Monday, June 7, 2010

My final reflection...

As I stated way back at the beginning of the semester...it seems a life time ago now! I am not much of a 'reflector'. Despite regularly encouraging my students to reflect on what they have learnt and when I was a year level co-ordinator to reflect on their behaviour! I have enjoyed the reflective nature of this subject. I have been able to think about how I can apply my new knowledge to my current workplace and how I can make the curriculum more engaging and collaborative in nature.

I have enjoyed trying all the Web 2.0 technologies even though Second Life was a complete and utter disaster - it crashed my computer so many times I lost count and there was never anyone around when I was living my 'Second Life' and besides I can't cope with my 'First Life' so Second Life was lost on me. However, I really enjoyed reading all about everyone else's wonderful Second Life adventures on the group's Facebook page.

Speaking of Facebook....it was great having a group Facebook page as it worked so much better than a forum...it would be great to see other subjects adopt this. It provided a much more relaxed environment and also enabled people to post links with ease - I really enjoyed it!

One thing this subject has made me realise is that I can't do it all. I can't have a husband who travels extensively for work, raise two kids and work full time and study...something has to go and I am thinking that it will be the study for the time being. I am seriously thinking of taking the Post Grad Dip and running! But I do only have two subjects to go...... so I will see if I pass this semester....then make my decision

Activity 3: Stages of PLN adoption (Module 3: Library 2.0 & participatory library services)




Click on image to make larger - (I am really impressed that I have even been able to include an image in my blog - snaps for me!)


A pictorial representation of my Professional Learning Network (PLN) plan.

My PLN is focused towards building a professional network around educators and librarians who use or would like to use Web 2.0 platforms in their classrooms and use these platforms to motivate and engage students in a collaborative learning environment.

The professional networks that I wish to become an active part of lie both in the physical and virtual worlds. On the right hand side of the diagram above is the ‘physical’ world networks and the left hand side is the ‘virtual’ world. The physical world is based around establish networks such as professional associations such as STAV (Science Teachers Association of Victoria), VATE (Victorian Association of Teachers of English) and ALIA, and also attending conferences, seminars and workshops based on using technology in the classroom. I am currently thinking of undertaking a Ph. D in Education looking at Web 2.0 in the senior classroom, so I have added that as part of PLN – but it is a big maybe! The virtual world networks will be a mixture of me joining established networks such as Classroom 2.0 and various Facebook groups dedicated to using Facebook and other social networking sites in the classroom as well as following blogs of other educators to see what they are doing with respect to Web 2.0 in their classroom. It will also involve me being an active participant by starting a blog detailing my thoughts on Web 2.0 and how I have tried to use it in my classroom and hopefully building a network of my own.

Jeff Utecht (2008) proposes that there are five stages of PLN adoption;
1. Immersion
2. Evaluation
3. Know it all
4. Perspective
5. Balance.

After reading his blog post I began to think where am I with respect to the stages and are they stages that are set in concrete, that is does it mean that at any given moment in time I can only be at one stage or can I be floating between two or three?

So reading his post carefully I see that I am past the ‘Immersion’ stage. I have joined every network that I could find, every Facebook group that I could find as well as follow as many educator blogs as I could possible handle – considering I have a full time job, a husband (who would like to see me away from the computer every once and a while!) and two children (who I am convinced think that all mummys sit on a computer all day!). I will be the first to admit that it all got too much and the metaphorical balls were starting to be dropped! Something had to give in and it couldn’t be my family or my sanity…therefore I hit the ‘Evaluation’ stage without even knowing it! It came about out of necessity…..you just can’t keep up with it all…you have to be selective! It is at this point that I am not sure where I am at with respect to the stages as I still want to ‘Know it all’ but know in my head that I can’t, so then I move to the ‘Perspective’ phase but then I begin to think about doing a Ph.D and back I go to the need to ‘Know it all’…..then reports and exams approached at lightening speed so Web 2.0 was put on slight hold so for a minute or two I had balance…..so where am I? (I really want to say I have NO IDEA!- but I know Lyn that is not what you want to hear!!!). I would like to say that I am hovering between ‘Know it all’ and ‘Perspective’ as I wasn’t in the ‘Balance’ stage long enough to say I really was there - it was more of a fleeting visit rather than an extended stay! But as my Mummy Blog – www.mummybalancingact.blogspot.com is all about finding balance - often dreamed about and longed for, but rarely achieved! So like Jeff Utecht I think I will struggle with achieving the ‘Balance’ stage of my PLN not only because I am wearing too many hats but because I keep changing my mind about what I want to be when I grow up!

