The Scanner Volume 6, Issue 3 Conference 2015
Professional Development About ISTE Librarians Network The purpose of the Librarians Network is to promote librarians as leaders and champions of educational technology and digital literacy. The key mission is to provide a professional learning community where librarians can leverage technology knowledge and expertise to improve school library pro-
grams, increase access to information, and foster strong teaching and learning environments in a connected world. The Librarians Network fosters communication among librarians, promotes the school library program, represents school librarians in ISTE activities and with other PLNs, and provides opportunities for leadership and pro-
Inside this issue: President’s Message Library PD: Showcasing Successful Implementation of Standards
2 6
Librarians Can Do Project Based Service Learning!
9
Librarians as #EdTech #Leaders
14
fessional development for librarians. There are many opportunities to get involved with the Librarians Network including contributing to the newsletter, helping to organize professional development activities such as webinars, Twitter chats or book discussions, or simply attending events and sharing your views and experiences with others.
LINKS: Join PLN discussions with your ISTE account Follow @ISTELIB on Twitter or use #istelib Join the Librarians Network group on Facebook Access the Librarians Network’s Website
Page 2
The Scanner President’s Message by Donna Macdonald Welcome to our special ISTE 2015
come to ISTE 2015, I hope you’ll take
conference edition of The Scanner!
advantage of the wealth of resources and information sent out on Twitter.
As I write this, the Librarians Net-
The official hashtag for the conference
work
is
Leadership
#ISTE2015,
team is pre-
although
paring a
some may be
webinar
using
especially
#ISTE15.
for those of
It’s amazing
you who
how much
will be
you will
heading to
learn!
Philadelphia at the end of June. We’ll be highlighting special events that
Here’s a rundown of some special
we’ve been planning for the past sever- events to look for in Philadelphia: al months. If you weren’t able to attend the webinar, you
Sunday, June 28th
may access it, along with archives of all
Be sure to stop by the Communities
of the monthly
Networking Fair, located in the Phil-
webinars, by click- adelphia Conference Center’s (PCC) ing here.
Broad Street Atrium, between 3:00 and 5:00 PM. The Librarians Network
If you’re not able to Leadership Team will be available to
Page 3
Volume 6, Issue 3 answer your questions about the confer-
work Reception. This social event will
ence, our Professional Learning Net-
run from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM and will
work, or just about anything else. We’ll
feature sparkling conversation and free
have ribbons to give away, plus a special
food, generously provided by ISTE.
network-branded surprise.
Consider a volunteer role with the
Tuesday, June 30th Monday, June 29th The Librarians Network Forum,
Librarians
Connect with your colleagues as they
which will be found in PCC 201A from
Network
share innovative technologies and re-
2:15-3:15, is sure to be interesting. This
PLN
sources in the Digital Age Library
year, we’ll have a panel discussion on
Playground, located at the PCC Level
library makerspaces. Featured on the
2 Bridge. Presenters will change four
panel will be an elementary and a sec-
times within the 8 AM to 11:30 AM time ondary school librarian, an administrator, span so be sure to come back often. Vol- plus a special guest from the Philadelphia unteers will
Free Library.
be assisting
This panel will
attendees
be moderated by
with some
Tiffany White-
“badge
head. If you’re
blinging”
curious about
during this
how makerspac-
informative
es are working
event.
at various levels, this panel discussion will be for you!
Later this evening, meet up at the PLN Lounge (street level, adjacent to meet-
Wednesday, July 1st
ing room 126B) between 5 PM and 6 PM to travel together to the Librarians Net-
Join your PLN colleagues for the ISTE
Page 4
The Scanner Librarians Network Annual Break- over to the PLN Lounge, which is on the fast in PCC Ballroom B. This event
street level, adjacent to meeting room
runs from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM.
126B. There you’ll find a LIVE ISTE
Since this is a ticket event, be sure to
2015 daytime version of TL News Night. This will surely be a fun way to cap off your ISTE conference experience. Word has it that there might be
register online here: https://
Librarians
door prizes here, too!
www.isteconference.org/2015/? id=94240759. Our featured speaker is
Earlier, I mentioned the new Leadership
Shannon McClinitock Miller, someone
Team for 2015-2016. At the close of the
Annual
who never fails to inspire her audience.
conference, this will be the new make-up
Breakfast
Shannon will be speaking to us after a
of the ISTE Librarians Network Leader-
short business meeting for our PLN,
ship Team:
Network
Featured
when you’ll meet the new Leadership
speaker:
Team for 2015-2016. And, oh yes, ISTE
Sherry Gick – President
Shannon
has generously donated door prizes for
Jonathan Werner – President-Elect
some lucky attendees!
