I am trying to move our elementary libraries forward and have identified a need to solidify a library curriculum. I am looking for resources to incorporate into my media-information classes, as well as resources that my media-technicians can use in the library.
I took the opportunity to explore Discovery Streaming deeper. The the advanced search feature is most useful and allows me to narrow the selection by grade, media type, subject and several other options. After entering the search in advanced search, there is a convenient panel on the left side to help narrow the choices. Unfortunately, some of the videos to use for explaining the library are a little dated. But this one seemed to be useful, although it is 25 years old.
Literature For Children: An Introduction to Biography Aims Multimedia, 1990 . Full Video.
Discovery Education. Web. 16 January 2015. <http://www.discoveryeducation.com/>
This resource will work well for my media techs to show, but I would not put it in one of my Moodles for them because it wouldn't be a seamless access (Discovery password required too).
I also took the opportunity to explore WatchKnowLearn . The experience was a little frustrating because of a slow response when I searched the site. WatchKnowLearn provides resources from other sites. I found some cool resources like this video on Google Maps .
It was very intuitive to find the resources, although the age grouping feature really wasn't as helpful as it could be. I would go directly to Youtube for this video now that I know it is there. Youtube videos can be embedded in my Moodles in a very slick fashion as part of the lesson in a fashion that keeps the students in the Moodle environment.
Audio Resource
The use of audio to augment the classroom was a little more difficult. The podcasts in iTunes are very limited for use with young students. I did manage to find a podcast series by Minnesota Public Radio called "Brains On". It is a science podcast aimed at younger children. There is a short podcast (7 min) discussing the history of rollercoasters. Since the 5th graders will be introduced and playing with virtual rollercoasters in their homeroom class, I felt this would set up the experience. It also fits well with my class objectives of teaching them to use social media in a constructive fashion, so I put this link in their Edmodo class and request that they listen and reply to it. This augments the lesson because it provides an introduction which is less teacher-centric and more student-centric.
Resources to Modify Lessons
As I mentioned, I am shoring up the library curriculum. The T.W.I.C.E. site has a great component called ASK (Author, Specialist, Knowledge). This is an interactive component where students can dialogue with authors, including Jonathan Rand. I intend to speak with the P.T.A. to get money and incorporate this feature through collaborative efforts at the school.
This year we expanded our technology class offerings at our middle school. I led the charge, identified curriculum framework for each grade. The students are excited about some of the offerings, particularly the options that include coding. The eighth graders are using Gamestar Mechanic where they not only create games, but they critique their colleagues' work. The Michigan Learns Online site includes a course on Scratch. The use of this Moodle modifys the lesson so students can pace themselves and review, as opposed to teaching Scratch outside the canned course.