Tag Archives: PLN

04/13/21

Future Vision Project: Digital Toolbox to Support Digital Literacy

Goal:

For my final vision project, my goal is to create an area like a toolbox that would house booster activities, lessons, videos and various teaching materials to support building digital literacy within the library learning commons program.  The target age group for these lessons and activities is grade 8.

Key Elements and Research:

As I designed my final vision, I began researching digital literacy in more detail and sourced an abundance of material to support topics within this vast subject area.  I discovered early on in the process that I needed to focus my goals and evaluate – what would be the most valuable digital literacy skills for Grade 8 students to develop?  I focused on three main sources for material:

(Media Smarts, n.d.)

Media Smarts: I found a number of useful lessons that include interactive games, activities, presentations and videos.  As Media Smarts, “has been developing digital and media literacy programs and resources for Canadian homes, schools and communities since 1996.” and they “support adults with information and tools so they can help children and teens develop the critical thinking skills they need for interacting with the media they love” (Media Smarts, n.d.).  A positive with Media Smarts resources are that they are Canadian focused and driven to support Canadian media literacy curricular goals. The down side, I found much of the content to be less current than some alternative resources.  Formatting of lessons were in PDF and I found that it would be likely to require reformatting and updating through Google Classroom as they are selected for use.

 

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03/14/21

Reflection on Topics and Interests of Phase 2 in LIBE 477

 

In Phase 2 of LIBE 477 I explored how to use social media to foster reading cultures in schools and to develop personal learning networks.  I learned specifically how social media strategies in a professional setting can be a useful communication tool, but it also can be a great mechanism to engage learners.  I also explored methods and ways teacher-librarians can support teachers with technology and professional development, focusing on connections, collections, communication and collaboration.  My final topic studied, looked at building literacy through developing nations and focused on literacy programs offered by CODE and Worldreader.

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02/19/21

Using Twitter to develop a Personal Learning Network

 

(Teachers Using Tech, n.d.)

Last week we explored fostering reading cultures in our LLC programs.  My focus was on using social media to promote reading and create active engagement with the library program. It is ironic, because one of my person professional goals is to expand in this area as well.  I have maintained a social media presence starting in 2006 with Myspace, which I haven’t used in over 12 years. Currently I use: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snap Chat and TikTok.  The latter social media, less so.    My social media for the most part is personal and fairly locked down.  I use it to connect with friends and share family pictures etc. This not something that I would feel comfortable opening up outside of my friendship group.

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(Socialnomics, 2018)

The library program has shown me how social media can help with connecting educators and professionals but also how it can be used as a tool for sharing resources and engaging in learning experiences.  I chose to set up a professional twitter account for this purpose, in part for coursework, but am seeing now the professional value.  This twitter account is free from my child’s photos and doesn’t include personal commentary on politics or controversial subjects.

I have a professional social media account, but now what?

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