For my future vision of my library I would like to have
technology more integrated as part of the library. I am thinking of two ideas
that would be beneficial to both staff and students.
First, I would like to create a website or blog with
features about the library and information about certain books. Here are a few of my considerations.
I wonder which would be better in terms of
time and maintenance. I already have experience setting up and using a blog
from this course, so I would feel more comfortable with a blog. However, a
website has click able links, and places where I could keep consistent
information, which is easy for staff and students to find. I wonder, how easy a website would be to
maintain and update. I have been reading about the difference and am still unsure about which one would be best for me.
b.) Features:
I need to
think of the features my website would have.
I was thinking a place featuring new books, projects and activities done
in the library, internet safety and a “ how to” section.
My second idea is to create a set of 1-2 min videos
explaining how to use different features the library has. For example, a video
on how to use the follett shelf, access tumblebooks, how to do a better search
(visual search, ect), how to use EBSCO to access magazines and how to access different
websites we have subscribed to through our district.
I think the videos would be an aspect of my website, but if
I worked on making a video series, that would be my main focus opposed to the
website or blog.
I think both would be beneficial to our school, parents,
students and staff. I am still thinking of other ideas as well and as I read
others blog posts other classmate’s ideas are beginning to inspire me.
The website would great because I know our school has not
had a library website or blog in the past. Additionally, I give little chunks
of time to the intermediate students for library in order to make room for collaboration
in my schedule. Having online short videos would be way to share information and
library skills with students outside the library.
A good idea for your vision. One bit of advice, blogs *are* websites! Websites are the large classification of everything on the web. Blogs are a sub-set of websites that are easy to maintain and make great ways to publish and share. If you are not very comfortable with HTML and coding, then a Blog is the way to go. It is much easier to build, design and maintain. I would think the best path forward is a blogsite, with small videos embedded inside! The easiest platform for embedding videos is definitely blogspot (the blog you use now). I think its important for your next steps to be thinking about what type of help and assistance your community needs, so you can design your blog with this in mind. A good start to the vision project.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of a website is something that daunted me at first. However, having used a website for my classroom for the past six or seven years, I find it an easy and invaluable tool. My comfort level with creating and maintaining my site even encouraged me to integrate the use of a student-made website into a senior literature circle unit a couple of years ago. I was surprised how many students did need help: I often make the erroneous assumption students have more of an expertise with technology than me (and I am using expertise in the loosest sense possible), but they really don't. Knowing how to build and maintain a simple site is a valuable tool, one you can not only use for yourself, but help students to learn as well (or other colleagues). As you can see, I'm leaning more toward the website than the videos ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Carmen, I don't think I will be using it as a project, but maybe making a website or blog, just because.
ReplyDeleteIntegrating into a literature circle? wow,.... would love to hear more about that....... I do a lot of lit circles with different classes at my school.
My project is sort of changing directions, as they do so might be heading in a new direction. :)
I know you've already changed direction, Amanda, but if you ever want to discuss building a website, keep me in mind. I am in the very early stages of learning how (using Weebly) and fumbling my way through videos, info sheets, blogs, etc. It is a slower process than I thought, but still fun to learn. I would like to have a lot more comfort in this area before bringing students in on it-- but that's me wanting to ensure I know what I'm doing. I suppose there could be some value in learning side-by-side with my students. :)
ReplyDeleteSheila
Hi Shelia, I just read your post about the process. It gave me some insight to your process, and what I might have in store for myself when I start my own.
ReplyDelete