Sadness and Tragedy

Yesterday there was yet another school shooting in America :(  28 people have been needlessly killed.
What makes this worse than that fact is the shooter walked into an elementary school and shot 5 to 10 year olds as well as some adults.

Worse still, the gun lobby today is defending their constitutional right to bear arms.  The abject horror that I feel about this situation is compounded by this complete and utter idiocy.  Obviously if people with mental illness have the right to bear arms or have access in general the rest of the world will continue to watch these horrors occurring.  Wake up People!

RIP Angels

The Journey Ends and a New One Begins :)

Study Complete! :)))

Byron Bay Bluesfest - Playing Schedule

Byron Bay Bluesfest - Playing Schedule

Frustration

To post or not to post... That is the question!
Extremely frustrated with so much to say........ maybe I should save it for another day :(

My Antarctic Pathfinder

http://antarcticapathfinder.weebly.com/

The pathfinder on the topic of Antarctica that I created for ETL 501.  So much fun :)

The Journey

Throughout this course I have greatly expanded into the digital realm of knowledge.  I started with Google searches and Facebook.  I have ended with a connection to Teacher Librarians all over the world through Facebook, Twitter, Diigo, Scoop It, Pin It, RSS feeds of blogs and Google Scholarly email alerts. I look forward to further advocating the role of Teacher Librarians throughout the world.

Strategic Planning

Well the assignment was submitted a few hours ago.  Before which I shared my planning with my current principal, my husband and a friend that is a university lecturer.  All were impressed by my 3 year plan. I have surprised myself with what I have learned and I am proud of what I have written and submitted.  There are going to be some very big changes at our little school. :o)

Vision Statement

The school library is a beacon of 21^st Century Learning.  It produces competent and critical thinkers who are both ethical users and producers of information and ideas.

The students are self-motivated problem solvers using the myriad of resources available to facilitate lifelong learning habits.

Hkay 2012

100 Things Kids Will Miss If they don’t have a School Librarian in their School

100 Things Kids Will Miss If they don’t have a School Librarian in their School 
Released by Dr. Nancy Everhart (everhart@fsu.edu) Past President, American Association of School Librarians (AASL) May 19, 2011

Books that are professionally selected to meet school and personal needs.
Equitable access to computers and other forms of technology.
Someone to talk to and someone who listens – the school librarian.
A place to get help when they need it. 
A place to assemble with their friends openly. 
Confidentiality.
Learning experiences that are enhanced through teacher/librarian collaboration.
How to evaluate information.
How to create information.
How to share information with others.
How to self-assess their work.
Project-based learning and the critical thinking skills it teaches them.
A place where the school culture is fostered and thrives.
A recommendation for a book that is suited to their interest.
A recommendation on what to read next.
Having stories read to them.
Respect for intellectual property.
A place to practice safe and ethical behaviors.
A librarian who doesn't judge a student because he/she takes out a book they enjoy reading.
A place to solve problems.
A place to use their imagination.
Book clubs.
Special programs and speakers.
Author visits.
Video chats with authors and experts.
Reading contests and prizes.
Instruction in how to use statewide databases.
Resources that align with the curriculum.
Acquiring 21st century skills.
Learning confidence.
Encouragement.
Book fairs.
A quiet place to learn.
One-on-one instruction.
A safe forum to explore new ideas.
The opportunity to borrow digital cameras, recorders, and laptops.
The ability to experiment with and master new technology.
Materials matched to their learning style.
Accepting learning as a life skill, not just an academic necessity.
The potential for higher standardized test scores.
Citing sources correctly.
Using information ethically.
Creating READ posters.
Creating book trailers.
Preparation for college.
Summer reading lists and programs.
Borrowing materials on interlibrary loan from public and college libraries.
Having resources available for school projects at the public library because the school librarian collaborated with them.
Cloud computing.
Learning to be a good digital citizen.
Poetry slams.
Battle of the books.
Digital literacy.
Time during homeroom, during lunch, during the school day, and after school to work on projects when they have no other access to computers.
Quality control. 
A place to visit that is open, friendly, attractive, and a safe haven.
Additional resources for their classrooms. 
In-depth exploration of a topic.
A knowledgeable, interested adult with whom to discuss books.
A library website that offers access 24–7 to an online catalog, selected electronic resources, databases, and curriculum-related websites.
Synthesizing information from diverse perspectives.
Writing a thesis statement or a critical question.
Reflecting on the information-seeking process.
Developing teamwork.
Responding to literature.
Using social media websites and tools (i.e., blogs, wikis, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) safely and responsibly.
Assistance and guidance in completing homework assignments Recommending books to their friends.
Help with history fair, science fair projects. A place to "shop" for free. 
A place to practice decision-making skills.
The library, like the cafeteria and the gym, are places where all students (crossing grade levels and ability levels) mingle with one another.
Opportunities for meaningful student leadership A program that always differentiates to teach, support, and enrich.
A conduit for information to increase efficiency in the entire building.
Teachers who have had exposure to instructional support and collaboration.
Access to subscription databases, including time-saving instruction on which databases are appropriate for particular projects;
Technology expertise and instruction on software and web applications for writing, collaboration and presentation.
A connection between the outside world and the classroom.
The ability to construct and defend arguments E-readers.
Resources that will broaden their global perspective A smile of genuine pleasure for coming through the door.
Going beyond academic requirements.
Organizing personal knowledge.
Responding to literature.
Adapting to new situations.
Developing personal productivity.
Celebrating reading.
Celebrating learning.
A place to display their work both physically and virtually.
A place where the digital divide doesn’t exist.
A place to use their imaginations.
Learning the implications of a digital footprint.
Making recommendations for books that are followed.
Teachers who extend learning experiences beyond the classroom.
How to search efficiently and effectively.
Respect for copyright and intellectual property.
Helping other students.
A place to study without grades.

