On The Road to Becoming a Teacher's Teacher...

 

Inquiry Blog Post #3: Supporting Teachers’ ICT Curriculum and Pedagogy: On-going Professional Development

Image retrieved from Quote Fancy

This week, I will be discussing ways I can help my colleagues further expand their ICT professional needs.  

I must be honest and say that this idea terrifies me! Why you may ask? Well, for starters some colleagues have more experience than I do in the tech department.  Secondly, I need to come up with a program that will not only help them improve their tech skills but will also need to be flexible and at a “just right” level for every teacher at my school.  

This should be as easy as saying “apple” because after all, teachers are lifelong learners, right?  

image retrieved from here

Sadly, is not that simple…the digital world we currently live in keeps changing and we as educators need to stay on top of that to help our students navigate these crazy waters.  This is overwhelming to say the least…exciting but overwhelming.  Just in the past four weeks I have learned about so many different apps and programs I can use in the classroom and library that my head spins just thinking about them! I have a plan to improve my own ICT skills but how can I apply the same plan to help my colleagues?  

Alfred Bork wrote a very interesting article in 2001 called “The Dilemma of Teacher Training.”   He explains why “training teachers is a common problem with education.”  This statement caught me by surprise because, like I said before, we are lifelong learners so it should be easy right?!  He points out that a lot of the issues come from creating programs based on old learning traditions.  What does this mean? For starters it means that by the time we start learning about a new program, a new update is being released with more features that also need to be learned .  How then can we keep up with this ever-changing tech current? How can I help my colleagues stay on top of these changes without overwhelming or boring them? 

Furthermore, Miller & Bass point out that in order for Librarians to be a building leader, we need to make sure we work towards "empowering (our) teachers...(even if that means) pushing them to learn and try things outside of their comfort zone." (Miller & Bass, 2019). It sure is a lot to think about because as I said before, I want to help my colleagues without looking like a pushy/maniac/scary librarian! 

Imaged retrieved from the Clipart Library

Keeping all I have learned in mind, I have come up with a plan which I think might help me get things started…

1) Communication:  this is by far the most important step to take before even thinking about ICT workshops. Miller & Bass say that as librarians we need to "make a concerted effort to be an observer and listener, (that way we will) be more effective in knowing what (our) teachers know, and what they need to know." (Miller & Bass 2019).   I want to know what my colleagues need when it comes to tech skills.  I want to make it easier for them and worth their time.  As we all know, teachers are always busy, so I need to make sure their time is spent wisely.  I will probably start by using some of our “Library minutes” during our monthly staff meeting to ask what new skills they would like to learn.  I won’t ask them to give me their answers right away, but will give them a day or so to think about it before approaching them again.  I will create little 1-2 minute Doodly videos showing them some of the trendy apps out there and how they can help them in their classroom.  I can also share monthly/weekly tech tips with them.  Once I see where everyone is at, I will start creating small group workshops and offer them during our Pro-D days or as short lunch sessions (I will add an incentive because I know we all like a small treat!) 

Image retrieved from Kissclipart

The video above is an example of something I could use to introduce Doodly to our staff during our monthly meeting.  It is less than 4 minutes long and it points out the benefits of using this program in our classrooms.

2) Presentations: I will consider this my sneak “attack.”  I will offer teachers to come to their classrooms to show students some of the cool new features we are working on in our website.  Programs like Google Slides or Book Creator can spark interest not only in students but also teachers.  I can offer to teach them how to use the program on their own time or even teach the whole class how to use them in weekly sessions.

3) In-School Workshops: Offering some pro-D workshops like “How to create a cartoon video to introduce new concepts,” “How to use Google Slides to create brochures or magazine articles,” or “How to create an interactive novel study using Book Creator.”   I would also like to organize my own version of “Lunch Geek Squad,” where I would offer my tech services to my colleagues, perhaps “prep techs” where we can book one of their prep times to help them navigate new programs.  So many possibilities!

Image retrieved from Unsplash

4) Promote, promote, promote:  I find this to also be very important!  You want to let your colleagues know what you are planning to do.  Teachers are planners by nature so it’s important to keep them in the loop so they can plan accordingly.  How can you do that without sending never-ending emails?!  Subtle marketing is key! Make posters and put them in staff bathrooms, office board, message boards in front of the library, staff room and by their mailboxes.  Mention your plans in staff meetings and make sure to tell them that I will work around their schedule.  Post it on the school website, twitter account, Instagram, and Facebook.  Maybe send sneak peeks of what I am planning on doing, helpful resources, etc.  

