Queen of the Harding Castle

Thing 15 Collaboration

2008-03-27T11:55:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling a bit like Superman these days. Yesterday a teacher came to me requesting my help. It seems she couldn't get her new Mac ibook to talk to her new LCD projector. Funny, but Leslie Yoder and I had the same problem when Leslie was presenting to staff members at Harding. It seems there is an definite order as to which machine needs to be turned on first. At the moment I don't remember which one it is, but I was lucky with the teacher and in her eyes I am "amazing!" I was then able to answer her powerpoint question too. She said, "I feel like I have just dipped my big toe into the 21st century! Maybe next year it will be my foot!" and she has applied for the new high school technology initiative. All year I have been collaborating with teachers. I'm catching on slowly. It seems there have not been high expectations of librarians in the past at Harding and teachers are surprised that I "actually teach!" The wheels of progress move slowly but we are in gear!

Google revisited

2008-03-07T07:46:00.000-08:00

This week I was asked to teach some classes about annotated bibliographies (AB). When the class didn't know what an AB was I took the opportunity to review the use of Google. Even though Google is not always the best source, sometimes it is a great starting point and the link we need to a reliable source. Sorting through the hits for AB we evaluated the URL's and were able to find the information we needed.

Google image: http://www.maip.com/media/images/Google%20Logo.jpg

Thing 32, Wikis

2008-02-03T06:53:00.000-08:00

For awhile now I have been thinking about trying to compile all the family tree information on my Dad's side of the family. He never talked very much about his family and growing up so imagine my surprise when at age 32 I first learned that he had been married before my mother! This bit of information only came out as she was angry and wanted to get back at him for something he did or said, I don't remember the exact circumstances now. Familes, don't you love them? Anyway, when we learned about Google Docs I contemplated trying that with a first cousin I keep in contact with once a year through the Christmas letter. After learning about Wikis in class it seemed just the ticket. I set up the Wiki and emailed my cousin who wrote back that he had got it. Now we just need to figure out the best format to compile the information and of course find the time. I've tried looking up family tree templates but haven't found anything I can actually download into my Wiki. If anyone has done any genealogy work I'd love to have your suggestions.

Image source: http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/Articles/wikis/wikitbl.jpg

Thing 2, More on Create Your Blog and Post About It

2008-02-03T06:17:00.001-08:00

Last night I was with a group of family and friends whose level of expertise in technology was about as wide and varied as it can come. Two were St. Paul teachers who have been retired for 6 years, three were active LD teachers from the St. Paul Public Schools and one is the director of the toxicology lab for the State of Wisconsin. I had my laptop along as I needed to send an update on my daughter's medical condition. They were amazed and quite impressed that I had a blog (I left out the part that I was dragged into it kicking and screaming.) All at different places in our lives we talked about how we all look at and use technology differently and how much it has changed from the "olden days." It was pretty amazing. As we talked about different things and couldn't remember details I took out my laptop and "googled." One said, "how did you find that?" It just re-enforced that it's not just the kids that need the education but it is the adults as well and our job is HUGE!
Image source:www.ibritt.com/.../hearnoseenospeakno_blogOK.jpg

Thing 10, More on Plagiarism/Copyright

2008-01-26T20:31:00.000-08:00

When I asked the Harding English Department chair if we had a policy on plagiarism I was told that would be the next thing the department would work on. It seems they have been so busy unpacking the standards and working on common assessments that a plagiarism policy has been put on hold. So out of curiosity I went to all of the St. Paul Junior and Senior High School websites in search of Library Media Center sites and plagiarism policies. It's embarrasing. There are 11 junior high schools in St. Paul, not a single one even mentions plagiarism, but also consider, only 5 of those Junior Highs even have a LMS. There are 7 senior high schools and 4 of those schools have what I would consider an extensive copyright and plagiarism section on the Library Media Center page of their school web site. Those same four librarians are in their second year of the Information Literacy Project. This is an important issue and we need to continue our quest not only to educate our students but also our colleagues. Enough said.
Cartoon source: http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/aba0039l.jpg

