Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Thing 10, 20, 30: Final Reflections & What’s Next?
Wow, I can't believe I have been in this PD for three years already! I have loved it and learned so much. Personally, I have learned how to use an iPad and blog. Two things I didn't know how to do or was comfortable doing at the beginning. With my students I have used blogging, Google Lit Trips, Popplet, picture formatting apps, and this year, really tied the learning to my everyday job with Chrome and Google apps. Lib Guides have been very useful for me personally using the IFC and for my 6th grade students.
Some of the biggest challenges were so many apps available on the iPad or tablets that I couldn't really use with my students, because I don't have tablets available to me in the library. Hopefully in the future I can use them. Also, the cost or student privacy/security would prevent me from using them sometimes, especially with the younger ones.
I liked the Easy Bib Add-on for Google Docs and the Research tool. I plan to put that in my program next year. Next year I am part of a collegial circle writing a research unit and this tool will be an integral part.
Also, next year, my plans are to start a reading blog with students that will be across grade levels that everyone can share book reviews. Another project on my bucket list is more of a web presence for my library on our school page.
I love learning this way. I have taken other online classes in the past, so I was familiar with the independent style. Over the three years, a few of us who have taken the class have gotten together to work on things and it was the best of both worlds. RCSD has began offering their own online learning classes and I can take advantage of them next year.
Monday, May 18, 2015
Thing 29: Student Response Tools
I looked at a number of things under this topic. I have been using Google Classroom this year in the library and the students have responded very well to it. When they turn in their work they love to give a comment or ask me a question. I have also set up a Google Classroom and forgot to turn on the student to student comments - that has turned out to be just a little bit of a distraction :)
Being able to comment back to them on their Google Doc or assignment has been very useful too. I am currently working with 5th grades and doing book reviews.
I left a comment on Padlet. I liked the format.
I am integrating Google Apps more and more into my program and I would like to explore further next year using Google Forms.
I loved the Answercloud. I have been using word clouds with my younger grades. The students really respond well to them. It is a perfect activity for a wrap up to reading a book. This answercloud will be a great enhancement to that because they can all see each other's responses.
Looked at the Quizlet program on the suggestion of another Cool Tool blog post from a co-worker. I like what I see so far in it. Made a few flash cards for vocab words in a unit about plagiarism. I will try and use it with my intermediate students.
There are quite a few options under this topic to use for just about any class situation. This will be great to choose from in the future.
Being able to comment back to them on their Google Doc or assignment has been very useful too. I am currently working with 5th grades and doing book reviews.
I left a comment on Padlet. I liked the format.
I am integrating Google Apps more and more into my program and I would like to explore further next year using Google Forms.
I loved the Answercloud. I have been using word clouds with my younger grades. The students really respond well to them. It is a perfect activity for a wrap up to reading a book. This answercloud will be a great enhancement to that because they can all see each other's responses.
Looked at the Quizlet program on the suggestion of another Cool Tool blog post from a co-worker. I like what I see so far in it. Made a few flash cards for vocab words in a unit about plagiarism. I will try and use it with my intermediate students.
There are quite a few options under this topic to use for just about any class situation. This will be great to choose from in the future.
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Thing 28: Emerging Tech: Scanning the Horizon
My comments and connections to the readings:
"10 technologies that will change the world in the next 10 years" I never thought about how many devices are now connected all the time in my house- phones, computer, Ipad, laptops, DVD player, PS3.. Most I use daily.
School library article - loved the ideas - wish I had a more flexible schedule, but I am a break for teachers so my days are fixed with not much flex time.
Subtext looks very useful. Thinking about my 6th graders about to read Dragonwings by Yep. It will be a challenge for many of them. If they had access to read it on an Ipad with teacher comments and could put in notes/observations electronically instead of using many posty notes, that might be more engaging for some of the readers who struggle. I see that it has text to speech - great for struggling readers - see and hear the text at the same time. I know this feature is very useful when I use it in online databases like World Book Online.
A reoccurring theme seems to be maker spaces in libraries. I have a lot of questions about this - mostly funding and time - which seems to also be a theme that is reoccurring in schools. Kids love hands on learning. I think for it to work in a an elementary setting there would have to be collaboration with the classroom teacher and focused on a topic. I find when I offer less structured activities such as reading to a stuffed animal to practice fluency for the younger grades, it quickly turns to play time. Play time is important, but with so many of my students struggling with reading and writing, I would like to see maker spaces focused. Maybe a project with a writing piece at the end.
Wish I could have read the infograhic and the SLJ article without giving them my FaceBook info.
I read the article "On teens, their phones & shifting communications landscapes (new from Pew)". It broke down social media use by race/ethnic group and by income level, but didn't seem to offer any insight as to why there were differences. The issue isn't access to wifi or cell service, so what are the differences attributed to?