5) Open Door Policy: I will make sure to always have my doors open to anyone who needs help! I know I am no expert, but I can certainly do my research, learn it, and then help them, or I can enlist the help of someone who can.

My mantra is “Where there is a will, there is a way!”  If there is anything I can do to help my school community, I will try my best to help.

Do you have any other ideas or tips?  I would love to hear them...until next time!

The Duchess of Bookington

References:

Bork, Alfred. (2001) The Dilemma of Teacher Training – CITE Journal. (n.d.). Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://citejournal.org/volume-3/issue-2-03/general/the-dilemma-of-teacher-training/

How to use Doodly to Create ANIMATED VIDEOS as a Teacher | Best Video Software for Teachers. (n.d.) <www.youtube.com> Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYiwxfd03jo&list=PLvCrTe3h4indueKXwzF_GX1iAOHneKsfm&index=2

Gess-Newsome, Julie et al. Technology Infused Professional Development: A Framework for Development and Analysis – CITE Journal. (n.d.). Retrieved February 18, 2022 from https://citejournal.org/volume-3/issue-3-03/general/technology-infused-professional-development-a-framework-for-development-and-analysis/

How to use Doodly to Create ANIMATED VIDEOS as a Teacher | Best Video Software for Teachers. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYiwxfd03jo&list=PLvCrTe3h4indueKXwzF_GX1iAOHneKsfm&index=3

Miller, S., & Bass, W. L. (2019). Leading from the library : help your school community thrive in the digital age. International Society For Technology In Education.

Tollett, John R.,. (2001). Educational Leadership. [SITE 2001 Section]. Retrieved on February 18, 2022 from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED457825

Tech Savvy?...Nope!

 Inquiry Blog #2:  Developing your own ICT Skills and Pedagogy

This week’s blog is all about developing our Information and Communication Technology skills, or ICT for short.  I must be honest and say that I am seriously lacking in that department!  Don’t get me wrong, I do know how to use technology and have even mastered creating videos on YouTube, using the Smart Board, some other computer programs like PowerPoint, and now I can add creating a blog to my list of skills.  

All those skills have not come by easy I must say, I have had to spend many hours searching the web for videos or online webinars or attending Professional Development workshops in our district.  Even then, I have encountered many issues which require a bit more tech knowledge.

LIBE 477 has made me realized that continuing to expand my tech knowledge will help, not only myself, but my colleagues and students.  We as Teacher Librarians need to keep up with this ever-changing digital world if we want to continue to help our students and staff.

I have used many devices throughout the years but have not really explored everything they have to offer.  Just last week during our Tuesday evening class meeting I learned about several Apple apps that could help me create videos and picture books, record voice memos, add my voice to videos and even learn how to teach coding.  Talk about a revelation!   While researching for last week’s blog, I discovered other programs like: Book Creator, Code Spark, and Doodly to name a few.

Discovering so many new skills I could master made me wonder what to do next?, Where do I go?, What do I do?, How would I know I’m on the right track?.  Phew…So many questions! 

I am a planner by nature, so I decided to create a plan that would help me on my Tech journey, not only during this course, but also in many years to come.  Here is what I have planned so far:

1) Web Searches: the first easy step to take was to go to Google and do a search on the programs I would like to explore.  As usual, I encountered thousands of results!  This, however, is a good thing this time around, simply because I get many places to choose from!  Some of the websites I found useful were:

a) Book Creator: This website offers various webinars and pro-d opportunities for educators.  What I like about it is that they offer weekly videos, and a technician is ready to help you if you need it.  The program is not free, but we could present it to admin and get funding for it.  I really like that I could also use this to create pro-d opportunities for my colleagues.  The website also has many samples of interactive books we can already use with our classes.  One of my favourite books is “Creative Digital Citizenship” because it teaches students how to be good digital citizens using challenges, videos, and many other activities.  You can check it out by clicking the picture below.

b) Book Creator free online tutorials: This is one of the many tutorials I found during my search.   This video is also an example of what the webinars the company puts together look like.  Had I attended the live version, I would have been able to ask questions as they went through the content.  

