Barbara's Journal

DAY 2: July 8, 2003

Delta Journal Entry 1

What do you think a digital library is? What did I learn today?

A digital library is an Internet resource for a specific purpose, for example, education or business.  We have been introduced to CUIP which is the University of Chicago's digital library for students, parents, and educators.  In the library you can go to a specific subject and develop Internet lesson plans from approved sites for your students.  There are many types of digital libraries on the Web.

I learned how to work the l|Listserv for the Delta WIT Program.  We also were introduced to the concept of a personal digital library.  We then went to the Inquiry based learning center at the university.  

To open a Web Page the following steps are necessary:  1.  Netscape  2.  Windows  3.  composer.  To copy hit central c.  To paste hit central v.

My GOALS are to increase my computer skills, learn new types of technology, integrate lesson plans, and find sources out there on the Web.

DAY 3:  July 9, 2003

Delta Journal Entry 2

Today I learned two new webs sites for educators which will be helpful in Poetry and in library research for all students.  The students will love the poetry site and I will like the research site.  

We also covered Netscape composer and opening and closing pages.  In order to edit text, you must be in netscape composer.

The WIT directions for composer were helpful and I felt confident in web page design up to the internal and external links.  After Christi went over the directions, I became more proficient at Netscape composer.  In order to external link:  1.  highlight the text, 2.  hit the link button, 3.  insert the URL for the link, 4.  save, and 5.  browse.  I definitely know how to link now.

DAY 4: July 10, 2003  

 Delta Journal Entry 3

I have taught history to juniors and senior at night school.  Since the class was four hours long, we spent time in the library looking up information and then presenting it in Power Point form.  Each student selected a topic, one of the United States, for example, Illinois.  The student would look up the state and prepare information to present in pictures and slides for presentation.  After we finish the "easy" example of the states, the students went on to complete a subject to present on a World History subject, such as, World War II.  Many of the students liked to prepare subjects that they enjoyed to present, for example, Egyptian life.  Average Egyptian life and early Sumer and any early civilization was always very interesting.

Today I learned to insert a picture in a Web page.  I also had to reactive an old e-mail account to send my first report.  I enjoyed the presentation on Digital Libraries.  

DAY 5:  July 11, 2003

Delta Journal Entry 4

Today we had guest speakers.  One of the speakers was Gary Greenberg who explained the web site http://collaboratory.nunet.net/.  This is a curricular project that is activity based and has assessments.  The Collaboratory has their own library, Cyber Library, that supports the curriculum activities.  The Collaboratory has an Internet Book Club for the English teachers.  The Nexus helps people come together and share work and become an  active community of learners.  The Collaborataory is funded by the ISBE and is a Northwestern University initiative for teachers in Illinois.

Next, we had D. Joseph who helped us harness learner passions, or motivate the students.  Her web site is djoseph@csi.uchicago.edu. She was very good.  We must first build on students interests.  These interests can become a hunger for knowledge.  However, all interests are very fragile and require a lot of care.  To encourage a fragile interest we must build confidence and competency, promote challenge, let the students control and choose the project, and show a connection to the prior knowledge of the students.  We must show progress and have a reward system.

I enjoyed both speakers very much.

July 14, 2003

Delta Journal Entry 5
What types of resources could be on your web site?

I plan on having  web sites for each teaching discipline as well as library sites for everyone.  I also want to have search engines and special sites for students and teachers.  These sites should by coordinated with the curriculum.  The two chapters that we read should be beneficial in organizing the library material.

We reviewed the CUIP Digital Library, primary sources, and secondary sources.

July 15, 2003

Delta Journal Entry 6
In order to build my collection successfully, I want to have a survey sent to each teacher so that they can request information or books in advance of their teaching schedule.  I will also go around to each teacher to make sure that we can collaborate on what they need and what their research schedule will be for the library.  I will need books on Biology, Chemistry, and Earth Science.  We will also need easy books on Algebra, as well as, Geometry.  

I need to improve my fiction section, updating mystery, romance, and sports for the students' outside reading.  

To supplement my collection I will train the teachers on the use of the Internet Library Resources and the CUIP web site.  Training can be the first professional development day in August so that questions can be answered during the rest of the year.  I also plan on helping the teachers get Internet access and sites for their classes.

