Technology Conclusion

1. At the beginning of this course, you were asked to assess your present strengths and weaknesses in technology. Has your assessment changed? If so, how?

 At the beginning of the summer, I knew nothing about technology.  Teachers would see me at school and say, "You're young, you know how to do computers.  I need your help with technology."  I would cringe at the though of potential technology questions and politely let them know I really did not know that much.  Now, I feel like a kid in a candy shop.  I have been introduced to all of these web 2.0 tools and have had practice using them.  I am excited to go back to school and share these technologies with the teachers and implement them into our school library.  I cannot wait to collaborate with our technology teacher and possibly work on some projects together.  I no longer have to despise the word technology.  My eyes have been opened to the great world of technology.

     2.  How do you plan to keep up with new innovations in technology once you have completed your classes at UNT?

I plan to keep up with new technologies through utilizing several of the tools that have been shown to me.  Through blog sites and wiki sites, I can search for information using key words such as technology and web 2.0 tools.  I can also use delicious to see sites that users have tagged pertaining to technology.  I plan to stay actively engaged and involved with technology so I won't fall behind.  

     3.  What specific plans do you have for implementing technology in an educational setting as a result of what you have learned in 5720?

Unfortunately, I do not have a whole lot of time with classes or computer access in the library; however, I do plan to implement these new technologies.  I plan to offer a training in the library to introduce these new technologies to teachers.  I am going to encourage them to let their kids use these tools for projects.  The teachers at my school are stuck on using tri boards for presentations but maybe this will motivate them to try something different.  The students projects could be displayed on the televisions throughout the building.

I also plan to work with the technology teacher.  I was thinking we could do a book trailer project where the kids write and prepare the book trailer in library and film it in computer lab. 

My school participates each year in a competition called Name That Book.  The students read 30 books are then are quizzed over quotes from the book.  I would like to start a wiki where they can discuss the books as they read and I could post quotes and they could discuss which book they thought it was from and why.  I could have a quote of the day.

I would also like to start a book club wiki for fifth graders.  I cannot wait to see what this year has in store!

Changes in the Cataloging World

Organizing books and materials used to be in the domain of professionally trained catalogers and indexers. Now, through Web 2.0, it is in the hands of everyday "folk." What are the implications of this trend for librarians?
In the past it was important for trained catalogers and indexers to be in charge of organizing books are materials so that important information would not be left out of the cataloging and materials would not be cataloged incorrectly.  As far as books in the library go, I think that librarians still need to be trained in cataloging skills to make sure that records are correct.  In order for patrons to conduct successful searches, this is important.
Through web 2.0 tools and open source resources, anyone can catalog or "tag" items.  This is a result of our technology driven society and digital natives.  Librarians must embrace this change and stay abreast of the current trends.  We must dive into these web 2.0 tools and learn the lingo so that we can help patrons with searches.


Also, for additional food for thought, go to your Delicious site and examine your list of tags. In your opinion, are these tags more or less helpful than traditional subject headings?
I think is some regards they are more helpful and some are less.  Since there is not a set format for how to tag, it would be easy to overlook a resource because you are not searching the correct tag.  However, Delicious has a column of top tags on the right hand side of the screen after you have conducted a search.  This list of tags gives you an instant list of alternative search terms which is more helpful.  I believe there is always good and bad in changes.  It is just a matter of getting used to the new and making adjustments.

Changes in technology that impact society

This week I had the opportunity to watch the Youtube video, "Web 2.0...the Machine is Us/Using Us," by Professor Wesch of Kansas State University.  What in the world does this title mean?  The internet is dynamic and constantly changing.  It is no longer something created by a select few, but an entity that can be whatever the user wants or needs it to be.  In the past the internet was static due to the process that one would need to go through to make changes.  Web creator, Tim Berners-Lee, might have created the web with the intentions of it being a means of communication that can be changed and updated more easily, but due to the HTML format, very few people could actually make changes.  Now, with the implementation of Web 2.0 tools, these open source communication formats make it easy for anyone to make changes or additions to the web.  We are no longer limited by the machine.  We define the limits.

New Technology for the Library

Your technology director has given you a budget of $10,000 for the purchase of handheld devices in your library. Using the prices in Chapter 5 of Courtney as a general guideline, what would you purchase and why? 

One of the current trends in the library world is to create a youth friendly library.  Whether you are in a public or school library a great way to appeal to youth is through access to the latest technologies.  Due to budget cuts and the pace at which technology changes, we cannot keep up with it.  However, we can do our best to incorporate new technologies whenever the budget allows.  Luckily for me, I have just been given $10,000 to spend in the library.

