Monday, 24 September 2012

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 21st 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

Saturday, 22 September 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.

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

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

Saturday, 8 September 2012

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