Introducing the New Parkside Elementary Library Website!

Link to my website:  https://sites.google.com/cloud.edu.pe.ca/parkside-library/home?

As a book cover gives a first impression, so does your library website. Ideally, your website should do a good job of promoting your library, providing the necessary information, and being an area that promotes collaboration between the library and teachers to support instruction and your school's curriculum (Arrants, 2010). 

For these reasons, I have chosen to update our school library website to make it more attractive and current. “The digitalization of the library shows commitment to modernization and the willingness to embrace new trends and developments. If you want to create a contemporary image for your school and you wish to demonstrate your commitment to modernization, the development of a digital library will be the right idea for you.” (Telford, 2022). Currently, our site is not a stand-alone part of our school website, lacks visual appeal, and has outdated information. My vision is to have a clearly defined area of the school website that addresses information about the library and its resources. The main page will be accessible from the school's webpage, and from there, users can select the information they need from the main banner at the top of the page. To start, the areas I have selected are:

1- a main page which provides information about the library in general, a banner which identifies the other pages that can be accessed, and current information about library events

2- Check out information and other library policies

3- Research skills information and websites to access 

4- Digital safety

5- Other helpful websites

In the fall, I will share this new site with my administrator and get his feedback before sharing it with staff and students. Once approved, I can share it with my colleagues during a staff meeting and with my students during library time. Over time, I would like to add perhaps an area about Makerspaces, an area where students can share their work, and an area that collaborates with teachers to have more curriculum-based content. This new and improved site will be important to students because “Having access to the library book database is important because it will enable students to participate in the academic process regardless of their location.” (Telford, 2021).

I hope that this new website will help students to be engaged with our library outside of school hours and expose them to some new technologies and sites that may be beneficial to them. It was interesting to research the many school websites that exist in our province and elsewhere. There certainly are some amazing ones out there. Learning about creating a website was new for me and gave me a new appreciation for those who design and create them. It was challenging to bring about my vision for the site, but it gave me some skills that I can now use to keep the site up and running. I appreciate that this course pushed me out of my comfort zone, allowed me to learn about technology and helped to boost my confidence in this area.

References

Arrants , K. (2010, April 12). Using your school library website in instruction. SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/using-your-school-library-website-in-instruction/3696398 

Telford, S. (2021, February 17). Advantages of a professional school website. Lemongrass Media. https://lemongrassmedia.co.uk/web-talk/advantages-professional-school-website/ 

Telford, S. (2022, January 28). The importance of having a quality school library website. Lemongrass Media. https://lemongrassmedia.co.uk/web-talk/importance-quality-school-library-website/ 

The Cost of the Digital Divide

 Many would think that in 2024, the digital divide would no longer exist.  After all, our world functions largely with the use of digital technologies, and the idea that so many inequities still exist seems confounding. Many believe that it is simply a rural/urban problem; however, “the digital divide is comprised of a series of divides that are correlated with socio-economic and demographic factors, including income, age, Indigeneity and ability." (Ryerson University, 2022).

While it is true that our internet infrastructure is lacking in many ways, this can only be addressed with the cooperation of governments and cell providers. Many things need to be addressed on a national level, such as:                                                                   

“Develop a comprehensive strategy to close Canada’s digital divides, including setting targets for the proportion of Canadian residents connected to sufficient digital services, not just the availability of basic connectivity, and guided by new research that more granularly identifies specific communities facing gaps in internet access and connectivity.

Expand the eligibility of affordability initiatives that subsidize the provision of internet services to include all individuals below the poverty line and ensure services are provided at sufficient speeds.

Explore new public funding models that invest in community-based and owned networks to increase public access, community control and competition, in particular by working with Indigenous communities and municipalities not yet connected to sufficient service.

Develop a cross-sectoral network of public, private and community organizations to coordinate initiatives focused on enhancing digital literacy and access to devices and software for underserved and vulnerable communities, such as older adults, youth, low-income individuals, and people of colour.