A Great day with Colleagues!

Wow what a great day.  I attended a collegiate workshop day in Byron today and it was fabulous to finally meet and connect with my thriving collegiate group.  Picking their brains on library visions and digital pathfinders - which many were shocked to hear about.  It was a case of me informing them which was exciting.  I was answering their questions about copyright and directing them to the smart copying website.  I explained how pathfinders were more than relevant still and how they have just changed form slightly.
All in all it was not until today that I had realised how much I have learned through my course at CSU.
WOW and AHA!  It was great to video conference with Colleen Foley again too :)
Great Day!  Now on with study and assignments! :S

One Woman's Wanderings With Web2.0

Web 2.0

The Key element to Web2.0 is that it allows the user to share and create. Web2.0 allows for collaboration and changes the web to a learning environment.
Educational Impact
*Read, Write, Web.
*Instant publishing and feedback
*Active real world based learning

Uses
* School Webpages
*Communication
*Share learning material
*Collaborative creative writing
*Professional Collaboration
*Generate information resources
* Creating pathfnders

T/L's cannot afford to ignore Web2.0 tools. Students must be prepared to function in future society. They need 21st century skills.

Issues
Copyright
Digital ethics
Costs
Vandalism
Access to technology
Time (always an issue for the busy T/L

Social Bookmarking is great way to organise digital resources. 
It keeps them accessible and is easy to share with others

Honest Matt McHugh

Of topic but a very cool and honest 20 questions with Matt McHugh of The Beautiful Girls fame by Grace Goodfellow.  He shares some very interesting and honest thoughts.

http://gracegoodfellows-words.tumblr.com/post/28900707531/i-answer-to-music-an-interview-with-mat-mchugh

Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM) Video - Stages of Concern

Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM) Video - Stages of Concern

Leadership Styles

After reading Goleman's leadership styles I have realised that for the past 10 years I have been lucky enough to be part of a team with an affiliative leader - people were always more important.  Being a small school it worked incredibly well.  As a staff we worked very well together and would do anything to assist and support our leader as well as each other. We loved work and our students education greatly benefited from this climate.

Good Leaders

• Leaders must have a vision
• Leaders develop relationships
• Leaders strategize
• Leaders resolve conflicts
• Leaders make decisions and solve problems

Leading Effective Teams

Law, S., & Glover, D. (2000). Leading effective teams. In Educational leadership and 
learning : practice, policy and research (pp. 71-86). Buckingham, England : Open University Press

I found this article enlightening to read.  Working, as I do, in a small school I am greatly aware of how well we work as a Team.  Our team has been very successful over the last 10 years which has been exhibited by the development and performance of our students.

