What are my weaknesses and strengths in using technology in
the school library? There are five main statements that the International
Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) use in the assessment of teachers
using technology in school. They are to instruct and inspire student, to create
digital learning experiences, model the technology, promote and teach digital responsibility
and take professional development classes to continue to gain knowledge and
skills (ISTE, 2008). I think that I am striving to meet these standards as I
instruct my students in the library. There are two main weak points in my use
of technology. They are lack of time and
lack of funding. The elementary school setting in Utah is set up as a prep time
schedule, where the students attend the library for thirty minutes each
week. Teachers are not required to stay
with their students. This would be a
fabulous time for me to collaborate and work together with each teacher to
better serve the needs of the students. The students take ten to fifteen
minutes to check in and check out books and then fifteen minutes to teach the
lesson. Sometimes, it takes longer than
that to get the computers all up and running.
I am excited for next year’s schedule, because we are losing half of our
student enrollment to a new school. This
will allow me a few free hours in my schedule that I can plan to work together
with classroom teachers, so that the students can receive more technology
training. There is always a lack of
funding, so I have to get creative in using the devices and services that we
have access to in the school. We have
three computer labs and have just this year acquired four portable apple iPad
labs. I am going to use these next year
to teach the online catalog and Pioneer Utah library sites. I only have eighteen computers in my library,
so students have to double up when we are completing an assignment.
My strengths consist of I am not afraid to try new things, I
am not afraid to make a mistake and I am not afraid to ask someone for help or
guidance. I am the first library in my district to purchase and use the Follett
Catalist Digital App for audiobooks. It
has been a trial and error project, but it is now running smoothly and the
students and parents love having this extra service. I have just added eBooks and I introduced the
Follett Bookshelf program and students are already checking out and reading
books online. I make errors and open wrong windows or have technology problems,
but my students see that I am able to solve the issue and sometimes it is one
of my students who assist in resolving the problem. This is great future training for problem
solving and troubleshooting. I also am not afraid to ask teachers, parents,
students and vendor companies for assistance if I am struggling with a certain
program or app. I don’t know the answers
to all of the technological problems that could occur, but I know that with
help and guidance from others I will be successful.
As an educator, I plan to use my technology strengths to
help my students become better prepared to enter the workforce or continue with
their educational pursuits. I want them to be able to have the skills and
knowledge to thrive in the world. I know that I can always use more
professional development classes and training so that I can keep informed of
all of the new tools and programs that are being introduced into the
technological world. It is important to be informed and also trained so that I
can train my students and teachers how to use new technology in the library,
classroom and the world.
References
International Society for Technology in Education, ISTE
Standards Teachers. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/20-14_ISTE_Standards-T_PDF.pdf
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