension
·         Other Similar Books: provides a list of similar books
 

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Screencasts, Instagram, & Vine Rock my Socks!

Screencast

So, I tried using Jing and had difficulty, it took forever to download and my computer would record right. I quit that. Adobe Spark, since I am using a school computer it wouldn’t allow me to download that. I like and fell in love with Screen-O-Matic! Now the reason it rocked my socks is because I can download it onto my computer for future purposes. I can record lessons through power point and have my students answer questions in between. I can have my students listen to a story and ask questions in between. The possibilities in the classroom are endless. I already created a screencast for something new I am going to implement which is a blog. I learned about it in my classes and how it helps with articulate learning. I’m all about making connections, plus it’s a way parents can learn too. Send it through the email, put on my blog, so it’s viewable forever. My favorite screen-o-matic and I already shared it with my co-workers who want me to teach them how to use it.



 Instagram & Vine
Instagram and Vine, I honestly had never thought of using it in the classroom, but after this assignment I kind of had to restrain myself to only 2 for each because I had so many ideas flowing through my head! I can’t wait to use this in the classroom. The only problem I foresee is because my students are in elementary I have to be careful with the way it is used. Maybe make a contract with the parents and explain what we will be using it for with them having access as well. These are some ways I want to use both…

Inferencing:  students post “crime scenes” students have to guess who stole what?
Theme: place certain items with a book cover and students have to figure out the theme
Famous Author Friday: Place a famous author every Friday
Quotes: any book quotes
Book vs. Movie: which they think is better and why
Favorite Reading Place/Buddy
Book Review: whether they like the book or not with # to recommend or not and how many stars they give the book  
New additions to the library
Advertise books
Vocabulary: students have to use context clues to determine vocab word
Book Review: whether they like the book or not
Reader of the Month
Writer of the Month
Millionaire Readers

By the way I shared my Instagram and Vine posts on my tumblr so they can be viewed through the computer. 

Instagram

Vine

New Additions

Vocabulary

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Infographics Where Have You Been All My Life?!

I have found a new love. No, it's not another man, it's Infographics. I have never heard, used, seen or anything dealing with infographics. After hearing the Ted Talk and seeing how it benefits students and is another way for giving out information that may otherwise seem overwhelming. I can't wait to use this in my classroom and then when I become a librarian with my library. I'm so excited and it was fun creating one! I can't wait to use this at the beginning of the school year, with their schedule, classroom rules, and information such as that. I created one on E-books and Printed Books.





Saturday, June 25, 2016

Feeding the Reader

Feedly
I chose to use Feedly because for one it was free and two is was connected with google. It being connected with Google was the best because my email and my own blog are with Google. Once I login to Google it connects to all three. It’s easier to share and search through this website. I also find it fairly easy to navigate through.

The reason I chose each one of these blogs is written in their description. They each have a different aspect that I loved. Letters to a Young Librarian gives tips on job hunting and how to keep your library functioning. Library Displays provides ideas of unique and eye-catching displays for the library. School Library Journal is a book review blog that is constantly helping with book choices and suggestions for all types of readers. The Adventures of Library Girl is all about helping students meet academic goals as a librarian through reading. Elementary Librarian provides insight on lesson plans and how to help your library become more effective. I’m so excited to start using these in my own classroom library until I get my own library!

Letters to a Young Librarian
This blog provides advice and tips for new or seasoned librarians who need to adapt to the times. She also does these “Interview Posts” where it’s a series of questions on their position, their daily routine at work, and the best advice they ever received, so you get to see the different jobs in the library and from various locations.

Library Displays
This blog has a variety of library displays that are themed for holidays such as summer, Valentine’s, Christmas, etc. However, she also has displays for other days that promote awareness such as Zero Discrimination Day, National Poetry Day, Samoan Language, and other displays to celebrate their native culture in New Zealand. It also has some displays geared towards books that are movies, books that are true stories and certain challenges such as “Read the Alphabet” where students read a book for each letter of the alphabet in the month.

School Library Journal

This blog gives the latest on books, reviews, authors, and gives advice on choosing books. It also highlights librarians, contests, libraries, award winners, and resources for young readers. Plus it’s one of the top reliable reviews for books.

