Thing 26 Advocacy

The video by Heidi was very informative. I have tried most of the same ideas in one way or another.  Unfortunately it's the same small group of teachers and students that see the value of the library.  

I have created screencasts using Jing, talking mascots, an awesome webpage and a makerspace.  I'm still not getting the message out because  I haven't shown student achievement in a clear and concise way. I have a bulletin board that says,"the road to life- long learning starts at the library." No comments yet from staff or students. My data wall only has checkouts by grades. i do have student work posted.

So my new elevator speech will have to focus on the schools mission and the improvement goals as Heidi mentioned. I also need more of a web presence such as twitter. Every chance I get I ask the school's public relations lady to post about the latest library projects , contests etc. to the school district website. My district is laying off all elementary LMS this year. Its about money and as they say what's mandatory.

Im going to spend the summer re thinking my elevator speech. Sometimes I wonder why we have to show our importance and why administrator cant already see it. i resent justifying my existence at times.

I will tailor my message to my school and community. ( my audience) I need the data and some personal stories to change the thinking in my district.

Thing 25

Powering up your browser

This was very informative. I didn't really understand the differences between apps, extensions , plugins and bookmarks. Starting to get a better understanding from the readings. Spent to much time I didn't have playing with Google Apps and Chrome apps.

 Google Drive App
Photo to cartoon

I played around with the different settings. Knew how to clear browsing history and auto fill. Changed themes. I especially enjoyed the short Spotting malware video. Would like to know what tool was used to make the video? Added and removed extensions.

Kept AdBlock Plus.

I really like too many of the Chrome Apps, Kaienza, Blendspace and Origami for starters. Powtoon is fun for students and cna used for many class related projects. 

Thing 24 Infographics

Link to my piktochart:

https://magic.piktochart.com/output/5373848-untitled-infographic

I needed to create a poster for my upcoming makers faire so I decided to use piktochart.
It was easy to add photos and to change and format the flyer. I downloaded the flyer, allowed "png" only for free account and printed it
I did not use it for data. Actually at this time I have no data to use.
This could be used for mathematics and science classes to show data that students have collected.
Eventually I could use it to show library usage and other library activities and statistics

Thing 27

My things for this topic is Reader's Theater.

For a literacy class , I had to write a reader's theater script. My topic was the Holocaust.  The professor told me to find a way to really use the script because it was "outstanding"!

So feeling confident,  I approached a few social studies teachers at my school.  For the most part they said , "they were too busy" .

So I shared the script with another librarian in a different school district and she will have a group of students performing the script  on April 18th , which is Holocaust remembrance day.

Ipadio will be the technology " cool tool"  used  to record the reading. 

We will also keep in mind the information we learned in a recent SLS professional development class on Copyright.

Thing # 23 Makerspaces

It took me a long time to read and review the different links for this posting.  I wanted to read as much information as possible on this topic.  I  have also spoken to people that have started and/or attended makers's faires.

I have a personal interest in this topic because for my annual performance review. I plan to create a makerspace in the high school library. I  started creating a makerspace in the PHS library in September. I have no budget for this initiative.

 My first step towards this adventure was to put out kinetic sand, popsicle sticks  and origami papers on tables throughout the library.  I tried to start small and cheap. Some teachers and friends have been donating legos.

My real intent is to have a STEM/STEAM makers' space.  I have a raspberry pi, 2 sunfounder kits and 2 arduinos. I haven't loaned these out yet because I'm learning to use them. 

I have tried to get a 3D printer through various grants.

A student is helping me make a take-a-part display of an old computer.

In April, I will be having a Maker's faire in the library. The different departments and content areas, ie  (social studies, math , art etc) are going to set up maker tables for students to browse and create.

This will be me official kick off event. I have students coming from local colleges to also share a skill.

We will start coding classes using Scratch soon.The classes will have to be before school .

Thing #22 Create A Resource Guide

I have at some time or another used many of the resources in this lesson.  I was fortunate enough to have my school pay for Libguides. I continually update the guide for staff, students and parents.
I use the guide for class projects, to promote the library and events taking place in the library. I also use Libguides to promote the library/resources. The guide is a work in progress.

Linkhttp://phs.poughkeepsieschools.libguides.com/profile.php?uid=57685

Thing 21 Productivity Tools

About 3 years ago I created a Dropbox account to replace my USB. I was really happy with this tool and it served its purpose for me. Eventually , I changed to Google drive and have not been using Dropbox . I like that Google Drive has collaboration abilities that I don't have in Dropbox. Im really looking to find a tools that will help me collect all of the blogs, wikis, and other tools I have used and put them in one place. I have so many that I can't remember  all of them. I need for the tool to search my name and find all of my online presence.  I had a hard time trying to remember  and retrieve the information for my blog tonight.

I signed up for an Evernote account and added a video to a notebook. I actually was trying to find a DIY project on video that showed how to create LED necklaces, so I accomplished a few things with this assignment.