The Scanner SIGLIB Newsletter Winter Issue November 2013
Volume 5, Number 1
FEATURING
Tools of the Trade ISTE’s Special Interest Group of Media Specialists (SIGMS) has been rebranded to Special Interest Group of Librarians: SIGLIB. SIGLIB provides a community for school library media specialists to gather and learn about technologies that improve the operation and programs of the
school library media center, increase access to information and create a more effective and efficient teaching and learning environment.
In this issue: Message from SIGLIB President
2
Message from SIGLIB PD Chair
3
Timelines, Anyone? By Wendy Loewenstein
4
An Idea Worth Flipping Over By Dr. Douglas Hazlett
6
Best Kept Secrets: Let 10 Them Out By Carl A. Harvey II and Annette Smith, Ph.D.
Message From SIGLIB President Tiffany Whitehead SIGLIB President The leadership team is very excited to announce technology and school libraries. the rebranding of SIGMS, which will be now known as SIGLIB, the ISTE Special Interest
SIGLIB fosters communication among librarians,
Group for Librarians. We appreciate the
promotes the school library program, represents
feedback about this change our members
school librarians in ISTE activities and with other
provided through the survey. Many of you
SIGs, and provides opportunities for leadership
expressed your
and professional
enthusiasm for a change
development for librarians.
that would help to clarify the focus of our Special
There are many
Interest Group (SIG).
opportunities to get involved with SIGLIB
We feel that this rebrand
including contributing to
allows us to expand our
the SIG newsletter, helping
membership and focus,
to organize professional
while defining it more
development activities
succinctly. Our SIG strives
such as webinars or book
to include all librarians supporting technology in
discussions, or simply attending events and
an educational setting. This includes, but is not
sharing your views and experiences with others.
limited to, teacher-librarians, school librarians, and library media specialists working in school
I am looking forward to all of the exciting
libraries and/or Learning Commons settings.
professional development opportunities in the works for SIGLIB this year! Make sure to follow
This change will also allow our SIG to partner
us on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date on
with academic and public librarians who work
upcoming SIGLIB events!
closely with and support educational
SIGLIB Professional Development Opportunities Elissa Malespina SIGMS Professional Development Chair SIGLIB's new Professional Development Chair is Elissa Malespina, the teacher librarian at
SIGLIB will also participate in the 1-Tool-at-a-
South Orange Middle School in South Orange, Time webinars this year with two other ISTE NJ, and a 2013 ISTE Making IT Happen
special interest groups: SIGILT and SIGML.
award winner.
These 1/2 hour webinars demonstrate how to use a tech tool in the classroom and/or
The Professional Development Committee is
library for student-centered learning.
planning some exciting events in the next few months
To submit a proposal, click
including 1-Tool-at-a-Time
here.
webinars (dates to be announced soon). A new
We look forward to an
webinar/Twitter chat series
exciting year of connected
will involve a live Google+
learning with our SIGLIB
Hangout with a guest speaker
*Images found at ISTE sites
members!
followed by a Twitter chat. The first one is coming in December -- stay tuned for details! If you would like to get involved with SIGLIB's professional development activities, contact You are invited to share the amazing ways you are integrating technology into your library, ways you are collaborating across the
country, your knowledge, ideas, & successes with your colleagues this year in a SIGLIB webinar! To submit a proposal, click here.
Elissa at emalespina@gmail.com
Timelines, Anyone? Wendy Loewenstein University of Nebraska at Omaha When I think back to my timeline creation experience as a student, I recall numerous,
simply emailing them.
teach chronological order by creating a
landscape-oriented, taped-together pieces of 8-
timeline for a story plot, historical event, or
1/2” X 11” paper. These masterpieces consisted
life
of pictures and captions from events in my life, a Students will be able to: famous person’s life, a historical event, or a book
include multimedia (images, videos)
(depending on the task). While I genuinely
explore topics deeper with no space
enjoyed the cutting, pasting, and creativity that
constraints (no more taping additional paper
this task
together!)
required, I
think
learning by
today’s
including
students
linked
would
websites
enjoy the
in their
option of creating timelines online. Online timelines are a visual, 21st century interactive way to differentiate assessments and engage
extend
timeline
cite their online resources by linking these resources
students in learning — especially during research projects.
A few of these free, online timeline creation tools are:
Utilizing online timeline creation tools allows a classroom teachers or school librarians to:
Dipity
capture or keep these projects
expand the audience beyond the school walls provides an embed code. Users can add Youtube by embedding timelines in websites, blogs or
The free account allows for three timelines and and Vimeo videos and pictures to timelines.
Timetoast This has an easy interface because users can only include links and images. No videos. No limit on how many timelines in your account.
Free version provides embed codes to embed timelines on websites. Premium version allows for the creation of groups and collaboration on timelines. Tiki-Toki Free account allows you to embed Youtube
and Vimeo video and share timelines with others. The free version limits you to only one timeline on your account. However, only the paid option allows you to collaborate on a timeline and provides an embed code. The teacher account ($125/year) allows you to create 50 student accounts. Wendy Lowenstein works at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska.