Our principal retired at the end of last year and we are now going through the anxiety stages mentioned in the  above article as we rebuild our team to include a new leader whom is making sweeping changes to our little school.

We are all working together with him to continue providing a successful environment for our students (small school family).

Core Steps in Decision Making

Harvey, T. R., Bearley, W. L. & Corkrum, S. M. (2001). Core steps in decision making

This article suggests a practical guide to problem solving within organisations, though not specifically related to the educational field the steps are easily transferable.Leaders spend much of their time making decisions or facilitating others in solving problems and so the authors suggest a 6 step approach to successfully negotiate decision making and problem solving.

The six steps are : 

• Mind-set
• Problem Definition
• Solution Criteria
• Possible Solutions
• Solution Choice
• Implement (action)

Human Interaction heavily impacts throughout the process and determines success and failure.

Quality Management

Collaboration is the key for T/L's.  It is refreshing to read about Quality Management in regards to the school context Streeton Primary School (2000), ‘The 12 quality principles’.. It confirms the idea of leading from the middle and collaboration being the key for T/L's.  Collaborate with Staff and Students and lead from the middle.

School's as Organisations

School's are organised therefore are organisations.  I think this is a dangerous way to think of schools unless of course you specify the most important aspects of schools as that of a Learning Organisation as outlined by Peter Senge: "learning organisations" [are] where people continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set free, and where people are continually learning together" (p3) in Senge, P. M. (2007). "

Donham & Leadership

I found it interesting reading Bennis' (1999) characteristics as applicable to T/L's. Reading further I like the idea of leading from the middle and in more of a collegiate role. The main them that continued throughout the article was the importance of T/L's having a Vision for their library in line with the goals of the school.
As for keeping a journal it really does take me a lot of time to collate my thoughts into something which I would like to share on my Blog however, I agree it is a worthwhile challenge for me.

ETL 501 – Website Evaluation

Activity 1

Overall the Cyberguide Ratings covers  all the criteria needed for evaluating a website generally, however  I think that is all it does.  I think it could also ask about the level of language and whether or not the site will engage the intended users.  It needs educational criteria added in.

The TL needs to consider sets of criteria that include educational criteria.

Activity 2

Other things I would add would be:

·         Is there a sponsor of the site?

·         When was the information collected? In addition to date last updated

·         Does it contain a search function?

·         Is it appropriate for use by students within a classroom.

Activity 3

I really liked Schrock, K. (2009b). The 5 Ws of website evaluation. Retrieved July 6, 2012. As it can be taught to the students as well as staff.

I would add :

·         Is it easy for all students to navigate?

·         Will it motivate and engage the students rather than distract

Are there too many advertisements?


I found two fabulous search engines for younger children and both are blocked by the DEC portal.
(Duck Duck Go & Twurdy.com) Twurdy ranks sites found according to reading levels and Duck Duck Go only shows a handful of results with children in mind on each page. Hallelujah! 

Information Resources – ETL501 Thread Topic 2

All in all I think this is a topic that will be hotly debated for years.  In the primary school library though reference materials are still relevant and can be used as a teaching tool for things as simple as using alphabetical order, Contents pages, glossaries and index’s.

Obviously the information in print encyclopaedias is out dated but still can be used as background reading for research topics.

Wikipedia can also be used as a teaching tool when it comes to establishing authority of information or it can be used as background reading for research topics.  I encourage students not to use it all.

The search for Online atlas and bibliographical tools was quite frustrating with the many different search engines.  I do like http://duckduckgo.com/.

Topic1: Resource Provision ETl 501

Resources Provision – considerations for the TL   Topic 1 ETL 501

·         Whilst trying to resource this area of work I realised that I needed some basic knowledge and background information on the topic. I also needed to know how the teacher was going to be teaching this subject and what their expectation was.

·         Collaboration with the teacher is really important. There needs to be an understanding of their teaching style, a basic knowledge of the students and their abilities so resources can be differentiated to cater for all ability levels. (Combes, 2012, Herring, 2007, p.33-34)

·         Time is important – need to do research to find the information.

