Parkway School District Library Services
Volume 4 | Issue 9
Know & Go Updates @your Library Program Evaluation Update On Thursday, December 15th Parkway held an open forum to have an authentic conversation about current trends in school library programs and get input from our community on the future of libraries. This event is one component of our overall program evaluation where we examine our existing program and set goals for where we go from here. Last night the about fifty members of the community learned more about what it means to be a librarian in the digital age and were asked to identify the most pressing priorities for Parkway libraries. The results were:
● ● ● ● ● ● Some other areas that were mentioned as areas of importance were: marketing the library, include early childhood in being Future Ready, being cognizant of how scheduling affects the role that the librarian plays within the school community, and reaching out to parents about digital age learning. We would like to thank everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to meet with us. It was encouraging to see so many passionate individuals join and participate in an open forum about the future of Parkway’s school library program.
What does it mean to be a librarian in the digital age?
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Librarians List 2016-17 Who To Call Ordering procedures Follett ordering w/screenshots Follett Acct #'s Follett req Instructions Building budget Sub librarian list Sub Training Videos Ordering/renewing databases HS only Destiny FAQ Free Lib Book District Surplus Property Procedures
#ParkwayMakes Scissors & Glue The Maker movement gives shared access to tools and ideas, which means anyone can learn just enough to design and build whatever they want to make.The purpose of this www.scissors-glue.com site by crystaltrice@gmail.com is to help people start and develop their makerspace. Makerspaces are not DIY (do it yourself) – as fun as that can be sometimes. Makerspaces are DIT (do it together), so the extensive resources provided are designed to help you do just that. Resources include: Books about makerspaces, seeing makerspaces in actions, connecting with maker groups, exploring online resources, high and low tech project ideas, and funding ideas.
One example of viewing various makerspaces is the SELF (Student Education Learning Factory) Design Studio is part of the Teacher Resources Center in the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
#FutureReady Builds Instructional Partnerships The Potential of Virtual Reality With the opportunity to experience Google Expeditions this year, many educators are talking about the need for innovation in education. VR is a great opportunity to kick open the collaboration door between librarians and teachers. As a librarian or teacher we must embrace new ideas and methodologies. It can be concluded then that change is necessary in a digital world thanks to the exponential evolution of technology. We must begin to explore and implement innovative learning activities beyond isolated pockets of excellence. Innovation in education can defined as creating, implementing, and sustaining transformative ideas that instill awe to improve learning. Technology empowers our learners in amazing ways. It’s time to start asking and focusing on the right questions. It is difficult for many educators to keep up with the evolving digital landscape. Being able to access information is only a start. When you think about it we are drowning in a sea of information. Access only matters if it is turned into new knowledge and action. Let's now apply the elements of innovation, change, access, and knowledgeable action to the evolving technology of virtual reality. Thanks to Google Cardboard virtual experiences can be provided to students with just one smartphone or small tablet and a $15 cardboard box outfitted with two lenses. Many of you are looking for other VR and Cardboard opportunities beyond Google Expeditions. There is an array of free and paid apps available. For a list of some free apps that can be utilized in the classroom click HERE. Excerpts taken from Erin Sheninger, A Principal’s Reflection blog. And for more inspiration, here is a Ted Talk about VR opportunities in teaching science by Michael Bodekaer.
What does it mean to be a librarian in the digital age?
The Educational Technology and Mobile Learning Blog
#FutureReady - Curates Resources & Tools Ideas for Integrating Technology with Google Slides Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Story Because slides can contain hyperlinks to other slides, students could build a whole story where the reader chooses different options at key points in the story, leading them down completely different paths. The reader would consume the content as a slideshow, clicking on the links themselves as they go through. This could be a pretty massive undertaking, but we all know students who would be totally up for the challenge. See a template here. E-book & Magazines These could take a variety of forms: mini-textbooks, children’s books, cookbooks or how-to manuals, personal art or writing portfolios, even yearbook-style memory books. To learn more about the possibilities, see the post from earlier this year on Student E-Books. Along the same lines as an e-book, students could use a similar template to create a PDF magazine or newsletter that is shared online on a regular schedule (That’s how the Know & Go is created). The possibilities here are endless, useful for student clubs or sports teams, classroom or grade-level newsletters, or magazines put out by groups of students who share a common interest, like gaming systems, soccer, or books. Museum Kiosk Imagine if we could enhance science fair projects with a looping video display that provides the audience with vivid visuals and text about our topic. Or imagine an art show, where a self-running informational slideshow could be placed beside an art display to share the story behind the piece and photos of the work in progress? This is possible and EASY in Google Slides: Simply create a slideshow, then use the “Publish to the Web” feature to create a slideshow that auto-advances and has no need for a presenter. Pop that up on an iPad or laptop and you’re all set. Taken fromwww.cultofpedagogy.com by Jennifer Gonzalez
What does it mean to be a librarian in the digital age?