Strengthen accessibility standards and initiatives to remove digital inclusion barriers for people with disabilities, including greater enforcement mechanisms.” (Ryerson University, 2022)

Libraries continue to be an important learning community for all. “Public and school libraries have an integral role in bridging the digital divide by providing both education and access tools to their communities because one cannot come without the other.” (Jutras, 2023). As such, they have successfully addressed some of the digital divide challenges over which they have some control.

“Affordability and Public Access: Many libraries have internet services available for free. This allows those who cannot afford the service to use the equipment available to them at the library while they are there.  Some libraries also have the option for clients to borrow WIFI hotspots.

Digital literacy and skills: Many librarians are very familiar with technology and can teach and support those who need help understanding how to use the technology to apply for jobs, programs, pay bills, etc. They may also educate others about internet safety and using technology responsibly.

While the speed with which technology is growing, we will probably never achieve a true end to the digital divide; we can remember that “every time we educate a library professional, and in turn educate a patron, from submitting an online resume or learning the basics of a smartphone to hosting a children’s coding program; and every time we are a part of installing broadband infrastructure in rural and underfunded schools; we celebrate a win, an achievement, a betterment of our communities and peoples’ ability to participate in society.” (Jutras, 2023).

References

Jutras, J. (2023). Library’s educational role in bridging the digital divide. Pathfinder: A Canadian Journal for Information Science Students and Early Career Professionals, 4(1), 19–27. https://doi.org/10.29173/pathfinder85

Nell, A. (2021). How COVID-19 is Impacting the Digital Divide. Canada’s Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks. Retrieved June 9, 2024, from https://www.cengn.ca/information-centre/innovation/how-covid-19-is-impacting-the-digital-divide/. 

Ryerson University. (2022, January 26). New Ryerson Leadership Lab Report — Overcoming Digital Divides: What We Heard and Recommendations. Librarianship.ca. https://librarianship.ca/news/overcoming-digital-divides/ 

Shaping the PEI Learning Landscape

    Professional development is an integral part of any career.  One must always have a growth mindset that encourages us to be curious and explore new knowledge or techniques. “Professional development describes programs that enable educators to improve their own teaching — both by learning new teaching tyles, tips and techniques, as well as subject areas; and by interacting with expert instructors and experienced educators in the program of their choice.” (University of San Diego, 2024). However, the time needed for professional growth always conflicts with the everyday tasks of the job.  I myself am guilty of being in the middle of a presentation and silently wishing I could be doing something that needs to be done rather than listening to the presentation.  The presentation may be helpful, but it may also mean that my family time at home on the weekend will be compromised because I didn’t finish a task that needed to be done that week. I always keep this in mind when I have learning that I feel would be helpful for our staff.  

    Professional development needs are different for every teacher.  It’s important to make everyone aware of your services and give them choices in what may be the most beneficial for them. The goal is to improve student outcomes; therefore, “it is important for educational leaders to provide access to high-quality professional development that offers a timely response to individual needs. Each learning opportunity should demand thoughtful consideration to ensure it is the most appropriate option to support teacher growth.” (Frontline Education, 2024).  Some ways to gather information on what is needed are to create a Google form, request feedback from grade levels on what is most pertinent to them, or to align presentations with the school's educational goals.  Teachers need to see how this will impact their teaching in the short and long term to be engaged in what you are presenting.

    Building strong relationships with your teachers is an integral part of providing meaningful professional development.  Just as you adapt your teaching for certain students, it is also important to know what may or may not work for your teachers. It’s important that they see you as a trusted professional who will be there to help guide them through the process whenever needed without judgment. This is especially important for those new teachers who may be struggling to meet all the perceived demands of the job. For that reason,  I’ve always appreciated professional development that provided me with slides, support documents, or videos to refer back to when I have an issue or need a quick refresher.  I also think it’s important to collaborate to create lessons that teachers can use with their classes.  This is often where I personally get stuck.  While I might see the value in what I have learned, the time to change what I have been doing to something else will probably require me to do it on my own time.

    Finally, professional development should be simple and direct, be ongoing, and offer opportunities for feedback and discussion. We should commit to allowing the proper time for the information we have presented to be mastered.  Too often, we present something one time and don’t allow our teachers the time needed to digest and implement the learning with our continued support.  We as librarians need time to listen to feedback and self-reflect on what we liked about the presentation and what we would present differently next time. It’s also important to suggest where they may find further information, such as blogs, webinars, books, social media, or academic courses.