July 16, 2003

Delta Journal Entry 7

Today we had  one show and tell web site, Giggle Poetry.com, which is an excellent introduction to poetry for students grade 4 to 8 who like humor and like to work alone.

  Today we worked on the difference between search engines and directories.  Search engines are compiled by computers, while directories are usually compiled by librarians.  It is best to use a search engine when you know a lot about the topic, and use a directory when you know very little about the topic.  Google is a search engine and yahoo is a directory.

 We also presented a lesson for the class.  I presented a geography lesson for high school from the ECUIP web site.  

July 17, 2003

Delta Journal Entry 8

I plan on updating my digital library to include new sites for the library each week.  This would be a separate section that would be updated on Friday.  The weekly sites would go into their respective disciplines.  Eventually I plan on having a whole section or page for each discipline.  I want to have a section for professional development sites.  I think I'll have a review of important new books each month.

Today I learned to organize my web page, insert links, and choose web sites.  So far the web page looks good.  My presentation on teacherbooks.net went well.  This web site can be used by all grade and high school teachers to assist them in the teaching of reading.  It is free and packed with information.  I plan on subscribing to Marco Polo web site also.  I like the format of both of the sites.

 July 18, 2003

Delta Journal Entry 9

I enjoyed the Apple presentation.  Helen Hoffenberg and Caramen Gutierrez did a good job.  The modern technology will change learning for the next generation.  Tools that Change Learning was informative and well presented.  Technology can and will raise productivity and help the students become successful.  In the 21st Century the students will need web based inquiry, media rich materials, information analysis, entrepreneurship, and collaboration.  

Technology can reduce the drop out rate by  creating interest and relevant ways for students to give a report in class.  Technology motivates and sparks students' curiosity

On the subject of collection mapping, everybody like this chapter.  We can use the graphics in our libraries to present to the principal and the teachers.

 JULY 21, 2003

Delta Journal Entry 10

Today is Monday and I have created my Homepage and I had to relearn inserting images.  I plan on having each month have a separate linked section to the theme page.  September will have September 11th and back to school topics.  October will have Christopher Columbus and Hallaween sites.  November will have Thanksgiving and harvest topics.  December will have Christmas and Kwaanza.  January will have end of the year topics and study sites.  February starts a new semester and will include Valentine Day.  March will have spring news and test skills.  April will have spring and summer school news.  May will have Memorial Day and summer work information.  June will have end of the year information.  


 JULY 22, 2003

 Delta Journal Entry 11

Today I learned again how to insert a picture and add web sites to my homepage and web pages.  I plan on having sites for each month for the students and teachers.  I will be having two months on each theme page.  I think I will need a resource page for the teachers and more search engines listed on the digital library page.

I learned to link my web site to the e-mail.  I wanted to learn that!!!

 July 23, 2003

Delta Journal Entry 12

Today we learned how to do an Inquiry page.  "It is not the answer that enlightens but the question," Eugene Ionesco.  Inquiry is based on the Socratic Method.  The components are:  1.  Ask a question; 2.  Investigate an answer; 3.  Create a plan;  4.  Discuss the solution; and 5.  Reflect, and perhaps begin again.  I want to continue to add to my web pages.  I have found several valuable web sites that I have not included yet.  

We had an observer today from the University of Illinois.

 July 24, 2003

Delta Journal Entry 13

I added to my Inquiry page and linked it to my Homepage.  I believe this Inquiry will help me in organizing my teaching lessons for the library.  My Inquiry lesson is a beginning lesson on research and it must have two citations.  I think I'll be able to use this project in science as well and English and history.
  
I want to continue to add to my digital library.  I need sites for history, math, and science.  So far, I have avoided everything but English and teaching resources.  I also need additional monthly theme dates.

 July 25, 2003

Delta Journal Entry 14
Today we heard from the University of Chicago Docent program, which was created for teachers and students from Chicago about Chicago.  This curriculum package will be most useful in the library for Chemistry and history.  This will work extremely well in the library when the teacher needs "online help" in these two subjects.  It would be a good idea to have an inservice for just this program alone.  

I enjoyed hearing about the Illinois State Museum and I think that if a teacher is doing a unit on Illinois, it will be invaluable.  This museum is important to teach students about their own state and its history.