~ Computers in Education ~

Emerging Technologies 3: Twitter

2009-11-18T10:39:00.002-05:00

Twitter is a social communication network. Users send out and receive messages called "tweets." Users decide who they want to follow and then receive messages from them. In order to send out a message, the user just types it into a search bar labeled, What are you doing? The user can only write up to 140 characters in the message, so it has to be brief and to the point.
Creating an account was really easy. I only needed to type in my name, create a user name, and make a password. It is easy to find people or companies that I want to follow and receive their messages. I clicked on "find people" at the top of my personal home page screen. I added the Muncie Public Library was something I wanted to follow. Now I receive messages about the current events occurring at the Muncie Public Library.

I think Twitter could be a useful and "cool" way to get high school students involved in the school media center activities. Many teens like social networking. As the media specialist, I would create a library Twitter account. My followers would be students at the school. I would use Twitter to promote the media center program. My Tweets would include topics such as new books that have arrived, resources available for projects, popular book booktalks, and announcements and invitations to library events.

Kristina DeVoe (2009) gives useful tips when creating social networking accounts for libraries. First the name chosen should be clear and identify the organization. For a school library, I would use a name like SHSMediaCenter. She suggests creating a schedule for postings, so you will be sure to make regular postings. This will keep your networking site up-to-date and let followers know that you use the account. Devoe recommends posting information that starts conversations in order have an engaging social network where people will want to check back for updates. In Twitter, I could ask what students thought about a certain book or take requests for new materials.

An issue that might arise with using Twitter in the school library is students being able to use social networking websites. Some parents may feel uncomfortable with their child using Twitter. I would only use Twitter at high school library setting. On my media center website where I advertise that students can follow the library on Twitter, I would include that they need to ask parental permission to join the network. Additionally, I would also post all of my Twitter announcements in a section of my webpage. Students who cannot or do not want to join Twitter can still read the announcements in this section.

References

DeVoe, K. M. (2009). Construction who we are online: One word, one friend at a time. Reference Librarian, 50(4), 419-421. doi:10.1080/0276387093130127

Emerging Technology 2: Smilebox

2009-10-22T14:13:00.005-04:00

Smilebox is an online program that lets you create "greeting cards, scrapbooks, slide shows, birthday cards, and more using your photos, videos, and music" (smilebox.com). These creations can be sent through emails, blogs, or printed. I signed up for a free account. You can also sign up for a payed account that gives you access to more features. One downside to a free account is that anything you make and post will have an advertisement on the side.

Smilebox is easy to use as long as you know how to get your pictures saved into your computer. First you choose a design. For my sample project, I selected vacation. Next, I chose a design under the category of vacations. I selected Simply Postcards. Then you simply drag the pictures you want on the postcard onto the postcard and 'drop' it. Then add your text and you are done.

I think Smilebox would be a fun and an interesting way for children to display what they have learned while integrating technology into the lesson. Part of the library media principles are that the library media program "integrates the uses of technology for learning and teaching" and it "fosters individual and collaborative inquiry" (AASL 1998 p. 58). Part of authentic inquiries allow students to display what they have learned creatively (Lamb 2006). In the setting of the media center program, I would introduce Smilebox to teachers and students as a way of displaying learned information on a project. For example, students in a first grade class might be discussing the four seasons. Using digital cameras checked out from the library, they could take a picture of a school yard tree as it goes through the seasonal changes. At the end of the project the students could post the pictures on a Smilebox post card and explain the changes. A six grade class might be studying different countries. The students could make postcards and write about the country as if they were writing home to their parents about the country. Art students could use the scrapbook feature to make a electronic scrapbook portfolio of all of year's projects. As the media specialist, I could do a workshop about using Smilebox for interested teachers.

Some problems may arise in children being able to upload their pictures and then placing them within their work. I think this problem would be most apparent with elementary students. They would just need some extra instructional time on how to do upload and move the pictures. If the class is very young, it would be beneficial to have helpers, such as high school students, come in and assist the kids. Another problem would be the pictures themselves. If a student is doing a project about Spain and has never been there, then he/she won't have their own pictures to place on a postcard. Students could use a open sharing photo program such as Wikipedia Commons found at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page. Here there are photos that students can use provided that the photographer has released it and the student gives credit to the photographer by citing him or her.

Here is a postcard I made about the Indiana's seasons.

Make a Smilebox postcard

References

American Association of School Librarians (1998). Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning. Chicago, IL : American Library Association.

