Diane's Delta Journal


copybook21


July 8, 2003

What do you think a digital library is?

I think  that a Digital Library is a reference source that can be used by students and teachers.  It may also be a way to get familiar with using technology on a regular basis.  Using a digital library allow the user to search for information that is needed and to research.





What did I learn today?  I actually learned a lot today.  I learned what a list server is and how to use one.  I learned how to create a web page, that is great! I am eager to learn as about the use of the computer as I can because that way I can work with students much better.  I knew how to cut and paste because this I learned in a class at the .university  I also learned that hands-on is the best teaching tool in some cases, I can see the benefit in what I have learned today using the hands-on approach.  I expect to learn something new each day and be able to carry it into the library once school begins.

July 9, 2003

What did I learn today?

Today I learned or rather reviewed some things that I learned in another technology class.  I was surprised to know that some of the knowledge was still fresh.  I learned that I must continue to practice and get better and better with my computer skills.  In the beginning I experienced a bit of difficulty, but that soon was overcome. I am really enjoying this class and I do hope that it continues to keep me eager to learn.  I think that Christi is a wonderful mentor, and so is Sharon.
We are about learn what Digital Library really is I am anxious to find this out.  I have heard so much about it and I would like to put a definition to it.  I started reading the article for homework I am going to finish it tonight along with the reading out of the book.  I will e-mail my annotation to both of the mentors.  I think that all this technology is cool, that is due to the fact that I am learning how to use the computer.  I have a Gateway computer at home and did not have clue as to all that it can do.  I was afraid that I would break the thing and therefore never tried too many of the buttons on it.  I have had this computer for two years, I upgraded from my previous Gateway.  I now find myself going home and trying new things as I learn them I know now that I can't break the computer.  I will continue to use what I learn here, while I finish work on my degree in Library Science.  All of my technology skills will be put to good use.

July 10, 2003

Describe a scenario in which you use the digital library with students.

During Black History Month I will use the digital library.  This will give my students an opportunity to search the web and find information that they can use as a part of their research.  Students will have a chance to see what is available on the web and just how much is out there.  This will take them away from using the traditional m African Americans ( M.L. King, F. Douglas) to research each year. The use of the digital library will give them the chance to even research an event that occurred.  By using the digital library students can get a visual  picture which will make them more interested in the topic, and will inspire them look further.  In the event that the students does look beyond his/her topic the will discover that there is a wealth of information out there that they were unaware of.

 July 10, 2003

What did I learn today?

Today I learned how to place an image on my .web site  I learned about many new web sites that can be used with students and teacher.  I learned to visit equipped most of all I learned several definitions for Digital Library.


July 11, 2003


Describe how your teaching will be affected by what you learned today.



My teaching will be affected in many ways based on what I leaned today.  To begin I most likely will use some of the motivational tips given by Diana Joseph.  I tend to be flexible and open to new ideas that can be use in teaching.  As I start the new school year I need to motivate students in the beginning and that way they may remain motivated throughout the school year.  I am going to also try some of the techniques mentioned with some of the special needs students at my school.


The Collaborator Project, I think that this project is too advanced for my students, we are an elementary school grades preK-6.


What did I learn today?


Well today we had two informative speakers. I learned some things that may be helpful with the special needs students at my school.  I learned some new ways to motivate students, and teach them while they think they are playing a

game



July  14, 2003

What did I learn today?

Well I learned that I need to practice using FTP, because for some reason my journal entries are not coming up in class when done at home.  I learned a lot more about digital libraries from Christi's presentation.  I really like what is being done with digital libraries.  I think that by the time I am finished with this class I will know a great deal more.  I also learned  about some great web sites that are available, my problem is, being in an elementary school that goes up to the sixth grade, how am I going to use all of the wonderful things that I am learning?   


July 14, 2003


I am not very clear about the first  question. I need to give it some more thought before I answer it, so I will save that for home and see if I can use FTP correctly.

