025.1 TASLA Day #2 Morning

A High School Program -Engaging YAs
Northwest H.S., Justin, TX

We were shown an Animoto and a Photostory as ways to increase interest in YA books.
The presenter discussed the value of blogging...and how fun it is when authors leave you a message on your blog. We listened to some podcasts that she has done on some new titles. She showed Shelfari as a way to display your collections or genres on line. She talked about the Gale Books & Authors program...there is a free trial. [I can't seem to find info on how to "get there"...stay tuned!] Her deaprting activity... the 212 Degrees motivational video. [didn't take time to find embedded version..hopefully this comes right up]

The link at the top will take you to her library page and you can see the activities, the book lists, etc.


It's break time...guess what we are doing!
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TEA Report Karen Kahan

Karen discussed the reorganization structure of TEA and those divisions that may affect our group.

Celebrating Where We Are

• Support standards
• K-12 databases
• Good news reports...various media pieces
• School Libraries Work!
• Leaders with technology !!

Audience comment: this needs to be shown to administrators (superintendents).

Setting The Course for Where We Can Go

• TSLAC/TEA Study and the survey
• Requests to the Legislature...funding TLC resources for equity...Rider 88!
• Cooperation with State Library, Region 20
• Long range plan for technology...progress report due in Dec 2008 ...we need to help with documentation on how databases are making a difference...how are they promoted...how they have affected student achievement (success stories)...have you met the recommendation in the plan

Providing Resources to Help Us Get Where We want to Be

• Curriculum website at TEA...hotest news about the LA/Reading standards changes!
• New area is research in these new LA/Reading TEKS
• Tx Higher Ed College Readiness Standards
• Kids' House & Senate Kids
• http://www.tea.state.tx.us/list to get on the mailing list...THE "To the Administrators' list"
• Star Chart...librarians should be filling this out..we are teachers! Big discussin about this issue...amny had been told not to fill it out on themselves!
• http://www.tea.state.tx.us/communications.html new NCLB reports requirement for technology (how many computers, documentation for technology literacy, technology literacy of personnel--teachers, librarians, administrators!) She stated it is critical to get on this list!
• The Texas Virtual School Network online courses..education thru electronic resources...ESC 10 & Harris Co. Dept Ed. central operations; several entities will provide training on how to teach online ..Region 4 is one.
• Internet Safety for students, educators, parents
• Vision 2020 grant...in review at this time

Reminded us we want !00% activiation and 100% regualr usage!! of all those databases. it is critical we have the proof that they are used to be able to keep them!

New format to TEA website...starts in July...there will be portals...buttons viewable on the homepage

she finished up with more resources...will have to wait for the PPt to be sent out...I will try to update when it comes out.

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During discussion time, Dr. Bishop talked to the group about the upcoming Administrator's Conference next April during TLA 2009. Start talking to your principal, etc. about attending. The date is April 1st.

What do you wish your principal can hear? other ideas to make it better

• need to have saying this stuff...not self-promoting speakers (which they really weren't)..we clearly need more administrators
• problem with the date...we know, but we have no choice
• time format changes becasuee of adminstrators who leave
• lots of theory..need more practical stuff like today's presentation, the principal/librarian from yesterday...less theory
• stats are very important...keep Keith Curry Lance...the impact of collaboration, we are the 5th content
• a local adminstrator from local area becasue majority will be from there...TASL winners have been used before
• dynamic librarian telling principals' what they need to do (non-$ support especially!)
• think of yourself as principal.....should it be divided by grade level...group consensus, yes.
• how to take advantage of your librarian..Use, not Abuse
• the new LA/Reading standards might need to be focus; using databases as starting point
• Involving PTAs, PTOs, ...the parent influence
• the new LA/Reading standards might need to be focus; using databases as starting point
• evaluation needs to be more important...not the last day of school, may have to get a new one!
• include TEA rep, National Board Librarians
• video cnferencing or vid-cast for those who could not attend
• what did the principal say about wanting their librian to do
• need for critical thinking skills...using databases as way to accomplish this, how they are helping to them (the admin themselves)
• having a strand for non-campus administrators
• communicating to the 1/3 of the campuses that are not in this room!
• share what is being talking about with the librarians at some point...so that they can be aware what is needed...maybe a reporting or fact sheet that comes out of there...many of the speakers have sites with all their points
• pinpoint specific sessions, booths they could go to ...principals' guide to TLA...please go with your librarian
• Coordinate with TASA maybe?
• using kids' presentations

It's lunch time!!

