Reflections on a Journey in technology and other topics

At beginning of the course, we were given time to inquire about a topic of interest to us. I focused on Aboriginal literature and integrating teaching principals. It is a focus of my school, so it was valuable for me to take the time and research the topic, read some links and information that had been shared with me previously, but didn’t take the time to read in depth, and research new sources. It was nice motivation to jump deeper in the topic.  Since then, I have begun developing our year C kits on aboriginal topics for teachers; I also decided to have aboriginal storytellers come to the school, through the talking stick festival to further demonstrate the importance of oral stories in aboriginal culture. I've begun to feel more confidence when choosing aboriginal literature for our school, and have better idea of authentic and respectful literature (not perfect, but better). Moving forward, I want to share what our school is accomplishing in terms aboriginal content so that others can use some of the ideas from our school. I can tweet about a book on twitter, post a kit content to my blog, or send out a video message. I have been learning different ways to share information with other librarians.

In Phase 2- Inquiry Posts

Reading Culture

 I learnt a lot from the inquiry process, especially reading my classmates post.  Thinking back, I am really surprised how valuable not only posting myself, but also reading other classmates posts has been.

For example, my first inquiry post about promoting a reading culture, was reflective in itself. I posted about projects and things I had been doing over the last two years in my own library, and was able to reflect upon my two years, and think what was successful and worth sharing with my classmates. (Perhaps, next time I might share some unsuccessful things too, and get some feedback on improvements). 

I found exploring my classmate’s blogs valuable, I learnt a lot from them. For example, Megan posted about using skype for author visits in the school, which is something I had been curious about and thought about trying, I had the chance to learn about it and ask questions.  Also, Shelia’s post about breakfast with books and tweeting about books, were other ideas that will stick with me, and would consider trying in the future.

For me, the inquiry about promoting a reading culture gave me idea’s I could start implementing right away. For example, I am setting up the graffiti wall, when the students come back from spring break.  I feel "promoting a reading culture" was the most “fun” topic for me when exploring other blogs and research.

Sharing with colleagues 

The post about "how to share information with our colleagues" resonated with me the most. I learnt a lot form my own reflection, and struggled with this post a bit, because, I felt stuck on how to share information with my colleagues at my new school after the winter holiday. At the beginning of the year, I sent out quirky emails and discussion posts about books, but never got much response. Writing this post and doing research about how to share IT, stuff has helped focus on this topic more. Not only have a learnt from other post, I also changed my own focus. For example, last week, I went to a workshop on French Digital Magazines, and how to use EBSCO, ect. At the workshop, I asked the question “how am I going to share this with my staff to promote the use of the articles with both staff and students?” All of sudden my colleagues at the workshop had tons of ideas about how to do this, posting a coloured print out of an article in the staff room, having mystery monthly magazine articles and linking them to QR codes for the students to explore at home, etc. There were tons of ideas going around. I don’t know if a month ago, I would have asked that same question, or even had that workshop as a priority.

Technology 

Writing the inquiry blogs, has “forced” me in some ways to begin exploring technology in the library, and read about how others are using it and in turn technology becoming less intimating. Technology in the library has been something I had honestly been putting on the back burner, now I have more of a willingness to explore it.  I am even considering having some Kindles in the library for reading after doing our inquiry on digital libraries in the developing world. I learnt how e readers can increase the amount of literature a person is exposed too.  Kindles would be great for the students that wanted to read books we don’t have avaialble, or books I would hesitate buying. Buying books online would be way cheaper, and could be enjoyed by more than one person. It would also be faster for the students to gain access to new books as well.  (Another librarian does this is our district, so I am talking to her about the pros and cons).

I feel the inquiry has put not just technology but lots of topics at the front of my mind, even in terms of the workshops I am choosing to attend and the questions I am asking. I know I still have a long way to go in terms of promoting digital sources and being more present in the digital world. But now I feel the conversation is rolling in my mind, and that a good start from someone who had been avoiding it. 

Sources: 

Shegirltopia.  Retrieved March 7, 2015 from

http://shegirltopia.blogspot.ca

Ms. Cordeiro TL. Retrieved March 7, 2015, from http://mscordeirotl.blogspot.ca/2015/02/developing-ict-skills.html