Sunday, January 21, 2007

Computer Update

Thanks to those who offered consolation and help with my computer problem!
After many hours on the phone with SBC, HP, and my dear son-in-law-to-be, Noel (who is currently with the Army in Baghdad in Communications), we are now expecting an HP person to come to the house on Tuesday to converse with the SBC people; and hopefully, get on the Internet!

BlogPost#1: Say good-bye to your mothers's school library

Christopher Harris, in his “School Library 2.0” column in School Library Journal, February, 2006, suggests ways in which new technologies may be incorporated into everyday use in the school library. He postulates that these new technologies are “redefining how we connect with people and content on the Internet.”

His main points are:
The way the world communicates is changing, and school libraries need to utilize these new technologies to the best advantage to fulfill the mission of the library.

School libraries need to showcase the power of a digitally re-shifted library. Teacher/librarians need to promote themselves as teachers and leaders in information management.

This new model for the school media center will end the debate over fixed vs. flexible scheduling by freeing the librarian to provide services whenever and wherever they are needed.

The bottom line, says Harris, is to “use every opportunity to help our students engage the joy of reading and the power of information.

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My first reaction after reading this article was that this “redefining of the learning landscape” is going to pertain mainly to middle- and high-school libraries. Children in the lower grades (K-5) still will need the story-times, basic user instruction (OPAC use, organization of the library, fiction/nonfiction instruction, reading strategies, etc.) that they always have. There will definitely be a need for more instruction in basic keyboarding, and office applications, but the onus of use of other technologies will be more on the teacher/librarian than on the students. I think more emphasis in the K-5 library would be on introducing these new skills to the teachers for their use in communication with each other.

I like the idea of students using cell phones to share comments on books they have read by adding an MP3 file to a library site. Using a phone would by-pass the problem of undeveloped writing/spelling skills and help develop oral skills.

I am concerned with the idea of tracking a student’s check-out record. Students should be encouraged to check out whatever they want. If they feel their library use will somehow impact their reading grade, what does this do to free choice?

The classroom teachers I know have a great burden of paperwork for their classes and responsibilities outside of the classroom (school committees, etc.). How can we approach introducing more new learning challenges in an exciting way that will not overwhelm them?

I would appreciate any comments on these or other issues raised by this article.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

New Computer Blues

My new computer won't connect to the Internet. Frustration!!! I had to come over to DomU to make this posting. (Is that the right way to say it?) I spent a lot of time on the phone. What I really need is someone who knows about hardware to come over and show me what to do. Does anyone know someone who makes housecalls? I hate having to unhook everything, lug it out to the car, and into the repair shop. It's brand new, for Pete's sake!

Sorry,I'm slogging out my frustrations on you all.

Just call me the slogger blogger.

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Hello world!

Hey! This is all new to me, but I'm up for it. I'm a student at Dominican University.