025.1 Day 1, Part 3, The Afternoon: TexShare & Transformation

What Is TexShare? Ann Mason
Sharing resources, joint purchasing, staff expertise
1988- resource-sharing with academic libraries
1994- funding started
1997- 150 members...academic and community colleges
1997-responsibility given to TSLAC...missed some!
membership to 700+ with public libraries added as of now

Amigos, UT Austin, ESC20 are strategic partners...it is due to UT that the address is a edu

actually 8 programs...databases and 7 others, including ILL, communications (about databses mostly now), TexTreasures grant

TexShare Database Program
50 databases..EBSCO being part of that
supported through participation fees

Library of Texas
federated search tool of catalogs (125 libraries) and databases..if you are a member.
some free resources (like access to view records)

Card Program
500 libraries participate...is NOT the database program
Public library members love to be able to go to academic libraries (like UT Austin)

Education Services
train mostly public librarians how to use databases, etc.

ILL
only members may participate.
there is a protocol

TexTreasures Grant
digitization of State "treasures" so they can be viewed virtually by "virtually" everyone!
[SBISD--we have some links to some of these projects on the LRP under Texas]

K-12 Database Program Update
for little 2.2 million we get the databases and Ency Britannica for almost every (98%) school library in Texas...over 4.4 million students!

State-wide
20+ million EBSCO searches as of May 31st
2.7 EB searches (we haven't had it as long!)
ESC 20 Help desk 13,000 email messages

Outreach plans:
parents and administrators and community
some "training" videos- be on agenda for 10 minute...highlights
ESC20 instructional recipes

Information from ESC20 concerning the databases
Lesson plans etc. there are training sessions available...consult their calendar
20 minutes to 6 hours training time available to you? use these materials no matter the time!

By the way some info is available on TeacherTube--search TexShare

time to change gears!

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Transforming TX Libraries - Julie Todaro

Briefly reminded about the big meeting that occurred in January
60-65% of the attendees were to be in the business under 5 years
A slogan that came out of it..What's the Big Idea? ...ie your idea for changing libraries.

the wiki's purpose:
provide plans for transforming in general
provide plans for transforming by type (and size)
provide content to re-purposed by transformers...interactive "clearinghouse"
provide a forum to share the big ideas ...some are a literacy guru, portal for content to go thru, statewide data, marketing/PR campaign (logo), p-16 literacy curriculum--seamless!

Before You Do Anything? go learn a few things!
Check out lots of other things on the right side bar! dinner speech, elevator speech, etc.

There is a space for YOUR Big Idea for transforming Libraries?...again on the right side bar of the wiki

How should a school librarian/school library administrator begin the transforming discussion for their library/libraries?

What content do you need in order to transform and get your "big ideas" for school libraries?

Group ideas

• cards where students can give their ideas for transforming
• The Transformer movie as a theme..maybe a prize
• contest --design a transformation, either in print or as a video
• A Day in the Life... video compare with that old video
• A video from the kids' point of view...my own thought ..isn't this like what TLA speaker Joyce Valenza had her kids do...MySpace/My Library click and take a look!
• some groups saw it from the bigger picture...transforming the leadership--principals and other administrators
• the issue of small schools/districts who do not have library administrators
• need to share basic change strategies to help those who might need to start "smaller"
• problem and solution video...
• alignment and partnerships...
• data gathering...one might be a charting of the hits by month
• mapping to the TEKS, TAKS

Closing the Gaps--how do we get people in (our Libraries)... and then out (of school) successfully. I really like this statement that Julie used.

a pretty good ..for the first one!

now onto more bonding over food later and then the late night discussions in the hospitality room...if I can make it...it has been a long day

025.1 TASLA Day 1, Part 2: Texas State Library & Archives Commission

Peggy Rudd, the director, is back to give us a report on the State Library and its role of supporting all Libraries, including those of us in school Libraries. She began with the state-wide resource sharing that now includes a component for us in schools.

