Nunaka Librarian

Blogs and Podcasts

As an elementary school librarian I believe it is my role as the “information specialist,” to know about blogs and podcasts and to use them professionally. They are an increasingly popular source of information and can be a popular communication tool for staff and students. Blogs and podcasts can also be a very powerful communication tool between the library and the school community.

I have listed two blog sites; one video podcast site and two podcast sites that I feel will strengthen my professional growth and current instructional practices in the library. The information provided at these sites is relevant, effective and easy to navigate. I commute 45 minutes one-way every day to work. This time would be better spent listening to an educational podcast rather than sports radio.

Doug Johnson The Blue Skunk Blog

http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/why-the-blue-skunk-blog/

Writing, speaking and consulting on school technology and library issues

Doug Johnson is the Director of Media and Technology for the Mankato (MN) Public schools.

ALA TechSource Blog.

http://www.alatechsource.org/blog

ALA Tech Source is a unit of the publishing department of the American Library Association. ALA TechSource publishes Library Technology Reports, Smart Libraries Newsletter and the

Discovery Channel Video Podcasts

Explore your world with Discovery video podcasts! Many short videos that would be great to show at the start of a lesson to hook students.

EdTechTalk.com Podcast

Edtechtalk shows are recorded during live interactive webcasts. Guests discuss what they’ve been working on or share their thoughts about some aspect of ed tech. During the show listeners can skype in to comment and ask questions or they can hang out in the chat room and participate from there.

The Tech Teachers Podcast

A podcast that focuses on technology and education, and where they overlap.

www.thetechteachers.blogspot.com

 Global Collaboration and Learning

How to create a world of success without leaving your classroom author Julene Reed talks about how important it is for students to have the knowledge of other cultures around the world. Students must be global communicators, participate successfully in project-based activities and have collaborative global skills. Educators can help increase global awareness through the use of technology.

I am the librarian at Nunaka Valley Elementary in Anchorage, Alaska. Nunaka is a small school that houses many different cultures. The 2007-2008 Ethnicity Report gave the following numbers:

African-American/Black 21

Alaska Native/American Indian 62

Asian 19

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 15

White 87

Hispanic 38

Multi-Ethnic 51

Total 293

Using Flat Stanley and VoiceThread the students at Nunaka Valley will have the opportunity participate in a project-based global technology activity while learning about different cultures within their own school.

Project Summary

The Flat Stanley Project grew out of a classic children’s book by the same name, written by Jeff Brown. In the story, Stanley, a regular boy, is squashed flat by a falling bulletin board. On the bright side, he discovers that his parents can slip him into an envelope and mail him to visit friends in faraway places. In real life, students in thousands of classrooms around the world participate in the Flat Stanley Project. Each class makes its own cardboard flat friend and creates a life story for him countries. When a flat visitor arrives, host children treat him as an honored guest. They take him along on outings, snap travel photos, and keep a journal of their activities and meals, giving insight into life in their part of the world.

Project Questions:


Are we really so different from others?

How are other kids like me?


What is special about our history, the characteristics of the land around us, and our weather?


How does our friend spend his time while visiting other countries?


How far does our friend travel?


What types of fruits, vegetables, breads, and meats does our friend eat during his stay?