Comments for Not So Distant Future

Comment on Shifting the print paradigm by Kellie Ady

Kellie Ady — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:25:48 +0000

Great post – I think this is an important shift in language, and it’s one that I hadn’t considered.

Research projects are woven into most (if not all) of our content areas, so I especially appreciate your suggestions for the process of working with sources.

I wonder if focusing on primary vs. print might also help students to determine when their own writing is primary or secondary in nature. As more and more work is web-published rather than print-published, this might be an important distinction for teaching writing.

Comment on How to open the doors by Pat

Pat — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:40:06 +0000

I think you have excellent suggestions. Each of us is like a ripple in the water but these ripples will make a difference. Thanks for linking to my blog!

Comment on Fifteen minutes by mom2dymaco

mom2dymaco — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:12:26 +0000

I love this idea not only for my students but for my own children as well. I’ve followed a group called “Flylady” (www.flylady.net) for years that focuses on home organization and they live by the “You can do anything for 15 minutes” motto. The concept has worked well for some of my students that have trouble focusing, but I think this will also work well for those that get too involved in activities at school.

Comment on Fifteen minutes by Lenore

Lenore — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:11:49 +0000

I think as educators we are so used to giving and designing for others that we forget about ourselves. We need to allow ourselves time to learn just as we do our students. I think I will edit my daily lesson plan format to include a block for me. Just as I model reading for pleasure with my students, so should I model learning for pleasure!

Comment on Fifteen minutes by Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:11:25 +0000

What a great idea. I love the acronym of USSL. Teaching is a hard profession because we really have no downtime because we are “onstage” at all time. I feel like I don’t have the 15 minutes in my day, but I really do if I managed my time and used it wiser. Thanks for making me think!

Comment on Fifteen minutes by Barb

Barb — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:08:40 +0000

I love the idea of students being given the time to learn on their own….isn’t that our goal? To develop lifelong learners, letting them practice and build their stamina to really choose something to learn about on their own, what a great idea!

Comment on How to open the doors by Cathy Nelson

Cathy Nelson — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:26:12 +0000

I’ve said many times we preach to the choir by presenting at our own library field conferences. And yes, there is still a need there too. But we should also branch out to other core content conferences, and even the arts too. But it is difficult especially in light of many budget cuts at school levels to attend/present at the other conferences. Of late many have had to be very selective in what conferences they choose to attend. I have often presented at our annual SC administrators conference which is in Myrtle Beach each summer. Thanks for the idea to write articles for other professional journals/target audiences. That is a fantastic idea, and one that doesn’t make a hit on school budgets wither. One thing I do is make my admin aware of conferences or workshops that could act as a catalyst for change, and try to sell them on it. I have done this the last two years for Educon and BLC. I actually was able to get a group from my district (woefully that did not include me) to attend BLC. Great article. I look forward to reading other ideas shared.

Comment on Fifteen minutes by Christian Long

Christian Long — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:51:26 +0000

A valuable reminder to those of us who have been ‘down the digital/e-learning rabbit hole’ for quite some time now. That 15-min can easily shift to the other end of the spectrum: a constantly ‘on’, 24/7, distraction, too…so ‘managing’ one’s digital radar so that it expands our thinking/network + keeping us within a realistic clock so that we don’t ignore what is equally important in our own lives (at home, at work, wherever) is where we walk a ‘healthy’ path. Thanks for your post and inspiration!

Comment on The “desk set” to the “best set”? by Doug Johnson

Doug Johnson — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:53:18 +0000

A very real issue, very well put. I particularly like your accurate list of categories. It’s the rare set of program evaluations I complete that I don’t suggest a closer working arrangement between technology people and librarians.

The biggest thing I believe that helps is strong district leadership – a director of libraries and/or technology that works toward a combined department, focusing on the goals you state – improved learning and teaching.

Without such leadership, individuals can form advisory groups that have both tech and library members (along with teachers, principals, parents and students) to create common understandings and goals.

Again, super post. Thank you,

Doug

Comment on Cart and buggy or…? by Anne V

Anne V — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:06:22 +0000

As a frequent library user myself (along with my two sons and my parents – not so much the husband) what is wrong with the library as a repository of fiction??

In ideal terms, in the school of my dreams where I teach and learn, the library is a physical space to meet fellow students, to gather materials, to organize thoughts, to follow ideas in new directions… Yes, I realize that there are many structures and resources available to accomplish that online, but I still stand firm for the need for face-to-face human contact along with virtual collaboration.