[please excuse the informality of this posting...am trying to keep up as best i can!]

50th Anniversary of the Reading Club...for elementary children, pre-school reading program and for the first time ---Game On! for YA readers. There are lots of promotional materials. There was a big celebration yesterday at the Capitol.

The renovation of the deZavala building on the Capitol grounds...it is underway...grand re-opening, May 2010. A learning space will be available for educational programs. A conservation lab with picture window where you can see it happening. [sign me up for that for sure!]

Federated search engine: The Library of Texas

The issue of the union catalog that we used to have...there was a question about that..will it becoming back...how do we start that discussion, who do we bring together?
A discussion ensued about this issue regarding how it would look, improving ILL across the state and who would take on responsibility be it Auto-Graphics or not. Possibly, membership in Tex-Share could move from law to rules...don't have to wait for Legislature to make changes.

A passionate discussion of where we (school libraries) belong, who we belong to, and how are we going to get the recognition from the Legislature..and who needs to spear-head this change. One audience member brought up the need to get parents behind the idea that unstaffed Libraries is not what should be happening as maybe a way to change the focus of this drive.

The Legislative budget request to be submitted in October for the next year was also a topic.
One audience comment: Use 21st Century sKills, Tx college Readiness Skills and AALS standards when trying to accomplish these tasks

sorry..this really rough..will try to clean up

Lunchtime! More bonding...and eating!

025.1 TASLA Day 1: The Fun Begins

My fifth year at what has turned out to be one of my favorite things to do with regards to this fun job I have (and my second year to blog it). State-wide Library administrators, lead librarians, and generally all-around good folks who work (and work hard) to bring good Library experiences to kids! We are having an ice-breaker to meet each other. It is good for me because I am terrible with names. I know all these people's faces, but names escape me. I will try to "know" my clock buddies from this point forward. I really will try! Thanks Mary, yes, I grumbled, but it was important for us (and me especially) to do this.

I will expand on the results of our first small group session later. It is worth its own post!

Collaboration & Curriculum - A Principal & Librarian's Story Corpus Christi ISD
Josie Alvarez, the principal, spoke first. It does need to be a partnership. It is a team effort made up of many people. But the Librarian has to be part of the team. Physically, in their school, the library is the hub. It is in the center where everyone see the action!

The Librarian, Molly Wyatt, is well-trained in flexible scheduling and open access. At first she was worried about the wide-open-ness of the new facility. Now she calls it heaven...a perfect place to work and learn their skills for the kids. The kids do their own book check out. 5-6 classes at a time! The kids are not bothered by open halls...it is part of the culture. It has taken 8 years to get to this point.

Principal Alvarez : "People without a vision, perish."
She talked about the book Rainbow Fish...the primadonna fish had lots but didn't share. Her first librarian was not what she expected. The old "this is MY library" philosophy. It took her five year to find the right person at her first school. Molly is just the opposite!

In her new school, the campus did some work with inquiry-discovery learning. Together as a staff they took a class over this. All must become facilitators in the kids' learning. The Librarian is part of the instructional planning committee, learns the scope and sequence as it changes.

Science was an issue immediately. Among the many things the Librarian did was to go thru her opening day collection and looked at what would work for science. She also has developed a professional collection that has basically been paid for from extra funds, not the regular library budget.

A portion of the library became the needed science lab...training started on how to use and respect. There is a science parents' night. Molly talked with the parents about how to work with their kids for the science fair.

In math, Molly did a lot of work finding literature tie-ins for math lessons. She also models lessons. Instead of tutoring a few kids in reading, Molly did enrichment with the larger groups of successful kids, while the classroom teacher works with the struggling students. She did an collaborative lesson with art over the Little House books and quilting. Her Wildflower reading program brings the parents into the reading circle of success as well. They also have Treasure reading lists of classics for every grade. 60,000 books circulated for 500+ kids.

