Final Vision Project Rationale

My final project is for the intermediate students in my school with whom I work in the Library each week for 40 minutes.  My experience is that they arrive less motivated than I would like them to, so I am trying to engage them in a new way that I have not tried before.  In consultation with our District's technology teacher, who suggested using the program Scratch to do just that, I have organized lessons using the program as a way for students to demonstrate what they know about Extreme Environments which they have been learning about.  Another reason for using Scratch with our students is that it can teach important skills like vocabulary, story telling, and problem solving.  Moreover, it is neat way for students to show what they know in an interactive way and will hopefully kindle the motivation to learn and be in the Library that I have been aiming for.

Being in the Library I have the unique ability to work with all students and teachers (if they so choose) and I hope this project will generate excitement about learning and creating games so my colleagues and parents of students will want to learn more about Scratch and use it as well.  Furthermore, I could also take it to the District level and hold workshops at Pro-D Days in our District which would allow even more collaboration with colleagues in other schools.  I am also going to create a short instructional video on Screenr as a tutorial for students, colleagues, and perhaps for use at the District level to introduce the basics of the program and what can be done.  I think this might address the needs of a wider audience as I plan on putting the video on our Library website for others to use and I will put the link on Twitter as well to start to generate discussion.

Obviously technology dominates our day to day life, and I see our students playing games that are not educational so this project could also be a way to change that.  They might create their own games that are about learning or about positive things, and see that technology can be used to learn and teach about important things that matter to their understanding of the way the world works.  If I can introduce a new way for kids to use technology in learning then it will be another skills they have to engage them as they move forward.  I think we are past the traditional book reports and spelling lists as ways for kids to show us their knowledge, but Scratch will teach them about writing code, which I think in most adolescent lives is a cool thing, and by creating some artifact that is their own and will demonstrate what they understand about a topic, I think it will empower students, motivate them to work harder, and be a little fun too! 

My side project of creating a "Maker Space" in the Library is off to a good start; I have my area picked out in the Library and a budget from our school to gather materials.  The list of possible materials is endless and I have been spending some time online visiting websites to try and narrow it down a bit.  I think it would be important to include the students in the materials gathering process, so I am going to wait until we get back from Spring Break to elicit responses and ideas from them.  I think they will be more motivated and creative knowing they have had a part in creating the space and the materials which is the goal after all.  If kids also go back to class or go home excited about our "Maker Space" then they will talk about it and it could be another way to reach a wider audience (teachers and families) and community about the cool things we are doing in the Library.

Photo #1 courtesy of:
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Photo #2 courtesy of:
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Photo #3 courtesy of:
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Photo #4 courtesy of:
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Photo #5 courtesy of:
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Final Vision Project Scope: Walk towards the light at the end of the tunnel.....

It is difficult to envision the end of my LIBE 477 course amid my current report card writing, re-reading, and anticipatory Spring Break relaxing that fuels my energy this final week of school prior to vacation.  That being said, I have already begun the process of planning my final project, and even got a good idea for a "side project" that intrigues me.  My plan is to use the program Scratch to engage students in project based learning in the third term in the Library.  I will also be creating a Screenr instructional video about Scratch for our classes, our staff, and possibly for our District.  I have already collaborated with a classroom teacher about working together with his class for this project and tying it to their study of Extreme Environments, in addition to booking our District's Technology teacher about times and lessons she will assist with throughout the project. 

The scope of my project is primarily my school and my work with intermediate students in the Library, with the possibility of expanding to other schools we work closely with (other elementary schools in our family of schools and potentially the high school we feed into if they are willing).  I have gained some good insights this year from taking this course and using technology to kindle motivation with students, from using Comic Life and PhotoStory 3, to generating Power Point presentations and reading the interactive story Inanimate Alice to develop critical thinking skills in our older students.  With our technology issues, we are still years away from BYOD which is something I am interested in incorporating in our Library and as a classroom teacher as part of a 21st Century Classroom. I think the classroom of the future may not involve a traditional classroom much at all, and I want kids to be curious and use the massive power of the internet and their access to information and learning to be positive and improve their life rather than just violent gaming and watching Youtube to pass the time. Until our technology issues get sorted out in the District I may have to wait on this part of my scope for the project. 