     As colleagues, continued collaboration will no doubt benefit our students but also ourselves. It feels good to have others to rely on when we need them.  Being part of something that has improved our students' learning experience can be very rewarding, and no doubt, it is our goal each and every day. 

Works Consulted

10 strategies for effective teacher professional development (with examples). University of San Diego - Professional & Continuing Education. (2024). https://pce.sandiego.edu/10-strategies-for-effective-teacher-professional-development-with-examples/ 

5 ways to make teacher professional development effective (& 7 powerful resources). prodigygame.com. (2023, June 15). https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/teacher-professional-development/ 

Cox, J. (2019). Professional Development Graphic. 15 Professional Development Skills for Modern Teachers. Retrieved from https://www.teachhub.com/professional-development/2019/11/15-professional-development-skills-for-modern-teachers/. 

Effective professional learning strategies (that actually work). Frontline Education. (2024, May 15). https://www.frontlineeducation.com/professional-learning/ 

Teacher Professional Development Discussion. (2019). https://neeadvantage.com/blog/teacher-professional-development-3-activity-ideas-for-school-leaders/. Retrieved June 2024, from https://neeadvantage.com/blog/teacher-professional-development-3-activity-ideas-for-school-leaders/. 

Tackling Technology

Tackling Technology

 Being an educator these days means being proficient in many different skill sets. In my new role as a teacher-librarian, I have been fortunate enough to have a great mentor to help me with the day-to-day responsibilities of the library. However, technology has always been an area that I am the least confident about.  The idea of others looking to me for guidance and advice is a bit daunting.  A small step that I have decided to take is to follow some tech blogs. I chose to select blogs that are specific to teaching so that the tech will have been already peer-reviewed and presented as an example of best practice. I learn best from others, demonstrating and explaining the steps using simple language and video.  If you are like me and are just beginning to explore EDtech, I hope that you will find the following blogs great starting points:

1- https://brittanywashburn.com/blog/

Brittany is an educator who is passionate about teaching others about technology. Brittany details her own journey with technology from the beginning of her career to the present and the things she has learned along the way.  She has an extensive list of how-to videos on new technology, lesson planning, subject and holiday-specific posts and internet safety tips, to name a few. This blog is very down-to-earth and easy to follow. 

2-https://freetech4teach.teachermade.com/2023/ 

TeacherMade was a site I used during online learning because it can create interactive assignments and assessments, convert existing PDFs into online interactive activities, and provide effective student feedback and auto-score assignments. However, they also maintain an extensive blog to inform and teach about technology.  Their blog focuses on digital classrooms and freetech4teachers. Both streams are filled with articles and links to explore.

3-https://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2023-04-09T07:34:00-04:00&max-results=6

This blog site by Lisa Nielsen (The Innovative Educator) has a recent focus on AI developments and uses for teachers. As a child, she found school boring and wrote her blog to try to change that for others. In older posts, she has much information focused on social media in the classroom.  

No matter where we begin on a new journey, the important part is to start.  Maybe that will mean focusing on one blog for the moment and adding others as you feel more confident, and that is ok. It’s important to continue to move forward in some way, even though we may become frustrated. Find different ways to incorporate technology that you find valuable into your teaching to benefit your students and your own professional development.

References

Nielsen, L. (2008). Lisa Nielsen: The innovative educator. Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator. https://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/ 

Teachermade. Free Technology For Teachers. (2023, December 10). https://freetech4teach.teachermade.com/2023/ 

Technology Teaching Resources. BrittanyWashburn.com. (2023, June 16). https://brittanywashburn.com/blog/ 

Sharing My Love of Reading Through Technology

Sharing My Love of Reading Through Technology

As an avid reader, one of my greatest challenges as a teacher and librarian is to win over those who say, “I hate reading.” I understand that in this day and age, there are so many things that are vying for a person's attention. Gaming, TikTok, sports, and the like offer instant entertainment value. While when I was growing up in a rural area of PEI, this type of tech and organized sport did not exist.  What I did have were wonderful teachers and librarians who gave me access to books and helped guide me with great mentor texts.  