Google has recently released its annual top-of-the-year lists featuring what it considers as the most popular content in Google Play in 2016. The list covers 6 main areas: books, apps, TV shows, movies, songs, and games. The Blog went through the collections and arranged them in the table so you can find it easy to browse through and discover trending things you might have missed. Also, all of the titles are hyperlinked, clicking on any of them will direct you to the Google Play page where you can access and read more about the targeted item. Enjoy! Access the chart: educatorstechnology.com
#FutureReady Build Instructional Partnerships Something to Share with Teachers Cultivating New Perspectives with Students by Toni Prickett What: A strategy to support recognition of multiple perspectives when people are having difficulty thinking flexibly
@your Library Upcoming Events ●
January - ALA Youth Media Awards
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March 5 - 11 - Teen Tech Week
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March - Freedom of Information Day
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April - Celebrate National Library Week with the Libraries Transform campaign
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May is National Pet Month so celebrate being a participatory library by hosting a pet’s reading photo contest.
Why: Frequently, we get stuck in seeing things from only one viewpoint. Looking beyond our own proverbial "blinders" fosters an opportunity to think creatively, consider alternative options, and develop empathy and understanding, Another benefit of this strategy is that it assists people in understanding that there doesn't have to be just one "right" way to see something. We can see it differently without engaging in affective conflict. How: 1. Assign a piece of text for all participants to read (or see the variations listed below). 2. In round robin fashion, participants share their personal thoughts about the reading. 3. Now invite each person to take on a new perspective. For instance, one person might take on the perspective of a parent; one might take on the perspective of an administrator; one might take on the perspective of the business office; one might take on the perspective of a high school student; one might take on the perspective of a school board member... 4. Allow participants a few minutes to process individually, and then journal their response to the following prompt: "As the _____________ (building principal/parent/school board member/etc.), this text makes me think...... because...." (Note: Journaling before sharing honors those who prefer to process alone, and also provides the time necessary for gathering thoughts first so that sharing is more succinct.) 5. Each participant shares their thinking from the viewpoint of the person they are representing. 6. Debrief with questions such as: In what ways did your perspective change throughout the conversation? What might be some other topics where this would be a useful strategy? Variations might include considering such things as: ● viewpoints of different characters in a story ● alternative viewpoints of a political issue ● parents'/grandparents' viewpoints about a certain movie, video, piece of music, or work of art ● historical figures' views about today's world
What does it mean to be a librarian in the digital age?
#FutureReady - Professional Learning Ways to Make your eBook Program Soar The days of libraries providing solely hardback books are gone, and instead, the era of providing options is upon us. It’s not about hardback books vs. audio books vs. eBooks, or which is “better.” It is more about providing the choice to your patrons. Some recommended strategies from Sue Fitzgerald (@sue_fitz) on the Follett Community blog include: Digital Friendly Environment - Provide easy access to Wi-Fi, devices, and an eBook platform. Think about the possibilities with the new Chromebook rollout this year. Collection Development - If you want your patrons to access digital content, provide high-interest eBooks in your collection. When ordering from Titlewave. Know your collection and give your students the choice of an eBook when hardback copies are unavailable.
