Sunday, April 10, 2011

New Educational Media Technology




Bell, Mary Ann. "Anti-Filtering Snapping Turtle." MultiMedia & Internet@Schools 16.2 (2009): 37-39. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 10 Apr. 2011.
           In her article, Mary Ann Bell brings to light the rationale behind the “overly restrictive filtering” of the Internet in many school districts.  Touting their “reasons” are actually excuses that inhibit students’ learning potential.  Bell dismantles many of the arguments presented by school districts beginning with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Bell notes that the word “’filter’ actually does not appear in this law.”  Other reasons for such extreme filtering include the dangers of social networking, filters safeguard students, parents demand filters and may sue if they are not in place, students and teachers will engage in bad behavior, and problems with bandwidth.  Bell even includes many excuses from teachers who submit to these rules, rather than attempt to change the system.

Berger, Pam. "Student Inquiry and Web 2.0." School Library Monthly 26.5 (2010): 14-17. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 10 Apr. 2011.
           In her article, Pam Berger contends that Web 2.0 tools support active collaboration and learning experiences for students.  She maintains that today’s students are “more wired” and have “grown up in a highly digital atmosphere.” By incorporating the use of these types of web-based tools, educators and library media specialists are better able to meet the learning needs, as set forth in the American Associate of School Librarians’ (AASL) Standards for the 21st Century Learner

Bolan, Kimberly, Meg Canada, and Rob Cullin. "Web, Library, and Teen Services 2.0." Young Adult Library Services 5.2 (2007): 40-43. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 10 Apr. 2011.
           The authors advocate the development of using Web 2.0 tools to engage teenagers and encourage active participation in the library.  This type of engagement includes creating teen advisory boards involved in helping to create programs, make decisions, and even act as representatives on the library board.  For effective programs, Web 2.0 tools are not enough.  The authors maintain that changes to the physical space create a more colorful atmosphere that attract teens.  Additionally, Web 2.0 tools, such as blogs, wikis, gaming, social networking, and podcasts, are excellent ways to connect to today’s teenagers.

Lamb, Annette, and Larry Johnson. "The Digital Dog Ate My Notes: Tools and Strategies for 21st Century Research Projects." Teacher Librarian 37.2 (2009): 77-81. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 10 Apr. 2011.
           The authors discuss the ways in which tools and strategies aid students in 21st century research and study skills as outlined by the AASL multiple literacy standards.  Topics such as electronic journaling using Twitter and Blogger and digital note taking with social bookmarking tools are explored in addition to various other tools for research and citation.  The authors also provide information about digital issues that face student and provide an extensive list of websites for the teacher-librarian to aid students in the research process.

Pachler, N., and C. Daly. "Narrative and learning with Web 2.0 technologies: towards a research agenda." Journal of Computer Assisted Learning 25.1 (2009): 6-18. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 10 Apr. 2011.
           In their article, the authors examine the narrative process as a conceptual tool for organizing information and constructing knowledge through the use of Web. 2.0 technologies.  Pachler and Daly contend that Web 2.0 technologies, particularly blogging and microblogging tools, help the researcher to engage with the material in order to “make sense” of the information and share that information collaboratively.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Purchasing Media-Related Equipment




School Profile:
Bob Jones High School is the only high school in the Madison City School System located in Madison, Alabama.  Named for former Alabama congressman Robert E. “Bob” Jones, BJHS serves approximately 2174 students grades 10-12 and is the largest public high school in the state of Alabama.  It has a diverse population with 15.8% of the students receiving free or reduced lunch.

Bob Jones has a long list of accolades from Blue Ribbon school to Top 5% High Schools by Newsweek Magazine three years in a row. Bob Jones has also won several athletic State Championships including boys’ and girls’ basketball, swimming, cheerleading, and many others.

There are over 25 National Board Certified teachers among the 130 on faculty who teach a variety of courses including broadcasting, engineering, education, horticulture, medical programs in addition to the 24 Advanced Placement courses.

   2 Presidential Scholars
   4 Military Academy Appointments
  10 National Merit Finalists
  12 National Merit Semifinalists
  6 National Merit Commended
  101 Seniors received ACT scores of 30+
  Average ACT Composite Score: 23.8

Purchases:
Electric Projector Screen
$257.00 + free shipping

The Bob Jones High School Library Media Center currently uses an old stand-up projector screen with a wobbly tripod stand for presentations. Since the Library Media Specialist is not the only person who gives presentations in the Media Center, the Administration, Instructional Coach, PTA, and various other groups also use the library for meetings.  Given the layout of the library, such a small screen is difficult to see for most students/teachers, which is why I chose to shop for an electric screen that mounts next to the ceiling and retracts using a remote control.  This particular item is useful not only for the LMS but also for the other groups who wish to make use of the library's resources.

Wireless Microphone System
$479.00 + free shipping
What use is the projection screen without an audio system?  The librarian (and others who present) often has to yell in order to be heard.  This wireless microphone system has a receiver that can be mounted and connected to the PA system.  That way, the LMS (or presenter) can speak in a normal voice and project through the speakers in the ceiling.  Additionally, the lavalier style microphone allows the presenter to remain hands-free, while reducing the occurrence of high-pitched feedback that often results from hand-held microphones.  


Pulse SmartPen
$99.95 (2) + free shipping

This, by far, is one of the neatest gadgets I've seen.  The SmartPen allows the user to digitally record both written and voice notes using special technology.  The above link is a video that illustrates the use of the SmartPen.  In the Media Center, I would allow students to check out the SmartPens to record (podcast) book reviews on various selected titles (either the student's favorite book or new acquisitions).  By placing a sheet of the micro dots paper in the front cover of a book, a student is able to draw, write, or scribble notes on the paper while recording his/her review of the book.  When a student traces the writing on the paper, that student is able to listen to the student-generated book review.

What You Get
_    The Pulse SmartPen (1.3 ounces, anodized aluminum housing)
_    2 GB of memory (actual user available memory will be less)
_    Livescribe Desktop software (download)
_    3-D Recording Headset
_    Starter notebook
_    USB mobile charging cradle
_    SmartPen case
_    1 black fine point ink cartridge
_    Interactive Getting Started Guide

Headphones
(16 @ $3.99) + free shipping
With the remaining $64.00, I chose to buy new headsets for the Media Center's computer lab.  Currently, there are twenty-five computers but only eleven working headsets left.  Many teachers bring their classes to the computer lab to do research, and there are several students who work on credit recovery after school using online programs.  These headsets are useful to students who need to preview music selections to create Animoto videos among other presentations.

Selection
Price
Electric Projector Screen
$257.00
Wireless Microphone System
$479.00
SmartPens
$99.95 (2) - $199.90
Headsets
$3.99 (16) - $63.84
TOTAL:
$999.74