reflection

It's amazing what we've accomplished in these few weeks of class. I never thought I would become so comfortable within the crazy world of computer programs and applications!
I enjoy all of the things we get to experience through the online class. It's been interesting doing everything on the computer-- classwork, reading, assignments, communication, etc. Having the experience of an online class will definitely help me in the future. All of the technology we've looked at in the past several weeks has helped me see the value of learning about and adapting to different ways of communication and activities.
I think helping students become more comfortable with technology will be a large part of our jobs as media specialists. Having the experience and ability to incorporate technology into lessons and activities will allow us to improve students' standards of learning and interest in curriculum.
I like the ideas we've discussed during the past weeks, like using blogs and websites to encourage class discussion. It's definitely a shame that NOVEL is going to be changing in many schools.
I can't wait to see what comes up during the next several weeks!

catalogs and databases

I've been finding that more and more students are unfamiliar with their school library catalog. Particularly in high school, where so many students are using Google and Wikipedia rather than search in the library's database. A lot of students will go up to the librarian and ask for help when they can't find a particular item, then appear surprised when they are directed to the library catalog... it's a pity.
Are people just confused about how to use databases? What to search for?

copyright and fair use

These can be sensitive subjects for educators. As librarians, we need to make sure that teachers are abiding by copyright and fair use laws without sacrificing students' rights to the best possible materials and information.
I've seen teachers completely ignore copyright laws while trying to teach their own students how to properly cite a source.
How can we make sure teachers are aware of copyright and fair use? Post signs? Hold meetings? What are the best ways to educate the educators?

information literacy

I think it is very important for students and teachers alike to be able to access any type of information they need. Being literate in information technology is a necessity in this rapidly advancing technological age. By educating students in inormation literacy, we can encourage learning and information seeking in schools. Being able to access different types of information is very important for students nowadays, when information comes in so many different forms: books, websites, databases, podcasts, videos, etc.
It's just as important for teachers to be information literate as well. First, because educators definitely need to keep up with their students. Second, because they need to be versed in all the different ways of accessing information to provide their students with the best and most recent information possible.
I think information literacy has become a necessity for schools all over the world. Librarians are probably the most information literate educators of all, because of our experience in accessing so many different types of information.