Technology in the MC--Baker

As classroom teachers, we have been trained to understand the importance of meeting the needs of varied learners, so of course as media specialists we should strive to do the same. As noted by other bloggers within our class this week, diversity can include one’s learning style, background, ethnicity, ability, language, gender, and age. Through the use of web sites, online databases, Microsoft Word, Power point, and Movie maker, among many other resources, we can reach students and engage them in exciting, relevant ways. We can make learning interesting and fun. As media specialists, one of our most important roles will be collaborating with teachers and sharing with them new and constantly evolving technology.

Cates - Tech, Diversity and the Media Center

Diversity in schools means the different learning styles and abilities of each of the individuals within the school community to me. While each person may have different cultural and ethnic experiences, what is important to my ability to help them is understanding how they learn. By knowing whether a student learns better through reading about a subject, or listening to lectures, or through hands-on experimentation, I am better able to adjust how I provide them the information they require to be successful. Using technology to introduce the information to them in a variety of styles can make all the difference in both the success of the student and the success of the media center program. A learner that does better with lecturing may appreciate a podcast more than say a learner who likes to manipulate material. That student may need to have the information available in a format in which they can destruct and construct the information. Providing the latest technology, keeping current on websites and materials, and providing a personable atmosphere that is conducive to learning is important for me as the media specialist.

In doing all of these things, I will make it easy for the students to learn in the manner in which they need, but it will also make it easier for them to understand the differences in themselves. Seeing someone else learning in a different way may give them an appreciation for the struggles we all face. This can only lead to positive growth for everyone in this diverse community.

Technology, Diversity, and The SMC

I believe the term "diversity" represents the varied cultures, beliefs, learning styles, and education levels of the student (and staff) population in a school. I like to think of diversity like the Jelly Belly candy aisle at my local Super Target (LOVE super Target, don't you?). Much like children, those little beans come in all different colors, flavors, and names. However, each one is delicious and surprising in its own way! It's a beautiful aisle to walk down, and just doing so can brighten my day! In schools today teachers have to be able to reach all types of learners. There are many tools a teacher can keep in her special "tool box" of tricks to make the job easier, and knowledge of new technology is a big one. Kids love playing around and exploring with different software programs and equipment. Plus, anything that helps make our jobs as teachers or their jobs as students easier, yet still enriching, is a blessing.

In a school media center technology can be used to meet the needs of diverse learners. Software programs and websites can translate materials into foreign languages, and software programs designed to support and help scaffold learning can be individualized for each student. Video projectors, sound systems, Smartboards, and other technology tools help media specialists and teachers reach students with diverse learning styles. Those types of equipment allow media specialist to visually display materials that might otherwise go unnoticed. Technology also helps make learning fun! With social networking, blogs, wikis, and digital storybooks, students can express themselves in whole new ways. Having experiences with such technology also helps students stay current with the larger world in respect to technology skills used in college, the work place, and even everyday home life.

Diversity and Technology

To me diversity means a lot of differnt things. We have diverse cultures. We have diverse learners. We have diverse teaching styles. We have diverse home situations. We have diverse abilities, and much more. So diversity is everywhere in the school system. Technology in the media center needs to meet the needs of many diverse situations. We have books that reach all levels, so we need to have technology that reach all levels. Vidoes that are ordered reach a variety of levles, as well as books on tape, CD Roms, Kits, etc...If you think about the internet and all the resources that are out there, they are for all kinds of diverse learners. You can find websites that are just for infants such as kneebouncers.com all the way up to the most complex websites for adults. Everything is out there on the internet, just waiting for you to find it.

As a media specialist you need to make sure that you are ordering materials that address all ethnic diversity, religious diversity, learnng styles, etc... You also have to have special material for the visually impaired, hearing impaired, etc...

Finally, technology can support learning about diversity in many ways too. Think about the books that we read in our classroom to young students that address differences, and the curriculum that addresses diverse cultures, learning styles, homes, etc... We teach children to embrace differnces and celebrate them. The internet is a wealth of information for any subject that you need to learn about. If you wanted to research autism, for instance, you could find so much information by completing a single search. Technology is perfect for supporting diversity.

Digital Storytelling & Ebooks--Baker

A limited selection of ebooks is available at the school where I currently observe, Kennesaw Mountain High School, in Cobb County, and their circulation seems to be rather infrequent thus far. The media center does not have any ebook readers because the school has a very strict policy regarding handheld electronic devices like phones and MP3 players, and the media specialists felt they would create confusion by encouraging students to use ebook readers. I personally am not a fan of ebooks; I am one of those old-fashioned book lovers who enjoys all features of the book itself. I also really dislike reading stories/books from a computer screen; something is lost in translation for me. If, though, I had a student body who was interested in ebooks and readers, and the funds were available, I would do my best to provide them and to encourage their use.

On to the topic of digital storytelling . . . what a cool concept for today's classrooms! I have been swapping around ideas with teachers, sharing the digital web resources Dr. Bennett provided and the concept of digital storytelling. I have had great discussions with teachers regarding similar projects they are doing in their classes and the response they have received from students. Windows Movie Maker is an amazing tool, but I have found that few teachers are currently using it in their classrooms. Those who are, love it and have students who are creating amazing projects that they enjoy making. I think too few teachers know how to use this technology and are intimidated by it because, although the program is user-friendly, it does take a good bit of time to get acquainted with its features. As a media specialist, I first see myself assisting teachers who are interested in learning how to use this software. I would love to provide training through a series of snack-and-shares; several sessions would definitely be necessary to cover the broad spectrum of options for this resource. Technology training sessions before and/or after school for PLUs would be a great avenue for those interested in learning how to use Movie Maker. I would then like to collaborate with teachers to help them create lessons that incorporate Windows Movie Maker. I would also be willing to assist in teaching students how to use it and in helping classes with their projects.

Digital Storytelling and EBooks

As with all things, change is difficult. Technology is changing all of the time and it is challenging to keep up with everything that it has to offer. I have seen several digital storytelling videos over the past several years, and everytime was moved. At the time I didn't realize that there was a specific classification for it or exactly how it was done. I could see this being a valuable lesson for students, especially in the upper grades. While the first time may be challenging for both the teacher and the students creating several projects over a year would help everyone become more comfortable with Movie Maker. The media specialist could have several resource kits created for younger students. Older students could be reponsible for locating their own pictures and audio.

I have had little exposure to EBooks and really don't have the interest in them. While being able to download information is valuable, I find it difficult to read excessive information that isn't in print form. There is something to be said for reading a book and having information in print at my hands. It may also be poor vision.

Ebooks and Digital Storytelling

Once again I find myself learning about more new technology. I find both ebooks and digital storytelling to be useful and exciting tools for both personal and professional use. I am really excited about Ebooks. I am an avid reader and I love the idea of being able to download books to my phone, computer, etc... and have them available to me anytime, anywhere. It is amazing what we are able to do now. I also really like the idea of digital storytelling. I think that students would really love to create digital stories. It would be a great way to bring their writing to life, and to make writing more exciting for them if they know that they are going to be making their story or project into a digital story. However, if I am trying to keep it real, it always comes back to how do I find the time to add this into an already over packed curriculum. I feel I barely have time to teach what I am required to do, that I don't know how I would find the time to keep adding more and more to it. It seems that it would be quite time consuming to teach the process and have 24 fourth graders complete a digital story. I just don't know that the benefits would justify all of that time. I feel frustrated when there are so many things that I would like to do, but not enough time to fit it all in.