Reference:
Websites referred to:
Facebook – www.facebook.com
Classroom 2.0 – www.clasroom20.com

Articles referred to:
Utect, J. (2008). Stages of PLN adoption. (April 3 2008). The Thinking Stick. Available at
http://www.thethinkingstick.com/stages-of-pln-adoption.

Activity 2: A to Z of Social Networking for Libraries (Module 3: Library 2.0 & participatory library services)

Before I begin this post (or have I already started????) I feel that this course has brought to my attention just how out of date school libraries are. I have spent the better part of 15 of the last 18 years of my life studying (Lyn please don’t go by my CSU grades….I used to be a really good student until my two recent lobotomies one that occurred 4 years ago and the other took place last year!!!) and have seen academic libraries move from stale uninviting spaces where you would run in get what you need and get the hell out of dodge to ones that are a delight to be in….the concept of letting me eat my stash of chocolate and drink my chai latte in a library has been revolutionary and I am sure for some old school librarians coronary inducing!!!! But it is time that school libraries also got with program and joined the 21st century. I know the concept of eating in the school library is enough to send even the most modern of school librarians heading for the Angina medication, so I suggest baby steps…smile!!!

Once the acceptance of libraries as being a fun, engaging and interactive environment has been established I would encourage teacher-librarians to then use social media to promote their services and let the students know that the place isn’t being run by old cranky women who have no sense of humour (not my words, but those of a student of mine when I informed that I as going to become a librarian!) but by a person who understands how the current generation learn and interact with their immediate environment. And now for my ‘real’ post!

OLJ Entry:


The following is based upon a blog post the A to Z of Social Networking for Libraries written by Anna Laura Brown on her blog: http://socialnetworkinglibrarian.com. She outlines 26 reasons, strategies and ideas for libraries when introducing social media.

This advice is for a secondary school library.

B- Blog
The library would be able to create a blog that is then hosted on the school’s website and intranet. This could serve not only as way of promoting the school as being actively engaged with the i-generation but demonstrate how important the library is to the school community (after all it is very nice to have six ovals, but unfortunately they don’t get you into university- well not is Australia anyway!). The blog could be used to inform both staff and students of the services available, new books, new videos available on clickview as well as any up coming events. I am quite positive that 99% of the teaching staff at most schools have no idea how to best use the resources available in the school library to enhance their teaching. The blog is a perfect ay to get the message out there about how wonderful libraries are but importantly that they are with the times! (again it is that PR issue libraries and librarians have!)

C-Content
School libraries would benefit from being more actively engaged with the curriculum. This of course is a two way street - so people climb down off the horse!!!!!! I would like to see school librarians liaise with the teaching staff (similar to subject librarians in academic settings) to get advice on what the needs of the teachers are with respect to resources and services. Often the Head Librarian will attend meetings with other Heads of Departments to find out what the curriculum trends are but very rarely do they sit down with the teachers and find out what their information needs are and how the library can provide relevant content. Also teachers need to see the library as a resource, this sadly is often not the case, and again I jump on my soap box about the perception of libraries and librarians (it is not very positive out there). Teachers need to go and see the librarians and chat about their needs…..the library staff and teaching staff need to collaborate to ensure that the library is relevant to both the students and the staff. Back to the advice above -the blog may be a good start to let the teachers know what is available!

G-Good Reads
As we are discussing a school library it is important that library publicise its literature collection (Harris, 2006). Again by having a blog the library is able to let the students know about new arrivals. Also the employment of a social networking site such as Ning would enable the library to establish online book groups that target particular reading interests as a way of another way promoting ‘Good Reads’.

V-Video
The use of videocasting for promoting the library services would also be another way of promoting the library as a modern environment. Arizona State University library services have developed the library minute a videocast that is released regularly to inform students on how to use the library’s services, upcoming events and competitions as well as promoting the library as another place to hang out. But then again thinking back to my school days and where I have worked I sometimes wonder if the librarians actually want people to hang out in the library???? These videocasts can be put onto TeacherTube as most schools block YouTube or be made available on the school’s website and intranet.

