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| I only wish my space was this serene! |
This is a message especially for my fellow members of the RamFam at David T. Howard Middle School.
If you’re like me, you may find all of the tech savviness demanded by online teaching and learning to be a little overwhelming!
We’ve swapped face-to-face interactions for
Google Meets and Zoom videoconferences...
We’ve swapped checking email, texts, and voicemail periodically
for checking email, texts, and voicemail AND Remind AND GroupMe constantly...
We’ve swapped managing Google Classrooms for … well, we’re still doing that pretty much the same but many of us have added Bitmjoi classrooms to our repertoires!
And, if you’re like me, you’ve also got social media accounts to manage.*
As your library media specialist, I want to encourage you to take a moment to take a breath.
Ahhhhhhh….
Now. Let’s talk about technology!
Smith (2010) reassures us that “technology improves the professional
practices of teachers by moving them from structuralism to student-centered
constructivist activities” (p. 620), and we all, of course, want to be more student-centered. That’s the leading goal of our school
community – to promote the success of all students. But Smith (2010) also notes that “even
digital natives need instruction in how to transition to teachers who use
advanced and assistive technologies in the classroom” (p. 619).
We are incredibly lucky to have Ms. Powe as our full-time
Instructional Technology Specialist, and research actually shows that collaborative
library media specialists and instructional technology specialists can facilitate
effective technology integration in a school (Johnston, 2012). As key collaborators, Ms. Powe and I are certainly
always trying to “lead from the library,” and we know that any technology
initiative is really about us – “the people who plan with, teach with, and
learn with the technology” (Overbay, Mollette, & Vasu, 2011, p. 56). 
Photo by S. Neal
I’ve personally been pushing myself with some new tech
tools: developing a “two-minute how-to”
video series and creating a weekly Smore for pushing out library information so
that I can promote engagement with the library.
Keeping in mind Smith’s (2010) admonition that “teachers do not embrace
technology when they do not feel proficient in using them” (p. 619), I’ve been researching
technology that is easy to use and that can help me with my goals. In my research, I have come across a few
resources that can help you, as well.
In this blogpost, I particularly wanted to share resources from two of my favorite blogs that may be of particular interest to our art teacher, Ms. Lebo, as well as to those of you who use art in your own content area classroom (which I also love to do in the library) or clubs (looking at you, Ms. Poindexter). These resources are easy to use, so no worries about “one more thing” to manage!
1. Teen Librarian Toolbox
2. The Classroom Bookshelf
http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2020/09/harnessing-our-wonderings-for-how-to-best-use-childrens-literature-to-support-students-this-year/
http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2020/03/using-online-museum-resources-for-literacy-learning/
Rams Rise Up!
IG: @LibrarySherryATL
Facebook: @DTHReadingRams
Twitter: @DTHReadingRams
References
Cappiello, M. A.
(2020, March 25). Using online museum resources for literacy learning. School
Library Journal. http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2020/03/using-online-museum-resources-for-literacy-learning/
Enriquez, G.
(2020, September 3). Harnessing our wonderings for how to best use children’s
literature to support students this year. School Library Journal. http://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2020/09/harnessing-our-wonderings-for-how-to-best-use-childrens-literature-to-support-students-this-year/
Jensen, K. (2019,
February 20). A tale of three printers, portable photo printers, that is (tech
review). School Library Journal. http://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2019/02/a-tale-of-three-printers-portable-photo-printers-that-is-tech-review/
Johnston, M. P.
(2012). School librarians as technology integration leaders: Enablers and
barriers to leadership enactment. School Library Research, 15, 1-33. http://www.ala.org/aasl/slr/volume15/johnston
Overbay, A.,
Mollette, M. & Vasu, E. S. (2011). A technology plan that works. Educational
Leadership, 68(5), 56-59.
Smith, D. (2010). Making the case for the leadership role of school librarians in technology integration. Library Hi Tech, 28(4), 617-631. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/07378831011096277
3 comments:
I needed to take a breath. I seems like I have not since we started school after Labor Day. I come home exhausted. I am not a part of the RamFam, but I surely thank you for sharing. I have been soooooo frustrated before school started, and now I am even more frustrated with macadamia nuts and cherry on top.
Thanks for sharing the blogs. I always wonder what digital printer is best. I have asked the school tech spec, but she did not want to give a recommendation on one. The other share of the school trips is a plus for me.
I am a special education teacher for small groups (grades 6-12). This year, I am responsible for teaching mathematics and social studies this year (even though I have a certification in English). The other teacher did not want to teach mathematics, so I conceded.
The classroom bookshelf is an awesome resource for me. I am so interested in visual literacy and I think that this is a great way to introduce students to observe specific pieces of art and other parts of their environment through a different lens. I am trying to challenge myself to become techier because traditional teaching is out the window.
I am very much in favor of Smith's (2010) argument that "moving from structuralism to student-centered constructivist activities" (p. 620) is critical "rat now" (as my high school math teacher used to say). However, as a teacher-librarian, how do I bring parents into the fold of my transformational leadership practices in integrating technology?
I have interacted with parents throughout my 28-year tenure, but since this academic year started, I believe that I have interacted with parents more than I ever had by this time any other year. This school year is a historical marker for teacher-parent relationships. Honestly, I love it! This is the type of relationship that I longed and wished for in my experience as an educator.
This pandemic has been a roller coaster ride on all levels, but I have enjoyed my relationship building with my students and parents on a much deeper level. The parents are more engaged, and they return calls--this is great! Virtual learning might be the thing to reform education for our digital natives--what are your thoughts?
Platinumtechprincess, I agree that the bright side of the pandemic is that distance digital learning has shown us so many ways we can be more interactive with our students and families (and among ourselves!) through technology. Just one "for example:" using videoconferencing software to do parent-teacher and/or student-teacher conferences! Videoconferencing expands the options for meeting with parents on a schedule that meshes with their work and family obligations, eliminates the need to spend time driving and parking or otherwise figuring out transportation, and maintains the ability to share information in real time!
Hope you are getting a chance to take a breath (and having some REAL macadamia nuts and cherries as a treat)!
Sherry,
After reading the Johnson articles this week I understand how lucky you are to have an awesome instructional technologist to collaborate with! I hate to hear how often that relationship can be detrimental to both educators. I love love love the virtual art museum tours so thanks for promoting them. And thanks for the meditation info - probably something we could all use more of these days!
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