I have noticed that students who dislike reading sometimes have difficulty reading.  They like to be read to but struggle to pick up a book themselves.  This generally comes to a head when other students have moved on to reading chapter books, and they are not academically ready to do so.  The lack of availability of high-interest, low-vocabulary books further complicates the issue.  Students want to fit in, and not stand apart from their peers, but books that allow them to do that generally are in short supply.  

Thanks to technology like “Epic Books” and “Raz Kids” that allow all my students to read and listen to text online, reading on the Chromebook has been an equalizer that everyone can benefit from. Stanfel states, "Digital libraries and platforms provide a vast array of resources that cater to different reading levels and interests.” (Stanfel, 2024). Epic Books is a digital library of recent popular book releases for students, while Raz-kids provides a variety of original fiction and non-fiction titles.  Epic does have a free school account, which can be accessed during school hours, however, Raz-kids does require a paid teacher subscription that allows the registration of 36 students. Some of the texts on Epic are also available in audiobooks, while Raz-kids has the ability to read aloud and highlight text as it is read or for the student to read independently. 

   

Audiobooks help those who struggle because “Listening to well-narrated stories enhances auditory processing skills, vocabulary, and comprehension. Audiobooks provide an alternative way for individuals to consume literature, especially those struggling with traditional text-based formats. Both platforms allow students to try out many different types of books and offer many other features, such as “audio narration, interactive quizzes, and engaging visuals. These elements capture the reader’s attention and provide a multisensory experience that enhances comprehension.” (Stanfel, 2024).  Epic and Raz-kids also incentivize students to earn badges or stars while they read. “Through engaging activities, challenges, and rewards, these games create an immersive learning environment that motivates children to read more. By transforming reading into a game, educators and parents can tap into the natural inclination of individuals to learn through play.”(Stanfel, 2024).

One final advantage  I have noticed is that because students mostly prefer to wear headphones while they read on the Chromebook, they are less likely to be distracted by noise around them. This is a strategy that I have used in other subjects with students who have trouble focusing.  They tend to be able to work independently for greater lengths of time. They are also more likely to use the Chromebook to access other technology they may need because using a Chromebook in class has been normalized for everyone.

References

Epic - Kids’ Digital Library. (2023, September 12). Unleash your kid’s imagination with epic. YouTube. https://youtu.be/t_-Je4-hN84?si=-CZ-gnfZ3LP3hiEx 

Learning A-Z. (2019, March 14). Raz-Kids Overview. YouTube. https://youtu.be/EDzDTeoCbk4?si=H46a87pPtrZoVWbt 

Stanfel, A. (2024, March). Beyond the Page: Tech-infused Strategies for Building Strong Reading Foundations. Value-Driven Playground Equipment for Commercial, Preschool and Churches | Turn-key Solutions. https://www.creativesystems.com/beyond-the-page-tech-infused-strategies-for-building-strong-reading-foundations/ 

 

Maker Space Madness for the Minimalist

 Maker Space Madness for the Minimalist

When exploring something new, seeing examples of what others have done has always been the best way for me to learn.  I look forward to seeing others' visions, which always help me expand my view of what something could look like. I can become easily overwhelmed when I see the grandness of what others produce and start to doubt how I will be able to accomplish this, too.  For this reason, the resources I have chosen are for librarians who are beginners when it comes to creating maker spaces.

1-How to Start a Makerspace When You’re Broke 

Diana Rendina is the author of the article "How to Start a Makerspace When You’re Broke".  She believes that the idea that you need a lot of money to start a maker space is a myth.  Many everyday items, such as toilet paper rolls, cardboard, buttons, etc., can be collected and used in maker spaces.  An important aspect is to share your vision with others so they might come on board and support you, either with volunteer hours or donations of items to be used in the maker space. Other ways to gain supplies may be through crowdfunding or reusing items that are already available in your building.

