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.

Digital Storytelling - Hawkins

Ebooks and digital storybooks are new technology to me. I am excited to learn about them, and the more I know, the more I see their potential! As with so much in today's world, technology is playing an important role in how we learn and teach. Storytelling through digital medias is a great way to spark the interest of reluctant readers. It can also be a way to share important information in a dynamic, moving, and memorable format. Currently, our media center does not use digital stories or ebooks. Until recently completing the digital story project for this class, I had never used them before either. While working on the digital story project I learned how involved and time consuming the creation process can be. I think media specialist could help eliminate some of the headaches which would surely arise with doing this type of project with students. Media specialist could help set-up the resource kits by gathering quality information and research sources together. The media specialist could also help the teacher instruct students on using Moving Maker. Having students, especially younger ones, create a digital story will be time-consuming and frustrating, but with help/collaboration and proper preparation, the teacher and media specialist can make it work.

Technology in School

Our school has a full time technology teacher and two computer labs. One lab is specifically designed for instruction and contains a smart board. There are sign up sheets for teachers to sign up and bring a class for a lesson. Also, once a month each class is scheduled for a 50 minute lesson that the technology teacher conducts. With this being said, I feel that out school does not utilize the technology specialist correctly. Most of the lessons taught end up being basic kidpix activities or games. While the technology teacher is availble to help teachers with tech questions and teaching more in-depth lessons, it is not something that she solicits. Many teachers that are not tech savvy do not make a point to have lessons taught. This is also the case for technology training for staff. In certain cases, the administration asks the technology teacher to present lessons on new software that we are required to use. At these times, the instruction is valuable and there are usually treats available for the staff to enjoy. I think this is a nice touch and helps to create a positive atmosphere at the end of a long day. There aren't regularly scheduled classes or updates on new software that is available.

In the event that I am required to provide technology training I would try to have a regularly scheduled time / day of the month. This may actually require more than one session to adequately help all of the staff. I would also provide refreshments if possible. I think it is difficult to encourage staff members to come to a training when they already have a never ending to-do list. I also think it is important to provide hand outs and allow the staff to have computer access if appropriate. I know that I learn much better by doing. It is difficult to simply sit, listen, and observe. With technology always changing, it is essential that staff members be kept up to date on various resources.

Technology Training--Baker

According to my sources at the school where I observe, teachers’ levels of knowledge regarding technology range from the very proficient to the very inefficient. This appears to be the consensus in many of the postings I have read on other blogs within our class. There are many older teachers who have a total aversion to any and all technology. Most teachers seem to be functional, though. This year, for the first time, all teachers are expected to keep, and to update weekly, classroom blogs. The structure and organization of teachers’ blogs vary depending upon their desires and how much time they have to devote to the task. On the basic level, teachers may simply post their daily agendas or class plans. On the complex level, blogs may feature links to class materials including handouts and lecture resources, as well as helpful web sites. During this school year, technology training has consisted of one staff development session on blogs and one staff development session on Nettrekker. Most training has focused on various teaching strategies, educational theory and Georgia Performance Standards, rather than on specific technology training.

In order to support productive technology training, the facilitator should introduce new technology by having teachers and staff role play and actually use the resources. This will provide practice for them and the opportunity to brainstorm with other teachers about the possibilities of the resources. Ideally, technology training should be presented during preplanning, on staff development days, during snack-and-shares, and/or after school.

One problem to productive technology staff development is ineffective resources. If, for example, you present a new technology, it must be available for teachers to access. You cannot hail the possibilities of using an LCD projector for instruction and then have one for the entire school. Time is also a significant barrier to productive technology staff development. Teachers have so much on their plates, that it is often very difficult for them to find the time to get comfortable with a new form of technology.

Lastly, if I were to provide technology staff development to the teachers in my school, I would provide a presentation with multiple forms of instruction and appeal to visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles. I would show teachers technology that can help them meet their GPS. I would respect the teachers’ time and have training that would be beneficial to them. I would present resources that they could easily and quickly implement into their curriculum. Lastly, I would also be certain to follow up with participants and provide additional support after the training session.

