CEdu 571 - 3/23/11

1. (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.

Much like last week's focus on how cool PLN's are, I basically walked away from tonight's class with a ton of new lesson plans.  I will be almost certainly be using these in some form.

I learned that a) there are a number of great lesson ideas to help both teach library lessons, but library reference as well.  And b) (sappy as it may be, yet 100% true) I learned how much I'm going to miss working with Chris.  She's an excellent teacher, and I look forward to learning even more as time goes on.  I can tell you this, I'm definitely a better LMS for what Chris has taught.

CEdu 571 - 3/16/11

1.  Describe 2 highlights that caught your attention during the Online Database presentations.

Tumblebooks.  I think this was nothing short of amazing.  It appears to combine the appeal of graphic novelization with the fun of the internet.  The activities and texts are really good, and seems to be a great reading and library lesson aid.  I checked, and I have Tumblebooks!  I am excited!

Powerspeak Languages.  Holy cow was this cool!  As far as an immersion language tool, I think this is nothing short of amazing.  For an IB school like mine that is focusing on Spanish, this would have been a great tool.  Unfortunately, this site is geared more towards older students/adult learners.  So I think my direct use at school will be limited.  That being said, hawt damn!

2. (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 class has exposed me to some databases that I might not have explored on my own.  My two highlights are the sites I'm going to be working with in the most immediate fashion.

I learned about a) a ton of databases that I can use.  And b) I was able to see a PLN in action.  Granted, we've been a class working on these things as we've moved along.  But it was cool to see hand-picked databases by my peers for group review.  It reinforced the importance of the PLN.

Library Lesson Presentation

I shall be teaching you today how to use the Online Encyclopedia, and then collaboration on its use.

Go to this website to begin the lesson:

http://instech.racine.k12.wi.us/

Thank you for your cooperation

-Mr. O'Connell

CEdu 571 - 03/09/11

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

I really thought that the exercise of shortening my role as an LMS to 2 sentences was useful (especially Matt's thoughts on the matter).  I want to be able to succintly tell someone not only what I do, but how critical I am.  Very important.  Second, I found through discussion how critical it is to explain that I am a collaborator.  I am a team player by nature, and people need to know that!

2. What are your thoughts about the tools provided by DPI for library media programs?  Were you aware of these?  Which things do you see as most valuable to you?

I like these!  It's yet another bullet in my arsenal of justifying my importance and job.  I can say how I'm important all I want, but I can back up that how with state standards and aids...such as the resources provided by the DPI.

3. What are your thoughts, concerns and questions about library program evaluations?

I like them!  I would like to, when I have time, to use these evals on my own libraries and see how they would fare.  It would be a great self-evaluation tool to modify my 3-year plan and then also use as backup for if/when my 3-year plan is ever called into question.

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

Database: Brain Pop.  Library Lesson: Using the Brittanica Online Encyclopedia.  Topic: How to use both.  I may switch gears on BOE if someone presents it as a database.  But no questions.  I've taught both to my classes already, and feel pretty comforable with them.

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.

I learned how to shorten my job into an effective sound byte.

I learned that I need to pick Matt Follett's brain more often.

CEdu 571 - 03/02/11

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

I found our discussion of Google advanced searching tools very exciting!  I never knew the shortcuts like the calculator or weather.  For as net savvy as I am, I didn't know about these tools.  I also enjoyed the reference scavenger hunt examples.  I do want to conduct a internet vs. book race for my students.  I think that would be tremendously fun.

2. What are your thoughts about the search engines we discussed?

Boolify was great!  I intend to use this as a lead-up activity for teaching advanced searching techniques like and, or, not and so on.  Though others were good, this would be the one I'd put into immediate active use.

3. How do you feel about Google Advanced Search techniques?

See answer for question 1.  I think they are mega-neat.

4. Do you think you’d use Scavenger Hunts with your students?  Why or why not?

Yes, I will use a scavenger hunt in the form of a book vs. internet race.  I think this would be a great tool to put the taught reference resources to the test in a fun and meaningful way.

5. Questions about your Online Database Presentation or your Library Lesson?  What is database and what is your lesson topic?

My database will be BrainPop.  My lesson topic will be instructing the use and usefulness of Online Encyclopedia Britanica.

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.

Well, I walked away from this class with at least two different lesson plans I intend to use either this year or next.  That's a fact.  And the two things I've learned, well, I think I covered that in question 1.  I don't want to be repetitive, so yeah.  There you have it.

CEdu 571 - Internet Log II

Here's the link to my website that has my Internet Log on it directly.  This may be a better approach than hitting it in Google Docs.

https://sites.google.com/a/wolfmail.stritch.edu/jeffersonlighthouse/links-for-classes

CEdu 571 - Internet Log

As instructed, here SHOULD be the link to my Google Doc containing my internet log assignment.  Cross your fingers.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Mslm5zIMG82fm47auF_cfhJlMtP9aHa4T_8p8xLjiLU/edit?hl=en

I hope that worked.