iRead, iLearn, iShare

On Thursday 5th July, 50 participants attended a Teacher Librarian Meetup at the Children's Bookshop Beecroft.  

Organised by Julie Walter from Our Lady of the Rosary Kellyville, it  was a very popular day.

 Topics shared were:
QR codes
Augmented reality
Childrens Book council Award events
Discipline ideas
National Simultaneous Storytime events
  Library Makeover ideas

A key session was Paul MacDonalds 'Shortlisted Books and Trends'

Participants shared ideas, raised questions, networked and then had time to enjoy lunch and browse the wonderful Children's Bookshop.

   
QR/Ar presentation by Lisa Nash Learning Exchange

Learning and Teaching with QR codes and Augmented reality

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CBCA NSW - presented by Mary Anne Cartwright, St Marks Drummoyne

CBCA NSW presentation

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Discipline in the Library - presented by Neil Donovan, Gilroy College

Discipline in the library

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NSS - presentation by Julie Walter, Our Lady of the Rosary Kellyville

National simultaneous story time

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Our Lady of the Rosary Kellyville refurbishment - presentation by Julie Walter, Our Lady of the Rosary Kellyville

Our Lady of the Rosary Kellyville refurbishment

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Shortlist Books and trends 2012 - presented by Paul Macdonald, Children's Bookshop Beecroft.

Shortlist 2012

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National Simultaneous Storytime in our schools

In this National Year of Reading 2012, our schools celebrated National Simultaneous Storytime by sharing a Readers Theatre  Presentation of the picture book, "The Very Cranky Bear" by Nick Bland. 

On Wednesday 23^rd May a group of teachers from Good Shepherd Primary School, Plumpton presented a Readers Theatre version of the book.

Their performance was streamed live via video link on LEXTV, bringing delight to many excited audiences in our K-2 classrooms across the Diocese.
 

 The Diocesan Learning Exchange facilitated the broadcast and photos are now available on The Very Cranky Bear photo gallery. 

The Very Cranky Bear - Readers Theatre

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Schools and Social Media

Educators worldwide recognise the needs for students to be active participants in the highly connected world in which we live.  The use of social and mobile technologies to communicate, connect, collaborate and learn are now a standard part of the lives of our community.  However, schools are grappling with how to balance this with the concerns from the school and its community over possible issues around online bullying, security and distraction of students in using this media.

A few resources for our schools to help utilise social media effectively:

Books
 Available from the Learning Exchange Library.

Communicating and Connecting with Social Media,
by William M Ferriter, Jason Ramsden, Eric Sheninger
Bloomington IN: Solution Tree Press, 2011

Blogs, Wikis, Podcast and other powerful Web tools for classrooms.
by Will Richardson, California: Corwin press, 2006


Web based resources

Using Mobile and Social Technologies in Schools, NASSP

Tweet Smarter:

Top 10 Social Media Tips For Teachers:

3 principals promote learning with mobile devices and social media

The Learning Leader

Our strategic focus at Catholic Education Parramatta in 2012 is 'Learning by Inquiring'. To help guide us in this focus we will be using Douglas Reeves book 'The Learning Leader'
Douglas Reeves, author of The Learning Leader says ‘the best analytical leaders are not masters of answers but rather persistent questioners.’
Learning Exchange has access to both the print and eBook version of Learning Leader as well as many other articles written by Douglas Reeves.

The Learning Leader: How to focus School Improvement for Better Results.

Electronic book version

The Learning Leader : How to Focus School Improvement for Better Results by Reeves Douglas B, 2006 | ASCD This book introduces the Leadership for Learning Framework, which gives readers a tool for measuring and understanding how their own actions influence student achievement.

Staff and teachers at Catholic Education Parramatta can access an electronic copy of 'The Learning Leader' book via our Ebook library. This can be be viewed online or downloaded to your Desktop. Or you can download it your iPad via the Blue Fire reader app. Scan the QR code on the left to take you to the Ebook Library version.
(You will be prompted to login to Staffnet.)
Use your smart phone QR code reader to read the QR code pictured adjacent. Try Qrafter for iOPad or ScanMee for iPhones or use Google to locate other QR code readers for other smartphones. Many smartphones come with their own QR code reader/scanner.

