In my role as a school librarian who is responsible for teaching technology skills to K-6 students when they come to library class, I'm always looking for new ideas to equip them with 21st Century skills. My time with each class of students is limited, and I can't assign them work to complete outside of their scheduled library class time, but I can introduce them to technology tools and give them short authentic tasks to complete. Right now, my biggest challenge is the fact that anything categorized as "social media" or forums (including wikis) is blocked on our school's network. I would love to expand my lessons beyond Microsoft Office and introduce students to an array of Web 2.0 tools. With many of these tools being so new and lacking a long history of successful use in school settings, I think that I will have to advocate for the inclusion of these web-based tools on the list of allowed websites. With new tools being introduced every day, one never knows which one will be the trendy new application. It can be very hard to stay current. I think that ultimately the important thing is helping students develop skills that will allow them to be successful at communicating their knowledge and ideas no matter which tool or platform they use. There are skills that I can teach them with Microsoft Office applications (proper font style, color, and size; incorporating appropriate graphics; citing sources) that they will need no matter which presentation tool they are using.
Andrea, as a former K-4 librarian (for 8 years), I share your frustration. Nothing has changed progressively since I returned to the classroom by choice. I made the decision that the best thing I could do was always read aloud great children's literature and that's what I did. I used technology when it enhanced my lesson plans but my lesson plans primarily focused on literacy. That worked for me; of course, having a full-time computer lab teacher at that time allowed me to do this. But I would have done this anyway because kids need an enthusiastic reader in the building who gets kids reading. I know in your building that is probably you. And you're a tech enthusiast, too, or you wouldn't be taking this class. Just remember that all that Office tech stuff are low level skills that kids will acquire over time. My mom started making websites 18 years ago, right when I started, and her sites always kicked my butt!
ReplyDeleteSo decide your priorities and zoom on them like a laserbeam and just be great at what you do! I learned this from veteran librarians I met at AIME conferences when those conferences were so small, AIME almost folded, and I still appreciate those ladies to this day. I remember their faces; I saw them every year at conference, and then each retired but their legacy lives on!
Andrea, I have also been incorporating digital tools in my classes. I also had resistance to using more digital tools in my curriculum, but I was persistent! I am still using Office because it does have some basic functions that I want students to learn, but it is more exciting to introduce the digital tools as well. You will have fun incorporating these tools!
Deletewould your tech team be willing to unblock certain sites for you to use?
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