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.