Blog # 6 Why Are Schools Needed?

Blog # 6 Why are schools needed?

Inquiry learning happens constantly in the Media Center.  The library with its computer and information resources allows students to explore topics of interest which are relevant to them.  Individual students come to the library on hall passes and head to the computers to connect to information on the internet and on databases.  I observe technology savvy students designing their own comic pages or images with online tools while some students are just exploring topics of interest online.  They are learning at their own pace about interests relevant to them.  There a sense of excitement as they share their findings with their friends.  It’s an engaging, creative process widening their exposure and knowledge of the world outside of our school. When I was a young student, I came to the library to conduct similar information searches.  However, I was only able to inquire about the world from books, newspapers, microfiche, and magazine contained in the building.  Today, our students connect to the world’s resources online.  I see the library as the center of the inquiry learning process for the school and the professional librarian providing assistance to facilitate student inquiries and help with problems.  The librarian also leads class discussions about research in the Media Center and online.

Schools can help take students from their personal views developed in homes to broader views. Schools unlock information contained in the world.  As presented by David Perkins from Harvard School of Education, the inquiry-based approach allows learners “to create, design, imagine and develop new possibilities.”  By studying with others at school, learners can reach broader understandings and connections to the real world.  I believe inquiry learning explains a major purpose for the library’s existence.    The library is one of the few places in the school which allows students to search and explore information for their personal interests or their real-life problems. Schools provide digital connections that help eliminate the digital divide that exists for some students.  Liz Keren-Kolb discusses how “Technology tools at school enhance learning that could not have been accomplished without these tools.”  Schools provide a wealth of online resources and teachers are a valuable resource for students when they have questions or problems.    

I want to focus the mini-lessons on water issues from Science.  To make for authenticity in the lessons, I will ask for digital presentations in the format of their choice about real problems in the US or in the world with flooding or lack of water in areas which are experiencing droughts.  One lesson will focus on selecting resources for presentations and how to avoid plagiarism and properly cite resources.

Blog #5

I reviewed my goals for this class and noticed I put I wanted to become knowledgeable about blogging and using twitter.  I have learned a tremendous amount about both areas.  However, I want to modify my goal to be: I want to become experienced with blogging and tweeting so I can use these digital tools with students, parents, and teachers at school.  I needed this practical experience with blogging and tweeting to really understand the process of using these social media tools.  Real experience with blogging has given me the confidence to be able to respond to questions by students and I feel that I will be able to lead classes with teachers who want to learn about blogging and twitter for classroom use now.

Before this class, I had never used blogs or twitter.  I had no idea that there was a blog application in my google account or there was an online blog reader for ease in following other people’s blogs.  I am building my confidence with communicating my thoughts online and it is helpful for me to read other students’ blogs that they had little knowledge of the process either. I find I enjoy reading comments more than writing my own.  I’ve learned that having a theme with a series of questions to answer helps provide a focus.  If I just start responding, I find I begin to develop a view or “voice” about the issue or question.  I believe this practical experience will be helpful for me when I begin to blog on my library’s website.  I want to create a library website that uses social media to engage with students, parents, and teachers

.

After going through this week’s assignments, I decided that I have a growth mindset.  Now I know it was my growth mindset that pushed me into an online master’s program at my age.  I am determined to learn the 21^st digital technology skills necessary to transform the library at my school.  It has not been easy for me coming from my support position as a Media Assistant, but I recognize that I can do it if I keep applying myself.  I have particularly benefited from other students’ posts and projects.  The online structure of the program is very helpful to learning 21^st digital tools. 

Carol Dweck described the growth mindset as “one who believes abilities can be developed through practice” and I believe I represent that way of thinking.  I also believe I will benefit from knowing her recommendation to “praise the process” in students to help create growth mindsets in students.

    

It is my fixed mindset that makes me worry about posting interesting blogs and tweets.  I focus on how my comments will be received by others!  I was pleased to gain a better understanding of the importance the growth mindset and the vital role it can play in classrooms as discussed by Edward Briceno in his discussion, “The Power of Belief.”  His advice to “listen for your fixed mindset voice” is guidance I can use with students to help motivate all students to grow and achieve.  

Blog #4 Letting Go

Letting Go

One of my greatest learning experiences came when I went on a Boy Scout campout to Cumberland Island with my son’s scout troop.  I was invited with the “dads” because they needed another driver from Atlanta to take troop members. (A dad had canceled at the last moment!)  I didn’t really know how things operated on their campouts because my husband always went with our son.  I learned so much.  The leader explained to me when I tried to help out a camper with a situation that their philosophy was for the scouts to make their own decisions and they would live with their decision and the consequences.  It was really hard for me as a mom to keep my mouth shut and let go when I saw situations.  I noticed they did not use the boxes to store food supplies.  That first night the raccoons got in the bags hung in the trees.  No one from our group will ever forget to use food storage boxes when they are available at a campsite!!  The leader explained to me the boys learn best from their own experiences. I agree! I had to take off my mom hat and wear a scout hat when I was with the troop.

