the Virtual Bookmark

Why our editors support an open online journal and a membership drive

I recently was reading the Canadian Education Association web site.  I surfed over because of a listserv Webbits from Linda Hof, SFU ESGA, and skimmed the home page. I found they had a journal online. Fall 2009, Volume 49, Number 4, produced by the Canadian Education Association. Iwas intrigued with the abstract because I have been developing strategies for high transition. Good so far....then I saw a sidebar text-' Free Online Articles' . ' The Real Value of Teacher:If Good Teachers Matter, Why Don’t We Act Like It? '  - Oh goodie...jackpot! Wrong....they wanted a subscription. 

Just as big boys like Salon and Wired struggle with revenue streams from their online presence, organizations like CEA or BCTLA suffer and worry.  We need subscriptions! We need memberships! The same paradigm it seems.  How do we protect our intellectual property and how do we financially survive?

Surprise surprise! The article I wanted to read was closed to subscribers. Oh well, I sigh.  

Our latest issue features several articles that focus on the priorities, strategies, and effectiveness at preparing students for their next challenges, and will be a source of encouragement for teachers and administrators to begin their improvement efforts.( CEA)

http://www.cea-ace.ca/pub.cfm?subsection=edu&page=cur#free-online

Then I reflected on our Virtual Bookmark.  We open up everything, good bad and ugly. We are not proselytizing librarianship or economic fools but rather simple professionals advocating our service.  If readers all over the globe get our articles or documents for free so be it. We support intellectual property more than most and we preach appropriate use.  We also have come to believe it is an asset not a liability, to give our content away. 

With respect to BCTLA, I think teacher-librarains, whether 0.3 or 1.0 , need to join their professional organizations for pragmatic networking and advocacy.  Since I have been directly involved, I am astounded by the hours invested by your member volunteers because they care about school libraries, teaching assignments and teacher-librarian careers.  The journal and other resources are just desserts. 

Very soon 'subscribed' active members will receive the 50th Anniversary issue of the Bookmark in their mailbox. Yes, it is printed and mailed to each member.  This is because we are celebrating and want teacher-librarians to have not just a golden souvenir but a symbol of the years of hard work by past TL's who produced 50 years of journals! It also is a good device for advocacy in their region.  Go online and print your own copies- share the wealth- for free. - Al Smith

I eventually did get the above mentioned article. Thanks ERIC. 

 If you want my article- visit the citation below.

References.

Education Trust. 'Real Value of Teachers' online. 2004. < http://tinyurl.com/eric-ed494819 > 

Fall Activities Report now online

The BCTLA Executive has produced a summary report of activities. 

 Download file and read about the exciting projects completed or underway. 

  http://bctf.ca/bctla/pub/reports/2009%20BCTLA%20Fall%20Activities.pdf

Simonds Elem-Langley Drop Everything and Read. video

Once upon a time - well, the time was Oct. 26, and it was a Monday, and the year was 2009 - a little school named Simonds Elementary decided to invite some people over to have a read.

Thanks to Marilyn Richardson( who is always reading, because she's a Teacher Librarian;  )  for sharing this event.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fheq-Cg6NlQ&feature=player_embedded

BCTLA DEAR asking for your activities, results...(Survey)

The BCTLA would love to know what your school, district did for Drop Everything and Read challenge on MOnday October 26, National School Library Day.  A 2 minute survey to collate data.  Thanks

http://bctf.ca/bctla/info/events.html

Chapters Online’- a pursuit of a communication model

BCTLA FALL COUNCIL 2009 :                   Friday, October 23, 2009

Chapters Online'- a pursuit of a communication model….Al Smith

1. 1. Concept:
      
      -That the BCTLA investigate and invest in an online platform that integrates functions and members' needs into a single common environment, including core BCTLA communication like alerts, special events, documents, etc. but also including supplementary services like Forums, Blogs, Messaging, Calendars, that could benefit all Chapters. - a social network if you will. This centralized platform would nurture common experiences, share skill sets, and nurture a common online culture from essentially one URL.
   2. Rationale:
      
      -some regions have state of the art online tools while others have none or ad hoc.
      -Multiple online tools increasingly require more training time and are labour intensive while producing marginal benefits.
      -the current web site model is not collaborative enough for our current needs
   3. Assumptions:
2. -despite cuts and politic fatigue, BC teacher-librarians now more than ever, need to seek efficiencies for members
   -BCTLA can demonstrate an envious professional standard of excellence
   -BC teacher-librarians and Chapter members can share their substantial education, skill and insight while addressing solutions internally
   -BCTLA can provide leadership and demonstrate progressive solutions
   -members desire improved communication not more communication
   -there is a potential for URL fatigue
   -some members still are uninformed and under-represented across the province
   - the web is a changing environment far beyond email and WWW
   -standard web sites are one dimensional
   - email is an inefficient method for serving large groups such as BCTLA
   -the BCTLA Executive is effectively using web 2.0 interfaces such as Forum and Exec Groups
   -BCTLA has many member generated services yet it is primarily still top-down
   -managing a traditional web site is labour intensive and skill challenging
   -web 2.0 tools can be managed by a member with intermediate skill sets
   -user-generated content is less passive and more participatory
   -a portal or social network platform might provide tools easily linked with the core BCTLA
   
