Sunday, July 11, 2010
Happy Birthday Tim
Today is my brother Tim's 40th birthday and he probably won't have many people blog about it, so I thought I would. This is your present Tim. :) Enjoy.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Assignment- Week 3
What is the difference between being Technologically Literate and being Information Literate?
When someone is Technologically Literate, they are able to understand and use the new hardware technologies that we have available to us. They are 'tech savvy', understanding how things like computers, phones, etc work.
When someone is Information Literate, it means they know where to find information and how to go about searching for answers. Being able to use technology is very important in order to use the tools available to find information, but they also have to understand how to dig in databases, the internet, the library and other sources to find answers and information and evaluate the quality of the information I have found.
Which is more important?
I think it depends on the person and what their needs and goals are. My husband is extremely Technologically Literate. He works with technology every day, that I know nothing about, at work. He orders, manages, monitors and evaluates huge amounts of computers, servers and other technology to keep a huge company's researchers up to date with fast and powerful technology. At home, he is able to help anyone with their computer, phone, tv or anything technical.
I am well on my way to being Information Literate. I know how to use tools to find information for myself and other people. While I understand computers and I am a more able than some to use technology, I am miles away from what my husband understands. However, I understand metadata, cataloging, information organization and where to go, depending on a topic, to find the information one seeks.
For students, being information literate means they are able to organize their information in a way that makes recalling it and using it simple. It is about teaching them how to use and store information in a useful way. Web 2.0 tools are all about using, sharing and storing information for later use.
What is this "Inquiry" movement and how does it relate to the school library?
I have not been in charge of a classroom since my student teaching years in the late 90's. We were not using the idea of Inquiry Based Learning or the essential question. Both ideas seem somewhat obvious to me, now that I am learning about them in this class.
There are six phases to Inquiry Based Learning. The first is asking the students to connect the topic with what they already know and can involve sharing that prior knowledge with others.
Then the students need to think about questions they have about the topic in the wonder phase.
The investigation phase is when students seek out information to help them better understand the topic. They may come up with more questions or find a direction to take their research in during this phase.
Construct is when they begin to bring all of the information together to see what they now know and layout their organization for their inquiry project.
Then they are ready for the express phase, where they are able to share what they have learned with others and use the information.
And finally, they reflect on the process and what they have learned throughout the inquiry.
Inquiry learning gives the student a direct connection to the topic he or she is focused on. Every phase lends itself to the use of web 2.0 tools and those tools would strengthen the learning process.
When someone is Technologically Literate, they are able to understand and use the new hardware technologies that we have available to us. They are 'tech savvy', understanding how things like computers, phones, etc work.
When someone is Information Literate, it means they know where to find information and how to go about searching for answers. Being able to use technology is very important in order to use the tools available to find information, but they also have to understand how to dig in databases, the internet, the library and other sources to find answers and information and evaluate the quality of the information I have found.
Which is more important?
I think it depends on the person and what their needs and goals are. My husband is extremely Technologically Literate. He works with technology every day, that I know nothing about, at work. He orders, manages, monitors and evaluates huge amounts of computers, servers and other technology to keep a huge company's researchers up to date with fast and powerful technology. At home, he is able to help anyone with their computer, phone, tv or anything technical.
I am well on my way to being Information Literate. I know how to use tools to find information for myself and other people. While I understand computers and I am a more able than some to use technology, I am miles away from what my husband understands. However, I understand metadata, cataloging, information organization and where to go, depending on a topic, to find the information one seeks.
For students, being information literate means they are able to organize their information in a way that makes recalling it and using it simple. It is about teaching them how to use and store information in a useful way. Web 2.0 tools are all about using, sharing and storing information for later use.
What is this "Inquiry" movement and how does it relate to the school library?
I have not been in charge of a classroom since my student teaching years in the late 90's. We were not using the idea of Inquiry Based Learning or the essential question. Both ideas seem somewhat obvious to me, now that I am learning about them in this class.
There are six phases to Inquiry Based Learning. The first is asking the students to connect the topic with what they already know and can involve sharing that prior knowledge with others.
Then the students need to think about questions they have about the topic in the wonder phase.
The investigation phase is when students seek out information to help them better understand the topic. They may come up with more questions or find a direction to take their research in during this phase.
Construct is when they begin to bring all of the information together to see what they now know and layout their organization for their inquiry project.
Then they are ready for the express phase, where they are able to share what they have learned with others and use the information.
And finally, they reflect on the process and what they have learned throughout the inquiry.
Inquiry learning gives the student a direct connection to the topic he or she is focused on. Every phase lends itself to the use of web 2.0 tools and those tools would strengthen the learning process.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
200 Reasons I Want to Be a Librarian
Today I learned about wordle.net. It is an amazing tool to have fun with words! I am a scrapbooker and I this tool really appeals to my layout and design passions!(these words were taken from
http://blog.flexnib.com/2007/12/19/200-reasons-i-love-being-a-librarian/)
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Kids Search Engine
http://www.gogooligans.com
What I like about this search engine:
What I like about this search engine:
- When entering the subject terms in the search box, a list is generated to help the user with spelling. The user can arrow down to the proper phrase or continue typing what they are looking for.
- There is a different Net Safety Tip at each refresh of the page. Its short and simple and I think kids would read it and have it swimming in their head while continuing their search.
- The search terms the user types are displayed in a large, colorful font.
- With some search engines, the ads are the first thing you see. This search engine displays the ads in a separate box on the side of the page, which makes it less confusing when trying to find your search results.
- A refine search option is available that suggests you might want to narrow your search by such categories as Government, Geography and Images.
- There are no pop ups on this page.
- There are options for visually impaired and handicap users.
- A 7 step filtering system is used and explained on the search page. Options for older users to search with less restrictions are available as well.
Teaching in a Flat World
In the world today, education is open to many more possibilities than ever. When I was in school, our pen pals were from a school in the same city and it was a miracle to receive a letter from them. Today, students can connect to other students in other countries, every single day, using email, twitter, blogging, Facebook and so much more. A teacher could link her classroom with a classroom in India and the students could learn so much about different cultures and the world they live on.
Research is limitless. We are no longer restricted to what we can find in printed word. Students today can reach information in other countries, through the internet. Education has no limits. Information is much more accessible. The world is available to those who have a means of linking themselves to the information.
Research is limitless. We are no longer restricted to what we can find in printed word. Students today can reach information in other countries, through the internet. Education has no limits. Information is much more accessible. The world is available to those who have a means of linking themselves to the information.
Intel video - Nigeria
In Nigeria, it can be almost impossible for some people to see doctors. The distance between villages and hospitals is many times too great. The infant and mother mortality rate tends to be high. By using Telemedicine, doctors are able to 'be' with the patients and help them, without the patient traveling. The mortality rate is improving with this new technology.
Monday, July 5, 2010
200 reasons
This past weekend, one of my nephews asked my why I would want to be a librarian.
Its a common question. Many people don't understand what librarians do and many people are surprised you need a Master's degree. I found this on a website and I wanted to share it.
http://blog.flexnib.com/2007/12/19/200-reasons-i-love-being-a-librarian/
Its a common question. Many people don't understand what librarians do and many people are surprised you need a Master's degree. I found this on a website and I wanted to share it.
http://blog.flexnib.com/2007/12/19/200-reasons-i-love-being-a-librarian/
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