CEdu 571 - 01/26/11

1.  Describe 2 ideas that were brought up in the Article #1 discussions.  How can you relate this information to your professional life?

Well, Dan's article suggested getting in touch with your local librarian.  In a spirit of cooperation, the article said that you (a LMS) being sharing and linking via Twitter in order to share reference resources for your students.  I think this is a wonderful way to not only increase your own PLN, but to put resources at the fingertips of students who might not otherwise expand their reference repertoire.

Then Jenny's article brought up the M-U-S-T-Y acronym as a tool for weeding.  The article talked about weeding in the context of the author's reference section, but I think it would apply to just about any section of the library.  Misleading, Ugly, Super-ceded, Trivial, and You have no more use for it.  Words to live by, especially considering that most of my 3-year plan calls for a lot of weeding.

2. Reflect on “Digital Footprints”.  How is this being addressed in your school and who is presenting this?

It makes considerable sense, in the social networking age that we are in, that you should be self-censoring and monitoring what you share via the internet.  Currently, there are no champions of such self-monitoring.  I'd imagine I would have to take that mantle.  And I'm okay with that...I want to be such a champ!

3. How are you doing on your Internet Log?  Questions?

I am in the idea phase.  I have a horrible procrastination habit I fight against.  Plus I didn't want to use any of the resources I've already used for the website.  I think I'm going to perhaps do resources for environmentalism, as most of the curriculum map in the end of the school year, school-wide, discuss the topic as a theme.

4. Have you selected a library to visit yet?  Have you visited?

I'm going to visit the library of my mentor, Gilmore Middle School.  I'm comfortable with her, and she's got no problem letting me roam around her place.  I've visited her library, but not for this purpose yet.

5. (Louis Question)  How has our class and this week’s activities effected you in your professional life?  Discuss two things that you have learned about this week. 

A) MUSTY!  That was brilliant!  I'm using that immediately.

B) When Dennis was talking about the Westosha plan that eliminated all of those elementary school librarians, I got just as angry as he did.  I need to be much more proactive than I've been as is to make my position indispensable!  I need my job.

CEdu 571 - 01/19/11

1. What is your understanding of reference materials in the library media center?


As far as I'm aware at the moment, the reference section in a library media center is a place for patrons to gain/learn/utilize information.  The information gained is generally more specific than just looking up a book in the non-fiction section.  The reference section is designed to be a research station for patrons.  I'm taking a logical leap, but to my best understanding, materials may not be checked out/removed from the reference section.  The rationale being that these materials need to be available to all patrons at all times.


2. Any questions or other comments you have?

I'm excited to explore another facet of my library!
3. (Louis Question)  How has our class and this week’s activities effected you in your professional life?  Discuss two things that you have learned about this week.     

Being an introductory class, my professional life has yet to be affected.  That being said, I'm anticipating learning more about the reference section of my library.  It's a section I've largely ignored in my job, to this point.  And though I've been able to assist my students by including Encyclopedia Brittanica Online, I fear that my lack of understanding may be letting my patrons down.  And I don't want to have that happen.

CEdu 572 - 01/12/11

1. List and describe 2 expectations you had of our class before we started.

- In complete honesty, I didn't know WHAT to expect from the class.  I was literally hired at my schools the week before the class started.  Based on what little I knew of Library/Media Science, I figured we would learn about the Dewey Decimal System and perhaps laws regarding LMS.

2. Describe 3 topics, discussions or projects that we did in this class that you especially liked or thought were useful to you.  Why did you like these best?

-Titlewave. Without a doubt.  The collection analysis tools are so essential that I can't imagine doing my job without it.
-The website assignment.  Not only is this assigment helping to make my library "more awesome" but is adding to my job security.  Yeah, that's the good stuff.
-3-Year Needs Assessment.  I didn't take the time to do things like looking at student demographics and curriculum maps.  And I didn't really know what to buy with my budget.  This assignment is absolutely helping me to figure out how to spend my cash.  How about that!

3. Did our class fulfill your expectations?  If not, why?

Seeing as how I had none to begin with, sure!  My expectations were to learn a few things.  I had no idea I would be learning so many IMMEDIATELY APPLICABLE things for my job. 

4. Was the instructor accessible enough?  Did you feel comfortable asking questions? 

Absolutely.  She was very accessible.  Granted, I didn't ask many questions outside of class, but I feel that if I would have, a response would have been quickly given.

5. Please list things you would like to see changed or improved in this course

Honestly, I found the pace of the coursework to be very managable.  From hearing about what it was last year, I'm glad the quantity came down.  Not in a "I'm happy to do less work" sort of way, but in a "I'm happy that the work is appropriate to how much time I have."  So I don't see much need for change or improvement.  However, I thought that the Saturday class seemed unnecessary.  While it was certainly exciting to visit the MPL and the Stritch Library, I didn't see the immediate connection to our class.  It may have been a time requirement that needed filling, but I didn't feel that the trip was ultimately beneficial.

6. Any other comments about the instructor or our class?

Chris is great!  I walk away from every class having learned something new that I can put to use immediately in my job.  I have said this before, but this has been the first class in my college career (which is long enough, I promise) that I felt I genuinely learned the most.  She uses her personal experience to illustrate and explain what we are learning.  The concrete and applied learning far outweighs the theoretical in this class.  And that's what I want.

CEdu 572 - 01/05/11

1. List and describe 5 webpage features that you saw in tonight's presentations that you thouight were interesting, engaging and should be included on a library media center webpage.


