tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41413948333340644462024-02-08T05:22:05.861-08:00My Graduate JourneyMy Graduate Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628940819478234668noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4141394833334064446.post-22331762939223490392011-11-12T18:54:00.000-08:002011-11-12T18:55:16.917-08:00To filter or not to filter...that is the question...hmmm?This week we were charged with discussing the virtues of filtering school websites. I am late to the party not for my lazy personality but I really needed to understand some of the background before I could truly understand the controversies. I can see both sides of the issues. As a parent I am very cautious with what my children view online…I don’t block anything at home, but I am also right there when they are online and we have had numerous conversations about online etiquette and proper searching. Often when they have found sites that they like I will just bookmark them. A lot of discussion was with my younger son…he is 8 now. He loves the computer! In fact limiting computer time was punishment during potty training. The stories that I could tell…but will spare you. But he LOVES YouTube! He loves videos on legos, Star Wars, Star Wars Legos, silly claymation videos and videos of talking produce. When he first started using YouTube I was concerned, he has a lot of trouble spelling and reading and would this end up taking him to scandalous sites?? Like others have said if you type in White House.com you get something that is not Obama! I debated with my husband on whether we should block him from using YouTube but I saw it as a teachable moment. We told him that he was being entrusted to look appropriately and use his very best judgment. If he stumbled across something that made him feel that it wasn’t something that he should be watching than he needed to tell me. We has been really faithful with this…really his only filter is his older sister who is constantly looking over his shoulder to monitor his viewing habits. I have gone back and looked at his history, and while his taste in videos is interesting he is doing what he is supposed to do. Don’t think that my job is done I am constantly observing and monitoring but I do let them have a certain amount of freedom…to discover and learn for themselves…I won’t always be there and I want them to have the skills to help themselves.<br />So I guess that I answered the question all on my own already. I don’t think that filtering is a good idea. Children live in a digital age and have to be taught and given the right tools to learn on their own what is right and wrong. In one of the articles with Michael Gras and Scott Floyd they stated that No usable filter is perfect, and the best filter is achieved through training the child to behave responsibility. Proactive steps are taken in making sure the students are aware of policies, problem avoidance, and appropriate behaviors. I thought this to be true and so important. <br />For students it becomes frustrating when they can’t access information. Relevant, factual information that is key to their research is often blocked because of a word or phrase. It is frustrating to see them want to learn and understand but be limited by a word. We live in a world where information is in their face. In the blink of an eye information is at their finger tips. Students must be taught how to handle this information rather than be kept from it. If we continually limit their interaction with it they will not be able to handle it. It is our job not to judge what students should and not see or experience but give them the tools in which to understand and filter themselves. Horrible things are happening all around us…just look at the horrible story at Penn State. The story is everywhere, I can limit what my children hear, but they still can glean from what they do hear and make up the rest. It is my job to talk to them in a way that they will understand and in words that they can handle to help them understand without all the details what has happened and why it is important to know what is going on. We need to do this with our students. We can’t limit…if we do they will never learn. If we filter who is to say what is deemed inappropriate. If I say we need to filter Hitler and Nazis because of all the horrible things they did than we are denying that it ever happened. If I say that rape and sex are bad than we silence victims of abuse. How than does this become anything more than banning books, or free speech. <br />We have to educate not filter our students…wow I guess I did have an opinion…My Graduate Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628940819478234668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4141394833334064446.post-42720683251284769692011-10-24T11:11:00.000-07:002011-10-24T11:22:08.209-07:00Podcasting a go-go!OK I promised my self that I would not dump a thousand ideas on you about this subject. This is one of my most favorite things we do in the library…I will try to restrain myself. <br /><br />First let me state that when I started this job I had no idea what a podcast was or how to make one. It took some time to understand how to use the program but once you do it it is so easy you will think of a hundred things to do with it. So do be afraid! I will send you helpful tutorials...just ask!<br /><br />The project that I love the most is the “This I believe project.” I talked about it at the beginning of the semester. I will post a link again. But this is based on the NPR program, students are asked to write an essay that lets them express what they believe. Students record the essays and incorporate free music to add depth to their recordings. Listening to them you are met with a depth of feeling and emotion that most of these students do not share on a daily basis. They struggle with adult things and they are honest with their thoughts. Some are funny, some are tragic, and some will make you cry. It is a very moving project, and I am honored when I am invited to hear their words. Here is a link to the project and listen to some of their recordings <a href="http://web001.greece.k12.ny.us/webpages/arcadialibrary/english.cfm?subpage=30628">http://web001.greece.k12.ny.us/webpages/arcadialibrary/english.cfm?subpage=30628</a><br />For this project there is a writing component, and we work with the teacher and the class to walk them through how to podcast, use Audacity, the editing software…its free! and how to save it correctly...which quite honestly is the biggest challenge that we face when making a podcast.