Molly has had a assistant off and on..not every year...300 parents are patrons and a strong volunteer group.

Principal Alvarez was asked: what happened to you that made you aware that this is what you wanted in a Librarian? She first said the bad experience of having to work with someone who would not change and not be open. Then she spoke about what does an administrator want to have happen in their school...training on collaboration and vision.

Basically, listening to this presentation, it boils down to the people involved...a principal who recognizes the essential place of the Librarian and a Librarian who is willing to do what it takes to make success happen!

Ok, it's break time...and in this group...that means food!.....and now even more bonding with these fine people.

006.7 Apture: Unflattening the Web

Ok...a new tool with lots of potential.

Apture

I found it while perusing thru my favorite blogs...at Weblogged. Then I read more about it here and watched the tutorial. Even Creative Commons chimed in.

My first attempt ended up in the blog post below...basically because I didn't understand what was going to happen when I added the widget. Check out what happens when you mouse over "New math." That is a pretty mild example. (Make that a really mild example)

Here is a very rich Apture experience. Watch out! Once released with your click, it can be a bit overwhelming if you aren't prepared.

I am adding some terms here to see what happens when I "apture" them!

• Texas
• Chihuahua dogs
• Oatmeal raisin cookies

It is in beta (so what else is new...all cute things are in beta, permanent beta).
It is free. Yes, you have to register.

Forgive me if you land on my blog for the next few days and encounter the tutorial. It pops up automatically. I'm not ready to turn it off because I'm not comfortable with exactly what I have added! i.e. I'm a tad confused...my naturally state!

Update Note: I got a comment regarding this almost as I pushed the publish button...this won't be an issue for you...only pops up for me!

And if you are not seeing anything when you mouse over...it could be the added info is blocked where you are.

O, and the meaning of my subtitle...
comes from the site itself...and a few thoughts of others that I read

Apture provides the first rich communication platform allowing publishers
and bloggers to easily turn flat pages of text into multimedia experiences

Guess we will see how it goes!

371.3 Educational Technology: A Summer Adventure

Technically, this the last day of my 33rd year in this adventure called public school education...from the teacher's side of the desk. Then there is that traditional 13-year run that I did as a student. So 46 years. And of course, I spent a good part of the remaining 10 years of my life on this earth preparing to make the transition from one side of the desk to the other.

I was barely started WAY back when that little historical event called Sputnik plunged us into an educational revolution of sorts. "New math" was the biggest trauma I remember from those days. There were very pleasant experiences as well, but I only remember the effects "new math" in 7th grade had on me...and more importantly, on my poor dad who tried to help.

More recently, I have been immersed in a different kind of educational revolution. It's not new. It actually has been bubbling up since about 1980...at least in my little corner of the world. For me, I think this summer marks, not the pinnacle because it's not stopping, but at least a very significant stop on this exciting journey.

My district made an important decision this last semester...laptops for all campus certified personnel. But more importantly, I see it as the keys to a vehicle that will take us collectively as an organization, a system, a group, a team on a very exciting ride thru this thing called Web 2.0, Learning 2.0, Library 2.0. Yes, we are all on different levels, but at least now, we are riding in the same bus!

The web and all it implies has also finally been accepted as a legitimate means to learning success...NOT the ONLY means, but a very important tool in the toolboxes of our students and teachers. Many of us have known this for a long time and have worked hard, very hard some days, to use it in spite of roadblocks on many levels. For me, it all seems to have come together at this point in time...a "perfect storm" effect so to speak, but a positive storm!

Personally, I have had some great experiences this past semester working with various groups in discovering new tools and ways to use them. I have been charged up, jazzed up, or whatever you want to call it by the enthusiasm surrounding me. Summer promises even more opportunities to continue my rejuvenation.

Now to the graphic....