NOTE OF CAUTION
Free online tools are also accessed by people who may post inappropriate things. Please make sure you are comfortable with the content of any site you plan to use with students. SIGLIB Newsletter Committee
Image by suzievesper on Flickr.com
An Idea Worth Flipping Over Douglas R. Hazlett, Ph.D. Professor at Thiel College This higher education professor’s
class” (Bergmann & Sams, 2012). In the
experimentation in the flipped classroom began
traditional college classroom, class begins with a
after hearing Aaron Sams speak at the
lecture followed by discussion. In the flipped
Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and
classroom, students would watch a video lecture
Conference (PETE&C) in Hershey in February
before class, take notes, generate reflective
2013. As I listened to his passion about students questions and come to class ready for learning, I saw this as another instructional
discussion. Since the content is largely delivered
strategy that I wanted
before class via a
to share with my
video, class time can
college students who
center on engaging
were training to be the
students in small
next generation of
group work, one-on-
school
one assistance,
teachers. Because
demonstrations,
the concept is
checking for
relatively new and still
understanding, and
evolving, little research is available to guide best
increasing student learning through higher-order
practices (ISTE, 2012).
questioning.
What is the flipped classroom?
Bergmann and Sams suggest that teachers uncomfortable with making their own videos
“Basically the concept of a flipped class is this:
should consider the vast amount of videos that
that which is traditionally done in class is now
currently exist on the web (see Resources). After
done at home, and that which is traditionally
the teacher becomes more comfortable with the
done as homework is now completed in
strategy of flipping the classroom, s/he can then
Image found at: http://www.miscositas.com/flipped.html
decide to move to making his/her own videos
2012)
with software such as Camtasia Studio. What are some examples using the flipped Why flip your class?
classroom approach?
Flipping your classroom moves you away from
A science teacher can record lab instructions to
being the sage on the stage and closer to being
gain additional time for the completion of the
the guide on the side. Bergmann and Sams give actual lab. A math teacher can record a math the following advantages to the flipped classroom:
lesson and sample math problems to be followed the next day by supervised
“The use of digital resources
problem solving during class
speaks to today’s learners.
time. The teacher can then employ
The flexibility of viewing the
checks for understanding and one-
lectures allows for things such
on-one assistance as needed. A
as student absence
foreign language teacher can record
Review of the content lectures
grammar lessons for students to
for tests
watch at home and then have more
Remediation for students with
class time for conversational use of
special needs and as a resource
the language.
for the special education teachers
Pause and rewind feature allows for
What about my own experimentation flipping?
individualized student pacing
Increases student-teacher interaction during After attending the PETE&C in February and as class time
the spring semester came to a close, I decided
Improves classroom management as
to give my students a brief lesson on the flipped
students are more engaged during class
classroom instructional strategy. Since time was
Increases the transparency of your
limited, I took the novice approach and used
classroom and parent involvement in student high quality video resources available on the learning increases as parents often also
web. Thiel College has a subscription to the
watch the videos.” (Bergmann & Sams,
School Improvement Network PD360
resource (www.pd360.com). PD360’s
thus far?
online library offers over 1800 videos on 117 topics. My class syllabus included the topics of
When students arrived to class they were placed
the research on the characteristics of effective
into small groups for discussion. I circulated
teaching as well as considerations in classroom
throughout the classroom joining groups for
management. My lesson plan consisted of the
formative assessment purposes. The class then
following:
shifted to large group discussion. After our lesson on this topic concluded, I gave a brief
Prior to class, ECE students were to access PD360 and view the video “Rules
lecture on the flipped classroom strategy and our conversation shifted to the students experience
and
with today’s lesson
Procedures”
and the potential
from the
for this strategy to
folder of
be used as future
videos
teachers.
entitled ‘Classroom Management How to
Summary Comments
Win Students Over’ and secondary education students were to view the secondary education version of the same. Students were directed to take notes using the Cornell notes template I provided. Each student was to generate at least one question s/he had after
watching the video. I provided the following essential question: How does this video connect to the research on effective teaching and the classroom management considerations discussed
As teachers and college professors engage today’s digital natives, the use of the flipped classroom strategy is a natural fit. Students will have more flexibility as to when, where and what pace they watch the content videos. The classroom can then be used to more fully engage
students in meaningful instructional strategies. If used appropriately, flipping the classroom creates more class time for engaging your students.
