Why I Do it...

School officially is underway tomorrow.  However, I have been back to full-time-busy for two weeks now.  

Why?

I do it to help me be the best library media specialist I can be for my students and staff.

This summer I was accepted into the Indiana Library Leadership Academy, which led to a week away from my family for a retreat.  I was among 27 women and men chosen from a variety of libraries, including public, academic, specialized, and school.  We were privileged to have the current ALA President, Maureen Sullivan, as our main presenter.  I collaborated with librarians from different disciplines, looking for ways to connect and improve services for our patrons.  While I was there, I connected with David Peter,  Dean of Learning Resources and Technologies at Vincennes University.  It so happens he is the connection I needed to make for our new East Allen University's digital library.  I also met Susan Eberhardt, fellow school librarian wanting who also wants to create a Library Learning Commons. 

Last week I attended IPFW's Collegiate Connection training.  I will admit I just didn't feel like going.  My girls had a playdate with our friends, but I knew it was important for me to know how to help my IPFW students.  It end up being a great decision as I not only learned about some of the wonderful databases but also connected with several local librarians.

One evening I tuned into a Nearpod Webinear (yes, that is spelled correctly) to figure out this new iPad tool.  All I wanted to do was go to sleep, but I knew I should learn about this tool.  It was yet another great decision as I learned a few tips and some exciting upcoming features.

I have spent quite a bit of time over the summer on Twitter.  Why do I tweet?  Simple, to connect!  I have had conversation with fellow librarians on best practices, commented back and forth with awesome YA authors, found links to great articles, and received tips from top world-renowned presenters, administrators, and educators.

So why do I attend meetings, webinars, and groups that are beyond my required time and duties?  Because I am rarely disappointed by the opportunities to connect and learn, all of which keep me a step ahead of my students and staff! 

#SummerThrowDown: Librarians vs. Teachers

Go #TeamLibrarian

Where does the time go?  I have all these great ideas for my blog, and then I turn around and it has been nearly two months!  Well, rather than get caught up in planning awesome blogs, I am going to just share what's on my mind.

So...what's on my mind?  #SUMMERTHROWDOWN  Librarians and teachers alike are challenging each other to read, read, read this summer.   I love to read but find myself putting it off out of guilt...two little kids, tons to do around the house, and too many tech distractions.

Well, for the next month I now HAVE TO make sure I spend time reading every day.

My goal is 5 YA books, 1 audiobook, and dozens of children's books...see, I can avoid the guilt by reading AND spending time with my girls.  Plus, they will earn more prizes for their summer reading program at the public library.  EVERYBODY WINS!! Yea!

Learn more about #summerthrowdown at http://heisereads.blogspot.com/2012/06/are-you-joining-us-for-summerthrowdown.html.  It all started on Twitter...yet another reason to love Twitter as a PLN!

New Leaf in Learning: Part 2

It has been a little over a month since I attended Follett's New Leaf in Learning conference, and I still find myself reflecting on my two (too short!!) days there.  What an amazing opportunity to come together with people all over our great Nation to share, learn, and discuss ways to truly create a 21st Century learning environment for our students.  

This was my first National conference!  The conference center/hotel was beautiful, the food (served breakfast and lunch!) was amazing, but the presenters and attendees....THEY were what truly made this conference worth it.


In an attempt to avoid rambling, here are a few of my highlights:

Opening session was with Ian Jukes

• TTWWADI = That's the way we've always done it.  "Biggest barrier to retooling educaiton is our own memories because TTWWADI."
• Disruptive Innovation =  Technology that bring an end to what we have known and forever changes how we see and do things.  (5 years ago there were no iPads, smart phones were a luxury few could afford, Twitter was a way to keep up with your fav celebrities)
• Check out this commercial envisioning how the Three Little Pigs story might be covered in today's world
• Learn to adapt the library/education program or disappear along with Kodak, Blockbuster, etc.  

Wow!  This really hit home with my library.  Being my first year in this school, I have seen the dangers of what  not adapting can do to a library.  Imagine having seniors and staff members coming in, saying it is the first time they have been in the library for anything other than to use a computer or make a copy!!

http://www.fluency21.com

Infoliteracy

• Use Primary Documents to connect our past with our present
• Use web 2.0 tools such as Wordle to help make sense of it
• InfoGraphics = a visual way to summarize  
• Staying safe online requires critical thinking!
• Lessons and demonstrations of how one simple text/tweet/post can lead to BIG problems
• Many students do not understand how the internet works, where their information goes, and who controls it.  (We as individuals do!!)

