This Week's "The Horns: Library tech tips & resources"

Introducing "The Horns: Library tech tips and resources"

In my new position in a middle school, I have decided to start a weekly newsletter.  I hope to offer some quick tips, an insight on what is happening in the library, and a weekly website or app.  This hopefully will help me cut down on extra emails as I'm always tempted to send every cool thing that comes my way out to everyone.  My last school complained of too many emails even when I did cut back....so....time to try something new! :-)

I am using Smore.com, although I'm debating whether the $59/year is worth it.  I do enjoy how simple it is to set up, but there are a few features I would like to control.  I have 2 more weeks to decide if I'm going to commit!  (By the way, if you are new to Smore newsletters, there is an educator sale for newbies!!  Only $39/year...ends soon!)

Here are the first couple of newsletters for your reading pleasure:

Week of September 28
Week of September 21
Week of September 14

Powerpoint to Video....Where have I been?!?

Just a quick post as my mind has been blown!  I just learned that you can do a "save as" when in PowerPoint and select "Windows Media Video" or an "MPEG-4 Video".  I won't even tell you that crazy/strange work-around I have done in the past to turn a PowerPoint into a video.  Hoping this saves someone else all that extra work! :-)

*Note: I was using Microsoft PowerPoint 2013.  I was told that 2007 should have the same option.
** Note 2: You can also save your slides as pictures (JPEG).

The Adventures of eLearning

My district has implemented eLearning for canceled days.  Indiana allows us to make up all our days using eLearning because we are an "A" district.  So far we have had 3 eLearning days taking place the day of a cancellation and a 4th happening tomorrow.  In addition, students will be having an eLearning day on Presidents' Day as it was a planned make-up day.  Tomorrow will be the first time we all know school is cancelled before bed.  The other days were either somewhat of a surprise (called after a 2 hour delay) to a complete surprise.  

The guidelines are pretty simple.  Teachers are supposed to have their eLearning lessons posted on My Big Campus by 9am.  The lesson should reflect what could be done in class on a delay schedule, so that means the assignment should take approximately 30 minutes at most.  Teachers must be available through email and My Big Campus from 9am-3pm for questions.  Students have up to 5 school days to complete the assignment.  This part is a little confusing as they do not actually get classroom time for the assignment but instead have access to computer labs and help before/after school for an hour those 5 school days.  Teachers are not supposed to introduce new material.  

I should add that my district is 1:1 iPads 7-12th grade (take home).  I am not clear on what our K-6th students are doing as 4th-6th have 1:1 but iPads aren't supposed to go home, and K-3 only have a few iPads for classroom use only.

eLearning has definitely been an interesting experience.  First, even though we are in our 3rd year of 1:1 iPad implementation, I do not think we have hit our stride yet with iPads being used as a learning tool.  Many students push back, not bringing their iPads to class.  Because students do not have iPads in class, teachers rely on them less for the day-to-day instruction.  

eLearning has changed things as the students must complete their assignment online. (some exceptions)  A full semester under out belts, and I had students asking for the first time how to download their school apps such as Pages, Keynote, and Numbers.  Students who left their iPads someplace dead are now charging up and using them.  Teachers are finally feeling that they can plan lessons using iPads in the classroom because more students are coming to class prepared.  

My Big Campus is our learning platform of choice.  Teachers must post their assignments on their class group announcements.  The actual assignments might be completed through MBC's Schoolwork or discussion tab, or the assignment might actually be located on another site or app, such as Showbie.  

Are things perfect?  Nope.  Are we learning and doing better with each assignment, I believe so! Here's what I have learned so far:

• Students do not want to login to My Big Campus.  They want to be told in person what they are to do and be handed the work.  This obviously doesn't apply to all, but it is surprising how many resist going to the one resource that will have everything they need.  I am standing firm that they must login and go read the directions and information provided.  Once they have made that effort, they can ask clarifying questions and get help.
• Auditory learners may struggle with directions typed out, especially considering some formats of eLearning are new to them.  The first assignment I typed out the directions.  I thought it was pretty straight forward, but one student struggled with what to do.  The next assignment was trickier as it was a discussion.  For this assignment I typed out the directions and how points could be earned.  I then recorded myself explaining it all.  
• This generation of students will struggle with eLearning. Why?  They are used to having a free day to sleep away and do as they please.  Some are having a hard time adjusting to the fact that they should be getting up and begin their assignments.  These students put it off only to find themselves overwhelmed on the final day as they have regular school work plus the eLearning to complete.  With each assignment it gets a little better, and I am sure after a year or two of doing this, students will adjust.
• Note: A district near us expects the eLearning to be completed the next school day. While giving a week to complete the work leads to procrastination, my district recognized that there will be students and staff without power or even without internet at home to complete the assignments.
• My Big Campus has made a lot of improvements!  Because of my position, I do not have a lot of opportunities to use it.  With eLearning, I have had my news crew watch videos and answer a few questions that were automatically graded.  Another assignment they completed an assignment with a rubric set up in MBC.  I was able to quickly click through the rubric to give them their scores.  This past assignment I tried a discussion.  I was able to track their comments and update their scores as the discussion progressed.  Even better, I can open up the gradebook and see all their scores in one place!