Compounding this is my knowledge that as a Vice-Principal I will be moved to a new school soon and I am unsure what grade I could be teaching, if I would even be in the Library, or what exactly my roles(s) will be so I don't want to get too fixated on an uncertain future.  I will be able to take much of what I have learned in this course with me in whatever capacity I find myself in, but perhaps it will be a deepening of my knowledge and experience from what I learned that will anchor my vision.  To take what I learned and make it better once our technology plan is solidified and my new role is realized (whenever that might be!).  Ideally I'd like to be able to get my library projects, Screenrs and other activities fully online so kids can access them where ever and whenever and "go paperless" to really streamline and synergize the learning possibilities and opportunities in the Library. 

The side project of a "Maker Space" in the Library not only sounds cool as an activity to work on with kids in schools, but perhaps more importantly, it seems like something that would make the Library even more of a hub of excitement, learning, passion, and creativity.  The idea that kids have a space and materials to "make" something either for learning to represent their knowledge or as a fun way to demonstrate their ideas and curiosity is intoxicating as an educator.  It really aligns with my goals for this project in kindling motivation for learning and using technology to get kids motivated.  The rationale is of course to hopefully draw more kids into the Library to see all the possibilities that it contains, not only books and reading, but a place of acceptance and community where students can "try things out" and continually work towards personal improvement.

Photo #1 courtesy of:
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Photo #2 courtesy of:
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Photo #3 courtesy of:
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Photo #4 courtesy of:
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Photo #5 courtesy of:
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Summarizing and Discussing Phase 2 Topics and Interests

One of my main takeaways so far in this course is that I need to stop whining about technology issues in my District and move on with trying to make learning awesome with our students and staff in my role of Librarian, Vice-Principal, and classroom teacher.  Mostly because whining accomplishes and changes nothing, but moreso because it likely impedes my forward progress and personal growth, not to mention that it gives me an excuse for doing things the same way I have always done them.  I think that impacts my direction by allowing me to let go and simply enabling me to explore new avenues in my personal and professional practice. 

For instance, using Screenr to create videos for the classes I work with in the Library using technology, or even getting to blog on a weekly basis to flesh out my ideas has been helpful to my learning.  Something else I will take is this community of classmates I've had the pleasure of following via their blogs, and though I haven't commented on all of them, I have enjoyed reading about all the cool things they are doing to change their practice.  I hope they continue to blog and share in the same fashion that I intend to after this course is finished.  In fact, another item of exploration I plan to continue using is my blog.  I would like it to be a part of our school's website if the District will allow it, as I think it could be a great way to communicate with students and families, and to discuss books or learning ideas with the larger community. 

I am always interested in finding something new I can do with students in the Library using technology.  I think it is a way to motivate them and to kindle excitement about learning, which is my main focus as we move forward.  I plan to use the program Scratch with students after Spring Break, where they will be creating a personal project, and with the help of our District Technology teacher I hope it helps generate the enthusiasm for learning that I desire for our kids.  Something else I will explore further is how my various roles in the school allow for more collaboration with staff to improve student learning. 

Because I am trying different things with technology in the Library, and gaining confidence and experience using them, it only seems natural to extend that into classrooms with teachers as well.  Since I have tried a few new ideas as a result of taking this course, some of our staff have noticed and asked how they can also use them with their classes.  I am looking forward to working together with them to see how we can co-teach together, utilizing technology, to enhance student learning and engagement before the year ends.