Technology Training - Hawkins

Our school system provides a lot of access to technology training. At our school alone, we have someone come each month to provide a "technology update" to all the teachers. This means they learn about new and different programs available or how to use something like I-Parent or Smartboards. The media specialist at my school also tries to encourage different technology use of kid-safe and friendly search engines and websites (such as Nettrekker and GALILEO). The county really tries to help teachers and students stay on the cutting edge of technology for educational purposes. Also, because a lot of the teachers at my school are younger, they are familiar and comfortable with using the programs and systems provided. I think the hardest thing about incorporating technology is getting teachers to practice with it and use it on a regular basis. I think once they do that, they are much more likely to use daily and encourage their students to use it.

As far as staff development goes for technology training I would try to provide many opportunities for teachers and students to access the tools and programs. It is also important to not only provide instruction on using the systems, but also provide practice time. You don't become an expert on something overnight or after one training session. Having short handouts and step-by-step instructions available also helps the technology get used more frequently. Collaborating with teachers on lessons and units is another way to help encourage and integrate technology into classrooms.

Technology Training

I find it very frustrating that their isn't much technology training happening in my school. We have a technology teacher in our building and I trully feel that she doesn't provide the staff or students with much helpful training. I feel like her time could be used in such a valuable way and it really isn't. I think she spends a lot of time making sure that the computers are working etc... and not enough time actually teaching good valuable technology lessons and offering training to teachers. She offers trainings on certain things that all teachers in the building have to use, for example this year we are all required to do our own progress monitoring for RTI, so we have been trained on how to do this. Occasionally we have had an after school optional training on a certain technology topic. But these are offered very rarely. I think that so much more could be done, but unfortuneately it isn't.

You can sign up for certain courses through the district on PD Express and earn PLU's. In-tech is offered every semester, as well as some other courses. These are quite a time committment though. I like the simple, quick trainings, and I like the option of completing them on your own at your own pace and timeline. I feel great frustration that more isn't offered. The media specialist at my school provides no tech training at all, and unfortuneately little is offered through our tech teacher. I know everyone is busy and pulled in a million different directions and I am sure that is the case here too. Too much to do, and not enough time to do it. It seems to be a very common problem in all areas of education!

Technology Training - Cates

We currently have an excellent system of technology training in my county. The professional development staff provide a wide range of trainings though a wide range of methods. Teachers sign up on our county website using Blackboard, which monitors their progress towards their plu goals. The selection of technology trainings is huge, and content training can be done at the school (if enough teachers at a school request the training), at our county training facility, or even over Blackboard (both self-directed or as we do in MEDT courses). These varied methods allow faculty and staff to use the training in a way that is most comfortable for them, thereby increasing the likelyhood they will go through our county for training. The staff is knowledgable and courteous, always willing to work with faculty and staff on designing training that will work well for both.

I currently use our internal shared drive to provide cheat sheets and training information to my faculty. I have a folder in which I keep all of the material, and have provided an internal link to everyone. I keep an updated FAQ there for teachers to use, saving me a tremendous amount of time.

School TV News/Video Distribution--Baker

At the school where I complete my observations, Kennesaw Mountain High School, in Cobb County the media specialists have essentially no responsibilities in the area of school TV news, video distribution, or announcements. The school TV news is aired weekly by the students in the elective class, TV and Video Production. This elective is taught by Ms. Jackie Collier from the Career Technology Department. I have personally seen these classes at work, and Ms. Collier and her students are absolutely AMAZING! I can’t even begin to express the quality of KMHS’s program. Students from grades 10-12 participate in the tiered levels of video production. Depending upon the student’s experience he/she is assigned level 1, 2, or 3, and his/her responsibilities are based upon that specific level. Several students, typically seniors, are anchors on KMTV. Weekly topics on KMTV include upcoming school and community events, sports, weekend previews of music and movies, school programs and activities and more. You can hear a pin drop during KMTV each Friday. The students absolutely LOVE it. It provides them the opportunity to see themselves and their classmates in features like “Faces of the Week” as well as in reviews of the previous week’s sporting events. KMTV provides these teenagers with a chance to truly be the voice of their school. Ms. Collier is also responsible for the announcements that loop throughout the day on the school TVs. If a teacher has an announcement to post, he/she sends it the video production room.

