Still feeling lost about del.icio.us, twitter and RSS feeds - but improving with facebook. My attitude towards FB has definitely improved since starting this subject. I now feel more confident and keen to check in on what new comments are being posted for this subject and also to have friends to catch up with in my personal life. Kind of still wondering how FB can be applied to a a library setting and is it worth it for a school library?
The readings are helping me get more of a grip on the importance of social networking for a library. At this point I think that blogging, clouds and wikis would be good to implement into our library for building interactive communication between parents, students , teachers and our library. From listening to the Charlene Li podcast, I believe that our library needs to become more transparent and reachable - using social media tools. At the moment, I think we have become too cut off. Our initial readings are impacting my perspective on where our library is at and where we need to go in terms of accessibilty and equity to our client group. This is a huge shift in my knowledge, but I do are the attitudes of other team members of not letting go of the past - the way things have worked so far and also restrictions by IT staff in letting us incorporate some of the SN tools into our library website.
The Charlene Li podcast was very long and I found I needed to break it up, take notes and listen to it twice to start taking it in. Once I got into it, there was a lot I could apply to the library setting. Her comments on how SN is re-writing how business is done really resonated because I fear we are becoming stuck with what was a successful model and now we have to update our attitude and work practice in how we present and interact with the current students and teachers - all who are into facebook, twitter, using RSS, following blogs. Sadly, the library is not part of that at the moment. I want to learn how to fix this by doing this subject.
I also really liked the You tube clip about how we are changing in how we communicate. It was interesting about why I liked this and I think it is because I liked the background music and the quick snatch information headlines. This appealed to two senses and helped it stick in my mind. Something to bear in mind when preparing information presentation to the school community. The clip really had a quite profound effect on my view of how important social media now is to a great percentage of our society.
USEFUL REFERENCES
Web 2.0 and folksonomies in a library context
http://www.mendeley.com/research/web-20-and-folksonomies-in-a-library-context/ -
"Libraries have a societal purpose and this role has become increasingly important as new technologies enable organizations to support, enable and enhance the participation of users in assuming an active role in the creation and communication of information".
Charlene Li podast - http://blogs.talis.com/nodalities/2009/11/charlene-li-the-impact-of-social-media-in-your-organisation.php
Youtube Social media clip in module notes
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Useful info for types of social media
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fredcavazza/2564571564/sizes/m/in/photostream/
INF506 assessment 1
DEFINING SOCIAL NETWORKING
Social networking involves online communication in which many users can contribute to conversation and /or the publication of information on a topic of common interest within a forum that best supports the purpose. This can utilise various forms of media such as videos or photos or the publication of information in written form. Participating in online communities enables users to share knowledge, interests and relationships and contributes to the development of information which can be shared by many and also increases the sense of community as our society embraces the use of the World Wide Web to serve our various needs.
NETWORKING TECHNOLOGIES I USE
Up until now, I believed that I used very few social networking tools. However, after initial readings in the subject modules, I realised that I regularly use email in my work and initiated and maintain a school library blog. In my personal life I use online banking, shop online, skype with family members and sometimes dip into You Tube for information and for fun. Since establishing a face book account for this subject, I have also realised that it is a valuable tool for maintaining relationships.
EXPECTATIONS FOR INF506
When enrolling for this subject, I anticipated that I would learn how to use face book and raise the profile of our library. In reading the subject content and learning outcomes, I am feeling positive that I will learn about the various forms of social networking and then be able to develop a more prominent and current format for our school library. I am also looking forward to learning about how to accurately incorporate social media developments into our policy.
Social networking involves online communication in which many users can contribute to conversation and /or the publication of information on a topic of common interest within a forum that best supports the purpose. This can utilise various forms of media such as videos or photos or the publication of information in written form. Participating in online communities enables users to share knowledge, interests and relationships and contributes to the development of information which can be shared by many and also increases the sense of community as our society embraces the use of the World Wide Web to serve our various needs.
NETWORKING TECHNOLOGIES I USE
Up until now, I believed that I used very few social networking tools. However, after initial readings in the subject modules, I realised that I regularly use email in my work and initiated and maintain a school library blog. In my personal life I use online banking, shop online, skype with family members and sometimes dip into You Tube for information and for fun. Since establishing a face book account for this subject, I have also realised that it is a valuable tool for maintaining relationships.
