And back into the reflections on learning I go. Now, other than working on my portfolio, I will only have one subject to reflect upon. I am immediately getting the impression however that this subject will involve quite a heavy workload. Mix that with my current teaching load, and the planning that is coming with that... I had better get stuck into it!
With time restrictions in mind, I am going to attempt to keep my reflections brief.
Why is it necessary for information agencies such as libraries to organise information effectively?
My thoughts on the matter:
- In order to be able to easily access resources
- In order for customers to be able to easily access resources
- For ease of stocktake
- So that finding one resource can lead to finding others on the same topic/by the same author
- So the space is attractive
Those were my instant thoughts, without too much effort. Let's see if I get any more ideas from my further reading.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Pending madness.
cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo shared by just.Luc
It turns out we are more than halfway through week one of semester two already! This tidbit of information caught me completely unawares. Which means I now need to get my placement report finished, and catch up on readings etc for my final subject. I also need to get ready for my first two days in my new library - the first time I will be the sole teacher librarian for a school, so I want to make sure I am prepared! Combine this with all the other things in my life, and there's lots to do.
One thing that will no longer be on my plate is my part time job at Angus and Robertson. I am sad to say that all A&R stores have now been closed (except franchise stores, but their names will probably change). I also learned that Readers Feast in Melbourne has also been closed, which is really sad. I did not realise that it was also owned by Red Group. It has surprised me that Borders has been on the TV so much and I haven't seen Angus and Robertson mentioned at all. Angus and Robertson being historically an Australian company with a 125 year history, I would have thought there would have been more publicity. So many customers had no idea what was happening even though we had been in administration since February the 17th. If the happenings interest you, check out the Administrator's website: http://www.ferrierhodgson.com/Media.aspx
One good thing that came out of our store's closure, is the fact that my students will never not be able to borrow if they forget their library bag - I have plenty of bags for them to use! This is an idea I got from one of the teacher librarians in my area - one of the many things I am learning having joined NATLA, through the meetings and being on the email list.
Okay, enough stalling, time to get this report written...
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Reading for a cause
http://register.thenovelchallenge.org.au/The-Novel-Challenge/jessicathomas/&utm_source=individual_widget&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=MS_Queensland
I am enjoying my holidays. Perhaps a little too much, considering I have a placement report to write, and a portfolio to start... And now I have another excuse to spend time read-read-reading! :)
I am participating in the MS Read-a-thon, for the first time since primary school, and I am rather excited. Any excuse to read really, but also, it's such a good cause. My lovely Aunty suffers from MS, so I have seen the impact it can have, not just on the person who has it, but their family as well. My Uncle has had to become her full time carer, so they have gone from two incomes to none, not to mention the frustrations of her not being able to do so many things that used to be so simple; things most people take for granted.
MS Australia is not only searching for a cure and understanding of multiple sclerosis, but aims to support people with MS and their families. I love this fundraiser because it spreads awareness of MS and its impact, it raises money for an important cause, and it gets people reading!
I have set my goal fairly low this year, and am hoping to exceed it. I am about to spread the word more fiercely via Facebook and email, as so far I have only been sponsored by myself and my Mum... Hopefully this will change soon, and you'll see it increase from $50 on my widget... which does not seem to be working for some reason. But you can follow the link above to go to the website.
I am enjoying my holidays. Perhaps a little too much, considering I have a placement report to write, and a portfolio to start... And now I have another excuse to spend time read-read-reading! :)
I am participating in the MS Read-a-thon, for the first time since primary school, and I am rather excited. Any excuse to read really, but also, it's such a good cause. My lovely Aunty suffers from MS, so I have seen the impact it can have, not just on the person who has it, but their family as well. My Uncle has had to become her full time carer, so they have gone from two incomes to none, not to mention the frustrations of her not being able to do so many things that used to be so simple; things most people take for granted.
MS Australia is not only searching for a cure and understanding of multiple sclerosis, but aims to support people with MS and their families. I love this fundraiser because it spreads awareness of MS and its impact, it raises money for an important cause, and it gets people reading!
I have set my goal fairly low this year, and am hoping to exceed it. I am about to spread the word more fiercely via Facebook and email, as so far I have only been sponsored by myself and my Mum... Hopefully this will change soon, and you'll see it increase from $50 on my widget... which does not seem to be working for some reason. But you can follow the link above to go to the website.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
More reflection on placement
Today was very straightforward, with lots of time spent standing behind the counter with a husky voice and a knife...