-A list of Technology and Library educational standards
-Include useful classroom links by grade level
-Add a Yahoo/Google/Mapquest map to indicate physical location of library
-The Destiny quicklink on the front page rather than a number of links to get to it
-Arrange Smartboard activities by grade level and subject


2. What questions or comments do you have about the 3-year plan?  Remember it is due (with a short class presentation) in class next week.....our last meeting for this course.


My only comment is that my procrastination on this assignment means that I have a lot of typing in my future.


3. List and describe 2 ways of evaluating your collection.  What is collection mapping and why is it useful?  Have we seen this before?  Where?  Are you using it or will you use it when you get your own library?


First, by using the Collection Analysis tools at Titlewave through Follett, you can check the age and disposition of your collection.  Then, I can use Destiny Library to evaluate how often materials are checked out.  The tools from Follett are what I use to make my collection map, and they are crazy useful.  I can present to an administrator what needs the collection has, and can demonstrate the progress I make. For example, I could show the age of a collection before I began work on it, and then show the age after a round of weeding.  And we've seen this before when the Follett guys came in to give the Titlewave demonstration.  I have used this tool already.


4. How have you built and developed your Personal/Professional Learning Network since we began our class?  Describe specifically.


My own PLN is, to date, an interpersonal one.  I make contacts with a number of people within the district with which to get ideas and help from.  I have a mentor who directly assists me with questions.  I have made contact with several other LMS's who give me advice on things.  I remain in contact with a teacher I long-term subbed for a year ago, who is a wealth of information.  And I befriended the teacher across the hall while I was there, who is an excellent soundboard and venting partner.  I have not had the energy or inclination to hop on to the social networking of internet worth, to date.  But I will.


5. How has our class and this week's activities effected you in your professional life?  Discuss 2 things you have learned this week.


Well, I presented my website to my Principal.  Now, even with the caveat that I needed to add and change a number of things, he was very excited about it.  One of his goals is to modernize the school, and he sees the website in a "one small step for man..." kind of way.  He wants me to make the changes I need quickly, and then get it up for everyone.  He also wants me to take over the school's website and do much the same thing.


I learned that with my website, patrons should only require 3 clicks to get to where they need to be.  I also learned that creating a website was nowhere near as hard as I thought it would be.  In fact, it was both easy and enjoyable.

My Library Web Site

Here is the link to my library web site!

https://sites.google.com/a/wolfmail.stritch.edu/jeffersonlighthouse/

Hooray!

CEdu 572 - 12/15/10

1. Which selection tools do you like best?  Why?


I thought the School Library Journal was the most interesting.  I liked it's evaluative and objective opinions on selections.  Plus I liked the articles.  Catalogs didn't strike me as objective, as they are trying to sell me things.  That being said, I liked the catalogs' pretty pictures.


2.How are you doing on your web page?  It's due at our next class.  Questions?  Comments?  Be ready to present it to your class.


Heh, well as my blog entry is a little...erm...belated, this is an odd question to answer.  My web page is complete.  But as far as I can see, it won't ever truly be completed.  It was funny as I worked on it.  Every time I looked at it, I thought of something new I could do for it.  I also underestimated the usefulness of Google Sites.  Once I got ahold of someone to help walk me through a few things, I got the hang of it pretty quick (a friend and fellow teacher who uses it in his high school to have students make their own sites).  I'm eager to make another website for my other school now!


3. How are you doing on the Three-Year Plan?  Questions?


Slowly.  I'm having trouble with the surveys.  My school is a bit backward when it comes to technology, and I'm the resident expert.  I've all but been told, "I don't understand this online survey thing, and don't have the time for it."  My question is, can I just do pen and paper instead?


4. Describe 2 things that you would like to do to promote your library and its resources.


A)  I've been making "house calls."  So far this has come in the form of on-call computer/technical assistance.  We recently had everyone's Smartboards mounted, and the last time anyone thought about them was their inservice back at the beginning of September.  Ouch.  But I would like to get a mobile plan of bringing Library resources to teachers instead of the other way around.


B)  I'm also having the Library host as a student art gallery.  I've put out a call to students to both bring in their work, as well as make new work, and post it around the Library.  It's a new thing, so we'll see how it works.


5. (Louis Questions):  How has our class and this week's activities effected you in your professional life?  Discuss two things that you've learned this week.


A) Everything will be fully processed.  No question.  No substitute.  I also learned that many of us end up using the same selection tools.  I thought to myself, "why not cut out the middle man and get everyone else's opinion on the matter, as they make their judgements based on the same material."  Plus, I just like talking to people better than combing through bulk text.  Call me crazy.  :)


B)  Two things.  I learned during the week off that it's MEGA important to actually take the week off.  My principal's standing order was to absolutely not thing about work during the break.  And boy was that good.  I'm looking forward to doing that again.  Sometimes I tend to worry too much, and the mental break was good.  Second thing I learned during the week off is how much I miss reading for pleasure.  Normally my day is go, go, go.  Even though I carry a book with me where ever I go, I rarely actually read.  And not heavy stuff either.  Cheap fiction.  And it felt good.  It reminded me of when I used to read for fun as a kid, and it rekindled the flame of that enjoyment.  It makes me think of how kids in my library can enjoy that potential as well.  It reminds me that the Library is also a place of relaxation and enjoyment.  And that's just as important as anything else.