This is my second 23 things. I am not a consistent blogger. I used it for Nebraska Learns 23 Things then didn't do much. I did some of the Nebraska Library Commission things between #23 and #43, and blogged about the reorganization project at my library over last summer. Hadn't done much until I began a Masters Program through Lesley University. This last class had us blogging about the various projects we worked on.
I need to use my blog to reflect on what I am doing. Even if it is only once a week. When you are a sole librarian it is difficult to not feel isolated and blogging is one way to make connections. I enjoy reading several blogs, but don't often comment back. Questions like "Who would care to read about my unexciting life?" "Are others interested in my comments?" have held me back.
Where is my career? It is at beginnings and endings. I began as a classroom teacher, stayed home and raised a family and did many of the volunteer activities that go along with that. I pursued other lines of work, but decided that education was where I belonged. After subbing I was offered a position as a school library, became certified, and love it. I am working on a Masters in Education, Technology in Education and hope to put a lot of it into practice before I quit teaching for good.
(Do we ever stop learning and teaching?) CPD23 will be another avenue for learning. Learning and sharing. Learning in different way.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Webpage Design
I "completed" the pages for classes and had about twice as many ideas for more pages. Most of the pages are links for students. I concentrated on the Elementary level because the students are just looking for a game or activity to do and this resource will do their looking (and screening) for them. Some of these sites the students have used in school. This is a place for them to come when they are at home and can't remember how to get to the site. I also like to have the links to the sites that Kindergarten and First use in school rather than have them type out the URL - it just save a lot of time. The next step is teaching them to use bookmarks.
I gave the URL to the tech guy at school. He would like to revamp our school website. I don't know how this new page will fit into that revision.
I went to SpiderScribe to start laying out my website because I knew it was going to get crazy. I wanted to be careful not to go too deep or have a menu that was too long.
As the next year progresses I want to put use it as an example for other teachers. One teacher already has all his assignments on his webpage. I think this is a great resource for students and parents. I want to be able to use my page to show other teachers how easy it for them to do the same thing. This is a way to increase the connection and communication between parents, teachers, students, and school.
One thing that is very interesting is how personal and different each webpage can be when using a drag and drop programs with a limited number of options. It causes you to spend more thinking on content and less on the mechanics.
I gave the URL to the tech guy at school. He would like to revamp our school website. I don't know how this new page will fit into that revision.
As the next year progresses I want to put use it as an example for other teachers. One teacher already has all his assignments on his webpage. I think this is a great resource for students and parents. I want to be able to use my page to show other teachers how easy it for them to do the same thing. This is a way to increase the connection and communication between parents, teachers, students, and school.
One thing that is very interesting is how personal and different each webpage can be when using a drag and drop programs with a limited number of options. It causes you to spend more thinking on content and less on the mechanics.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Lesley 6008 - Texting
Our policy is no phones between first bell and last bell. I know the students have them and usually keep them in a pocket or bag. I also know students use their phones during school. Phone use in class can be a distraction, but so are other activities. I have heard of teachers who have a box on the desk and collect phones at the beginning of class and release them at the end.
Some parents and students view having a phone as a safety issue or a convenient way to reach each other. Our school is very small and there is usually not a problem getting in contact with a student or parent by using the office phone.
I can see both sides of the issue. I won't push for open use of phones by students, however I can see educational uses for phones in the classroom. The pollevery site, looking up information on the internet (if students have a data plan), teachers texting assignments or reminders to students. I don't know how many students have phones and what plans they have. There may be a question of equitable access or maybe not.
I found that using texting for discussing a topic was very cumbersome. Short messages are fine, but a discussion with various points of view and requiring lengthy conversations is better done face to face or at least with a phone call.
Some parents and students view having a phone as a safety issue or a convenient way to reach each other. Our school is very small and there is usually not a problem getting in contact with a student or parent by using the office phone.
I can see both sides of the issue. I won't push for open use of phones by students, however I can see educational uses for phones in the classroom. The pollevery site, looking up information on the internet (if students have a data plan), teachers texting assignments or reminders to students. I don't know how many students have phones and what plans they have. There may be a question of equitable access or maybe not.
I found that using texting for discussing a topic was very cumbersome. Short messages are fine, but a discussion with various points of view and requiring lengthy conversations is better done face to face or at least with a phone call.
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