"10 technologies that will change the world in the next 10 years" I never thought about how many devices are now connected all the time in my house- phones, computer, Ipad, laptops, DVD player, PS3.. Most I use daily.
School library article - loved the ideas - wish I had a more flexible schedule, but I am a break for teachers so my days are fixed with not much flex time.
Subtext looks very useful. Thinking about my 6th graders about to read Dragonwings by Yep. It will be a challenge for many of them. If they had access to read it on an Ipad with teacher comments and could put in notes/observations electronically instead of using many posty notes, that might be more engaging for some of the readers who struggle. I see that it has text to speech - great for struggling readers - see and hear the text at the same time. I know this feature is very useful when I use it in online databases like World Book Online.
A reoccurring theme seems to be maker spaces in libraries. I have a lot of questions about this - mostly funding and time - which seems to also be a theme that is reoccurring in schools. Kids love hands on learning. I think for it to work in a an elementary setting there would have to be collaboration with the classroom teacher and focused on a topic. I find when I offer less structured activities such as reading to a stuffed animal to practice fluency for the younger grades, it quickly turns to play time. Play time is important, but with so many of my students struggling with reading and writing, I would like to see maker spaces focused. Maybe a project with a writing piece at the end.
Wish I could have read the infograhic and the SLJ article without giving them my FaceBook info.
I read the article "On teens, their phones & shifting communications landscapes (new from Pew)". It broke down social media use by race/ethnic group and by income level, but didn't seem to offer any insight as to why there were differences. The issue isn't access to wifi or cell service, so what are the differences attributed to?
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Things 17 & 27: DIY – You Pick!
My third graders were doing a unit on animal research - worms. We started with Diary of a Worm by Cronin. Discussed fiction vs nonfiction and then moved to nonfiction books about worms and taking notes. I wanted to integrate technology for them. PowerPoint would be a little challenging for this crowd, so I used Kathy Shrock's site to try and find another kind of online tool for my students to use. I found Popplet - a graphic organizer/mind map tool. It has a free trial version and works on a PC. We used the note sheets they had done the week before and input them into Popplet. What worked so well for my students was the fact that they could also freehand draw in the program. The program was easy to use and follow with minimal directions and the students did great! It is very user friendly. Many times the students get more into changing the fonts and colors rather than their content, and this app had some choices, but not too many to get overwhelmed. Here is one student's work. I love the product and it has a school license option.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Thing 26: Taking the Lead: Connecting with your Stakeholders
I watched the webinar and wow! Heidi does a lot for advocacy and connecting with students, parents, and staff.
One item I connected with immediately was how she used Smore on her Destiny home page. I am still using the status quo with standard links on my home page. Smore looks a lot more interesting and easier for students, especially the younger ones.
Also, she seemed to really love Powtoon video. I think these might be the items I check out for Thing 27.
There also were many great articles and idea in the AASL PDF file of the issue on school librarians.
My connection with parents is an introductory news letter in September and two other brief letters advertising the book fair in the fall and June. I also will periodically put short blurbs in classroom weekly newsletters to parents. My connection could definitely use a facelift. I like the idea of using Publisher and email. I know that there is a PTO parent email list and Facebook I may be able to use for more frequent updates.
Another avenue may be the district Parent Connect technology. Parents can log in and check grades and communicate with the classroom teacher. I may investigate our parent usage to decide whether this would reach a wide audience.
One item I connected with immediately was how she used Smore on her Destiny home page. I am still using the status quo with standard links on my home page. Smore looks a lot more interesting and easier for students, especially the younger ones.
Also, she seemed to really love Powtoon video. I think these might be the items I check out for Thing 27.
There also were many great articles and idea in the AASL PDF file of the issue on school librarians.
My connection with parents is an introductory news letter in September and two other brief letters advertising the book fair in the fall and June. I also will periodically put short blurbs in classroom weekly newsletters to parents. My connection could definitely use a facelift. I like the idea of using Publisher and email. I know that there is a PTO parent email list and Facebook I may be able to use for more frequent updates.
Another avenue may be the district Parent Connect technology. Parents can log in and check grades and communicate with the classroom teacher. I may investigate our parent usage to decide whether this would reach a wide audience.
Thing 25: Power up your browser!
I decided to look into apps and extensions for Google Chrome. My district is moving to this browser and I have recently been using Google Classroom with my students in the library.
I installed the Read Write app but wasn't able to get it to work. It said it was a free trial and I had to register as a teacher, but couldn't make it work. It was supposed to read documents for students. I can ask my IT advisor next week if it is compatible with our district.