<br /><br />Another fun thing to do is to create stations and use it as a component of that station. Many of our Social Studies and ELA teachers put short video clips on the iPod to show students as a part of a lesson. Students can watch and listen to short videos that enhance the lesson. We download clips from sites that our BOCES subscribes to, from Teacher Tube, or YouTube. We also can add sound clips to for students to listen to; we have used recordings from Supreme Court proceedings and radio addresses. <br /><br />A project that I developed last year with the LOTE department has also evolved and grown. I had an Italian teacher who wanted to help her prepare her regents students for their conversation final. I suggested that they could record their conversations, post them to their teacher’s site and they could access each others and use them for practice. We thought that we would do this project three times during the year. In the fall students would work their partner and write the conversation in English and then convert it, record it and post it. The second time they had to write it in Italian first and then record they could use a dictionary. By the third time students had to write the conversation without the aid of anything, to help simulate the final. They than recorded the conversation and posted the link. Students really liked this process and felt that it helped them understand and prepare for the final. We have archived the podcasts so others can listen to them and use them. We have since expanded to Spanish, and German.<br /><br />You can use podcasting to add and enhance PowerPoint…especially great if you have shy students, or one who have trouble speaking in public. Create a podcast and import it to the PowerPoint to play along with the slides. There are a ton of different ways to use podcast that isn’t just a book review…which is still an excellent use of podcasts! Let me know if you want further information on any of these projects or other ideas that I didn’t talk about…its so much fun!My Graduate Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628940819478234668noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4141394833334064446.post-32093086706318387072011-10-20T17:48:00.000-07:002011-10-20T18:57:31.417-07:00CollaborationI love to collaborate with my teachers! It makes my day to think I helped to make a difference in my students lives. Being a teacher librarian it is crucial that we learn to collaborate with other teachers. This relationship is the key to the foundation of a successful library. We are there to aid and assist others in their pursuit of information and if we can bring that to them and create and aid in their lessons than they begin to depend on us and want to work with us all the time...and well that just makes me happy. When my library is empty I fear I did something wrong, did I anger someone, don't they like me? But when my phone is ringing off the hook and I have five classes going I am the most happy...cause I know that they like me...they really like me...little humor for the post 40 crowd...google it. But I also know that they need me and want to provide something different for their students.<br /><br />One of the fears I had when I thought about working with high school students was knowing the content. I had horrible flashbacks to 10th grade algebra...I still shudder at the thought! How in the heck was I going to teach math or chemistry? But I had to learn that I am not the content area teacher I am the teacher librarian. My job is not to teach math...thankfully but instead work with the math department to find resources that support and enhance what they are already learning...which is good since I can't even help my 6th grader do her math. I don't have to teach physics but I can provide the window in which they can test gravity by tossing pumpkins out of it. OK that is not a good example...but it was really fun though! One example of the type of collaboration that we do is with science and it began with two earth science teachers who wanted to find some ways to help students learn vocab words. We developed a lesson that students would create interactive games to create interesting ways of defining their vocab words. Working in pairs the students choose their games and created their answers. From there the students from each of the two classes graded and commented on each others work. We saved the student work in a shared drive and students could access the games at any time. The result was more than anyone hoped for. Not only were students engaged, but they collaborated with each other, they were excited to play the different games and they were honest when it came time to judge each other. They said they really learned a lot and many can be seen going back and replaying the games to study. Since last year we have also added physics, chemistry and biology. We use http://superteachertools.com/ to create the games.