Final Reflection

 

        Throughout this course, I have made some definite strides in my familiarity and comfort with using new digital tools and gained a clearer picture of the librarian's role as a digital mentor and leader. 

Some digital tools are a challenge for me, especially in the social media category. I am one of the very few people who do not have a Facebook or Instagram account. I do have an X (Twitter) account since it was a requirement of my district, but other than that, I am not on social media. Creating and posting on a blog for this program was a new experience for me that caused me a bit of anxiety. After beginning, I became more confident with each post, and the anxious feelings of putting my thoughts out for everyone to see and comment on began diminishing. Through this, I also gained confidence in using my X (Twitter) account beyond the few required posts, so much so that I have put it as one of my goals for TTESS this year. 

We also learned about many great tools that I am excited to explore further and apply in my classroom. I think that I have begun to see my thinking and comfort level shift from a majority group toward becoming an early innovator and eventually an innovator.

What excited me:

ChatGPT- I was blown away with my first experience using AI! The possibilities are endless, but with great possibilities come great responsibilities. AI is a tool that can help support and complete mundane tasks such as composing emails and writing newsletters. But it is important to remember to tread carefully. We are responsible for using AI ethically and responsibly, ensuring that we are models for our students, and providing them with the necessary skills to do the same.

Canva: Having used Canva a bit before, I was a little more comfortable and confident about digging deeper. After having the opportunity to engage with it more, I became more fluent in the basics of designing infographics, presentations, and newsletters. I also discovered how to use the AI feature Magic Write and was surprised at how easy it was to use. I love that as educators, we have access to all of the features in Canva for free! 

Library Design: For a previous class assignment, I designed a library to include spaces that met the state standards. I enjoyed going back and looking at the design through the lens of UDL and ADA. I could reflect on my prior work and apply what we were learning to modify and add to my design. We will continuously do this in our careers, reflecting on what we are doing and applying and implementing new research, strategies, and technology to improve our programs.

What was difficult:

Blog—I found creating a blog difficult due to my lack of experience and confidence with social media. Blogger was very user-friendly (especially for a newbie), and I was able to figure out how to engage effectively in this new platform. Coming into this experience as a laggard regarding social media was a big challenge.

Wakelt- I found this to be similar to Padlet but not as easy to navigate. I was unable to comment on or like other posts within Waklet. I was not the group member who posted, so my experience may have differed from a different perspective.

Screencastify: The aspect that was hard for me was recording myself and being part of the video. This is outside of my comfort level but increases confidence with the amount of engagement with it. I was familiar with Screecasity because it was the platform we used during COVID and online teaching. At that time, I had no choice but to record myself and distribute it for others to see. I realized my comfort level had diminished since I was no longer obligated to make videos. This was not an issue with the platform at all! Screencastify is very user-friendly and effective for recording videos and editing prior recordings. The difficult part for me was being part of the recording. Reflecting on this, I need to do it more often to help increase my confidence and comfort to be comparable with where it was during COVID.

Most beneficial:

Nearpod—I had so much fun creating a lesson using Nearpod. This was my first opportunity to use this platform, and I can't say enough about how amazing it was. The ease of use was on point, especially for a new user. I could easily upload videos, add questions to the videos, create games, include discussion boards, and more. There are many creative ways to engage students, and I can see myself using this to develop lessons for my class and share with peers.

Book Creator—This was another new tool for me. It was also straightforward to navigate, and I feel confident that my kinder students will be able to use it in the latter half of the year. As I was playing around with it, my 10-year-old came over to see what I was doing. She got really excited about it and wanted to make a book. Her enthusiasm solidified how useful this tool is to foster creativity in the classroom.

Jen Hatmaker Article

In reflection on this article, I appreciate the reflection of and application to being digital leaders. One of the first things that would be essential when stepping into a new library position is to survey stakeholders, including staff and parents, to determine their needs. Designing an effective and engaging program is only possible if you know what is needed. This begins to build positive collaborative relationships and is also one of the initial steps in advocacy. Meeting the needs of the people you serve is advocacy itself. Staff and parents will begin to appreciate the library's role as more than a book house when they see their needs are valued and considered. 

Her point about considering whoever has the least power was intriguing. This is so true with technology. Those who are willing to embrace technology will have different needs than those who are intimidated. We cannot provide cookie-cutter support when the needs vary from person to person. Providing the right amount and type of support goes a long way in developing positive, collaborative relationships that ultimately benefit the students. The goal is to provide equitable access and engagement with technology for students through direct teacher instruction or the library. 

As I have gathered more experience and ventured out of my comfort zone, I noticed increased excitement about technology and have found myself sharing what I have learned with others, further evidence of movement toward my goal of being a digital leader and innovator. Just today, at our PD on campus, I was discussing Nearpod and Wixie with my IT. We have already started collaborating on getting the students to create a project for our open house in March! I am excited about the future and furthering my knowledge and application of digital tools in my journey to becoming a digital leader.

The digital tool I chose to use to share my reflection is Book Creator. 

Here is a link to my book: Digital Leadership