I am honestly amazed at everything that these librarians are doing to connect kids to all of the information out there!
A good point was brought up by Carolyn Foote about publicity, don't forget the old fashioned methods such as paper. You have to get your info out there in order for students to use it. I like the "Show Yourself" widget to identify usernames on all the sites. This could really come in handy when on many sites.
Barb Jansen also points out that a website does not have to be filed with fluff, we should provide students with what they need to succeed. The site should also not be there to teach the technology skills, it should support them.
There are so many free and relatively inexpensive tools out there that can be used, there is no reason not to incoporate them into a library website. Creating a web presence may be an involved process with all of the available tools, but in the end, it is well worth it.
I really liked the quote "Meet them where they are," which is exactly what we need to do. Students are very technologically fluent, and giving them opportunities to learn using the tools that they use to communicate with is very beneficial.
Which tools impressed you the most? Which would you like to use? Is there one (two, or three?) that you can implement this next school year? Were you overwhelmed with what you saw and don't think that this relates to your new position?
ReplyDeleteI was kind of overwhelmed with all of the different options. We use SOCS at school for our website, and this video shared different ways of creating websites and gettng information to students and patrons that you can use with students (NetVibes, Nings, Blogs, Wikis, etc.). Now I have all of these excellent tools, and I want to use them all.
ReplyDeleteThe Dickens LMC had so many sites that they use, I wonder if it gets too confusing....that's what I don't want to do. For now, I want to make it excellent, but simple and easy to use, so they will use it.
I really liked LiveBinder. I think it would make accessing all the differnt types of accounts easier. I've never used it, so it is something I'd have to go check out.
I am quite intrigued with LiveBinders as well. I haven't used it for a project but think it not only has potential for the librarian but also for students as they collect information for research projects.
ReplyDeleteAfter I posted this morning, I went and checked it out....AMAZING! I am presenting at the I70 Excellence in Education Conference this fall on Free Internet Resources for Classroom Use, and I am going to use this instead of handouts. I like that it isn't just a list of websites, viewers can actually see the pages. I know I remember the visuals that go along with websites, so I am sure that it will help our attendees after a long day of presentions.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! So glad that you are jumping in with both feet!! Any way you can attack a topic with different media means they will be more likely to get the message.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!