5 Blogs 6/24/11

"My Report and a Couple of (Far More) Stellar Examples"
Joyce Valenza
6/20/2011
http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/neverendingsearch/2011/06/20/reflecting-on-20102011/
I found this blog very interesting and fitting after our discussion of annual reports last week.  I love the way that these librarians are taking dry annual reports and turning them into eye-catching reports and visual presentations.  These examples definitely give me some ideas as far as how to present the data to the board that they need, while also incorporating the good stuff that will be going on in the library.  One thing that Buffy Hamilton included in here report that Joyce Valenza also commented on was the inclusion of comments from the faculty.   "But for me, the most powerful element is the inclusion of faculty quotes that describe the role of this dynamic library program in Creekview’s learning and teaching culture."  I think this would be an important part of an annual report that I hadn't thought about.  Of course, we also want the administration to see how the teachers feel about the performance of the library and its affect on the students.

"Readers' Theater:  Antigone on Facebook"
Jeri Hurd
6/24/2011
http://bib20.blogspot.com/2011/06/readers-theatre-antigone-on-facebook.html
I absolutely love this idea!  Students will be creating a Facebook "saga" based on the characters and events from Antigone.  I'm sure they will get tons more out of the reading by doing this activity. Getting kids to interact with literature by using all of the technology tools that they love is a fantastic idea!  One of the questions during my interview was about if I would do any type of afterschool clubs.  Since we already have and established AR reading club, I told them I would probably go more on the technology side and try to give our students some extra skills there, I am honestly thinking about trying this activitiy out!  I also came across this website a couple of weeks ago.  http://myfakewall.com/  I haven't used it yet, but I might have found the perfect opportunity! 

"Understanding Library Impacts on Student Learning"
Derek Rodriguez
6/15/2011
http://www.inthelibrarywiththeleadpipe.org/2011/understanding-library-impacts-on-student-learning/
While this blog centered more around higher education libraries, much of what it states still applies to K-12 libraries.  Finding a way to determine the impact of libraries on student success is difficult.  Rodriguez states. "While libraries have made significant progress in user-oriented evaluation in recent decades, libraries still lack effective methods for demonstrating library contributions to student learning. Unless we develop adequate instruments (and generate compelling evidence) libraries will be left out of important campus conversations."  Once again, the librarians need to step up and help figure out ways that we can measure our impact on students, otherwise we are going to be seen as unnecessary.  We need to find ways to determine what our kids know and what they are learning as far as information literacy knowledge.  I find it very interesting that collegiate libraries are having the same issues as K-12 libraries are as far as losing a voice because of not knowing the impact on student learning. 

"Pegby"
6/20/2011
http://www.edutechintegration.com/2011/06/pegby.html
Pegby is a program that basically lets you organize and share "to-do" lists.  The user creates cards with the information that needs to be completed and then can arrange them and sort them in various ways.  You can share boards with other users.  I could see this being used by committees in schools, especially preparing for presentations.  I plan on trying this out personally, and getting rid of all my sticky note to-do lists!

"Kids Like Blogs"
6/23/2011
David Kapular
http://cyber-kap.blogspot.com/2011/06/kids-like-blogs.html
Once again, the blog posting itself doesn't say much, but it did lead me to a fantastic website:  http://kidslikeblogs.org/.  I really like how Jon Schwartz uses the blogs, he has clear objectives for the students who use the blogs.  He states here, "The way I have my students use blogs, they are set up to provide the student with what I call a "virtual workbench" to develop their reading, writing, and art skills. It is a creative writing and student art outlet.... My student's blogs are all about showing off their stories, essays, and scanned artwork, and they share no personally identifying information or photos."  I think it is great that he is giving his students a platfrom for writing and sharing their artwork.  All too often, children's talents go unnoticed, and by allowing them to use the technology that is available, they are able to show their skills to the world in a safe manner.