The announcements in the morning are handled by the administrative office and include the pledge, a moment of quiet reflection, and various club announcements. They are read by the student government. Teachers individually use GPB in their classrooms. They have been exposed to its myriad benefits through snack-and-shares and professional development opportunities.

Broadcasting - Cates

At Chestnut Log we turn on Channel One news at 8:10, which is broadcast throughout the building on TV's mounted in each classroom. The morning announcements are done by the administration or front office staff immediately following Channel One over the intercom system. We do not currently have the materials or equipment to put on anything more elaborate, with the possible exception of providing a written version of the announcements for teachers to display on their LCD projector. Unfortunately, with the budget tightening, I don't see our purchasing any equipment to make a video broadcast available, which is something I would love to do.

We currently use Discovery Streaming very heavily in Douglas County. BUT, we are required to download the content that we want overnight, and then use it from local servers the next day. While this requires some planning on the part of the teachers, it seems to work in the way it is intended...to reduce bandwidth usage during the day.

TV Boadcasting - Hiley

Our school does a great job with the morning news broadcast considering that it is basically run by a group of 5th graders with the help of the media specialist and the technology teacher. In order to become a member of th WPCE newsteam students have to sign up in 4th grade on an interest inventory. The media speciailist and the technology teacher along with the input of fourth grade teachers choose 16 students to be part of the newsbroadcast team. The students do the morning announcements daily broadcast on close circuit TV. They announce school news, weather, birthdays, daily trivia, AR announcements and other special information on different days! The students are the broadcasters, camera crew, information gatherers, weather reporters, etc... Basically these kids do it all. The broadcast room is located in a small room off the media center, where all the equipment is housed. The media specialist and Technology teacher train these students how to do the broadcast and are there each morning to help with the broadcast. We also have a special segment that features our ESOL Students called Map Madness. Together we are all learning the states, and capitals of our country.

The children in our school seem to enjoy the broadcast. I know my 4 year old son comes home and will tell some random fact, or will say one of the States and its capital, and I will say where did you learn that, and he says on the TV this morning. So even the little ones are interested. I really think for group of 10 and 11 year olds they do a remarkable job.

I personally love using United Streaming. Before this I was always looking for quality videos that supported the curriculum. Now with United Streaming it is extremely easy to find eccellent videos that support all areas of the curriculum. It is also simple to just show a 2 minute clip instead of an entire video if you just want to highlight one short feature. I can't say enough good things about United Streaming. I adore it. It even has worksheets and quizzes to go along with many of the video clips. A wonderful resource that all teacher should take advantage of!

School TV News - Hawkins

School TV news? That's a touchy subject around my elementary school. Our school has been open for two years now, and we still haven't been able to get a school news TV program going. Right now we only have morning announcements over the intercom. A different group of students help present it every morning, but we don't have a visual form of this as of yet.

The problem began last year when our school opened. Somehow, a lot of the classrooms were not wired correctly, and therefore the school-wide video distribution system wouldn't work in those rooms. It took ALL YEAR to get it fixed! Finally, that was fixed at the beginning of this school year. The next hurdle came when the sound cards in some of the classroom computers were not compatible with the video distribution software program, so they wouldn't play the sound through the speakers set up in the classrooms. That was easily fixed once those specific computers were identified. So now classes are able to watch videos and television channels through their LCD projectors all around the school - and hear them too! However, the school news still hasn't been able to be produced because the software program the media specialist bought to create it has had some glitches. She's been working hard to figure it out, but new problems keep popping up. At this point I think she's become frustrated and has stopped working on it for now. Her hopes were to have a daily morning news show broadcast throughout the school, but it has remained a verbal announcement show only. I know she's frustrated!

Our teachers use the GPB United Streaming website all the time. They love it! Some of the younger grades even watch Reading Rainbow during the day when it's on TV. I know everyone is looking forward to a video news show, but at this point it is still in the "to be completed" file. Hopefully that will change before the end of this school year!

ON A TOTALLY DIFFERENT SIDE NOTE - I just have to say, as a future media specialists and someone who LOVES to read...I'm totally excited about the "Twilight" movie coming out a week from now! We've also got some other great books-to-screen to look forward to: "Inkheart," "The Tale of Despereaux," and "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince." Yay! Read them for yourself or to your class if you haven't yet! They're excellent!

