All over the news the past week or so has been the vote on Net Neutrality. Net Neutrality forces Internet providers to treat all content on the web the same and not discriminate based on user, type, etc. It allows for an open playing field for all consumers and helps to prevent companies from profiting off of parts of the Internet they know are more lucrative.
The FCC recently voted to end net neutrality, which could have serious consequences for consumers. It is expected to be fought in court before it is actually repealed, but the idea that this is something that could happen is scary in 2017. Internet providers could decide that charging more to use Twitter can make them more money. Or if you want to stream a video from YouTube, it will cost you more. It takes away the regulations to keep the playing field even.
When this happened, my first thought went to how this vote could affect public schools and libraries when it comes to Internet. As I was searching through my Twitter feed, I came across this interesting and informative article and thought I would share.
https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2017/12/13/570262813/how-a-deregulated-internet-could-hurt-america-s-classrooms
Everyone should be informed as to how ending net neutrality would affect them. It is important, regardless of your stance on the issue, to understand both sides. Do your research!
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Monday, December 4, 2017
It's "Hour of Code" Week!
Today marks the beginning of the "Hour of Code" week (December 4-10). “The 'Hour of Code™' is a nationwide initiative by Computer Science Education Week and Code.org to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming."
At South Middle, our students will be participating in "Hour of Code" in a variety of ways. If they are taking a class with the Technology department, they will be doing an activity through hourofcode.org. Our library will also be hosting events during the lunch periods to allow students to code on the computers, iPads and also use a variety of coding robots we have (i.e. Dash and Dot, Sphero, Cubelets, Ozobots, MakeyMakey and more!).
You can also sign up for "Hour of Code" events at your local Apple store by click on this link...
https://www.apple.com/today/collection/hourofcode/
Please see Mrs. Graybosch with any questions you have and we look forward to seeing you in the library this week!!
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
A New Year Filled with New Ideas
As per usual, my blogging has gotten seriously behind and I regret that I am not using this tool to reflect and connect like I should be. The new school year has been somewhat chaotic (but in a good way) and things are just beginning to quiet down. Between 6th grade orientations, introducing Flipgrid and implementing Actively Learn, it has been quite a ride so far.
Over the summer, I explored Flipgrid as a tool to use with teachers and students. I quickly became interested in using this tool as often as I could and wanted to share it with all of the educators I work with. During team/department meetings in the beginning of the year, I did just that. I was able to share a code with all of them for a 45 day free trial and then used some of my library budget to purchase it for the entire school. So many teachers have been using it quite successfully and I can't wait to see where it goes from here!
Our BCG group was able to convince the administration to purchase the online reading system, Actively Learn. Although it is a hefty investment, we really felt that it could be useful across curriculum and in almost all departments. For the past few weeks, I have been sharing information and training teachers to use this awesome tool. Actively Learn has been so supportive with all of our needs and questions throughout this process. I look forward to sharing more about the use throughout the school year.
Now...onto the new AASL 2017 Standards just released at the national conference. Although I was #NotAtAASL, I have been actively looking into just what this means for our library and how it will change the future of libraries in general. There are so many great resources out there to help promote and acknowledge the fact that having a fully staffed and funded library media center in each and every school is essential to student growth and success.
Over the summer, I explored Flipgrid as a tool to use with teachers and students. I quickly became interested in using this tool as often as I could and wanted to share it with all of the educators I work with. During team/department meetings in the beginning of the year, I did just that. I was able to share a code with all of them for a 45 day free trial and then used some of my library budget to purchase it for the entire school. So many teachers have been using it quite successfully and I can't wait to see where it goes from here!
Our BCG group was able to convince the administration to purchase the online reading system, Actively Learn. Although it is a hefty investment, we really felt that it could be useful across curriculum and in almost all departments. For the past few weeks, I have been sharing information and training teachers to use this awesome tool. Actively Learn has been so supportive with all of our needs and questions throughout this process. I look forward to sharing more about the use throughout the school year.
Now...onto the new AASL 2017 Standards just released at the national conference. Although I was #NotAtAASL, I have been actively looking into just what this means for our library and how it will change the future of libraries in general. There are so many great resources out there to help promote and acknowledge the fact that having a fully staffed and funded library media center in each and every school is essential to student growth and success.
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
School Library Month
It has been quite some time since I have written a new post. The fact that April is "School Library Month" has inspired me to get back into the swing of things with blogging.
Celebrating school libraries during this month has always been something that has been hard for me to do because, fortunately, my school always supports and encourages the library. Taking just one month out of the year does not do school libraries justice. We are the foundation for many changes and new ideas throughout the school year. Teachers and students rely on us to have information and give them materials that they can use efficiently and effectively.
Celebrating school libraries during this month has always been something that has been hard for me to do because, fortunately, my school always supports and encourages the library. Taking just one month out of the year does not do school libraries justice. We are the foundation for many changes and new ideas throughout the school year. Teachers and students rely on us to have information and give them materials that they can use efficiently and effectively.
