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Thing 5

Because of the large $$$ amount we spend on online databases, I am constantly sharing and showing staff and students the wonderful links they can use to save time and access their information more quickly and easily and actually get to the best information sources available. I feel like I am just beginning to tap the huge amount of great things we have available. I did need to add a place where I could link the pathfinders that I create from my research. I see us speeding towards a paperless learning environment as we use more technology and electronic blackboards, etc. When students submit work into teacher folders, instead of handing in...for such things as powerpoints and literary works that apply music, aartwork, sound and video. The need to share immediate access when great links are found can play a huge roll for time management and being able to spend more time on quality and higher level learning than information gathering and selection.

Thing 3

I love the fact that you can check out books from any library in Minnesota with your public library card. When we spend the summer at our cabin in Grand Rapids, there is a beautiful public library right on the Mississippi River so I check out items all of the time. When my grandchildren come to visit, that is always a great thing to do on rainy or cold days. There are so many places to sit and enjoy books together, that sometimes we read them right there and go back for others.
This year, I am trying to give the public libraries a heads up when I think they might like to know what our students may be needing. The librarian at Chanhassen did contact me for suggestions on items and areas in resources that needed reinforcement so that they could purchase items in those areas. It is a great collaborative effort. We are fortunate, in District 112 to have both Chanhassen and Chaska Public Libraries that are so willing to support us.

Thing 2: It is DONE and I'm Through!

I know if I don't set a time to do this each day, I will not get it done. Any ideas out there -- as to etiquette and maintenance of these things? In our busy day, I can't seem to get to it...looking for some helpful hints for timing, completion, and keeping up with this wonderful tool.

Thing 1: Information Literacy

This is at the heart of what all of us media are constantly struggling to manage, acquire and maintain, and support. From the expensive databases that support our curriculum to the vast amount of material we are constantly bombarded with, the difficulty now is not how and where to find information on a particular topic but rather selection, management of volume, and evaluation of what is worthwhile, credible and useful all at the same time and translate that all to our users so they can acquire the skills needed in the 21st century. Then too, we are always trying to be effective and have the time to research and prepare for their needs in the small amount of time we often have. Add into the mix plagairism and copyright - and you have our daily menu. But, it is exciting to realize the wealth of information available and be given the opportunity to learn, grow and change within this framework. A dilemma we continually face is having to live with budgets which do not allow us to acquire all the great things that are out in existence today. The recent change from k-12 towards k-16 makes me realize that these needs now go beyond our high school walls and on into the future. The term "information literacy" has been formed and changed a lot since I have begun this journey and I can't even imagine what it will be like in 2050 or beyond. Yet we need to be preparing our students for that as well, even though we don't recognize what it will look like yet.