Social Networking

I know that there are a lot of excellent social networking sites out there for use at home and possibly in the schools. Unfortuneately, I never seem to find the time to get out there and get involved with this kind of technology. I have a lot of friends who absolutely love facebook and all of my nieces and nephews use myspace. They rave about what you can do and how useful it is. These people are using these sites at home and not at school. I have had experience with Flickr and Library Thing. I can't say that I absolutely loved either one, but I can see there usefulness. Do I feel that these social networking sites belong in the schools? I am not 100% sure on how I feel about them, because I don't have a huge amount of experience with them. Now that I am on maternity leave for a couple of months, my neighbor says that I have to get onto Facebook. She absolutely loves it and says she stays connected with a lot of old friends that way. I think I will have more of an opinion when I have time to really use some of these sites.

With anything that is connected to the web, we know that there are risks and even some dangers. You would denintely have to have specific guidelines on how these sites can be used in your school, before you ever implement them. I believe most of them are blocked in our school, but will have to do some research to find out if students can use any social net working sites or if all of them are blocked. It is definitely an interesting dabate.

Social Networking-Bergstrom

After reading the assigned chapters and participating in Library Thing, I can definitly see the value in using these within the classroom. They offer a variety of ways for students and teachers to communicate and share ideas. This can be adapted to classroom projects, allowing students to discuss topics, share information, and review books with people from around the country and world.

There are also limitations to this type of technology. Allowing students the opportunity to communicate with various people from outside the school could lead to possible problems. It would be necessary to have some type of guidelines. I am leary about giving students unlimited access to the various social networking sites. Granted, I am not very familiar with the ins and outs of social networking.

My county currrently does not allow access to social networking sites. If one was set up, it would need to be accessed outside of the school. This brings up the issue of students that do not have computer/internet access at home.

Social Networking--Baker

Based on the assigned readings, as well as my perusal of classmates’ blog postings, I’m still not totally convinced that the benefits of social networking outweigh the dangers of incorporating such networks into school media centers. Honestly, I have been hesitant to open up and to communicate via any social networks. My fear is that when you make too much of your personal information available, you open yourself up for trouble. Brain S. Mathew’s article “Online Social Networking” featured in Library 2.0 and Beyond highlights “The Dark Side of the Web” which points out the dangers social networking may pose. Such concerns include possible interaction with online predators, identity theft and stalking, spyware and viruses, and cyber-bullying, to name a few. At this point, these outweigh the advantages for me. Young people, who rarely hesitate to share their personal information, may quickly place themselves in harm’s way. Even with close monitoring from teachers and media specialists, it is not possible to supervise all Internet exchanges. Also, I feel all of the recommended suggestions for the use of social networks mentioned in the article—posting pictures, uploading maps and directions, appealing to younger audiences, featuring tutorials etc.—can be done through a library’s website.

On the other hand, I do believe resources like Librarything would be beneficial in encouraging students to read and to communicate with other readers. Ideally we want to create a virtual environment that celebrates the media center and all that it represents. I wonder if there is a way to block social networks whose design is purely that of social communication void of any scholarly exchange. One point that really stood out to me from Mathew’s article and made me question my original opinion is “Rather than blocking access to these websites, librarians should embrace an advocacy role and provide information about online safety. Librarians can also educate parents about the social web, discussing both the value and concerns, and seek to clarify any misunderstandings perpetuated by the media” (2007). The use of social networks closely connects with our recent class debate regarding Internet filtering in today’s schools. I truthfully see both sides of the argument, and really do not know what the “right” answer is. I will continue to further educate myself regarding the possibilities for social networks and will attempt to keep an open mind on the subject.

Social Networking - Hawkins

As far as social networking goes, school are an obvious location for this to be happening in. Long before the Internet and websites such as Myspace and Facebook came along, students and teachers were using their daily trips to school as a place to meet and talk to people. We want kids to develop social skills, right? Well, Internet social networking is just another step beyond the traditional face-to-face networking. I think there is a lot of potential for active engagement and learning through the use of social networking sites at school. All types of people, businesses, and groups have Myspace and Facebook pages, so why shouldn't a school media center? After all, media centers are suppose to be providers of information and knowledge, and therefore we should be open to reaching our patrons through this "new" technology.