<br /><br />We podcast with everyone from LOTE to English to business to science. We help create movies and advertisement for health to forensics to sports marketing to history. We use a lot of technology in our library and many teachers are often too afraid to use it. So we make it easy for them, we walk along side of them and teach them as we teach the students. If the class is podcasting so is the teacher. If they feel comfortable with it than they will want to try it again. Or they will want to use it in a different way. We are always trying to learn and develop new programs that will enhance student learning. We just purchased new webcams so we can Skype with authors and take virtual field trips to the art gallery for lessons that will cover many different subjects and not just art. I would love to create a wiki for the library and allow student work to be added. I would love to create a bigger space to include book reviews, book suggestions and a forum for our students to talk more about what they are reading. Many of our participants of the summer reading program stayed behind to continue to talk about their books even as class was ending. I would like to provide a forum for them to continue to hold discussions like this.<br /><br />I realize that not everyone is going to want to collaborate with me or use what the library offers. I am OK with that. But I am not going to stop wanting to support what you do and finding tools that you could use. I may tell you once in awhile that I found a cool website you might be interested in or if you need any DVDs or books that you might want for your class that I would happy to purchase it for the library for you to use. That way when and if you are ready to collaborate on a project I will be there waiting for you.<br /><br />Collaboration is what makes us valuable to others and in turn what gives us the greatest feeling of fulfillment.My Graduate Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628940819478234668noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4141394833334064446.post-33427352710265188592011-09-28T19:29:00.000-07:002011-09-28T19:54:36.750-07:00RSS feedsI really like RSS feeds. I started out pretty simply...news outlets and Irish dance info. Than I found fun stuff like the Onion and Cake Wrecks which piqued my interest even more into RSS feeds. Than I was asked to follow feeds for school...hmmm, not as fun. But I did end up finding some really interesting sites to follow and I haven't looked back since! I really enjoy RSS feeds, it allows me the opportunity to find information quickly without wasting time finding and contecting to all of the sites I really enjoy. Need a laugh go to Cake Wrecks, need info on the lastest library trend go to The Shifted Librarian. <br />I would love to use this tool in a school setting. I would love for students to use it as a means for keeping informed and up to date with current events but also as a way to express themselves. <br />Blogging is something that I would love to find time to do! I would love to write about my adventures in Irish dance and librarianship. I would love for it to be humorous and witty. I would love to have millions of followers who can not start their day without reading another of my witty, funny, inspiring posts. I would than like a book deal that takes all of my blogs and puts them in a book, and becomes so popular that they make a movie out of my life and my blog. Hmmm I suppose for that to happen I have to write more often than once a year. I also have to get over thinking I am talking to myself when I write one...I suppose I really am...<br />I really like blogs, I have followed many of them...until they become wildly popular, they get free products, free trips, and book deals...than I am just jealous. I think it is a wonderful way to view into another person's life and see their point of view. They are often funny, and often sad. I have learned a great deal reading blogs...one being that my life is not as crazy as some...while others make me incredibly blessed for the life I do have. I think they are a vehicle to express ourselves in a way that isn't offered in other web 2.0 tools. <br />Perhaps I will dust off my blog and give her another try...stay tuned!My Graduate Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628940819478234668noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4141394833334064446.post-45185798870459506842010-07-16T03:50:00.000-07:002010-07-18T19:54:32.895-07:00Chapter 12 Reference Service: the Personal Side of LibrarianshipDavid <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tyckoson</span> writes that "the reference librarian is the human face of the library"(p.128) and"the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">reference</span> librarian remains one of the very few professionals that any member of the community may consult on a personal level"(p.134). Whenever I tell people that I am going back to school to be a librarian I am often met with the response "well that will be easy," or "they have degrees for that?" Have they ever given any thought to what a librarian does on a given day?<br /><br />Growing up I spent a lot of time at our local library. It was a haven to me, a magical place that had floors that creaked, a certain comforting book smell and always seemed to be too hot, even in the winter. Up on the second floor was the children's area nestled in the back behind the fiction section. I loved going up there to find my next treasure. There was a wonderful woman who worked the second floor. I wonder if I ever knew her name. In my childhood innocence she knew everything and held all of the secrets the library had. She could find anything we asked her. It made a lasting impression on me. As I grew older she was still there to help me with research projects for school or finding new books that I might like. Even after all of these years I think of her and the impact she made on me. Her desire to serve, helped me become a lover of books and a life long learner.<br /><br />As times have changed and technology has made it easier to find information, why am I still drawn to the librarian? I still love the personal connection I have when talking with a librarian. The exchange of ideas, thoughts, and similar pleasures always out win to the coldness of a computer. It takes a unique individual that can balance the traditional and the new. I believe that the role of a librarian is changing but there will always remain the desire for the "personal interaction" (p.145)that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tyckoson</span> talks about.