My GSU Media Center Internship Blog

Budget Request –March 3, 2008

pullije — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:23:19 +0000

To: Carol T. , Director of Educational Media and Technology.

From: jpullium, Media Center

Re: 2009 Budget

I am writing to ask for a consideration in the 2009 Budget. 2008 was the first year in many that we have weeded in the library. As you recall Davidson Fine Arts was never given set up money. The original library was created by pieces donated books from other library. Therefore we still have elementary books on the shelves. We have update to the point where our student/book ratio is simply being met. I am asking that you consider a 15% increase in our book allotment next year.

Sincerely, JPP

February 26th –Wednesday

pullije — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:38:14 +0000

I attended an advance training session with an e-chalk trainer. It was interesting for many reasons. I found myself reflecting on the style of instruction and wondered if she was clear about her learning objectives. The problem for her was that the a.m. session had been a beginner’s class. Those beginners were allowed to stay for the advance class when they had not ‘lived with’ the information of the morning. The advance class had Media Specialist who did not know how to operate a tab browser. I don’t mean this to sound judgement. I felt the instructor did an good job on differential learning giving us task and moving those who did not need the task to another level. I felt for the ones who were lost. I wanted to help with the instruction but did not want to seem arogant. The 21st century has come barreling down on us all and we are scrambling to keep up with technology. During the training I attempted to work on some shared classes because I am wanting our grade levels at DFA to see the whole picture. We do not do curriculum mapping. I am wanting the teachers to see their work in relation to their peers at the same grade level.

I will be teaching some of the same skills to teachers at Westside.

February 26th, Tuesday–Monthly Report

pullije — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:03:14 +0000

News from your DFA Media Center

Ms. A:

Your Media Center is being utilized. The center computers were used 80% of the time to assist in classroom instruction for 11 teachers. Projects and research varied from poetry projects to the investment projects for Econ.

We assisted in the technology needs for the very successful Career Day and hope you noticed that a Flash picture presentation was published to the web on the Announcements page. Here is a link in case you did not see it.

There were 410 books from the fiction section and 135 non-fiction books in circulation; DFA Reads!! There is good news and bad news in the 135 non-fiction. The good news is the new graphic novels (741.5). are being read; the bad new is they account for 53 of the non-fiction books in circulation along with the comic books. Also, we wanted to make you aware that the English Honor Society has started a high school book club and that the Media Center is very supportive of this endeavor.

The media center club that meets the second Tuesday of each month is in discussion about a middle school book club. Officers were elected. Anna Grace Peebles is their President.

Technology issues address this month focused primarily on the World Language Lab. It is hopeful that this department will begin to use this lab more effectively. We have purchased and we are using a new flash product to increase or photo archive (We hope you have noted the presentations on the Drama pages and Dance pages!). We are in the process of getting the student response systems up and running with our active board users. As always we are thankful for your support in technology, and we are excited about the potential purchase of a Compucart with interactive pad (or 2) if your budget allows.

Respectfully submitted,

jpp

Elementary School Experience, Monday the 25th!

pullije — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 01:22:35 +0000

My head is spinning with ideas and energy. I am exhausted! What a day! My admiration for elementary school teachers and teacher librarians has increased. Getting pre-k’s to focus during story time takes much work. Using leading questions and student participation in echo and rhyming words was helpful. Normally after storytime, the students participate in a media skills activity; however, since it was a celebration for Read Across America and Dr. Suess they students decorated Dr. Suess drawings. The first and second graders did quote recognition from Dr. Suess books and a title page coloring activity.

Ms. Galvin, recent graduate of GSU is in her first year at 51%. She has a shared position with a retired librarian at 49%. Next year, she will have the full time position.

The reading for enjoyment activity took place with local high schoolers. They dressed in costumes and read selection in the classrooms around the theme of Black History Month. This was GREAT! I watched two high school boys read, Rap A Tap Tap (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books) by Diane Dillon (Illustrator),leo Dillon (Illustrator). They were dressed in Tuxedo, top hats and canes. They read and got the children to participate in repetitive words and dance. Later, I learned that these two young men were special education students. Wow! The teacher at HHS is known for his dramatic instruction internationally, but how exciting to know he inspires ALL students and not simply gifted ones.

I think I must have asked Ms. G a million questions. It was a day of great learning! We spoke of dreams and ideas in our developing field as well as limitations. I need today to rattle my comfortable world with middle and high school students. For the first time, I began to see how my skills might take shape with a younger learner if employment leads me in that direction.

February 22nd, Friday

pullije — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 01:01:04 +0000

Met with my principal concerning the Staff development units at another school. Discussed the potential of each of our students having a mailbox within the echalk product. Spent about 30 minutes ‘showing her’ the advantages and potential for student learning.

February 21st, Thursday

pullije — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:48:59 +0000

A.M. Meeting with Asst. Principal in charge of instruction concerning Poetry Outloud. She had asked if it was child appropriate and had brought her 7 year old son. The word ‘bastard’ was repeated by two contestants who used the same poem. I reported that poetry selection is from a national committee and that actually there were many more poems with strong language that our students did not chose, as well as some with strong sexual implications. There are two possible options as I see. 1. Advertise the event as high school only. 2. Announce before the poems that parents with children may wish to exit during the next recitiation because of mature theme and/or language. It was not an easy conversation as I was simply wanting to celebrate the success of the event.

2:45 meeting with Dr. T and MS at WHS concerning staff development units. Dr. T has her doctorate in Instructional Technology and used to work in County Ed. and Media Department. She is now asst. principal in charge of instruction. She wants her teachers to use the EChalk product to its fullest potential as she would like to be considered to pilot the lesson plan module of the EChalk product for the County. She has teachers with poor technology skills. Discussed that one on one instruction in the teacher’s classroom where they have their instructional materials will best serve her goals. Will do two days of one/one training during planning periods. Will do a day for Understanding the group use of product with Special Education Department.

February 20th, Wednesday

pullije — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:40:34 +0000

The day was given to aiding in pulling off this project. Judge’s sheets and packages of poetry was put together. The contest had a little of hundred people present. There were 37 contest. Left the school at 10:15 p.m. Notes for next year competition: English Department will have to narrow the field to no more than 28 (7 per grade). The contest was too long this year. Collaborate with Art Department for gallery of illustrations for some of the peotry.

February 19th, Tuesday

pullije — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:34:27 +0000

Met briefly with Ms. S concerning 10th reading for interest reports. Our goal through out this years is to make project that use 21st century technology and are fun for adolescents. We discuss plans to implement a book review project done in the form of podcasting on the media center weblog. I will teach with her and develop a rubric with her.

February 18th

pullije — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:25:45 +0000

Collaborated with Mrs. G at elementary school concerning ideas for hours at the Elementary school. Her bookfair week is going to interfer with Read Across America events so she would like to blend Read Across America and Black History Month together. During K-2 time in the library, I will be reading from Dr. Seuss and telling the children about his 104th Birthday Day. To increase reading increase and emphasize Black History Month will get the Drama program from a local high school read books from Black History Collection in costumes or with props. Ms. Galvin had dialogued with Mr. L earlier in the month about coming at some point. We will see if he can make this happen on the 25th.

February 15 Friday

pullije — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:24:58 +0000

Confirmed 8 hours intership in Elementary School Library with Media Specialist, Trina Galvin for February 25. Called Kim S. in county media to see if she was aware of schools with training needs. Also, we discussed issues of hosting video formats within the echalk product. Mr. H is video production classes wishes to place some videos on web. He will be meeting with her and tech department after school.