Print Version
Available for loan from Learning Exchange

Other resources authored by Douglas Reeves
Ebooks from the Ebook Library via Staffnet

Renewal Coaching Workbook by Reeves Douglas B; Allison Elle, 2010 | John Wiley & Sons, Inc. In their groundbreaking book, Renewal Coaching, Douglas Reeves and Elle Allison offered coaches, managers, teachers, and consultants a research-based, sustainable approach...

Leading Change in Your School : How to Conquer Myths, Build Commitment, and Get Results by Reeves Douglas B, 2009 | ASCD Providing real-life examples of leaders who have successfully met the challenge of change, distinguished author and researcher Douglas B. Reeves shows educational leaders how they can create the conditions...

Reframing Teacher Leadership to Improve Your School by Reeves Douglas B, 2008 | ASCD School improvement expert Douglas B. Reeves proposes a new framework to promote effective and lasting change through teacher leadership and action research.

Articles	(Contact Learning Exchange for access to the following articles)

Leadership for Student Empowerment.
By: Reeves, Douglas B.. Educational Leadership, Nov2008, Vol. 66 Issue 3, p84-85, 2p
The article discusses how school superintendent Sheldon Berman increased self-efficacy of students in the Hudson Public School district in Massachusetts and the Jefferson County Public School district in Kentucky. The author discusses a service learning program Berman implemented in the Hudson Public School district that requires students participate in community service and encourages student involvement in school management and decision making. He discusses the adaptation of the program to urban schools in the Jefferson County Public School district and the use of inquiry-based mathematics instruction, reading interventions and a different history curriculum.

Challenging Inequity, Insisting on Excellence.
By: Reeves, Douglas B.. Educational Leadership, Oct2008, Vol. 66 Issue 2, p85-86, 2p
The article discusses conflicting methods of reducing achievement gaps for students of different races and socioeconomic contexts. The author notes an method supported by the Efficacy Institute, an educational organization, that emphasizes high educational standards for all students, the promotion of motivation and self-efficacy in students and curriculum reform based on student feedback.

CRAFTING Strategic Plans.
By: Butler, Kevin. District Administration, Mar2008, Vol. 44 Issue 4, p36-41, 6p, 2 Color Photographs, 1 Illustration
The article offers information on the key principles to enhance K12 leadership at school districts in the U.S. Douglas Reeves, founder of the Leadership and Learning Center in Colorado, mentioned some simple principles that can help K12 leaders be more effective in creating and communicating objectives to staff and improving accountability. Reeves added that teachers and staff bring about change by seeing and buying into benefits of new initiatives.

Accountability at a crossroads.
By: Reeves, Douglas B.. Leadership, Nov/Dec2004, Vol. 34 Issue 2, p12-37, 6p
Abstract: Argues that the United States needs school leaders who will make accountability decisions that are grounded in research, not popularity. Effective leaders as architects of the boundaries; Motivation of students by choice and empowerment; Legitimate criticisms of standards; Building on strengths; Searching for strengths; Drawing meaningful influences; Adoption versus implementation.

Video resources
Educational Leadership with Dr Douglas Reeves (interview by Kris Needham 4:45 mins)
Discussion around relationships betweens School leaders action and student outcomes

Virtual learning and libraries with QR codes

Learning Exchange has recently utilised QR code technology in two different ways to extend learning and access to digital resources.
Firstly, we have implemented a virtual library resource stand external to the library for clients who physically can't access our library easily.

This mobile resource stand displays QR codes that point to selected ebooks.

Each QR code comes with a small blurb about the book and instructions about using the QR code.

For more information see the media release on the Catholic Education Parramatta website.

Secondly we developed a' QR Code Learning Quest' to demonstrate how QR codes can be utilised in learning via libraries.

Participants from a range of our school libraries took part in the quest using our iPads.  Participants found the quest fun, engaging and they also got to know more about the resources in the library.  I have included a preview to the facilitators instructions and participant worksheets via a flipsnack book.  Not all pages are available via the flipsnack book.


or you can download the whole document here.

