Shhhhh, Said Sara

What steps can you take to make sure you have control of your online information? Why is it important to lock privacy settings and set strong passwords?   Begin by ensuring that the information that you have stored on websites is secure. This can be done by using services such as ‘;--have i been pwned? to search your email addresses to make sure they are not registered on a website that has been compromised. But even if your email has been compromised, a randomly generated password for each account that contains numbers, capitals, and special characters will prevent others from accessing your information. Services such as 1Password and LastPass will generate and store your code while monitoring for online breaches. Each time you visit a website, you are also being tracked. Those pesky pop-up messages asking for permission want to collect your personal data, including where you live and what you like. These sites inform advertisers, who in turn know all about you and what you...

Problem #1:  What materials should be purchased to start a makerspace? Reframe: To create makerspace lessons focused on specific subjects/content/curricular competencies, what materials are needed? Problem #2:  In the library, there is not enough flexible seating. Reframe: In the library, there is not enough comfortable seating to foster silent, independent reading. The problem which I wish to focus on is collecting materials to begin a makerspace. When first starting a makerspace, the school could purchase many items without purpose. This could lead to items remaining unused, or worse, being inappropriate for the students. Furthermore, teachers or TLs wishing to use the space might not have all the items they need but will be unable to purchase more because the money had been spent on other things. Instead of purchasing without purposee, the school should first determine how the makerspace should be used. To do so, those who are interested could indicate one topic per t...

Welcome to my sunny library, one of the few rooms in the school with windows. This is my second year in the space and the first year that the French program integrated into our school. My principal asked that the French student feel included and there wasn't room for a large French area, so I made several smaller French sections based on the type of book.  I have made several other changes to the space, including adding bins where appropriate. Our quick-read chapter books, which include titles such as I Survived and the Owl Diaries, have increased in circulation. Another big change was to add a shelf sign to every shelf in the nonfiction section. It has been great because students know exactly what is on the shelf and it even makes it more accessible for teachers. However, one of the problems I have is shelf space. I have great big windows but that means I need to have short, short shelves. Some parts of the collection I would like to nurture (such as board books) have no room to g...

My Library – Already in Place Robotic equipment, including Bee Bots and Lego Spike Prime 3D Printer and 3Doodler pens Computers Some iPads (about 8 per class) Craft books for inspiration, such as sewing, origami, and more Basic supplies like paper, pencils, markers, scissors, and glue Coding - Scratch (Jr.) My Library – Possibilities for my School Community Clear out the library storage room (some items will be removed in the near future) Robots such as Sphero have more versatility than Bee Bots but are easier to use than Spike Prime Green screen Lego, blocks, other odds and ends Supplies like beads, yarn, fabric, and other sewing supplies Picture and nonfiction books that can inspire makers (eg. Iggy Peck, Architect) and support literacy Items based on student wishes - grades 4/5 are doing an entrepreneurship class Some of the projects my students and I have completed fall into the maker's space category. As an elective, I taught Lego Robotics, I taught many coding lessons, and we...

 K–3 Design Thinking: during the early grades, students work with others to form ideas based on a set of needs, create a project that mirrors their vision, and share it with others.   4–5 Design Thinking: in these grades, groups brainstorm ideas to solve a challenge, creating a plan that includes tools and materials. They may make many versions, noting changes between models. In order to build their final product, teams must test their protypes, gathering feedback to make updates. Finally, they must determine how and who to share their product with. 6–9 Human Centred Design Thinking: based around a real issue or need, students will create their design while considering the end user or client. As they move through the stages of the design process, they must consider the needs of their client and how their product could affect the individual, community, or environment. Tinkering – this is the hands on part of the design process. It could include making, testing, or upgradi...

 I really enjoy integrating play-based learning using the ADST curriculum. Whether it's coding, robotics, or STEAM, students are always engaged. It is so easy to embed different parts of the curriculum into these lessons and students don't even notice that they are learning. Click for a larger image.

  The infographic below shows professional goals I have set that focus on integrating technology into my practice and modelling its use to colleagues and students. Works Cited “Introduction to Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies.” Building Student Success - B.C. Curriculum , Province of British Columbia, https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum/adst/introduction . “ISTE Standards: Educators.” ISTE , International Society for Technology in Education, https://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards-for-teachers . Kimmons, Royce, et al. “PICRAT: The PICRAT Technology Integration Model.” EdTechnica , Ed Tech Books, https://edtechbooks.org/encyclopedia/picrat . Sadadow. “Educator Center Overview - Microsoft Learn Educator Center.” Overview - Microsoft Learn Educator Center | Microsoft Learn , Microsoft, https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/educator-center/ . Terada, Youki. “A Powerful Model for Understanding Good Tech Integration.” Edutopia , George Lucas Educational Foundation,...