Let me explain! I caught a cold over the weekend, and last night 'lost' my voice, so talking today was very difficult, and perhaps entertaining. The knife was for creative purposes - I was making wintry trees to go with the snowflakes, and finally managed to get the library's junior school classroom decorated. It took me so much time, and has made me think about how I would decorate if I was working in a library on my own (as I will be soon) with limited time; I am guessing I will have longer days than I have been having, and I will have to think more carefully about decorations that can be created by students at lunchtime (the snowflakes would work, the trees would not be ideal). The other thing it has made me think about is what I will be able to do on a tighter budget. I really do not know how much money I will have to spend, but I know I will need to carefully work out my priorities.
cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo shared by sant.o
As the decorating took all day, the only other things I got to do were some returns, putting some texts away, and printing and applying some spine labels (which it was good to review). I am glad I got to decorate, and I feel like I've contributed to the library and learned from the experience, but I do hope that I can focus on the processes I will need at a TL in the three days I have left. I have a day off tomorrow, working at my other job, and when I return to the library on Friday it will be to Oliver, not Alice. I am very interested to see how that system works, and how the library staff are coping with it considering they haven't had any training and will just be working from the manuals.
Once again, I had a great day and am feeling relaxed overall, and excited about the future. Also, a little sad that my placement is nearly over already...
Let me explain! I caught a cold over the weekend, and last night 'lost' my voice, so talking today was very difficult, and perhaps entertaining. The knife was for creative purposes - I was making wintry trees to go with the snowflakes, and finally managed to get the library's junior school classroom decorated. It took me so much time, and has made me think about how I would decorate if I was working in a library on my own (as I will be soon) with limited time; I am guessing I will have longer days than I have been having, and I will have to think more carefully about decorations that can be created by students at lunchtime (the snowflakes would work, the trees would not be ideal). The other thing it has made me think about is what I will be able to do on a tighter budget. I really do not know how much money I will have to spend, but I know I will need to carefully work out my priorities.
cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo shared by sant.o
As the decorating took all day, the only other things I got to do were some returns, putting some texts away, and printing and applying some spine labels (which it was good to review). I am glad I got to decorate, and I feel like I've contributed to the library and learned from the experience, but I do hope that I can focus on the processes I will need at a TL in the three days I have left. I have a day off tomorrow, working at my other job, and when I return to the library on Friday it will be to Oliver, not Alice. I am very interested to see how that system works, and how the library staff are coping with it considering they haven't had any training and will just be working from the manuals.
Once again, I had a great day and am feeling relaxed overall, and excited about the future. Also, a little sad that my placement is nearly over already...
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Reflective zone: Be warned
As I have mentioned, I am on placement at the moment. I have realised that it makes sense to do a daily reflection, thinking over the things I have learned. I reflect best by putting it in words, either on paper or screen. So I have decided: why not bore whoever might happen across this little blog with more details of my learning! Because I am a little slow on the uptake sometimes, I am starting this way too late and will only be able to reflect on 5 of the 10 wintry days this way. Here goes.
cc licensed ( BY NC ) flickr photo shared by CaptPiper
Today disappeared super quickly, as have the others, and I am sad to think that this placement is going to be over before I am ready for it to be. I only taught one lesson today. It was one I planned myself sticking with the TLs theme of children in stories. I read "Imagine" to them, my favourite Alison Lester picture book. I then had them lay on the floor, with peaceful music playing, and to imagine a place that would make them happy and relaxed. They then drew beautiful pictures of their places. Even though time was tight, I was really happy with how this lesson went. I love the idea of using books to encourage children to use their imaginations. I think imagination is so important, and needs to be fostered. As I have been doing in my other lessons, I had the children do their borrowing etc first. I feel that it is more tidy this way as a lesson, though it may make the time a little bit tighter. I am beginning to think that perhaps I should once again try to do it the other way around.
Today I was very excited to be able to help one of the teachers with a technology matter! She was talking about referencing pictures, and I told her about FlickrCC and showed it to her as well as the TL. They were very interested and it was a nice feeling to be able to share some of the wonderful things I have learned this year. I also gave her this blog address so that if she thinks it would be helpful she can learn about Greasemonkey and how to make it easier to attribute images like I have.
I covered a new kind of book today (learned to cover paperback and hardcover books last week): the book with a dust jacket. The covering is so simple and clever; I found it a very exciting experience! Easily amused, I know.
I spent some more time doing the basic library processes using "Alice". Hoping to have confidence and understanding before I come back on Friday to a new operating system - "Oliver". I feel reasonably confident doing the processes, but not confident in my ability to retain the information in the long term at this stage. I am hoping if I do need to use these operating systems again I will have some support. I am concerned that I am not getting practice with OASIS which is the system I will be using in terms 3 and 4, but I'm sure I will pick it up.