The Adventures of Library Girl
This blog is all geared towards benefiting the students and how we as librarians can help them. I particularly read one article, “Five Ways School Librarians Can Meet the Needs of Students of Poverty” where she explains how we can help students find a love for reading and help them with reading academically.

Elementary Librarian
This blog gives library lesson plans and ideas for an elementary library. It may not be TEKS aligned, however you can easily implement it. It also posts ways to collaborate with teachers, how to work your library such as center ideas, juggling class time and checkout, ipads and she has an “author spotlight.” She has a lot of ideas that are easy to have in your library, I especially like the post on Banned Books Week because it can be hard for elementary because of the age. Because of my Feedly account I can see the posts. If you go to the actual website then you can get free lessons.

Tumblr

Librarians are using tumblr as a social media outlet. It’s a way to communicate through pictures and adding comments or captions for the public. You can even attach it to other social medias such as twitter, facebook, and Instagram. It’s a way to advertise events, contests, and show pictures of activities going on in the library. It also gives other librarians ideas, such as displays, lessons, books, and activities. Librarians can even follow certain tumblr accounts, it’s another way of communication. I created one and am super excited! 

http://missvlikesbigbooks.tumblr.com/ 

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Twitter + Facebook + Education = Success

Twitter
Overall, these five twitter accounts were all geared towards the educator and how to help them become more of a digital educator. Many went beyond and involved pop culture into the lessons they provided. Resources such as websites, articles, videos, and books were also attached to some of the tweets as seen above. Most of the posts were technologically educational. 

Kathy Schrock posts are mostly links to articles, blogs, or updates to her website. To be honest I wasn't very engaged, I like her website better. 

Linda Braun posts are geared all involving the youth and how to benefit education or technology. She also posts quotes in text lingo from certain articles that she feels are significant.



Buffy Hamilton posts are from her everyday life like the Cavaliers, but also for teachers, students and librarian purposes.  There are articles, book lists, grant opportunities, collaboration and positive quotes.


The Daring Librarian posts are funny, about everyday life, and reading. She also posts links to her blog and about books. She also talks about digital citizenship providing QR codes for some lessons.

Jim Lerman posts are videos, technology products, posters, and social media updates. It’s all about how to help the educator reflect and encourage technology in the classroom. He’s very up to date with the latest pop culture and education, encouraging lessons.



Facebook Pages

The Facebook pages contained pictures of student activities done in the classroom, events going on campus, events from the public library, updates from the library, pictures of students reading in the library, and posts about books. Some even had coming soon books to get students excited. All posts were from the library, has the hours, the address, the phone number, and the website for the library. There are many advantages to this; students will be encouraged to keep up with the library because most are always on social media. Parents and the community will be able to stay in contact with the library and know of events going on. Some disadvantages is that it may be hard to keep updating the page as a librarian, with the workload at school. I also noticed most of the libraries I came in contact with were middle school or high school. Rarely any elementary, being an elementary librarian, it may not benefit them as much due to some not have access. 

Bloom's, Schrock and Prensky, Oh My!

Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy
In being familiar with the Bloom’s Taxonomy and it’s verbs for learning in the classroom, it’s very interesting to see the difference in the verbiage in the Digital Taxonomy. To be honest I didn’t even know there was a digital taxonomy, and find it compelling to see that many of my students have already hit the highest thinking in creating, whereas in other aspects in learning they are still in applying or analyzing skills. Collaboration has changed from a skill to essential shows how far we have come in the digital world which with many media is all about communicating.





Kathy Schrock’s Guide to Everything
Seeing the appealing posters she provides of Bloom’s taxonomy and apps to support are very resourceful for educators. I know I have already saved a few to share with my colleagues, technology in the classroom is a constant, so seeing their digital cognition will be interesting to determine versus their regular cognitive process. She makes everything very user friendly, showing the teacher and student roles in digital cognition.





Prensky’s Presentation
Prensky’s Presentation on the digital native was very powerful and moving though only five minutes long. It made me really stop and think about my students and how I have been teaching these past seven years. Here are some things that I felt were really important and want to continue to use as an educator:
Children are the hearts of matter; we are preparing our students for 21st century success. As an educator ask these three questions:
Who are our students?
How do we engage them and with them?
How do we continue to engage them and with them?

