Reflections of 21st Century Learning

When I think about the discussion of creativity and innovation in education, I become slightly depressed.  So much is scripted that there is little room for these things in most classes.  We live in a scary present in which the future seems to change and waiver before us in a way that makes it uneasy to predict.  Now more than ever, innovation and creativity needs to be built.  However, with the onslaught of standardized testings, national curriculum and more and more oversight over all details, I fear that we will lose the very thing that students need most.  They need to learn how to learn because as the Socialnomics video indicates, the world is changing and will continue to do so.  Kids and adults need to adapt and change with it.  They need to find, evaluate and make decisions on an ever increasing pool of information.  I think that so much education is stifled.  If you haven't yet seen it, I'd recommend watching the Ken Robinson commentary on Ted:  http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

ipad videoconference show

In my distance learning network there is an opportunity for teachers to receive training on a variety of technology topics free of charge after school.  I usually get stuck teaching most of them because no one else volunteers.  A learning network on the other side of the state joined us and usually I end up teaching people over in the Western part of the state more than in my own network.  That being said, I thought it would be cool to come up with my own virtual learning "show".  My favorite thing has been to review a variety of ipad and ipod programs as well as preview web technologies.

What ideas do you have for this "show" idea that I have?  I think it could be fun and since I already do this training once a month, it is not like I have to go out of my way to find an outlet!  I just never tackled it as a "show" concept before.

Nonprofit formation

I own a company called BumblePuppy Sales that has been quite successful since I started it.  I'm now looking for retail and auction spaces.  I thought it would be a good idea to be involved with a nonprofit organization.  However, I don't know much about this. My reasoning is that many people want to donate things to me.  This is nice, but I am a for profit organization.

I was thinking of either starting or joining a nonprofit organization relating to libraries (both school and public) where I would accept items for donation and also donate money to good causes either through foundation grants or direct gifting or something.  The idea is sort of just forming, but I would love to hear ideas about this.  Do you know any nonprofits that would be good to join or should I create my own and promote public and school libraries in northeastern Wisconsin?  This is kind of exciting!

Best Reads

I always want to know what people are reading or what they consider to be the best!  I have to admit that I don't get nearly enough time to read as I would like and often I end up reading "trash novels" that really aren't that well written, but they are a simple escape for me!

But, I'd like to know...  what are some of your favorites?

Picture books?  I love Elephant and Piggie books (Mo Willems), Piggie Pie (Marge Palatini)--- anyone sense a theme? and Mystery of the Harris Burdick by Van Alsburg

Graphic novels?  I hate them and can't pick a favorite though I do find art Speigelman's work provoking.

Chapter books?  I usually do not like the chapter books I read.  I will always love the Boxcar Children, The Incredible Journey and the Outsiders, but I really am not a fan of most chapter books and teen books today.  I did enjoy the Twilight series briefly, but it was actually closer to the "Trash" novels I read than anything.

Nonfiction books?  I enjoy biographies and books with beautiful pictures, but none specifically enough to add it to a list.  Well, I take that back, Listening for the Crack of Dawn by Jim Davis is probably the best book ever.  EVER!!!

Novels for adults:  My favorite trash novel authors are Jude Deveraux and Johanna Lindsey.  Its a guilty pleasure I guess, oh well.  I thought the Kite Runner was very good.  I haven't really read many.  I enjoyed Wicked by Gregory McGuire, though none of his other books were a hit with me.

I am just curious what others like...

ipads as reference centers

I've purchased ipads for my high school and middle school libraries to use as reference centers.  The kids and teachers haven't used most of the reference materials for years at my schools so I plan to use the ipads as reference centers and only replace a few of the printed materials.  I plan to download a variety of items to the ipads including the homepages of our online resources, the Audobon materials, periodic table, calculation tools, a couple encyclopedias and almanacs, etc.  What other resources do you think I should consider for these devices?  There are some great encyclopedia apps out there!  We can also include some digital books and audiobooks.  I see it as a way to offer a greater variety of up to date material.

I am excited to use them as reference materials and think that kids and teachers will increase usage.

library family nights

I try to do some library family nights each year.  At the middle and high school level we do well with book groups and strategy game nights.  At the elementary school I try to create family mystery events.  In the past this has included clue, monopoly, pirate and dr suess mysteries that families have to work together to solve.  Aside from authors and storytimes, what other activities can you think of to offer to families especially at the elementary level in order to get them into the library together after hours?

library themes

I like to have a theme in my elementary libraries.  I like to have just one for the year because I do not have the time or resources to switch the main theme more than that.  I have specialty themes that I do in the interim but one main theme.  Marion Elementary is goingo to be Under the Sea (since that is the Tigerton summer school theme and I already have a lot of props done up for it).  I am currently looking for another theme for Tigerton.  I've done frogs, Dr. Seuss, reading wizards, clue, camping, teddy bears and a few others.  I am looking for some ideas on the under the sea theme as well as another theme for Tigerton.