LIBE 477 - Blog #2 - Developing ICT skills, learning and building communities

 

                                      

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This is a topic that is important to me. As a self-described introvert, initially, the thought of working as a solo in the library was kind of appealing. I didn’t anticipate the loneliness that would accompany this move. After years of working collaboratively and being part of a team, the feeling of ‘being part of everyone’s team, but really, no team’ has taken some adjustment. What became quite clear to me during the remote learning this past spring is that collaboration and community spark creativity for me. I crave connection, community, and a feeling of belonging much more than I thought I did. Finding long-lasting ways to stay connected to continue learning is important, but even more so for me, it is the shared experience and community that is needed most. 

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As we moved online, I knew the need to connect people with resources was critical. There was an almost overwhelming flood of resources, that needed to be vetted, read, and then shared out with the people that they would benefit. In the 3 months of being online, I created a blog, a padlet, an (unlisted) youtube channel, and developed a virtual classroom. None of these I had much experience with, so here is where my informal PLN roots began to be planted.

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Twitter is where I find much of my inspiration and shared resources. Following well-known educators like Pernille Ripp and Colby Sharp was an easy place to start. Also, I follow my colleagues at work, presenters from PDs like George Couros and classmates from courses also began to fill my feed. I found great resources from authors like Jarrett Lerner and Kelly Yang and from book ambassadors like Mr. Schu. As strange as it sounds, Twitter has been one of my best places for learning, articles, trending issues, and resources. It is here I found the amazing Virtual Classroom template. I continue to build a meaningful follow list, and to check-in and connect is how I can plan to continue to keep this thread going.  

In real life, I am fortunate to have a friend who is also an elementary Teacher Librarian. We regularly share ideas, although it has been over the phone, and not as often lately, it is so helpful to have a colleague and friend who understands some of the celebrations and challenges of TL life. She has been a great sounding board and place to share thoughts. I value her opinion and respect her greatly. She is incredibly creative and in-tune with students. One of her blog posts about 'wonder' from this summer was excellent!

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What was really interesting for me though, was how self-sufficient I have become. I had to new skills, like how to screencast independently, then surprised myself that I could!  I learned to make iMovies, solve my blog questions, and screencast through youtube tutorials. Since technology is moving so fast, and it feels like change is incredibly rapid, being able to create and solve hiccups on my own is important. Not only this, but teachers are looking to me to lead in this realm, to help create, build, and inspire. Being able to collaborate with a team to adopt a project to build in tech is a huge part of my job that is new. 

Attending Tuesday night office hours in this course has been hugely beneficial. Not only do I love to connect, but I walk away with new learning in ideas every week. Hearing what other schools are doing for COVID protocols, sharing ideas, and having lessons to further my learning has been incredibly applicable to PD. I learned about screen recording on my iPad Tuesday night and used it Wednesday for a lesson! 

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After this course ends, I know continuing to connect will be important for me. Twitter will likely be one of the spaces I can easily maintain. As for my own professional development, I think building a community of teacher librarians in Calgary, (or Alberta) would be helpful. I am also interested in Google for Education. Continuing to build by formal knowledge in combination with the confidence that I can learn on my own too seems like a good place to start.  

Works Cited

Chapman, M. (2020, July 22). [web log]. https://www.strathconatweedsmuir.com/blog/let-wonder-take-the-lead/ 

Google. Solutions built for teachers and students | Google for Education. Google. https://edu.google.com/intl/en_ca/?modal_active=none

Harte, S. Rundle College Learning Commons. https://rundlecollegelearningcommons.blogspot.com/

Panczner, K. (2020, May 7). Virtual Classroom Templates. Google Slides. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1cRhLv0JVq9V3Q-gSk2l7SQmVeT2ANLna1NpBAu6SIuA/edit?ts=5ede722a

Pixabay. (2020, October 17). https://pixabay.com/