I also had to learn to wear my teacher hat in the library at my middle school when I first started working there.  I was so happy to be working in the library! The kids learned I would look up books or information for them when they asked for help until the librarian explained she wanted the students to use Destiny to find books and information.  She explained we knew how to use Destiny but the kids needed experiences so they could become confident users! I agree with Grant Wiggins, “Transfer is the bottom line” for all of us!!

In the Connected Learning webinar, the discussion, “technology is like oxygen – something for all learners to use” hit home with me.  It is a part of our student’s lives and we need to make technology a part of every classroom.  Learning is not limited to our classrooms and libraries like it was when I was growing up attending school.  We are able to connect online to the world.  After viewing the video, I asked myself: why is BYOD working in England and Africa but not in my school?  We have had seven superintendents in the ten years I have worked for the county.  We are having to regroup with each change in administration.  I hope we have some continuity soon.  I know parents and voters recognize we need technology and better schools because they just voted on May 24, to renew Esplost for tax dollars to go for schools and technology.  I agreed with the comments in the video, “Technology isn’t optional!  The real world happens online. “

I think technology can help us build our best schools!  Students understand that’s one of the important life skills for their futures. I think project collaboration is a way to help students work with others and remove the stress of finding the correct answers to quizzes.  As we model acceptance and support for our students’ projects, it should help them build their confidence to explore new ideas and technology tools for their future roles in this 21^st-century. 

Blog #3 Reflective Searching

Blog #3 Reflective Searching 

I view searching on the internet as a fun challenge.  I know the information is out there on the internet and the challenge is to figure out a quick, direct path which leads to the desired information.  Developing appropriate search terms is the key to success. I know I need to develop relevant search terms so I am not overwhelmed by the huge number of responses.  I find I will edit my search terms constantly to obtain a better response to my query. I’ve observed in the library that I will stay with a topic longer than students in the school.  They get discouraged quickly and will close down their computers.  I like to engage them in a discussion about their searches and use questions to help expand their searching.

In the article, “Information Behavior of the Researcher of the Future,” it reports that 89% of college students from the Google Generation (born after 1993) “prefer a search engine to begin an information search.”  When I began working in the school in 2006, I noticed I would start a search with the information from the books in the library.  This was a comfortable pattern due to my years of experience using books, encyclopedias, and reference books in the library for term papers and research.  I see most students enter the library and immediately go to the internet to begin a search. 

As I become more familiar with the internet and the value of “current” information, I became a fan of going to google to find information.  Just like the majority of students, I find my typical search pattern is to begin with google and input several search terms.  I employ a similar “power browsing” technique of searching “horizonally” through internet sites without employing a deep depth of interest in the many sites that are listed.  I can usually locate the needed information from the summary information and quickly access the website and information I desire. 

My son has taught me how to expand the information filter bubble with his interest in politics and current news.  Each morning he goes online on his cell phone to several credible news sources such as CNN, BBC, or NBC and reads the news of the day.  At a young age, he realized the importance of obtaining different viewpoints about the same topic to provide a broad view of a topic.      

Blog Post #2 Digital Technology Has Transformed Education

Blog Post # 2

Digital Technology Has Transformed Education

In the four resources provided in Module 1 blogging information, I saw a common theme of digital, online information is constantly changing and how it has transformed the learning environment.  I felt the “Infowhelm and Information Fluency” youtube video helped me understand why I feel so overwhelmed by information overload with the chart that showed digital information had increased by 10,000% in six years.  The video provided many visuals and statistics that explained the tremendous growth of digital, online information.  However, it provided no suggestions for managing the information. 

The blog by Bran Alexander provided a system for managing information by providing an overview of his Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) process so educators can begin to provide to structure and focus the vast amounts of online information.  He recognized that information is constantly changing but he attempts to manage the input of information to topics relevant to his field. 

I felt Karen Lirenman’s statement, “I’ve changed the way I do many things because of technology” from her April 23, blog is very relevant to educators.  Diana Laufenberg echoed this thought when she discussed how she changed her lesson as a result of students’ request to prepare a video on drugs.  I felt each resource emphasize the need to remain current with new advancements in technology and information.  Students have embraced technology and we need to catch up to their use of information and technology tools if we want to remain relevant and engaging to our students.  There’s a reason our cell phone is called a “smart” phone now!  Students can engage online with vast amounts of information in a few seconds.

Initial Goals for FRIT 7234 class at Georgia Southern

Blog Post #1:

At the end of last semester, I reflected in my Digital Learning class I wanted to learn more information about utilizing blogging, tweeting, and wiki’s with classroom learning.  This class is going to be perfect to develop my skills and confidence in those areas.  When I visited the school librarian in Gwinnett County for our key assessment project, I observed she was very accomplished in using blogs and tweets to send out messages and information to teachers and students. 

The students at my middle school love using social media and digital tools. I want to become knowledgeable so I can design learning projects that really engage our students.  I also want to understand how to blog and tweet so I can connect to students and parents from the School Library website.