Donna Sullivan-Macdonald – Past Presi-
McClintock
dent Following the breakfast meeting, head
Images supplied by author
Kathy Schmidt – Communications Chair
Page 5
Volume 6, Issue 3
Elissa Malespina and Okle Miller – Profes- Leaving our team after three and sional Development Chairs
four years of dedicated service
Jacqueline Liesch – Newsletter Editor
are Jenn Hanson, Tiffany Whitehead and Shelley Friesen.
Thank you to
We welcome the newcomers and encour- Their contributions to our or-
Jenn Hanson
age all members to become more involved ganization have been outstand-
Tiffany Whitehead
in our organization. Volunteers help to
ing and are deeply appreciated.
make the Librarians Network such a
Jenn, Tiff and Shelley will be
strong tribe!
dearly missed on the team.
and Shelley Friesen for your
I’ve had a great year serving as your ISTE
I wish you all a wonderful sum-
Librarians Network President. I look for-
mer and hope to see many of
ward to working with our new Leadership you in Philadelphia for ISTE Team next year.
Images supplied by author
2015!
contributions!
Page 6
The Scanner
Library PD: Showcasing Successful Implementation of Standards
Maria Muhlbauer Librarian, Pioneer Middle School, Yorkshire, NY Twitter: @muhlbs83 Email: mmuhlbauer@pioneercsd.org
School librarians exist at an exciting intersection in the education world. Although A Framework for PD Sessions school librarians frequently collaborate with other educators in order to provide
When providing a PD session, a main ob-
quality learning experiences, some educa- jective should be to shed light on standtors
ards ad-
may be
dressed
sur-
during a
prised
specific
to learn
learning
that
experi-
librari-
Clearly state the standards addressed in the unit of study.
ans follow their own set of learning standards, as well as support
ence. For instance, a PD session outlining
the standards of a variety of subject areas. a collaborative unit of study should first provide strong evidence about the standLeading professional development (PD)
ards addressed during the unit. For folks
sessions for other educators is an effective unfamiliar with library standards, a priway to disseminate information about the mer on the Standards for the 21st Century valuable curricular role held by school
Learner through AASL (or the Empire
librarians. The following tips share prac- State Information Fluency Continuum if
Images supplied by author
tical ways in which to highlight a librar-
you teach in New York) would be help-
ian’s role as standards-based educator.
ful. Additionally, classroom learning goals and Common Core Standards ad-
Page 7 dressed should be explicitly stated within
The Scanner Present with a Fellow Educator
the context of the presentation. By clearly demonstrating how librarians create
One way to instantly boost interest for
standards-based learning experiences, you your PD session is to present with your are helping to promote the mission of
collaborating educator. This may make
school librarians everywhere.
PD attendees who teach similar subjects or grade levels feel more compelled to
Take Advantage of Diverse PD Op-
attend the session. A co-presentation will
portunities
show educators—who may not normally be attracted to library sessions—how a
Although it may be most tempting to at-
Seek out PD that attract a wide range of educators.
librarian/classroom teacher collaboration
tend and plan PD
opportunity can be
specifically geared
advantageous. This
towards librarians,
will ultimately lead
this is not the most
to greater student
effective way to pro-
achievement and a
mote a librarian’s
higher degree of co-
role as curriculum
operation amongst
partner. Be sure to
educators.
seek out conferences and workshops that
Helping from
attract a wide range
Start to Finish
of educators, namely teachers and administrators. This way, the role of the
All too often, collaborations between librarians and teachers
librarian can be advertised within a popu- begin and end with the discussion of relation of educators that may not be fully
search techniques. It is important to em-
aware of what school libraries have to of-
phasize that librarians are great resources
fer.
for more than just research skills. Librarians are certified educators and adept with technology. Make sure to Images supplied by author
Page 8
Volume 6, Issue 3
mention all of the ways in which a librarian assisted Standards, and Common Core ELA Standards) are throughout the course of a project.
explicitly stated so participants may see how school librarians are curricular partners.