Thing 10, More on copyright

2008-01-19T05:20:00.001-08:00

I think this cartoon summarizes the apathy surrounding copyright law. No one seems to think it pertains to them. Teachers are indignant when I mention the violation as they stand at the xerox machine and duplicate an entire paperback novel. At lunch colleagues feel they are entitled to burn DVD's of every movie they rent from Blockbuster. Students cut and paste into their reports and think it's o.k. as long as they have a bibliography. As technology develops the problem is only going to get worse. At what point do we come to the realization that just because we don't agree with copyright, we still have to follow the law?
Cartoon taken from http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/copyright.jpg&imgrefurl=http://xkcd.com/14/&h=499&w=640&sz=95&hl=en&start=15&tbnid=kc-VqIhpeVv0VM:&tbnh=107&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcopyright%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

Thing 10. Copyright/Plagiarism

2008-01-10T11:42:00.000-08:00

I've always considered myself fairly knowledgeable on copyright. Afterall, I've been preaching to teachers for years on the use of video tapes in the districts video retrieval systems. But with the development of new technology comes new rules governing responsible use. Imagine my chagrin when I discovered that I too have been violating copyright law by using images from Google without citing my source! But I did discover "The #1 Cartoon Studion on the Web!" and you can use their cartoons FREE on non-commercial websites when you give them a link. Try it out at http://www.artie.com
(Copyright image taken from www.abortmag.com)

Thing 8. Dribbling Lessons for Information Literacy

2008-01-08T11:51:00.001-08:00

I believe most Library Media Specialists and teachers would agree that the key to a "good" research project is being able to assign a topic that each student is personally excited and/or interested in. I find the Step 1: Question section of "Lessons for teaching the steps of the Research Calculator" to be very helpful. I love the ready made graphic organizers for brainstorming topics, creating questions, narrowing the topic and exploring a topic. Here again good organization is the key to success.
(Cartoon taken from http://www.artie.com)

Thing 7. Get to Know the Research Project Calculator

2008-01-08T11:11:00.000-08:00

Here I am offering the fabulous services of the Research Project Calculator (RPC)!!! Well not exactly but almost. Earlier this year when I worked with Mamiko's and Jill's classes I did introduce the students to the calculator, put in the dates for the project we were working on and put the printed outline into the students own hot little hands. I could be all wet but sometimes I feel that "our" students don't have the best organizational skills. They don't even know where to begin (outside of Google) to break down a project into smaller, manageable pieces. The RPC is an excellent tool that will guide the students through each step of the research process.
(Image taken from http://www.loancalc.com)

A Week in Duluth

2007-12-05T09:27:00.001-08:00

Some of you may already know but I have been in Duluth, MN since November 29 with my daughter who has been hospitalized. This is not my car but it is how my car looked when I got up Sunday morning. Not only did I dig out my car but also my daughter's car. LMC Lady affectionately refers to me as "macho woman!"

Anyway, I have to reiterate how great it has been to have my laptop. It has been my lifeline. I had huge plans to work on my Urban Planet site but so far, I haven't. Oh well, life goes on, hopefully.

Thing 9, Streaming Video

2007-11-28T21:58:00.000-08:00

I have to admit I WAS feeling a bit smug last Friday when I left school. Jamie, Jill, Mamiko and I had put our collective heads together and made some real progress on United Streaming. Mamiko and Jill had set up their accounts, we had learned how to complete the "plugin" process and had downloaded the video on bridges that Jill wanted to share with her Academy. We (Jamie) even burned the video to a DVD and we were flying high! But then we crashed and burned when Jill tried the DVD at home and it wouldn't play. So now it's back to the drawing board.
(Image taken from http://uk.gizmodo.com)

Thing 13, Subscription Databases

2007-11-24T19:14:00.000-08:00

I really found the MILP session on databases very helpful. Fairly new to the high school scene and the whole research thing I often floundered and had almost as many problems researching as the students. For example, learning that Sirs Researcher has the pro/con tab made it the perfect database for the criminal justice class. I really felt like I had something great to show them and didn't feel so much like a turkey. I would like to spend even more time exploring the databases and feel it would be time well spent.
(Photo taken from http://www.luckyoliver.com/)

