Leadership, a wiki and an iPad

Now it looks like the wiki is the recommended way to share information from the iPad. I am using my wiki again this year with Stage 3. The next stumbling block is how to save onto it using the iPads. When the students and I last tried it was a failure. However, the material we tried to save was recoverable when using a computer to access the wiki.
I have asked for help on Yammer. We will see what it brings.

Wiki 2012

We have iPads at school with a limited memory. I have been trying to work out how to get around this problem so that the children can work collaboratively using the wiki I made last year. I have discovered that it is accessible by the children in my school, i.e. it is not a restricted site, anymore.
I am using it this year so that the children can compile there notes and share with other children in their class. It will also mean that they can access the wiki in class  or at home, which will give them time to write their information sheets or any other work. They need this extra time as the time they have in library isn't always sufficient to get  things done.
What it means in terms of the iPads is that they will be able to write their notes using the iPads and then view those notes elsewhere without having to email to themselves! This is a problem I have been trying to nut out for a while.

TL as a leader

Forum Entry on Donham

I appreciated a number of references in the Donham (2005) article. They include those referring to journaling, using the planning guideline from the AASL (1999),  using your passion to maintain enthusiasm and the list of characteristics of a leader.

1.     Journalling: She said that we should ask the following questions when we journal – “What did I learn today? Whom did I nuture today? What challenge did I confront today? How did I make a positive difference today?”

2.     Using A PlanningGuide for Information Power: Partnerships for Learning (American Association of School Librarians ) 1999.

This, she writes, involves setting a direction and writing steps out describing how to reach set goals. This spoke to me as we have just finished writing a mission statement at school, which refers to  21^st

learning.  It has inspired me to incorporate this into my planning for the library.

3.     Passion My passion is technology and its uses in teaching and learning. This article gives me permission to pursue this and hone my skills in this area.

4.     List of characteristics of the leader She refers to Warren Bennis (1999) who lists a number of ways a leader can be described. He included: “technical competence…conceptual skill…people skills…. Judgment…(and) character.

This article has given me a framework to move forward with my work as a TL. It has done this by putting into context and giving a reason for  many of the things I was already doing or could do better.

 

Donham, J. (2005). Leadership. In Enhancing teaching and learning : a leadership guide for school library media specialists (2nd ed.) (pp. 295-305). New York : Neal-Schuman Publishers.

A Fresh Start for the New Year

I have just finished writing my program for this term. Now that I am half way through my Masters I finally am developing a sense of what it is I am supposed to be doing. While teaching Stage 2 about different religions and Stage 3 about Mt Kosciuszko National Park, I am teaching the skill of notetaking. Later in the units I will be asking the children to ask themselves if the notes they have taken are sufficient or appropriate for their needs.
I am using a book called The Thoughtful Researcher by V. Rankin (1999). It is quite old but it breaks down the teaching  of information literacy into usable chunks. This is what I was looking for. I am considering buying it for the library or at least for myself. Some of the information relating to using the internet is too dated to use, however, the content on note taking and analysing information is very useful.

Ipad and Textbooks

I was looking at my nswl listserv today and it had this link to Youtube about Ipads and textbooks. I was particularly excited about the note taking facilities that the new app brings. Also, ipads offer a book publishing program which is free. When I am back at school I must look into this for our students. Very exciting!

Using Google Maps

Hi I have just started experimenting with Google Maps as suggested by J. Herring in Improving students' web use and information literacy (p.22). I could show  Stage 1 how to use it for their walking tour unit and Stage 2 for the literacy research unit.
Here is the link for the map. This will give an extra dimension to the unit of work the children will be doing. In Stage 1 we can use their photos in the map we create.

Annandale North PS Walking Tour Sample Test

Donkey Library

What can I say? This man is a hero. I look at him and feel so thankful for all the advantages we take for granted every day. Barbara Braxton shared this on OzTL net. She also suggested that it be watched after reading My Library is a Camel.