EXPECTATIONS FOR INF506
When enrolling for this subject, I anticipated that I would learn how to use face book and raise the profile of our library. In reading the subject content and learning outcomes, I am feeling positive that I will learn about the various forms of social networking and then be able to develop a more prominent and current format for our school library. I am also looking forward to learning about how to accurately incorporate social media developments into our policy.
Monday, April 18, 2011
ETL 503 RESOURCING THE CURRICULUM - Reflections on readings and assignment 1
It has been ages since I blogged, so feel a trifle rusty...but I know that maintaining this blog will stand me in good stead for the final subject of this course.
This subject has been really interesting and is directly helping me in my work in the library. One of the reasons that I wanted to do this course was to learn about the reasons why I do some of the things that I am expected to do in my role.Up until this assignment we have read about collection management, selecting resources to support teaching and learning, focussing on selection aids and tools and criteria. In my job, I have really just been expected to order resources according to staff and student requests, catalogues that float past, booksellers and materials to support the curriculum.
However, I did not understand why I was selecting resources or the precise 'how-tos'. This subject has helped me achieve a greater understanding of what I should be looking for ie varied resources, varied formats and focussing on only what is needed and not buying 'just in case'. The one stand out message I have got from this is that the learning and teaching needs are paramount. Practically speaking, the learning I have gained is impacting already on my selection decisions and I feel more confident about rejecting some materials which I probably woud have purchased once before. No more just in case purchasing. It also helped me when I had a few fairly pushy book sellers. Armed with selection criteria in mind, I was able to decide much more quickly what I would purchase, thus not losing time as I tried to evade sales which I previously have felt pushed into.
Still a bit hazy about the difference between collection management and collection development. Will keep revisting this until I really get it.
However the assignment was relatively enjoyable...it was good to have to find new resources to support a poorly resourced subject area and by sheer chance I was already working through a real life scenario with this. Fortunately I have received some positive feed back from the staff member with whom I was collaborating, so that was a lovely experience. I just hope that the theory that needed to be addressed comes across in my essay, because I know what I am doing in real life. Using selection criteria has really helped me decide which resources to acquire and in conjunction with the ALIA/ASLA statements about resource provision, I am now very much more aware of provididng equitable access to all users, bearing in mind individual and curriculum needs.
Buying the Kennedy text has been very useful as has owning 'Learning For the Future'. I also found the statements by ALIA/ASLA very beneficial as a support for this subject.
This subject has been really interesting and is directly helping me in my work in the library. One of the reasons that I wanted to do this course was to learn about the reasons why I do some of the things that I am expected to do in my role.Up until this assignment we have read about collection management, selecting resources to support teaching and learning, focussing on selection aids and tools and criteria. In my job, I have really just been expected to order resources according to staff and student requests, catalogues that float past, booksellers and materials to support the curriculum.
However, I did not understand why I was selecting resources or the precise 'how-tos'. This subject has helped me achieve a greater understanding of what I should be looking for ie varied resources, varied formats and focussing on only what is needed and not buying 'just in case'. The one stand out message I have got from this is that the learning and teaching needs are paramount. Practically speaking, the learning I have gained is impacting already on my selection decisions and I feel more confident about rejecting some materials which I probably woud have purchased once before. No more just in case purchasing. It also helped me when I had a few fairly pushy book sellers. Armed with selection criteria in mind, I was able to decide much more quickly what I would purchase, thus not losing time as I tried to evade sales which I previously have felt pushed into.
Still a bit hazy about the difference between collection management and collection development. Will keep revisting this until I really get it.
However the assignment was relatively enjoyable...it was good to have to find new resources to support a poorly resourced subject area and by sheer chance I was already working through a real life scenario with this. Fortunately I have received some positive feed back from the staff member with whom I was collaborating, so that was a lovely experience. I just hope that the theory that needed to be addressed comes across in my essay, because I know what I am doing in real life. Using selection criteria has really helped me decide which resources to acquire and in conjunction with the ALIA/ASLA statements about resource provision, I am now very much more aware of provididng equitable access to all users, bearing in mind individual and curriculum needs.
Buying the Kennedy text has been very useful as has owning 'Learning For the Future'. I also found the statements by ALIA/ASLA very beneficial as a support for this subject.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
REFLECTIONS ON PART 1 & ASSIGNMENT 1 ETL 501
This first part of this subject has been a huge learning curve! Even though I was dutifully working through the readings and exercises, nothing really fell into place until I began working on the first assignment - examining website evaluation criteria and evaluating websites.
