When I compare the books to what I like I would have to say that the Courtney text was of more value to me than Jurkowski. I thought that Courtney was easier to read and it had some immediate application. There were a few chapters that I found to be the most beneficial when I comes to my goals of incorporating web 2.0 tools in my library. For example...podcasting. As soon as I heard about podcasting I immediately thought of booktalks and some sort of library greeting program. I would love to have a library program where they are greeted by Mrs. Line in avatar form or me sharing the latest releases in the library. I like how Courtney explains the Getting Started with podcasting. The tools listed are very simple to pick up and very cost effective.
I think the second chapter that I found the most useful is the chapter in Jurkowski on the technology plan. Having just gone thru a technology plan development, I was happy to now have a tool in my hand to help me evaluate the plan. I also liked how Jurkowski explained the importance of the librarian/media specialist in the development of technology. I also liked how there is an emphasis on the importance of professional development and the technology plan development. I think this is something that is sometimes missed in some of the components that require change.
I think that both texts have their value and their place for me to further my quest to make technology more prominant in my school.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Ning--Final presentation
I have become a fan of Ning in the last 5 months. How I stumbled upon it was after attending NECC in Washington, DC this summer. There was an open session of a teacher who uses Ning as a teaching tool. She used it for group projects and other collaboration tools for her students to use for meetings and for presentations. It is a great tool and it has everything in it that you would want for the students to use for collaboration, like blog, email, embed videos, share articles, post forum discussions. I think what is great about it is that NING is based upon common interests. So for example, if I want to share my "expertise" with the world on dog breeding, I can go to Ning, create a network called "dog breeding" and invite others who have the same interest.
Another reason I like Ning is the fact that I can privitize it. This is how I was able to sell the concept to my administration. Since I have a required log in for my ning, I am protecting my "patrons" on the Ning.
The final reason I like Ning is the fact that I have access to past discussions and past information because it is archived. Too many times with a wikispace the information is gone or I have to go to the wayback machine to find it agin.
I think Ning should be something that teachers and librarians should look into for professional development. Since so many of us are in isolation and have a difficult time meeting with others in their field that have great ideas and want to share their great ideas!
Another reason I like Ning is the fact that I can privitize it. This is how I was able to sell the concept to my administration. Since I have a required log in for my ning, I am protecting my "patrons" on the Ning.
The final reason I like Ning is the fact that I have access to past discussions and past information because it is archived. Too many times with a wikispace the information is gone or I have to go to the wayback machine to find it agin.
I think Ning should be something that teachers and librarians should look into for professional development. Since so many of us are in isolation and have a difficult time meeting with others in their field that have great ideas and want to share their great ideas!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Module 5--The Final Chapter
I think the most valuable thing I learned was the selection of the hardware and software. I realize the difficulty that a decision like that is and how valuable in this day and age to have the technology for someone who has a disability and needs adaptations. I think I will be able to better look at the person instead of the disability. I think I will be more understanding and patient for those students who need the adaptations. I know that there are times that I am annoyed by having to tweak things or attend and IEP meeting. I think now I will be better equipped to share resources with parents and others.
I think this tutorial is a nice overview and tip-of-the-ice-burg type of resource. I thought it was thorough but at the same time simple to complete. I felt that I learned new information and will be able to better serve my students.
I have already linked the Library Thing to my wikispace and I have shared the list with a few of my teachers. And I think that having the access to the professional books as well as the fiction books is a great way to create awareness to everyone.
I think this tutorial is a nice overview and tip-of-the-ice-burg type of resource. I thought it was thorough but at the same time simple to complete. I felt that I learned new information and will be able to better serve my students.
I have already linked the Library Thing to my wikispace and I have shared the list with a few of my teachers. And I think that having the access to the professional books as well as the fiction books is a great way to create awareness to everyone.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Module 4--Etiquette and awareness
I thought I would look at some of the websites that deal with some of my students disabilities. I think the first disability that is becoming a greater issue in schools is autism. My husband and I debated whether is was because it is being diagnosed more often or is the awareness of the disability.