Thing 5, Teacher Web Page Revisited

2007-11-18T19:58:00.000-08:00

Arms raised in victory (Green Bay 31, Carolina Panthers 17) Brett Favre celebrates and I must say I felt much the same way on Friday! After more work on Urban Planet I think I am starting to get the hang of it. Wa Hoo, life is good! FYI, it was a great day for football at Lambeau, 38 degrees and sunny at kick-off.
(Photo taken by Marcia Preller)

Thing 6, Teacher Guide to the RPC

2007-11-14T11:25:00.000-08:00

It is clear to see that the Teacher's Guide to the Research Project Calculator (RPC) is definitely a "simple", but a long ways away from being a "cheap" solution to organizing our research needs. As we walk through the process each step is clearly explained from both the teacher and student viewpoint. The graphic organizers are fabulous!

Half the battle of doing a research project is getting organized and the Teacher's Guide to the RPC is a wonderful tool!

(Cartoon taken from http://www.cartoonstock.com)

Thing 5, Create and Maintain a Teacher Web Page

2007-11-14T10:46:00.000-08:00

Well, it's there. I have my plan, but darn if I can put things where I want them to go. I must have a mental block. Everytime I work on my website my blood pressure goes sky high. I'm sure that I'll get it figured out but only with repetitive, one on one tutoring.

I can't wait to put all those fabulous resources at the students fingertips.

Thing 4, Get To Know Your Public Library

2007-11-08T11:37:00.000-08:00

I guess I've always known my public library. If fact I have TWO library cards, one from St. Paul and one from Washington County. I've even finally convinced my children that you don't have to buy every book you want to read from Barnes and Noble. My daughters frequent the library for a variety of reasons. But I hadn't been to the public library myself for awhile. I went this week with the intention of picking up library card applications for my foundations students, which I did do. While I was there I checked out a couple of books on tape and was reminded of the fabulous "Museum Adventure Pass" program and wondered why I haven't taken advantage of this wonderful program. So now in the quest of getting my students library cards I will first show them how to access their school email account since I know some students don't have access at home. I'll introduce them to the "Museum Adventure Pass" and the homework help program.

Thing 14, Reliable Online Resources

2007-11-03T09:13:00.000-07:00

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE the Reliable Online Resources (ROR) available on the St. Paul Technology page and for the most part they are a fabulous source of information. I actually think my kids are even starting to use them. BUT, there have been times, while standing in front of an entire class, expounding on their tremendous value, that I have come up with no hits, even after trying alternative search terms. Now that's embarrassing!

So, sometimes you have to go in the back door. I'll admit it. I'll go to Google and see what I can find there and gather what searching ideas I can. I've even gone so far as to search the databases first to see what information I can find and then create the assignment because there's nothing more defeating than not being able to find info when you've been told it's out there. I can do that because 1. I'm the teacher :) and 2. the assignment is not really an research project but an exercise in becoming acquainted in the new world of ROR, often uncharted water for my google swimmers.

Thing 11, All About Google

2007-10-27T07:52:00.000-07:00

This morning I am proctoring the ACT test and using the time to do some more exploration of Google. Earlier this week I created and sent out my first Google Document and learned some pretty interesting info about some of my colleagues. I also learned that the document can be published by others even if it is not finished! :)

I love adding these images taken from Google but am uncertain about the copyright issue of using them. I spent a good amount of time trying to get an answer but am afraid I couldn't really find a clear cut explanation as to whether or not I can use them just by citing the source or if I need to get permission. If anyone has an answer please share.
(Image taken from: http://images.google.com/)

At the urging of a colleague I have set up the Google calendar and will give it a try. Will reminders of appointments pop up automatically? I couldn't seem to find a place to set that up.