Lamb, Annette (2006). Inquiry based learning. http://www.virtualinquiry.com/inquiry/inquiry7.htm

Smilebox: http://www.smilebox.com

Wikipedia Commons: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Module 3: Critical Thinking

2009-09-24T15:36:00.000-04:00

My wiki link: http://jennycjessie.pbworks.com/

Emerging Technologies 1: Online Surveys

2009-09-22T13:23:00.007-04:00

Teachers and media specialists are now encouraged to create inquiry assignments for students instead of traditional ‘write a paper on this topic’ assignments. An important aspect of the inquiry process is the evaluating or reflecting upon the process and the product (Lamb 2006). Online surveys can help teachers, librarians, and students reflect on inquiry projects. Online surveys also save paper and ink which ultimately saves the school money and helps save natural resources. Surveys could serve many purposes in the school library setting. Librarians could create surveys about user satisfaction, reviews on books, and collection development needs.

I decided to explore creating a evaluation survey for the teacher and librarian to use to evaluate a collaborative unit. I chose to use Survey Monkey, found at this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/. First I created a free account and then began to create my survey. Making a survey was fairly simple and straight forward. There are fifteen different question types to choose you can create. You can also choose different background themes for the survey. Free Survey Monkey users are limited to only 10 questions per survey and only 100 responses can be collected. In a large school setting, you may need to collect more than 100 answered surveys. If this limited amount is a problem, users can pay for an upgraded version that allows 1000 responses for a monthly fee or unlimited amounts for a yearly fee.

A great advantage to the online surveys is the analyze results feature. Each time a survey is completed it is recorded. Percentages for each answer per question are given along with the number of people who responded. I think this feature would save time because I can quickly see the results instead of reading each actual survey. Another useful feature is the weblink. You can email to certain teachers or student groups or you could post it on your class webpage for everyone to see.

Please answer my survey about any project you have collaborated with another on. I would like to practice analyzing the results. Here is the link to my survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=l1U4NwPyh9ATqDGsjqaN_2bw_3d_3d

References

Lamb, Annette (2006). Information Literacy. http://virtualinquiry.com/inquiry/inquiry3.htm

2009-09-18T16:51:00.000-04:00

Here is my social bookmarking link http://delicious.com/jencec?sort=alpha&order=asc. I will continue to add more as I come across them.

One last thing...

2008-09-22T14:02:00.000-04:00

My personal inquiry process has some similarities and differences to a child or teenager's process. I feel as though we share similar feeling throughout the process. I experienced feelings of uncertainty about things such as whether I was on the right track, if my topic was narrow enough but not too narrow and if I was proceeding in a timely manner. I became overwhelmed by all the information sources. I think that children would experience those feelings too.
The differences in our inquiry process would be that I have more experience with gathering sources and creating final projects. After completing high school and college, I feel like I have a firm grasp on those two areas.

My Inquiry Approach

2008-09-22T13:56:00.000-04:00

I would say that my approach to inquiry prior to project 1 was the linear approach. I would have my topic, find sources, take notes and write the paper. I can't remember even formulating questions about the topic. I would just report what I found.
Now, I see an inquiry project differently. I liked thinking of my own questions to answer. In my opinion the best part of the inquiry approach is that I can re-address any phase at anytime throughout the process. My approach to inquiry will include more thought and organization than in the past.

Wishing

2008-09-21T15:45:00.000-04:00

Wishing is the phase of the 8Ws were we access the project and reflect on the process. I think my inquiry process went fairly well. I found at times found it difficult to reflect and explain what I was doing. I have never been a person who enjoys keeping a journal or diary. This was my first time going about a project using a model. The model helped me move through the inquiry process in an organized matter. I like how following a model allows the task at hand to become more manageable. I think my product was okay. I would have liked to animate my slides but for some reason my computer wouldn't let me click on the animation schemes.
I do wish that I had spent more time in the watching and wondering phase of the inquiry. I think I may have moved through them a little to quickly. I now wish my topic focus had been only on the benefits of houseplants. While reading articles about the benefits, I became more interested in what I could find. (perhaps I'll conduct my own inquiry about it).
For future inquires or projects, I will spend more time in the phases. I will more carefully select a focus. I would follow a model through the process again. I do feel better prepared to complete another inquiry.
In Carol Kuhlthau's ISP model, she explains that many people feel a sense of accomplishment at the end. I would agree with that thought... and I would add relief to the feelings list :)

Final Product

2008-09-20T14:32:00.000-04:00

Well I have my final product. I decided a Powerpoint presentation would be the best way to communicate my findings. I feel like my audience (classmates) are mostly likely familiar with it. I like that I can easily add colors, pictures, and bullet points.

https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/jencecil/Project Houseplant 3.pps

This stage (waving) of the 8Ws coincides with the Inference part of the information inquiry elements. In Callison's Blue Book he reports that "inference may involve personal choice and actions taken based on conclusions that seem most relevant and meaningful for the situation." For me, I applied my new knowledge about plants when I chose a new plant for my bedroom.