July 15, 2003

In what areas do you need to build your library's collection? how  might digital resources supplement your collection?  Describe any limits you see to using digital resources in your library (e.g. computer access)

I need to build my science collection, the primary collection is coming along because at the beginning of the last school year there were no science materials for primary grades in the library.  I am in the process of ordering new materials for the middle grades, science is a discipline that is changing constantly, therefore I need to keep everything as current as possible.
Digital  resources might supplement my collection, information that is not available in the text will be found in the digital library. The information found in the digital library should be current and using will be a plus during the preparation for Science Fair Research, Black History Month, and the holiday's or any type of research being done, by teachers and students.  The limits that I anticipate are the fact the my computers are old and often they do not work. I do have internet access, but there is no guarantee that it will work on all computers.  I have four computers in the library and each class consists of at least 30 students or more.

July 16, 2003

I was unable to attend class today. I know that I missed a lot of information.  I will need to come in early to get that information  one day next week.  I am still having some difficulties 1. can't send to the list server. I can't pull up the entire journal at home.  Maybe I can get these cleared up next week I certainly do not want to be left behind.

July 17, 2003

If I did not have enough money for my science and history collection, this is where I would use the digital library.  I would make use of the digital library available to the teachers and students in my school.  My digital library would contain educational magazine sites that will have current information.  Since science is an ever changing discipline I would certainly list several science magazines.  Actually my library is in need of science materials, I do not have any magazines in the library, so science will be on my web site.  The only science books that I am receiving will be for the primary grades, they need it and so do the middle grades.  I actually have enough history materials, but can use the reference and information on Chicago, for the third graders.  I have included the site for Chicago on my web site.  So this is how the digital library will function in the management of my library.


What did I learn today?

Today I learned how to transfer sites that are going to be on my web site,  I was absent yesterday and came in and caught  quite quickly.  I learned about some wonderful and useful sites for students. I also discovered that some of these can be use across the curriculum and that is great for the special needs child/student.  


July 18, 2003

What did I learn today?

Today I learned about IMovie, I thought that it was interesting, however being in an elementary school I will never get to do anything like that in my school..  I learned that the University of Chicago is willing to work with schools to help with the writing of grants, to get money for library materials.  I am new in the library and I need so much I am learning so much I am going to utilize so much in my school.  I that I am not getting too excited about the library and bringing about a change in my school.  I am using my computer more home more therefore I am learning in the class.  I think that is great for me.

July 21, 2003

My vision for a digital library will be a resource for teachers to use.  The library will consist of a variety of sites, that will offer resources for teachers to use across the curricular.  I will include sites that may be used during Black History Month, Women's History Month, Holidays, and Science Fair.  I will also include sites that will give information for teachers that include lesson plans and other helpful items.  Having  a digital library will be a useful resource for teachers and I will be more than happy to update sites as I become aware of the location.  By doing this more of the staff will use the library and its resources once they are aware of what is available to them.  I am going to create an introduction for my web page so that anyone  viewing  it will immediately know this is for teachers' during that time in the school year when they need some creative ideas right away.  I plan to include as much of what I learn in class into my teaching and collaboration with the staff when the new school year begins.

What did I learn today?

To begin I learned how the edit my home page, I added my journal and web site page or rather created links.  I  learned that as a librarian and having this web page available will be a great assets for teachers.  I  could have used one when I was in the classroom.  I learned how to make my e-mail address a link so that if someone is viewing my web page and need to contact me they can do so with this link. I learned that there are several people in the class that are interested in the IMovie, that we heard about on Friday.  I was also impressed with that presentation, however I do not think that will be feasible for my school.  I  learned about the gardening web site, done by Deborah Norwood it was really nice, especially when she said that she continues to work with kids and gardening even in her own neighborhood,. I must admit that I am learning more than I anticipated, and that is really a good thing.  I actually thought that this class would be boring, to the contrary it is very engaging and active, I continue to enjoy each day the only complaints that I have are concerning parking.  That is another thing, and I know that the program (wit) has no control over.

July 22, 2003

What is inquiry based learning, and how is it manifest in my teaching?

At this particular time I am not sure what inquiry based learning means according to WIT, however I think that it refers to learning and making inquires. This is probably why we are creating the web sites for the staff and students.  As they make inquiries into all of the sites that are going to be available to them through our hard work and dedication, I think that the staff  and students at Harte Elementary will learn a lots this school year.  I am excited about creating and posting to the web my site.  I am going to continue to add to the site as the year goes on, as I become aware of a new site that will be useful to my colleagues, I will make it available to them.  Those parents who regularly assist their students with homework, science fair projects, and projects for the history fair will also make inquiries from my web site.