This link provides a concrete example of a PD session utilizing the four tips above: http://
Never be afraid to promote the great examples of
www.pioneerschools.org/Page/6816. The page
collaboration happening in your library. It is
outlines a presentation created for the New York
through these collaborations that meaningful learn-
State Association for Computers and Technology
ing experiences for students are created and imple-
in Education (NYSCATE) Digital Wave Confer-
mented. Highlighting these successes during con-
ence. The session included a step-by-step look at
ferences and workshops is of the utmost im-
an inquiry project conducted by a sixth grade sci-
portance to the prolonged success of the school
ence class. During each step, the standards ad-
library profession. Your session could be the spark
dressed (including Empire State Information Flu-
an educator needs in order to begin collaborating
ency Continuum, ISTE Standards, NYS Science
with his/her librarian!
Images supplied by Librarinas Network
Page 9
The Scanner Michele Haiken & Chris McGilvery
Librarians Can Do Project Based Service Learning!
Have you ever thought about getting stu- Give More HUGS is a 501(c)3 non profit dents actively involved to promote litera- organization with a mission to provide cy in the community and around the
students in need with school supplies,
world? This past school year one 8th
books with inspirational messages, art sup-
grade English Language Arts class from a
plies, extracurricular activity scholarships,
school in Westchester, New York part-
mentorships, and encouragement to in-
nered with the global nonprofit organiza- spire a lifelong love for learning, reading, tion
and cre-
Give More
HUGS in a year long Project-Based Ser-
ativity. Give More HUGS team unites
vice Learning (PBSL) initiative to become with teachers, librarians, student leaders,
Librarians
advocates for quality education, promote
and communities through PBSL projects
research, civic engagement, creativity,
that engage communities to help disadvan-
collaboration, and social change. Students taged students achieve both personal and participated in multiple projects from
academic success through a quality educa-
are teachers,
twitter chats, book drives, and research
tion.
too!
and its awesome team to promote literacy Middle school English teacher, Dr.
projects with this amazing organization for all. Librarians are teachers, too! You,
Michele Haiken and founder and executive
too, can unite with HUGS to collaborate
director of Give More HUGS, Christo-
on a PBSL project for students in your
pher McGilvery, worked collaboratively
community.
throughout the school year, meeting both in person and virtually each month using
Page 10
Volume 6, Issue 3 Google Hangouts is the 21st century book club. Librarians to brain-
can host Twitter Book Chats on a number
storm projects
of award-winning books to engage stu-
that would lend
dents to develop a love of reading and
themselves to
promote literacy. Michele’s eighth grade
collaboration,
students read at least one outside reading
[A]ctively
activism, and so-
book each marking period. Michele of-
engage
cial change. The objective was to build a
fered one book title for students to read
culture of caring and empathy among the
in a book club setting, which meets on
students and for them to realize that there Twitter after school hours to discuss the
students to help solve
are many schools that are not as fortunate book. Moved by Malala Yousafzai’s cam-
educational
as the one they are attending. The majori- paign for equality education among all
issues
ty of the students were open to the idea of people and the collaboration with Give
around the
helping others in need. All of the students More HUGS, Michele selected Malala’s
world and
participated in the projects. The projects
autobiography for the first Twitter book
were planned to engage students to un-
chat of the school year because of Malala’s
derstand the importance of quality educa- positive impact on the world and the idea tion for all and gain more interest and
that anyone can make a difference to help
commitment to Give More HUGS mis-
make the world a better place. I Am Mala-
sion. The following projects actively en-
la: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and
gage students to help solve educational
Changed the World (Young Reader’s Edi-
issues around the world and promote lit-
tion) by Malala Yousafzai with Patricia
eracy.
McCormick offers insight into Malala’s strength and courage to promote equality
Twitter Book Chats
education for young women in Pakistan and around the world. The Twitter book
Twitter Book Chats are a great way to
chats helped engage students in authentic
engage students to learn how to use social discussions about the book and share their media to participate in a book club. This
responses, connections, and questions.
promote literacy.
Students participated in four Twitter Book Chats to
pact on the community,” no matter how big or
address the complex issues raised in each book. Be-
small. At the end of each semester, students share
cause Give More HUGS strives to promote equality
what they have learned in a presentation of their
education, Chris and Michele decided to invite the
choice and how their work has made an impact.