As with anything in an academic setting, there needs to be parameters and guidelines established for its use. When students are at school, they are there to learn. It's their "job" so to speak. Students should not have uncontrolled access to social networking sites because in the school setting, the focus should still remain on learning and academics. Additionally, many schools have strong filters which block websites like Myspace and Facebook. School media centers can use websites like LibraryThing and perhaps even invest in upgraded OPAC systems like Destiny v8.5 which allow for aspects of social networking. Using these types of websites, students and teachers would be able to create book reviews, ratings, and tagging. Media specialists could use these sites to keep patrons informed of events and schedule changes with an interactive calendar. Another benefit of social networking is that media centers could "network" and get to know schools from around the country and world. Imagine the learning opportunities there!

Finally, this type of technology is another great way to educate students, parents, and teachers about Internet safety. There are many sites which a media specialist could use to teach lessons and provide resources about personal Internet privacy and information sharing. Education is the strongest tool we can give our children, and helping them get off on the right foot with new technologies is a responsibility we have to meet.

Social Networking - Cates

I am an avid user of Facebook at home, making contacts with new and old friends alike, and enjoying the ability to keep in touch with people across the country. I think that it would be a great tool for the media center, allowing students and teachers to see what is new, requesting materials, posting pictures and announcing special events.

Unfortunately, social networking sites (with the exception of LibraryThing) are blocked in my county. We use a technology called Deepnines, and special permission is required to do a great variety of things, including streaming media and picture searches. I recently had to ask technology to allow my administrators to bypass the filter in order to view Myspace to track down several bullying complaints. It may take several days to get an answer, and if they are denied, then that delays their ability to track down and prevent bullying. I didn't intend for this to be a diatribe on blocking software, but my biggest point with the fact that social networking sites are blocked at school would be that I would have to update the sites at home in the evening. Quite frankly, that ain't happenin'. I have too much on my plate with kids and school, and my time after all that is for me to relax and catch up, not for me to do more work for a county that limits my ability to do it at work (but I'm not bitter ;).

Todd

Web Pages - Hiley

Becuase of this media progrom I have had the opportunity to examine a whole lot of web pages in the last couple of semesters. What I find that I like most often are simple, uncluttered, easy to use websites. I find that the ones that are so full of information are sometimes the hardest to use. My media center has a very simple web page. I am at the same school as Jodi and she already listed what it there. While it is simple, it is easy to use and understand and even elementary aged children could use it. However, I do feel that some other important things could be added to it, and it could be kept much more up to date. This would be a great place to let teachers, parents and students know what is new in the media center and what events are happening. I don't think it has been updated in a long time. I would like to learn more about how to design a simple web page, however, at this point I don't have the time or energy to maintain one, so I will keep that on the back burner for a future project.

Wiki's - Hiley

This is very frustrating to me. This is the third time I tried to post this and it still hasn't shown up. This is exactly how me and technology get along. We don't. I find Wiki's to be an interesting new tool, however I will say that so far it isn't one of my favorites. I can see it's usefulness for communication, even around the world, but as far as using it with elementary school students, I am not really sure there is an application. I could see it being useful to teachers, and I guess I could see some book talks going with some of the older elementary aged children. However, I could see how easily you could cause problems with the Wiki, even unintentionally which would be something that I soul do. As I get more information about the Wiki's and become more familiar with them, I am sure that I will find it more useful.

Web Pages - Bergstrom

Through out these courses I have had the opportunity to look at a variety of web pages for various schools. It seems that the web pages vary based on the experience of the creater and the amount of time and effort they are able to put into it. Some web pages are simply amazing. I do not know how one begins to manage all of the information and links that are offered. The web page for my school is very basic. It includes information pertaining to AR, reading invitational book lists, copyright informatoin, an introduction to the WPCE news crew, and media center rules. Regardless of whether there is an abundance of information or a minimal amount, the key is to have a web page that is user friendly and informative. Simply loading a page with pictures, flashing neon graphics, and links to various sites does not make it practical. The page needs to be designed to meet the needs of the users. While this can be done in a creative way, the key is to be useable. In the event that I am responsible for designing my own web page, I will definitly start out on the minimalist side, adding additional information slowly.