Get started with QR codes and Learning

The use of QR codes (Quick response codes) are really taking off across all aspects of our lives. There are great opportunities to use them in learning and many educational bodies and libraries are taking on the challenge.
(Picture at right from the Daring Librarian - Hot QR codes in the classroom and library)

Following is some great resources to get you started using QR codes in learning.

What is a QR code?
A QR Code is a matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code), readable by QR scanners, mobiles phones with camera, and smartphones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on white background.
Depending on the information used to create the QR code, it might direct the viewer to a website, show a text message, make a phone call, or more.

Inspiration
Want to connect with your learners - create a virtual learning space or library. See how one business connected with its customers by QR codes.



Implications for teaching and learning
See my previous post about QR codes - implications for teaching and learning.

What can I include in a QR code?
From: The complete guide to QR code technology

1. Website URL
2. Telephone Number
3. SMS Message
4. Email Address
5. Email Message
6. Contact Details (VCARD)
7. Event (VCALENDAR)
8. Google Maps Location
9. Wifi Login (Android Only)
10. Paypal Buy Now Link
11. Social Media
12. iTunes Link
13. YouTube Video
14. and more…

Creating your QR code
There are a number of online QR code generators. You can search for one that suits your need.
A few I have tried that work well
Kaywa QR-Code Generator
Simple QR generator that is a good one to start with for generating a code to link to a website or deliver a text message.

BeQRious
Get a bit more adventurous with this QR code generator.
Link to a map or embed images in your QR code (like this one at right as an example)

Things to consider when creating your QR code
1.Keep your url short by using a URL shortening service like TinyURL.
2. There is a minimum optimal size for printing the QR code. (32x32mm)

For other ideas on how to make your QR codes work effectively see The Three Rules of QR Codes.

How to use QR codes in Learning
Try a Scavenger hunt - called a Scan-Venger hunt in QR code talk. for this and other ideas, Cybraryman has an extensive list of great ways to use QR codes in learning so why reinvent the wheel. Go straight to his webpage on QR codes and access:

• 40 interesting ways to use QR codes in the classroom
• QR literature quest
• Swamp Frog First Graders: Mystery Math QR Code Scanning
• and lots more

How to read QR codes
Again there are tons of free QR readers for any smartphone or iPad. Try searching for reader or scanner in the App store. A few we have tried that are good are:

• QRset
• QRreader
• Qrafter

QR codes in the Library
Hot QR codes in the classroom and library provides some good photos and ideas of how libraries have used QR codes to engage their learners.

Implementing QR codes in the Classroom
Vicki Davis on her CoolCat Teacher Blog has a very practical QR code Classroom Implementation Guide.

Another useful resource is QR codes in Education.

Copyright tools for schools - Creative Commons resources

Creative Commons licenced materials are a good place for schools to start when looking for resources such as music, film clips and photographs to use in their projects and teaching resources. Schools can use these materials for noncommercial work as long as they attribute the creator.
The following links give good information about Creative Commons and how to find resources that are licensed Creative Commons.

Creative Commons for Music Educators

Creative commons material for Video resources
Youtube and Creative commons content via YouTube Video Editor.


Information about accessing Creative Commons material via the YouTube Video Editor is explained on the YouTube blog.

Attributing creators the easy way
Judy O'Connell on her HeyJude Blog has highlighted the easiest way to attribute images you use from Flickr.
I quote "Alan Levine has written a Flickr Attribution Helper – a browser script that embeds easy to copy attribution text to creative commons licensed flickr images. Greasemonkey is an add-on for Firefox browser. Stephen Ridgeway, from New South Wales Australia, created a video that explains how to use the Flickr CC Attribution helper (thank goodness – a blog post by itself would never do it!). Download and install the Flickr Attribution helper (after you have installed Greasmonkey)."
See the video:


Where can I find more information about Creative Commons?
Smartcopying is the official site for copyright information for schools. There are comprehensive information sheets and FAQs about all aspects of copyright including Creative Commons.

Creative Commons Australia provides free licences and tools that copyright owners can use to allow others to share, reuse and remix their material, legally. From here you can also search for licensed works that you can share, remix or reuse.