   eg. Google query> BCTLA Conference>
   http://www.google.ca/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1R2GPEA_en&q=bctla+conference&meta=lr%3D&aq=f&oq=
3. eg. Google query> B.C. and Teacher-Librarians
   http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1R2GPEA_en&num=50&q=B.C.+and+Teacher-Librarians&btnG=Search&meta=&aq=f&oq=

1. Issues and Options:
   1. -most platforms are still driven by a few authors or posters? Monies and human cost of new proprietary systems? Effective transition of BCTLA Executive personnel and duties? BCTLA Goals: midterm and long term may have other priorities?
   2. Options
      1. Ning or other network like open source
         1. Demo:Ning> http://bc-teacher-librarians.ning.com/
         2. Demo: Drupal> http://drupal.org/features
      2. Proprietary service like Firstclass or other
         1. Demo: SD23 Firstclass network
      3. Subscription service like Wordpress.org
         1. Demo: Wordpress.org> http://blogs.ubc.ca/

Q&A/feedback

BC Leg: Hansford - teacher-librarians DEAR recognized

TEACHER-LIBRARIANS AND
PROMOTION OF READING

R. Cantelon: Yes, today is Drop Everything and Read a book, and that's good advice to everybody in this House and in our communities. We have today with us some teacher-librarians who are facilitators in helping students find the magic of books and learn from it. They will develop, among other things, critical thinking — something that we could all use more of, and I'm sure you're very well aware of that concern here in the House.  [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Yes, the Internet is fine, but teacher-librarians today are facilitators in helping to answer the questions, encourage the questions and encourage students to seek the answers in books. The Internet is very well and fine, but to give a whole context to proper thought is to pick up a book and read it. A lot of that is happening. It's very, very helpful to the students. It's very important, personally, in my family. My son is married to a teacher-librarian and carrying what will be, I hope in January, a grandchild to our family. So I'm informed very directly and personally about the importance of teacher-librarians. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

There's new forms of it, new forms that we're taking reading to the students in the schools. The WOW Bus, Words on Wheels, is working. It will be in Pouce Coupe, in Dawson Creek, and it's a very prominent feature in my own riding as well. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Early learning is extremely important. So we have a simple message today: drop everything and read. Take a book home with you. Read, it will make you think. It will make you a better person, and we think this is a message we would like to take to children, parents, government, communities. So let's celebrate and support our valuable teacher-librarians and all the work in getting that message out today.  [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

DROP EVERYTHING AND READ DAY

D. Thorne: As my colleague just told us, October 26 is National School Library Day and the third anniversary of the B.C. Drop Everything and Read Challenge. The Drop Everything Challenge has grown by leaps and bounds since 2007. It's a simple yet powerful idea that promotes the importance of literacy in our society.  [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

I was lucky today to be able to participate in the challenge. I read aloud to about 100 students at James Bay Community School under the supervision of teacher-librarian Stephen Marta. It was a great experience. It brought back many memories to me of reading aloud to my own children when they were young, definitely one of my favourite memories. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

All over B.C. today, parents, politicians and local celebrities converged on their local schools to point out the pleasures of reading and the importance of school libraries. For many years studies have proven that next to socioeconomic factors, the single greatest influence on student achievement is a healthy school library program. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

Student achievement is up to 20 percent higher in schools where the library has a robust collection of resources which have been selected by a fully trained teacher-librarian who has adequate staffing time to teach both students and teachers. Public education aims to provide a level playing field for children, and the school library program is at the very heart of that equity. Sporty or clumsy, brainy or arty, introverted or out there, there is a place for every student, teacher or administrator in the library. [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

So let's all take up this challenge from our school librarians: when we get back to our offices today, every single one of us, drop everything and read. Let's do it now.  [DRAFT TRANSCRIPT ONLY]

BCTLA will be visiting the BC Legislature+DEAR2009

BCTLA will be visiting the BC Legislature in celebration of National School Library Day on Monday, October 26th! The trip is sponsored by the BCTF and we thank the BCTF for their support.

Twelve teacher-librarians, including four secondary, six elementary, and two district teacher-librarians, will make the journey to Victoria for the day. Of the team, five teacher-librarians are currently members of the BCTLA Executive and two are Past Presidents of BCTLA.

