Final Reflection

When the opportunity came up for me to be a librarian, I jumped at the chance.  My district has allowed me to complete my master's degree while working as a librarian for our fourth and fifth grade campus.  With each library science class that I have taken at SHSU, I have learned that there is much depth and complexity to being a librarian than just being the keeper of the books.  When I first got the job my husband asked what exactly would I be doing.  I told him having classes, working with teachers,  checking books in and out, and buying books.  He said I should have no problem buying books because I did that all the time anyway. (By the way, buying books for my classroom versus buying books for a population of 600 students is no easy task.)

I knew that there was this media specialist component of the job description, and, honestly, I was a little concerned about that part.  I'm not very techy.  My solution to fix any dealing with computers is to turn it off.  Wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on.  Then, if that didn't work, put in a tech request for help.  If there was a valuable tech tool to use in the classroom, I waited for someone else to tell me about it.  Boy, oh boy, am I glad I took this class!

I like how we started this course with Facebook and Twitter.  Since I was very familiar with both of these social networking sites,  I felt like I just might be able to do this.  I'm still bummed that our district will not allow us to have individual pages.  We have to submit things we want posted to go on our general district page.  I see enormous opportunities to promote the library and to build a reading culture through Facebook, Instagram, and Vine.  Initially I had started my Twitter account at the International Reading Association convention.  I started following some leaders in the education world then.  Now I have included leaders in the librarian and technology world as well.  I don't Tweet much myself, but I do find some great information that helps me develop professionally. 

I love looking at infographics.  I'm just amazed at the design and information that is included.  However, for me, making the inforgraphic was  a challenge.   It was easy to use the features, but there are so many choices that I could spend hours and hours on one project.  I just made an infographic for this class of my top tech picks.  I wanted an easy way to remember all the techy ideas we covered in this class.  I did spend about three hours on just the design.  It by no stretch of the imagination looks like the ones I see on Pinterest and other places.   If I took that long to create one, I'm wondering how long it would take a student?  I think the more I use it, the more my skills will develop and I will be able to use it with the kids.

When I first thought of podcasts, I thought of dry, boring content.  I really like the idea of using podcasts for reader's theater scripts.  They will be loads of fun.  I also like the comment Dr. Gross made of having older kids record books for younger kids.  That is a perfect fit for my campus. 

Looking into the world of blogs was fun.  I actually plan to keep up with mine after this class is over.  I think blogs are a great way to keep track of what you are learning, doing, and sharing.  Since I subscribed to Bloglovin, I have received emails of new posts from blogs I follow.  It really does not consume a lot of time because blog posts are usually short and not every blog I follow posts something everyday.  It's nice to have that friendly reminder emailed to me when new posts are available. 

I am so grateful for the YouTube, Animoto, and QR code assignment.  Book trailers had always seemed so intimidating to me.  Animoto made it easy!  This is one that will be a big hit.  I see a plethora of QR codes leading to book trailers this year.  Speaking of YouTube...wow!  There is so much on this site.  Years ago, when my daughter was taking a college algebra class, she said she went to YouTube for help.  I didn't really process what she was saying until now.  There is a YouTube video for practically everything.  And, I did not realize how much kids go to YouTube.  There is more here that I would like to explore.

Although I had issues with two of the three screencasts sites to investigate, I really like making them.  Because of my non-techy skills, I was only able to use the Screencast-O-Matic site.  This is one I will definitely share with teachers.  And why should it just be limited to teachers?  I'm pretty sure students could teach us a thing or two using a screencast.

I did not know there were so many online book communities.  Of all the ones we investigated, I still like GoodReads the best.  Also, I am glad I was able to add Destiny Quest in this group.  It is a feature that is readily available on our circulation system.  I think the kids will be excited to use this feature and make recommendations to friends. 

I think the assignment I had the most fun with was the cartoons and comics assignment.  Graphic novels are so popular right now, I think the kids will be excited to use this.  But, my all time favorite app is now Tellagami.  I was super excited to use the app to create an introduction to  the library.  I know the kids will have fun with this one, too.  Shhhh....don't tell them they will be learning while they are "playing around" with this one.

Although I did not get to do the ThingLink assignment of the library tour.  I did play around with ThingLink and made one for the 2015-2016 Bluebonnet nominees.  Each picture takes the viewer to a book trailer for each book.  I think I will revise and add the podcast of the reader's theater as they are done.  I embedded this ThingLink on my library home page.  I know I keep saying I am excited about each one of these tech tools, but I am!  ThingLink is one of my favorites, right up there with Tellagami.

As I completed each assignment I thought, "How will this benefit me, my teachers, and my patrons?"  I now feel like I am a little more qualified for the role "media specialist".  I can start the year with suggestions for teachers and students.  I still may have to submit tech requests to fix certain issues that can't be fixed by turning the computer on and off, but I now know that I don't have to wait and let someone else tell me what tech resources to use. I have started packing my virtual toolbox, and I know where to look to find more.