my project is moving along nicely. I have completed the initial webquest that the students and teachers will be using for the project. I will add completed pieces to the webquest once the project is complete.
I have completed my surveys and will administer them to the students and teachers at the end of the project.
I am now working on other aspects of the project, like my paper and gathering together my notes and references for my portfolio.
Time is moving along quickly and it is only a matter of time before the end of the semester. We only have a few more classes left before our project is due!
I spoke with some of my group members and know they are moving along nicely with their projects. I know that Mary and Sara are confident about their work and its direction. I am not as sure of Denise because I have seen nothing of her project. And with James I am just not sure what he is doing. He says he is fine but I haven't seen anything of his project so I cannot say for sure. I hope they are all conscious of the time they have left to complete the project.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Del.icio.us Tagging
The YouTube video was interesting and is a nice support for creating del.icio.us tags if you have issues. I found the website fairly easy to navigate and use.
Before reading about this in This Book is Overdue!, I was not familiar with this particular website. I used bookmarks on my computer to keep track of websites that I like to look at. Unfortunately, when my computer crashed I lost all my bookmarks. This site is certainly useful to me because by creating a del.icio.us page, I can't lose my bookmarks. I can also access my favorite sites anywhere because they are on the internet and not simply attached to my computer.
I think this is a really useful site. I have created lists of websites for projects and I would love to go back and create del.icio.us pages for those projects. By creating tags for them, it would make them easier to access.
I also see this as a really useful tool for the librarian to use. I could create tag bundles for teachers on different subjects so that when they needed a great website that features math and visuals, they can find one. I think I will definitely be using this again in the future. It's del.icio.us!
Before reading about this in This Book is Overdue!, I was not familiar with this particular website. I used bookmarks on my computer to keep track of websites that I like to look at. Unfortunately, when my computer crashed I lost all my bookmarks. This site is certainly useful to me because by creating a del.icio.us page, I can't lose my bookmarks. I can also access my favorite sites anywhere because they are on the internet and not simply attached to my computer.
I think this is a really useful site. I have created lists of websites for projects and I would love to go back and create del.icio.us pages for those projects. By creating tags for them, it would make them easier to access.
I also see this as a really useful tool for the librarian to use. I could create tag bundles for teachers on different subjects so that when they needed a great website that features math and visuals, they can find one. I think I will definitely be using this again in the future. It's del.icio.us!
Response to NY Times Article
As I saw others mention on their blog, I too was surprised that it is easier to preserve paper than it is to preserve technology.
Until recently I hadn't given much thought about how to maintain digital archives. It was brought to my attention in reading through This Book is Overdue. They discussed how as technology changes and we lose the original programs, it becomes difficult to retrieve files. I have found that in my own life, as we tried to transfer files from floppy disks to the hard drive. And if the original program has become to outdated, it is difficult to access.
Emory is lucky because they have Salman Rushdie's original computer where the work was created, which the book mentioned makes a big difference in retrieving the files. It was interesting to here him describe how much editing he did on the computer as opposed to on paper. I wonder if we are losing something in that aspect because we do not have his scribblings and cross-outs to reflect what he chose to keep and to eliminate.
Making Rushdie's digital archives available so that visitors can write or make comments on his copies sounds like such a fun idea. As the article described, anyone who is a devoted fan would love this opportunity to be a part of his work, like touching Dorothy's ruby slippers or visiting Jane Austen's home.
I think digital archives present a lot of issues for future archivists. I think it is a mistake for the workers at Harvard to not go ahead and try to work with the floppy disks they have instead of just leaving them in archival storage. I see their dilemma, because it is a dilemma that many libraries are currently facing - what should we do with our digital archives?
What most libraries are looking for now is the tools to maintain these digital archives and someone who has the knowledge and expertise to deal with them. This is an issue we should be aware of as librarians because it is something we may have to deal with in our careers.
Until recently I hadn't given much thought about how to maintain digital archives. It was brought to my attention in reading through This Book is Overdue. They discussed how as technology changes and we lose the original programs, it becomes difficult to retrieve files. I have found that in my own life, as we tried to transfer files from floppy disks to the hard drive. And if the original program has become to outdated, it is difficult to access.
Emory is lucky because they have Salman Rushdie's original computer where the work was created, which the book mentioned makes a big difference in retrieving the files. It was interesting to here him describe how much editing he did on the computer as opposed to on paper. I wonder if we are losing something in that aspect because we do not have his scribblings and cross-outs to reflect what he chose to keep and to eliminate.
Making Rushdie's digital archives available so that visitors can write or make comments on his copies sounds like such a fun idea. As the article described, anyone who is a devoted fan would love this opportunity to be a part of his work, like touching Dorothy's ruby slippers or visiting Jane Austen's home.
I think digital archives present a lot of issues for future archivists. I think it is a mistake for the workers at Harvard to not go ahead and try to work with the floppy disks they have instead of just leaving them in archival storage. I see their dilemma, because it is a dilemma that many libraries are currently facing - what should we do with our digital archives?
What most libraries are looking for now is the tools to maintain these digital archives and someone who has the knowledge and expertise to deal with them. This is an issue we should be aware of as librarians because it is something we may have to deal with in our careers.
