CEdu 571 - 02/23/11

1. Describe 2 highlights that caught your attention in our readings or discussions for this week.  Why was it significant for you?

First was the connection I made between my retail experience and my goals/expectations as a reference librarian.  I was blown away by exactly how similar my job was to how the book laid it out.  I literally thought to myself, "Wow, I was at a meeting about this..."  Second was how the book detailed how to conduct a proper search online, to which I thought "Um, doesn't everyone know this?"  Even though it seemed old hat, it occurred to me that to some people it might not be, and my students may well be those people.

2. What do you think about the Big 6?

This seems to be a fairly intuitive library research instruction model.  My basic attitudes toward instruction in general follow these.  It strikes me of being cognizant of  Bloom's Taxonomy.

3. Are you pretty comfortable doing a Reference Interview?

Absolutely.  I was a great salesman in a pro-customer sort of way.  I never made a ton of money for the company, but customers LOVED me.  People would ask for my help quite a bit.

4. How is the Internet Log coming?  Questions/concerns?

It's on time for it's scheduled arrival.  Make sure you seats are in the upright position and all trays are up.

5. Questions about your Online Database Presentation or your Library Lesson?  What is your topic?

Not at this time.  I'm thinking about exploring and/or teaching BrainPop.  It's cool.  And fun.  And my kids love it.

6. (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.

The retail sales thing was a big one.  I am probably walking away from class with that as my biggest Ah-Ha moment of the night.  It's somewhat tangential, but I found that I was pretty good leading a sort-of impromptu discussion (with a partner).  I can fly by the seat of my pants and not get too much rug-burn, it would seem.

CEdu 571 - 02/16/11

1. Describe 2 ideas that were brought up in the Article #3 discussions.  How can you relate this information to your professional life?


I thought the idea of an informational computer kiosk with no chairs was interesting.  A tactical decision to keep people moving and not park on the computers.  Though with libraries, I see nothing wrong with that, as long as there's room for everyone.  But my experience is limited.  "Answers without meaning." A quote from Jen & Megan's article.  I love it.  Teaching technology for technology's sake isn't the answer.  We are growing users and consumers rather than programmers and producers.  From a grand economic scale, that's a bad thing.


2. Describe 2 highlights that caught your attention in our readings or discussions for this week.  Why was it significant for you?


Someone suggested posting good iPod apps on their library web page.  I think that's great!  Most kids have access to these anyways, so why not get with it?  The bad reference interview video was fun.  A good example to illustrate the importance of the "customer service" aspect of your job.


3. How is the Internet Log coming?  Questions/concerns?


Slowly.  I'll get there.


4. Questions about your Online Database Presentation or your Library Lesson?


Not yet.  Still putting my pants on one leg at a time.


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.


What I learned?  Well, I SERIOUSLY underestimated the impact a funny picture can have on a presentation.  It derailed the whole end of it, which thankfully it was....otherwise I can imagine I would have struggled pretty hard to finish without cracking up.  While, as Alyca said, we all needed a good laugh, it was a little too good.  Next time, I can cut down on funny pictures.  I also learned what a good reference library can look like.  Having such a model isn't a bad thing, though my own library wouldn't likely need that much material.

CEdu 571 - 02/09/11

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

I really liked the web-based informational games to both learn and teach reference skills.  I think that's a great way for students, at least in the primary grades, to get not only exposure to reference learning, but to additional computer access and use (which is lacking in my schools).  I also liked the idea of a "wiki sandbox" that students could freely edit and play with.  Many times, learners learn better when things are more hands-on.  At least I know I am.

2. Describe 2 highlights that caught your attention in our readings for this week.  Why was it significant for you?

In Ch. 3, in talking about style, the importance of teaching about editorials was mentioned.  It referenced that some students would use editorials as factual references if not taught the difference.  Heck, I find that many adults have that issue.  I also liked the evaluation checklist at the end of that chapter as a student research tool to evaluate the worth of reference pieces.  Though I could perhaps only apply it in a simpler form to my primary students, I thought it seemed good.  Plus, I could use it myself in evaluating the validity of some of my own references.

3. How is the Internet Log coming?  Questions/concerns?

Slowly.  Honestly, I keep putting it off.  I hate to be the excuse maker, but a ton of other things keep getting in the way of working on work.  And I'm not worried yet, but soon I'll be approaching critical mass.

4. Library Visit Questions?

I have none.

5. Questions about your Online Database Presentation or your Library Lesson?

None about these yet either.  My tiny corpus callosum allows me to multi-task about 2 things at a time, and one of them is breathing...  So I haven't given these a ton of thought yet.

6. (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.

They haven't yet effected my professional life, I don't think.  I learned about a few strategies to get unretractable teachers onboard with technology, including administrators.  And I also learned a few new cool websites to help reference instruction!  Neat-O.