In the Library Learning Commons with Ms. Gatzke

By the time I finish up the T-L Diploma program, it will have taken me six years. I joke that I am completing the slowest Diploma ever. But, there is something to be said for being the proverbial slow and steady tortoise ! Several of my courses have devoted a module to the "Role of the Teacher-Librarian," and I have had the chance to come back to that question along different points in my professional development, and in my life. I've been able to collect some favourite tropes along the way. And, I've been able to appreciate how their meaning shifts when I go back to them at a different stage of the journey.  Favourite Trope #1: The Remixer I first watched this video pre-Covid. Ray's discussion of advocacy was helpful then, but it rings even more true now. This year, with staff shortages and the time in our T-L schedules really shrinking, I appreciate my supportive admin that endorses my Pro-D, and I make sure I communicate with them about this learning and its be...

This first Theme of LIBE 467 began with an overview of terms and definitions relating to reference services. In that first week and the three that have followed, I have scrutinized and dissected many terms and titles, and admired the insight of my course colleagues in doing the same.  But. I didn't come across a phrase that really charged me up until the final pages of this, our fourth week's, chapter.  Riedling admonishes, "As a school librarian, you must assist students to effectively and efficiently use the Web, create a culture of information inquiry, and create information-fluent students (those who can access, evaluate, organize, and use electronic information) for tomorrow's world" (104).  There seems to be a lot we must do. Like: a lot, a lot. But there, sandwiched among those big skills where I only hope to break ground with my Elementary learners, is something I know we can do - and do amazingly! We can live a "culture of information inquiry." ...

My Future Vision artifact is a digital book for teachers introducing the Book Creator platform, and my suggestion for a school-wide project aimed at centering student voice. Making the Book I really experienced how working in a different format changes the way we work. Compared to writing a paper or report in Word (as I've done in most previous courses), working in the digital book had a comfier feel, if that makes sense. Rather than laying down either notes or parts of a final draft (either/or fashion), the various things I was doing were all parts of the big picture of my book. When I couldn't think of the next piece of content, I could work on other little design elements, like the shapes and backgrounds, hyperlinks, or embedded content. I was doing these little bits while still in the book, and while mulling over that missing content piece (both/and rather than either/or). Even browsing images informed my thinking and writing. I had no idea when I started out, that I would...

I am glad for this week’s prompt, “Who is this for and why?” I was busy diving deep with exploring the tool , and this assignment pulled me out of that to take a broader perspective. My promotion/invitation to Book Creator is for teachers. Book Creator  is a cool digital activity that they and their students will have fun with. But, that isn’t enough of a “why .” I need to be clear about how it meets a need for them.   When surveyed about “making” activities this September, Book Creator was the number one response.   There is already an interest . I wonder, though, is this because it looks like a fun activity, or do teachers already have an idea of where they want to use it? I think I will take a note from Shawnese T in her Future Vision Blog Post #1 and “gather some input” at this point. Ongoing dialogue is golden. Why not let teachers know that I de sign my Pro-D with them o n my mind and heart. The input will help me develop the artifact I'm working on: which exampl...

My personal vision as a Teacher-Librarian is for kids to see themselves and their stories in the LLC. The two digital tools I chose to focus on , with this in mind (for this year!), are Stop Motion and Book Creator. I’ve got some great resources and district Pro-D support set up as I  go forward with Stop Motion. So, f or my LIBE 477 final artifact I am going to put my energy towards diving into Book Creator. Sharing student books is as key to my vision as making them. I want to support kids in sharing their books among their classroom and beyond : to the whole school, and to their families ... and, possibly with teacher and family support , to the larger community.   Here is a joyful example of a Book Creator project: Diving in: Exploring the App     I quickly found five webinar recordings that speak to my project goals: four hours of YouTube watching . Hopefully it’s manageable in segments while using cardio machines? The topics are: accessibility and inclus...