January 26, 2011 Post 2

     Describe 2 ideas that were brought up in the Article #1 discussions.  How can you relate this  information to your professional life?
When Elisa (sp?) presented her article regarding the ITouch/IPad, I thought that it was a very interesting concept.  I know one of the middle schools in my district have computers for all of their students.  I don't know very much about how much the computers are involved in the students' individual classes but from what I have observed they carry the laptops from class to class.  In regards to the ITouch/IPads, I wonder about the costs involved.  With all of the budget cuts in my district, I don't know what the feasibility of the district considering investing in the ITouch/IPad products for a large number of students.  I do know that there has been some interest with the devices and students with special needs.  

Jenny's article focusing on the acronym of "MUSTY" was very enlightening.  I currently am not in a library position; however, the use of the MUSTY system makes sense.  Making sure the items in the reference section are useful to the students is important.  From what I gathered from our conversations, it may be difficult to decide what should be kept and what should go.  I know specifically to my field I need to make sure that I use tests and rating scales (IQ, academic, behavioral)  that are the most current due to a variety of reasons.  Applying the MUSTY system I would have to say that the results of an old test would be "M"isleading because it would be based on old norms.  Furthermore, the new test "S"upersedes the older test.  An old test isn't something that we would like to keep around. 
 

      Reflect on “Digital Footprints”.  How is this being addressed in your school and who is presenting this?

      In regards specifically to students, I do not know how this is being addressed.  This will be something I need to follow up on with my colleagues.  Within the past year I have heard and read information regarding the fact that we (staff) should take into consideration what we post on the internet because it could fall into anyone's hands.  I know I also read that one should not become "friends" with students on facebook or other similar like sites. 

      How are you doing on your Internet Log?  Questions?

      I currently have around 6-7 sites for my specific area.  I am looking for sites regarding Wisconsin within the realm of the 4th grade curriculum.  I started last week and it didn't turn out to be as easy as I thought it was going to be to complete.   I don't have any questions at the present time but may have some in the future.

          Have you selected a library to visit yet?  Have you visited?

      I plan to visit my local public library tomorrow.  I called today to see if the children's reference section is worth focusing on or if I should just do the general reference section.  Based upon the information I received in the phone call, it appears that I will be focusing on the general section. I will have to take a look tomorrow to see the number of reference materials just in the children's section and make my decision from there. 

      (Louis Question)  How has our class and this week’s activities effected you in your professional life?  Discuss two things that you have learned about this week.    

      When I was reading the assigned chapters, I was surprised about how many reference materials out there that I didn't know exist.  I remember when I was younger thinking how cool the encyclopedias were when I looked through them.  I never thought of the Guinness Book of World Records as something of a reference material but I guess it makes sense.  

      Chris showed me the Google docs option for submitting our classwork.  I found this to be a worthwhile application that I can use in my current job.  The ability to be able to work on the same document with a number of my colleagues would save an extreme amount of time.  I don't know how many times I was in charge of making changes on a document and then trying to figure out which file was the correct one to use.  I really liked the idea how it could apply to students working together on a project.   We do have a special education paperwork database that allows all of us to work on the document at once.  One feature that I would like it to have though is the ability to go back and comment on something.  This feature would save a lot of trees in the case where you have the responsibility to review a document and the other person has to make the changes. 

CEDU 571 - Jan 19th, 2011

What is your understanding of reference materials in the library media center?

My understanding of reference materials in the LMC is limited to prior knowledge of what existed in my libraries at the colleges I attended as well as the local public library I used when in high school (talk about a long stretch.)  Speaking specifically regarding my local public library, I realize that there have been many updates to the reference section which I haven't really used due the lack of need.  I look forward to visiting my local public library to see what updates have been made. 


(Question) How has our class and this week’s activities effected you in your professional life? Discuss two things that you have learned about this week.

One point that was addressed in class was making sure there a resources for students with special needs as well as English Language Learners.  Recently I was part of a special education evaluation involving a student at the high school level who was delineated as a ELL based upon the student's ACCESS level.  Part of the student's learning difficulties involved the area of reading.  The student's auditory processing skills were within the high average range.  I suggested to the team that books on tape should strongly be encouraged for this student.  Yes, our goal for educator is for all students to read at a proficient level; however, we also need to accommodate a student's strengths and provide them ways to increase his/her understanding within his/her areas of study in the mean time.
 
When thinking about the Internet log assignment, I thought of an observation I completed in a fifth grade classroom.  The students were presenting information in small groups on different Native American tribes.  I followed up with the teacher and asked her how the students gathered information for the presentations.  She noted they used books in the school's library.  I told her my assignment and asked her if she thought it would be useful for her student's to obtain the information on computer via designated websites within a specific folder.  She thought the idea was great.  She suggested that I approach another grade level about their class assignment so that my Internet log list could be used this school year.  Reference materials in a LMC provide students the ability to further research a specific area of interest.  Reference materials would be available in a variety of sources including books, magazines as well as online resources. 

Any questions or other comments you have?