In addition I discovered ORKUT. Did you know it can make your social life "more active and stimulating" and can help you "maintain existing relationships" and help you to "create and join a wide variety of online communities?" It doesn't seem to have to popularity of My Space and Facebook.

Lots and lots of interesting stuff in Google. Book reviews, U. S. Government info and links, patents and much more. Very cool.

Thing 17, One New Thing

2007-10-15T12:54:00.000-07:00

This is exactly how I felt this morning when I was trying out my brand new "Information Literacy" power point presentation (PPP!) Talk about initiation by fire! This weekend I actually took my new laptop on our trip to"God's country alias Wisconsin" and prepared the PPP. Just as first hour walked in, the laptop and LCD projector were talking to each other. Everything seemed too good to be true. Well, it was. About 5 screens into the PPP I crashed and burned. The live link would not go live. In desperation I reconnected the faithful 'ol desktop but alas, I was out of time. I'm not quite sure why it wouldn't connect but it was up and running by second hour. I do feel like I've leaped a giant hurdle though, PPPPP (preparing and presenting a PPP!) :)
P.S. Almost forgot to give credit where credit is due, the cartoon was taken from:
http://images.google.com/images?q=power+point&gbv=2&ndsp=20&svnum=10&hl=en&start=60&sa=N

Thing 3

2007-10-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

I established an account in Bloglines and with the help of Jamie downloaded all of our MILP participant blogs. This will be a great time saver since it will identify any new posts without having to go into each blog individually.

I added a number of additional feeds. A counted cross stitch, gardening and cooking for 2 were added right from the Bloglines site just by clicking on "subscribe to feed." I added the "Sub with Bloglines" button to my favorites list. I also added my daughter's blog and have a question about the difference between the URL, one ends with /rss and the other ends with /atom but when you preview each site they look the same.

No thing at all

2007-10-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

I realize I may be going out on a limb but I believe I may be speaking for all of the repeating Library Media Specialists in the MILP/MILI project. Last night I actually had the chance to sit down with my laptop and experiment with all of the new bells and whistles while I painfully watched the Green Bay Packers give away the game to "da Bears!" I am fairly confident that I would not have been at my desktop doing the same activities. I now can truly feel a part of the cohort! My colleagues have been involved and very supportive of each other and I feel like we are on a learning journey together.

Wa-Hoo! Life is good! Tie your shoes on tight as we start down this slippery slide called information literacy!

Thing 2

2007-10-08T07:25:00.002-07:00

This whole avatar thing is pretty cool. Of course this is my virtual body! Are dogs allowed in the library?

Thing 1

2007-10-07T19:41:00.000-07:00

I know I understand the definition of information literacy to be " a set of abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information." (Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. American Library Association. 2006.)

What I seriously doubt is that I'll ever understand "football literacy." Married to a sports fanatic and eventual coach, I can't even imagine how many hours I have spent attending and watching various sporting teams, especially the Green Bay Packers. As much as I love to watch the "Pack" (and especially Brett Favre) unless I actively locate, evaluate and use information I will never understand the rules of football. Go Pack!!!
(Photo taken from http://www.sidelineshow.com)

New Post vs. Create a blog!!!

2007-10-01T12:56:00.000-07:00

We learned today that there is a BIG difference between "new post" and "create a blog", huge!!
Seems when you mistakingly use "create a blog" when you think you are really adding a post, you create all kinds of problems. Don't ever do it!

If you're in a hurry and don't proofread the good news is that you can edit!

2007-10-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, much to my dismay, I discovered that in my haste to post a post, I had not carefully proof read my entry. The good news is that you CAN edit an existing posting.

2007-09-24T11:38:00.000-07:00

In the past two weeks I have taught over 20 sessisons of introduction to the library and/or seraching using search engines and/or the St. Paul Public Schools data bases. I have met with two of my three teachers and begun discussion on what kind of research they can do that would tie into their classes.

Hear ye, hear ye

2007-09-12T16:47:00.000-07:00

Hear ye, hear ye
Let the journey begin!

So speaks your queen!