I would purchase 10 portable media players (Archos 605 Wi-Fi Portable Media Player 4GB) averaging just under $230 a player.  With these players, I could record read alouds and teachers could check them out for use in their classroom.  They could put them in listening centers.  They could also be used in the library or classroom to listen to audio books.  Students could preview audio books and podcasts for purchase.  After previewing the information the students could write a proposal to the librarian for purchase.  This would help the students practice their persuasive writing.  In addition to this, students could develop their own podcasts and video book talks for other classes and students to view.  I could use these in conjunction with the technology teacher at my school with the monthly newspaper. The students who participate in the monthly mustang, could video their interviews of faculty members and other students.  I could then link these interviews to the library web page as well as making them available on the media players.
Amazon. Archos 605 Wi-Fi Portable Media Player (160 GB).  Retrieved on July 5, 2011, from http://www.amazon.com/Archos-Wi-Fi-Portable-Media-Player/dp/B000S5UY2G/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1310092722&sr=1-1

I would purchase a class set (25) Ebook Readers (Aluratek Libre ebook reader PRO digital book) averaging at $70 .  These could be used similarly in both the library and the classroom.  They could be used so every student could view the same book at the same time.  You could also put the students into book groups and purchase the books to be used on the Ebook Reader.  Ebook's also have features that are great for students with learning disabilities.  Some of these features include a touch screen, audio features, personal notes, and highlighting.  In addition to fiction and nonfiction books to be used for group or whole group instruction, reference materials could be downloaded for research.  Through checking out these Ebook Readers, students could have another avenue to conduct research in the classroom.
Target. Aluratek Digital Book Reader (AEBK01FS) with 5" screen - Black. Retrieved on July 5, 2011, from http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/185-5430328-2821618?asin=B00407CLH4&AFID=Froogle_df&LNM=%7CB00407CLH4&CPNG=&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B00407CLH4&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001

I would purchase eight PDA's (Palm TX handheld) averaging at $300 a piece.  This would be enough for each grade level at my school to check out a PDA to circulate among the teachers.  Teachers could just these to help assist them in planning and organization.  This would be an excellent tool to have at team meetings to record meeting notes and lesson planning.  The device could then be shared among the teachers.  This device also has the capability to display audio, video, and ebooks.  Teachers could use those three functions to watch, listen, or read teacher materials for professional development.
Amazon. Palm TX handheld. Retrieved on July 5, 2011, from http://www.amazon.com/Palm-1047NA-TX-Handheld/dp/B000BI7NHY

Lastly, I would purchase seven internet tablets (Apple ipad2 with Wi-Fi tablet 16GB) averaging at $500 a piece.  These could be used for a variety of different things.  They could be used in addition to the Ebook Readers.  By purchasing seven tablets, I would have enough to have a tablet at each table in the library.  Combined with the desktop computers that are already in the library, I would have enough internet access for the students to work in pairs.  They would be a great tool to teach research skills through.  You could also use them to teach students how to evaluate internet resources.  The tablets could be used by students to create presentations using tools such as Prezi.  They could also be used to practice other Web 2.0 tools.  Students could use them to take Accelerated Reader tests.  Many tablets have texting capabilities.  You could use them for a review and have each table work as a team.  They can text their answers to you so that their answers are swayed by other groups.
Apple. Apple iPad 2. Retrieved on July 5, 2011, from http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4166950297423810844&postID=390144017239118299

Just the thought of being able to integrate all of these great technologies into the library makes me excited.  These tools would definitely pull more reluctant readers into the library.  It also taps into multiple learning style meeting the needs of many more students.

Individual Technology Assessment

As an educator, what are your present strengths and weaknesses in technology? How do you plan to use your strengths? How do you plan to address the weaknesses?

     As an educator, my technology capabilities are no where near where they need to be to benefit kids growing up in today's society.  In an age where technology is constantly changing and relied upon, it is crucial for educators to be up to date on the latest and greatest aspects of technology.  

     I do well with hooking up means of technology such as computers, document cameras, etc.  I do well with certain programs such as Accelerated Reader and Discovery Education.  Something else that I consider to be a personal strength is that I am willing to admit when I am unsure of how to do something and then I learn how to do it.

      Unfortunately I have many weaknesses when it comes to technology.  Some of the weaknesses I have I am not even aware of.  I am unfamiliar with new types of technology such as web 2.0 tools, twitter, blogging, web page design, etc.

     I plan to use my strengths to help the teachers at my school get set up at the beginning of each year.  I can also model ways to use the types of technology I am comfortable with.  I will address my weaknesses through my determination to learn new things.  I plan to learn many things through this course and through participating in professional development that will help with my technology skills.  I believe that the best way to get better at things is through practice.  I plan to incorporate technology that I learn through this class into my library next year.