<br /><br />The job is not as easy as it seems. Who else is called upon at a moments notice and find, locate, and suggest topics that they may know nothing about. What job requires someone to instantly understand a customer's request and fill it? Who else can inspire a child to try a book, even when they "hate to read?" Who is expected to answer technology questions, even if they have no clue as to what they are doing. That is a small chunk of what a librarian is responsible for. I wonder if it seems easy now?<br /><br />Source:<br />Tyckoson, D. (2008). Reference Service: The Personnal Side of Librarianship. In Haycock, K., Sheldon, B. (Eds.) <em>The Portable MLIS Insights From the Experts</em> (pp.127-146). Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.My Graduate Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628940819478234668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4141394833334064446.post-90601655049358521632010-07-16T03:28:00.000-07:002010-07-18T19:52:53.684-07:00Chapter 11 Information RetrievalFinding the right piece of information is critical when writing and researching. Our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ability</span> to find vast amounts of useful information has <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">expediently</span> grown with the birth of the computers and the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Internet</span></span>. You can type in one word and receive a million hits all relating to the word or phrase you typed in. However, when looking for something specific it often feels like you can never find what you are looking for.<br /><br />Understanding the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">abilities</span> of different search systems will help decrease the levels of frustration when we are unable to locate a certain piece of information. With some it can be a certain word that the program doesn't understand, it could be the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sentence</span> structure, too wide of a search or too narrow. If one does not understand what the limitations are of the system we will not receive our desired results. We also need to understand as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Weedman</span></span> states that"very few researchers find the information in a single search"(p.122). We need to try multiple searches to find as much information as possible. I think we have grown <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">accustomed</span> to instant access that will immediately solve our search situation. But just a few years ago we would have gone to other sources trying to find as much information as possible. I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">remember</span> filling an entire library table with books as I tried to write a history paper, one source was not going to be enough information.<br /><br />Understanding how information is stored so it can be retrieve is very important. It is key in locating the information that we want.<br /><br />Source:<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Weedman</span></span>, J.(2008) Information Retrieval: Designing, Querying, and Evaluating Information Systems. In Haycock, K. & Sheldon, B. (Eds.), <em>The Portable <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">MLIS</span></span> Insights From the Experts</em> (pp.112-126). <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Westport</span></span>, CT: Libraries Unlimited.My Graduate Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628940819478234668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4141394833334064446.post-69368402479701460392010-07-16T02:43:00.000-07:002010-07-18T19:57:30.547-07:00Chapter 15 ResearchResearch should be a key component in every discipline. It helps to define how we are changing, what impact we are having on our patrons and what can we do better. Research is ultimatly learning about something that you want to know more of.<br /><br />Ron Powell states that "virtually every definition of profession indicates that it should have a solid theoretical base of knowledge as its foundation: it follows that if a profession is going to advance, its practitioners must be engaged in creating new knowledge relevant to that profession."(p.176) As our profession is changing we need to establish a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">solid</span> way to help support who we are and why we should <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">exist</span>. Powell also stated that a study showed "that over 90% of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">LIS</span> practitioners regularly read research-based journals"(p.177). There is a desire for quality based information that will help us understand what we need to do to improve ourselves. I like finding out what we are doing right and change what is not working. I want our library to be an amazing space. I also want our students to learn what they need to succeed, to be able to move up to the next level. Without state standards to guide me, how will I know how I am doing. We need to promote developing methods of research that can determine what impact we have on student learning.<br /><br />As our profession changes we need the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ability</span> to qualify and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">quantify</span> our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">existence</span> with facts and figures not "assumptions" and "past-practices"(p.176). I can not assume my students are learning how to use a database without asking them and evaluating the data. I can't assume that a student understands my directions on how to use an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">iPod</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">until</span> they create a podcast. From there the information needs to be shared. I think that collaborating our research findings will <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">defiantly</span> make us a stronger profession willing to understand who we are.