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Reading and Literacy Project (EDIT 6300) Standard 1: Use of Information and Ideas 1.1
Efficient and Ethical
Information-Seeking Behavior Standard 2: Teaching and Learning Standard
3: Collaboration and Leadership
Reflection: The Reading and Literacy Project was very useful to me. I have not had much experience with the elementary age child, so I was happy to have the chance to work with a third grade teacher, and hear her viewpoint. I believe that students will respond to reading better if they are able to read and discuss in a small group environment. This project gave me the chance to think about the best ways to run such a program, and what the roles would be for the teacher and the media specialist. One of the most enjoyable parts of the project was selecting literature choices. This could be modified for each class, depending on the population and interests of the students. I like the idea of incorporating award winners, because while adults read these, I know that few children select a book simply because it has an award emblem on the cover. Program Development and Evaluation Plan (EDIT 6300) Standard 1: Use of Information
and Ideas Standard 3: Collaboration and
Leadership Standard 4: Program
Administration
Reflection: The Program Development and Evaluation Plan was one of the most beneficial and important things I have done in the program. It made me think about what I hoped to accomplish in my own media program, and what would be realistic considering time restraints and budget. Developing goals that fit your school and population is such an important task. A media specialist generally has so much she would like to do, and the PDEP showed me that is would be impossible to complete everything in just a year. However, each goal can roll over year to year, so you can make progress and build on your work.
Collaborative Units (EDIT 6360) Standard 2: Teaching and
Learning Standard 3: Collaboration and
Leadership Reflection: I enjoyed working on the collaborative unit. Again, it was at the elementary level, which gave me chance to better understand how that level works. What I really enjoyed and learned from is how to look at the Information Literacy standards. Combing these with instruction helped me understand them better and helped me realize how easy they are to align with the work we do in the media center. Another important thing I realized while completing this project is how imperative it is for the media specialist to have a good understanding of the performance standards that are expected of the students. If you are not familiar with these standards, your lesson plans and collaboration will not match up with the classroom teacher, and you will be unable to recognize materials that would be useful in instruction when ordering.
I-Search(EDIT 6360) Standard 1: Use of Information
and Ideas Standard 2: Teaching and
Learning Reflection: I did not realize how much I had learned about research until after I completed my I-Search. Without realizing, I had learned effective research techniques and strategies, and since my second I-Search involved me learning about many different variations in research, I was even more prepared. I was able to learn about the Big 6, the REACTS taxonomy, ISP and more. When I began teaching research to middle schoolers, I was able to speak about my own experiences and give advice on what I thought they should try. I think giving us the option of researching whatever we wanted for the first I-Search was excellent. It allowed me to become familiar with the process, while learning about something that was very important to me, how to buy a house. This has become even more important to me recently, as we are now officially in the market for a house. As we go through the process I am able to refer back to what I learned, and I know I am much better prepared.
Selection Policy (EDIT 6340) Standard 1: Use of Information
and Ideas Standard 4: Program
Administration Reflection: The selection policy is a vital part of any school library program. First of all, the selection policy guarantees that the media specialist spends the available resources on the materials that are most needed by the school’s population. Another important aspect is that it provides protection against challenges. Every media specialist is nervous at the idea of being caught unprepared for a challenge. Having a selection policy in place safeguards you from any future problems. Gwinnett County has its own blanket selection policy that covers all schools. However, when I began working on this project I realized how important it is to modify the policy so that it fits your specific school and population. The policy should never be set in stone, and the media specialist should review it at the beginning of every school year.
Order (EDIT 6340) Standard 1: Use of Information
and Ideas Standard 4: Program
Administration Reflection: The order was a natural extension of the Selection Policy. I loved this project. I was wonderful to be able to do something that was so real. We were able to learn about Titlewave, Follet’s ordering system. It was great to have a budget, use our goals to see where we should spend the money, and then just have fun. Browsing through books with a large budget was one of the most realistic things I have done in the program. Also, I learned that Titlewave has a lot to offer to a media specialist. They create lists for award winners, as well as list that correlate directly to GA performance standards. This may have been my favorite project, but it was also one of the most useful.
Internship (EDIT 7460) Standard 1: Use of Information
and Ideas Standard 2: Teaching and
Learning Standard 3: Collaboration and
Leadership Standard 4: Program
Administration Reflection: The internship experience has been invaluable. I have been able to step into the role of media specialist, and see how a program works on a day to day basis. One of the most rewarding activities that I will take away is my experience as a coach of Reader’s Rally. I loved working with my team, and witnessing their enthusiasm for reading. I was able to incorporate a team wiki, where we shared information about meetings and the books. The students really enjoyed it; in fact they continue to post on it. I have been able to collaborate with several teachers, including teaching genres of literature, research, and teaching a reading connections class. I have assisted with placing book orders, and troubleshooting technology. I had the opportunity of implementing a store book fair with my mentor, and the response from the student’s was fantastic! It has been a great experience. Internship documentation not available online.
GACE I and II in Library Media: passed March 2009 |
