My Learning & Technology Video

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New Direction in Instructional Design and Technology

Distributed or e-learning environments

I have been exploring the potential of e-learning via vodcast (video podcast). Depending on the desired reason for using a podcast, I believe that there could be several benefits. Podcasts embedded on the library webpage can be very useful as a means of presenting quick tutorials when simple instruction or reinforcement of an idea is needed. As a school librarian, I would like to use podcast tutorials to teach patrons to search the library catalog and to reinforce concepts related to database usage. The main benefit would be access to such instruction at the point of need. Other ideas for podcast instruction in education might be to help students stay caught up when they are unable to attend class, as a review of concepts after the initial instruction, or so that students may view the initial instruction over the content on their own time, and then use classroom time for constructivist activities.

Reusable design or learning objects

Although I had never thought of them as “learning objects”, I compile learning objects on the library website when I create pathfinders for teachers and students. Pathfinders are groups of materials with a common thread that teachers may easily access and use in instruction, or that students might explore to find supplemental materials over a topic of interest. For instance, I know that 7^th grade teachers at the middle school do a cross-curriculum unit over the Alamo. When I come across learning objects that pertain to the Alamo such as books, videos, photographs, primary source documents, web activities, or assessment tools, I add these to a pathfinder. Teachers can pick and choose which learning objects that they want to use and customize them to fit learning style and learning objectives. I can easily update the pathfinder by adding new materials or deleting outdated materials or dead links. In this way the pathfinder, and the learning objects to which they lead, remain relevant and may be reused year after year.

Rich media

Rich media supports the learning styles of diverse learners because it can appeal to multiple senses. It also is effective in engaging learners and holding their attention. For instance, a video, vodcast, or even a PowerPoint might be more effective than lecture if I want to teach students to navigate the libraries Dewey Decimal system. There are times when rich media is appropriate and other times when simple written, pictorial, or verbal instruction might be more appropriate. I will strive for a balance of appropriate media when designing instruction. The use of technology or rich media should not be the goal of ID, but rather it should be used as a tool toward the goal of more meaningful learner-centered instruction. 

 Emerging instructional technologies, such as artificial intelligence, cybernetics, Web 2.0, virtual worlds, electronic games, etc.

As a librarian I am called to be a technology leader in my school. It will be my responsibility to constantly explore new instructional technologies and evaluate their benefits and drawbacks. Emerging technologies such as simulations, online learning communities, or any of those mentioned above could certainly add a level of authenticity to the learning environment. I will remain open-minded in order to find better ways of teaching and learning, but these emerging technologies should be critically evaluated. Implementation should be done ethically, using best practices, and we should ensure sufficient teacher support. When properly implemented to support student learning, the use of these tools may also help to prepare students to be more productive citizens in the 21^st Century.

Here's to the future!

I am currently a high school Spanish teacher. As an undergraduate, I always knew I wanted to go into education, and finally settled on Spanish. I viewed it more as a stepping stone because I thought I would eventually go on to get a graduate degree in something like school counseling.  After teaching for a few years, I fell in love with the library program because I see how important the library can be to the academic, informational, social, and technological life of the school. I have a passion for reading and its many benefits.  I have a heart for service, and the library serves everyone in the school and even some in the community at large. I enrolled in the Library Science program here at A&M –Commerce a few years ago. It has been a slow process of gaining my master’s degree while teaching full time and raising a family, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel and only have 3 classes to go. Upon graduation I will seek a librarian position for the next school year. 

Although I am mainly looking for a school librarian position, I think that I would be happy in other types of librarianship as well.  As a school librarian, I look forward to supporting teachers and learners. I would like to be responsible for helping teachers to integrate both print and digital library resources into the curriculum. This will include collaboration and designing lessons with teachers as the subject area experts, and I will serve as the information/media/ technology/resource specialist. I truly believe that the integration of library resources can have a powerful impact on a student’s education in the way of meaning making, lesson enhancement, and helping them to become life-long learners.

As I mentioned, I am now only 3 courses away from my degree, and I have gained many skills related to the library program and technology integration throughout the school.  Before starting this program, I never would have imagined how much effort and skill it really takes to be a good librarian. Many people are still shocked that you have to have a master’s degree! For those people I have an elevator speech prepared. J   I feel that I am already well prepared to begin my profession as a librarian, but I can think of two areas in which I would like to increase my knowledge and skills. I’ve never been the most “techy” of people. I feel that I still have a lot to learn about technology, and due to the rapid rate of change and advancements in technology, I will always seek additional professional development to keep up to date in this area of my career.  Also, because I will be working with teachers of all different subject areas throughout my school, increased understanding of the curriculum and specific state objectives will allow me to offer more to my partnerships with teachers and to the profession of instructional design.

I am a member of a Texas librarian email listserv. This is a great support system for librarians. We are able to ask questions, receive answers, and it is also a great way to get new ideas on what others are doing and what can be done in the library program. I am not yet a member of a professional organization, but would soon like to be. I will most likely seek membership to TLA- Texas Library Association.  Because it is a local group, as opposed to ALA, I feel that the membership will be more relevant to issues that Texas librarians are facing. American Association of School Librarians would also be a great group to join because it is specific to school librarianship. I am currently working on a research project over teen reading habits and would like to eventually submit a proposal to present my paper at a library association conference.

 Here’s to the future!