<br /><br />Source:<br />Powell, R. (2008). Research. In Haycock, K. & Sheldon, B. (Eds.), <em>The Portable MLIS, Insights From the Experts</em> (pp.168-178). Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.My Graduate Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628940819478234668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4141394833334064446.post-64915588813702231552010-07-15T20:23:00.000-07:002010-07-16T04:04:33.826-07:00Chapter 14 Readers Advisory ServicesI really like thinking that a library is just like a business. Good customer <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">service</span> and a warm inviting environment that will make people return. Many of the ideas presented in this chapter made sense me and I am excited to try something new and different at my own library.<br /><br />I had worked for over 10 years at a large regional grocery chain. They prided themselves on amazing customer service and a shopping "experience". The store was laid out in such a way to draw you in with its beautiful displays and amazing selection. There was always something new to try. You could ask employees anything and they seemed like experts. If you wanted to try some strange new fruit, someone could tell you what it tasted like. If you needed to find something within the store they had someone roaming the aisles ready to assist you in finding its location. The same could be said of the Reader Advisory Service. They are the go to person for those needing assistance and can guide a patron to what they are looking for. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chelton</span></span> writes"that a skilled librarian who can suggest or call attention to something they might like to read...becomes a very <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">valuable</span> asset."(p.166)<br /><br />Another aspect that is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">intriguing</span> is the idea of merchandising. Creating a visually appealing space that creatively promotes titles encourages us to try something new and different. When I walk into my local library I immediately run to the new releases. I know exactly where to go. Imagine my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">surprise</span> when I went to the same spot a few weeks later and discovered them gone. In its place was a display of books all about fun summer activities. Well that caught my eye, and I proceeded to check out a few books that I didn't even know I wanted. Fascinating! Just like the grocery store, always buying items I didn't know I needed.<br /><br />Source:<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chelton</span>, M. (2008). Readers Advisory Services: How to Help Users Find a Good Book. In Haycock, K., Sheldon, B. (Eds.), <em>The Portable <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">MLIS</span> Insights from the Experts</em> (pp.159-167). <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Westport</span>, CT: Libraries Unlimited.My Graduate Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628940819478234668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4141394833334064446.post-21668938900864569622010-07-15T19:50:00.000-07:002010-07-18T19:51:37.950-07:00Chapter 9 Reflections on Creating Information Service CollectionsWorking in a school library has afforded me one of life's guilty pleasure...18,000 books at my disposal. As books come in and out I look at them, read the back cover and maybe make a mental note to read it. For years I was in a bit of a reading rut. I was stuck on certain authors and genres, never really straying. Now with all of these books I have spread my reading wings so to speak, and tried new and different books with gusto! I have often found that at first glance I might not like it but then end up loving it, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">vice</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">versa</span></span>. With our varied collection and my new found vast book empire I am able to make better decisions when I help students look for books.<br /><br />When new books arrive it is like Christmas for me. Really I am reduced to an eight year old waiting for her parents to wake up to open presents...its quite sad. When the box is opened I immediately start to compile my list of must reads! I attribute this new found joy to our librarian who is really in touch with building a very diverse collection for our school. I have on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">occasion</span> helped with ordering new books. I am in awe of lists of potential books...award winners, Teen Read Nominations, new releases, research, biographies, science, history the list goes on forever and it could become overwhelming. How does she know what to order? She understands the needs and wants of our students. She does not limit our collection to what she likes, but expands it to include interests for all. If she senses that a certain group does not have books of interest to them she orders them. She is also not shy of getting rid of books that are no longer being used, outdated or can be found on an e-book or database. She used our automated library system to look at book history, if a book hasn't been checked out within a certain time period out it goes. Her reasoning was would you want to read a book that smells and looks like it is older than dirt?