Standards & Curriculum Connections

2008-09-18T11:24:00.000-04:00

I have not been a classroom teacher. Therefore, I wasn't familiar with Indiana's academic standards. To find them, I went to the Indiana's Department of Education website and clicked on standards (http://www.doe.state.in.us/). Then I used the Standards Resource tool and typed in plants. I received a whole list of standards that could go with plants. They even had lesson plans that are coordinated to different standards. This is one called you are my sunshine:
http://www.indianastandardsresources.org/files/sci/sci_2_4_3.pdf

My inquiry project could fit with these Indiana Standards.
2nd Grade Science, Standard 4: The Living Environment
2.4.3
Observe and explain that plants and animals both need to take in water, animals need to take in food, and plants need light.
2.4.4
Recognize and explain that living things are found almost everywhere in the world and that there are somewhat different kinds in different places

For a classroom activity second graders could try and grow low level plants in full sun light or vice versa and discuss what happened. Additionally, they could look up where the houseplant is native to. Is it native to the rain forest floor? Then that is why it likes low light. Is it native to the desert? Then it probably likes full sun.

For a high school Chemistry II class, students could put a plant that is supposedly good at removing benzene into a chamber with benzene. Then they could do tests to see how effective/how much time it took to remove the benzene. They could work in lab groups to complete this experiment. This activity would meet the following AASL Standards.

AASL Standards
2.1.5 Collaborate with others to exchange ideas, develop new understandings, make decisions, and solve problems.
3.2.3 Demonstrate teamwork by working productively with others.
3.1.2 Participate and collaborate as members of a social and intellectual network of learners.

Webbing... Again

2008-09-17T13:13:00.000-04:00

as I was looking at the information I had gathered, I realized that I wanted more about plants benefits. Many of my sources kept talking about NASA studies so I went to the NASA website and found the studies they were talking about. I also used PsychInfo database to find a study about plants and college students taking test.

wiggling & weaving

2008-09-15T17:16:00.001-04:00

As I got into my plant information sources I became a little overwhelmed by all the information. I couldn't flip through all my books and websites and look at every plant. First I thought I would make separate lists for low light plants, plants with the right temperature, plants that are good air purifiers and so on. After I made all my lists I was going to see what plants showed up on each list. I started doing this and decided it wasn't a good idea.. there were just be sooo many plants to write down. So I sat and thought about a better way to go about the process. I came up with this: I ranked my plant criteria starting with what I think is most important. I came up with 1. Low light level 2. Temperature Range 3. Good at Improving Air Quality 4. Plants that I liked the way they looked, out of what was left.

To organize the information I decided to make a chart. We studied in class about visual literacy and how visuals can enhance a lesson and make it easier to understand. (Lamb's Visual Literacy)Making the chart really did help me organize my thoughts and information. It also helped me gave more focus for my final product. Callison tells us that the inquiry process is a cycle. Using Lamb's 8w's model for inquiry, we are able to go back to any phase of the process at anytime. After making my chart, I went back to the wondering phase and narrowing and focusing my topic in preparation for my final product. I will be presenting specific information about the 5 plants I have selected along with information about Improving Air Quality.
(This is as big as I could get it. Sorry it is fuzzy)

As I skimmed through my books, I found in the Reader Digest and the Ortho book, lists of plants that do well in low light. I these plants under #1. Then, I looked up the ideal temperature ranges for those plants. The plants that met my house temperature criteria were recorded in #2. Out of those plants, I picked out the ones listed as being good at removing indoor pollutants and recorded them into #3. Finally, out of the plants that made it through the cuts, I picked out the 5 plants that I thought looked the best.

In using my information, I found that one of my books (The new House plant expert) was not very useful. It is written by someone in England and often uses England specific terms, such as pounds instead of dollars. I also did not like that the pictures of plants were drawings instead of real photos. The Black and Decker Houseplants & Indoor Gardening book didn't contain any information that I hadn't already used from another source. Therefore, I didn't use those book as a source.