HUGS Ambassadors and Give More HUGS members in the Twitter Book Chats because of the shared inter- Once students selected their Genius Hour project, ests and goals of equality education for all. Students in Michele required her students to design an elevator Michele’s classes and college students collaborated and pitch to explain their passion and project interests. communicated their
Students took two
ideas, thoughts, and
weeks to craft their
reflections how to
pitches. Michele invited
bring attention to the
Chris and a few of the
fact that not all
HUGS Ambassadors
schools are created
into her classroom for
equal. This experi-
students to present their
ence gave students an
Genius Hour elevator
opportunity to use social media to participate in a 21st pitches in a “Shark Tank” style setting. Eight lucky procentury book club and social movement to make this
jects were selected as “Brilliant Ideas” or “Social
world a better place.
Change Makers” by the HUGS representatives. The eight “winners” were highlighted on the Give More
Genius Hour “Shark Tank” Project Pitches
HUGS blog and offered a wider audience to promote their social action Genius Projects. Read more about
Every Friday in Michele’s classroom is Genius Hour.
this collaboration on the Give More HUGS blog.
Genius Hour in the classroom was inspired by Google's 20% time, where employees at Google get is 20% Book Drive of their time to work on a special project. Once a week, students have one class period to explore, learn, Impressed by many of the projects students created, create, discover, and research a topic that interests
Chris encouraged students to participate in Give More
them. The only conditions are that students choose a
HUGS as Ambassadors. Two students pursued that
topic that is researchable and will "have a positive im-
role and are official Ambassadors for GMH planning Images supplied by author
Page 12
Volume 6, Issue 3 projects and raising
them books.” Do you know of a student leader? If so,
awareness. One student tell them to check out the HUGS Ambassador program in particular combined
to participate in a social change and leadership develop-
her Genius Hour pro-
ment series to help support equality among the educa-
ject with GMH and or-
tion system.
ganized a book drive throughout the school. She and a friend collected nearly 1,000 books that will
Start Your Own Project Based Service Learning with Give More HUGS!
be inscribed with personal messages and sent to schools and organizations that lack resources. In addition to the Any school can get involved with Give More HUGS or book drive, the students created campaign called
community organizations that help others. Students can
S.P.A.R.K. (Spread Passion and Reading Knowledge)
hold book drives for community centers, senior cen-
and designed tee shirts to raise awareness and money
ters, and child care facilities in the community to pro-
for schools in need. The group’s leader stated, “We
mote the love of reading and the power that books have
chose this project because we believe that books are a
to “open a world of possibility.” Involve yourself, your
key learning tool and also to spread our love of learn-
school and your community to promote quality educa-
ing. We both value our education and the opportunities tion and literacy for all by uniting with Give More we have. We want to spread our passion for reading
HUGS to inspire and enrich the lives of everyone. The
and learning to others. We decided the best way to
Give More HUGS team hopes to work with librarians
“ignite their spark” was to motivate them by giving
across the United States to bring access to quality edu-
Images supplied by author
cation to every student in our country and around the world through book drives, Twitter Book Chats, Genius Hour projects, and book hugs. It takes a united team to change the world. Librarians can work with Give More HUGS and or-
and follow her on Twitter
ganizations alike to inspire and enrich stu- @teachingfactor. dents to love learning, reading, and creativity! If you would like to participate in a Christopher A. McGilvery is the PBSL project with Give More HUGS,
Founder and Executive Director of the
please visit www.givemorehugs.org.
global nonprofit organization Give More HUGS, adjunct professor in the Commu-
Teacher librarians
nication and Media Department at Man-
should
hattanville College, and instructional
prepare to
Michele L. Haiken, Ed.D. is a middle
technology consultant. For more infor-
lead the
school English teacher at Rye Middle
mation on the #hugsmovement, visit
School and an adjunct professor in the
www.givemorehugs.org and follow
Literacy Department at Manhattanville
@hugsnonprofit. Interested in working
College. She is the moderator of
with Chris connect with
#ISTELitChat on the last Sunday of each
him @mrtechyteach and
*****
charge as technologyenhanced instruction
month from 8:30 PM until 9:30 PM EST. chris@givemorehugs.org.
becomes the
You can read more about her classroom
new normal.
