Today we began LIS 629, Integrating Technology in School Media Centers. As I was driving to class, I was thinking about what I already knew about educational technology and what I was hoping to learn. After a few honks and stink eyes thrown my way, I had developed a list of what I wanted to learn. I want to learn how to practically integrate some technology into my library classroom. I want to learn the technology that has proven itself to be a successful tool over time, not just the newest and latest that cannot fully be integrated into student learning.
It took me no time to realize that this is exactly what this class was going to provide!! One major technology piece we focused in on was Blogging. I have always seen cute blogs and loved what I have read, but never knew how to do them....that is until today. It only took me actually being told that I could do it and a few short minutes I was an official "blogger"! It truly is a well developed program that allows the creator to be in total control. It can be as simple or complex as you make it. But after making it then what? I wondered what benefit did they provided, especially to students. The answers began to emerge as I was introduced to more and more features. Blogs are 100% interactive. They allow people (and as I now know students) to express their ideas and then have their peers read and comment. Many conversations can begin to develop through posting and then comments.
So how can they be applies to School Library Media Centers? Very simply in fact. Each student can create their own blog and be able to then post ideas or reflections based on whatever objective the teacher designs. They can be geared towards book discussions, project journals, learning reflections... Blogs, especially at the school media level allow the students to continue learning outside of the library. Unlike classroom teachers, school librarians do not have the pleasure of seeing their students everyday. They are limited in their face to face time so blogs are an exceptional way of extending the communication and therefore, the learning.
When I become a school librarian, I foresee myself setting up a blog for the community to visit often and check up on things that are going on in the library. Through this blog, I can communicate with a large audience and answer any questions that may be posted. It will be a huge part of my communicating with an entire school population. On a smaller scale, I would have every student develop their own personal blog and develop thought provoking lessons in which students can share out and discuss through the safety of their blog. The blogs will give the students ownership and will make them take pride in the work that they are publishing.
The possibilities with blogs are endless it is up to me as a teacher to direct my students to use blogs in the most advantageous way.
I did the same thing while driving to this class today. I was thinking about what I already know about technology and how that will help me in this class( I didn't get any honks though!). I also agree 100% about how blogs are a great way to stay connected with the students since we wouldn't get to see them everyday. Some students love being in the library, but can't always be. The blogs would be a great opportunity for the students to talk to the librarian and maybe find out what the newest books are or what events are going on in case they missed something while in the library.
ReplyDeleteUsing a blog as a PR vehicle for your library is a great idea. You may find, though, depending on the age level of the school you work at, that you might not be able to supervise 'all of your students' as far as blogging goes. If they are elementary level, for example, you would use something like Classroom Blogmeister, which allows you to approve all postings before they are published to the web. That works out great if you have 1 -2 classes, but a lot more than that becomes an overwhelming task. When you do get to do this, no matter what grade level, start small. Nicely written article!
ReplyDelete