Social networking is a relatively popular tool that is utilized nationally. I find that it is very time consuming and an invasion of privacy for others. I personally pick and choose which networking sites I become involved with. At the present time I am researching LinkedIn. I can't say that I am able to log in regularly so it's not very useful. Facebook is a very popular site that many students use on a daily basis. I don't have any experience using this site, but I understand that it can also cause harm to the individual user. As the reading stated, it was initially used for campus communication only. Now it has grown to include business communication and the general population as a whole.
As a future media specialist social networking would be a great addition to the media center. I could see delegating the maintenance and monitoring to the media clerk and a few responsible teachers who had the additional time on any given day. This would comprise of a team of staff members who would collaborate prior about posting any information and share the duties. MySpace is another popular networing site that is often plagued with negative reactions. I have noticed that the user has to block his personal information in order to guard himself against unwanted "friends". I am not a fan of this site, but if used properly it can be beneficial.
The overall goal of social networking sites are to have fun and enjoy the experience. You have complete control of the personality and the tone of the site. It would be best to showcase students engaged in activities where they are interacting with their peers and teachers. It would also be helpful to use this space to advertise and announce upcoming events and projects that will be conducted in the media center.
Social networking does invite threats, but if maintained properly it can be a very rewarding tool for the media specialist.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Social Networking ~Malena~
I am in favor of social networking sites for classroom use as a way to collaborate and communicate outside of the classroom. I do not really know of any teachers that are using the technology but it is an emerging concept. I think a lot of teachers are not using it because of the negative reputation that sites like MySpace have and because they themselves have never use these sites. I have had a Facebook page since I was an undergrad so I would not be opposed to using one, but MySpace on the other hand is something that I would not use because I too view it as a less reputable social networking site. As it was mentioned in the Library 2.0 text, Facebook first started as an academic social network mostly used by college students. I do not think that many school systems are open to the idea of using social networks for classroom use since these sites are often blocked and filtered. Facebook could be used to create debate groups in a class and post responses to the pro/con groups Wall, write responses to writing prompts using the Notes applications. Another classic use of Facebook in the classroom is to announce events or news taken place in the class or to announce events for extracurricular activities.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Social Networking in Schools - Jami
Though not particularly fond of social networking sites; primarily because I am private and do NOT have TIME, I do feel they can be of value to library media programs.
My first experience using a social networking site was Linked In whereby professionals share where they were schooled, what they are currently doing professionally, and other relevant professional networking tidbits. I believe I signed into the site about 2 years ago and never looked back; just not my thing.
The second social networking site I have participated in was my high school's. This forum gave me the opportunity to catch up on classmates from eons ago as well as share just enough about me to let others know I was alive. The only thing about this one is each time a classmate discovers you are on the site, you receive an email alerting you they have commented. The great thing about this is I know I am loved. The bad thing is you are constantly signing in to respond because you are happy to hear from them and quite frankly, do not want to be rude. Again, it becomes an issue of time.
Okay, enough about me. Relative to library media programs, I can see added benefit so long as they are monitored sites used expressly for library media program promotion. For example, students from one school, school district, or country could share their thoughts on reading selections with other students of the same grouping. In fact, I specifically remember a project completed earlier in my matriculation through this program that called for social networking amongst students in two different countries to discuss Accelerated Reader selections.
I envision the social networking setup as a class facilitated by either the teacher, media specialist, or both. This model would allow students to not only benefit from reading, but also engage in friendships around the globe while learning about other cultures. I would absolutely love to sponsor a partnership between my current students and students in South Africa or some other locale miles and miles away.
Net/net, social networking can be a very viable option to library media program promotion while fostering relationships amongst students, teachers, and staff from cultures around the globe.
My first experience using a social networking site was Linked In whereby professionals share where they were schooled, what they are currently doing professionally, and other relevant professional networking tidbits. I believe I signed into the site about 2 years ago and never looked back; just not my thing.
The second social networking site I have participated in was my high school's. This forum gave me the opportunity to catch up on classmates from eons ago as well as share just enough about me to let others know I was alive. The only thing about this one is each time a classmate discovers you are on the site, you receive an email alerting you they have commented. The great thing about this is I know I am loved. The bad thing is you are constantly signing in to respond because you are happy to hear from them and quite frankly, do not want to be rude. Again, it becomes an issue of time.
