Reflections on the AASL Conference and Treasure Mountain Research Retreat

Started in October 2013.
I attended the Treasure Mountain Research Retreat with David Loertscher et al on November 13 & 14 in Hartford.  My goal is to transform my little one-person library into a vibrant learning commons.

My interest in the Learning Commons comes from Brookfield High School.  The former librarian there, Sydney Cohen, worked with the principals to make the library a hub of learning.  BHS has a whole-school iPad initiative which started three years ago with this year's juniors.  Prior to the roll-out, administration took the time to encourage staff members to use Google tools with their students so the rollout wouldn't be so difficult for them (staff.) It made things smoother, according to Joe Palumbo, the current principal.

Some juniors are part of a tech team that helps out in the library with device issues.  The library is staffed with the team every period of the day.  We got a chance to meet them, and they are very engaged in the process. BHS has blocks instead of periods, so they can do deeper learning.  I remember when it started.  John wasn't thrilled initially, but he liked it after a while.

Things I need to do to get a LLC model running:

4/2016 finishing this post (started in 2013)

Better collaboration
More staff
Moveable furniture
Buy-in - self and administration

I hesitate, because many of the area Fairfield County schools follow a "learning commons" model and are frustrated by the seeming chaos in the library at all times. I'm not a chaos girl. Right now, I could get a room full of students every single period who want to come and hang out with friends. That makes it a lounge instead of a library. I don't feel good about that.

Reflections on Google 103

Reflections on Google 103

PD presentation, April 6, 2016

In January, a call went out to the district for Google presenters for the April 6 P.D. I am familiar with Google tools, so I decided to volunteer. I was assigned to teach Google 103, the third most difficult in a series of 4 workshops.

The description:

Transform your classroom to emphasize collaboration and student led learning through google applications and extensions. Learn how technology can transform the roles of students and teachers in the classroom to dramatically increase student learning, achievement, engagement, leadership and participation.

In the description, I was to cover adaptive pathways using Google Forms, ten add-ons in Forms and Slides, and Google Hangouts. 

Photo from monkeymagic1975 on Flickr.

I didn't know that you could make a "choose-your-own-adventure" using Forms! Fun! I found a handful of tutorials online and made my own adaptive learning pathway, walking participants through basic Google Forms, then more advanced options. I also looked up the eight suggested add-ons and played around with Google Hangouts. I set up my Chrome browser with three of my favorite extensions: Readability, Clipular, and Ad Block +.

After only one anxiety dream, I was ready to present at our district-wide PD. My classes were full. Most of the participants did not realize that it was possible create adaptive pathways, and were more interested in using Forms for assessment than creating differentiated paths.

I looked at the add-ons and recognized that I would never use any of them, but gave a brief explanation and connected a tutorial for each.

Hangouts is TERRIBLE in a classroom setting. The aural feedback was annoying. I was not able to successfully connect to anyone in the class. I have bad karma with hangouts!

Here is a link to my Google 103 handout.

I think most participants were overwhelmed. I don't think my topic was as practical as some of the other topics offered. I gave out a link to a Google Doc I created with links to everything we talked about, including the slide presentation. I recognize, from attending many workshops, that I leave with enthusiasm, and too much information -- so I need a quiet space and good instructions to try it at home.