After wading through many many possible website criteria, I settled on The CARP test and Evalu Tech. CARP is simple to remember - Currency, Authority, Reliability and Purpose. But unfortunately it overlooks any reference to technical aspects, which is included in the Evalu Tech criteria. Evalu Tech is very detailed - also a useful resource. I felt that using a combination of the two would be useful when examining website suitability for staff and students.
The exercise of going through these steps to learn about this topic has definitely helped me learn what to look for when preparing resources for the school community. Having to find reference literature to support why these details are important was difficult, but helped me then understand the theory behind the practical aspects of website evaluation criteria.
The other stand out information for me was provided by James in the study notes. This was the point that the educational purpose of a website is the most important aspect to consider as that is the key function of a learning website. The other points of reliability and technical criteria were also well explained, so these are the details that I have found most relevant in this first part of this subject.
After wading through many many possible website criteria, I settled on The CARP test and Evalu Tech. CARP is simple to remember - Currency, Authority, Reliability and Purpose. But unfortunately it overlooks any reference to technical aspects, which is included in the Evalu Tech criteria. Evalu Tech is very detailed - also a useful resource. I felt that using a combination of the two would be useful when examining website suitability for staff and students.
The exercise of going through these steps to learn about this topic has definitely helped me learn what to look for when preparing resources for the school community. Having to find reference literature to support why these details are important was difficult, but helped me then understand the theory behind the practical aspects of website evaluation criteria.
The other stand out information for me was provided by James in the study notes. This was the point that the educational purpose of a website is the most important aspect to consider as that is the key function of a learning website. The other points of reliability and technical criteria were also well explained, so these are the details that I have found most relevant in this first part of this subject.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
ETL 501 LEARNING AND TEACHING CONTEXT
I am finding this subject a little daunting initially. I think it's because I am not confident in the use of technology, although I am looking forward to gaining a lot of skills throughout this subject. Assignment 2 particularly will be challenging, but should help in my work in the library.
Through James' podcast and the readings, the points that made me stop and think about the work I do were that TLs need to contribute to not just support, learning and teaching in the school.This involves collaboration, the essential ingredient in the success of the library as a co contributor to teaching and learning in schools. I also had not considered or taken into account individual teaching styles,so that will from now on impact on my approach when interacting with staff requesting library assistance with assessments and classes.
Behaviourist and constructivist learning/teaching as being at polar ends of the spectrum also was a new insight for me. I believe that at our school there are both types of teaching and learning and that in fact there probably needs to be a balance of both. Sometimes new knowledge needs to be presented in a more traditional behaviourist approach before students are able to explore through constructivist methods new skills and knowledge.
Through James' podcast and the readings, the points that made me stop and think about the work I do were that TLs need to contribute to not just support, learning and teaching in the school.This involves collaboration, the essential ingredient in the success of the library as a co contributor to teaching and learning in schools. I also had not considered or taken into account individual teaching styles,so that will from now on impact on my approach when interacting with staff requesting library assistance with assessments and classes.
Behaviourist and constructivist learning/teaching as being at polar ends of the spectrum also was a new insight for me. I believe that at our school there are both types of teaching and learning and that in fact there probably needs to be a balance of both. Sometimes new knowledge needs to be presented in a more traditional behaviourist approach before students are able to explore through constructivist methods new skills and knowledge.
Monday, May 24, 2010
ETL401: Topic 6: Management Implications
This topic focused on time management, negotiation, leadership and management implications. I felt these readings related strongly to our previous topics from the perspective that in order to be a "successful" teacher librarian, one needs to incorporate all the aspects mentioned above and that as a consequence, collaboration, effectiveness and efficiency should flow.
I gained some new ideas and fresh perspectives on several concepts through the listed readings which I intend to use in my daily practice in our school library.
From Covey, I learnt that effectiveness and efficiency have two different meanings. Effectiveness applies to our interactions with people and efficiency with things. This has had an impact on my attitude towards the role of the teacher librarian as I am more aware of the need to apply different strategies and communication skills to contribute to the ongoing operation of our school library. As school libraries are constantly and directly involved in the interplay of 'things' and 'people', this article reinforced what I have learnt about the importance of collaboration and resource management, as well as the significance of applying the ASLA/ALIA Standards of professional excellence to daily practice.
