1. Globalizing the curriculum: content is a concern due to ethno- or geocentric bias.  Using global connections to provide inclusive information of the world. “Purposeful globalization” Global Core Standards Information: look at Global Competence matrix
2. Curriculum 21 community: Clearinghouse has vetted information about Web 2.0 tools arranged by subject areas and educational topics. Add one tool, one content once a semester. Why not read the same novel with other classrooms all over the world?
3. Upgrading the curriculum: Upgrade (replacement) vs. Versioning (new program structures) Upgrade: engage, enhance, reflect, encourage
4. Strategic professional groupings for curriculum mapping: who should meet together for specific issues?

#hhj hastag on Twitter for a backchannel discussion of this webinar.

What in the Web????

Ever save a Favorite at school then wish you had it when you were home?  Social Bookmarking is the answer.  Save favorites online and access them anywhere.  Create a Delicious account to begin saving your bookmarks and access your favorites anywhere.

Click here to watch this short video on social bookmarking.

Download these directions to set up a Delicious account.

However, the one take-away I felt especially close to is the program to record veterans’ stories of their experiences.  The Veteran’s History Project -

The Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

If you know a veteran, consider asking him/her to record his/her story to preserve the information for future students of history.

Squareleaf is an online sticky note service.  I have converted my various sticky note lists to my online Squareleaf.  I have created different areas of my “whiteboard” depending on timeframe or category of to-do.  I have begun with long term (school year), short term (within a week or two), immediate action, book orders, and ideas to consider areas.  Each is color coded. 

Benefits?

• Appeals to visual/graphic-oriented minds
• Allows for easy change from, for example, idea to consider to immediate action with a right click, change note color.
• Allows for organization of tasks by easily moving around on the board
• Access to my board from anywhere
• No more rewriting lists and moving sticky notes from one day to another in my calendar
• No more losing notes to a breeze or unstickiness
• It’s free

Cons?

• Need Internet access to add notes
• Need Internet access to manage notes
• Service does not auto-save, so I have to remember to click on save notepad button

Applications for the classroom?

• Use as note cards for research – color code topics for notes
• Students can keep assignments and tasks organized
• Add your ideas as a comment!

I have added my Squareleaf page as a homepage tab on my home computer.  At work, I will make it a favorite (no access to extra homepage tabs).  By making it a homepage tab, I do not have to think about opening the site; Squareleaf will open whenever I open Internet Explorer.  By choosing for the computer to remember my password, I will automatically log in, ready to post more notes!

There are many services out there to try as well as other services that incorporate the idea of sticky notes to which others can add notes – see Wallwisher, a great way to brainstorm during a collaborative project or to allow for questions during a presentation.

USER:  Understand, Structure, Engage, Reflect 

From Char Booth’s article in American Libraries: 

As a result I created the USER Method as a rapid and adaptable means of design thinking in library-focused teaching and training, from the smallest one-shot workshop to the most ambitious programmatic IL [information literacy] initiative. 

The article focuses on librarians in a changing climate toward the role as an ”embedded” teacher in the learning community.  A role primary in the focus of a school library media specialist, but new territory for other types of librarians in the field.  

Char Booth's USER Model

I am drawn to her graphic outlining the model as it helps to conceptualize the planning process for effective instruction while demonstrating that effective instruction is always cyclical and dependent on reflective thought of the practitioner.  This model, to me, dovetails and reiterates the components of backward design while focusing on reflective teaching practice. 

She has uploaded a useful template for educators to use for “reflective teaching and effective learning:” 

About The Challenge
10-10-10 Reading Challenge
This challenge is an homage to one developed by Library Thing, and embraced by Twitter, particularly by @kalenski (Kalen Landow, from publishing industry) and @permanentpaper (Melissa Klug, from a book paper manufacturer). The ultimate challenge is to read 10 books in 10 genres/categories of your choosing, set to complete by 10/10/10–but are really just looking for people who want to branch out in their reading. Open to anyone!  – from the blog

So if you want to get on board, surf on over and sign up with your list of 10 categories you choose, to read 10 books from by 10-10-10!

Watch this video to learn how easy the download process is and see an overview of how the toolbar works.  The video is available on the media center website and from TeacherTube. Download the toolbar on all your classroom computers to engage students in efficient and effective research as they access information sources. For more information, visit the GALILEO Toolbar help page.

PRO 428.0071 ADO

“This is the time to think boldly about adolescent literacy. So much of what we know about adolescents and their learning has changed in the last decade, and since then both the world of education and the world at large have become very different places. Adolescent Literacy convenes a conversation among today’s most important educational thinkers and practitioners to address crucial advances in research on adolescent learning, to assess which of our current practices meets the challenges of the twenty-first century, and to discover transformative ideas and methods that turn the promise of education into instructional practice.” (Amazon)

New Home Page Design

• Resources will be broken down into categories for a more simplified browsing experience. Note: Categories are a work-in-progress
• A “dashboard view” on the home page includes My Favorites (formerly My Bookmarks), Recently Added
• Discovery Streaming and BrainPOP are still accessible on the Home page.
• My Media Resources – click this yellow tab to access your favorites as well as your viewing history for the last 30 days.

Re-designed Search

• You can perform a quick search from the Home page, but click on the Search tab for advanced features.
• Once on the Search page, start your search at the top of the page and click Find It! Then use the filters and Narrow Your Search Results to refine the list of results.
• Click the Detailed button to view the description and run time.

Thanks to Chris S. for the info.

Hours and Media Center Use:

• Student hours are 8:15 – 3:45
• Sign in and out
• Students must have all needed materials and Media Center Pass displayed.  Each teacher will have 5 passes.

Borrowing:

• Students may borrow up to 3 books for 2 weeks
• May renew if not reserved
• Teachers may borrow as long as needed with timely return
• Borrow back issues of magazines and Reference overnight
• Overdue and fine notices sent out via homeroom every week
• Student Overdue fines of $0.10 per book per day with 3 day grace period
• Equipment, videos, and DVDs for teachers only

Scheduling:

• Media center schedule is at the circulation desk. Sign up for whole class use or check out.
• Small groups up to 5 students at any time without scheduling—MUST DISPLAY MEDIA PASS
• Please schedule groups over 5 students or whole class visits
• Prior arrangements and sufficient notice should be given for media services
• Subs may bring a previously scheduled class

Planning:

• Media specialist is an instructional partner—advise of assignments if sending students to work
• Plan for integration of information literacy into curriculum units with monthly team meetings and impromptu meetings.

Online Resources are in your Favorites and on the Media Center Web Site.

The Media Center Web Site is the home page for all students.

Students are encouraged to use our subscription services first for research, before using search engines such as Google, Ask, and Yahoo.

Tidbits:

• Videos:  Non-school owned videos require an Instructional Video Approval Form—see Kris or Media folder on TMS Sharepoint
• Laminating and ArtWaxer:  Media staff does these two services on Tuesday and Friday am and other times as available.  Leave items on the cart next to laminator or on the second shelf of ArtWaxer cart for waxing.  Leave a note on laminating items if also want waxing.
• Homeroom:  Students may come to Media Center during HR, they just have to check in with you first and get a pass.
• Media Passes:  Students need to wear a media pass when they leave your classroom to come to the Media Center. You may send up to 5 students at any time.
• Professional Library: Located in conference room in Media Center.  Check out books at circulation desk. 
• Class Novels:  Located in back of Media Center.  Sign out what you need in binder, teacher’s guides are in the file cabinet. 
• Equipment:  Only teachers/staff may transport equipment