This course (LIBS 602) has introduced me to tons of new resources to apply to the classroom. I can now incorporate images, infographics, audio, and video into instruction using modern applications. I’m excited about the new technology trends being used in libraries, but I’m even more excited about the trends to come. Since the library is a living organism (Ranganathan, 1931, as cited in Rubin & Rubin, 2020), I must be an ever evolving librarian who cannot allow herself to get too comfortable with the same old routine. Sarah (2022) says, “I think an important part of staying sharp […] as we proceed into the world as information professionals – is staying curious” (para. 4). Therefore, I am considering three online resources that will continue to feed my curiosity once this course is over.
The Edtech Magazine website branches into two categories for exploration, K-12 and higher education. I have chosen to focus mainly on K-12 since I plan to serve in middle or high school. The K-12 site has thousands of articles about new technology and how it relates to classrooms and school libraries. The site is organized by topics, states, tips & tactics and more. The report card section is especially useful because it highlights recent headlines to support a curious librarian’s search for current trends.
I have shared before that my pursuit of the MLIS degree is not solely for librarianship, but I intend to apply what I’m learning to lesson plans and future curriculum writing opportunities. Educators are often intimidated by technology in the classroom (Szmodis, 2021), but Ditch That Textbook is ideal for helping teachers overcome technophobia because it offers tips, lesson ideas, graphic organizers, blog posts, and Google Classroom ideas. This site teaches educators how to effectively use the tools provided by the district, especially Chromebooks and Google Workspaces, which I am sure will come in handy as early as the end of next month when I’m assigned a new group of students to practice with.
This website has been offering teachers free information on current technological applications in the classroom since 2007! Richard Byrne’s blog posts cover elementary and secondary skills, and he includes an array of programs, apps, lesson ideas, and current events. While I am not likely to report to his site every single day to read his latest posts, a free subscription to his website offers weekly tips and summaries of his daily posts, so I can stay current despite a busy schedule.
In addition to using these helpful sites, I plan to stay current by networking and attending conferences. I plan to set a personal goal of attending at least one conference per year related to library science, technology, or Language Arts. In the meantime, for entertainment and information, I will be following librarian influencers on social media and blog platforms which is also one of the most effective ways to stay current (Rayome, 2017). Lastly, I plan to cultivate and maintain lifelong relationships with my classmates and professors.
References
Rayome, A. D. (2017). 10 ways that IT pros and developers can keep their tech skills up to date. Tech Republic. https://www.techrepublic.com/article/10-ways-that-it-pros-and-developers-can-keep-their-tech-skills-up-to-date/
Rubin, R. E. & Rubin, R. G. (2020). Foundations of library and information science (5th ed.). ALA Neal-Schuman.
Sarah. (2022, June 16). Staying sharp during the summer. Hacking Library School. https://hacklibraryschool.com/2022/06/16/staying-sharp-during-the-summer/
Szmodis, P. (2021, July 27). How to get over technophobia. Hacking Library School. https://hacklibraryschool.com/2021/07/27/how-to-get-over-technophobia/
I like the EdTech magazine too. You also have some good goals for staying on top of tech trends. 🙂
Agreed regarding EdTech. Well-written post! I think it’s imperative that we all keep up with the ever-changing world of technology.