I think the best site is http://www.autismspeaks.org/. I think it gives great information for all parties involved, children, parents, teachers. It is updated regularly, in fact as early as today (December 2nd).
Another regular disability that is coming up in my school is the ADHD/ADD diagnosis. I have experienced students who are not diagnosed but need to be so accommodations can be made and I have seen students who do not need the diagnosis but do. A website that I've used to help create IEP's or Chapter 15 plans is http://www.help4adhd.org/ I think it useful because it stays focused on the disability and accomodations that can be made for students to have school success.
A disability that I do not know a lot about how to respond and interact with a person without making a stupid mistake is a person who is deaf or hearing difficulty. I begain researching for some information regarding this in the way of literacy development and early childhood development. http://www.hsdc.org/ This gives some great information for how to incorporate literacy into a classroom that has students with hearing difficulties.
My sister was diagnosed with dyslexia in 1st grade. She has struggled her whole life with it but has learned how to cope and accommodate for her disability. I have used this website http://www.dys-add.com/ for helping develop the IEP's and Chapter 15 plans. I really like how the web site has accommodations for teachers and for children, especially in testing situations.
A disability that is popping up regularly in my school is conduct disabilities. This is seen in the student who has oppositional defiant disorder. This is coming up more and more and is effecting the classroom. Students and teachers have to develop coping strategies and modifications. A website that I have recently stumbled upon is http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/children_with_oppositional_defiant_disorder
This site helps with defining what this is as well as help with the strategies needed for teachers, students, and parents. I think something that tends to happen when someone is diagnosed with the ODD, they are "behavior problems." But the student needs the coping skills and the support from the adults in the situation.
I think also, compare to 10 years ago, schools have really developed IEP's and Chapter 15 plans to focus on the child. Where if I remember correctly when I my sister was diagnosed with dyslexia, the school was almost annoyed with the prospect that my mother wanted my sister in a regular classroom, not a special needs classroom. My mom fought for my sister be given accommodations instead of being placed in a room.
I think the best site is http://www.autismspeaks.org/. I think it gives great information for all parties involved, children, parents, teachers. It is updated regularly, in fact as early as today (December 2nd).
Another regular disability that is coming up in my school is the ADHD/ADD diagnosis. I have experienced students who are not diagnosed but need to be so accommodations can be made and I have seen students who do not need the diagnosis but do. A website that I've used to help create IEP's or Chapter 15 plans is http://www.help4adhd.org/ I think it useful because it stays focused on the disability and accomodations that can be made for students to have school success.
A disability that I do not know a lot about how to respond and interact with a person without making a stupid mistake is a person who is deaf or hearing difficulty. I begain researching for some information regarding this in the way of literacy development and early childhood development. http://www.hsdc.org/ This gives some great information for how to incorporate literacy into a classroom that has students with hearing difficulties.
My sister was diagnosed with dyslexia in 1st grade. She has struggled her whole life with it but has learned how to cope and accommodate for her disability. I have used this website http://www.dys-add.com/ for helping develop the IEP's and Chapter 15 plans. I really like how the web site has accommodations for teachers and for children, especially in testing situations.
A disability that is popping up regularly in my school is conduct disabilities. This is seen in the student who has oppositional defiant disorder. This is coming up more and more and is effecting the classroom. Students and teachers have to develop coping strategies and modifications. A website that I have recently stumbled upon is http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/children_with_oppositional_defiant_disorder
This site helps with defining what this is as well as help with the strategies needed for teachers, students, and parents. I think something that tends to happen when someone is diagnosed with the ODD, they are "behavior problems." But the student needs the coping skills and the support from the adults in the situation.
I think also, compare to 10 years ago, schools have really developed IEP's and Chapter 15 plans to focus on the child. Where if I remember correctly when I my sister was diagnosed with dyslexia, the school was almost annoyed with the prospect that my mother wanted my sister in a regular classroom, not a special needs classroom. My mom fought for my sister be given accommodations instead of being placed in a room.
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