It Really Works!

I received exciting news yesterday!  The Donors Choose project that I created on behalf of the library was fully funded!  I was ecstatic reading the notification.  In designing my first Donors Choose project, skepticism loomed in my mind.  Do people really have a generous spirit?  Do they really go in search of charitable opportunities?  Yesterday's notification provided me with the answer!  Some people really do care about education and are willing to open their wallets to prove it!

The Donors Choose project will supply the library with 2 new flip video cameras for students to use to develop projects and support their classroom work.  They will arrive prior to the start of the 2011-12 school year.  I'm so excited that the library will be able to offer more resources for students to use.  And now it's time to develop a new Donors Choose project.  I can't wait to submit a new idea and see the generosity of our community.  I also can't wait to see the students in action, using the resources provided from this Donors Choose project.  Next year already proves to be an exciting year in the library and for our students.

As soon as my next Donors Choose project is available, I will post a link to it here, as well as on the elcohslibrary twitter page.

Music to My Ears!

This morning, a student told me he really likes using databases for research.  He mentioned the ease of use and convenience they afford at locating relevant, current, and reliable information.  (Insert the angelic strains of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus)  This is music to my ears.  I have been working all year to change the climate of the library, the perception of the library, and the way students find information.  If we want our students to succeed beyond the walls of this high school, these changes must happen.  

I knew it would be a slow process.  There are still many people who envision a quiet library and a librarian with reading glasses propped on the edge of her nose and her hair tightly wound into a bun on the back of her head.  NOT IN THIS LIBRARY!  We also have people who believe that librarians are a thing of the past.  Again - NOT IN THIS LIBRARY!  

Do you know how to find the most current information regarding important events of the day?  Do you know how to search the Internet in the most effective and efficient manner?  Do you know that most print materials are also available online in a variety of formats?  Do you know how to differentiate between an authentic website and a hoax? Do you know what a widget is, a wiki, a QR code, Web 2.0...?  I DO!   I CAN TEACH YOU!

So, thank you to the students who realize the importance of information literacy.  Thank you to the students who come to the library on a daily basis just because they like the inviting atmosphere.  Thank you to the teachers who ask me to help them build lessons and activities that involve information literacy.  

And THANK YOU to the student who made my day by sharing his appreciation for all that the library has to offer!

Live White House Webinar

This afternoon, we had the opportunity to listen to Ben Rhodes, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Security Advisor for Strategic Communications and Speech Writing.  After a 15 minute overview on the recent events surrounding Osama Bin Laden's death, students were given the opportunity to submit questions.  Our students backchanneled during the webinar, discussing the presentation as it occurred.

It was a great activity and opportunity for our students to learn about a current event with significant importance to our lives.  While I listened to the webinar and watched the backchannel, I couldn't help but think about how far education has come since I was a student sitting in high school.  What a difference from sitting at a desk with a textbook open just taking notes - BORING!  Now students are able to interact with one another and people all over the world.  The education they are getting is much richer and more experiential than even just five years ago.

Anyone who says that technology isn't important to education is out of touch with today's students.  I'm so glad to have shared in this 21st century learning experience.  I know that the students participating in today's webinar learned a great deal about our government, country, and military and they didn't have to leave the building to do it.  These real world experiences are priceless in education.

Today was a great day!

QR Code

 

 So what is this thing?  It's called a QR code.  In a nutshell, it's a code, that when scanned by a QR reader (look for apps for your smartphone), provides the user with additional information.  QR codes are popping up everywhere!  Look in magazines and you will see them!  Many products now have a QR code as part of the label.  The next time you're out shopping, look for the QR code and you might find yourself linking to product reviews, commercials, or product demonstrations.  Scan the above QR code and see where it takes you!  In the near future, you might just find QR codes on new books in the library.  If you have difficulty selecting which book to read next, scan the QR code for a book review to help you decide!

Information at your fingertips!