I'm positive there is still much to learn as we continue with eLearning.  For now, it is time for me to go upload tomorrow's lesson and plan ahead for other possible cancellations! :-)

Getting my Conference Game-Face On!! ILF 2014

The time is finally here for the Indiana Library Federation's annual conference!!  As always, I am excited to see my school library friends, spending time catching up and finding out what amazing things they are doing in their libraries.  I am also excited to check out some of these sessions!

As I prepare for ILF, I am getting my game face on (positive attitude) and forming my IEP (individual exploration plan).  

In order to have a successful experience at any conference, we need to have a positive attitude.  I have been super pumped about a session only to realize that it is a sales pitch.  I have been in sessions where the description and what was actually presented were not lined up at all.  There are also those sessions that you hope to learn something new but find out it is more of an intro level while you are ready for the advanced options.  Here's the thing: you can either sit in that session and be annoyed about your time being wasted, or you can take control.  

First, there are your two feet.  My personal rule before I even heard of edCamps: if a session is not offering what I need to improve myself, my library, etc., then I use my two feet to quietly walk out and find another session that might better suit my needs.  It is nothing personal.  Precious time and money were sacrificed for this conference, so it is my duty to make sure I get as much as possible from it.

Second, there is that positive attitude I mentioned.  Maybe I don't have a back-up plan for another session or cannot make an easy exit.  I don't have to sit there and be annoyed.  Instead, I can hit the internet, looking up the topic I was wanting to learn about.  I've done this before and found that by the end of the session, I may have picked up a few great ideas from the presenter while also a handful of websites, blogs, tweets, and more that put me ahead of where I was when I walked in.

The real key to setting yourself up for a successful conference trip is having a plan in place.  This summer at ISTE14, I had the pleasure of hearing Jennie Magiera give an ignite talk.  She shared how she creates an IEP, individual exploration plan, to ensure her PD experiences are a success.  

I used to attend ILF and similar conferences with basically no plan.  I would go to any session that popped out to me.  In short, I was ALL OVER THE PLACE.  By the end of the conference, I was excited with lots of amazing ideas but no idea where to start.  Now I approach my conferences with a plan.  

When I attended ICE this past October, I decided MakerSpaces was my first day focus and iPads as learning tools was my second day focus.  When there was a breakout period with no session in my particular focus area, I chose to go to the hall where I could connect with others and/or read some of the many websites and articles I had saved up on that particular focus area.  In short, it was one of my best conference experiences as I left feeling focused and ready to implement some of my ideas almost immediately!

For ILF this year, I noticed there are several sessions on engaging teen readers.  It just so happens that the third focus area for my library this year is exactly that.  I am trying to find ways to affect the reading culture, or the lack thereof, at my high school.  I have a few things in place but am not satisfied with how things are going.  This year when I leave ILF, I will have a new ideas on how to get my students excited about reading!

So....who's with me?!?  What's your best conference strategy?  Do you have a focus ILF this year?  Share in the comments!

High School Library MakerSpace: Coming to you LIVE this August!!

That's it.  No more thinking about it.  No more mulling over what might go right and what might go wrong.  No more putting it off.  No more lamenting about how there just isn't enough time or enough of me to go around.

I am doing it!  

This school year, starting right off the bat, my high school students can come to the library before school, during their lunch time, or after school to tinker, play, create, invent, improve, engineer, design, code, and dig deeper.

Do I have an exact plan?  Do I know how this is going to look by the end of the year, let alone week to week?  Do I even know what I am doing??

Nope...but that is ok.

