It is difficult to envision the end of my LIBE 477 course amid my current report card writing, re-reading, and anticipatory Spring Break relaxing that fuels my energy this final week of school prior to vacation. That being said, I have already begun the process of planning my final project, and even got a good idea for a "side project" that intrigues me. My plan is to use the program Scratch to engage students in project based learning in the third term in the Library. I will also be creating a Screenr instructional video about Scratch for our classes, our staff, and possibly for our District. I have already collaborated with a classroom teacher about working together with his class for this project and tying it to their study of Extreme Environments, in addition to booking our District's Technology teacher about times and lessons she will assist with throughout the project.
The scope of my project is primarily my school and my work with intermediate students in the Library, with the possibility of expanding to other schools we work closely with (other elementary schools in our family of schools and potentially the high school we feed into if they are willing). I have gained some good insights this year from taking this course and using technology to kindle motivation with students, from using Comic Life and PhotoStory 3, to generating Power Point presentations and reading the interactive story Inanimate Alice to develop critical thinking skills in our older students. With our technology issues, we are still years away from BYOD which is something I am interested in incorporating in our Library and as a classroom teacher as part of a 21st Century Classroom. I think the classroom of the future may not involve a traditional classroom much at all, and I want kids to be curious and use the massive power of the internet and their access to information and learning to be positive and improve their life rather than just violent gaming and watching Youtube to pass the time. Until our technology issues get sorted out in the District I may have to wait on this part of my scope for the project.
Compounding this is my knowledge that as a Vice-Principal I will be moved to a new school soon and I am unsure what grade I could be teaching, if I would even be in the Library, or what exactly my roles(s) will be so I don't want to get too fixated on an uncertain future. I will be able to take much of what I have learned in this course with me in whatever capacity I find myself in, but perhaps it will be a deepening of my knowledge and experience from what I learned that will anchor my vision. To take what I learned and make it better once our technology plan is solidified and my new role is realized (whenever that might be!). Ideally I'd like to be able to get my library projects, Screenrs and other activities fully online so kids can access them where ever and whenever and "go paperless" to really streamline and synergize the learning possibilities and opportunities in the Library.
The side project of a "Maker Space" in the Library not only sounds cool as an activity to work on with kids in schools, but perhaps more importantly, it seems like something that would make the Library even more of a hub of excitement, learning, passion, and creativity. The idea that kids have a space and materials to "make" something either for learning to represent their knowledge or as a fun way to demonstrate their ideas and curiosity is intoxicating as an educator. It really aligns with my goals for this project in kindling motivation for learning and using technology to get kids motivated. The rationale is of course to hopefully draw more kids into the Library to see all the possibilities that it contains, not only books and reading, but a place of acceptance and community where students can "try things out" and continually work towards personal improvement.
Photo #1 courtesy of:
http://static.iwnsvg.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/light-at-end.jpg
Photo #2 courtesy of:
http://www.jmw.com/assets/collaboration.jpg
Photo #3 courtesy of:
http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/lancasteronline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/0b/60bae4b8-31bf-56ac-80ea-24f2b97f1320/5243594e8e04a.image.jpg
Photo #4 courtesy of:
http://static1.squarespace.com/static/51872877e4b0b930f1cfed5d/t/51bcbdede4b0adfaf4a6498b/1371323886370/paperless+therapy+office
Photo #5 courtesy of:
http://creationstationma.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Rochester-Maker-Space.jpg