Photo #1 courtesy of: http://omnipotentpoobah.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/no-whining.jpg
Photo #2 courtesy of: http://multimedialearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/i-heart-screenr.png
Photo #3 courtesy of: http://www.catrobat.org/images/scratch.jpg
Photo #4 courtesy of: http://blog.businessdecision.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/collaboration-1.jpg

Module 7: Supporting ICT & Pedagogy - On-Going Pro-D

Ironically our topic this week is about Professional Development and we happen to have a Pro-D Day here in Vernon this Friday.  Unfortunately, it does not revolve around ICT, but pedagogy of another sort; the new BC Education Plan and updated curriculum changes for next year.  I suppose ICT will be a big part of it so they are related after all.  As our school's Librarian, I have some time at each staff meeting to share ideas or lessons and books I have been using with our students and to engage our staff with questions or ideas we can pursue to improve our student's experience at school.  That's one way to share with my colleagues what I am learning and doing to improve my practice.  Moreover, I am in the unique position of working with every teacher and every student in our school which should only encourage collaboration. 

That being said, some of our staff are more willing to collaborate than others who simply see their Library block as a "drive thru" where they drop off students for 30-40 minutes without caring a great deal about what I am doing with them in the Library.  So I need to continue building relationships with those teachers and go one step further by inviting them to stay to see what I am doing with their kids and involve them more in the process while communicating about where it fits into their curriculum.  I think if I can get some buy in from that perspective then I can lead them to incorporate the technology I am using in the Library into their classrooms.  That's another way to share my changing practice with a wider community.

Last year I had many teachers working with me in terms of what they wanted me to focus on in the Library to help their students improve academically, which in turn helps them in their own classes as well.  Unfortunately, we had a high turnover of staff with layoffs and I felt a bit of a hangover after the Strike in terms of teachers wanting to work with "ADMIN", so less of it has occurred this year.  So I've had a tougher time responding to the teaching needs of our staff, though I certainly work through many other issues with them and their students whom they send to me for discipline or when they are having a problem. 

I have found our staff to be a challenge in terms of Professional Development and their willingness to participate, even though we have staff professional book clubs, we more recently worked on finding Inquiry Questions whiach seemed to be more engaging.  I have supported our staff and their various questions with professional resources in our library and some favourite books I encountered while an administrator, or when I did my Masters, or even a few that friends recommended about parenting, or simply for a good laugh.  So that aspect of being the Librarian has been excellent.

 

I am also excited that our school will be hosting an upcoming parent night revolving around how we teach math and it will be a good chance for our staff to demonstrate their expertise and for our parents to "get on board" with vocabulary and strategies to help their child improve.  I also like how it connects the home to school as both play such an important role in a child's success, and for students to see how we can work together in a fun and non-threatening way I think will pay dividends for our entire school culture.  It really comes down to communication; with colleagues, with students and families, and about what everyone is doing in their classes that is successful as a way to stretch ourselves and our practice.  It is also about sharing what didn't work when we tried something new, so others might be able to guide us towards a way that will yield better results. 

 

I think the most important things I can do this year to support others is to open the lines of communication about our learnings in order to promote staff discussion about incorporating them into more classrooms.  It is also important share our successes and failures with colleagues in order to improve, and I need to continue personally inviting others, even the most reluctant staff members, to work collaboratively with me in the Library.

Photo #1 courtesy of: http://chriswejr.com/files/2012/01/BCs-Education-Plan-Graphic-r0a4xa.jpg
Photo #2 courtesty of: http://marysville.mykansaslibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/mean-librarian.jpg
Photo #3 courtesy of: https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2695/4340974776_6333297941.jpg
Photo #4 courtesy of: http://www.redstaplerchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/principal%20skinner.jpg
Photo #5 courtesy of: http://www.worldpgl.com/userfiles/images/inquiry%20handle%20call%20center(1).jpg
Photo #6 courtesy of: http://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu//overcomingadversity/files/2013/11/Failure-Success-1.jpg