Okay, enough about me. Relative to library media programs, I can see added benefit so long as they are monitored sites used expressly for library media program promotion. For example, students from one school, school district, or country could share their thoughts on reading selections with other students of the same grouping. In fact, I specifically remember a project completed earlier in my matriculation through this program that called for social networking amongst students in two different countries to discuss Accelerated Reader selections.
I envision the social networking setup as a class facilitated by either the teacher, media specialist, or both. This model would allow students to not only benefit from reading, but also engage in friendships around the globe while learning about other cultures. I would absolutely love to sponsor a partnership between my current students and students in South Africa or some other locale miles and miles away.
Net/net, social networking can be a very viable option to library media program promotion while fostering relationships amongst students, teachers, and staff from cultures around the globe.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Web Pages **Malena**
Some Do’s and Don’ts of Media Center Web Pages
• Do advertise the web page (URL) on the main school web site, newsletters, etc,
• Do not spend your entire budget on the design of the page. Be resourceful and try to use the least expensive editors, programs, etc.
• Do organize the content of the page with the audience in mind
The Jurkowski text cites that 90% of media centers have web pages and I think that is remarkable and it emphasizes the need to maintain a web page. If we are going to be the information and technology specialists of the school, we must have a webpage that shows the skills we possess and this will in turn motivate teachers and students to create pages of their own. The most important element of the webpage is the way the information is arranged. I really liked the North Elementary School media center webpage the best because of the way the information is organized. It will be extremely easy for a young student to find information there. The Creekview HS site had okay organization but it does contain information that will appeal to high school students like the link to the Favorite Web 2.0 tools, the picture slide show, etc. This webpage had a lot of choices and sources of information (blogs, podcasts, video tutorials, etc.) and perhaps they could tone it down a bit. I don’t think that the link to library statistics is necessary to have on a web page, at least not all the time! I am honestly a little jealous of this website because I wonder if I will have the time and commitment to have all the different tools featured on the page, but then again you usually make time for things that you really want to do.
• Do advertise the web page (URL) on the main school web site, newsletters, etc,
• Do not spend your entire budget on the design of the page. Be resourceful and try to use the least expensive editors, programs, etc.
• Do organize the content of the page with the audience in mind
The Jurkowski text cites that 90% of media centers have web pages and I think that is remarkable and it emphasizes the need to maintain a web page. If we are going to be the information and technology specialists of the school, we must have a webpage that shows the skills we possess and this will in turn motivate teachers and students to create pages of their own. The most important element of the webpage is the way the information is arranged. I really liked the North Elementary School media center webpage the best because of the way the information is organized. It will be extremely easy for a young student to find information there. The Creekview HS site had okay organization but it does contain information that will appeal to high school students like the link to the Favorite Web 2.0 tools, the picture slide show, etc. This webpage had a lot of choices and sources of information (blogs, podcasts, video tutorials, etc.) and perhaps they could tone it down a bit. I don’t think that the link to library statistics is necessary to have on a web page, at least not all the time! I am honestly a little jealous of this website because I wonder if I will have the time and commitment to have all the different tools featured on the page, but then again you usually make time for things that you really want to do.
Media Center Web Pages - Jami
Since beginning this program, media center webpages have been quite intriguing to me. Over the past 12 months, I have observed a wide variety of content and target audiences. My exploration has led me to fully endorse web pages while simultaneously hoping media center webpage content can at some point be made uniform and significantly more substantive.
Cursory glances of most webpages reveals basics: school name, media specialists,and mission statements. Depending on the degree to which media specialists care, have administrative rights, and rich programs some web pages are far more robust than others. For example as an Atlanta Public Schools teacher, I have noticed many Clayton County and DeKalb County Schools websites have rich content and a plethora information useful to students, faculty, parents and community. Conversely however, many APS schools have hours of operation, links to other areas of the school website and some Accelerated Reader content.
As we move forward in our media specialists careers and as our profession continues evolving, my hope is consistency is achieved on a district and state level. Further, I am hopeful an interlibrary loan policy can be established across districts so long as policies are established and adhered to from a state perspective.