I also added the highlighter extension and the icon showed up in my toolbar, but it didn't seem to work either. I am wondering if there are restrictions for installing things because it is a district computer. I was able to delete the extension.
I'm going to try these two items on my home computer and see if they work there.
I did install the app Typing Club which did work. I liked it and am going to share it with my teachers. I'm wonder if the student accounts will be able to install it though.
I watched a few of the instructional videos and learned how to have two windows open in Google Classroom. When students are reading and answering questions that are in two different windows it will be helpful for them to see them both at the same time. I have a 4th grade lesson I will use it with after break.
I was also able to change the theme for my browser and reset the home page. I am writing this on my district laptop, so I wonder the same theme and homepage will display when I use the desktop that is attached to my Smart Board in my library.
The add-on that I am most excited about is the EasyBib for Docs. I just completed a bibliography unit for my 6th graders and I wish I would have known about this - it is so much easier than what I did use. Just input the ISBN number of the book or copy the URL and it creates the bib entry. I'm going to show it to my students and my teachers.
I found this topic very useful!
I installed the Read Write app but wasn't able to get it to work. It said it was a free trial and I had to register as a teacher, but couldn't make it work. It was supposed to read documents for students. I can ask my IT advisor next week if it is compatible with our district.
I also added the highlighter extension and the icon showed up in my toolbar, but it didn't seem to work either. I am wondering if there are restrictions for installing things because it is a district computer. I was able to delete the extension.
I'm going to try these two items on my home computer and see if they work there.
I did install the app Typing Club which did work. I liked it and am going to share it with my teachers. I'm wonder if the student accounts will be able to install it though.
I watched a few of the instructional videos and learned how to have two windows open in Google Classroom. When students are reading and answering questions that are in two different windows it will be helpful for them to see them both at the same time. I have a 4th grade lesson I will use it with after break.
I was also able to change the theme for my browser and reset the home page. I am writing this on my district laptop, so I wonder the same theme and homepage will display when I use the desktop that is attached to my Smart Board in my library.
The add-on that I am most excited about is the EasyBib for Docs. I just completed a bibliography unit for my 6th graders and I wish I would have known about this - it is so much easier than what I did use. Just input the ISBN number of the book or copy the URL and it creates the bib entry. I'm going to show it to my students and my teachers.
I found this topic very useful!
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Thing 24: Infographics
I made it! Caught up to Thing 24 this morning - Infographics
Interesting topic - seems to be an extension and the next generation of graphing. I liked the TED video. The information presented in images looks so easy to create, but as I found out - it is pretty easy as far as adding images, but deciding what to add and how to design it is time consuming and challenging for someone who isn't a natural graphic designer :) I have a new appreciation for graphic designers.
I decided to use data from our December '14 RocRead. Students read over break and then return a form detailing what they read. They receive a certificate and a book. Participation is voluntary. I used the program recommended by the AASL - easel.ly. It was easy to add images and text. I started with a template and added my own images. I was limited in my choice of graphics because it was a free version. My question for future projects - can you upload data so the size of images are relative to the results of the data - i.e. if you are comparing girls vs. boys as in my example would it size the images to fit the percentages. I just had to eyeball it. Also, I calculated all the data in Excel - I wonder if the paid version have a way to store data so it does the calculations for you.
I know from experience that participation rates are highly dependent on how much the individual classroom teachers promote and/or require it. And because our upper grade levels with the highest participation are gender based classes, my data didn't surprise me.
Here is my Infographic
Interesting topic - seems to be an extension and the next generation of graphing. I liked the TED video. The information presented in images looks so easy to create, but as I found out - it is pretty easy as far as adding images, but deciding what to add and how to design it is time consuming and challenging for someone who isn't a natural graphic designer :) I have a new appreciation for graphic designers.
I decided to use data from our December '14 RocRead. Students read over break and then return a form detailing what they read. They receive a certificate and a book. Participation is voluntary. I used the program recommended by the AASL - easel.ly. It was easy to add images and text. I started with a template and added my own images. I was limited in my choice of graphics because it was a free version. My question for future projects - can you upload data so the size of images are relative to the results of the data - i.e. if you are comparing girls vs. boys as in my example would it size the images to fit the percentages. I just had to eyeball it. Also, I calculated all the data in Excel - I wonder if the paid version have a way to store data so it does the calculations for you.
I know from experience that participation rates are highly dependent on how much the individual classroom teachers promote and/or require it. And because our upper grade levels with the highest participation are gender based classes, my data didn't surprise me.