Response to Whither the Postmodern Library
There are many issues in the debate between technology versus literacy. The key issue is that technology is useless if we lack the literacy skills to use technology effectively. If I do not know how a card catalog works, then having it accessible through my cell phone is a moot point.
We are so concerned with keeping our students on the pulse of technology so that they can compete in the global market that we forget to ensure that they have the basics covered. Without a solid foundation in literacy, they are not using technology effectively and successfully.
It is our job as librarians to make sure that our students understand how to research, how to evaluate professional articles, how to cite sources, and so much more. Once they have a good understanding of these important skills, then we can help them to make use of the technology effectively.
And most importantly, if our students struggle to read and comprehend what they are reading, this should be our number one priority. They cannot move forward without this most basic of skills. Reading is a skill that everyone needs and needs to survive in the world.
It is up to us as librarians to make sure that we are vigilant in ensuring that our students learn these skills. We need to assume they have not been taught these skills and make sure that they have a solid foundation in literacy before they leave us. Regardless of their age, it is never too late for our students to gain these skills.
We are so concerned with keeping our students on the pulse of technology so that they can compete in the global market that we forget to ensure that they have the basics covered. Without a solid foundation in literacy, they are not using technology effectively and successfully.
It is our job as librarians to make sure that our students understand how to research, how to evaluate professional articles, how to cite sources, and so much more. Once they have a good understanding of these important skills, then we can help them to make use of the technology effectively.
And most importantly, if our students struggle to read and comprehend what they are reading, this should be our number one priority. They cannot move forward without this most basic of skills. Reading is a skill that everyone needs and needs to survive in the world.
It is up to us as librarians to make sure that we are vigilant in ensuring that our students learn these skills. We need to assume they have not been taught these skills and make sure that they have a solid foundation in literacy before they leave us. Regardless of their age, it is never too late for our students to gain these skills.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Meeting with Mary Again
Today I met with Mary to go over some things with her about my webquest for the class. I am working on finishing the webquest for Monday so it will be ready for the students use next week as they perform the Ellis Island Immigration Project.
I am developing the student and teacher survey that I will use with this project. I am also scripting out what I will include on the webquest as well as the extra pictures that I will use to make the webquest more attractive. I plan on going back after the project is completed to include pictures of the students working on the project as well as video tapes of all the completed work.
I am developing the student and teacher survey that I will use with this project. I am also scripting out what I will include on the webquest as well as the extra pictures that I will use to make the webquest more attractive. I plan on going back after the project is completed to include pictures of the students working on the project as well as video tapes of all the completed work.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Working
This week, I am working more on my webquest. The project is not taking place until the end of the month, so I working to complete the webquest before then so the students will be able to use it as part of their instruction.
I am planning on surveying them as well as the teacher and librarian to use their feedback as my sample group.
I am also working on completing the next portion of the paper for this Wednesday's class.
Or group spoke briefly last week about what we were working on, but there was very little new information to share. At this point, Mary and Sara are progressing along nicely, from what they are sharing with me. I am not clear on Denise or James because they haven't shared very much with me or the rest of the group as far as I know. I hope they realize that time is ticking away and we are getting down to crunch time.
I am planning on surveying them as well as the teacher and librarian to use their feedback as my sample group.
I am also working on completing the next portion of the paper for this Wednesday's class.
Or group spoke briefly last week about what we were working on, but there was very little new information to share. At this point, Mary and Sara are progressing along nicely, from what they are sharing with me. I am not clear on Denise or James because they haven't shared very much with me or the rest of the group as far as I know. I hope they realize that time is ticking away and we are getting down to crunch time.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Meeting with Group
Before class, my group met online to chat. Mary and Sara and I were there as usual. Denise joined us for the first time and we did not see James during our chat. I invited him to make sure he could join but since he had difficulties getting AET Zone, I think that contributed to his issues.
We did not have much new to share with the group at that point. Everyone is working on research, choosing more articles and continuing to develop our projects.
This was the first time any of us have heard what Denise was doing since she hasn't come to any of our other meetings. I still am not sure what she is doing or what question she is asking, but she seemed unable to elaborate in class clearly. Denise wanted to know if anyone had a favorite wiki site they liked to use. I have never made a wiki and didn't have a site to recommend. Mary did not have a site she preferred either and Sara has never created a wiki before to my knowledge.
At this point I myself am working on fixing surveys, research questions, purpose statements and introductions. I am definitely feeling the stress now that it is October. I know that time is ticking away and its always a struggle to find enough time to work on weekly work, my project as well as all my other assignments for my other three classes.
We did not have much new to share with the group at that point. Everyone is working on research, choosing more articles and continuing to develop our projects.
This was the first time any of us have heard what Denise was doing since she hasn't come to any of our other meetings. I still am not sure what she is doing or what question she is asking, but she seemed unable to elaborate in class clearly. Denise wanted to know if anyone had a favorite wiki site they liked to use. I have never made a wiki and didn't have a site to recommend. Mary did not have a site she preferred either and Sara has never created a wiki before to my knowledge.
At this point I myself am working on fixing surveys, research questions, purpose statements and introductions. I am definitely feeling the stress now that it is October. I know that time is ticking away and its always a struggle to find enough time to work on weekly work, my project as well as all my other assignments for my other three classes.
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