Media center web pages are useful, can often provide relevant information, and work to enhance the benefits of library media programs. Without them, many programs are virtually nonexistent or obsolete.
Cursory glances of most webpages reveals basics: school name, media specialists,and mission statements. Depending on the degree to which media specialists care, have administrative rights, and rich programs some web pages are far more robust than others. For example as an Atlanta Public Schools teacher, I have noticed many Clayton County and DeKalb County Schools websites have rich content and a plethora information useful to students, faculty, parents and community. Conversely however, many APS schools have hours of operation, links to other areas of the school website and some Accelerated Reader content.
As we move forward in our media specialists careers and as our profession continues evolving, my hope is consistency is achieved on a district and state level. Further, I am hopeful an interlibrary loan policy can be established across districts so long as policies are established and adhered to from a state perspective.
Media center web pages are useful, can often provide relevant information, and work to enhance the benefits of library media programs. Without them, many programs are virtually nonexistent or obsolete.
Media center webpages
As a first year media specialist, I'm afraid to admit that the web page has taken a backseat to the day to day operation of the media center. In our county, the tech specialist is responsible for maintaining the website. Also, this year, the county sent out a template for all media centers and schools, for that matter, to use. Of course, some things like backgrounds and clip art can be changed according to the school, but the basic design and layout is exactly the same. Therefore, my media center page looks almost exactly like everyone else's. For now, when I have information to add or delete from the web page, I simply email the tech specialist and she handles it. Currently, I have contact information for myself and the clerk, hours of operation, library news, new titles, policies and procedures, and a calendar of events. I think that the information that I have included on my web page is important to the patrons who would look at it. Of course, I could always add more, but for now, I'm doing good to have anything.
One thing that is most important in regards to whether or not I like a site is its usability. If a site is too difficult to maneuver, then I will likely not bother with it. Another issue that causes me not to enjoy a site is if it does not contain pertinent information.
I really like the idea of using wikis as a web page, but I know that I am not comfortable enough with wikis to use them right now. Also, as I mentioned before, we are using a template throughout our county and cannot stray from it.
One thing that is most important in regards to whether or not I like a site is its usability. If a site is too difficult to maneuver, then I will likely not bother with it. Another issue that causes me not to enjoy a site is if it does not contain pertinent information.
I really like the idea of using wikis as a web page, but I know that I am not comfortable enough with wikis to use them right now. Also, as I mentioned before, we are using a template throughout our county and cannot stray from it.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Media Center Webpage Designs
I am truly fascinated when I view a media centers webpage. I personally enjoy the different options for research, upcoming events, teachers pages, homework helpers and links to various educational websites. I enjoyed viewing the required URL's for this assignment. I find that I can always locate something different or unique on every website. My pet peeves for ANY website personal or professional is a broken link, inappropriate graphics and too much content. I prefer not to have to read a book in order to navigate the site. Sadly, I have found this often and I am sure it can be very frustrating to a parent or visitor who accesses the website for the first time. We want to try to hold their attention for at least 30 seconds.
On the other hand, the webpage does not and more than likely can not begin to feature all of the information that is offered within the four walls of a media center. Our reading indicated that many media specialists are not given full permission to access their webpage in order to update and organize the material. I noticed that Creekview High School in Canton, Georgia has two fulltime media specialists and a media clerk to assist them. This webpage in my opinion is great, but again, it offers too much content (personal opinion). My first reaction was WOW, then lets get down to reading. It seems that they have made a great attempt at providing very detailed information about the programs in the media center. I prefer to draw the visitor to the media center to explore and ask questions. I am not stating that either approach is right or wrong, just a matter of preference. This option works for them.
On the other hand, the webpage does not and more than likely can not begin to feature all of the information that is offered within the four walls of a media center. Our reading indicated that many media specialists are not given full permission to access their webpage in order to update and organize the material. I noticed that Creekview High School in Canton, Georgia has two fulltime media specialists and a media clerk to assist them. This webpage in my opinion is great, but again, it offers too much content (personal opinion). My first reaction was WOW, then lets get down to reading. It seems that they have made a great attempt at providing very detailed information about the programs in the media center. I prefer to draw the visitor to the media center to explore and ask questions. I am not stating that either approach is right or wrong, just a matter of preference. This option works for them.
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