As mentioned in my forum posting of May 24 - Topic 6, I have also looked at the skills that influential teachers on staff have. These are superior communication and negotiation skills. These teachers do not always make universally popular decisions, but it is their excellent communication skills that transform these decisions into acceptable and supportable strategies. Their behaviour is fair and they usually appear to be well respected. These apply to the behaviours a teacher librarian could develop and should assist with collaborative practice in regards to library practice and service. Gilman quotes Covey as saying
"the most effective are those who have moved beyond both independence and dependence to master the art of interdependence...working as team members."
This strongly reinforced the importance of effective collaboration with fellow staff to assist in providing a quality learning program for students.
In the second section of this topic, there was a fantastic resource from Hartzell. These has lists of articles and books to help guide library administrators on topics dealing with issues such as impact of school libraries on student learning, budget considerations etc. I intend to download this and keep it as a valuable resource when called upon to lobby for our library.
I will conclude with this quote, again by Todd Gilman, but initially by John Donne: " No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent". Again this ties in with the whole idea of collaboration and reinforces to me of how important it is for the teacher librarian to function as a collaborative team member. Interestingly, through all I have written in this blog post, the recurring notion is that of collaboration. So, does this mean that the greatest impact that this subject has had on me is the significance of collaborative practice by the teacher librarian!?
REFERENCES
Covey, S.R. (1989). The seven habits of highly effective people: Restoring the character ethic, [Pt. 1], pp. 146-164 and [Pt. 2], pp. 165-182.
Gilman, T. (2007). The four habits of highly effective librarians, (Chronicle Careers), The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 23, available http://chronicle.com/article/The-Four-Habits-of-Highly-E/46544/
Hartzell, G.N. (2002). Capitalizing on the school library’s potential to positively affect student achievement: A sampling of resources for administrators, available http://www.laurabushfoundation.org/Handout.pdf
I gained some new ideas and fresh perspectives on several concepts through the listed readings which I intend to use in my daily practice in our school library.
From Covey, I learnt that effectiveness and efficiency have two different meanings. Effectiveness applies to our interactions with people and efficiency with things. This has had an impact on my attitude towards the role of the teacher librarian as I am more aware of the need to apply different strategies and communication skills to contribute to the ongoing operation of our school library. As school libraries are constantly and directly involved in the interplay of 'things' and 'people', this article reinforced what I have learnt about the importance of collaboration and resource management, as well as the significance of applying the ASLA/ALIA Standards of professional excellence to daily practice.
As mentioned in my forum posting of May 24 - Topic 6, I have also looked at the skills that influential teachers on staff have. These are superior communication and negotiation skills. These teachers do not always make universally popular decisions, but it is their excellent communication skills that transform these decisions into acceptable and supportable strategies. Their behaviour is fair and they usually appear to be well respected. These apply to the behaviours a teacher librarian could develop and should assist with collaborative practice in regards to library practice and service. Gilman quotes Covey as saying
"the most effective are those who have moved beyond both independence and dependence to master the art of interdependence...working as team members."
This strongly reinforced the importance of effective collaboration with fellow staff to assist in providing a quality learning program for students.
In the second section of this topic, there was a fantastic resource from Hartzell. These has lists of articles and books to help guide library administrators on topics dealing with issues such as impact of school libraries on student learning, budget considerations etc. I intend to download this and keep it as a valuable resource when called upon to lobby for our library.
I will conclude with this quote, again by Todd Gilman, but initially by John Donne: " No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent". Again this ties in with the whole idea of collaboration and reinforces to me of how important it is for the teacher librarian to function as a collaborative team member. Interestingly, through all I have written in this blog post, the recurring notion is that of collaboration. So, does this mean that the greatest impact that this subject has had on me is the significance of collaborative practice by the teacher librarian!?
REFERENCES
Covey, S.R. (1989). The seven habits of highly effective people: Restoring the character ethic, [Pt. 1], pp. 146-164 and [Pt. 2], pp. 165-182.
Gilman, T. (2007). The four habits of highly effective librarians, (Chronicle Careers), The Chronicle of Higher Education, May 23, available http://chronicle.com/article/The-Four-Habits-of-Highly-E/46544/
Hartzell, G.N. (2002). Capitalizing on the school library’s potential to positively affect student achievement: A sampling of resources for administrators, available http://www.laurabushfoundation.org/Handout.pdf
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