 In order to grow my PLN, I looked at four different organizations that offered training that fit my interests: Microsoft Educators Community https://education.microsoft.com/en-us I really like Microsoft's Educator Centre. It offers a variety of learning opportunities from specific topics relating to computer software, to courses focused on a specific Microsoft program. I would be interested in taking many of Microsoft's offerings, especially the ones that focus on STEM, coding, and esports, as well as student-centred learning.  Product Guides include Minecraft, Flip (I didn't know this was a Microsoft product), and a reading progress app through Microsoft Teams.  Apple Teacher https://www.apple.com/education/apple-teacher/ While I know I will find some gems on Apple Teacher, I dislike how they have centred learning around their products. My school has a iPad deficit and many classes have gone from using iPads to the less expensive Chromebooks. Unless there was something ...

As a new teacher, one of the biggest difficulties I have faced is finding professional development that is right for me. I am lucky enough to be a member of a local teacher-librarian group that holds quarterly events which have been a wealth of knowledge. They have allowed me to ask questions and learn about what is happening in other libraries. However, I often struggle to find other educational opportunities that reflect my interests and benefit my students.  To focus on my PLN, I am going to take the following steps: Curate my Twitter feed to ensure it is library-focused and create a separate Instagram for work Follow up on learning opportunities, I hear about in passing (such as through blog posts and podcast notes - especially Amy Herman's School Librarians United)  Invest in reading - sometimes I just like to do things on my own. There are several books related to STEAM, makers space, and tabletop gaming that I would love to get my hands on Works Cited Cook, R. J., Jones...

The Revolt Project, an initiative started at King Middle School in Portland, Maine, uses Human Centred Design Thinking to solve an engaging, real-world problem - how to generate energy for the portion of the human population that goes without. Human Centred Design Thinking is a project-based inquiry strategy where students break down a problem using the design process. This strategy is compelling because it humanizes the task by requiring students to think of the needs and wants of others to solve the problem.  King Middle School's project took a holistic approach, where students continued to work on their projects during many different subjects. They used science class to learn about how windmills generated power, a maker's space to create and fine-tune their creations, and social studies to locate the perfect spot for wind turbines. Students learned about the positive impact of their project through William Kamkwamba's book, the Boy Who Harnassed the Wind. These types of ...

  Questions 1. What program could I use so that I can add extra media, such as pictures? The program I used saved a lot of features for paying customers. 2. What are alternate ways that this chart could be used? Works Cited Kimmons, Royce, et al. “Royce Kimmons.” Edtechnica , https://edtechbooks.org/encyclopedia/picrat. Puentedura , Ruben. “SAMR and Bloom's Taxonomy: Assembling the Puzzle.” Common Sense Education , 24 Sept. 2014, https://www.commonsense.org/education/articles/samr-and-blooms-taxonomy-assembling-the-puzzle.

  PICRAT is a powerful framework because it is designed to focus on all parts of a lesson, from how the teacher presents information, to how students share their understanding. I like how it scaffolds a lesson, starting with a teacher sharing knowledge, to a student practicing, and then finally showing mastery through a creative task. It acknowledges that while there are many ways to learn, in order to thrive, students must think both creatively and critically.  Although there are aspects that I like about PICRAT, I don't think this framework works for me. I am overwhelmed by the number of options and I think I would easily become confused. I prefer SAMR's clear and concise hierarchy. 

 

Teachers wear many hats on a daily basis but are often without the time, expertise, or interest to add another hat to their closet. Enter, the teacher-librarian. The library, or learning commons, is the technology hub in many schools. It connects students to iPads, laptops, robotic sets, online databases, or other types of technology. Although teachers have access to these materials, they don’t always know how to build meaningful lessons using them. SAMR, short for substitution, augmentation, modification, and redefinition, is a framework that allows educators to integrate technology into their teaching. As their school’s technology leader, the teacher-librarian may help others integrate tech into their practice through either training or collaboration. (Edutopia) The SAMR framework is split into two levels of integration. Enhancement, which substitutes traditional materials for a technological upgrade, can often be an easy switch (such as creating a book using the Book Creator app). T...

This blog is to document my journey as a student in CONT. 996, Teacher-Librarian as Technology Leader, at Queens University. I am a new teacher and teacher-librarian and every day, I learn something new. I hope by share what I have learned during this course, including my ideas, lessons, and research, so you can learn something too.