2-Makerspace for Little or Nothing 

Gweneth Jones ( The Daring Librarian), the author of the article "Makerspace for Little or Nothing,” advocates that less is more when it comes to maker space.  Even after seven years of using maker spaces in her library, she shies away from making large purchases such as 3D printers or robotics.  She encourages those who don’t have the physical space to start out slowly using AV carts to do projects such as origami or Lego, which can then be stored away until next time.  

3-Elementary Library Makerspace Resources

Collette Jakubowicz is the owner and founder of Mrs J in the library.  This site provides options for those who are interested in purchasing makerspace resources, lists of wonderful blogs to follow, and free makerspace resources.

    To conclude this resource list, I wanted to reiterate the importance of seeing examples of what others have done. As I mentioned, this has always been the best way for me to learn, and I am sure this is the case for many other teachers and librarians. These tasks can be extremely daunting to start without guidance. With the help of the online communities I am a part of and the resources I have been taught to consult from other teachers around me, these projects have become much more approachable and accessible to educators in general. Although resources may be limited in some areas when it comes to creating a Maker Space, creative ideas online will never be in short supply!

References

Graves, C. (2023, February 10). Elementary makerspace resources. Mrs. J in the Library. https://mrsjinthelibrary.com/elementary-makerspace-resources/ 

Jones, G. (2019, April 13). Makerspace for little or nothing. Makerspace for Little or Nothing. https://www.thedaringlibrarian.com/2019/04/makerspace-for-little-or-nothing.html 

Rendina, D. (2016, February 22). How to start a makerspace when you’re broke. Knowledge Quest. https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/start-makerspace-youre-broke/

Make Way For the Maker Space!

As our libraries increasingly adapt to future visions and future needs of the communities they serve, I have been intrigued by the addition of maker spaces along with our traditional shelves of books.  As someone who has always been interested in crafting and DIY, the prospect of these opportunities excites me. However, as the sole librarian at our school, this also overwhelms me. Although the video attached to this post has provided me with insight into the benefits of a maker space, I remain slightly hesitant. As I’ve seen our Public Libraries become more focused on lending objects other than books, a part of me is saddened and wonders if we are adding these items simply to encourage clients to enter the library or if they encourage literacy just as books do.

After doing some research, I realized that, as Buffy J. Hamilton states, “a maker space culture supports the mission of libraries to enable lifelong learning and to support knowledge creation in their communities” (Hamilton, 2014).  Maker spaces allow learning to take place creatively and also follow academic standards.  Education must not only be about the curriculum but also leave space for exploration of shared interests with others.  Feeling connected to others can be a strong motivation for learning. It is a space where everyone can feel that their contributions matter.

Maker spaces also allow students to learn in multiple ways.  Often, we forget that learning happens not only in the classroom.  Following kindergarten, teaching styles often move away from the play-based or inquiry model to a more formal setting.  Allowing for multiple styles of learning is beneficial for all our students.  It also allows students to be in charge of their own learning rather than simply absorbing what is in front of them. 

One drawback of maker spaces is, of course, finding funding.  Many of our libraries are underfunded, and librarians must fundraise to continue adding new collections to our shelves.  Supplies for maker spaces cost money and will most likely need to be replenished with use.  Librarians are often tasked with thrifting or additional fundraising to meet the needs of these spaces.  As a new librarian, this is what has stopped me from building these spaces in my library.  I am still struggling to find the time to cover all the bases in my library as it now stands. I see the value in these spaces, so I need to remind myself to start small and continue building on this aspect of my library as time passes.  

Working collaboratively with teachers and experts in the field can help you start small and build on their experience to create a wonderful maker space in your library.  Try checking out some of the following blogs to get you started on your maker space journey! Check out the following resources on this topic: 

• How to Start a Classroom Makerspace from Scratch

• Library As Makerspace

• Makerspace Starter Kit 

References

Hamilton, B. J. (2014, June 21). Growing Learning Communities Through School Libraries and Makerspaces-Creating, Constructing, Collaborating, Contributing. The Unquiet Librarian. May 19, 2024, https://theunquietlibrarian.wordpress.com/2014/06/21/growing-learning-communities-through-school-libraries-and-makerspaces-creating-constructing-collaborating-contributing/