The final five plants that I have narrowed down to and will be presented in my final product are Parlor Palm, Chinese Evergreen, Pothos, Peace Lily, and Snake plant.

webbing

2008-09-12T19:14:00.000-04:00

I went to my local libriary's webpage ( http://www.nchcpl.lib.in.us/ ) to begin my search about houseplants. I typed in the word Houseplants into the search bar and selected books as the search option. I have picked out 4 different books: Housplants & Indoor Gardening, Black & Decker outdoor home; the New Complete Guide to Houseplants, Ortho Books; The New House Plant Expert Dr. D.G. Hessayon; and Reaer's Digest The Complete Guide to Houseplants.
Next, I simply typed in the word Houseplants into Google. Here are some websites that look useful

http://www.plantcare.com/ there is a plant search database and a forum
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/houseplants/types.cfm includes lists of plants by the different plant selection critiera (i.e. low light)
http://www.myindoorhouseplants.com/index.php http://gardening.about.com/od/houseplants/a/EasyHouseplants.htm this website's title was Common Houseplants You Can't Kill
http://www.plantoasis.com/

As I reviewed my questions to assess their relevence though my webbing process.. I still think I have good questions that I can find good answers to, with two exceptions. When looking for websites I became more interested in finding out about the benefits of houseplants more than the drawbacks. Therefore, I think I will eliminate looking for houseplant drawbacks and focus on the benefits. Also, I have decided that there is plenty of room on the floor beside my dresser if the plant gets big.. so houseplant size isn't that big of a deal anymore (as long as it doens't get HUGE). I will continue to look at the houseplant sizes in my selection process but it will not be a major factor.

The Webbing phase is very similar to the Planning and Gathering phases of McKenzie's Research Cycle. I have thought about the best ways for me to get information (local library & internet). I also have gathered information that is will be useful in my quest for the perfect plant.

Wondering

2008-09-01T19:12:00.000-04:00

My questions I want to know about houseplants:

~What are the benefits and drawbacks of having houseplants?

~I have heard that houseplants improve the air quality in your house. Are there certain types of plants that are better at this than others?

~Since I would like a new plant for my low light level bedroom. What plants are best suited for low light levels?

~What kind of plants with stand temperature fluctuations? We don't turn our air conditioning on unless it gets super hot (90+) without cooling off at night for at least a few days. So it can become warm in there. However, in the winter time we have our heat set around 65 degrees so it might be too chilly for certain plants.

~How big will the plant get? I would like it to fit on my dresser.

~Are there certain plants that are known to be hardy/hard to kill? Are there plants that are harder to grow/keep alive?

I think these questions are important because the new knowledge will help me select a planted suited for my house/bedroom and maybe even lifestyle.

I feel like these questions were easy to come up with because I am interested in the topic. When I try to come up with good questions about something i am not interested in such as computer programming, I can't really think of anything I want to know. So.. if I were a teacher and asked the students to do an inquiry project about houseplants, if they weren't interested (i somehow think most wouldn't be :) than they would put in minimal effort into the project. I can see where letting the student pick there own topic will make he or she more enthusiastic about researching it. Therefore, the student is more likely to learn about his or her selected topics and good ways to conduct an inquiry. This mirrors Stripling's thought in Curriculum Connections "...inquiry may be more likely to engender long-lasting, in-depth learning by each individual" (p.6).

Topic Selection

2008-08-26T15:23:00.000-04:00

In trying to come up with a topic I made a list/brainstormed things that I am interested in...

Topics I have considered:

~ attracting birds to your yard - I like birds...we don't really have any.
~ planning a vacation down the Amazon River - I want to take a boat down the river.
~ lightning bugs - I love to watch fireflies in the summer time but don't really know much about them.
~ glassblowing - I like colored glass things.
~ butterfly gardens - I also like to watch colorful butterflies float around in the summer.
~ house plants - I would like more in my house.

In "watching" the things around me, I have been observing my houseplants the most. The one in my bedroom keeps dropping leaves.. in fact there are only about ten left on it. I water it but I am starting to think that it is not suited for the conditions of bedroom (not enough light?). so... my inquiry will be about house plants.... with the ultimate goal of selecting one better suited for my bedroom.

In Kuhlthau's ISP model, she reports that after selection of the topic, people often feel "brief elation" (Blue Book p.40). I do feel a little excited about finding out more about houseplants.

Hello

2008-08-24T22:37:00.000-04:00

I am still pondering my topic choice :)