·         Not all resources have to be websites and digital.

·         Need to be aware of the stage of development and range of abilities the resources are aimed at.

·         Can see that using the Blooms taxonomy framework ensures you do use a variety of resources and formats, virtual, print, physical etc.

·         In the application objective, a water study could be completed with the children at a local waterway.

·         A wider range of sources of information are available, from government, educational, social, so different perspectives can be gained – but no one authoritative source.

When resourcing the teaching context. Example: Three key types of information needed by a new geography teacher could include:

·         New ideas, concepts and information to help plan lessons (Combes 2012, Herring, 2007, p.33) – Syllabus documents and BOS site to see which outcomes are to be achieved.  Tale and current websites for up to date information.

·         Teaching resources (Combes, 2012, Herring, 2007, p.33) – A list of resources that are currently available through the library including websites, posters, technology and other media.  The teacher needs to know what information is available for use.

·         Information resources to help students learn and for teacher to expand own knowledge. (Combes, 2012) – e.g

Mid Course Workshop

Sitting listening at the midcourse workshop at Cliftons. Semester 2 begins!  This time it is ETL504 and ETL 501.  ETL 501 sounds very interesting.  Guess that is because I love technology :)

Study Break

I have got to the point of not knowing what to do with myself now that study is over for the semester.  I quickly read two novels - one was an ebook - OMG!  there have been indulgent days with red wine, pj's and a good book as well as treasured time with family.  I have even managed to leave the house for dinner, watch some live music and go shopping.

In the meantime, adjusting to working with a new boss after 10 years and anxiously awaiting results.
Good Luck Everyone
<3

ETL 401 Assignment Part C

My learning journey really began late last year when my then Principal handed me what was known as the golden form in the Department of Education and Communities (DEC).  DEC then sent me out an incredibly ominous Deed of Agreement.  That is around about the time where the feelings of anxiety began. I now know I was in the initiation stage -“when a person first becomes aware of a lack of knowledge or understanding and feelings of uncertainty and apprehension are common.” (Kuhlthau, C., ISP).
Before I knew it, March was upon us and DEC provided air travel to a 2 day workshop in Sydney.  What a relief!
I met all my lecturers and fellow DEC students and found out we were all feeling the same way.  For some unknown reason to me that seemed to slow the heart palpitations. Even though I was hearing all about the big assignments we would be doing and one of them was something called a critical review.
Judy introduced us to a myriad of technology tools which I was very excited to get home and play with.  At that stage I was still naïve about what it meant to be a Teacher Librarian even though I had been bumbling my way through the job for the last 10 years.  Shocking I know.
I was so excited that when I flew back home I created this here blog. That is around about when disaster struck.  My internet stopped working. AHHHHHH!
Numerous phone calls to AAPT and Telstra technician visiting three times finally resolved the issue which was found to be a mysterious malfunctioning floating phone line that was not actually connected inside the wall.  WHEW!  At last I was reconnected and in the business of trying to catch up.
Looking at the roles of the Teacher Librarian led me to my first AHA moment as can be seen earlier in my blog.  I really related to the information I had been reading on the role of instructional partner.  I was then able to make a shift in my teaching from that of classroom teacher who lends out library books and teaches research skills and technology, to that of instructional partner.
My second AHA moment was when I was examining the different information literacy models.  I started trialling Herrings PLUS model in my library.  The children stated it helped them to understand what information they needed to find and they then found it easier to locate the information they needed. Reading Kuhlthau’s ISP has really helped me in recognising those affective stages and helping my students through them.
As far as my interaction with the forums goes it started well with all the introductions and getting used to using them and then I lost internet connection.  I found the forums very useful in reading what other people had posted and particularly the responses from lecturers.  I posted in the forum on the topic I was supposed to even if I was a little bit late.  Usually if I had a question I needed to ask I would go to the forum first and check if anybody else had already asked it.  They usually had and the answer required was found.
What I did find with the whole forum, blog situation is that I am slowly improving at writing my thoughts down.  I did really enjoy sharing things that I had made on the blog and other things that I had found.
So far with the tools that Judy introduced us to at that first workshop I have made a Tagxedo. I have joined Diigo social bookmarking, stumbleupon and Pin It.  I have used titan pad with Module 3 and they loved it.  They now have their own class blog using Blog Ed and are slowly working out what to do with that.  They have just realised the videos we are making together could go on their blog.  I have ventured into the world of wiki’s and voki's with Year 6 and they are communicating with other Year 6 students across the lighthouse valley so they will know each other before they start high school. The journey towards information literacy has begun but, sadly the collaborative planning and teaching has not been possible as yet.
My role as librarian up the creek is still one of RFF and being a small school I cannot see this changing anytime soon.  I have looked at cooperatively teaching some units of work with the HSIE teacher and she is currently considering it. Fingers crossed!
All in all, I never pictured myself doing any of these things this year and we are only part way through Term 2.  I look forward to the rest of the journey.

