Blogs

I decided to post a couple of previously submitted work samples to give you an idea of what the final project should look like. I showed these in the Corpus class, but in San Antonio I had problems getting them to load. So here are two. The first is a prezi, and I will just give you the URL:

http://prezi.com/ucej-whladp-/cyberbullying/

This student ALSO had an interactive ppt that was a quiz over the material.

Here is one using Glogster:

http://shellb.edu.glogster.com/copyright-basics/

I was pleased to see this student use a new tool...I would really like more development in a glogster from any student in either IMLS class.

I just realize I am not sure how to attach a ppt here. I may go back over to the 591.01 site to share a ppt or two. For all of you, though, there are a couple of Web 2.0 tools used above for the project that might spur your thinking.

This beautiful book is about the end of World War II in California and how the Japanese were taken to the internment camps.  Henry Lee is the boy telling the story and is Chinese and his parents send him to an American school and make him wear a sign that says "I am Chinese" which most people ignore.  He is bullied in school and at home must speak only English (even though his parents don't understand English).  Life sucks for Henry Lee, until one day Japanese Keiko Akabe starts at his school and works beside him in the lunch room.  Henry cherishes their friendship, and it blossoms into love.  When Keiko's family must report to an internment camp, Henry begins to correspond with her.  He also visits her when he is asked to help in their kitchens on a weekly basis. As he grows older, Henry promises to wait for her.  There is so much in this story to love.  Henry is older when the story begins and he remembers his childhood, has an acrimonious relationship with his son and is despondent over the death of his wife, no she is not Keiko.  Such a great story, I loved every minute of it and so will you.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/62411-bjneary">View all my reviews</a>

Brian And Alicia Countdown to their wedding

" target="_blank">Brian and Alicia

This book did a great job of telling Ryan's story and then viewing the mystery through Sarah's videos. There was just the right amount of tension to give you that creepy, scary feeling throughout the whole book. I didn't really like the ending, but I will want to read the other books to follow old Joe Bush's ghost and his leg that he drags...A great book for kids who like mysteries, horror and the reluctant reader will enjoy the length, Ryan's journal entries, his pictures and the notes he uses tape to show Sarah but then erase the entry so his parents can't spy on him. What does this all mean----READ the book to find out, you will enjoy the haunted feeling you have as you turn the pages.

Hi, My name is Gwyneth and I use Wikipedia every day.

There, I said it. Somehow that's pretty freeing! Wikipedia is NOT a dirty word. We're doing a disservice not teaching our kids HOW to use it and how to cite it...as in - ummm selectively & with forethought. Sadly, I don't believe teachers & college professors are ready to wrap their mind around or admit recent studies that show: Wikipedia as accurate as Britannica.

Much like the Internets in general, (or the Googles, or the Facebooks, or the Twitters, or the YouTubes) many educators look upon Wikipedia with suspicion, sometimes derision, and occasionally with fear.

But who are we kidding? It ain't goin away folks! the Wikipedias are here to stay...It's an Internet Wonder of the World! And for gosh sakes, it comes up top 3 in just about any Google search you do. What? Ignore a good entry for a query? Really? Can you admit, you use it, too?

So....How do we teach kids to use it?

Teaching Wikipedia in 5 Easy Steps.

1. Use it as background information
2. Use it for technology terms
3. Use it for current pop cultural literacy
4. Use it for the Keywords
5. Use it for the REFERENCES at the bottom of the page!

Tech Terms Here: I mean, I love me my research databases! I do! Heck, I even made a animation video for them! I love you Gale/Cengage, Sirs, Worldbook, and EBSCO - I do! But if I look up Hashtag or QR code there, all I get are a few articles (one by Chris Harris! YAY!) but no explanation. No definiton. No examples of real world use. That's just not good enough.

But when you look up Hashtags or QR code in Wikipedia you get it ALL!

Click for a Teaching Wikipedia At-A-Glance Comic Tutorial! (working on that now)

Oh and By the by...this blog caused me to work. Yeah, like do something I've never done before and it hurt a little. Learning something new sometimes feels ouchy and uncomfortable. Because of this posting I created a Wikipedia editing profile and pushed myself to create a Wikipedia page for my school Murray Hill Middle School because I wanted to be there when my kids (or parents) look for us on the Howard County Public School wikipage. Another step forward in Web Presence and Advocacy - & yes, Socialnomics: be where your customers are. But, I got stubborn and pushed through the uncomfortable feeling (took a break to have dinner Buffy Hamilton & Mary Beth) and Voila! It's done...whew!

"The goal here is not to take Wikipedia as gospel but to use it to focus your research (via links, keywords and references) and get a little context (via background information). Focusing cuts down the time you spend on the project while context will get you a better grade for your effort." - by rebecca from Gear Fire

4 ways to use Wikipedia (hint: never cite it)

Teachers: Please stop prohibiting the use of Wikipedia

Unnatural acts at Nature

20 Little Known Ways to Use Wikipedia

Study: Wikipedia as accurate as Britannica

Rosenzweig, Roy. "Can history be open source? Wikipedia and the future of the past" Journal of American History, Volume 93, Issue 1 (June 2006) p. 117-144.

What about YOU!?

What in particular did you like?

My field experience at Arvada West was not at all what I expected. I had heard storiesabout what high school libraries were like. I admit I was nervous about havingnothing to do and sitting around for 80 hours feeling a sense of desperationand frustration.

Was I ever wrong! I spent my time at AWest working with students and teachers, helping torefine processes, researching tools for lessons, setting up for classes andattending meetings that will drive the school. I enjoyed every minute of it andI learned so much from Susie Lackey. We had some great and inspiringconversations about advocacy. We did some networking and reached out to folkswe knew to help us resolve some problems and answer some questions, and we doveinto the unknown by creating lessons that were new to everyone involved. It was80 hours filled with broad thinking, problem solving, teaching, researching,and learning all kinds of amazing tools. I came away from the experienceenergized and ready to tackle some of the issues in my own building. I met withmy principal and shared my insights, and we devised a plan to share some of myideas with the staff. I also joined the district library leadership team!

What were some successful activities you did?

I was able to teach several lessons during my time at AWest, I began with just helpingstudents with some science research. Later that week I helped prep for anancient civilization class and then I taught all but one of the sections ofthat class. Finally, I did quite a bit of work and research for a documentaryproject, including meeting with the teacher, making suggestions, puttingtogether the information for the students and then teaching 2 different lessonsabout it to the students. All of these were great experiences and I trulyenjoyed them. I was particularly tickled when I would later see the samestudents in the library outside of class time doing more research. I was glad Iwas able to continue to help the kids.

All together the experience was an excellent one and I am thrilled I had a chance to work withsuch an energized and dynamic high school librarian. I learned more than Icould even fit in a paper and I will take away not only the skills I learnedbut the relationship I developed with an inspiring high school librarian.

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