A Librarian's Journey

 Looking Back  Image Source: Giphy.com When I first started this journey of blog posts, I felt stressed and a little nervous about what was ahead of me.  I was anxious thinking about learning new tools and being able to obtain so much new information. I have never created a blog before, let alone shared it with multiple people. Now, as I reflect on these last 8 weeks I have come to realize that it was not so bad. It is only right that I change the GIF from my first blog to the one above. This new GIF reflects how I am feeling now, which is okay!  Looking Ahead Image Source: vecteezy.com My views on technology has not changed much. I think technology is a great tool to use in one's personal and professional life. There are so many advantages to the use of technology. It can allow educators and other professionals do their job efficiently and productively if used the right way. It can allow for connections and networking opportunities. It can also be fun to use to watc...

 My Digital Tattoo Image Source: Profitable Social Media Whatever we do in life, we seem to leave a trail or trace of ourselves. The same can be said about our digital life. Everything we do online leaves a mark, like a tattoo. When we create a social media account on Facebook or Instagram, we leave a permanent part of ourselves in the digital world.  I decided to look up my digital tattoo by locating as much information as possible about myself online. Before conducting this search I reflected on what I believe I would find. I think there will definitely be a digital tattoo or trace of my presence online. I use social media on a daily basis and have a few active accounts. I wonder besides my social media accounts what else might I find? Are there any more Joseline Snyder out there? Data Mine Image Source: Author Screenshot using Firefox Image Source: Author screenshot using Safari I started by searching my first and last name in quotation marks and using different browsers to...

 Accessibility in the Library   Image Source: Liblime.com Accessibility is the ability to access and benefit from the services offered. That means that all individuals regardless of disabilities should be able to access materials and services. In a public library space, this is especially important. Libraries are places where all patrons are welcome and accepted. In order for libraries to truly be a place of welcome, their services and materials must be accessible to all patrons of the community.    According to The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) , it is against the law to discriminate based on disabilities. This imposes certain accessibility requirements for public institutions, like libraries. This means that libraries have to meet certain standards in order to meet this requirements by ADA.  Accessibility and Computers I want to review a tool my local library has available for patrons, Windows computers. Most, if not all l...

 Lets Talk Personalities and PLN Personal Learning Networks (PLN) is a network of connections across different platforms that in which you (an educator) can interact and learn from. PLN can assist you in growing and developing professionally and personally. With the assistance of the digital world, there are more opportunities now than ever before to join or design a PLN. With the invention of social media it has become easier to seek other educators to improve your practice and skills.  How does this tie into personalities? Well there are different types of people or personalities in your PLN. According to  Let's Grow Learners , there are four types: An Encourager: This is someone you can trust to always pick you up when you're down A Challenger: This is an individual that asks tough and valiant questions that make you think An Advocate: This is a person that is in your corner and boosts your reputation  A Technical Advisor...

Digital Devices  While reading about educational statistics in today's education occupation, I came to find a few surprising things. Let's talk technology in the classroom. Technology in the classroom is very common in the digital world that we live in. It is surprising to encounter a classroom which does not use technology or digital devices in at least one way, shape or form. According to Speak findings for the school year from 2022-2023, around 84%of students have a personal device assigned to them at school but not all students are able to take that device home,  especially in the urban areas.  Image Source:  Unfinished Business: Understanding the Digital Divide If we take a look at the table above, we can see that teachers reported that a total of 84% of students are assigned a device however only 48% of students can actually take that device home. This statistic astonished me! In a technologically advanced world where we ...

Active Learning & Picture Prompt Image Source:  education.apple.com Active learning is an approach which encourages and allows students to be active participants in the learning process. Active learning allows students to be engaged and involved in their learning by discussing, writing, speaking or creating. Active learning not only creates an opportunity for students to be engaged but it allows educators to connect with their students. By working on activities together can form a better relationship between students and teachers. It can also increase the student's motivation to learn. It is important to design activities around learning outcomes and to put special focus on subjects that may seem confusing to the students. You may ask, what is an example of active learning? Let's talk Picture Prompts. I have always thought that there is power in pictures ! Pictures allow use to connect to others even if we may not speak their language or know them. Pictures ...