Technology

The blog Free Technology for Teachers seems like a great place to glean new ideas about using and gaining new technology for the classroom.  First, it is a blog for all teachers, not just school librarians.  This means that school librarians can not only use the blog for their own purposes, but they can see how all teachers in all subject areas are making use of technology.  This may help when school librarians wish to collaborate with their fellow teachers in the school.  Second, this blog not only highlights new technology, but it gives tutorials on how to use the technology.

In the NETS (National Educational Technology Standards) for Students (2007), point #5 is "Digital Citizenship."  When I was in elementary and high school, I was never taught this stuff.  To this day, I am still foggy on the legal use of technology.  I do appreciate that letter c. under Digital Citizenship is "demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning."  I find it interesting that "lifelong learning" is situated here - does this mean that lifelong learning is only in regard to digital citizenship?  I rather think it might belong under #1: "Creativity and Innovation," since this a more encompassing category to include the expansive "lifelong learning."  Also, in the teacher's NETS, lifelong learning isn't really mentioned under teaching Digital Citizenship to students.

As authors Fontichiaro, Moreillon, and Abilock point out in "How Do School Librarians Fit In?" the NETS*T maps to the "School Librarian's Bill of Responsibilities."  That's pretty neat - and shows that the roles of teachers and school librarians do line up.  This really promotes collaboration between the two...and perhaps does it sadly suggest that this is one area in which teachers could take over the role of the school librarian?

In her chapter "Pride and Prejudice and Technology Leadership," Fontichiaro writes that "the joyful core of technology leadership is deciding on an adventure, envisioning it, and then empowering others to see and share that vision" (102).  Approaching technology as an adventure is a good way to go about exploring it.  Technology is always changing and offers new landscapes to explore, as well as new buddies to explore it with.  An adventure can be partially planned, but travelers must be prepared for a bit of spontaneity.  Planning and evaluating new technologies is important so that teachers and librarians make sure the technology is educational.  Spontaneity is needed when the technology does not work the way you thought or wanted.  But if a new technology is fun and educational, then all the adventuring has paid off.  The technology can then be incorporated into (or even inspire) a lesson plan.