on her blog http://theteachingfactor.com
Page 14
Volume 6, Issue 3
Sheryl Garman Atwater High School Atwater, CA
Librarians as #EdTech #Leaders Many schools are in-
ple. Request meetings with the principal. Visit teach-
creasing their use of
ers on their prep. Be accessible.
digital resources. Teacher librarians are in In order for the administration and staff to view a teachprime position to excel in a key leadership role as
er librarian as more than just an expert in children’s or
#EdTech #Leader. Establishing oneself as an #EdTech YA literature, it’s critical to get connected and grow a #Leader involves a few key components, such as rela-
professional learning network. Twitter is a great way to
tionship building and role redefinition, resource cura-
stay current and follow trends. Recruit administrators
tion and trainings, and possessing a growth mind-
and staff to join Twitter. Regularly tweet and retweet
set. Teacher librarians should prepare to lead the
great resources. It’s an informal way to encourage peo-
charge as technology-enhanced instruction becomes the ple and share inspirations. Also, manage a shared folder new normal.
among your staff where anyone can contribute lessons or steal some genius. Be a conduit for great ideas!
The teacher librarian’s job is one of the most misunderstood within the educational community, and it’s diffi-
When teachers understand that their librarian actually
cult to change preconceived notions. Invest time in
has great ideas to share, they’ll seek him/her out. With
building relationships and changing percep-
those positive relationships established, it’s more likely
tions. Teacher librarians need strong relationships with that teachers will voluntarily attend technology trainevery department on campus. Get out of the library
ings. Keep trainings short so that a whole prep period
and talk
is not taken up. Before deciding on the topic, survey
to peo-
the staff to see what they want and/or need. Record a screencast of the training so that it can be sent to those who couldn’t attend. Perceived lack of time is a big barrier to collaborative efforts and screencasting can be a workaround for that barrier. Any app or shortcut that results in increased
Images supplied by author
efficiency or ease of workflow is going to
literacies among staff and students.
be appreciated and get teachers excited
It’s necessary that
for
the teacher librarian
more. Archiving
remain relevant in
screencasts and
the eyes of the edu-
training materials
cational community,
on a YouTube chan-
and that means con-
nel or website is a
tinually assessing
programs,
great way to model
needs of staff and
ideas, and
a strong online
students and then
approaches.
presence.
instituting new
evolving to meet the needs. Teacher librarians must get better each year. This
Teacher librarians are experts at curating
This means
means instituting new programs, ideas,
resources and that fact should be explicitly and approaches. This means rearranging
This means rearranging
displayed via website, shared Google fold- furniture and spaces. This means taking
furniture and
ers, a blog, YouTube channel playlists, a
risks and being courageous in spite of po-
spaces.
wiki, or some other digital
tential failure. This may mean letting go
means. Curating standards-aligned re-
of an old ideal and embracing a new nor-
sources for specific content areas, and
mal.
then publicly sharing those resources during two minutes of a staff meeting or department meeting will help further the teacher librarian’s credibility as an instructional technology authority. Likewise, get in front of the school board and showcase the ways in which the library addresses and promotes multiple
Page 16
Volume 6, Issue 3
Newsletter Committee The Scanner is the newsletter of ISTE's Librarians Network, a group of school, public, and academic librarians working to promote the use of instructional technologies to enhance student learning. This newsletter will feature Librarians Network business items, professional development news, member article submissions, personal success stories, and links to great resources. We will be publishing 3 newsletters this year.
Shelley Friesen Larnette Snow Mary Carole Strother Jacqueline Liesch Elaine Lawrence Email: istelibrarians@gmail.com
Article Proposals Proposals for feature and short articles should be 100 words or less and submitted through a Google Doc form.
President Donna Macdonald Teacher Librarian and Technology Integrationist Orchard School South Burlington, VT
Communications Chair Jennifer Hanson Librarian Primary Source Brighton, MA
Past President Tiffany Whitehead Teacher-Librarian Central Middle School Greenwell Springs, LA
President Elect Sherry Gick Library & Instructional Technology Specialist Rossville Consolidated Schools Rossville, IN
Professional Development Chair Elissa Malespina Supervisor of Technology South Orange, NJ
Newsletter Editor Shelley Friesen Instructional Coach Golden Hills School Division Strathmore, AB, Canada