Technology+Equipment

** Technology and e-quipment ** Selection of equipment for the School Library seems like an overwhelming task in today's information age, where technology appears to be changing in the blink of an eye. Desktops, laptops,tablets, SMART boards, LCD Projectors, i-phones, etc.; the choices are many and the pressure to invest in the most useful equipment with the most staying power is enormous. The good news is, there is helpful advice all around us, we simply need to weed through the virtual stacks to find it. Funding the technology, is another story.

=Considerations = Blanche Wools claimed that "the first consideration in choosing equipment, as with all items in the media center, is the user. If the user does not use the equipment frequently, it must be easy to use and difficult to misuse " (137). Consider the quality of the product, it is important to purchase equipment that will "withstand the rigors of school use" (137). We need to think about warranties when making purchases - and think about temporary replacements if items break down and need to be sent away to be fixed (138 ).

Due to the enormity of this topic and the brevity of the assignment, I will examine only a few types of technology you may wish to use in the School Library.

These technologies are interesting, and the potential for more interaction for students is very appealing. But which does one buy into? In my previous school, the administration went to great lengths to assess the needs of the school with regards to these technologies, and it was decided that mounted LCD Projectors in each classroom and the school library were the way to go. As well we had one portable projector to use in the gymnasium. I was grateful to have the LCD Projector in the library and used it frequently whether I was teaching about searching, using the OPAC, or needing visuals at the drop of a hat. Would I have used an Interactive Whiteboard more if it had been available? I'm not sure. What I do know is that the mounted LCD Projector fit my teaching style at the time, and I like to think that in the school library, it was worth the investment.
 * Interactive Whiteboards and LCD Projectors **

One thing I did notice was that beyond the library, the LCD Projectors were only being used by teachers who were comfortable with the Internet to enhance their teaching. For staff members that were less comfortable with computers and the Internet, the LCD Projectors became ornaments hanging from the ceiling. This served as an important reminder to me that: Schools that have purchased Interactive Whiteboards seem to be enjoying their use. Doe (2010) talks about how it took a relatively short time for teachers in his area to implement this technology successfully (1). He also brought up the point that schools have had to find creative ways to cover the cost: “The funding has come in increasing amounts from PTOs (parent/teacher organizations), private donations, building budgets, and other sources. As teachers have seen the boards in action, they have become willing to give up other supplies to eventually get an interactive whiteboard for their own classrooms.” (1)
 * one technology does not fit everyone's needs
 * that modeling the technology for our reluctant staff is essential
 * that buying technology for technology sake is not helpful

Likewise, the //Good Spirit School Division// (GSSD) in Saskatchewan has had great success in implementing Interactive Whiteboards as a result of the initiatives of one small rural school in their division to acquire funding for the SMART Board equipment in exchange for becoming a “Smart Showcase School”. Enthusiasm for this technology snowballed, and the GSSD has become exemplary users of multi-media technologies in learning and teaching. Their success has been an excellent reminder that small towns can be mighty when they are fueled by passionate teachers prepared to collaborate for the greater good of all learners.


 * For further information about Interactive Whiteboards, check out: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Doe, C.G. (2010). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">A Look AT...Interactive Whiteboards. // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.4pt; line-height: 115%;"> Multi Media and Internet @ Schools []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.4pt; line-height: 115%;">//Gavel’s SMART Board Blog//: [] - Mrs. Gavel's blog is designed to showcase and educate effective uses of Interactive Whiteboard technology (in particular, SMART Boards).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.4pt; line-height: 115%;">//GSSD SMART Board WIKI 4 TEACHERS// http://smartgssd.wikispaces.com/. This site is an amazing tool for teachers. It includes practical, real-life examples of SMARTBoard use in schools. It is also an excellent example of how teacher-collaboration can lead to excellent professional development initiatives.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Cameras (Still and Digital Video )** <span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; msobidifontweight: bold;">These technologies may seem superfluous in today’s economy, but digital media technologies (such as still and digital video cameras) help to keep students “thinking, moving and doing” (2009, Miller, p. 70). Serena Patterson writes about the importance of using digital media to engage todays learners:

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; msoansilanguage: EN-US;">“Far from passive observers, digital age youth also want to be active participants in digital media… Successful digital applications for youth must therefore address opportunities for collaboration, self-expression, community, innovation, and personalization within a visually stimulating environment.” (3)

Suzanne Miller (2007), in //English Teacher Learning for New Times: Digital Video Composing as Multimodal Literacy Practice,// found that “Students became more active readers and composers as they pursued their own understandings through digital video composing” (p. 71). Also, that these technologies helped to foster a strong sense of belonging to a “collaborative learning community” (p.73). Miller also noted that engaging in new technologies like digital video composing, “puts powerful tools of inquiry and attention-getting communication in the hands of teachers and their students” (p. 80). It is important to realize that digital technology isn't eradicating the old methods of learning, but rather, they are complimenting them. Teacher-Librarians are in the perfect position to provide these tools and support this type of dynamic learning.

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; msoansilanguage: EN-US;">A very interesting project through the //Creative Visions Foundation// ([]) highlights the power of new media to engage dynamic and thought-provoking presentations. Their mission is to "support creative acivists - individuals who use the power of media and the arts to create positive change in the world.” This type of project promotes collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity which would be very appealing to many of todays digital youth.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">**For more information about cameras in school-libraries check out:**

//Flip MonoHD High-Definition Video Camera:// [] <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: left;">//Ideas for Using Digital Cameras in the Early Learning Classroom:// []

=<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Technology Information at your fingertips: =

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">//Backroom Educational Technology Blogger//: http://mmorley.blogspot.com/ - <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.4pt;">//CNET// <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">//:// ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.4pt;">[] - This site has reviews on and about the latest technology. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.4pt; line-height: 115%;"> //Multi Media and Internet @ Schools: The Educators’ Guide to Electronic Tools and Resources for K-12:// [].

//School Library Journal: Technology:// [|//http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/community/Education+Technology/47063.html//] //-// Click the "Technology" tab on the menu bar, and feed your soul on these sub-topics: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> //Teachnology Tutorials//: http://www.teach-nology.com/tutorials/teachwtech/ - This site has many excellent tutorials to help teachers integrate technology.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">[|Digital Content]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">[|Educational Technology]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">[|Gadgets]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">[|Gaming]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">[|Library Tools and Trends]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">[|Web 2.0]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">[|Web Sites]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">[|Webcast]

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">**Advice for Beginning Teachers**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Apply for technological funding to help support school initiatives. Invite researchers from universities to lead a technology research project in your school. Sites that can help with grants for technology include:

O//Ed Compass: Grants and Funding// - [] //Teachnology:// []