The theme of this year's "School Library Month" rings true for so many of us. While we struggle to keep our libraries relevant and useful to our school community, we are always making sure to empower our students. Empower them to: read, check facts, feel comfortable and safe, and so much more. Libraries are, and always have been, more than just books. As a school library media specialist, my goal is to make the library a place for ALL and a place that students WANT to visit.
Although it's already April, I am going to let this new month with this great celebration empower me to get back into blogging, Twitter and more sharing of the great things that my library and all libraries are doing.
Happy School Library Month!!
Monday, December 5, 2016
Hour of Code
Today is the day for "Hour of Code" at South Middle. Our Technology department registered our school and is having all of the non-elective classes participate throughout the day. To piggyback on that, the library is going to host an "Hour of Code" during the lunch periods during the week. This will allow students time to learn more about coding and practice it using sites like code.org.
What is the "Hour of Code"?
"The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code", to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities but expanding to all sorts of community efforts. Check out the tutorials and activities. This grassroots campaign is supported by over 400 partners and 200,000 educators worldwide."
Check out this website to learn more!
What is the "Hour of Code"?
"The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code", to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities but expanding to all sorts of community efforts. Check out the tutorials and activities. This grassroots campaign is supported by over 400 partners and 200,000 educators worldwide."
Check out this website to learn more!
***Click here to get started!***
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
MakerSpace Faculty Meeting
The MakerSpace has become extremely popular with the students this year. I have had mostly 7th grade Flex classes coming in, but the demand is becoming more widespread. Two Spanish classes came in to celebrate "Dia de los Muertos" and a rotation of Science classes came in to learn more about cells. There really have been so many creative ideas on how to use the MakerSpace in the library.
In order to get even more teachers interested, my principal and I decided that we would have a MakerSpace faculty meeting. It was held the Monday before Thanksgiving and was a big success. There was a lot of planning that went into it beforehand so that almost 80 teachers could be engaged and learn more about the variety of ways to integrate the MakerSpace into their curriculum. I wanted to make sure that the teachers saw that there is a reason behind learning through play and to help them envision trying new ways of teaching old topics.
Since there was a limited amount of time, I chose what would happen at each station rather than letting them come up with their own ideas. I also sent out information about what a MakerSpace is before the meeting for those that were not familiar. There were 13 stations in total: Dash and Dot Robots, Makey Makey, Little Bits, Cubelets, Snap Circuits, Arts and Crafts, Origami, Osmo, Legos/K'nex, Ozobots, 3D design, zSpace, and Coding websites. The teachers rotated every 6 minutes and were able to get to most stations.
There has been a lot of great feedback from the meeting and hopefully we will have more teachers coming into the Library to use the MakerSpace!
In order to get even more teachers interested, my principal and I decided that we would have a MakerSpace faculty meeting. It was held the Monday before Thanksgiving and was a big success. There was a lot of planning that went into it beforehand so that almost 80 teachers could be engaged and learn more about the variety of ways to integrate the MakerSpace into their curriculum. I wanted to make sure that the teachers saw that there is a reason behind learning through play and to help them envision trying new ways of teaching old topics.
Since there was a limited amount of time, I chose what would happen at each station rather than letting them come up with their own ideas. I also sent out information about what a MakerSpace is before the meeting for those that were not familiar. There were 13 stations in total: Dash and Dot Robots, Makey Makey, Little Bits, Cubelets, Snap Circuits, Arts and Crafts, Origami, Osmo, Legos/K'nex, Ozobots, 3D design, zSpace, and Coding websites. The teachers rotated every 6 minutes and were able to get to most stations.
There has been a lot of great feedback from the meeting and hopefully we will have more teachers coming into the Library to use the MakerSpace!
Monday, October 17, 2016
A Library for the 21st Century
Do we need all of these books? What is a MakerSpace? Does anyone use the library now that we have lots of technology?
All of these questions, and more, are asked when the idea and concept of spending lots of money to renovate an outdated library. Around the country, lots of public, university and school libraries are being updated and renovated. The idea of what a library is has changed tremendously in the past 10 years. In order to remain relevant and important, libraries can't just be books anymore.
Access...that is the key to why libraries are still important in 2016. Regardless of income or intelligence, the library is a place for EVERYONE. The library gives resources to those who may not have access to them. The library provides information for those who are curious. The library should be a hub for the town, village, school, college, etc.
We are in the process of waiting for a bond issue to be voted on and one of the projects that was chosen is a complete renovation of the library. This was a smart decision made by faculty and administration because it is a space used by everyone and FOR everyone. Renovated, the library can be a place for students to work quietly, teachers to have team meetings, classes to visit and more. Technology does not negate the use of the library, it should actually enhance it. Libraries can be a place where people come to try new things or bring ideas for projects. Having technology and using it well are two very different things.
I can't wait to see what my school comes up with for our future library. The collaboration is something I look forward to and I am eager to hear ideas and thoughts about what my faculty, staff and students want for our library of the future.
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