"This webinar gives us a good introduction to the basics of Book Creator."  

c)  Apple Teacher offers several self-directed professional development courses as well as video tutorials that are easy to follow.  You can also download the app on your iPad or Mac book for easier access.  This is one of the programs our instructor talked about during our online discussion.  I was blown away by the number of apps I can use at school to help our students (and teachers) create amazing projects! 

                                                    

d) Code Spark Academy: an online academy that offers kids the opportunity to learn computer science and programming through games, puzzles, coding challenges and creative tools.  You need to download the app on your device and pay a subscription.  It also offers professional development webinars for staff at a very reasonable cost.  The site also offers discounts for educational institutions.  If you would like to check it out, just click on the image below.

                                           

e) Doodly: a white board animation software program you can use to create interactive videos. You do have to pay a monthly fee for it; however, once you have an account you have access to many webinars, tutorial videos, and live support chats.  Looking at some of their sample videos, I can see how our students can benefit from this program.  Not only can we as educators create videos for basically anything we want (tutorial videos to teach new concepts, introduce projects, create announcements of the happenings in the library, etc.) but our students can also create videos for classroom projects if they use your account.  You can check out the software by clicking the image below.

                                          

2) District seminars and Conferences: our district offers many seminars during district pro-d days.  We have also been able to attend conferences held on weekends or during Provincial Pro-D days.  I would like to attend some of those seminars soon.  I have also found many self-guided tutorials I can do on my own time.  Apple Teacher for example, offers many updated tutorial videos on some of the apps we can use at school.  Here are some examples:

Foundational Skills for Apple Teachers: https://appleteacher.apple.com/#/home/rp/R003996-en_US

Lesson Integrations tutorial for Apple Apps: https://appleteacher.apple.com/#/home/rp/R003997-en_US

3)    Create a Network: I think this is one of the most important steps to take as I begin my new learning journey.  I have learned through this course that networking is very important as we can learn so much from other professionals.  Setting up a professional twitter and Instagram account would help me follow many educators who can support me as I learn to use apps like Book Creator.  Reading blogs from other educators is also a way to learn new things they have discovered.  I also belong to many Teacher Librarian networks including the one in our district and the one created for LIBE 477.  I have learned so many things already from them and they are always willing to answer your questions no matter how big or small they are.

                

4) IT Department: I think it is time for me to access the pool of knowledge our IT department has to offer.  Our district has many techs who are willing to come spend a couple hours with you to train you on various programs we use in the district.  

5) Mentorship Program: our district also has a mentorship program for new teachers and Teacher-Librarians.  I don’t think I had really looked into it until this year when I started working at the Library and my job-share partner suggested we get a mentor.  She has been truly amazing and even came to our Library to teach us how to use the newly updated LS2 program our district is using.

Overall, I am very pleased with my plan moving forward.  Is my plan set in stone? Of course not!  It will always be opened for improvement and new additions.  I am really looking forward to continuing to improve my ICT skills.  

Do you have any other ideas you think I could pursue? I would love more recommendations!

Until next time,

The Duchess of Bookington

References:

Apple Teacher. “Apple Teacher Learning Center.” Apple Teacher Learning Center, 2022, https://appleteacher.apple.com/#/home/resources. 

Book Creator. “Book Creator - Bring Creativity to Your Classroom.” Book Creator App, 7 Feb. 2022, https://bookcreator.com/. 

Book Creator. “Getting Started with Book Creator - Youtube.” YouTube, 3 June 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COEOft22wGw. 

Code Spark. “Coding Game for Kids .” CodeSpark Academy, 2022, https://codespark.com/?utm_medium=paid_search&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google_Bucket2_Search_Brand_&utm_content=138143621692&utm_term=code+spark&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmKiQBhClARIsAKtSj-lJKMoP4Oizn-7xuzQClf3X0V4ZuZQx15YdIFVYA--0RwmL69k4fjoaAsmwEALw_wcB. Accessed 13 Feb, 2022.

Doodly. “How to Use Doodly in Education.” Doodly Blog, 19 Oct. 2021, https://www.doodly.com/blog/how-to-use-doodly-in-education/.  Accessed 12 Feb, 2022.