WHAT DID I LEARN TODAY?

Well today I spent some quality time looking at different web sites.  Irene gave a great web site that can be used with students.  I found a site for kids on the ALA site.  I included it with my site page because I know that it will be useful.  I learned how the create a link, I just need to retain the steps.  Basically today was more of a work day than a teaching day, therefore I can say that I learned anything new today.  I have been busy remembering what I have learned over these past two weeks and applying it in class.

July 23, 2003

What did  l learn today?

Today I learned quite a bit of information about how to do an inquiry page.  I am beginning to see how things are falling into place.  I choose a practice question for my inquiry page and I think that it is going to be the question that I actually use for my web page. I am amazed at the  web sites that I am becoming aware of, Melba Samuel gave an excellent presentation.  I have added so many sites to my web page that I am going to have a difficult time trying to organize them.  I am going to return to school this fall with so much new and useful information, I might just become too helpful and become a pest to my colleagues.  So I had better remember not to start trying to force information on ppeople  I am going to let them (the staff) know what is available and from time to time I will ask if they need ny help and I will assist.  I will work on a staff development maybe including the computer teacher, to demonstrate some of the technology that is available and how to locate it.  I will especially talk with the principal and explain to him how important it is for the library to have the necessary  equipment and materials in order for me to implement some of the things that I have spent my time learning.  We can also discuss ways in which my library can be used after school I have already made plans to start a reading club.  I do not anticipate any problems with any programs that include reading, because reading is a hot topic.

July 24, 2003

My implementation plan will be used  as a  resource for the teachers at Bret Harte.  All of the web sites that I am making available in my digital library will give teachers access to materials that pertain to Math, Social Studies, Science, and especially reading.  Everything that I have made available in my digital library  will make it little easier for the classroom teacher to find information they need quickly.  Teachers will also have teaching guides, and activities that will keep the students engaged, these will be teacher created activities.  I have also included  web sitesthe can be used  for all of the students with few adjustments for the special needs students.

As for the inquiry unit, I plan to use it with the students during there library time.  One a month I will have the student read a novel and give a 5-10 minute book talk.  I am also planning to use this with my  after school book club.  I won't give a grade, only feedback based on the students  presentation of the book that was read.  Doing this will make the student  feel less pressure and he/she will put effort into reading and looking the correct responses/answers to book .  There will  be a format given to the students who will partiticate and they will also receive a list of the genre for each month.  At the end of the book talk the student will receive an evaluation,done by the teacher and classmates.


What did I learn today?

Today I learned how to link the inquiry page to my web page.  I also was able (with the help of Melba) to add color to my web page.  I had completely forgot how to do it.  I learned that the teaching books web site that was presented last week, I looked at it again and it is awesome.  I think that the teachers at my school will be excited about that .web site  I learned that our projects need to be finished by next Thursday, and that this was not just  another easy class.  This class has kept me engaged everyday and going home doing work.  I know that  I can use my inquiry lesson with my  students.  I am wondering if I should try using it with each class that I see?  I may need to put some thought into doing that because with the students coming in to check out accelerated reader books I am going to need a well organized schedule in order for this to work.

July 25, 2003

Being the Librarian I do plan any field trips because I do not have a homeroom , therefore with the information received today I would definitely pass it on to the teachers.  I will make my self available to assist them as they plan to take field trips.  When school opens in the fall our school has already been chosen to partnership with the Shedd Aquarium for a program that they will be using with our students.  I am not sure which classes are going to participate, however the same information was given when they presented at my school.  I will make use of the web sites that were mentioned today and allow teachers to look at them, as well as the students.  I think that my students will enjoy the games too.  

What did I learn Today?

I learned to remove all of the unnecessary files that I had and keep the ones that are needed.  During the process I deleted my journal, I do have it saved at home on my computer, and I need to go home and apply what I learned today to retrieve the information.  If not I will have rewrite the entire journal from the first day.  I also learned how the open the files that have the pictures in them and put the image on the page correctly.  Well I am wishing myself luck as I go home and try to fix what I did today.  I really need to find and FTP that journal.  I can't remember everything that I wrote from day one.