RESOURCES
Dr. Hazlett is currently a
www.pd360.com
Professor at Thiel College. He
www.ascd.org/flipyourclassroom
received his Ph.D. in Curriculum
http://jonbergmann.com/
and Instruction from Kent State
www.flippedlearning.org
University and M.Ed. and B.M.
www.flippedclassroom.org
degrees from Westminster College. Dr. Hazlett is
www.knewton.com/flipped-classroom
also an adjunct professor with the Butler County
http://educationalvodcasting.com http://flippedclassroom.org/video/the-flippedclassroom http://www.youtube.com/watch? feature=player_embedded&v=RafJfNH15cw REFERENCES Bergmann, Jonathan and Sams, Aaron. (2012) Flip Your Classroom – Reach Every Student
Community College at Lindenpointe and has served as an adjunct in the graduate programs at Gannon University and Edinboro University and undergraduate program at Westminster College. His successful career highlights include music instruction and contest judge; various administrative roles; the Pennsylvania Department of Education Distinguished Educator and PASCD’s 2001 State Supervision and
in Every Class Every Day. ASCD
Curriculum Development Awards; an experienced
Publications.
presenter; facilitator of the Pennsylvania Inspired
Bull, Glen; Ferster, Bill; and Kjellstrom, Willy.
Leadership Grow and Support training for school
(2012). Inventing the Flipped Classroom.
administrators; mentor of first year principals;
Learning & Leading with Technology. ISTE.
published author and manuscript reviewer; active
August, 2012.
and varied volunteer on many committees of Thiel College and local boards.
Best Kept Secrets: Let Them Out Carl A. Harvey II North Elementary Noblesville, Indiana Annette Smith, Ph.D. TeachingBooks.net Do you have a cadre of tools that you keep
award-winning authors into the classroom,
secret in your library, just for you to use when
excite readers with video book trailers, and
you need to excite someone? One resource that provide ready-to-use lesson plans about the I like to remind colleagues about is
books in the K-12 curriculum.
TeachingBooks.net, which we can access via our state online databases in Indiana.
Another example is Richard Peck’s Secrets of
the Sea; what could be a better introduction TeachingBooks.net has a database of
than to have Richard Peck himself introduce the
multimedia resources that are not only fun, but
tale and read aloud a passage! Peck’s
also stretch all
passionate and
readers’
emphatic voice
understanding
can be a great
and connection
way to pull the
to the books
readers into his
read in our schools. For example, students can
books. Consider, too, someone like the
listen to Jack Gantos discuss journaling with
mysterious and secretive author Lemony
students. Last year we listened to Jarrett
Snicket. There is a great video interview on
Krosoczka pronounce his name before he came TeachingBooks.net where he shares all about to visit our school. It took us a lot of time to
his Series of Unfortunate Events and why no one
practice. With over 30,000 literary and
should ever read them.
informational text examples for all grade levels, you can find high quality, time-saving resources
But, TeachingBooks.net is not just a great first
for even the most reluctant reader.
place to start when getting students hooked onto an author or a book; as a librarian, anytime
This resource will help teachers incorporate *Images supplied by author
my teachers are starting to use a new
the criteria set forth in the Common Core.
novel, I highly recommend they check out TeachingBooks.net because there are links As readers, we all know we each have our
to lesson plans and discussion
own opinions, so the text complexity tool
questions. While the number and type of
allows each teacher to enter personal
resources varies from book to book, it is
thoughts. All the crowdsourced replies
always a great place to start when figuring
come up with the level the teacher sees
out what/how to teach a new book.
when she searches a title. Thus all of the users of TeachingBooks.net become part of
Another benefit of using this database is
the creators of the resources, too.
the powerful collaborative tools connected to the Common Core, including the text
So don’t keep the secret anymore; go to
exemplars and text complexity rubrics for
TeachingBooks.net to learn more about
each title that this site provides. You can
how to access these great resources.
take part in crowdsourcing the results of each collaboration.
Carl A. Harvey II is the school librarian at North Elementary in Noblesville, Indiana ,
For example, think about using The Secret
and Annette Smith, Ph.D., is the Director of
of the Fortune Wookie by Tom
Instructional Technology & Support for
Angleberger. In addition to book trailer and TeachingBooks.net. activity guides, teachers and students can also click on the text complexity results where they will see if a certain book meets *Images supplied by author
Find us on-line: sigms.iste.wikispaces.net/
Do you have something to share? Would you like to write an article for the newsletter?
SIGLIB Newsletter Committee
Shelley Friesen Katie Kotynski Larnette Snow Mary Carole Strother Jacqueline Liesch Elaine Lawrence
Enter your proposal in the Google form: http://goo.gl/rdC4m
Only accepted proposals will be contacted. Submit as many proposals as you wish, but be prepared to write them all!
Next Edition:
Email SIGMS newsletter: sigms.newsletter@gmail.com
Spring Issue: March 2014 Teaching and Learning
SIGLIB Executive Committee Members Tiffany Whitehead President Teacher-Librarian Central Middle School Greenwell Springs, LA librariantiff@gmail.com Donna MacDonald President-Elect Teacher Librarian Orchard School South Burlington, VT Jennifer Hanson Communications Chair Primary Source Brighton, MA jennhanson9@gmail.com
Elissa Malespina Professional Development Chair School Librarian South Orange, NJ emalespina@gmail.com Maureen Sanders Brunner Past-President Instructor and Doctoral Student Pike High School New Augusta, IN maureenbrunner@me.com