#ParkwayReads
Empower Your Students - Invite patrons to be part of the process. Think about student/teacher ambassadors who could be Certified Library Volunteers who actually earns a sticker to be worn on their ID badge. Network - Seek out others in your PLN (Professional Learning Network) for successful programs and strategies. Collaborate with others and share your successes. Marketing - Provide lessons, design and share anchor charts that can be posted or added to teacher websites, provide and share usage statistics, post visual tutorials on your website or your school’s social media accounts, and apply all the marketing techniques you’d use for any successful literacy program. Model - What better way to teach than to model? Never make negative statements about content types but rather allow students to decide what works for them. I try to include audiobooks, eBooks and hardback books as examples in all lessons. Set Personal Goals - Analyze your statistics and set realistic goals for eBook usage. Share your goals with your learning community and let them take on a role in the process. Celebrate all successes – no matter how small and keep the data. Reflection - If your digital content is not in use, ask yourself why. Take the leadership commitment in your school, your district or in your community and forge ahead with change. The educational world has embraced the digital world through software, textbooks, Google applications for education and more.
www.todaysparent.com What does it mean to be a librarian in the digital age?
#FutureReady - Personalized Professional Learning It's that time of year to think about and register for EdCamp St. Louis. It is the region's largest and best unconference. In an unconference, participants decide the topics of conversation and the direction of the learning. It is truly a conference by you and for you. It includes free breakfast and lunch as well as a ton of great prizes to finish the day.
Parkway Credit One option for earning Parkway credits is to participate in webinars and events, such as Edcamps, SLAA events, makerspace open houses etc. In order to earn participation credits watch the webinar or go to an event, then record your participation at tinyurl.com/webinars-events. Remember that district credit is based on the number of clock hours that you participate. Credit is issued as follows: six clock hours will get you .5 credit and 12 clock hours will get you 1 credit.
If you are interested, a PEERS course will be available for credit. You'll just have to send Bill something showing that you were actually there on that day. A picture would work wonderfully. I'll let you know when the course is up but I would encourage you to go ahead and register. Link to site and registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/edcampstl-tickets-27507537786
EdWeb Webinars Edweb.net offer many free, relevant webinars. Check out their monthly calendar and register through edweb.net They also have access to archived webinars that are also applicable. Some archived webinars include: ● Designing Your Classroom to Prepare Students for 2020 and Beyond ● Meet the Makers: Makerspace Tips and Trends ● Student-Led Game Making and Learning Upcoming webinars: ● Personalizing Instruction Through the Library ● STEM PLAY: Integrating Inquiry into Learning Centers
Student Opportunities Lights, Cardinals, Action! Have students ever dreamed of teaming up with the St. Louis Cardinals? Put their imagination and your teamwork skills to the test to help promote the St. Louis Cardinals! Develop an original and creative concept and you could win the chance to produce a video in collaboration with the St. Louis Cardinals. More info: https://goo.gl/bCq9S3 Winter Reading Club is Back! St. Louis County Library is pleased to offer our popular Winter Reading Club again this year to all ages. Winter Reading Club runs from December 1-February 28th. Maryville Student Robotics Program The Maryville Science and Robotics Program is offering a series of classes during the school year that focus on engaging STEAM for students ages 5-12. During our spring session, students will explore Bloxels, LEGO WeDo 2.0, Simple Machines using K’Nex and LEGO WeDo, and Ozobots. Enroll for the the spring 2017 session on February 4, 11, 25, March 4, 11. Details at: www.maryville.edu
What does it mean to be a librarian in the digital age?
Snapshots This year’s Hour of Code had some great photos. Here are just a few from around the district. Many schools are still getting ready to do coding with students and if you have photos to share or would like to look at the photos that have been collected check out goo.gl/CSyzss.
Well said: “Innovation, in an educational context, is creating, implementing, and sustaining transformative ideas that instill awe to improve learning.”
Contact Information Bill Bass Innovation Coordinator: Instructional Technology & Library Media Twitter: billbass Kim Lindskog Library Support Specialist Twitter: klindskog
Vendor Contacts: Undelivered Post Dispatch: Russell Ham rham@post-dispatch.com
Access the Library Services Webpage using the QR code or www.tinyurl.com/libserv
Undelivered USA Today & New York Times: Wesley Trammell wtrammell@ebsco.com
Amy Johnson Digital Learning Specialist Twitter: ajohnson106 Nancy Ikemeyer Administrative Assistant Skype: nancy,ikemeyer.pearl Twitter: NancyIkemeyer
What does it mean to be a librarian in the digital age?
Back Issues of Know & Go: Volume 4 https://goo.gl/Idfr5O Volume 3 http://goo.gl/0Evfcw Volume 2 http://goo.gl/zCsIig Volume 1 http://goo.gl/MtxaUk