Cates - Webpages

I have been using the web since the days of bulletin boards and mosaic. It has always been important to me that a webpage loads quickly. Being a member of the microwave generation, I want what I want NOW! If there are too many icons, pictures, files, etc. on a page and it takes a long time for the page to load, I have moved on. And if I have moved on, then I am sure that today's students have already told their friends not to even bother stopping by, so the page is useless if no one is viewing it.

So a webpage should hold, in my opinion, very basic information that is quickly and easily accessible. We use the page at chestnut log to communicate AR information, contact information, and a few pictures of reading bowl. It could probably be jazzed up some, but we are limited due to the use of a company called schoolinsites that has a basic interface that forces us to standardize across the district. It is incredibly slow itself, but that may also just be a bandwidth issue in my district.

Media Center Websites--Baker

A media center’s web site should be an advertisement for the services that are provided there. It should also allow access via passwords to as many of its resources as possible when the library is closed, so students and teachers can work on research from home. As a high school English teacher, I know this is paramount because often students must be able to access online databases before and after school hours in order to meet assignment deadlines. Teachers should also be able to find out what materials the library has in its collection without having to physically go to the LMC. This is an especially convenient and helpful tool in very large schools, where it may take a great deal of time to physically go the LMC. Personally, I really like web pages that are ORGANIZED and easy to maneuver. Visual appeal is not a major priority for me. I really like to be able to quickly find the materials I need and to get to work, or move on if the resource does not have what I need.

On a school web site I think it is important to feature all of the basic information regarding names of media specialists, e-mail addresses, hours of operation, mission statement and purpose, etc. Online databases and resources should be clearly visible and easy to access. I love when web sites feature current events and activities that would likely be of interest to patrons. The school where I observe, Kennesaw Mountain High School, has an excellent web site that the media specialists work diligently to keep updated. They feature notices about new order arrivals and new displays. They have many other really cool features. One that I think is especially helpful for teachers is that they have a link to their media center calendar, so you do not have to come into the media center to schedule class visits. You merely look on the online schedule, select a date and class period that is available, e-mail the LMS, and you are set. This saves so much time! It’s those types of features that I believe make a media center’s web site relevant to its patrons.

Media Center Websites - Hawkins

Recently I was talking to my mentor about the full day experience I had in local middle school's media center. We were discussing the differences between elementary and middle school media centers, students, and teachers. She mentioned that she would soon be traveling to Luella Elementary School in Locus Grove. Luella's media center was named AASL's National School Library Media Program of the Year for 2008. The first ever from Georgia to be awarded. As my mentor began describing some of the awesome things she's heard about the school and its media center, she pulled up their website.

The first thing I noticed on the school's website was how many different awards and accolades the school has collectively won. The school's principal has even written a book, Students On Strike, which received a starred review by the School Library Journal. I also noticed that the school's homepage offers a lot of important school info and is divided into helpful tabs and highlighted links. After locating the media center's web page, the first thing I noticed were the picture slide shows. These do a great job of sparking interest in the media center and had me discovering what goes on in a Library Media Program of the Year! The media center's web page itself was pretty basic in design but also helpful. I'm not sure how easily younger students could navigate it's tabs. They seemed more for teachers, but I loved that they had cataloged monthly events and provided pictures with short descriptions for each. There was also a "quick reference" bullet that provided links to pertinent websites (e.g. GALILEO, Tumble Books, and dictionaries) that teachers, students, and parents could use.

After doing research for this blog topic and then viewing the web page of this award-winning media center, I was left feeling comforted. I realized that not every "award-winning" website represents an "award winning" media program. Granted, I think Luella Elementary's website is a good one, but I don't think it'll be winning any webbie awards anytime soon. This, however, does not make me believe any less in their award-winning program. After all, a website alone can not encapsulates all the fantastic learning and actual day-to-day activities of a media center. It is definitely important for a media center to create a helpful and interesting website. However, a great media program is not defined solely by its website, the number of computer workstations, or how many classes can comfortably be held within its walls at one time. All these things must add up to help create a meaningful experience in the media center, and it's the people, resources, and lessons taught there that will ultimately make the program a success.