I am attending NECC this summer...mostly because it's so close, but more IMPORTANTLY, I finally am treating myself to an education technology experience on a national level. I want to see it (and all the exciting people that go with it), taste it, smell it, hear it, touch it...just because I can. I can't wait...it couldn't have come at a better time for me. And I promise it will be fodder for some posts! (yes, I heard those groans from some of you.)

The graphic represents the winning button that will symbolize the experience...it's going to given away in limited quantities from what I understand and I plan on getting one. (BL--you might say I am obsessive about getting one..finally I am obsessive about something!)

More about it. The Creator (who has given CC license to the design so I can post it!)

027.6 Definition of a Library: The "My Space" Version

That never-stops Joyce Valenza of Neverending Search has provided us with a video to use as food for thought once again. She had her students tell us about their library / the space as they see it!

My personal favorite--the very first description...especially where the narrator speaks with such reverence and adoration about the magnificent collection of American History "classics." Be still my heart! I recognized almost EVERY title and cover on every shelf. I can close my eyes and almost drink in the fragrance of wonderful friends and fond memories of the many hours spent with those books and the children who experienced them. Such fine times!

I think the students spent quality time talking about both their print and technology-related experiences, as well as the enjoyment they got out of the library for both scholastic and personal pursuits!

One tiny sad thought for a brief moment...several wonderful descriptions/tours are given with virtually empty "spaces"..but in the end, it became the lively place I knew it must be.

If we saw a narrated tour of your library, would we recognize it as a happening place like these kids do?

Enjoy!


Find more videos like this on TeacherLibrarianNetwork (hope this shows in district)

P.S. We gotta get some of those flippy cameras going in my circle of influence and see what kind of good stuff can come out of them!

P.P.S. Need to explore the ning as a source for parking space for videos and other large files! I forget about it. Can it be used thatway?

006.7 The Ying & Yang of Blogging

Been away for awhile for a variety of reasons. FINALLY felt I had some things to say...and the TIME to say them.

Write the first post...BANG...my blog has been declared a spam blog! Ugh? The results of such a dubious honor? You have to type in those ridiculous "drunk" nonsense arrangements of letters EVERY time you edit, save, or publish. Sure, I'm used to doing that when I comment. No problem. Want to do my part to keep spammers away.

HOWEVER, when it has to do with original posts, those crazy letters are on steroids...they are bigger, thicker, skinnier and more of them. It takes me about 4-5 attempts to get through EVERY time I edit, save, or publish. One time, I was having so much trouble "reading" the letters, I used the handicap sound out the letters option!

On top of that I had to contact the powers-that-be and declare (beg) that I am not a spammer, but instead a modest little librarian blogger from Texas. I had to wait four days to be absolved of my sins (although I have NO idea what I did to bring on this suspended state of free-flowing communication form.)

NOT fun!

But THEN...

One of the education world's premier bloggers (and one of the world's most generous commentors) COMMENTED on MY blog...he thanked me for some nice thing I said about some of his ideas...

But THEN...

He admitted that he too has human frailties in that virtual world known as Second Life. He can't land ("gracefully"...read-- crashes?) I can't sit. He can't land. I feel...so...much...better!

I think I might just have to do that happy feet thing again!

Gosh, I love blogging. You have the most interesting adventures...and never spend a dime (or a bucketful of dimes) for gasoline.

363.7 Space Junk: Outta This World Pollution

Saw this on Posey Galore, a new visitor to my blog.

Part of me is totally fascinated by the picture. Part of me is sad because of what it shows.

On one hand, I feel better about the state of my work area, and even my dining room table. On the other hand, I feel guilty that I am as much of a slob in my world as we all appear to be in our world.

x

What is it? All the junk we (as in anyone who travels in space, sends things to space) have dumped in space! For the last 50+ years...since Sputnik. The photo originally came from the site European Space Agency (ESA). Please go to the site...there are several groups of photos that break down the "junk."

Some statistics from the explanation:

Since the launch of Sputnik on 4 October 1957, more than 4,600 launches
have placed some 6000 satellites into orbit. Currently about 800 satellites are
used operationally for science and other applications. Space debris comprise
the ever-increasing amount of inactive space hardware in orbit around the
Earth as well as fragments of spacecraft that have broken up, exploded or
otherwise become abandoned. The debris field comprises burnt-out launch
vehicle upper stages, dead or inactive spacecraft and other objects ranging
in size from as big as an automobile to microscopic dust.