Reflections ETL 503

The Collection Development Policy was bigger than Ben Hur but an extremely worthwhile task.  Evaluating the library was a huge task but I am more than happy to have a policy to build on in the future. It has however given me a lot more work to do in the investigation of how we go about adding ebooks to the library up the Creek.  Much to ponder, after ETL 401 Assignment 2 is complete. ;)  Most upset it is due on my 39th birthday!

Collaborate

Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate!

PLUS Model

I have actually been trialling this in the library at school with Modules 2 & 3.  The children have since found the process of finding information easier.  So far so good!

Information Literacy Preferred definition

“Information literacy is a transformational process in which the learner needs to find, understand, evaluate, and use information in various forms to create for personal, social or global purposes.” ( Abilock, 2004, p. 1)

I prefer this definition because it is much broader I think.  Information literacy is more of a concept rather than just a set of skills.

21st Century Literacy

Pedagogical Initiatives

Looking at the National Curriculum, it appears to be in line with Quality teaching in NSW. Quality teaching and the National Curriculum are both aimed at meeting the highest quality educational needs of individual students.

To continue from where I left off and explain my AHA moment.

Both Purcell and Herring have a multifaceted view of the role of the teacher librarian.  I feel I relate better to Purcell's understanding of the role.  For me it was examining the 2 roles of information  specialist and the role of instructional partner. As I have been currently working as a T/L and struggling with that role, reading about those two roles enabled me to see the light.  I was able to make a shift in my teaching from classroom teacher to that of instructional partner and truly the role of a T/L.  The children have greatly benefited from this shift already.  I can see the growth in their information literacy skills.
WOW!

The Role of the T/L

Reading Herring and Purcell in regards to the role of the teacher/librarian and assignment 1 has got me examining what I have been doing in my role as T/L for the last 10 years.  I found this very interesting and quite enlightening.

By critically analysing both articles I had to decide what were the most important aspects of my role.  Where as before I had a vague understanding of  what a T/L did, the two viewpoints really gave me food for thought.

Cool Slideshow

Below is a link that  SCAN shared on facebook

New Librarians: This is your time" Slideshow by Ned Potter

Created using tagxedo :)

I love the EasyBib app! <3

Thank Goodness!

Well at long last!  My phone line and internet were repaired just in the nick of time and now I have to play catch up.  I have spent the last 3 weeks wasting paper by printing off what I could at work and hand writing blog posts.  I shall now progressively try to catch up with everybody else and get my first ETL401 assignment done in the meantime :(  Thank goodness I am back online though.  It felt like I had lost a limb.

Internet came back on Friday.  So managed to submit my first assignment via EASTS today.  What a relief!
Well thanks to my square eyes, that is me for today.  Goodnight!

Cute Library Bag

Module 1 completed

So I have finally worked out the folders to save in the library and managed to borrow an Ebook. YAY!  I found an interesting article on 21C libraries in elementary schools in Australia and managed to save it in my folder :)

Onwards to Module 2

The Learning Journey Begins

So it all started with a 2 day course in Sydney which left my head spinning. :)  It was fabulous to meet up with everyone and realise we were all feeling the same way.
I have been busy working this week and ploughing my way through primo searches, EBSCOHost and informit.  
I am still struggling with the folders section however am ecstatic I have managed to set up a blog.