Emerging Technologies and Web, Library, & Teen Services 2.0

"This shift will result in taking the traditional library of sterile spaces, static collections, and vanilla catalogs to the next level in a variety of ways (Young Adult Library Services, Winter 2007)." I think the concept of creating library spaces that are catered to today's generation of teens and young adults is definitely intriguing. I know from my experience, I would be more inclined to spend more time in an environment that I found comfortable and inviting. School libraries are definitely sterile feeling. The old concept of "shhhh.... not talking in the library" is nearly dead and gone. Today's teens have no problem listening to music, talking on the phone and carrying on 3 different conversations online with friends. I still to this day cannot read without falling asleep unless I have music playing. After working in the high school system for two years, I have this image of the next generations babies being born with ipod headphones already coming out of their ears! (creepy I know!) And you can't tell me it isn't slightly odd to see a 50-60 year old man walking around the grocery store with an ipod in his ears! Something about today's youth pulls off the look better! Most students complete their homework at home in their bedrooms, where they are surrounded by their own style of decor and music. Grasping onto and taking our schools libraries to the "next level" by incorporating different interior design as well as allowing students access to a variety of different technological tools should only prove to be conducive to their motivation for completing their assignments. I am not implying that libraries need to blast the lasted Indy-rock music loud enough for the next town to hear, but allowing the students to feel welcomed in all the different shapes and sizes they come in these days might very well work!

I felt the article "Emerging Technologies Changing Public Library Service Delivery Models" was the most complete and thorough peice in regards to describing and informing the user of all the different types of technologies that are available today. Most of the information was simple to understand and helpful by suggesting ways of using each peice of technology. Although most of the examples were geared to the library's use of technology I could easily adapt most suggestions to fit the classroom environment. For example, I could use podcasts in the classroom in the same manner a librarian could by providing short, informational episodes about one issues combining voiceover by a host and interviews with clients (guest speakers, persons of interest, etc.) Students might find listening to an interview is more interesting that reading about one on a worksheet. Or, I could give weekly updates about what is going on in your library (or classroom) for students who are absent or wanted a reminder. The best example I thought of for using a podcast was to provide professional development for staff. My collegues and I always ponder why during in-service meetings we are never asked to present the lastest data or information in our subject area. I think teaching an in-service on creating and using podcasts in the Physical Education classroom would be interesting and also serve to teach other subjects who they could integrate podcasts into their subject areas.

The Age of Technology

Ok, so I may have jumped the gun on this assignment by reading the posts of my classmates, but I didn't get to far on that. I was perplexed about Bryan's post because I was sitting here having read all the resources that were provided, had been brainstorming that I was going to write about the different types of websites that I think are most conducive to an actual learning environment, and I was completely blindsided. I was originally gung-hoe about all this techno-gadgety stuff for the classroom, but I think Bryan has a point. The puzzle pieces fit together. The generation that has or is growing up with all this new techy stuff is going to be significantly behind socially than those previous generations. Sure blogs, chat rooms, and text messaging are efficient ways of communicating with a larger audience, but it has trained our students to be withdrawn in person and unable to appropriately communicate on the fly. They are only improving their communication skills via technology and not actually developing any personable social skills. The editorial literature by Ferdig stated "...when students were not in a pedagogical environment that supported interaction, students tended towards 'off-task' and yet social behavior such as instant messaging." Within the text it almost felt as if Ferdig was condoning this kind of "off-task" behavior on the basis that the lesson wasn't stimulating enough. I am by no means saying this is unorthodox, because I do feel as teachers we hold a responsibility to create and impletent interesting and interactive lessons, but in reality it is obsurd to me that some will enable students to participate in off-task behavior simply on this basis. My question is, how do we direct our students to a more appropriate type of socializing when in the academic setting. For example, say you catch a student text-messaging in class, should we excuse this defiant behavior and blame ourselves for not being interesting enough to sustain the interest of this particular student? I know there must be a happy-medium to this new age of technology, however, the battles that will lead us there are long and arduous.

My New Camera

My Camera, originally uploaded by devitt_b.

Below is the link to the Circuit City website page that describes the features on my new camera! I just went out and purchased this camera today! I had to buy a new camera for a number of reasons. One being that I am going to be traveling quite a bit this summer and spending a month in Idaho when my sister has her baby and I want a great camera to capture all the cuteness! Also, my club volleyball team will be going to the Reno Festival and I wanted to be able to take a bunch of pictures of all the fun we are going to have. There are many reasons why I decided to spend this much on a new camera!
One of the main reasons I needed a new camera is because my husband had purchased one for my birthday this last August. Unfortunately, over thanksgiving break, it was dropped while at Disneyland and ceased to operate. After finding out it would cost the same amount to repair the old camera, I decided it would be easier to simply buy a new one. I was leary about buying another "slim" camera, as they are all you can seem to find/afford these days, because of the chincy bodies. The last thing I needed to do was lose another $300!! So when I saw that this particular camera was "SHOCK-Proof" as well as "water-proof" I had to investigate! I pondered the validity of this "shock-proof" camera so I went to the store and played around with one. Turns out it really is shock proof from 5ft. and water proof down to 10ft. I don't think I'll ever test out the water proof side of it, but I was definately pleased with the shock proof ability, as I am particularly clumsy. I went out on a limb and bought it! Come to find out, it has the COOLEST feature available on it! In Camera Panorama!
As soon as I can upload a good example of what this camera is capable of I will. I will be getting lots of test shots this weekend! Meanwhile... check out the other features this camera boasts. If you are in the market for a new camera, I would totally recommend this one. Especially if you are clumsy! Take Care!
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Olympus-Stylus-850-SW-8-Megapixel-Digital-Camera-Blue-STYLUS850SWBL/sem/rpsm/oid/204930/catOid/-16941/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

I won the Best Wife in the World award last year. I allowed my husband to make a spur of the moment, very expensive impulse purchase for a, and I qoute..."Chance of a lifetime" to go to the World Series in Colorado. He went... and froze his booty off, but had a great time. He was able to get some pretty cool photos that we've had enlarged and framed for our office. This one particularly stood out... Something about the American past-time of Baseball and the American Flag... pretty gorgeous! Enjoy!!!