The Job of Organizing

My professor asks us the question, Organizing books and materials used to be in the domain of professionally trained catalogers and indexers. Now, through Web 2.0, it is in the hands of everyday "folk."What are the implications of this trend for librarians?

I believe that the catalogers and indexers job has expanded. They need to be more knowledgable when it comes to the web. Over the past 2 decades our technologies have become much more broad. It would be silly to have just a computer catalog system within itself. When I say within itself I mean no outside sources, no mashups with other internet or web 2.0 technologies. With the upcoming generations being already so knowledgable in the web and networking, I believe if they tried using only an isolated catalog system they would get frustrated. The searcher would desire to expand beyond the library for research.
The idea of tagging allows the user to find their resources more quickly and thoroughly compared to simply  a subject heading.

Who is Using Who?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLlGopyXT_g

I've seen this video several times in the past. It evokes thought on our current cultures and it's use of the computer. By use of the computer I mean the web. Who really gets on the computer anymore and has no use for the web? I don't even have to worry with having Microsoft Applications when I have Google Docs.     Which brings me to the answer of a question my professor has given me. Why do I think the title of the video is the title? The Machine is Us/ing Us. Well I believe we have created (not me personally...I take no initial credit) this computer and the web. Everything we do on it links to other things. We tag pictures of people and things that connects us to other people and things, creating an even bigger web or connection.

I've recently been into a website called www.pinterest.com. If I ever come across a picture on the web I can link it (pin it) back to my account to share with my circle of friends. This is just another new way of linking and connecting with other people on the web.

So all we do on the computer is making the computer smarter. Hopefully we won't create a computer to use legs and arms... oh wait...sounds like a movie I've seen.

$10,000 for Handheld Devices

The following is a blog update scenario given to me for a class.

I have been asked to purchase handheld devices for my library. I have been given a budget of $10,000.  I have thought about a few different devices that I am planning on purchasing. One type of handheld device is the ebook reader. The libraries in our school district have begun to incorporate a digital library. If librarians choose to participate we would need the ebook readers for the students to make use of the digital library. I plan to purchase 4 ebook reader per grade level. We typically have 4 teachers per grade level. If I purchase 28 ebook readers, each teacher will be able to check one out. The teachers could use it as a reward for students to use. This should cost me approximately $6,000.

With the remaining $4,000 I plan to purchase several internet tablets. I would like to purchase ipads in order for the students to access the internet. This way the students could access applications such as Google Maps. The students could view parts of the world they may never see otherwise. They could access the internet and play interactive learning games. I will purchase 7 – 8 ipads. Depending on how much money is left over from the ebooks.

Hopefully these devices will enrich our schoool's library and allow students to learn in different ways. The devices will also be available for teacher check out. The ipads would be available for check out especially for teachers to use at home in order for them to familiarize themselves with the new technology. Hopefully then, the teachers could incorporate the ipads more into their classroom. 

Summer Camp!

Summer has arrived. Just like clock work, exactly 2 weeks after school is out I am off to Jan Kay Ranch for teen camp. I attended teen camp my sophomore year through my grad year. I've now been going to camp as a counselor since the Summer of 2005. There have been some great memories. Once we were caught in a storm with straight line winds. We were trapped inside a building with no power for a long time and rain most of the week. You're probably thinking, that can't be a great memory. Well, it definitely changed a lot of our plans at camp, but in so many unexpected and wonderful ways. We were able to get to know people we were not intending to get to know. We worshiped in the dark, which can be very...well... I don't know what it can be? But, you should try it. It's almost as if I feel more transparent to God. No one else is looking...well because they can't see you.
I'm excited that my niece and nephew have been going to camp. This will be their 3rd summer. I like that they enjoy it. Honestly, I don't know what draws them back to it. Well, I do I think. God. Yeah, the social aspect of camp is always fun. But, we do a lot of sitting in the Town Hall listening to speakers. Speakers for missions, real life stuff, and bible preachin'. Yeah, a lot meaning like 3 times a day often times for an hour or more each time. I guess my thoughts are...that doesn't sound like a summer camp teens would want to go to because it takes away from their social life. But, surprisingly enough many youngsters like C&B are drawn back each summer. I pray they are touched and moved in ways that will ruin them for life.
Every year I attempt to be a super counselor. Then, I get there and I am always out-shined by one of the others. She's amazing...and the girls all want to be in her cabin. She's got cool snacks, decorations for her themed cabin, goodie bags, sweet tunes for fun a late night dance party, and loads of fun nail polish. Man oh Man...I think I want to be in her cabin too! Well, we'll see how it goes. I look forward to ooing and awwing over your cabin again this year, K! ;)

Here's a few pics from last year at Impact 2010

 B swinging

 My B.F.F. - I'll miss you this year at camp!

B's friend for the week...attached at the hip...we'll miss you this year C!

 The swing that will keep one entertained for hours.

The Lake

Dancing in the rain

JoJo

Taradacdules  pardon my spelling

Time for banquet 

Oh V...

Rocco, Kiki, & Bam Bam

So here's to another great week at camp! 

Technology Strengths and Weakness

The following is a view of my current strengths and weaknesses in technology as an educator for a class I am enrolled in. 

This past year our school has been able to really reap the benefits of our recent Title I status. We were able to budget for some great new technology. In one year I went from an old time-y overhead projector (transparencies and all) to a state of the art projector, document camera, and a promethean (smart)board. As an educator, I feel like I have a great strength in learning quickly and teaching others when it comes to technology. On the flip side, my weakness would be that I am good at learning the basics, but it takes me longer to figure out all the small details on the "ins and outs" of how a device operates. Eventually, time goes by and I am forced to research the small details. I have found when I do struggle I can turn to Atomic Learning. My school district has provided us full access to the site in order to find answers to common questions with programs and devices we may have in the classroom. 

Here's to Summer

Summer is lurking just around the corner. 9 days with the students and 10 at work! I've got lots of big plans  and Summer Dreams...

Catch up on reading... Here's a few I've got in mind:

and...

Then there's church camp at Jan Kay Ranch with Oasis. 

I love hangin' with the teens...

even these...

Two days...yes TWO DAYS after that it's off to Alaska. Mission in Alaska that is...for 2 weeks!

Though my best friend is from the large state and this visit is nothing much for her...I for one am looking forward to the experience of a lifetime. 

I'd also like to see a beach before the Summer's end. Even if it's Galveston for a few days...

I've got some bitter sweet life changes following the Summer. Not to mention I'm turning 30. Which I plan on celebrating on a...

So there you have it.

As I sat through a worship service this morning we sang this song and I've been singing it all day.  Even though I have these many changes are just around the corner all I want is the Lord's will to be done in me. 

Pepperally

Yes... I know... It's been a while.
I blame it on the T-WORD. You know... every teachers nightmare. State testing. It's a very mind consuming thing. It makes me moody. Just ask my friends.
Today was the mark of the very near end. If you ask my kids what we call it. They would callit a "pepperally". I then follow with, "who's bringing the pepper?" It's one small thing about my kids that makes me giggle.
Today we did a flash mob at our pep rally. I'm not a dancer, but some teachers will go the extra mile for their students. They'll eat whip cream even though they hate it. I gotta hand it to the teachers at B Elementary. They've got a lot of love and might I add some newly revealed mad dance skills to show for.

Driving home from Sam Walton's Store tonight... I found a new tune my students and I will be jammin' to next Thursday when the dog days of the T-WORD are over.