During the first round of ISTE Ignite Sessions this summer, Nicholas Provenzano (@thenerdyteacher) shared something profound.  An idea that has lurked at the back of my mind but was pushed back as I felt swamped and overwhelmed with other responsibilities and stuff.  He said...are you ready for this??  It just might blow your mind....he said, "Get off your butts and do it!  Students can't wait!" (or something very close to that)

And there it is...

Among many other inspirational ideas gathered at ISTE, I decided Nick was right.  Every year I wait to make something happen is another graduating class that never had the opportunity to see/try/experience it. 

First things first...

Don't get me wrong.  I do have a plan of action and have a base-level of information to work with.  I was able to hear THE Sylvia Martinez share about the importance of MakerSpaces and am reading the book she co-authored, Invent to Learn.  I became friends with Michael Medvinsky and am learning some ways he implements Making into his music curriculum and more.  I also am privileged to know and be connected to the one and only Leslie Preddy, AASL President elect and author of School Library MakerSpaces: Grades 6-12. 

I told Leslie that I had a baby MakerSpace and wanted it to grow up to be like her Perry Meridian Middle School Library MakerSpace someday.  (Note to self: Do NOT ever again refer to this area as a "baby maker space". It might be misunderstood by my high school students and community. LOL)

Where to Start???

I am beginning with the following areas (understanding that most are actually kits/tubs/roller carts and are not actual fulltime stations):

• Take Apart Tech - I have a 13" black and white TV from when I was a kid and one of those old clunker all-in-one computer to start off!
• Upcycling - crafty or useful creations...who knows what might happen here!?!
• Arts and Crafts - starting simple with crafts, jewelry making, and activities that will get kids to try out the area...but someday maybe a kid will create a blinky-light necklace or a craft supply automatic sorter?!?
• Microwave Making - sometimes making something tasty and other times non-food related
• Coding - hour of code, minecraft, 3D printing creations...followed by begging the PLW teacher to let us print our creations....hmm....lots of directions with this one!
• Electronics/Circuitry - starting with kits such as Makey-Makey, LittleBits, or Squishy Circuits
• Video production - I actually already oversee the student news, so this will be extending the equipment and learning to all students.

I know there will be other areas we decide to try, such as digital design, architecture, digital photography, and more.

My Vision

Today, I envision this as a space students can freely come and go.  The regular time frame will be before school, during their lunch time, and after school.  I hope to offer an official MakerTime (Ooh, just thought of that name and it is perfect!  Wonder if I could get one of my musically talented students to turn that into a short theme song to the tune of "Stop! Hammer time!") once a week with a different focus and community expert.  Some kits will be locked in my office and checked out on an in-library-use only due to the expense, but the majority of supplies and items will be available easily accessible by students. 

Stay Tuned!!

Pictures to come as I am currently putting together my space...which is why I decided now was the perfect time to write down my thoughts. Procrastinator for life!

Tech Tip Tuesday...a day late: iPad Tips and Tricks for Teachers

I am guilty of taking for granted all the tips and tricks I pick up for my iPad.  Sometimes I accidentally figure out how to do something.  Other times I'll stumble upon a tip on Twitter or Facebook.  Then there are the times I actually seek out help!  I know....you all think I just know these things.  I don't...I'm just really good at faking it and/or keeping one step ahead of your questions! LOL

The iPad is an amazing TOOL: a tool in which we have yet to truly tap its potential for productivity, for teaching, and for interactive classrooms.  I would be lost trying to run my day in the library and around the school without my iPad.

So, today's Tech Tip Tuesday post is all about helping you discover a few tricks you will be glad to know.

First, I want to point you to TechSupportAlert.com's article: Tech Support Alert - The Best iPad Tips and Tricks (Updated for iOS 7).

Novice to Nearly-an-Expert, you might just find something useful here.  Be sure to click on the index button and find your favorite tip of the day.

Such as "How to Read a Webpage with Safari Reader"

While you read a web page in a browser, you can either double tap or stretch a page to enlarge the size for ease of reading.  Safari browser takes a step further by taking the ads or other clutter out of a web page. It automatically detects a web page with substantial text, such as online articles, and presents you with a Reader button at the left end of the address field.  Tap the Reader button when it appears and you can read or even email the articles in a clean layout without ads or other distractions, re-tap the button and you're back to the original page.

For more tips and tricks, check out my PearlTree collection.  (And yes, you can expect a future post on what the heck a PearlTree is as it is my FAVORITE website tool!!)



 


Stay tuned for more interesting (hopefully!) blog entries as I begin my 20 Day Blogging Challenge!!