http://www.embracingdigitalyouth.org/

Learning Commons with David Loertscher

http://sites.google.com/site/follettchicago2012

• The 'old' library = storage spaces, unflexible work areas, banks of computers
• Learning Commons = central location for information, specialists, project-based-learning support, flexible/large open spaces
• We do not have time to systematically change; must do 180 degree turn now! - DL
• No more transferring info from one place to another!  You know the projects: go look up information in a book or online and put it into your own words on a Ppt.  
• Rules of LC space:
• wireless, handle a lot of traffic, get rid of computers and use portable devices (including extras for checkout)
• space has to function for each different teacher/class/project
• tables on wheels, different shapes, chairs moveable, shelves around perimeter of room (check out half the collection for room collections)
• room arrangement can change hour to hour according to needs
• Lots of shelving full of books  is antithetical to librarians - looks like we just deal with "stuff" and becomes all that we are known for.

This session could have worked straight through lunch, and I would NOT have minded! 


https://sites.google.com/site/schoollearningcommons/

 Going Global with Lucy Gray

• The highly connected teachers - connected to each other, data, resources, and students
• The K12 Horizon Report - useful, practical document, includes examples of why looking to adopt changes and suggested timeline
• Get globally involved as model for students and teachers!  Look for groups/scholarships that assist teachers in traveling
• iEARN = International Education and Resource Link - "empowers teachers and young people to work together online using the Internet and other new communications technologies"
• Global Education Conference in the Fall - be part of this!
• Be careful with global projects for charity - have students do the research to make sure legit

Going Global Workshop page

Next Gen Librarian NOW with Tiffani Whitehead (@librarian_tiff) and Tamara Cox (@coxtl)

If you haven't been following Tiffany or Tamara in various webinars, blogs, twitter, etc., you have been missing out!  They presented eleven "qualities" of the next-gen librarian.

• Be Courageous: libraries help achieve school goals!  Share with district leaders; if you don't, who will? Do a district snapshot day.  Present at conferences, and not just library conferences!
• Be Flexible: Change come quickly and often; be prepared for it.  Twitter, blogs, RSS feed to stay in tuned. Serve on committees and attend school board meetings - we have something to share!
• Be Service-oriented: Smile and be positive. Step away from the circ desk; students can self-checkout!  Create spaces where tens are comfortable and want to be.  Survey students at the end of the year.
• Stay Balanced: Budget based on what kids want...do your best! Library calendar posted online so people can see and request to schedule.  Stay organized and use tools to increase productivity. (Evernote, Titlewave, FictFact, etc.) 
• Be Collegial:  Learn and share from colleagues.  Hold a library petting zoo (put out gadgets, signs with brief descriptions/how to use/ideas on what to do).  Learn from your students - don't ask teachers.  Be an active member of your professional groups.  Attend edCamp!!
• Be Curious: Build a PLN, nurse it and build it; this takes time but completely worth it.  (Scoopit, Diigo, Livebinders, pinterest, twitter, and so many more!)
• Be Creative!  Experiment with non-traditional shelving.  Try different ways to get kids talking about books they have read. (twitter, book reviews, book trailers, guest blog, etc.) Try virtual book clubs on Edmodo, My Big Campus, Goodreads.  Skype with other book clubs/libraries.  Hold book release parties.  Create bookmarks with student's picture and "recommended by".
• Be Thoughtful:  Seek student and staff feedback.  Keep up with pop culture.
• Be Playful: Have games, puzzles, and hands-on type activities.  Ask teachers to donate games and puzzles.  Perplexis is huge at their libraries.  Have a manga-mania wall, hold National Gaming Day, Teen Read Week, etc.
• Collaborate: Attend planning meetings.  Share resources digitally with teachers for all subject areas.  Check out FreeTech4Teachers.
• Be Purposeful!
• Be Passionate!

As you can see, we got so involved in all of the wonderful ideas they were sharing, we ran out of time for the last two!  Be sure to check out their wiki for the powerpoint and some great links!  http://tamaratiffnlil.wikispaces.com/

There is so much to share!  Stay tuned for the highlights of my second day of amazing break-out sessions.

 

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @Cybrarian_Jenn!

New Leaf in Learning Conference, 2012 (NLIL12) part 1

Where has the time gone?  How is it even possible I have not added a new entry since November!  Yikes...

That is going to change starting today!

First things first...I just got back from an AWESOME conference!  New Leaf in Learning is put together by Follett.  I am still mulling over all the great ideas, but I will start with this:

There are so many things I felt validated on as well as ideas I totally want to put into action!  The wordle is a picture of what my brain feels like right now!! :-)