Technology Reflection #Writing

Choosing a topic for this post's reflection is the most difficult part of this assignment. We are charged with reflecting on current technologies used in education and how they relate to school library media programs. As I review my twitter feed several times a day, I have been "favoriting" various tweets with the intention of using them in such reflections as this. Now the process of synthesizing begins! There are so many innovative and insightful options to discuss. So, I am going to start with Edutopia's tweet, "Why Do We Have to Write Today?"

Witty answers to "Why do we have to write today?" http://t.co/52WQ4wfu9l #writing #nwp #engchat
— edutopia (@edutopia) September 28, 2013

If I pull out one answer from that tweet that applies today, "because writing sharpens thinking" will shape this post.

Because this format is a blog and we are using blogs in our graduate level classroom I am interested in knowing how younger students can use blogs in their classrooms. I came across this tweet recently.

How To Use Blogs In the Classroom http://t.co/2wFWNmkmyB via @zite #mpimiddle
— JoAnn Jacobs (@JoAnnJacobs68) September 27, 2013

Christopher Pappas describes some blogging strategies that seem very relevant to educators.

• Blog writing offers a less intimidating venue for students to express themselves. For years students have been encouraged to use daily journals - blogs provide an updated platform for their thoughts and opinions. 
• Blogs offer the writer a chance to be part of a global conversation. No matter the age, individuals want to feel that they are not alone. Yes, others have had similar experiences but blogging also offers a glimpse into other world windows. Blogs can encourage perspective. The commenting fields take writing a step beyond a personal diary. Dialogue is a critical element in blogging. It is important to teach students the art of commenting. Harassing comments should not be tolerated, however, differing opinions should be welcomed. Often there is a fine line between positive critical feedback and put-downs. Teachers must expect to monitor all comments.
• Blogs fulfill literacy requirements in the Common Core Standards. Certainly, regardless of the discipline, basic grammar and writing skills should be required. The integration of blogging across curriculum lines is reflected in the Common Core Standards. Blogging provides students the chance to construct their own knowledge. (ex. CCSS-ELA-Literacy.W3.1/W3.2)
• One way to encourage individual blogging is establishment and development of a classroom blog. As students become comfortable with the classroom blog they will develop the confidence and the skills necessary to make their own blogs.
• Blogs provide the perfect venue to discuss copyright and fair use issues. Plagiarism.org, as was described in last week's class, offers students and teachers examples and questions that address plagiarism. The questions under "ask the experts" are teaching tools that could be used in the classroom setting.

Another tweet that caught my eye about blogging was:

How Blogging Can Help Reluctant Writers - Edudemic | @scoopit http://t.co/c8kqvnX6mV
— Edward Hogshire (@EdwardHogshire) September 16, 2013

Interestingly, this was from Edward Hogshire's scoop.it. Since presenting that online digital magazine during class last week I am always intrigued with how others use scoop.it! This article by Patricia Fioriello opens with "Blogging is an excellent way of motivating students to develop a lifelong love of learning." Learning critical thinking and research skills are part of blogging. Again, the Common Core Standards are reinforced and supported as connections are made across curriculum with blogging. NETS-S standard of Communication and Collaboration is directly satisfied with the tool of blogging. The point that Fioriello emphasizes about polished expression takes practice should not be lost on teachers or students. Blogging is an exciting technology tool that students may use to reach the goal of "polished expression." This requires consistent dedication that often is the result of positive teacher feedback and modeling. As Howland, et al (2012) explains, "this type of 'motivational' feedback is one of the strengths of blogs for young writers" (p 173).

As we consider the use of blogging in the classroom it is imperative that we use this technology tool in the context of a goal. The goal is not to blog. The goal is to improve writing skills, to feel confident in written expression, to research and communicate information and to appreciate the importance of and participation in global conversation.

Let's Scoop.it!

This week's technology tool for class is www.scoop.it - here is a how-to of instructions..

CREATE ACCOUNT:
1. Choose "join free."
2. You may join through facebook, twitter, or linkedin.
3. You may join without using those accounts, however, you will not be using the full sharing capabilities of scoop.it.
4. Enter information (name, email, pw, verification.)
5. Picture uploading is optional.
6. Confirm through your email.

CHOOSE TOPIC:
1. Choose an interest from the list or create your own.
2. Choose the green tab, "create your first topic," on the right sidebar.
3. Name your topic and select language.
4. Choose keywords, separating them with commas.
5. Choose the "create a topic" tab.
6. Follow the directions to add the scoop.it bookmarklet if you wish to curate on the fly!
7. Choose the "start curating" tab.

CURATING:
A. Scoop.it offers 100+ suggestions.
B. Scroll through the suggestions and choose articles by choosing the green "scoop.it" tab.
It will automatically pull over into your topic page!
C. You may browse the web and use your bookmarklet to fill your page.
D. You have the choice to annotate, share or simply publish.
E. Logout when done.

 

Review in the New SLJ!

School Library Journal, September, 2013

My review, "Aliens in Disguise: The Intergalactic Bed and Breakfast"

I still get a thrill when I see the latest issue of School Library Journal in the mailbox! I reviewed the audiobook, "Aliens in Disguise" by Clete Barrett Smith this time. Even though it is part of a series it can definitely stand on its own merit. Students will delight in this story that positions two middle-schoolers as the ones inadvertently left in charge of a bed and breakfast for aliens. Potential video projects abound: perfect for student-made book trailers! Check it out!

It's All About Networking...

In my LBSC 642 class, "Integrating Technology into Learning and Teaching," we are encouraged to expand our twitter list, familiarize ourselves with fellow librarian bloggers and become connected to others who are pursuing careers in library science. As I added blogs to my bookmarks in IE and names on my "following" list in Twitter, I stumbled across a valuable list entitled "100 Helpful Blogs for School Librarians and Teachers." It can be accessed at http://www.edudemic.com/2012/07/librarian-blogs/. What a great reference! Now, if only I could find the time to read all of them!

Literacy Center at Middletown!

After much research, time and effort, Middletown Library now has its own literacy center! The Friends of Middletown generously funded the beginnings. I thoroughly enjoyed finding activities that we could buy that would support and encourage the literacy skills of even our youngest patrons: print awareness, print motivation, vocabulary, narrative skills, letter knowledge, and phonological awareness. Here is a preliminary photo of our area:

 

Multnomah County Public Library's website describes literacy skills like this... literacy skills in the library. In each activity box I included a laminated card that describes how best to use the items and extension activities for home. It was great to see families use this area today at Middletown!