<br /><br />Haycock and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Sheldon</span> stated"When unused, a collection is just so many objects and really of little or no value." (p.95) We want our library to be a living, breathing space that evolves with our students. You can see the ebb and flow of interest on our shelves. The shelves that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Twilight</span> and Ellen <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Hopkins</span> books reside will be empty by the end of the first week of school and remain that way for the rest of the year. But now Harry Potter and Dan Brown stay for awhile.<br /><br />The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ability</span> to find the right mix of wants and needs is a talent indeed. One that I will have to learn. It is a fascinating process that goes far beyond just ordering a book from a list!<br /><br /><br />Source:<br />Evans, G.E. (2008) Reflections on Creating Information Service Collections. In Haycock, K., & Sheldon, B.E. (Eds.), <em>The Portable <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">MLIS</span></span> Insights from the Experts(pp.87-97).</em> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Westport</span></span>, CT: Libraries Unlimited.My Graduate Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628940819478234668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4141394833334064446.post-50863224194556729072010-07-15T11:54:00.000-07:002010-07-18T19:48:33.830-07:00Chapter 1 Stepping Back and Looking ForwardUnderstanding where we have come from gives us a better insight into who we are today. How we started, what <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">influences</span> affected us and key factors of our evolution are extremely important to help shape our future.<br /><br />The history of libraries is very interesting...especially to someone who loves history. It was interesting to read as civilizations grew and evolved to see what type of library they had and held important. The very essence of civilized society has been preserved in libraries. Reading about ancient Rome, the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Renaissance</span>, the monks and even the early 19<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> century presented a picture however that libraries of those ages were for the elite only. That while preserving the history was paramount, sharing of its treasures was not.<br /><br />I was really taken aback that it wasn't until the opening of the Boston Library in the 1850s that everyone could enjoy the riches of a library. I had assumed that with the invention of the printing press and the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ability</span> to mass produce books, that the need of a library would grow. And with that growth would come patrons. Often the true influence that libraries served in those early days was that of "indoctrinating" our democratic beliefs, especially to new immigrants. This is especially interesting to note that since then the American Library Association has made it their mission to librarians to create collections that would hold pieces that would interest a wide range of beliefs and interests. "Realizing the importance of having a library within a community Andrew Carnegie helped build over 2000 libraries throughout the country." I understood him to be a man of great influence but I was not aware of his lasting legacy on the growth of libraries in urban and rural communities.<br /><br />Communities hold dear the impact libraries hold in society, I think that we understand that it is what makes us a civilized society. Holding on to what came before us is tantamount for us to advance. Books are like gold to understanding who we are. And it is just fascinating looking back from where we came from.<br /><br />Source:<br />Rubin, R. E. (2008). Stepping Back and Looking Forward: Reflections on the Foundations of Libraries and Librarianship. In K. Haycock, & B. Sheldon (Eds.), <em>The Portable MLIS Insights from the Experts(pp. 3-14).</em> Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.My Graduate Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628940819478234668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4141394833334064446.post-46606458316644555772010-07-11T06:38:00.000-07:002010-07-18T19:12:47.343-07:00Social Networking and the future of Libraries<span style="font-size:100%;">I work in a high school library, students are banned from using social networking sites by the district. Students can face harsh punishment if they bypass the district's proxy and find their way onto these sites with school computers. Do I still believe that these sites can have a positive influence on student learning...<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">absolutely</span>!<br /><br />I am a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebook</span> user, more of an observer, than a participant. It has been fun to reconnect with old friends, join groups of interest and look at pictures. Granted this process for me has evolved, I was not comfortable when I first joined and still don't feel comfortable posting my inner most thoughts, feelings, political views or pictures of myself. My students on the other hand love this medium and are so frustrated when they can't access it. Even my 7 year old son dreams of being on YouTube. In my opinion this has become an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">extension</span> of who they are and how they relate to others. Its how they communicate, understand and learn about the world around them, this is their version of our phone calls with friends after school and notes passed in class.<br /><br />In the ALA discussion of Social Networking, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Danah</span> Boyd commented that "A lot of social learning ...goes on in schools that we need to figure out how to support." She went on to state that "in the same way that you keep the door open in schools, you need to keep the digital doors open online."