What else happened today... I shared my homemade soup and it appeared to be a hit - I hope they weren't just being nice! I made one more tree to decorate the windows with, and the kids made lots more snowflakes (and mess). Pretty wintry classroom here we come. Oh, the TL showed me the budget she uses, and I will be able to get a copy of it to use in the future which is great. And I finished the day with a bit of food/sleep deprived delirium - I hope my reputation isn't ruined!
Looking forward to another fun day in the library tomorrow :)
cc licensed ( BY NC ) flickr photo shared by CaptPiper
Today disappeared super quickly, as have the others, and I am sad to think that this placement is going to be over before I am ready for it to be. I only taught one lesson today. It was one I planned myself sticking with the TLs theme of children in stories. I read "Imagine" to them, my favourite Alison Lester picture book. I then had them lay on the floor, with peaceful music playing, and to imagine a place that would make them happy and relaxed. They then drew beautiful pictures of their places. Even though time was tight, I was really happy with how this lesson went. I love the idea of using books to encourage children to use their imaginations. I think imagination is so important, and needs to be fostered. As I have been doing in my other lessons, I had the children do their borrowing etc first. I feel that it is more tidy this way as a lesson, though it may make the time a little bit tighter. I am beginning to think that perhaps I should once again try to do it the other way around.
Today I was very excited to be able to help one of the teachers with a technology matter! She was talking about referencing pictures, and I told her about FlickrCC and showed it to her as well as the TL. They were very interested and it was a nice feeling to be able to share some of the wonderful things I have learned this year. I also gave her this blog address so that if she thinks it would be helpful she can learn about Greasemonkey and how to make it easier to attribute images like I have.
I covered a new kind of book today (learned to cover paperback and hardcover books last week): the book with a dust jacket. The covering is so simple and clever; I found it a very exciting experience! Easily amused, I know.
I spent some more time doing the basic library processes using "Alice". Hoping to have confidence and understanding before I come back on Friday to a new operating system - "Oliver". I feel reasonably confident doing the processes, but not confident in my ability to retain the information in the long term at this stage. I am hoping if I do need to use these operating systems again I will have some support. I am concerned that I am not getting practice with OASIS which is the system I will be using in terms 3 and 4, but I'm sure I will pick it up.
What else happened today... I shared my homemade soup and it appeared to be a hit - I hope they weren't just being nice! I made one more tree to decorate the windows with, and the kids made lots more snowflakes (and mess). Pretty wintry classroom here we come. Oh, the TL showed me the budget she uses, and I will be able to get a copy of it to use in the future which is great. And I finished the day with a bit of food/sleep deprived delirium - I hope my reputation isn't ruined!
Looking forward to another fun day in the library tomorrow :)
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Reflecting and evaluating
I have finally had a day to spend how I please! I decided to evaluate the subjects I did this semester, because I feel the two amazing lecturers I had deserved that small effort from me after all the work they put in supporting us students. It has been great doing these evaluations, as it has encouraged me to reflect on the learning I have done this semester. I have to say, while I am not super happy with the amount of time I managed to put into my studies this semester, I am very impressed with what I have managed to get out of the experience. Such a range of things! From the kind of apostrophes to use when using APA referencing, to how to create a more interesting slideshow presentation and make it available online, to creating an information policy, and understanding research concepts at a Master level.
The biggest, and most satisfying thing I have learned this semester however, is that I am on the right career path for me. I am on placement at the moment, and thoroughly enjoying myself, and this combined with all the things I have learned is making the fire in my TL belly grow and grow. I am so excited about all the things I will be able to do as a teacher librarian. I am excited about the two days a week I will have in a little school library for terms 3 and 4, about how I will be able to make a difference to the information literacy skills of those students, and just generally about working in a library environment...
Ok, I shall leave it at that for now! It is obvious that I am excited. I will try to blog more often from now on, and share the things I am learning and doing. Perhaps one day I will be sharing things that are of use to other people. I have a lot to live up to...
The biggest, and most satisfying thing I have learned this semester however, is that I am on the right career path for me. I am on placement at the moment, and thoroughly enjoying myself, and this combined with all the things I have learned is making the fire in my TL belly grow and grow. I am so excited about all the things I will be able to do as a teacher librarian. I am excited about the two days a week I will have in a little school library for terms 3 and 4, about how I will be able to make a difference to the information literacy skills of those students, and just generally about working in a library environment...
Ok, I shall leave it at that for now! It is obvious that I am excited. I will try to blog more often from now on, and share the things I am learning and doing. Perhaps one day I will be sharing things that are of use to other people. I have a lot to live up to...
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