Some books I found on the subject of space debris in our collection

Junk in space. Maurer, Richard. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, c1989
Pollution in space. Asimov, Isaac. G. Stevens Pub, 1995.
Space garbage. Asimov, Isaac. Dell, 1991, c1989.
Space junk. Asimov, Isaac. Gareth Stevens Pub, c2006.
Space junk : pollution beyond the earth. Donnelly, Judy. Morrow Junior Books, c1990.

Some more online info
Space Junk
ABC Science & Society Space Junk presentation including an animation (large file!)
BBC Science & Nature Space Junk See full animation (106K)
National Geographic Space Junk Cleanup Needed
Podcast: Space Junk

Ok, now to find the box of trash bags and the file boxes I have bought over the last several months!

793.932 Another Second Life Adventure

Because of my membership in ISTE due to my planned attendance at NECC this summer, I got an email from one of my favorite bloggers, Blue Skunk Doug Johnson about a talk he was going to give this evening on ISTE Island in Second Life. (nope not open in district)

It was going to start in 15 minutes. Plenty of time I thought...and an opportunity to "hear" someone I had been reading for some time now! I also needed a reason to get back into Second Life and experience it again.

Ha! 45 minutes later I got in and only caught the last part of the talk.

When I opened Second Life, I was notified that I need to download an update or I would not be able to use the site. My possessed computer took FOREVER connecting to the download and then I had to wait for it to do its thing.

Ok, ok..only 10 minutes into the program. I clicked the transport address from the email and landed on the right island...with absolutely NO clue what to do next. I looked around and around and saw no one. Then I started hearing voices...barely. Dug up my headphones. Eureka, I was at least hearing the talk.

And as always, someone showed up and asked if he could help. Sorry, I did not get his name...but I think he is a "docent" for the island. He was great at explaining what I needed to do and was VERY PATIENT when I explained I moved slowly! BTW...he had a cool vehicle...forgot to "screen shot" it. Anyway, I walked carefully, managed to stay out from UNDER any buildings thistime, flew a little and crashed only once.
So I finally show up at the location...the screen is full of Blue Skunk's cartoons and they are talking away...and there is not one single person in the audience, but I see all kinds of names on the screen. There was 25 minutes left of the program so I just quietly listened and watched the typed comments on the screen.

Some points from the talk:
1. Human vs. machine
content filtering done by a machine cancels out the human's ability to discriminate what is appropriate for what situation...not a good practice, but "we" all do it!

2. Self-empowered or self-discovery type staff development...a good thing! Score one for my circle! We are doing that again this summer with our 23 Things...opportunity for educators to learn on their own with help/support, but the self-discovery of knowledge is a key component of the experience!

3. Blue Skunk reminded us of one of his favorite statements...# of kids in the library is in reverse proportion to the importance of the next visitor. Boy, that has been the truth for me in SO many cases!

4. Sometimes technology can be over used. If the only tool you have is a hammer, everything becomes a nail! His analogy...going online and finally finding the population of Bolivia from a 1995 CIA Fact Book vs. thumbing thru the current World Almanac that is probably sitting relatively close to the computer. not sure I know a lot of libraries that have a current World Almanac anymore, but I definitely understood his message. The right tool for the right job at the the right time!

Gosh, I wish I had heard the whole thing.
O, also ...You can download his book Machines are the Easy Part, People are the Hard Part: technology in the Schools for free here.

P.S. I loved his voice (my first time to hear him)...sounded just like what I had imagined from reading his posts!

And I KNOW inquiring minds are waiting...........................

patiently............................................

NO............................................

I did not sit down because I could not remember how!

For the uninformed...it's ok. You hadda be there to understand!
Just know that this Second Life thing is never gonna be a strong suit for me...I will keep trying, I know I will...it will just be continue to be pitiful. I just know it will.