(ALA 2010) As educators do we look away from this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">potentially</span> powerful medium that has the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ability</span> to grab the attention of students? Or do we learn to embrace it and use it as an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">innovative</span> teaching tool? I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">believe</span> that we have an opportunity to expand the programs and functions that a school library serves to develop <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">curriculum's</span> that utilize this very dynamic medium.<br /><br /><strong>Source:</strong><br /><em>Social Networking and Libraries. </em>(2010). Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/mediapresscenter/americaslibraries/socialnetworking.cfm</span>My Graduate Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628940819478234668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4141394833334064446.post-27589443445398736602010-07-11T05:39:00.000-07:002010-07-18T19:10:59.567-07:00Wih...Wihke...Oh Wikipedia...there I said it!<span style="font-size:100%;">Alright lets get this over with...I am not a fan of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wikipedia</span>. I work in a high school library and I am daily reminding students that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Widipedia</span> is not a reputable source of information. I often get the response "what the big deal?" "its so easy to use," and the ever popular "<em>why" </em>said in that delightful teen <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">whiny</span> voice.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wikipedia</span> itself touts the premise that it is the "free <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">encyclopedia</span> that anyone can edit." (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wikiepidia</span>) There lies the problem, anyone can edit it and add information that might sound true but is completely false. When someone uses <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wikipedia</span> for their main source of information will they dig further to find out if the statements are true? <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wikipedia</span> does check the information posted and others will flag information that is questionable or wrong but it is a huge undertaking and inaccurate information can remain on a page for months before finding out. Take for instance back in December 2009 reports were made that Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh was hospitalized, shortly there after <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wikipedia</span> updated his page stating that he died(<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Spiering</span> 2009). They quickly retracted the obituary but the rumors about his death circulated for days. While this is a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">glaring</span> inaccurate fact that was quickly changed, smaller bits of information are often undetected.<br /><br />I consider myself to be somewhat of an expert of Irish Dance. I have lived and breathed Irish Dance for almost six years. I search the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Internet</span> for information, we compete in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">competitions</span> and I gather information from others who have been in this "sport" for much longer than I. After my initial review of Irish Dance on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wikipedia</span> I found it to be accurate without <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">glaring</span> misinformation. It was a generalization of the history and a surface <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">description</span> of the shoes, styles and music. It would not be my choice for gathering information as there are much better written sites on history and styles of Irish Dance on the web.<br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><strong>Sources:</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:78%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Spiering</span>, Charlie. (2009 Dec 31). <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wikipedia</span> pronounced Rush Limbaugh dead. <em>The Washington Examiner.</em> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Retrieved</span> from <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Wikipedia-Pronounced-Rush-Limbaugh-Dead-80429962.html">http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Wikipedia-Pronounced-Rush-Limbaugh-Dead-80429962.html</a></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span>My Graduate Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628940819478234668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4141394833334064446.post-76584941555375728692010-07-11T05:19:00.000-07:002010-07-15T12:58:14.315-07:00Wikis...What the heck?<span style="font-size:100%;">I will be honest I had no idea what a Wiki was. I have even avoided finding out what they were, lest I discover that it was some strange infection. Perhaps since I am not a fan of Wikipedia I thought that it was a shorten version of it. Wow was I wrong! What have I been missing?<br /><br />A Wiki is not something to be afraid of but something to be embraced! A great way to coordinate information all in one place. I am now looking at all of the ways that I could use it to communicate information with many of the organizations that I am involved with.<br /><br />The MSLIS wiki was very interesting, perhaps a bit of information overload though. A cursery search lead me to links for great information that I can use while at SU but even information that I can use for my current job. I love the idea that it is fluid and changing as more provide input.<br /><br />I look forward to exploring this new medium of information.</span>My Graduate Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628940819478234668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4141394833334064446.post-33814314389892398342010-07-11T04:47:00.000-07:002010-07-18T19:07:50.084-07:00Here we go!