Here is my Infographic
Thing 23: Makerspaces
When I first looked at what Makerspaces were I was very confused as to what they were and how they fit into libraries. I watched some of the webinar Hands On Learning by Michelle Luhtala, saw Caine's Arcade, looked at Slyvia's Super Awesome Maker Show, and a few of the other links provided. I realized the whole makerspace movement is just hands on learning - renaming an old concept. When my kids were younger we spent many days at the Strong National Museum of Play, and at almost all the exhibits there was a make-it take-it table, stocked with art and craft supplies that would allow children to use their imagination and make something that connected to the exhibit. I remember "crafts" as part of lessons when I went to school and my own children brought home many when they were in school. Providing 3D printers, robotic supplies, and other hi-tech equipment in public or school libraries is just an extension and updated version of the "make-it take-it table" I think.
Students always learn more by doing - it connects all the concepts they read about and listen to - this is a proven fact. Makerspaces are not new concepts, just maybe a new space or additional space to put them.
We have a number of Lego League groups at our school that meet in the library before and after school. One of the exercises for the Jr's are to take a box of random Legos and make something - such as a model to help during a hurricane or tornado. Each kid makes their own model then has to explain it and they all look wildly different - it is so great to listen to and watch these kids. I'm going to pass along info about the local makerspace to the Lego coaches. I saw the website reading another colleague's post on this topic on Netvibe - rochestermakerspace.org. They have a free open time during the week for families.
It would be great if we could have funding to get these kinds of supplies for all the grades to use in the classroom. There were some great online resources to use, especially the category of coding.
Our building has an annual science fair and I see many examples there of kids applying makerspace concepts. I know there is a local place that sells what businesses consider "waste" from manufacturing and teachers can go there and get supplies.
I am a librarian, not a classroom teacher. I don't know all of what is contained in the modules, but I don't think I have seen or heard much about any hands-on learning. Students enjoy and need opportunities to combine their imagination with new concepts to solve problems. This is what they will do in the "real" world someday.
At our building we have periodic Club Fridays for grades 3-6 that last hour of the day. Examples of clubs are knitting, cooking, tech club. I think makerspace club would fit perfectly with a different theme every meeting.
Students always learn more by doing - it connects all the concepts they read about and listen to - this is a proven fact. Makerspaces are not new concepts, just maybe a new space or additional space to put them.
We have a number of Lego League groups at our school that meet in the library before and after school. One of the exercises for the Jr's are to take a box of random Legos and make something - such as a model to help during a hurricane or tornado. Each kid makes their own model then has to explain it and they all look wildly different - it is so great to listen to and watch these kids. I'm going to pass along info about the local makerspace to the Lego coaches. I saw the website reading another colleague's post on this topic on Netvibe - rochestermakerspace.org. They have a free open time during the week for families.
It would be great if we could have funding to get these kinds of supplies for all the grades to use in the classroom. There were some great online resources to use, especially the category of coding.
Our building has an annual science fair and I see many examples there of kids applying makerspace concepts. I know there is a local place that sells what businesses consider "waste" from manufacturing and teachers can go there and get supplies.
I am a librarian, not a classroom teacher. I don't know all of what is contained in the modules, but I don't think I have seen or heard much about any hands-on learning. Students enjoy and need opportunities to combine their imagination with new concepts to solve problems. This is what they will do in the "real" world someday.
At our building we have periodic Club Fridays for grades 3-6 that last hour of the day. Examples of clubs are knitting, cooking, tech club. I think makerspace club would fit perfectly with a different theme every meeting.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Thing 22: Create a Resource Guide
I was introduced to LibGuides this summer at a district PD. I use it for easy access to the Empire State Information Fluency Continuum. RCSD gave each of the librarians a login so I went with this tool. I watched one of the webinars on how to use it and found it very user friendly. Over the last year, some of my library lessons for 6th grade have centered around the historical fiction books they read - The Lightning Thief, Bud Not Buddy, and Dragonwings, so I decided to use that as a topic for my resource guide. I found videos of author interviews, made bibliographies about book resources in my library on the historical topics connected to the stories, and found other resources to post. I used Teaching Books for finding the author links.
I am going to send the link for the LibGuide to my 6th grade teachers and to all the elementary librarians in my district. My students are now reading Bud Not Buddy and I plan to share this with them after the break. I will do a follow-up blog on how it is working. I use Google Classroom with my 6th graders and will use this LibGuide as a link for resources in my lesson. This is much easier than putting all these links into each assignment in Google Classroom.
Here is the link to my LibGuide -
http://libguides.rcsdk12.org/grade6
I am going to send the link for the LibGuide to my 6th grade teachers and to all the elementary librarians in my district. My students are now reading Bud Not Buddy and I plan to share this with them after the break. I will do a follow-up blog on how it is working. I use Google Classroom with my 6th graders and will use this LibGuide as a link for resources in my lesson. This is much easier than putting all these links into each assignment in Google Classroom.
Here is the link to my LibGuide -
http://libguides.rcsdk12.org/grade6
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