The Book Stops Here

Here I am on a Wednesday evening, the night before Darwin’s 200th birthday celebration, trying to create a response to pertinent discussion questions posted on the discussion board for graduate class IST 611 at Syracuse U.

Q: All of the readings give specific examples of ways to use blogs with students and in schools, as well as the positives and negatives of incorporating blogs into your school. What other issues or positive consequences can you foresee happening as a result of utilizing blogs in schools?

First of all, the filter blocks all blogs at my school library.  From the readings, I can see this is a common problem that many librarians face.  It is important to demonstrate to an administrator all that a blog can do for the library, teaching staff, and student body.  I think a strong argument could tip the scale in the librarian’s favor.

Secondly, it is important that the librarian keep the blog active.  If the librarian does not give a reason for the staff and students to log on frequently, readers may lose interest and not check the site.  If, however, the librarian consistently shares new information on a regular basis, more people may follow the site and add comments to posts.  This will keep it alive!

Q:  Can you think of other ways to blog or use established blogs as a teaching tool?

So many uses of blogs were mentioned in the readings this week, but there are other ways to enhance the library with a blog.  I would like to share the daily activities that occur in the library with everyone, both the student body and the faculty.  For example, if I introduced SimplyBox to a middle school English class (as I did today for the collaboration assignment!), I would share it on the blog.  I think it would make others curious and want to know more about what another teacher was able to do with the technology.

I would also share lists of new books purchased.  I would have links to sites like ALA so that students could access them easily to find lists of great new books!  I would have a library club and post some activities the students are involved with and excite enough students to join.  I would also try to share the blog with other school librarians in districts close to mine to share ideas and new technologies so they spread through neighboring districts.  You can’t keep abreast of the new technology if you’re isolated, and I think this would prevent that from happening.

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