They are different for what we are prepared to teach, there is more technology and they would rather deal with that then read a book. Teachers look at technology as a tool and digital natives look at it as a foundation because it’s integrated in everything people do. Young people have emerged technology to what it is today, and as educators we have to be up to date with what is going on online because that is what the kids are all about. They don’t want to adapt to the past, this is now the 21st century. Making education more connected with community and what technology is now rather than how we have learned in the past.

Prensky’s Video on Digital Natives

Bloom’s, Kathy, & Prensky
Prensky believes in a digital world where technology is a part of life, whereas educators see it as a tool. Bloom’s helps educators be able to evaluate and further student’s digital cognition. Kathy shows what the role of a teacher and student stand within bloom’s taxonomy. They all really support each other and are guides to help learning more engaging for students. Along with helping educators change and become more comfortable with digital education and become 21st century educators.

Listen to the natives
With students being far more technologically advanced than many educators and constantly rushing to become 21st century learners, educators must learn to keep up.
Digital natives refer to today’s students. They are native to technology, digital language of computers, video games and the Internet. Those of us who are not that familiar with today’s technological advances are referred to as “digital immigrants.” Things will be changing and students will be evolving so quickly, but we as educators need to keep up.
Instead of shunning or stifling the new age of technological learning, we must embrace it, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. Educators must practice engaging students with what they are familiar and excited about which is technology. We need to take advantage of the latest technology and learn how to use it more effectively, this involves librarians and administration.
In order for all this to be possible collaboration is essential, working with your students’ needs. Working with colleagues and administration to best provide the technological solutions to any problems that may occur.
Much of the curriculum is stifling students to proceed and advance in today’s world. We are so glued to the past that it is keeping students from becoming 21st century learners. Students are eager to learn with more advanced technology and want to be challenged with that for its interesting and engaging to them.

Beloit’s College’s Mindset List
Beloit College lists events or things that have been on the planet for a certain graduating class. Also some things that will make people cringe with translations of a few expressions. It really shows how much has changed and how they will continue to change, hopefully for the better.

My thoughts
I believe Prensky nipped it in the bud, when he said that there is a fundamental difference between students and teachers when it comes to technology. I as a teacher, do see technology as a tool not as an essential. I’m used to the “old school ways” of books and notes, etc. When something goes wrong with my computer, or I don’t understand how to do something, my little fourth grade students help me figure it out. It’s amazing what they know and the fact that they are always up to date with the latest fads in technology. I still don’t have a personal IPAD; I see no need for it. My students tell me they can do their homework on there and have showed me how. I find it fascinating that they are able to show me how to implement the technology they are familiar with into my educating them because it will help them actually want to do it.

Reflection
I feel it is very necessary to breakdown technology the way Bloom’s and Kathy did. It definitely helps those educators who aren’t very familiar with technology and the digital world. This will assist them in being able to become more comfortable with the unfamiliar. Technology in class is seen as a tool, whereas students see it as a part of life. It will help technology become a part of teaching instead of a tool you use every now and then when need be. I do not think there is a difference between Prensky, Bloom’s and Kathy, in fact I believe they all are supporting each other for the same goal. They do break it down in different ways, Prensky tells gives you the introduction and what you need to do, Bloom’s breaks it down and gives your specific verbs to use, and Kathy lets you know what role the teacher and student has in the process of Bloom’s. Before, I would have felt that technology is a tool for learning, however after all these articles, my views have changed. I believe this is the foundation which we need to build for our education. We need to as educators have students more engaged which will promote learning and keep them learning throughout the year if we continue to keep up with it. A librarian is essential for technology because they are the ones that provide the technology in the classroom. Librarians can also promote and support technology in the library and with the community that enters it. Having lessons with students and helping them use some of the digital advances in research or other activities done in the library also help. Collaboration is essential and an educator needs the librarian when it comes to technology in order for it to be effective.


Refernces
 Bloomin' Apps. (n.d.). Retrieved June 09, 2016, from http://www.schrockguide.net/bloomin-apps.html 

Churches, A. (2009). Bloom's Digital Taxonomy

 L. (2013). Marc Prensky - Digital Natives. Retrieved June 09, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRR76Mz9NII

Prensky, M. (2005, December). Listen to the Natives. Educational Leadership, 63(4), 8-13. 
 
The Mindset List: 2019 List. (n.d.). Retrieved June 09, 2016, from https://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2019/