The Image Generation

This seems to be the generation of images! Unlike the "golden days of old" we as educators can no longer talk our students to death and expect them to a) relate to us, b) become interested in anything we have to say, or the even deadlier c) participate in the class discussion. In today's world images capture the eyes and the minds of both young and old. Image generators such as Wordle or Flickr Montager allow various images to instantly motivate students into actively learning and participating in the social issues the are evaluated in the classroom; in addition to supplying them with the ability to apply this strategy in real time. Yes we can stall and weave a basket of excuses as to why students should just be able to adapt as well as become adept to OUR WAY of teaching, but really is it necessary to dig our heels in the sand just to make a point? No I think we should all become MAN/WOMAN enough to accept the challenge and supply our future with what they need. I'm off the soapbox now.....until next time.

Reading 2.0

Reading 2.0 offers some of the most amazing technological advances in ways to present library information to students. Programs such as Microsoft PhotoStory3 allows the school media librarian to present new books in a fun and exciting, yet virtual way. These tools allow students to view book talks in a new engaging way, while maintaining active and participatory learning. Working with PhotoStory3 today helped me to gain a new respect for the importance of promotion within the library. How else are we going to engage students to read more books and to challenge themselves to go beyond the mandatory reading if we do not visually stimulate them? Step into the 21st century and embrace the new pathways that are allowing us to not only reach our learning expectations, but to also heighten student awareness.

Am I a TWIT or what?

So I am definitely sitting in class reaping the benefits of my $6,000 ticket to LIS 629 and wondering "Am I really not THAT techno savvy?" Here I am in the prime of my life, young 25 just out of undergrad less than five years, and I don't have an updated twitter account. Here I am following people and tweeting people that are twice my age, and they are more in the loop when it comes to technology than I am. It has definitely been a radical, yet fulfilling day that allowed me to really see the world of school librarians in a completely different light. Although on paper I know that librarians are extremely relevant to society, and more importantly the academic settings they service, it was amazing to see it in action.

The movement and the fluidity within the field has allowed for some of the most dynamic, transformational, and radical ideas I have heard/read in the education industry (I call it that with purpose) to date. I find myself trying to listen in class as well as read amazing articles like this one "The DDC is Killing our Libraries" http://schoolof.info/infomancy/ . Just this one article, of many, revolutionizes the drab iconic view of a librarian and charges us to find better and more innovative ways to reach our students.

I'm not going to sit a and write an entire essay, but I will be back later when I have furthered my research into "tweeting." LOL