Thing #5

Here I am at school today on my day off, freezing my butt off (I have on my winter coat, hood, polarfleece and vest, and my hands are still cold). Being a teacher is a glamourous job, let me tell you. I need to work ahead for next month because things will get busy w/the end of the term and starting a new semester. Also, I'm going to be working for Close Up Foundation during the Inauguration Week and will need to get together sub plans, etc., so things will be busy.

Thing #5:

What is your experience with public libraries and librarians? Long-time user? Scared away by a mean librarian in your youth?

I've always liked getting new books at the library. I went regularly as a kid and always did the summer reading programs, which have always been positive experiences. Now that I have kids, I go more than I used to. I'm not a big reader outside of social studies content or if I'm planning a trip or something, so I would say having kids has gotten me back to the library.
What would you improve about your library and its services?

Not much. Although one thing I don't like is the outward look of the Chaska library (my library) vs. the Chan one. The Chan one is newer, has a larger section for kid's books, so people think it is better, and that bugs me because the staff at Chaska is friendlier and more helpful, especially in the kids section.
How do you use the public library to support your teaching?

Public libraries support my teaching big time - they offer interet and word processing access to ALL of my students. If I need something typed for class and a kid says they can't because they don't have a computer or it is broken - I point them to the library. They hate this, but need to know about their options.

So I think libraries provide a MAJOR role in providing equal access to ALL people in the digital age so that "no citizen is left behind".
How will using MnLINK help your students? Is timing an issue?

Again, it will provide access. Timing is more of an issue on the current block schedule. Next year as we move to a modified block, projects will be done over a longer period of time, which will make timing of receiving materials less of an issue.

How can you help students plan for ILL for completing their projects?

I have a dumb question - what is ILL? I just went back to the Thing #5 site and I still don't know.
Have you used MnLINK in the past? What was your experience?

I haven't used MnLink specifically, but did use my Carver County library links this summer when I needed to find scholarly book reviews for an AP History class I was taking this summer. I was able to link to EBSCO and find some things. Although, what really would have helped me was knowing that you can click on "full articles only" while searching. Finding articles in Oraganization of American History, for example, did not help me when I wasn't able to access the article.

Thing #4

OK - I'm at school on my day off (again), the day before X-Mas Eve. I'm trying to stay on top of my assignments, which is why I'm doing this - I need to get my Dec. thing done. I really should be home w/my kids getting ready for the 5 X-Mas events will will be attending in the next 3 days, don't you think? I will answer these questions as best I can, but I'm still dealing w/the same response w/all of this technology stuff - yes, technology is great, but I find it very overrated. There are only so many hours in the day. How will I find time to follow a blog, read and recieve updated journal articles, etc. while doing everything else I do in a day? Something has to go if something if I'm going to suddenly have time to check my RSS feed, for example.


Which customizable homepage did you choose? Why did that one appeal to you? Will you make it your permanent home page?

I'd like to create one on Google. That seems the most popular and it is private. Maybe we will have some time to create that in class? I'm not going to do it right now.

Did you find a tool that has some uses for you at school or home? Which tool(s) would you recommend to others?

I like the 4teachers.org. It lists so many options, all right there. I can see myself using some of those in the future.

How can the online calendars be useful to you?

I've resisted them thus far - I prefer the printed page. My husband had a online calandar and an iphone, yet I'm the one who is organized and knows what is going on and when - how is that for overrated technology?

What about the To Do Lists -- helpful? too much work?

Too much work - I'm not near a computer or have time to login, etc. to access - a piece of paper works fine for me.

How would you compare and contrast the use of paper-based assignments and assigment notebooks to the potential use of online assignment calculators and to do lists for students?

Love the idea, but until all students carry laptops, I don't see how we could equitablity implement such a change. It is even weird to think about, but I'm sure a matter of time. I mean, I'm still using an overhead projector for goodness sake! BUT - this is the first year I've had an LCD in my classroom, so I do have a reasonable excuse. But I don't even like using powerpoints. I know, I need this class really bad! I'm so lucky to have it even though I end up feeling bad about it because I really don't have the extra time to put into this right now. So I work, I also work at Lifetime (I teach group fitness classes), I have 3 small children - 6, 4 & 1.5 yrs. - that is my excuse. Speaking of which, I need to go home and hug them right now.

I'm behind on blogging

So I mean to blog after class a few weeks ago on 12/10, but I guess I was so immersed in learning about how to get a journal alert from ELM, that it got away from me. I'd like to reflect on how I will use those journal alerts, but honestly, I'm not sure I will. It certainly was beneficial to be exposed to additional ways to navigate through the sea of information overload, but I'm not sure I'll actually use the alerts and other strategies explained - sorry. Just being honest here.

I had meant to do Thing #4 today, but got busy getting caught up and planning sub plans for when I go to the Inauguration 1/21-1/23 that this got away from me. So I am here at school on my day off and now it is 4pm and I need to get home. My babysitter is costing me $. Certianly the little check we got this month was nice, but I think I need to get home now and maybe I can do it tomorrow, as I plan to come in as well.

weekly blog

So now I'm a week behind, but I'm hoping we get "time off" over the holidays (e.g. Thanksgiving was last week, and it was a busy, short one!)

Thanks to Connie and Karen who posted comments to my Thing #3 responses. It is interesting that Connie wrote that MILI's RPC and Research Process are implemented. My question would be WHERE? I have not gotten any info. from Curriculum or anywhere else pointing us in that direction or encouaging teachers to use it. The only reason I know about it is because of the MILI class. I think the RPC will be even more helpful as we move to a 7 period day, rather than the block schedule. On a block, depending on the project/activity, I may only give students one period of in class work time to complete a project and then we present. When you are on a tight schedule and the deadline is the next day, using the RPC is not as useful. The resources are ALWAYS useful, just not the e-mailed deadlines.