Y-Youth
If school libraries or any library for that matter want to remain relevant and foster the concept of life long learning they must appeal to today’s youth (Harris, 2006). As research shows often people’s perceptions of libraries is formed during their school years. To demonstrate that school libraries have a role to play in modern society and especially in the age of Wikipedia, they must make obvious that they are relevant to the information needs of their students. The use of social media will help bring the library to the attention of students; it will further show that the library understands the needs of its young cliental and is able to communicate through a medium that is consider for many young people they only way to ‘do business’.

Reference
Website:
http://socialnetworkinglibrarian.com/2010/01/22/a-to-z-of-social-networking-for-libraries/

Article:
Harris, C. (2006). School Library 2.0. School Library Journal (5/01/2006). Available
from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6330755.html

Activity 1: Arizona State University Library (Module 3: Library 2.0 & participatory library services)

Libraries of the 21st Century that have embraced Web 2.0 technologies are in a position to offer information services that can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection; are not restricted by the typical working day of 9 to 5 and can be designed specifically to target the i-generation (Aharoney, 2008; Miller, 2006). These libraries encourage staff and students to actively participate in the library and its services through the adoption of the principles that guide the Web 2.0 phenomenon these being the 4Cs – collaboration, conversation, community and content creation.

Arizona State University (ASU) library service provides an outstanding suite of services to all students attending and staff working at the university. The ASU Library Channel http://lib.asu.edu/librarychannel/ provides staff and students with an abundance of information regarding the library, its services and how to access these services. The information on the Library Channel is provided using a variety of Web 2.0 technologies such as podcasts, videocasts (via the site and www.youtube.com), a blog and a twitter feed. The library also provides a RRS of all its updates. But does ASU library services use these platforms to meet the 4Cs of social media?

• Conversation

The principle of conversation is probably lacking to a certain degree in the use of social media by the ASU library service. My interpretation of the principle of ‘conversation’ with respect to social media in libraries is that it promotes conversation between the institution and its clients as well as between its clients. Students are able to make contact with the library staff via phone, email and IM chat. The chat component makes use of Web 2.0 technologies, but does it invite conversation between the library and its clients? As all it is really is a written real-time conversation between two people it is not available to others to comment on. I view their use of Twitter as a better way of promoting conversation between the library and its clients and between the clients themselves as it allows for all followers to view the conversations between the library and its clients, inviting others to comment and respond and truly generating conversation within the community.

• Community

ASU is using social networking sites such as Twitter to develop a sense of community. At present there is 796 followers of their twitter microblog, suggesting that it hasn’t been taken up by much of the student and staff body (at present count there is approximately 80,000 staff and students across all four campuses [Wikipedia, 2010]). The use of videocasts via the Library Channel and YouTube promote a library that is engaging, fun and most importantly doesn’t take itself too seriously – which is fabulous as libraries for far too long have taken themselves far too seriously and to their own detriment…..you only have to mention that you are studying to be a librarian and people groan…but why? They are such boring places……there is a serious PR issue for libraries!!!! The videocasts are inviting and promote the concept of ‘third place’, especially through the promotion of such services as cafes within the library, music downloads for studying for finals, book collection and photography competitions. The Library blog keeps students and staff informed of what is happening within the library community. There is constant communication about the ‘going-ons’ at the library and the activities and events that are taking place. The use of Web 2.0 technologies is allowing the library to reach out to the university community in a modern, engaging and entertaining manner and also build a digital community that can access the services of the library 24/7.

• Content Creation

The videocasts are excellent examples of content creation. They provide information regarding the range of services offered by the library, community events held by and in the library, and how students can use these services to better their experience and academic performance whilst at ASU. The ‘minute videos’ are informative and funny (even my husband was chuckling at them while I was viewing them!). They present a wealth of information in a very short period of time, whilst providing great advertising for the library and its services. The library also provides videocasts of tutorials for teaching students and staff on how to use the library databases, catalogues and other reference materials; again these are very short in duration yet informative and done so in an entertaining manner.

• Collaboration

Collaboration is the only aspect of the 4Cs that is really lacking from the ASU Library Channel. The Library Channel meets the other Cs through its use of Web 2.0 technologies. As I think about this, I begin to wonder am I wrong in thinking that this OK? The library is there to provide an information service and by the looks of things it does that with great gusto! They are clearly trying to establish a community of scholars both within the physical and digital space of the library, they are conversing with their clients via a variety means and they are using Web 2.0 technologies to create content and publish it. But it isn’t providing an online space for collaboration. My response is, So? Is it not enough that it is providing services that meet the other 3Cs? Also I would argue it isn’t the library’s responsibility to provide an online space for collaboration between students but that of the learning institution.