<span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I must say I love blogs! I have tried in the past to create some of my own but I never find myself with anything interesting to say. I have found some very creative, funny and insightful blogs that I have followed in the past. I have found many blogs by accident and often in their infancy. I follow along reveling in their humorous look at ordinary life, wishing I was that witty or insightful. Then it happens! They are found out by millions of others and the blog goes commercial, then instead of the funny post of the meanderings of their meager existence I am forced to endure their description of them being whisked away for an all expenses paid trip to Discovery Cove, where they swam with dolphins. Then comes the descriptions of conferences that they are speaking at, the fancy hotels with spa treatments, the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">gourmet</span> foods, the free stuff that they are getting and finally the book deal. Pretty much that is where I lose my lunch and my interest. Most of the time a blog for me is an escape from reality. It is always a chance to read about someone <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">else's</span> crazy life and the opportunity for me to see that my life isn't as bad as I think it is.</span> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I have also sought out blogs that had information for activities that I was interested in. To seek out and learn from someone else who had gone through what I was experiencing. I often take what is said at its face value. This is after all a blog. I know that the person speaking has a certain slant or agenda with what they are talking about and while they have experienced it, it still won't be the same experience I will have.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I really enjoyed reading the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">MSLIS</span> blog. What I find with many well written blogs is that you can start at the current post and find the information relevant and applicable to a current issue in my own personal or professional life. The writer answered quite a few of my questions about Boot Camp and shed some light on what life is really like for a working grad student, wife, mother and employee. We have been reading articles about the changing face of information gathering and whether a blog can be an accurate source of information. While I don't think you can use it to cite information for a research article I think you can glean information that will help you understand the task at hand or take you away from the pressures of life.<br /><br /><br /><br />Blogs are interesting and often fun and insightful. And hey if anyone wants to throw a vacation or book deal my way I guess I wouldn't mind.</span>My Graduate Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628940819478234668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4141394833334064446.post-28949407772144867472010-06-23T09:10:00.000-07:002010-07-18T19:05:23.667-07:00Getting started<span style="font-family:georgia;">Greetings and welcome to my blog! My name is Erin Carey and I am a new <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">DL student</span> at Syracuse University. I hope to chronicle my experience at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">SU</span> and my journey as I work to complete my Master's Degree as a Library Media Specialist.</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">While I am excited to start this new chapter of my life I am also very nervous. I never thought that I would be going back to school at this stage of my life. Life has a way of throwing you curve balls. When I graduated from college I had a degree in History with some Secondary Education requirements. So what did I do with that you ask? I promptly went to work as a Manager for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wegmans</span> Food Markets in the Deli/Prepared Foods dept. While there, I learned and experienced a lot. Most of my experiences that I will be drawing on will be based on the things that I learned while working at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wegmans</span>. When it came time to have my children I decided to stay home to raise them. I have two amazing kids who make my life very entertaining! They are 9 and 7. I returned back to the workforce when my youngest child was 5. When I decided to return to work I knew that I wanted to do something different than before. I also wanted to be home when my kids were home. When I had gone to college I had thought of Education but it didn't work out. When my daughter started school I became heavily involved as a parent volunteer, and realized this is where my passion truely was. I began investigating <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">opportunities</span> within the school district and found that the best fit for me was as a Teaching Assistant. I didn't set out to work in the Library nor was I given a choice of where or what I wanted to do. So I feel very lucky to have gotten this position as a Teaching Assistant in the Library. I love my job!! I love going to work and working with the students. I work at the high school level and find that my job is very rewarding. The librarian that I work with is also a graduate of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">SU</span> and has really encouraged me to go back to school to get my Master's...at SU of course.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The Library is a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">perfect</span> fit for me, it brings together all of my passions. I feel very blessed to have this opportunity to further my education and career. And I am looking forward to sharing this journey with you.</span>My Graduate Journeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16628940819478234668noreply@blogger.com0