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.

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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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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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