A Librarian's Journey

 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 ...

A Digital World It is a digital world and I am just living in it. This is how I feel most of the time. I come from a generation where dial up internet was groundbreaking technology. The amount of time I spend on the internet has increased over the years, along with new developments and advancements to the digital world. It is only logical that as the digital world grows and new creations are established that one would want to explore and use these new tools. I have come to love and rely on the digital tools I use in my life. When reviewing what digital tools I use everyday and their purposes I was able to create my own digital map.   Digital Maps Don't Lie Image Source: Author Image created with Canva Much like a fingerprint, a digital map is unique to its user. If we were to look at each individual's Web or digital usage, they would not be identical. Each of us prioritize and use certain applications and digital tools based on our needs and wants.   David White ...

  Technology in the Classroom Life as an educator calls for the use of technology in the classroom. Imagine two classrooms, one where the teacher uses a smart board  and the other a whiteboard. A teacher can use a whiteboard to write and draw information during lessons. Students can come up to the board and contribute via writing or exchanging thoughts. A photo can be taken of the notes but ultimately the whiteboard will have to be erased to make room for new materials. A regular whiteboard limits the interaction and resources that a teacher can provide to their students. While a smart board can enhance the students' and teachers' experience. A smart board allows for educators to not only write down notes, but share them digitally, save files, collaborate with students, record lessons, share videos and much more! Which would you rather have, a whiteboard or smart board?  Were you able to see the technology integration...