References:
Websites:
http://lib.asu.edu/librarychannel/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_State_University

Articles:
Aharoney, N. (2008). Web 2.0 in US LIS schools: Are they missing the boat? Ariadne,
54. Available at http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue54/aharony/

Miller, P. (2005). Web 2.0: Building the new library. Ariadne, 45. Available at
http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue45/miller/

I have had a light bulb moment


I want to begin this reflection by outlining why I chose the activities that I did. When I started this course two and a half years ago it was to get out of teaching. I was passionate about getting out of teaching, not because I didn’t like teaching, far from it. I was feeling trapped in the school I was working in and I thought that I would never get out if I didn’t do something different. So began my career change to be a librarian. It was something that I had been thinking about for a long. After starting the course and completing my library visits and practicum I came to see being a librarian was very similar to being a teacher just minus the annoying bits – yard duty, reports and parent teacher interviews! So I'd thought I chosen well, my intellect was still being stimulated minus the stress and severe anxiety that I associated with teaching. Then two things happened….this subject and a temporary replacement position at an elite private school in Melbourne. This subject opened my eyes to how a) as a teacher I could use this amazing technology in my classroom to engage and motivate students and b) that schools and school libraries really needed to get with the program! The school I am currently working at and sadly my contract finishes at the end of this term has reinvigorated my desire, energy and motivation to teach. I realized that it was not teaching that was my issue it was my work place. The activities I have chosen are all from Module 3 and I feel that they provide me with best opportunity to develop myself as a teacher (– which I know is not the point of this subject or course), but also to arm me with information that I will be able to use, not only to improve my teaching practice, but to open the eyes of other educators and school librarians at the possibilities that are out there in cyberspace.

Also Lyn I am going to submit a electronic copy of my OLJ via EASTS…as much as I love the internet and Web 2.0 technologies…I don’t trust them 100% yet!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

My reflection on my choice of activities for Assignment Two

I want to begin this reflection by outlining why I chose the activities that I did. When I started this course two and a half years ago it was to get out of teaching. I was passionate about getting out of teaching, not because I didn’t like teaching, far from it. I was feeling trapped in the school I was working in and I thought that I would never get out if I didn’t do something different. So began my career change to be a librarian. It was something that I had been thinking about for a long. After starting the course and completing my library visits and practicum I came to see being a librarian was very similar to being a teacher just minus the annoying bits – yard duty, reports and parent teacher interviews! So I thought I had chosen well, my intellect was still being stimulated minus the stress and severe anxiety that I associated with teaching. Then two things happened…this subject and a temporary replacement position at an elite private school in Melbourne. This subject opened my eyes to how a) as a teacher I could use this amazing technology in my classroom to engage and motivate students and b) that schools and school libraries really needed to get with the program! And the school I have been working at has made me realise that I am a teacher. The school I am currently working at and sadly my contract finishes at the end of this term has reinvigorated my desire, energy and motivation to teach. I realized that it was not teaching that was my issue it was my work place. The activities I have chose are all from Module 3 and I feel that they provide with best opportunity to develop myself as a teacher (– which I know is not the point of this subject or course), but also arm me with information that I will be able to use, not only to improve my teaching practice but, to open the eyes of other educators and school librarians at the possibilities that our out there in cyberspace.

Also Lyn I am going to submit a electronic copy of my OLJ via EASTS…as much as I love the internet and Web 2.0 technologies…I don’t trust the 100% yet!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Week 2 - Web 2.0, Social Networking and the social life of information - Part 1

I thought that I would be a natural at this subject...after all I live on facebook! But trying to raise two children (and a husband) and trying to keep up with readings for two subjects as well as checking facebook INF506 group page, twitter etc. I am starting to wonder how do people who are professional bloggers do this? How do they keep on top of their social network pages? Write, commentate on social and current events and be able to do anything else? My respect for the likes of Mia Freedman is increasing by the day...how does she do it? I have subscribed to a kizillion blogs - social commentary and gossip, ones recommended by lecturers, library industry ones via RSS - I can barely keep up every morning there is another 100 or so entries..arghhhhhh.

For the next two weeks we are exploring a variety of social networking sites.....at least I have heard of most of them and have attempted to use most of them in some capacity....I can only imagine what it must be like for students who have been forced to immigrate to this 'digital' world. So this week I will play around with sites recommended and will offer my 'non-expert' opinion and reflections on them.