The schedule for the day includes meetings with MLAs and part of the afternoon observing Question Period, during which it is expected that two MLAs will read Private Members' Statements regarding B.C. school libraries. In addition, four MLAs will be participating in Drop Everything and Read events in elementary schools throughout Greater Victoria in the morning!

Raising Your Profile-Lindsay-61

SD 61 Greater Victoria

Submitted by Karen Lindsay

Profile Raising

Here are a few ways to raise your profile in your school and district while keeping up your morale:

1. Focus on providing service
   1. to students, (obvious!)
   2. to colleagues (How about getting a holiday reading list together? Or making a webpage for each subject area, showing links to recommended websites. Collaborate with teachers in its creation. Or use de.lic.ious social book marking to keep track of them.) and
   3. to your administrators (They have research needs, too. Make sure they have an account on EBSCOhost and show them how to subscribe to alerts for their favourite journals.)
2. Make sure that someone other than you knows the specifics of how and what you contribute to your school community. When you do something special, notify your principal, PAC, Superintendent and/or Trustees. When you look good, the school looks good and they look good.
3. Be on the agenda for all or most staff meetings, but do not waste their time. Have something useful to say, or demonstrate something that will help them deliver their PLOs.
4. Join or form a literacy committee at your school. Plan events that promote the love and importance of reading for your students. Pilot daily silent reading if your school is not already doing so.
5. Attend at least a few PAC meetings per year, and not just when they're handing out money. Show them how to access the database bundle from home, or demonstrate Inspiration or the online catalogue. When they give you money, show up with the books you bought with the funds and a big thank you. They'll be amazed at how few books their donation purchased and may be motivated to give you a bigger piece of the pie next time.
6. Keep your credentials and skills current. Make sure your personnel file is up to date.
7. Build your LSA and if you haven’t already done so, join the BCTLA. Together we are stronger and smarter.

2 Million Minutes doc- 21st C Solution for who?

Two Million Minutes Documentary:

A discussionn we should all have- teacher or otherwise. The recent film is all about solutions for education.  Not all of us in the world are failing despite the viral hype we hear from the US media.  The US is not the true centre of the globe just the media magnetic north. 

However, we need not look to the USA for solutions( we should not) but the discourse south of the 49th gives us a sense of the panic america feels toward education.  The author Compton is a supporter of the KIPP Charter school model.

I notice that the reflection on public education is almost invisible- despite the fact that most Chinese and Indian children receive publically funded schooling. A parralel topic is the Obama agenda. see blog below. 

Blog: http://www.2mm.typepad.com/

The back story : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQJvxpVFFZA&feature=player_profilepage

Trailer:

UBC Celebrates National School Library Month

FWD:  http://www.library.ubc.ca/edlib/avatar/avatarv3n3.pdf

Videogames, Virtual Worlds and Real Learning

4:30-6:00 p.m., October 26, 2009  Dodson Room, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre 

Panel Speakers:

• Eric Meyers, School of Library Archival and Information Studies, UBC
• Dr. Kathy Sanford, Associate Dean of Teacher Education, University of Victoria
• Liz Merkel, Doctoral Candidate, University of Victoria.

Every day millions of children and youth login to virtual environments where they play, socialize, create and explore a digital landscape as avatars or “virtual characters”.  By the end of 2011, researchers estimate that 80% of active Internet users will be using virtual worlds. While virtual worlds are undeniably popular among children and youth, they have attracted the attention of anxious adults, teachers and librarians.  Parents and child advocates suggest that videogames are dangerously addictive and even toxic to real-life pro-social development.  Others decry the blatant commercialism and commodification of childhood experience.   

Researchers Dr. Kathy Sanford and Liz Merkel from University of Victoria and Dr. Eric Meyers from University of British Columbia will share what they have learned about the nature of videogaming and virtual worlds.  Dr. Sanford has focused her research on the videogaming of adolescent boys while Dr. Meyers as a participant and observer has explored the virtual play spaces popular with children and designed for home use, such as Club Penguin, WebKinz, Woogi World, Panwapa, Millsberry, Second life, BarbieGirls, Pixie Hollow, HandiPoints, and Sifaka World.  Virtual worlds are not just play spaces, but the focal point of a great deal of information work.  The implications for school and library professionals are worthy of our attention especially as we celebrate learning and National School Library Day. 

**This special event has been sponsored by the School of Library Archival and Information Studies in collaboration with the Education Library and Irving K. Barber Learning Centre.   

A live podcast of the panel presentation will be available so that participants off campus may join with us for this exciting National School Library Day event.   
 
For more information about this event, contact Jo-Anne Naslund, Education Library

604-822-0940 or email joanne.naslund@ubc.ca  or Simon Neame, simon.neame@ubc.ca  Irving K. Barber learning Centre.